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Chinese navy conducts exercises in waters east of Luzon Island

Xinhua) 14:01, April 25, 2026

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Naval Task Group 107 has recently conducted military exercises in the waters east of the Philippine Luzon Island, according to a statement released by the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command on Friday.

These exercises focused on live-fire drills, air-sea coordination, rapid maneuvering, and underway replenishment to test integrated joint operations capabilities, the statement noted.

It also noted that this was a necessary operation in response to the current regional situation, and it was fully in compliance with international law and practice.

Forces of the Southern Theater Command will regularly conduct corresponding military operations based on the need of the security situation to safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability, the statement added.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
What former PM Trudeau says of the risks of U.S. economic coercion

OTTAWA  Former prime minister Justin Trudeau is warning that American tariffs threaten to drive Canada closer to China in the auto sector.

Speaking at a CNBC event in Singapore on Thursday, Trudeau said economic pressures and coercion nearly drove Canadian aerospace company Bombardier into Chinas arms almost a decade ago.

Trudeau said that when Bombardier began building its C-Series jets, both American aircraft maker Boeing and Dutch manufacturer Airbus did everything they could to keep Bombardier sales grounded.

They were talking to all their customers, Dont you dare put in an order for the C-Series! Dont you dare, dont you dare! And finally, Bombardier started really struggling, he said.

So what happens? China comes knocking on Bombardiers door and pulls up a dump truck full of money  So Boeing and Airbus, that were busy trying to put out Bombardier out of business  almost drove us into Chinas arms.

Trudeau said he raised the issue at the 2017 G7 summit in Italy with U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and now former German chancellor Angela Merkel.

After that meeting, Trudeau said, Airbus began purchasing Bombardiers C-Series jets -- a move he attributed to the talks at the G7.

Trudeau said a similar scenario is playing out now, with U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs on Canadas automakers pushing it to explore closer auto sector ties with China.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump walk together during the G7 Summit in Taormina, Italy on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

In 2024, Canada imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, matching a U.S. move, and citing unfair trade practices.

In 2025, Trump imposed punishing duties on the Canadian auto sector.

In January, after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Mark Carney secured tariff relief for Canadian agricultural sectors in exchange for allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs into the country at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1 per cent.

Trudeau said the episode with Bombardier shows that bad-faith competition between nations that are supposed to share values only gives an advantage to countries that dont share those values.

Were seeing a similar thing happen right now with President Trump. Threatening the Canadian auto industry, where were now having to look at working with China because the American industry doesnt want to work with us anymore, Trudeau said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Alexandra Magistrate's Court has heard that the youngest son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and his cousin allegedly paid a shooting victim R250,000 in cash, with a further R150,000 promised, in a bid to keep him quiet.Investigating officer Colonel Raj Ramchunder told the court that 23-year-old Sipho Mahlangu, who was shot twice in the back at the Mugabe family's Hyde Park residence in February, confirmed receiving the payment."He was paid R250,000, and on the same day, a promise that a further R150,000 would be paid to him in cash," Ramchunder said.The accused, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe (28) and his cousin Tobias Matonhodze (33), appeared in court for sentencing, but the matter was postponed to next Wednesday.Both men pleaded guilty earlier this month. Mugabe admitted to pointing a firearm at Mahlangu and to being in South Africa illegally, but avoided an attempted murder charge.Matonhodze faces more serious charges, including attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and violating immigration laws.The defence, led by Advocate Laurance Hodes, urged the court to impose non-custodial sentences, arguing that both men were capable of paying fines or additional compensation."Should this court order further reparations, both accused would be in a position to honour such an order," Hodes said, adding that the pair were also willing to cover their deportation costs.However, Ramchunder pushed for a harsher sentence, telling the court that neither accused had cooperated with police in locating the firearm used in the shooting, which remains missing."Both the accused were there when the firearm was fired and injured the victim," he said. "The accused show no remorse assisting the police in any way to point out where the firearm is."According to court proceedings, Mahlangu was shot while attempting to flee during a confrontation at the Hyde Park property and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.The case adds to a history of legal controversies involving the Mugabe family. In 2017, former first lady Grace Mugabe was accused of assaulting a model in Johannesburg but left South Africa after being granted diplomatic immunity.The matter has been postponed for sentencing, with the court expected to deliver its ruling next week.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A major crackdown on illegal gold mining along the Mutare River has forced suspected miners, including Chinese nationals, to flee into nearby mountains, leaving behind heavy machinery and equipment.The operation, carried out by the Joint Operations Command (JOC)-comprising the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services-resulted in the seizure of 12 excavators and other high-value equipment allegedly used in illegal alluvial mining.Authorities say the excavators were found hidden in bushes along the riverbanks in an apparent attempt to evade detection. The suspects, believed to include Chinese nationals running large-scale operations, fled as law enforcement officers moved in.Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the operation and said additional equipment including wash plants, generators and water pumps were recovered.Two private security guards-Douglas Maocha (52) and Maxwell Miccah (39)-were arrested after they were found guarding mining equipment concealed in a thicket. A general worker at Yung Tech (Pvt) Ltd, Peter Makunura, was also taken into custody.The suspects are being held at ZRP Penhalonga for further processing.In a separate operation, eight individuals were arrested for criminal trespass at Chikanga Farm, while police also confiscated a wide range of mining tools, including shovels, mattocks, submersible pumps, generators and fuel.Authorities further raided an unregistered tuck-shop near Chikanga Bridge, seizing assorted alcoholic beverages being sold illegally.Despite a government ban on alluvial mining, illegal activities have persisted along the Mutare River, raising serious environmental concerns. The river has been increasingly degraded by unregulated mining, threatening water quality and downstream communities.Environmentalists and residents have long called for stronger enforcement, warning that continued mining could cause irreversible damage to the river ecosystem.Police said the seized equipment remains under armed guard at the site as investigations continue.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The family of former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu has strongly condemned what it describes as an illegal postmortem conducted on his remains in South Africa, accusing authorities of defying a court order and violating the late leader's dignity.In a statement, the family said South African police, working alongside Zambian officials, arrived at Two Mountains Funeral Services in Johannesburg on April 22 and pressured staff to release Lungu's body without the presence or consent of relatives.The remains were then transported to the Tshwane Forensic Pathology Service in Pretoria, where they arrived later that evening. According to the family, a police officer identified as Sgt. Ngwenya, together with an unnamed Zambian diplomat, opened a postmortem docket citing "suspected poisoning" as the cause of death-allegedly based on information from a family member.The family has firmly rejected this claim, stating that no such report exists and that the docket was not supported by any medical evidence or doctor's report.Alarmed by the developments, the family's legal team approached the High Court in Pretoria on an urgent basis. Late that same night, the court issued an order directing the immediate return of Lungu's remains to the Johannesburg funeral home and calling on those involved to explain why they should not be held in contempt.Despite the court order, the family alleges that a postmortem was conducted the following morning by Dr. Shirley Jena-Stuart at the Pretoria facility, reportedly at the instruction of Zambian authorities and the police officer involved.The family argues that the procedure was unlawful and not covered by an earlier August 2025 court ruling, which only addressed the repatriation of Lungu's body to Zambia.The remains were eventually released back to the family late on April 23, after intervention by senior South African police officials. The family has since regained custody.Describing the incident as a "grave abuse of power" and a "clear contempt for the rule of law," the family said it is considering further legal action, including contempt proceedings.The dispute comes amid an ongoing standoff between the Lungu family and current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema over the handling of the former leader's burial.More than 10 months after his death, Lungu's remains remain at the centre of a legal and political battle. A South African court previously ruled that the Zambian government has the right to repatriate the body for a state funeral, despite objections from the family."The wishes of the family cannot outweigh the right of the state to honour a former president," the court held in its earlier judgment.Although the family sought to appeal, the deadline to do so expired last week. The matter is expected to return to court on May 21.Lungu, Zambia's sixth republican president, served from 2015 to 2021 before losing power to Hichilema in a closely contested election.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A South African court has postponed sentencing in the case involving Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, son of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, with prosecutors pushing for direct imprisonment on multiple charges.The Alexandra Magistrates Court heard that the state is seeking 12 months' direct imprisonment for Mugabe on a charge of pointing a firearm, along with an additional 12 months for being in South Africa illegally. Mugabe has pleaded guilty to both offences.His co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, faces significantly harsher potential penalties after pleading guilty to a series of more serious charges. Prosecutors are seeking five years' direct imprisonment for attempted murder, 12 years for possession of an illegal firearm, 12 years for defeating the ends of justice, a fine for unlawful possession of ammunition, and a further 12 months for immigration violations.If imposed, the firearm-related and justice-defeating charges alone could see Matonhodze serve a combined 24 years behind bars.The charges stem from a February 19 shooting incident at Mugabe's Hyde Park residence, in which his security guard, Sipho Mahlangu, was wounded. The firearm allegedly used in the incident has not been recovered.According to the investigating officer, Mahlangu has received R250,000 in compensation, with an additional R150,000 still outstanding. However, the officer urged the court to impose custodial sentences, arguing that both accused had failed to show remorse and had not cooperated fully with authorities by disclosing the whereabouts of the weapon."Both accused showed no remorse," the officer told the court, adding that the continued failure to produce the firearm pointed to ongoing non-cooperation.The defence argued for non-custodial sentences, maintaining that other individuals present at the Hyde Park property could have removed the weapon. It also cited the compensation already paid to Mahlangu as a sign of accountability, despite the outstanding balance.The matter has been postponed to April 29, when the court is expected to deliver its sentencing decision.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Seven suspected members of the Movement for Democratic Change  T (MDC-T) have been arrested and brought before the Harare Magistrates' Court for allegedly plotting a protest against the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).The accused - Clifton Zumba (27), Shingirai Chitauro (45), John Simon (53), Tonderai Cephas Makuyana (28), Decent Zaina (46), Jane Makovere (47), and Austin Name (52) - appeared before Magistrate Ruth Moyo and were remanded in custody to April 29.According to the State, the group was involved in organising an illegal demonstration in Harare's central business district targeting CAB3, a proposed law that has sparked widespread debate over provisions to extend the tenure of the President and members of Parliament, as well as restructure elements of Zimbabwe's governance system.Court papers allege that on April 16, 2026, Zumba convened a meeting at Harvest House in Harare to strategise for a public procession opposing the bill.Prosecutors further claim that the group produced and distributed flyers encouraging members of the public to participate in the protest, which authorities say had already been prohibited."On 22 April 2026 at 2000 hours, accused (1) gathered the rest of the accused persons and gave them the fliers to further distribute across greater Harare," the State submitted.It is alleged that in the early hours of April 23, the accused travelled to Chitungwiza in a silver Honda Fit, where they continued distributing the material across several locations.Authorities contend that the flyers contained messages inciting members of the public to engage in acts of public violence and breaches of peace."The accused persons' conduct was meant to incite members of the public to engage in acts of public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry," the State alleges.The seven are facing charges of incitement to commit public violence under Section 187, alternatively criminal nuisance under Section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.Investigations are being led by Detective Constable Muchadura Dauzeni of the CID Law and Order section.The matter has been postponed to April 29, with all accused persons remaining in custody pending further proceedings.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean government has completed the development of an automated smart traffic management system capable of detecting road violations in real time, paving the way for a nationwide rollout aimed at improving road safety and reducing human interaction in law enforcement.The system, developed by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology Postal and Courier Services in partnership with TelOne, uses surveillance cameras to identify offences such as running red lights, illegal parking and other traffic violations.ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the platform is already in place and is awaiting official launch following Cabinet approval."We have developed a system where traffic offences are automatically detected through cameras, including driving through red lights and dangerous parking, among other road violations," she said.The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, which is leading the programme, alongside the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and local authorities.Minister Mavetera said the system reflects the government's commitment to adopting digital solutions to enhance public safety and service delivery. Once launched, it is expected to usher in a new era of automated law enforcement, improving efficiency and transparency while reducing reliance on manual traffic policing.National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the Zimbabwe Republic Police fully supports the initiative, describing technology as essential in modern crime-fighting."Criminals are evolving, and so must our methods," he said, adding that authorities are engaging stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.The system builds on ongoing efforts by the police to modernise traffic enforcement, including the installation of surveillance cameras at key intersections and the use of digital tools to monitor offences.Authorities say the new platform will integrate these measures into a centralised database, enabling real-time monitoring, instant identification of offenders and efficient processing of penalties.The rollout is part of Zimbabwe's broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to integrate technology into key sectors such as transport, law enforcement and urban management.Speaking at the 2026 Digital Economy Conference held on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Minister Mavetera emphasised the urgency of embracing innovation."In the new world, it's not the big fish which eats the small fish, but the fast fish which eats the slow fish. Zimbabwe must be fast," she said.She also highlighted the recent launch of the Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (20262030) by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a key milestone in the country's digital journey.The government has also announced plans to establish the National Innovation Acceleration Centre at the ZITF grounds to support innovation and bridge the gap between ideas and industry.Officials say the smart traffic system is expected to play a key role in reducing road accidents, curbing corruption and improving compliance with traffic regulations across the country.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Alpha Media Holdings board chairperson Trevor Ncube has issued a strongly worded critique of Zimbabwes ruling party, Zanu PF, describing it as a destructive system that he says cannot be reformed from within.

In a public commentary on X (formerly Twitter), Ncube argued that Zanu PF has evolved into what he termed a political, economic and social parasite, claiming it has become deeply entrenched in governance structures and wider society.He further alleged that the party has attracted individuals driven by greed and opportunism, saying mediocrity has become normalised within state systems. Ncube also suggested that political decay has filtered into everyday social behaviour, influencing public conduct and civic responsibility.According to his remarks, the system must be uprooted root and branch, signalling his call for fundamental political change rather than incremental reform.Ncube also urged citizens to take immediate action regarding the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), encouraging written objections to be submitted to the Clerk of Parliament by 17 May. He said he would publish a template to assist citizens in formally opposing the bill and encouraged the public to pressure Members of Parliament to account for their positions.He outlined what he described as seven specific actions for civic engagement, presenting them as part of a structured campaign rather than isolated protest slogans.The remarks were shared alongside a link to his Substack publication, where he expanded on his views regarding constitutional reform, governance standards and political accountability in Zimbabwe.Ncubes statement adds to the ongoing national debate over constitutional amendments, governance concerns and public participation ahead of parliamentary consideration of CAB3.
New round of China-U.S. giant panda conservation cooperation contributes to bilateral friendship: spokesperson

Xinhua) 15:07, April 25, 2026

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A new round of international giant panda conservation cooperation between China and the U.S. will enhance the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

According to media reports, a new pair of giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, are going to be sent to the United States under a 10-year international conservation cooperation agreement.

"The giant panda is China's national treasure and also serves as a bridge of friendship among peoples around the world," Guo told a press briefing, adding that it is believed that the new round of international giant panda conservation cooperation between China and the U.S. will make new contributions to promoting the health and well-being of giant pandas, improving the ability to protect endangered species, promoting global biodiversity conservation and enhancing the friendship of the two peoples.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
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Wild forest fires in northeast Japan have forced around 3,000 people to evacuate their homes as the flames move closer to residential areas.

Two forest fires in Iwate Prefecture were burning for a fourth consecutive day on Saturday, marking one of the worst mountain wildfire disasters in decades, according to the ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The fires have scorched more than 730 hectares (1,800 acres) since breaking out on Wednesday afternoon in two districts of Otsuchi.

The first blaze engulfed a mountainous area, followed by another about two hours later, roughly 10km (6.2 miles) away, near residential neighbourhoods.

Pictures showed a large column of smoke rising up in the sky near the town of Otsuchi as helicopters dropped water on the burning forest. The fire could be smelled up to 30km away, residents have said.

open image in gallery Fire trucks move to a new location as smoke is seen in the background in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture ( AFP/Getty )

The flames have advanced towards homes, destroying at least eight buildings. More than half of the towns population of 3,233 is now under evacuation orders in Otsuchi.

More than 1,300 firefighters, along with troops from the Japan Self-Defence Forces, have been mobilised to battle the fires. Helicopters have also been deployed to drop water over affected areas and forests near homes at risk.

"Ultimately, I do hope it'll rain," a resident in Otsuchi told public broadcaster NHK.

Eight buildings, including one residence, have been engulfed in fire, officials said, but no casualties have been reported.

open image in gallery A Japan Self Defense Force helicopter drops water on the head of the fire near the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture ( AFP/Getty )

Experts say seasonal dry weather, combined with layers of dried fallen leaves on forest floors, is a recurring trigger for wildfires in parts of Japan each year.

Taken together, the current blazes have burned the third-largest area on record in the country, according to media reports  behind a 2025 wildfire in Ofunato that consumed about 3,370 hectares, and the Kushiro fire of 1992, which burned around 1,030 hectares. The Ofunato blaze early last year was the worst Japan had seen in more than half a century.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, will intensify and prolong periods of drought, creating conditions increasingly conducive to wildfires.
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A woman has said she was left unable to remember large portions of her life after receiving a mental health treatment that involves sending electric currents through the brain.

Lisa Morrison, 52, from Northern Ireland, received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on the NHS six times between 2009 and 2016 as part of treatment for her depression, but claims it only caused her and her family more harm.

ECT, which is administered to about 2,500 people in the UK annually, causes a brief surge of electrical activity within the brain, also known as a seizure. The aim is to relieve severe symptoms of some mental health problems, including severe depression, according to mental health charity Mind.

But Ms Morrison has been left with long-term memory loss, unable to remember her wedding day or significant moments of her childrens lives.

Sometimes I find it very distressing, especially when I think about my children and their early years, Ms Morrison told The Independent. Its something else that was taken from me, from people who were meant to help me.

open image in gallery Lisa Morrison, pictured with her husband Gary Morrison, said she is unable to recall her wedding day or moments of her children's lives due to electroconvulsive therapy ( Lisa Morrison )

The mother-of-two, who has since been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress and a dissociative disorder in 2020, was taking antipsychotics, antidepressants, three tranquillisers and sleeping tablets before she was offered ECT.

I was back in the emergency department, self-harming and suicidal, so it clearly wasnt working, but they kept giving it to me, she added.

However, it wasnt until a few years after the treatments that she realised she had memory loss.

She recalled: I was so unwell at the time, my life was a blur. I was separated from my husband for five years; he had to look after the kids because I was just so unwell.

I moved back in with him and my kids in 2018, and I began to realise there were large portions of my life that I didnt remember.

He would talk about things I didnt remember: our wedding day, significant events in my childrens lives.

Her husband, Gary Morrison, said: After treatment, she seemed to regress to a childlike state. Her extreme fragility and vulnerability meant she had to be carefully nurtured. I was desperate for something to help her.

open image in gallery The mother-of-two said it was years before she realised there were significant moments she could not remember ( Lisa Morrison )

Other patients who have received ECT say it has diminished their quality of life and even caused brain damage.

A study, co-authored by Ms Morrison alongside clinical psychologists at the University of East London, surveyed 286 relatives and friends of ECT recipients and found more than a third had reported brain damage.

The findings, published in the journal Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice, revealed that while 45 per cent of respondents reported an improvement, 42 per cent thought it had made the problem worse. Two-thirds reported that the treatment diminished the patients quality of life and 34 per cent believed it caused brain damage.

Ms Morrison claimed ignoring the severely disabling effects of ECT is a human rights failing and wants to see more research into the treatment.

John Read, professor of clinical psychology at the University of East London and co-author of the study, believes the treatment should be "immediately suspended.

He told The Independent that more research is needed as no placebo-controlled trials of this treatment have been conducted since 1985, and he doesn't believe there is evidence to prove the treatment works.

open image in gallery ECT causes a brief surge of electrical activity within your brain, also known as a seizure. The aim is to relieve severe symptoms of some mental health problems ( Public domain )

Prof Read suggested a range of alternative treatments could help people if they are seen early enough, such as cognitive behaviour therapy.

These findings highlight the necessity to be fully transparent about the efficacy and risks of ECT to both patients and relatives. Without this level of detail, the consent provided by patients and their loved ones may not meet the requirements of informed consent, he said.

Multiple MPs called for a ban or suspension of ECT in 2023, demanding an urgent and comprehensive review due to fears over causing irreversible brain damage and its disproportionate use on women, who made up around two-thirds of all ECT patients in 2019. However, the treatment is still offered on the NHS to patients with severe depression and catatonia.

Mental health charity Mind also believes ECT research is not fit for purpose and acknowledges the treatment can have a big impact on family life.

The evidence base for ECT has never been fit for purpose and this latest study further substantiates the need for a rethink about whether and when this treatment is offered to patients, said its information content manager Rosie Weatherley.

Mind claimed some people are offered ECT before other treatments, such as talking therapies, which is against the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

A NICE spokesperson said: ECT is recommended only in restricted circumstances when other treatments have not worked, or when a condition is potentially life-threatening. It is not a routine or first-line treatment.

"Before ECT is considered and offered, clinicians must weigh up the individual risks and benefits, including the potential for cognitive impairment. Where patients have capacity, consent must be given freely and without coercion, and they must be made aware of their right to withdraw it at any time. In cases where a patient lacks capacity, any decision to proceed with treatment is made within a strict legal framework and must comply with relevant legislation.

"We keep our guidance under review as new evidence emerges.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Our thoughts are with anyone who has experienced harm or distressing side effects following ECT. Patient safety is paramount to us and we take all accounts of this kind incredibly seriously.

It is NICE who is responsible for issuing national guidance and advice and ensuring that this reflects the best available evidence. Clinical guidance from NICE is clear that patients must be fully informed of the risks and side effects before any decision is made, and that appropriate precautions must be taken throughout.

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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One noise that seems ubiquitous in Tanzanias villages is a revving motorbike, often making its way across a difficult dirt road while overloaded with farm produce to sell. A recent study found that nearly 90 per cent of vehicles on rural Tanzanian roads are motorcycles, or boda bodas, with their riders a critical part of the local economy.

So when the motorbike mechanic in the village of Mwavi, in the Bagamoyo district of Tanzania, fell ill with malaria and died a few days later, a keystone of the community was gone. He told us he had a terrible headache, so he went to the hospital, and they gave him some pills, explains Mgeni, a mother of five who lives in Mwavi. When he didnt improve, he went back, but they told him it was too critical, so he was lost. It is very sad because he was such a big part of the community.

Tanzania is a country where the mosquito-borne disease remains endemic, with its population of 70 million accounting for roughly four per cent of global malaria deaths. The latest figures say that in 2024, there were 9.4 million cases and 26,000 deaths. This is in spite of the fact that numerous effective treatments exist for the disease, and the fact that the risk is significantly reduced if you sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net.

The global picture suggests that factors including climate change and antimicrobial resistance are pushing outcomes in the wrong direction, with worldwide deaths increasing from 598,000 in 2023 to 610,000 in 2024. A particularly cruel aspect of the disease is that three-quarters of those deaths were children under five.

open image in gallery Mgeni, a mother of five who lives in the village of Mwavi in Tanzanias Bagamoyo District, has told The Independent that participation in a vaccine trial has transformed malarias impact on her community ( Nick Ferris )

open image in gallery Motorcycles are a critical economic lifeline to the outside world - so Mwavi took a big hit when the villages motorcycle mechanic died from malaria ( Nick Ferris )

In recent years, though, Mwavis experience of malaria has taken a significant turn for the better. I would say the number of people infected with malaria has fallen maybe 90 per cent over the past five years, says Mgeni.

The major reason for this change has been the villages participation in a field trial for a malaria vaccine, known as R21, which was developed by Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute and first approved by WHO for use in 2023. Mgenis six-year-old daughter has participated in the trial, and her claim that the vaccine has transformed malarias impact on the village is confirmed by Dr Angela Gwakisa, the clinician overseeing the work across the Bagamoyo district.

We have definitely seen a reduction in malaria in our data over the past five years, and that has only improved as we have given out booster doses, Dr Gwakisa explains. While only children were in the trial, it has also reduced malaria in adults because the vaccine blocks malaria parasites from spreading the disease. Most people get malaria when bitten by an infected mosquito carrying the malaria parasite. For the mosquito to become infective, it must bite a person already infected with malaria parasites. About one week later, that same mosquito will bite the next person and subsequently inject the parasites via her saliva. And the cycle of infection continues.

Such has been the villages appreciation for the vaccine that one mother gave her a gift of 21 pineapples, Dr Angela says, which is the main crop grown by smallholder farmers around Bagamoyo.

Ever since the trial of malaria vaccine started, there has been a massive reduction in the frequency of the illness, especially in the children who took part in the trial, says Amina, another resident of Mwavi, and a mother of two whose youngest child participated in the trial. This is something we truly appreciate because malaria was such a big problem here.

open image in gallery Amina, like Mgeni, says that participation in a vaccine trial has had a hugely positive impact on malaria in their community ( Nick Ferris )

open image in gallery A smallholder pineapple farm in the village of Mwavi. The fruit is the main crop grown in the region, and Dr Angela Gwakisa, the lead clinician overseeing the vaccine trial, said that she was once given 21 pineapples as a token of gratitude for the trials success ( Nick Ferris )

However, the success of the trial is tempered by the wider picture around aid for such programmes. Tanzanias health service has been hit extremely hard by foreign aid cuts, particularly from the US but also from countries like the UK, with HIV/Aids, maternal health, and malaria particularly reliant on donor support. The closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) resulted in $216m lost in aid to Tanzania alone, according to one analysis. Meanwhile, some 5,000 healthcare workers involved in HIV and malaria prevention programs were affected, according to another.

Both Mgeni and Amina report that the USAID-branded vehicles, which would have driven through the village distributing mosquito nets, no longer come, while some malaria medication that was formerly available at the dispensary is now not always there.

With the Bagamoyo vaccine trial nearly at its conclusion, the results will soon be sent to medical authorities for assessment. Given that the vaccine is already being rolled out in countries including Nigeria and Ghana, it seems likely that it will be approved. However, the big question is whether the government is able to afford to include the vaccine in Tanzanias routine childhood immunisation programme, particularly given the impact of aid cuts on the country.

In terms of safety, I can 100 per cent testify as the lead clinician of the study that the vaccine is safe, she says. The question that is hanging over us is how ambitious the government will be in terms of their aim to eliminate the disease, and how much they are prepared to budget in order to reach all the remote parts of the country.

Dr Maxmillian Mpina, a Tanzanian research scientist who is overseeing a trial for RTS,S  another malaria vaccine developed by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)  adds that Tanzanias health system is set to continue feeling the impacts of aid cuts in the years to come.

We expect to see impacts continuing in the years to come because the government [reorganised] its budget in order to cover the sudden loss of funding from the aid cuts, he explains. The government has just started reorganising its finances to respond to that hit, and the country is struggling with the impacts of this reorganisation.

open image in gallery Angela Gwakisa, Maxmillian Mpina and Aina-Ekisha Kahatano, research scientists overseeing vaccine trials in Tanzania ( Nick Ferris )

The story of aid cuts threatening Tanzanias ability to fight malaria is also not unique to vaccines.

Both Dr Gwakisa and Dr Mpinas vaccine trials are being overseen by Tanzanias Ifakara Health Institute, one of Africas leading disease research organisations, with programmes spanning tuberculosis, rabies and HIV. Like similar organisations in the global North, Ifakara relies on a mix of philanthropic and public funding to sustain its work  a funding model that has recently come under strain following the termination of a USAID programme worth $15m per year, which had employed around 800 people.

There is a strong sense upon speaking to scientists at Ifakaras research campus in Bagamoyo town that people are worried that the reduced funding could impact both research into high-tech malaria solutions, as well as the rollout of malaria control products.

There was a trickle-down effect from USAID ending their funding, because foundation money from other projects was redeployed, which meant that some research streams that were never funded have been put on hold, says Dr Brian Tarimo, a research scientist working on Transmission Zero, which is a project producing genetically engineered mosquitoes that are unable to pass on the malaria parasite.

Dr Sarah Moore, who works to counter antimicrobial resistance by evaluating mosquito-control products like bed nets and repellants, says that research funding has been decimated across the institute. I have sat in on meetings with the Tanzanian government where we have been trying to figure out how to get enough bed nets to cover the population, she says. I have halved my consultancy fee for the WHO, and I have taken on fewer PhD students because there just isnt any money any more.

Even before the impact of aid cuts, the $3.9bn that was being invested in malaria eradication annually is less than half the $9.3bn needed to put the world on track for eradication, according to the WHO, and all the evidence points to that number now falling considerably as a result of cuts to foreign aid.

Dr Moore says that risk factors, including population growth, climate change, which increases the prevalence of standing water where mosquitoes breed, and growing resistance to insecticides, all mean that malaria research programmes require consistent high funding across multiple research areas in order to keep ahead of malarias spread. Any suggestion that a groundbreaking new technology might be able to fill the gap left by the aid cuts does not stand to reason, she adds.

Even if a major technological breakthrough happens, we still need a lot of money to invest in production and have the boots on the ground to actually implement it, she says. Look at polio: we have a vaccine that is lifelong, yet we still have not managed to do the last mile because of how challenging this is.

Beyond novel technologies to prevent the infection, another part of the malaria response puzzle that requires healthy levels of funding is the research into developing medicines to keep treating the disease as the parasite develops immunity to some older products.

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is an organisation that has been at the heart of this particular endeavour since 1999, developing 19 new antimalarial drugs through a public-private partnership model that works with pharmaceutical companies and philanthropic or pubic donors  including the UKs Foreign Office  in order to develop medicines that the companies would otherwise not have any incentive to produce.

These drugs from MMV have treated and protected an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide  and they speak to the absolute necessity of grant-based financing in malaria treatment programmes, according to MMV CEO Martin Fitchet.

We rely on partnership with the pharmaceutical industry because their expertise is essential, and on donors to ensure the medicines we co-develop are affordable for the communities they serve, he says, speaking to The Independent over Zoom from Switzerland. But its not just about developing new medicines; health systems also need sustained financing to deliver them.

If you stop funding the health systems, people will die today, and if you stop funding the R&D, people will die tomorrow. And thats not a choice we should be making.

This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
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A teenager charged with the 2024 murder of a woman in London has appeared in court after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

Enzo Bettamio is accused of stabbing Kamonnan Thiamphanit, also known as Angela to her friends, to death at her home in the Bayswater area on 6 April 2024, Westminster Magistrates Court heard on Saturday.

Bettamio, 18, of no fixed address, was extradited on a flight from Dubai to the UK on Friday. He appeared in court wearing a grey, prison-issue tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

No plea was entered, and Bettamio was remanded into custody to appear at the Old Bailey on April 28.

Prosecutor Frances McCormack told the court: The defendant is charged with murder. The defendant was extradited from the UAE to the United Kingdom. He arrived and was charged yesterday.

The charge relates to the stabbing of the 27-year-old, which took place in Westminster in 2024.

The circumstance of the murder was that the deceased was found at her home address, which was in Stanhope Place, on April 8 2024

She was located with multiple stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation was launched, and the defendant was noted as wanted. He was then extradited on April 24, yesterday, and arrived on a flight from Dubai.

The charge follows a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and specialist lawyers in the Crown Prosecution Service, she added.
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Dog attacks resulting in injuries across the UK have increased by more than 80 per cent since 2020, new figures reveal.

Data obtained by the Daily Mirror show police recorded offences of out-of-control dog attacks causing injury have risen from 16,040 in 2020 to 29,400 last year  an alarming 83 per cent increase.

The number of attacks has continued to rise despite a ban on the XL bully breed, which was implemented in February 2024.

London saw the highest number of dog attacks in 2025, with the Metropolitan Police recording 2,530 cases, while Greater Manchester Police recorded the second highest total with 1,678.

Earlier this month, a three-month-old girl died after being bitten by a dog.

open image in gallery Three-month-old Maggie-May Ann Moody ( Cleveland Police/PA )

Maggie-May Ann Moody died on April 9 in Dormanstown, near Redcar, Cleveland.

Armed police attended and shot a dog at the property, with another being put down later.

In a statement issued to Cleveland Police, her family said: Maggie changed us in so many ways.

She was everything to us. She gave us meaning and purpose every day, and we feel empty.

As parents and a family, we have been robbed of a beautiful lifetime and memories with her.

Our lives will never be the same again, she will always be in our hearts.

open image in gallery The number of attacks has continued to rise despite a ban on the XL bully breed ( PA )

Two men, aged 36 and 45, and a 31-year-old woman were arrested and have been released on conditional bail.

Two other people have been killed in dog attacks this month.

A 19-year-old woman died after a dog attacked her at her home and she sustained serious traumatic injuries to her neck, an inquest heard.

Jamie-Lea Biscoe was discovered by her father in an upstairs bedroom at the address in the village of Leaden Roding, Essex.

A man was arrested after a woman in her 70s died following an attack by two dogs at a house in Wolverhampton on April 15.
Zero-interest loans are now available for eligible Australian businesses. Here is what the program covers, who qualifies, and a question being raised about who is being left out.

Whats happening: The Australian Governments $1 billion Economic Resilience Program opened for applications on 20 April 2026, offering zero-interest loans of up to $5 million to eligible businesses in freight, fuel, fertiliser, plastics, and other critical supply chain sectors.

If you run a business in freight, logistics, fuel distribution, fertiliser, plastics manufacturing, or any sector with significant exposure to fuel and supply chain costs, there is a government program open right now that you need to know about.

The federal governments $1 billion Economic Resilience Program opened for applications on 20 April, offering zero-interest loans of up to $5 million to eligible Australian businesses hit by rising fuel costs and supply chain disruptions flowing from the conflict in the Middle East. The program is drawn from the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and is administered through the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation.

It is one of the most significant government interventions for Australian businesses since the COVID-era SME Guarantee Scheme. And like that scheme, it is already prompting questions about who can access it and who cannot.

What the program offers

The Economic Resilience Program provides zero-interest loans with a term of up to two years. These are loans, not grants. The principal must be repaid in full and standard bank fees apply, but no interest is charged for the life of the loan. For a business borrowing $5 million at current commercial rates, the interest saving over two years is material.

The program is designed to support manufacturers and logistics companies facing increased pressure in areas such as fuel, fertiliser, plastics, and freight. Applications through the bank-administered part of the program will remain open for six months from the 20 April launch date. The Australian Industry Group welcomed the program at launch, with Chief Executive Innes Willox describing it as a pragmatic and timely response to the pressures businesses are experiencing, particularly in fuel-dependent and plastics-intensive sectors.

Who can apply

To be eligible for the bank-administered program, a business must have annual turnover of $100 million or less and be seeking a loan of up to $5 million. Applications are decided by participating banks according to guidance supplied by the NRFC. Businesses seeking loans of more than $5 million, or with turnover above $100 million, apply directly through the NRFC rather than through a bank.

The banks currently participating in the program are ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, Bendigo Bank, and Bank of Queensland. The NRFC has indicated more lenders may be added over time. ANZ has confirmed its minimum loan size under the program is $10,000. Businesses are encouraged to contact their relationship manager as early as possible, with the ABA noting that funds are limited.

The access gap

The restriction to major and regional banks is drawing scrutiny from the non-bank lending sector. Moneytech, a non-bank lender focused on SME finance, has welcomed the program but raised a direct question about its design. CEO Nick McGrath says the programs reach could be significantly extended by opening it to non-bank lenders.

This is a well-designed program tackling a real problem, and the Government deserves credit for acting quickly, McGrath said. Our question is a constructive one though, if the objective is to get capital into the hands of as many eligible Australian SMEs as possible, as quickly as possible, why limit delivery to the major banks?

McGrath points to the growth of non-bank lending to SMEs since the pandemic as the core of the argument. Non-bank lenders are now a core part of how Australian SMEs access finance, he said. The Reserve Bank of Australia itself has noted that the non-bank share of SME lending has grown strongly since 2022, particularly for smaller loans driven by demand from SMEs for faster decisions, more flexible criteria and funding options the majors dont offer. Many of the businesses this program is designed to help already rely on non-bank lenders for their day-to-day finance.

The precedent McGrath points to is the COVID-era SME Guarantee Scheme, under which non-bank lenders including Moneytech were accredited to deliver loans alongside the major banks. The SME Guarantee Scheme worked because the Government recognised that a diverse group of lenders would reach a broader group of businesses, he said. That logic hasnt changed. If anything, the role non-banks play has grown significantly since then.

Finance brokers are central to the same argument. Moneytech notes that brokers are the primary distribution channel for SME funding across Australia and were key partners in getting COVID-era loans to businesses quickly. Brokers are often the first call a business owner makes when conditions tighten, McGrath said. They understand their clients operations and can quickly determine whether a business is best supported by a bank, a non-bank lender, or a combination of both. Any program designed to move capital fast should be built around the channels SMEs actually use and brokers are central to that.

What needs to change

Moneytech has called on the Government and the NRFC to open consultation with the non-bank sector on how lenders outside the majors can be accredited to participate in the program, and says it will engage directly with relevant ministers and officials.

McGrath is clear the argument is not about replacing the banks. This is about giving Australian businesses more choice not fewer, he said. The SMEs running fuel distribution, logistics, fertiliser supply and manufacturing operations arent a monolithic group. Some bank with the majors; many dont. A program that genuinely supports the breadth of Australian industry should be accessible through the breadth of Australian lenders.

For SME owners in eligible sectors, the immediate priority is straightforward. If you bank with one of the six participating institutions, contact your relationship manager now and ask about eligibility. The program is open, the window is six months, and funds are limited. If you use a non-bank lender or work with a finance broker, it is worth asking them to monitor any changes to the programs accreditation as the NRFC has indicated more lenders may be added over time.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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The Princess of Wales honoured Commonwealth soldiers as she laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London to mark Anzac Day.

Hundreds of people watched as the solemn ceremony commemorated the 1915 Gallipoli landing of Australian and New Zealand troops in the First World War.

During the event, a woman in a New Zealand military uniform handed the princess a wreath, which she placed at the foot of the national war memorial on Whitehall to mark when troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps  shortened to Anzac  landed on the western shore of the Gallipoli peninsula on April 25 1915, as part of the failed campaign that lasted into 1916.

The ring of poppies with white flowers on top had a note signed Catherine and William that read: In memory of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The high commissioners for New Zealand and Australia, Hamish Cooper and Jay Weatherill, then walked in tandem to lay their wreaths.

open image in gallery The Princess of Wales holding the wreath ( PA )

Reverend Dr Lyndon Drake recited from The Fallen by English poet Laurence Binyon: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

A Royal Marines Portsmouth Road Band trumpeter played the last post and a one-minute silence followed.

Kate joined attendees singing the hymn O God Our Help in Ages Past before the men and women in military uniforms marched off Whitehall.

The princess will join a commemoration and thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey later on Saturday.

The Gallipoli campaign, part of a British-led effort to defeat the Ottoman Empire, aimed to secure a naval route through the Dardanelles from the Mediterranean Sea to Constantinople, now Istanbul, in Turkey. More than 100,000 troops died.

open image in gallery Hamish Cooper, the Princess of Wales and Jay Weatherill ( PA )

Earlier on Saturday, the Princess Royal attended a dawn service at Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner in London.

Organised by the New Zealand and Australian high commissions, Anne arrived for the Anzac service shortly before it started at 5am.

She laid a wreath against Wellington Arch during a service that included a reading of the John McCrae poem In Flanders Fields and concluded with the national anthems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

Services were also held across New Zealand, Australia and on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey on Saturday morning.

The day was also marked in Villers-Bretonneux, a village in the Somme region of France, which Australian units helped defend during the First World War.

A post on the Royal Family X account on Saturday morning said: Today is #ANZACDay  which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
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The UK has reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands after a memo leaked from Washington indicated that the US could withdraw its support.

A leaked internal Pentagon email suggested Washington could review its position on Britains claim to the islands as part of a wider punishment for Nato allies not showing support for the US war in Iran.

US president Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Nato for a lack of support since he launched his offensive in the Middle East, threatening to withdraw altogether as he branded the alliance a paper tiger.

open image in gallery US president Donald Trump has criticised Nato for not supporting his war with Iran ( AFP/Getty )

The confidential memo, which also considers suspending Spain from the alliance, floats the idea of reassessing Washingtons diplomatic support for European imperial possessions, such as the Falklands.

A spokesperson for British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UKs sovereignty over the islands: We could not be clearer about the UKs position on the Falkland Islands. It is long-standing, it is unchanged.

Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islands right to self-determination is paramount. Its been our consistent position and will remain the case, the spokesperson said, adding that Britain had expressed that position clearly and consistently to successive US administrations.

open image in gallery A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed UK sovereignty over the Falklands ( BBC )

More than 3,600 people reside in the Falkland Islands, a small archipelago in the South Atlantic, per the 2021 census. Argentina invaded and occupied the the islands for 10 weeks in 1982 after long-running negotiations with Great Britain collapsed over their ownership. The Reagan administration publicly supported Britain through the conflict.

Experts have told The Independent that losing US support for British sovereignty would have no impact in practical terms.

Admiral Lord West of Spithead  the commanding officer of HMS Ardent, a frigate that was sunk in the Falklands War  said that militarily, losing US support for British sovereignty would have no impact.

The recognition or otherwise by the US does not make the islands less secure, the former Royal Navy commander-in-chief added.

Philip Ingram MBE, a former army colonel, told The Independent that Washingtons withdrawal of support could not undermine international law  and the will of the Falkland citizens.

open image in gallery Argentine president Javier Milei has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the islands ( Reuters )

Under international law the fate of the Falklands is down to the will of its people, no matter what Trump says  so their sovereignty is not under any threat, he said.

Argentina is many, many years off developing a capability that could threaten the Falklands and the small force the UK has there could be reinforced quickly even given the pressures on our armed forces. This is simply Trump clickbaiting and nothing else.

A senior research fellow from RUSI, Dr Carlos Solar, added that the memo was more indicative of a breakdown in the special relationship than an active threat.

"The idea of the US not supporting British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands does not add much to the issue itself, but rather it speaks badly about how the special relationship is being handled and what Washington is willing to put in the negotiating table when asking for more UK support towards American geopolitical ambitions, he said.

open image in gallery The Falklands War took place in 1982 ( AFP/Getty )

There is no active military threat from Argentina nor is there an adversarial position from the UK towards Buenos Aires from their military personnel stationed in the Falkland Islands. The Argentine claim will be perpetual and shouldnt surprise the British public opinion every time someone puts it on the table. Both countries, though have taken measures to improve their bilateral matters such as in trade, science, industry, and education, despite their totally unshakable positions to the sovereignty question."

Questions have amped up around UK sovereignty over the Falklands since Argentine president Javier Milei took office in 2023. The populist leader, who has a strong relationship with the US president, has repeatedly claimed Argentine sovereignty over the islands.

President Milei said earlier this month: I wish to reaffirm our right to the full exercise of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime spaces, according to South Atlantic news agency MercoPress.

open image in gallery Donald Trump remains close to Argentinas president Javier Milei ( AFP/Getty )

Residents of the Falklands Islands voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory during a sovereignty referendum in 2013.

Of 1,517 votes cast in the two-day referendum  on a turnout of more than 90 per cent  just three votes were against.

In a speech marking the 44th anniversary of the 1982 conflict, President Milei said that the war did not alter the legal nature of this dispute, which continues to be recognised by the United Nations as a special and particular colonial situation that must be resolved through mature and sincere dialogue between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

Dr Solar added: Relations between the US and Argentina are at a peak which serves well both countries in the short term. Argentina gets financial aid support, and Washington secures a partner in southern tip of the Western Hemisphere, a strategic gateway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and with access to Antarctica, much sought after by the USs adversaries such as China.

A total of 255 British Armed Forces personnel and 649 Argentine military personnel were killed during the Falklands War, which ended after 74 days when Argentina surrendered control back to Britain. Argentina has still not been able to rebuild its navy.

The Falkland Islands have been under British administration since 1833, but Argentina has long disputed this claim. The islands were believed to have been uninhabited prior to European discovery in the 17th century.

In 1765, British captain John Byron claimed the islands for Britain. Various French, British, Spanish and Argentine settlements existed on the islands prior to the UK re-establishing its sovereignty.

open image in gallery An internal Pentagon memo suggests the US should reassess diplomatic support for imperial possessions such as the Falklands ( PA Media )

While it appears that Washingtons potential threat could have no real impact on the sovereignty of the Falklands, it does indicate a further deterioration in relations between the UK and the US.

President Trump said on Thursday that King Charless state trip at the end of this month could help repair strained relations after criticising Sir Keir Starmer as weak and indecisive.

Asked about his intervention and whether the pair can fix their relationship, Mr Trump said: If he opened the North Sea and if his immigration policies became strong, which right now theyre not, he can recover, but if he doesnt, I dont think he has a chance.
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Donald Trump has revealed he plans to talk to King Charles about the Iran war and strained relations with Nato during the monarchs high stakes state visit.

The US president also plans to raise the UK digital services tax with the royal during the four-day visit next week. The president has threatened to impose tariffs on Britain if Sir Keir Starmer does not drop the tax, which targets several major tech firms.

"I'm going to talk about everything," Donald Trump said during a phone interview with Reuters. "I'm going to talk about it. He's a friend of mine, and he's a great guy."

Royal sources have admitted the state visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain, is high risk, high stakes and high opportunity amid strained relations between the UK and US since the Iran war, including repeated attacks on Sir Keir over Britains refusal to join the military action.

Shortly before the visit was announced, Trump had posted a tirade on social media telling allies, including Britain, to get your own oil, adding the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

He also dismissed British warships as toys in another jibe at Nato allies for their lack of involvement in the joint US-Israeli strikes. The King is the head of the British armed forces.

In the latest controversy, reports have suggested that the US could review its position on Britains claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for failing to support their military action against Tehran.

open image in gallery Transatlantic relations have become strained since King Charles met with President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle last year ( Getty )

Royal author Andrew Lownie, who wrote a biography of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, said: "The visit comes in the biggest crisis in Anglo-American relations for a century.

However, he told the BBC that if anyone can influence President Trump, who has long admired the royal family, it is the King.

Royal historian Ed Owens agreed his visit takes place at a time of "very unusual" political tensions and will be a "huge global event".

Royal sources have said the visit, which comes seven months after President Trumps visit to Windsor Castle last year, will be a "delicate balancing act", but say there's a bigger picture of long-term US and UK friendship.

"Yes, we face current challenges, but the visit will also seek to celebrate our nations' historic ties and create the conditions for that partnership to continue long into the future," they told the BBC.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and the King at a state banquet last year ( PA Wire )

During the visit, the King will make stops in Virginia, New York and Washington DC, where he will meet privately with President Trump and deliver a joint address before the US Congress.

It's the first such speech to Congress from a UK monarch since that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991.

The King will also take part in a 9/11 memorial wreath-laying ceremony with Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayor's office said on Friday. The memorial marks the site of the September 11, 2001 Twin Towers attacks.

The Queen will gift a specially made toy of Winnie-the-Pooh character Roo to the New York Public Library during the visit to complete a set of the beloved characters in one of the institutions collections.

The teddy bears which belonged to Winnie-the-Pooh creator A A Milnes son and which are believed to have inspired the stories first published a century ago in 1926, but a baby kangaroo for Roo was lost in in the 1930s.

The royal couple will be guests of honour at a White House banquet. The president told the BBC on Thursday that he believes Charles could help repair the relationship with the UK.

"I know him well, I've known him for years. He's a brave man, and he's a great man. They would absolutely be a positive," Mr Trump said.
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Sir Keir Starmer must take responsibility for the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, Rishi Sunak has warned, arguing his appointment as US ambassador was a grave lapse of political judgement.

The former prime minister said the government is at risk of learning the wrong lessons from this sorry episode, writing in The Times that it was not a failure of process but of political judgement.

In his first intervention on the issue, the MP for Richmond, said: "I fear, though, that we are at risk of learning the wrong lessons from this sorry episode. A view is taking shape that we need yet more process. Already, we have a review by a retired judge into security vetting.

open image in gallery Rishi Sunak said the government is at risk of learning the wrong lessons from the Mandelson scandal ( AFP/Getty )

"The temptation for Downing Street will be to announce a new set of processes and claim that these mean this mistake could not happen again. The government will hope it will be a chance to move on from this scandal. But this approach misses the point  and would actually make things worse.

"The Mandelson appointment was not a failure of process but of political judgement. The responsibility for the decision rests with the prime minister. If the response to this crisis is more process, it will just mean the system is even more geared against ministers being able to actually change things, when what we need is better judgement and sounder decisions.

Mr Sunak said that the right response to bad decisions is better decision-makers, not process paralysis, arguing: "Add in too many checks and balances and the system becomes unbalanced. That is where we currently find ourselves. For the sake of our democracy, we must not respond to this grave lapse of political judgement by making that worse.

Earlier this month, Sir Keir said he had appointed Sir Adrian Fulford, a senior judge and chair of the Southport Inquiry, to lead a review into how security vetting decisions are made.

It came after he said he was frankly staggered that he was not told that UK Security Vetting (UKSV) had recommended that Lord Mandelson not be given developed vetting clearance for the US ambassador post, saying Sir Adrian's probe will examine "the means by which all decisions are made in relation to national security vetting.

open image in gallery Starmer is facing mounting political pressure over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador ( AFP/Getty )

The prime minister has repeatedly told MPs that he and his ministers only found out that UKSV had advised that Lord Mandelson should be denied clearance for the role last Tuesday evening, despite The Independent raising concerns that he had failed vetting last September and running a front page story on it  prompting claims of a cover-up.

Sir Keir is now facing mounting political pressure over the scandal, with his premiership hanging in the balance.

On Friday, The Independent revealed that the PM could face a Commons vote as early as next week that could spark an inquiry into his handling of the vetting saga.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle looks set to give MPs a say on whether the prime minister is referred to the powerful Commons Privileges Committee for a probe into whether he misled parliament over the disgraced peers appointment.

It comes after MPs from both sides of the House, including Labour, are understood to have written to the speaker requesting that the committee, which deals with serious disciplinary issues in parliament, investigate the PM.

Sir Lindsay is widely expected to make a statement on the letters on Monday, meaning Sir Keir could face a vote in the Commons on Tuesday  the same day his former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, will be grilled by MPs on his role in Lord Mandelsons appointment.
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The UK could seek talks with the Taliban to send failed asylum seekers back to Afghanistan for the first time since the fall of Kabul, the home secretary has signalled.

Shabana Mahmood said the UK was monitoring very closely what other countries were planning to do amid reports that European nations are planning to explore talks with the Taliban about possible deportations.

Afghans were the most common nationality arriving by small boat to the UK in the year ending June 2025, with 6,360 arrivals, 18 per cent higher than the previous year.

Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 30,000 Afghan nationals claimed asylum in the UK.

The UK government does not recognise the Taliban administration, which is a barrier to sending back those not granted refugee status.

open image in gallery Shabana Mahmood said the UK was monitoring very closely what other countries were planning to do ( AFP/Getty )

But speaking to reporters, Ms Mahmood said: Were monitoring very closely what is happening in terms of other countries, whether thats European partners or others, and conversations they are having with other countries, including Afghanistan.

Im not going to get into any additional discussions that are happening in government  well have more to say about that in the future  but of course we monitor closely and we work with our partners in terms of the efforts that we all need to make collectively to try to get agreements.

Im not ruling it in or out. Im not going to give a running commentary on additional conversations that are happening.

Such a move, which would be an active reversal of current policy, would spark outrage from humanitarian groups.

Just last month, the United Nations warned Afghanistan was a graveyard for human rights that enforces gender apartheid using torture and corporal punishment, with women and girls over the age of 11 excluded from formal education and banned from most paid employment.

But the government is facing growing pressure to take drastic measures to bring down migration in the face of growing public anger over the issue and the growing political threat posed by Reform UK.

So far this year, more than 6,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after making the journey, down 36 per cent on the number this time last year.

As part of an attempt to escalate the migration crackdown, the home secretary on Thursday signed a new three-year 662m agreement with France, which the government hopes will see French police remove hundreds of migrants from French beaches every year.

The latest developments come despite the High Court this week hearing that families trapped in Afghanistan approved for sanctuary in Britain have stopped being evacuated, 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.

open image in gallery Mahmood and France's interior minister Laurent Nunez and French police officers at the construction site of a new illegal migrant detention centre in Dunkirk ( AFP/Getty )

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.

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.
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The widespread unpopularity of Sir Keir Starmer and his government  largely fuelled by psychodrama in Westminster  is hitting Labour hard on the doorstep, three regional mayors have warned as they brace for major losses in next months local elections.

In a stark warning to the prime minister, Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker say public dissatisfaction with the government is distracting from local issues and hampering the partys slim chance of success.

They say repeated Labour U-turns, failure to communicate successes, and the ongoing scandal over Peter Mandelsons failed security vetting have been cited as key factors that are pushing voters away.

The party has been told to prepare for existential results on 7 May, and the embattled prime minister, already bruised and expected to face a vote this week on a parliamentary inquiry over what he knew about the Mandelson saga, looks set to face more pressure to step down.

open image in gallery The ongoing saga of Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador continues to plague Sir Keir Starmer ( AFP/Getty )

In a bleak warning to Sir Keir, leading pollster Sir John Curtice said Labour was heading for a horrendous set of results as it bids to keep hold of town halls in its English heartlands, with the prime ministers unpopularity a driving force behind that.

Sir John told The Independent: The Labour Partys at 19 per cent in the opinion polls. Theyre running at a half of the level of support they got in 2022, which is when two-thirds of the seats were last contested. Starmer is deeply unpopular in the polls.

Labour and the Tories are heading for a horrendous set of results. They may be bad, they may be very bad, and they may be existential.

In the Liverpool city region, all-out elections will be held in the boroughs of Sefton and St Helens. Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK election slogan is Get Starmer out, has set his sights on Labours majorities in the area, which is one of the partys most loyal cities.

open image in gallery Labour mayors Steve Rotheram and Richard Parker with Sir Keir Starmer ( Getty )

Mr Rotheram, who won the biggest vote share of the countrys metro mayors in 2024 when he was re-elected with 68 per cent, told The Independent that U-turns made by Sir Keirs government are overshadowing the good stuff.

Theres definitely a feeling that the own goals, the number of U-turns that the party made, have reflected really badly on everything else, he said.

It's all overshadowing all the good stuff. So I do think theres an issue around that, and we need to address it. In some peoples minds its almost a referendum on whats happened nationally, and its really not.

He added: I think the way in which we need to approach these elections is a hyper-local, a really granular level  knocking on every single door and explaining that its not currently an election for national issues. Its whos going to run your town hall.

Once we break beyond the people who are not supporting the likes of Keir Starmer, when we get beyond that and explain the type of town hall that Labour are proposing, then we get a much fairer hearing.

Meanwhile, Mr Parker, Labour mayor of the West Midlands, where a number of votes, including all-out elections in Birmingham, will take place, said that Labours main problem is communication.

He believes the party has not reinforced to voters what it has done since its landslide general election win in 2024, citing lifting the two-child benefit cap as an example of its successes.

The issue of a frustration with the national government, rather than the PM, has come up on the doorstep, Mr Parker told The Independent.

Whilst we could and need to do better, weve also done some great things, but weve got to be a lot better at telling people about them, he added.

In London, Labour is on course for its worst local result in more than four decades, with both the Greens and Reform set to eat into its vote share.

A new MRP poll of the 32 boroughs which make up the capital, 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 and its lowest level since 1982.

open image in gallery Sir Sadiq Khan warned that dissatisfaction with the Labour government is hindering the local elections campaign ( AFP/Getty )

Sir Sadiq this week warned that Westminster politics, particularly the ongoing Mandelson crisis, was affecting the partys campaigning.

He told the Financial Times he was really frustrated that the scandal was distracting from the partys local achievements.

Id rather be talking about that than be on the defensive talking about the omnishambles of the Mandelson saga, he said.

Im afraid what will happen is that rather than saying to voters, Listen, this is the difference that a Labour council, working with a Labour mayor and a Labour government, can make, people may decide to punish the imperfections of the government.

Sir Keir is widely expected to face a leadership challenge after the local election results in May, and some of the partys exasperated MPs have spoken about the damage his reputation is doing to Labours chances.

Jonathan Brash, the MP for Hartlepool, this week called on the government to get a grip as he became the first Labour MP to call for Sir Keir to go due to the Madelson saga.

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, he said.

Meanwhile, we have 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.
It was exactly a year ago this weekend when Lord Mandelson stepped out to host his first weekend of celebrations as the new British ambassador to America. In full fig, he appeared in dapper form, pressing the flesh and air-greeting old friends with his gleaming cat-who-got-the-cream grin as he greeted Washingtons elite around the White House Correspondents Dinner.

Keir Starmer had bequeathed the plum job to the veteran Labour fixer in December 2024, and he had taken it up a few months later. We now know that on the eve of the announcement, the PM texted Mandelson: Youll be brilliant in challenging circumstances. And after many years of our discussions, we get to work together side by side. I really look forward to that.

It is clear now that Starmer saw in Mandelson a politically savvy ally who could dazzle the Trump team and leverage the relationship to win trade favours. Mandelson was a former EU trade commissioner and had set up a lucrative advisory business dealing with China and previously Russia.

open image in gallery Appointing Peter Mandelson is keir Starmers biggest mistake  but its also his most revealing ( AFP/Getty )

However, what was portrayed as an unorthodox genius move to deal with an unconventional president has now turned into Starmers biggest mistake. Revelations about failing vetting and a deep friendship with the paedophile sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein have prompted one minister to describe Starmers blind spot as being akin to being a blind man in a snow blizzard.

Few now doubt the perilous position Starmers premiership is in. But if Epstein was Starmers biggest mistake, it is arguably his most revealing one too. As the curtain comes crashing down, Starmer stands exposed as the man he really is, as the one he wants you to believe he is.

Fallout from the affair since the opening of the Epstein files has left many with searching questions about the prime ministers character, modus operandi, and ethical outlook. As a man who regularly pitches his tent on the moral high ground, he has crafted a reputation as a steady, serious figure with a moral compass at his core; an able technocrat who could get the country back on its feet and stop the chaos and sleaze of the recent Tory years.

However, Starmers enthusiasm for picking Mandelson to be his man in Washington is the latest bombshell to shatter that illusion, leaving many to wonder whether it was all a facade from the start. Instead of a fair-minded, steady hand, we now see ruthlessness and turmoil running through his premiership like a stick of rock. The brutal firing of Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office, who many say was just doing what was asked of him, is just more proof of how Keir Starmer gets through staff at a head-spinning pace.

The body count of his premiership is nothing short of astounding. In one year and nine months, Starmer has rinsed through four communications directors, five policy heads, three cabinet secretaries, and three chiefs of staff.

When Dominic Cummings finally turned on Boris, he dubbed him like an out-of-control trolley  capturing the chaotic way he careered all over the shop. We are now seeing similar scenes from Starmer, who is emerging as a man with a lack of focus and haphazard priorities. In a cutting assessment in the Labour-friendly New Statesman this week, the prime minister was slammed for not only not doing the job, but also for being someone who is not able to do the job.

One minister fears Starmer had a rush of blood to the head in the way he handled Robbins. It has added to a growing feeling that this was a glimpse of the real Keir, who until now was hidden behind Morgan McSweeney, his most loyal aid employed to instil discipline or do his bosss most ruthless bidding, depending on where you stand.

It has certainly added to Keirs worst habit of scapegoating others to save his own skin. Whereas once loyal colleagues may have conveniently turned a blind eye to this problematic trait, they are now actively distancing themselves from Starmer, deeply frustrated. As one cabinet minister said, Starmer cannot get out of the sinkhole of this latest affair.

It all casts an unforgiving light on the way the PM deals with adversity and his treatment of others. Many report that even when he is in No 10, he feels absent, tending to retreat to his office to read papers alone and running a tight diary with little room for any casual conversations.

Its not clear to me that he even likes the job. He is most comfortable mingling with other European leaders, but, as one former aide puts it in these circumstances, he gets a clear brief of what to say and as a former senior lawyer, he can handle a brief.

For all-out critics, Starmer is a cynical, wavering figure who makes politically odd choices because he simply does not know what he wants.

He often missteps when he goes off script, and his allies are now worried that his statement in the House this week that no pressure whatsoever was applied to expedite the Mandelson appointment will not stand up to scrutiny as more officials cast doubt on that claim in hearings.

Apart from the technical failings to deal with the probe, Starmers ease in appointing Mandelson, even when he knew he had continued to see Epstein after his conviction for sex trafficking, has raised some serious red flags about his moral compass, too.

Publicly, Starmer has vaunted his record on tackling violence against women and girls which he has described as a national emergency ignored for too long. However, as one female MP texted: For all the apologising to the victims, they did not seem to cross his mind when he chose Epsteins friend for the job.

Oddly, considering this relationship has cost him, dealings between Starmer and Mandelson have never even been that close. A former colleague of Mandy says conversations with Starmer would often end up with Mandelson angling for a future ministerial job and Starmer ducking a commitment. He had ample reason to know of Mandelsons China and Russia connections via his business Global Counsel and anyway, Mandelson is not a man who fails to boast of his high-life contacts.

The election of Donald Trump for a second term moved the dial. Starmer already had Dame Karen Pierce, a top-notch career diplomat known as the Trump whisperer, in place, whose tenure could have been extended. But according to a No 10 source at the time, Starmer was a bit scared of Karen, because she has her own networks and people are loyal to her personally, so instead he plumped for Peter Mandelson, the former boss of his most loyal lieutenant, McSweeney.

It demonstrated aspects of Starmers character which often play out in key situations  a mix of his ruthlessness, in that he will use peoples expertise for a while and then discard them when a change of tack is required. It also happened with Sue Gray, the civil servant he initially trusted to organise the delivery of his priorities. She was dropped after less than a year in post, and her tenure sparked stories about tensions and briefings among Starmers tight-knit team.

Allies of Gray, who ended up in the Lords along with Liz Lloyd, who was also swiftly removed from No 10, pointed to Starmers lack of clarity about what he wants and how he just gets on better with men at the heart of his operation. For a progressive figure, his boys club has made a lot of women angry, with his Mandelson blind spot confirming their worst fears.

open image in gallery Starmers wife Victoria was pipped to have a more prominent role, warming the more calculated Keir  but that has come to nothing ( Getty )

Others say the Mr Nice Guy act was never more than exactly that  an act. His ruthless edge reaches back to his time when he first became leader. Initially, having served in a senior position under Jeremy Corbyn, he positioned himself as a unifier but then systematically distanced himself from the Corbyn wing of the party. Then, after losing a key by-election in Hartlepool in the local elections in 2021, he chose to punish Angela Rayner and remove her as chair of the Labour Party, but after a bitter fightback from Rayner (who should never be underestimated), she was given a frontbench shadow cabinet role, even if it didnt have the same internal power base.

That was largely greeted as a signal that Starmer was unsparing and serious about gaining power, but such ruthlessness demands charm. Blair had it in spades; Starmer doesnt. Similarly, unlike Blair, he has no clear sense of direction, with flip-flopping and U-turns on everything from winter fuel payments to welfare reform and green investment. He never bangs the table and insists, Get me this done, or tell me the alternative, sighs one weary official who has dealt with him.

For all-out critics, Starmer is a cynical, wavering figure who makes politically odd choices because he simply does not know what he wants. A slightly kinder view is that he just finds the job hard. He also dislikes the effects on his family life and is a leader who appears cross, or just someone who doesnt want to be there.

Behind the scenes, friends credit his wife, Victoria, or Vic as she is known, for revealing a warmer side to Starmer. She is often praised for livening him up. They hold hands and not just for the cameras. I wish my husband looked at me like that, jokes one female MP.

But active plans for Vic to have a more visible role came to nothing, all leading to the damaging perception that Starmer treats his role like a day job. That lack of connection is why his own ratings have always struggled with voters, even when Labour won a landslide.

Starmer blamed a lot of people for errors which are fundamentally his own. A man ruthless enough to pursue power, which delivered him the top job, has let it slip between his fingers

One person who worked for him says: I thought of Keir like an onion  you peel away these layers of a stiff person and think youll get to the heart of it. But he doesnt let many people in. He wants people to sort things for him but doesnt create a team feeling. He is also deeply suspicious of rivals, refusing to let Andy Burnham, Greater Manchesters mayor, contest a local seat to return to the front line. It all hints at an innate lack of confidence, which, if present, would allow him to keep enemies close.

But a year on from Mandelsons first big engagement as our former US ambassador, and the damage is too deep and the personal faith in Starmer too shallow for anyone to think he will still be there by the end of the year as his closest cabinet ally, Europe minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, told me a couple of weeks ago.

Few in cabinet would now take that bet, despite the difficulty of appointing a PM without a mandate. But Starmer blamed a lot of people for errors which are fundamentally his own. A man ruthless enough to pursue power, which delivered him the top job, has let it slip between his fingers. And the judgement on the nations doorstep is likely to be brutal.

As the saying goes: Its not the things you expect that get you, but the things you dont. Who could have predicted straight-and-steady Starmer would be brought down by such unrelenting Starmer drama?

But then maybe thats because we had no idea who he was in the first place.
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Donald Trump says he plans to talk to the King about everything during the royal state visit, including the Iran war, which has caused considerable strain in transatlantic relations.

The US president also confirmed he would address the contentious issue of Nato, which he has lambasted throughout the conflict.

The American leaders comments, made to Reuters, emerged as fresh controversy flared over reports the US could review its position on Britains claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for Sir Keir Starmers lack of support for the military action against Tehran.

This latest diplomatic dispute surfaces just days before the King and Queen are due to arrive in the US for a four-day state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain.

Beyond their meeting with Mr Trump, the royal couple will be guests of honour at a White House banquet and the monarch has been invited to address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

In addition, Charles and Camilla will also visit Virginia and New York.

open image in gallery Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran ( AP )

Mr Trump said: Im going to talk about everything.

Among other topics he was set to raise with the King was the UKs digital services tax on American social media firms.

The president has threatened to impose a big tariff on Britain unless it drops the 2 per cent levy on the revenues of several major US tech companies.

The tax targets companies whose worldwide revenues from digital activities exceed 500 million, with more than 25 million of the revenue from UK users.

According to a 2025 Treasury review, the levy raised more than 800 million in 202425, up from 678 million in 202324.

Mr Trump has previously said that the royal trip could absolutely mend relations with the UK and hailed the King a great man.

This is in stark contrast to his view of the UK Prime Minister, whom he has derided as weak and indecisive.

Tensions show no sign of abating as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed efforts being led by the UK and France to ensure the future security of the Strait of Hormuz as silly.

open image in gallery US defence secretary Pete Hegseth ( AP )

He argued Europe should start having less fancy conferences and get in a boat, as he rebuked Britain and other countries for their response to the crisis in the critical Gulf waterway.

In pointed comments, Mr Hegseth said America deserved allies who are loyal and understood the partnership was not a one-way street.

The strait, which is a major supply route for oil and gas supplies, had been open prior to the US and Israel launching strikes against Iran.

In retaliation, Tehran effectively closed the shipping lane.

And although Mr Trump extended an uneasy ceasefire, the strategic shipping lane remains a flashpoint, with both the US and Iran imposing their own blockades, bringing the movement of vessels to a virtual standstill, further fuelling a global energy crisis that has seen prices rocket.

However, hopes have been raised of talks to resolve the conflict, with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner being sent to Pakistan on Saturday to hear the Iranians out.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is currently in Islamabad, although Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmael Baqaei said on X that no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US.

He said officials from Pakistan would convey messages between the two sides.

But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: Were hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal.

Weve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days.

While vice president JD Vance was not going, Ms Leavitt said he and secretary of state Marco Rubio were on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary.
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Two RAF jets were scrambled in the early hours of Saturday morning to respond to the threat of Russian drones on the Nato border.

The Romanian defence ministry said it recovered drone fragments in the southeastern city of Galati after an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, with an electricity pole and a household annex damaged.

It is understood that two Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from Borcea Air Base in Romania, which shares a 650-km land border with Ukraine and has seen Russian drones repeatedly breach its airspace as Moscow attacks Ukraine ports on the other side of the Danube river.

open image in gallery British Eurofigher Typhoon Fighter Aircraft Fly From RAF Coningsby ( Getty )

However, UK Ministry of Defence sources stressed that RAF Typhoons did not enter Ukrainian airspace, nor did they engage any Russian assets. The two aircraft have now returned to base.

Romanian emergency services were forced to evacuate the area where drone fragments were recovered over fears they could contain explosives. The fragments will now be disposed of in a secure location.

While drone fragments have routinely fallen on Romania, Saturday marked the first time property had been damaged.

"The defence ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasises that these represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area," the Romanian defence ministry said in a statement.

"Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of Nato."

It comes amid mounting tension along Europe's eastern flank in recent months after suspected Russian drones breached the airspace of several Nato states.

Romanian law allows it to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk, but it has not yet done so.

Overnight on Saturday, Russian forces launched more than 600 drones and 47 missiles across Ukraine, the countrys air force said.

At least four people were killed and more than 30 wounded across Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said, calling for immediate and decisive action from partners.

open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey speaks to military personnel who are gathered at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London ( PA )

It comes amid fears that Vladimir Putin could make progress in his offensive in Ukraine as the worlds attention is diverted to the Middle East, with the Russian president profiting off soaring gas and oil prices caused by the Iran war.

Last month, defence secretary John Healey confirmed that the UK and allies tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines loitering over critical undersea cables in the North Atlantic for a month before they retreated.

He said Putin had sought to capitalise on the world being distracted by the Iran war and that he poses the primary threat to UK security.

Mr Healey told a press conference in Downing Street on Thursday that in the past few weeks  while many eyes were trained on the Middle East crisis  the UK, in partnership with Norway and other allies, responded to increased Russian activity in the Atlantic north of the UK.

Addressing the Russian president, Mr Healey said: We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.
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A millionaire big-game hunter has been killed after being trampled by elephants while on a hunting expedition.

Ernie Dosio, 75, had been searching for a rare species of antelope in the Lope-Okanda forest in Gabon, central Africa, when a herd of five elephants emerged and crushed him underfoot.

The American vineyard-owner from Lodi, California, had collected an array of animal trophies during his lifetime, including rhinos, elephants and lions.

Safari operator Collect Africa confirmed Mr Dosios death, according to a report in the Daily Mail. The company said that a professional hunter who had been guiding Mr Dosio was also seriously injured in the incident, which is said to have taken place on 17 April.

The team had been on the lookout for a yellow-backed duiker, the largest of all duikers, which is one of the most heavily-hunted species across forests in West and Central Africa.

The group of five elephants with a calf are said to have been well-hidden in the undergrowth surrounding them. Elephants are the largest land animals on earth, with adult males weighing an average of 6,000kg and standing at 9 ft (3m) tall.

Elephants graze in the in Loango Park on March 15, 2022. on grass in Loango Park in Ogouee Maritime on March 15, 2022. Gabon, an oil-rich former French colony, is putting itself forward as a major advocate for conservation in central Africa, where wildlife has been battered by wars, habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade. ( AFP/Getty )

A friend said that Mr Dosios excursions were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers.

I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume that it would have been quick, the friend told the New York Post of the death.

Hunting brochures on the Bobby Hansen Safaris website show Mr Dosio posing with monster hogs, a Nile buffalo and an impala in Uganda. A trip from Tanzania includes pictures of the hunter with a gazelle and the elusive lesser kudu. In one picture, he is seen with the body of a slain lion while holding a hunting rifle. He is reported to have been unsuccessful in hunting a leopard while on the expedition.

A caption read: He took a fantastic lion and some great plains game, although Mr Spots eluded us. We had males feeding that did not return, and we saw one male during the day, but we will get you a leopard, Ernie.

Trophy-hunting is a controversial practice with campaign groups against it for animal welfare and environmental reasons. Political parties, including those in the UK, have promised to ban imports but have been accused of delaying legislation.

It is estimated that between 300 and 500 people are killed every year in elephant attacks, according to the Global Sanctuary for Elephants.
Three people were killed in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro as a result of a Russian combined strike on the city.

"Rescuers pulled another body from the rubble of a house in Dnipro hit by the Russians last night," Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Head Oleksandr Ganzha said on Telegram on Saturday.

"Emergency services continue to clear the ruins. They are still looking for people," he said.

Russians launched a massive combined strike on Ukraine on Saturday night. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the main direction of the strike was Dnipro. Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa and Kyiv regions were also attacked.

A four-story residential building was partially destroyed in Dnipro as a result of the attack. At the moment, three people are known to have been killed and 21 injured. Among the victims are two police officers and a 9-year-old boy. Four more people may be under the rubble.
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Once a simple (often rowdy) night out with friends, bachelor and bachelorette parties have turned into lavish affairs more akin to luxury vacations, often requiring flights, accommodation, pre-booked activities  and even multiple, matching, on-theme outfits.

Brides and grooms-to-be are renting villas on Caribbean islands, chartering yachts and planning spa weekends at luxury wellness resorts frequented by movie stars.

Celebrities are leading the charge. Lauren Sanchez celebrated her bachelorette, ahead of her wedding to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, with a slew of A-listers on a Parisian getaway. Selena Gomez hired a yacht and a mariachi band in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Friends of Taylor Swift are said to be planning multiple star-studded trips ahead of her wedding to Travis Kelce later this year.

As celebrations spiral into days-long trips, the average cost has jumped to $1,300 per person, an increase of $600 since 2019, according to data from wedding website, The Knot.

While supporting a friend at this milestone in their lives is important for many, the cost and required PTO days is putting them in a tough spot.

open image in gallery A scene from the 2011 movie "Bridesmaids. Social media has changed events leading up to a wedding, influencing brides and grooms-to-be to host lavish and often costly parties ( Universal Pictures )

If youre friends with someone for a long time, you want to be there for them, you want to support them. You want to celebrate them, Ashley Herman, a 28-year-old real estate broker, told The Independent. But when it comes to these trips that are $1,000 or more to attend, you feel like you have to go. If you dont, it would leave an uncomfortable feeling in your friendship.

Herman has attended several bachelorette trips that required traveling out of state.

People say, You can say no if you dont want to go on, or cant afford these trips, but that weighs on a friendship as well, she added.

Social media is increasing the pressure when it comes to weddings and surrounding events. Bachelorettes today are increasingly personalized and activity-driven, Esther Lee, editorial director of The Knot Worldwide, told The Independent.

Gen Z is particularly clued into online trends, spurring the rise of aesthetics when it comes to the bachelor/bachelorette party and leading to highly stylized, themed itineraries, Lee said.

Many brides opt for a themed weekend, or have a different theme each night, often requiring attendees to shell out even more money on outfits tailored to each.

open image in gallery A woman rides an inflatable unicorn during a bachelorette party at Florence's Piazza della Signoria. Social media is awash with photos of themed bachelorette parties ( AFP via Getty Images )

Social media is awash with photos of Mamma Mia! themed bachelorette parties in Greece, or Last Rodeo bashes in Nashville.

Its a domino effect, where you start seeing more and more people doing that, and then it becomes the norm, Herman said.

These celebrations have become both Instagrammable and deeply meaningful, as younger generations place a higher value on shared memories and quality time, according to Lee.

While platforms like TikTok and Instagram certainly act as the vision board for these highly curated trips, the real driver is a craving for authentic connection, she explained.

The shift in bachelor and bachelorette parties also highlights how Gen Z prioritizes these milestones as non-negotiable investments in their personal relationships, Lee added.

But wedding culture in 2026 divides opinions. In a viral TikTok, comedian Mike Mancusi declared: Wedding culture has gotten completely out of hand, and it needs to be stopped.

He went on: Its gotten to the point where I actively do not want to be in anybodys wedding party ever again. First, you gotta go to the bachelor party, which by the way, is not a party. Now its just like youre absconding to some random part of the country for six days and spending all the disposable income you made in the last six months.

Mancusi, 35, told The Independent that his breaking point was a five-day bachelor party in Las Vegas, after which he decided he was done.

open image in gallery The 2009 comedy The Hangover. Although much of the conversation online surrounds bachelorettes, many men are also being asked to partake in longer, more lavish bachelor trips ( Warner Br/Everett/Shutterstock )

Everything you do out there is designedthey know youre on a bachelor party, its just like everything is designed to kind of suck you dry, he said.

I turned one down recently; they had planned a trip to Las Vegas. It was going to be four days. They wanted to go to Wrestlemania and the Sphere, and I was like, I do not want to do any of those things, he said.

Mancusi is far from the only person grappling with these celebrations.

For Isabel Beck, a New York City-based content creator, seeing a wave of negative reactions on social media to lavish bachelorette parties was enough to make her reconsider her own trip.

The 27-year-old always thought she would do a big trip for her bachelorette party, envisioning a joint getaway with her fiance and their shared friend group.

She had even planned an itinerary and scoped out villas at the Costa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic  but later scrapped the entire plan over fears that she was asking too much of her friends.

We were going to rent a really big villa. It was going to be on the more expensive side, once we priced it out, because of airfare, the hotels and additional activities. It was going to end up being more than $1,000 per person, Beck told The Independent.

I was already feeling anxious about that, and Ive been seeing all these TikToks about how bachelorette culture and wedding culture are so out of control, she said. I started to get in my head about the cost of it.

Beck, who is planning a big wedding in the Hamptons later this year, said she will likely celebrate with a bachelorette party closer to home.

I do think its important to treat your wedding party well and show them you appreciate them for the effort theyre making to be in your wedding, she said. But I dont necessarily think you have to do a crazy, over-the-top trip, or give them an insane gift to show them that you love them and want them to have a good time.

She added: You see big creators doing these insane, over-the-top bachelorette parties. It kind of made me spiral, just because I feel like there is already so much that goes into wedding planning, it started to feel like it was more of a performative thing.
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A volunteer firefighter has died battling a wildfire in northern Florida, as more than 120 homes have been destroyed across southeast Georgia, with thousands more under threat from two massive blazes.

Officials on Friday suggested one of the Georgia fires may have been ignited by a foil balloon making contact with power lines.

The Southeast is currently experiencing an unusually high number of wildfires this spring, a situation scientists attribute to a confluence of extreme drought, powerful winds, climate change, and the lingering presence of dead trees toppled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

In northern Florida, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday that volunteer firefighter James "Kevin" Crews suffered an unspecified medical emergency while suppressing a brush fire.

Crews was rushed to a hospital, where he tragically died Thursday evening, according to a news release shared on social media.

Hilliard Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry Johnson issued a statement saying, "Kevin was the epitome of courage and dedication. His sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, after observing firefighting efforts firsthand, told reporters that state officials believe the 87 homes burned in rural Brantley County this week represent the highest number ever destroyed by a single wildfire in the state's history.

open image in gallery ( Getty )

An additional 35 homes have been lost to a larger fire raging in sparsely populated Clinch and Echols counties, near the Florida state line.

This blaze has consumed approximately 50 square miles, an area twice the size of Manhattan.

Governor Kemp stated that investigators suspect the Brantley County fire was sparked by a foil party balloon that struck live power lines, creating an electrical arc that ignited the ground.

He added that the larger fire is believed to have started when a man was welding a gate outdoors.

The Brantley County blaze, which spans over 11 square miles and continues to grow, was only 15% contained by Friday, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

An estimated 4,000 homes in the county were under evacuation orders, said commission spokesperson Seth Hawkins.

Kemp starkly assessed the situation, stating, "Theres no way to stop this fire. Theyre having to contain the flanks and the back of it and then, hopefully, we get a change in the weather." No fire-related deaths or injuries have been reported in Georgia.

Beyond these major incidents, firefighters are battling more than 150 other wildfires across Georgia and Florida, sending smoky haze far from the flames and prompting air quality warnings in several cities.

Michael Gibson, whose mobile home was consumed by the fire, recounted his experience. He was at work when his fiancee called, urging him to return.

By the time he arrived, firefighters were already on his street. He managed to get his family to safety but was prevented by police from returning to salvage belongings. "Weve lost everything, but Im one of the lucky ones,"

Gibson said Friday. "Weve been prepared to leave. And Im truly blessed to have my family and to have somewhere to sleep. ... A lot of people in my county didnt make it out with the clothes on their backs."

Jennifer Murphy, from the Brantley County community of Hortense, described having little time to react when firefighters knocked on her door.

She barely managed to gather her dog, Chip, and a single bag of belongings before firefighters urgently helped her down her wheelchair ramp and into her van.

open image in gallery Jennifer Murphy and her dog Chip sit inside the Southside Baptist church ( AP )

"It was like, 'Get out now, right now. Youve got to leave," Murphy said Friday from a local church where she had spent the night.

While bulldozer crews work to establish fire breaks around the burning areas, firefighters from dozens of local agencies are concentrating on protecting nearby homes and structures.

This involves clearing away dry brush and using hoses and sprinklers to keep properties wet. Seth Hawkins of the forestry commission noted, "Weve definitely had the local fire guys out there literally hosing stuff down."

In Florida, firefighters were contending with over 120 wildfires on Friday, predominantly in the states northern half.

Georgia fire crews responded to 31 new, relatively small blazes on Thursday, the state forestry commission reported. Officials emphasize that a soaking rain is desperately needed to extinguish the large fires, as possible showers forecast for the weekend are not expected to bring sufficient rainfall. There is also a concern that thunderstorms could lead to lightning strikes, sparking even more fires. Johnny Sabo, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, warned, "It is going to take 8 to 10 inches before we can walk away from these fires." He added that long-range forecasts predict less than average rainfall until July.
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The Supreme Court is poised to rule on a critical digital privacy issue: whether geofence warrants, a powerful police tool, violate the Fourth Amendment's ban on unreasonable searches.

This legal challenge stems from cases like Okello Chatrie's, who stole $195,000 from a bank in suburban Richmond, Virginia.

He eluded police until a geofence warrant compelled Google to provide location histories of devices within a virtual perimeter near the crime scene, identifying his phone among a handful of others.

The high court's decision will be the latest attempt to apply a 1791 constitutional provision to technologies unimaginable to its founders.

open image in gallery This legal challenge stems from cases like Okello Chatrie's, who stole $195,000 from a bank in Virginia ( AP Photo/Steve Helber )

Chatrie's appeal is one of two cases being argued Monday. The other is an effort by Bayer to have the court block thousands of state lawsuits alleging the global agrochemical manufacturer failed to warn people that its popular Roundup weedkiller could cause cancer.

Geofence warrants turn the usual way of pursuing suspects on its head. Typically, police identify a suspect and then obtain a warrant to search a home or a phone.

With geofence warrants, police do not have a suspect, only a location where a crime took place. They work in reverse to identify people who were in the area.

Prosecutors credit the warrants with helping crack cold cases and other crimes where surveillance cameras did not reveal suspects' faces or license plates.

Civil libertarians say that geofences amount to fishing expeditions that subject many innocent people to searches of private records merely because their cellphones happened to be in the vicinity of a crime. A Supreme Court ruling in favor of the technique could unleash a much broader wave of similar reverse searches, law professors who study digital surveillance wrote the court.

Investigators used geofence warrants to identify supporters of President Donald Trump who attacked the Capitol in the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, as well as in the search for the person who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican party headquarters the night before.

Police also credit these warrants with helping identify suspects in killings in several states, including California, Georgia and North Carolina.

An academic group that works to bridge gaps between the police and communities wrote that the court should avoid an all-or-nothing approach in Chatries case.

The Trump administration's position would allow police to use geofence warrants and similar tools with no judicial supervision or constitutional safeguards, according to the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law. Chatrie's lawyers want the court to rule out any use of geofence warrants at all, impeding legitimate law enforcement activities, the group wrote.

In Chatrie's case, the geofence warrant invigorated an investigation that had stalled. After determining that Chatrie was near the Call Federal Credit Union in Midlothian around the time it was robbed in May 2019, police obtained a search warrant for his home. They found nearly $100,000 in cash, including bills wrapped in bands signed by the bank teller.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison. Chatrie's lawyers argued on appeal that none of the evidence should have been used against him.

They challenged the warrant as a violation of his privacy because it allowed authorities to gather the location history of people near the bank without having any evidence they had anything to do with the robbery. Prosecutors argued that Chatrie had no expectation of privacy because he voluntarily opted into Googles location history.

A federal judge agreed that the search violated Chatries rights, but allowed the evidence to be used because the officer who applied for the warrant reasonably believed he was acting properly.

The federal appeals court in Richmond upheld the conviction in a fractured ruling. In a separate case, the federal appeals court in New Orleans ruled that geofence warrants "are general warrants categorically prohibited by the Fourth Amendment.

In the Supreme Court's last case on digital-age searches, in 2018, the court divided 5-4 in favor of a defendant whose movements were tracked by authorities for nearly four months, without a warrant, through the review of cellphone tower data.

An issue in that case that also appears in Chatrie's is whether the defendant had an expectation of privacy that would trigger Fourth Amendment protections.

The Supreme Court has previously ruled that information shared with third parties cannot be considered private.

But Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion about the extraordinary computing power of cellphones, describing seismic shifts in digital technology and "the exhaustive chronicle of location information casually collected by wireless carriers today.
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A U.S. Army special forces soldier is accused of earning $400,000 from bets placed on the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro - an operation prosecutors say he was involved in - and allegedly told a woman he was texting at the time that the Army doesnt understand business.

Gannon Ken Van Dyke, 38, and companies tied to him purchased at least eight homes in North Carolina, and he had told acquaintances he was working to expand his business interests as he prepared for life after the military, according to property records obtained by the Wall Street Journal.

At the same time, Van Dyke, who was stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, allegedly placed 13 bets totaling about $33,000 on the prediction platform Polymarket, wagering that Maduro would be removed from power by the end of January 2026 - an outcome prosecutors say he anticipated based on classified information from the operation.

When "Operation Absolute Resolve succeeded on January 3, those bets paid off, earning him more than $400,000 in profits, authors say.

open image in gallery U.S. Army special forces soldier Gannon Van Dyke allegedly placed 13 bets totaling about $33,000 on Polymarket, wagering that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro (pictured) would be ousted by the end of January 2026, and allegedly earned more than $400,000 in profit ( Reuters )

Prior to being charged by federal prosecutors Thursday, Van Dyke messaged Gianna Lutz, of Greenville, S.C., on Facebook last year, expressing romantic interest, she told WSJ.

The soldier, who public records show was married as of late February, per the outlet, told Lutz that he started a company, managed rental properties and flipped houses.

Civilians dont get the army stuff, Van Dyke allegedly texted Lutz, according to messages reviewed by the outlet. Army people dont get the business stuff.

Van Dyke allegedly moved most of his profits into a foreign cryptocurrency account and later asked Polymarket to delete his account, according to Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

Van Dyke has not commented on these latest reports.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

Lutz further alleged that Van Dyke appeared focused on creating multiple income streams and planned to retire from the military soon while transitioning into part-time real estate work.

Honestly though, I dont think it will keep me busy enough so Im working on launching a tech consulting firm, Van Dyke texted Lutz, per WSJ.

Lutz said she communicated with Van Dyke via text and phone but never met him in person, noting that he contacted her as recently as last weekend.

She described him as put-together, portraying him as a driven businessman and dedicated father who enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking and scuba diving.

According to Lutz, Van Dyke never mentioned any major financial gains during their conversations this year, though he did allude to being involved in something all over the news a couple months ago and getting to meet the president.

It was definitely the sketchiest thing I have ever had to do, he texted Lutz about his experiences, the WSJ reports.

Van Dyke was charged Thursday in Manhattan federal court with multiple crimes, including wire fraud, commodities fraud, theft of government information, and unlawful use of classified intelligence. If convicted, he faces up to 60 years in federal prison.
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Australian flags were mistakenly hoisted in Washington, D.C., ahead of King Charles upcoming visit  in what could be described as a Down Under blunder.

On Friday, hundreds of national banners were installed across the capital to welcome the U.K. monarch, including British and American emblems. Somehow, 15 Australian flags were also included.

Photos show clusters of Australian flags lining black lamp posts near the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

The confusion may have stemmed from the design: the Australian flag features the Union Jack in the upper-left corner, but is distinguished by six white stars set against a blue background.

The mistake was quickly mended, and the Australian flags were removed, a D.C. Department of Transportation official told Reuters.

open image in gallery The District of Columbia accidentally raised several Australian flags instead of British ones near the White House in preparation for King Charles' visit ( Getty )

open image in gallery Photos show clusters of Australian flags lining lamp black lamp posts near the White House ( Getty )

The error sparked widespread chatter online, where many commenters poked fun at the mix-up.

I blame George bush and no child left behind, wrote on X user, while another chimed in: They couldn't bother to take 15 seconds and google UK flag?

Others, however, noted that the flag from Down Under would not necessarily be out of place.

open image in gallery The Australian flag (left) compared to the British flag (right) ( Getty )

They should have kept the Australian flags up, Charles is constitutionally our head of state, one X user wrote.

Charles is also the head of state for Australia, but the role is largely ceremonial.

King Charles is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Monday for a four-day state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He and his wife, Queen Camilla, will travel to Washington, D.C., New York and Virginia.
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The White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual fixture in Washingtons social calendar since its inception shortly after the First World War, has evolved into a unique spectacle. It now serves as a red-carpet event for the capitals journalistic elite, political staffers, and a diverse array of US business leaders and celebrities, all gathered to witness the US president and a comedian deliver their respective roasts.

While some years fade into obscurity, others produce indelible moments  whether humorous, cringeworthy, or undeniably tense  that resonate across social media and endure in public memory. As Donald Trump prepared for his first attendance as president, a look back at some of these defining moments offers insight into the dinner's complex history.

Reagans somber address

As a former Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan, the 40th president, possessed a magnetic stage presence and an easy command of humour. It was during his presidency that comedians became an annual fixture at the dinner. In 1983, satirist Mark Russell, a PBS staple, offered relatively gentle jabs at Reagan. "There is another speaker following me," he began, "and so it is quite an honour for me to be doing the warm-up for my chief writer here."

However, when it was the president's turn, Reagan demurred. He reminded the audience of a "sad journey" earlier that day to Andrews Air Force Base, where he had received the remains of Americans killed in the 18 April bombing of the US Embassy in Lebanon. "I realise the original plan was that I would, in a sense, sing for my supper. In fact, I was prepared, not really to sing, but to do what you expected," Reagan stated, explaining that it would be inappropriate to deliver humorous remarks. "If youll forgive us," he concluded, "Ill keep my script, and I hope youll give us a rain check, and itll still be appropriate next year."

open image in gallery President Ronald Reagan watches as first lady Nancy Reagan comments from the podium during the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner 1983 ( AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi )

A rare friendship: Bush and Carvey

Presidents have been lampooned on NBCs Saturday Night Live since Chevy Chase first depicted Gerald Ford in 1975. Yet, the dynamic between Dana Carvey and President George HW Bush set a unique standard. Carvey, also known for his iconic Church Lady character, masterfully exaggerated the 41st presidents nasal tone and patrician air to caricature his signature phrases: "Not gonna do it. Wouldnt be prudent."

Bush became a fan of the impression. He and Carvey sat together at Bush's final dinner as president in 1992. After his defeat to Bill Clinton that November, the president invited Carvey to the White House for a Christmas party, and the two maintained a friendship.

open image in gallery Comic Dana Carvey, left, shows President George H.W. Bush how to imitate himself ( AP Photo/Dennis Cook )

George W Bushs WMD joke

In 2004, US forces remained in Iraq following the 43rd presidents order for an invasion, based on assertions that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons threatening US security. By the time of the annual dinner, it had become apparent that these claims were overblown. Bush made light of the situation, presenting pictures of himself searching the White House for Saddams weapons.

"Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be here somewhere," he quipped, as one slide showed him looking under furniture in the Oval Office. The audience responded with laughter and applause. However, some veterans, including then-Senator John Kerry, the 2004 presidential nominee, were not amused. Bush went on to defeat Kerry that November.

Colbert skewers Bush and the media

Not long into his second term, George W Bush endured an uncomfortable evening as Stephen Colbert, then a Comedy Central host, delivered an unusually aggressive monologue for the dinner. "The greatest thing about this man is hes steady," Colbert declared in 2006. "You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change; this mans beliefs never will."

He sarcastically urged Bush to disregard his approval ratings, then in the low 30s: "We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in reality. And reality has a well-known liberal bias." Colbert also lambasted the dinner hosts, suggesting Washington media had protected the Bush administration. "Over the last five years you people were so good  over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didnt want to know," Colbert said, "and you had the courtesy not to try to find out."

open image in gallery President George W Bush laughs as comedian Jay Leno tells jokes at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, on May 1, 2004 ( AP Photo/Gerald Herbert )

A dinner without Trump

During his first White House term, Donald Trump broke the long-standing tradition of presidential attendance. Despite his absence, comedian Michelle Wolf targeted him directly. "Its 2018, and Im a woman, so you cannot shut me up  unless you have Michael Cohen wire me \$130,000," she joked, referencing payments made to prevent an adult film star from disclosing allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump. When the audience groaned at her crassness, Wolf retorted, "Yeah, shoulda done more research before you got me to do this."

With Trump absent, his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders (now Arkansas Governor), sat at the head table and became the focus of Wolfs routine. Wolf compared Sanders role for Trump to a character in "The Handmaids Tale," a dystopian novel depicting an authoritarian, misogynistic society. Her harshest barb riffed on a famous Maybelline mascara advertisement. "I actually really like Sarah. I think shes very resourceful," Wolf said. "But she burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Like maybe shes born with it; maybe its lies. Its probably lies."

Trump, who was in Michigan, called the routine "disgusting." Within hours, the Correspondents Association issued a statement asserting that the dinner is meant to celebrate "our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honouring civility, great reporting and scholarship winners," adding that Wolfs monologue "was not in the spirit of that mission." Sanders later rekindled the moment at Washington Gridiron, another annual politics-journalism event, stating: "Im proud to note that colour has really taken off. In fact, its the exact same thing worn by Vice President JD Vance."

open image in gallery Trump traveled to Michigan to speak at a rally on the same night as the White House Correspondent's Dinner, the second straight year Trump skipped the event ( AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais )

Obama vs. Trump

Despite not yet attending as president, Donald Trump had his own memorable moment at the dinner. In 2011, he was a prominent figure in the "birther" movement against then-President Barack Obama, using social media and frequent Fox News Channel appearances to push the false narrative that the first Black president was born in Kenya and was not a natural-born US citizen.

However, at the Washington Hilton, Obama held the lectern  and he used it with Trump sitting directly in front of him. "Tonight, for the first time, I am releasing my official birth video," Obama deadpanned, before showing the opening scene of Disneys The Lion King, depicting the royal cub Simba being presented on the savanna.

Obama then turned his fire directly on the reality television star. "No one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald," Obama said. "And thats because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter. For example, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?"

open image in gallery Barack Obama makes a face as they show his video during his speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2011 ( AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta )

As cameras captured a visibly dour Trump, Obama mocked Trumps role on Celebrity Apprentice. "We all know about your credentials and breadth of experience," the president said, marvelling that Trump had to decide who to blame when "the mens cooking team cooking did not impress the judges from Omaha Steaks." "These are the kind of decisions that would keep me up at night," Obama concluded. "Well handled, sir. Well handled."

Trump glared icily. By November 2012, as Obama prepared for his second term, Trump had filed a trademark application for the phrase he would emboss in the national culture four years later: "Make America Great Again."
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As King Charles prepares to visit Washington, D.C., a Democrat lawmaker is calling on him to use the trip to urge President Trump to release the remaining Epstein files and show support for the victims.

Ro Khanna, who, alongside Republican congressman Thomas Massie, helped pass legislation compelling the release of the documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, told The Daily Telegraph that the move would demonstrate international leadership and help address scrutiny surrounding the Royal Family, particularly over the late financiers links to Prince Andrew.

Buckingham Palace has previously said that neither King Charles nor Queen Camilla would meet Epsteins victims during the trip, for the best interest of the survivors themselves, citing ongoing investigations in Britain.

Khanna also warned that Prince Andrew and former UK Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson had strained the special relationship by declining to testify before Congress about their connections to Epstein.

The Kings visit comes amid tensions between Keir Starmer and Trump over foreign policy. While Trump has expressed admiration for the monarch, the Epstein scandal risks overshadowing the trip.

open image in gallery King Charles III (left) and President Trump are pictured during Trumps state visit to the UK last year. The Kings visit to the US this week should be a time to urge Trump to release the remaining Epstein documents, a democratic lawmaker said in a recent interview ( Getty )

Although Trump ultimately ordered the release of some Epstein-related files, roughly 2.6 million documents remain withheld by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Royal Family is caught up with the abuse of Epstein survivors, Khanna told the newspaper. Theres a direct allegation against the Kings brother, there are questions about who visited the royal court, what the monarchy knew about Andrews behavior, and why they didnt speak out earlier.

But given all of this, the King would make an enormous gesture by meeting the survivors, standing with them, and saying he understands that no one is above the law and no one has a right to abuse power, Khanna continued, adding that he should meet victims privately if possible, or use his address to Congress to voice support.

This is an opportunity for international leadership, and its a missed opportunity if the King doesnt [take it], Khanna said. Britain has shown more of a willingness to hold the elites accountable. I think that theyve done much better than we have. We have not had a single investigation or prosecution.

Khanna also urged lawmakers to show respect during the Kings upcoming address.

I dont think any member of Congress will or should heckle him, he said. Its not a gotcha moment.

He acknowledged that efforts to compel testimony from Prince Andrew and Mandelson are unlikely to succeed due to jurisdictional limits.

My sense is that weve exhausted those it would require diplomatic negotiation, he said. But they should come. Its important for the relationship. They should come and answer questions.

open image in gallery Ro Khanna, who helped pass legislation compelling the release of the Epstein files, is calling on King Charles to use the trip this week to urge President Trump to release the remaining files and show support for the victims, saying the move would help address scrutiny surrounding the Royal Family, particularly over the late financiers links to Prince Andrew (pictured) ( PA Wire )

Khanna added that a strong statement from the monarch could mark a turning point.

It would be a redemption for the British monarchy given the actions of his brother, he said.

Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, had alleged she was trafficked to Prince Andrew as a teenager. He has repeatedly denied the claims.

Whats important is that the King says, as a representative of the British people, I stand with the survivors, Khanna continued. I understand they were abused. I understand that they cant be two tiers of justice in the world.
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Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene fired back at President Donald Trump over his latest low IQ attack on Candace Owens, accusing the commander in chief of hating women he cant control.

The backlash followed Friday after Trump shared a doctored Time magazine cover on Truth Social, labeling Owens, a conspiracy-minded conservative, the Vile Person of the Year, while calling her attack on Frances first lady despicable and adding, I believe, in this case, without verification, she is an extremely low IQ individual.

Hours later, Greene, who resigned from Congress in January after a falling out with Trump, addressed the post on X, writing, President Trump hates women he cant control, who dont worship him, women who actually worship God, and are much more intelligent than he is. Women like @RealCandaceO.

Greene accused him of echoing far-right activist Laura Loomers influence and criticized him for targeting Owens and political commentator Megyn Kelly while refusing to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and labeling allies who do as traitors.

The remarks come amid a pattern in which Trump has recently attacked prominent conservative figures - many of them women - who have broken with him, including repeatedly calling critics like Kelly and Owens low IQ, nut jobs and losers on Truth Social.

open image in gallery Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) criticized President Donald Trump on X on Friday, saying he 'hates women he cant control' amid his latest criticism of Candace Owens ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Greene was once one of Trumps strongest supporters, but resigned from Congress in January, citing frustration with the political establishment and ongoing personal attacks ( AFP via Getty Images )

Also the only people in his cabinet that hes either fired or privately told to leave are women, Christi (sic) Noem, Pam Bondi, and Lori Chavez DeReemer, Greene added. He appointed Elise Stefanik as ambassador of the UN then took it away without a care even after all she did to support him just because Johnson told him too.

No matter what you think about any of us women as we are all different from each other, whether you like us or not, one thing is incredibly clear, Trump hates women, Greene continued. And posts like this one is going to turn the majority of women in America against him.

Like Owens and Greene, Kelly, once an ally who endorsed Trump in 2024, has since become a vocal critic, particularly over his handling of the 2026 Iran conflict, prompting Trump to publicly question her alignment with the MAGA movement.

While some of his most personal attacks have targeted female commentators, Trump has also gone after other prominent MAGA-aligned figures like conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson and far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

Earlier this month, Trump escalated the conflict by blasting Carlson, Kelly, Owens and Jones in a single Truth Social post amid growing criticism of his Iran policy, including calls from Owens and Jones for his removal from office.

They have one thing in common, Low IQs, Trump said of the four media figures. Theyre stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!

The Independent has contacted White House representatives for comment.
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Tucker Carlson says he doesnt hate his former close friend, President Donald Trump, but feels betrayed by the administrations recent military actions in the Middle East.

Carlson, the former Fox News host and one of the most influential conservative media voices in America, was once closely aligned with Trump and even served as an informal adviser.

Now, Carlson has become one of Trumps most vocal conservative critics, especially over the presidents foreign policy and military actions in the Middle East.

He recently apologized for helping Trump get elected, saying Trump has moved away from his earlier America First promise to avoid foreign wars and has instead taken a more aggressive approach.

I dont hate Trump. I hate this war and the direction that the U.S. government is taking, Carlson told The Wall Street Journal in an interview released Saturday. I feel betrayed.

Carlson said he believed Trumps campaign promise of no new wars, especially in the Middle East, was sincere. He now argues that Trump has since been influenced by neoconservatives and Israel, and has moved away from that original anti-war position.

open image in gallery Tucker Carlson told The Wall Street Journal Saturday that he doesnt hate President Donald Trump, but strongly opposes the war and the direction of U.S. policy, saying he feels betrayed ( AFP/Getty )

open image in gallery Carlsons latest criticism of Trump comes days after he apologized for helping Trump get reelected as president in 2024 ( AFP/Getty )

Why cant the U.S. government act on behalf of its own citizens? Carlson asked the WSJ. This is a generational problem that didnt start with Trump. If anything, Trump just proved the system was stronger than him.

Carlson has also faced his own criticism. Last October, he hosted Nick Fuentes, a known Holocaust denier, on his podcast and accused some U.S. politicians who support Israel of being overly influenced by a brain virus, which led to accusations of antisemitism and calls from some conservatives to distance him from the movement.

At the same time, Carlson had been privately and publicly urging Trump for months not to enter another war in the Middle East. He reportedly visited the White House three times to speak with Trump directly and stayed in frequent contact with him.

Despite those efforts, Carlson told the WSJ he failed to change Trumps direction. He points to February 28 as the breaking point, the day U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move that, in his view, deeply divided conservatives who believed Trumps America First stance meant avoiding new wars.

Carlson described the man he helped elect to a second term as charming, intelligent, and an existential threat to self-government.

Trump has proven his own point, unfortunately, which is that the people running your government are only about themselves, he said. You can run an authoritarian system that way. You cannot run a liberal democracy that way.

On his end, Trump has dismissed Carlson and other former MAGA allies as having a low IQ for criticizing his handling of the Iran war. Carlson responded to that remark earlier this month in an interview with Newsmax, calling Trump a slave who cant make his own decisions.

"Ive always liked Trump and still feel sorry for him, as I do for all slaves, Carlson said April 10. Hes hemmed in by other forces. He cant make his own decisions. Its awful to watch."

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
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.
Zelenskyy: Working on 5 bilateral deals during 1st visit to Azerbaijan since start of war

Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Ukraine is working on five bilateral agreements with Azerbaijan, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a national telethon.

"We will work today on five state bilateral treaties between Ukraine and Azerbaijan," he said.

The president reported meeting with an expert team sent to Azerbaijan. "According to this [expert] report, we will have agreements," he said.

Zelenskyy emphasized that this is his first visit to Azerbaijan during the war. "I think that says something both cooperation and politics, and geopolitics, certainly," he said.

He noted that he would discuss defense cooperation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, adding, "we will discuss more than just the issue of drones."

Energy and investment will also be on the agenda. "Regarding Azerbaijani investments, we have good relations with the Socar company, we discussed their investments in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.
White House: Trump has met with team over Iran proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

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Donald Trump has said that Iran believes it is in a State of Collapse and wants the US to open the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington considers a new peace proposal.

Iran has just informed us that they are in a State of Collapse the US president wrote.

They want us to Open the Hormuz Strait, as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!), he added.

Insiders revealed today that Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with his top national security aides on Monday, as the conflict remains in a stalemate with energy supplies from the region still disrupted.

Earlier, secretary of state Marco Rubio said Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz represents an economic nuclear weapon the regime is using to hold the worlds energy hostage.

Marco Rubio told Fox News on Monday that Iran is bragging about how it can hold a fifth of the worlds oil and gas hostage.

Tehran's latest proposal would see the Strait of Hormuz opened and an end to the war, but with talks on the Iranian nuclear programme postponed.
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The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with only three vessels passing the waterway in one 24 hour, shipping data showed.

The Strait is considered the world's most important oil chokepoint and had been handling roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply before the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran began on February 28.

More than a dozen tankers passed through the Strait after Iran briefly declared it open on Friday. But a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appeared in jeopardy on Tuesday as Iran vowed to retaliate for the U.S. seizure of one of its vessels and refused to join new peace talks.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called it the largest supply disruption on record, bigger than the oil shocks of the 1970s and the loss of Russian pipeline gas after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine combined.

There are some existing and possible alternative oil and gas export bypasses of the Strait of Hormuz. These include:

open image in gallery Pipeline flows around the Middle East ( Reuters )

EASTWEST PIPELINE (SAUDI ARABIA)

Saudi Arabia's 1,200km EastWest pipeline can transport up to seven million barrels per day (bpd) of crude to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, with effective exports estimated at about 4.5 million bpd, depending on tanker and jetty availability.

From Yanbu, shipments can travel to Europe via the Suez Canal or south via the Bab el-Mandeb strait to reach Asia, a route carrying security risks from Yemen's Houthi militants, who have attacked tankers during the Gaza war.

HABSHANFUJAIRAH PIPELINE (UAE)

The Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) runs from Abu Dhabi's Habshan onshore fields to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, outside Hormuz. Operated by ADNOC and commissioned in 2012, the 360km pipeline has a capacity of about 1.5 to 1.8 million bpd.

Oil loadings at Fujairah, however, have been affected by drone attacks since the Iran war started at the end of February.

open image in gallery Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah ( Reuters )

KIRKUK-CEYHAN PIPELINE (IRAQ-TURKEY)

Iraq's main northern export route runs from Kirkuk to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan via the Kurdistan region.

The pipeline restarted last September after a two and a half year shutdown following an interim deal between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

On March 17, Iraq began pumping 170,000 bpd, with plans to reach 250,000 bpd, after Iraq's national oil company SOMO signed export contracts via Turkey, Jordan and Syria.

GOREH-JASK PIPELINE

Iran may be able to utilise the Jask terminal, fed by the one million bpd Goreh-Jask pipeline, to bypass the Strait, the IEA said in its latest oil market report.

The construction of the terminal is not fully complete, but a loading from Jask was tested in 2024, it said.

Possible alternative routes:

IRAQOMAN PIPELINE

Iraq said last September it was considering a pipeline from Basra to Omans port of Duqm on the Gulf of Oman.

The project remains at an early conceptual stage, with routes under study including an overland line via neighbouring countries or a costly subsea pipeline.

IRAQJORDAN PIPELINE

The proposed 1 million bpd pipeline would ship crude from Basra to Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba, bypassing Hormuz.

First proposed in the 1980s and approved in principle in 2022, the project remains stalled by cost, security and political hurdles.

GULFSEA OF OMAN CANAL

A canal bypassing Hormuz - similar to the Suez or Panama Canals - remains purely conceptual. A project to cut through the Hajar Mountains toward Fujairah would face extreme engineering challenges and could cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
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About 65 employees will be laid off this summer by casino operator Maverick Gaming, as the company closes its Silver Dollar SeaTac Casino in Washington.

Maverick Gaming, which operates 27 gaming properties across Nevada, Washington and Colorado, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July under its corporate name, RunItOneTime LLC, due to financial strain from debt, operating costs and weaker performance at some locations.

Maverick Gaming remains committed to its customers, employees, and partners, Jeff Seery, Chief Restructuring Officer of Maverick Gaming, said in a statement at the time. We are hopeful this process will allow us to right size our underlying business operations and preserve value for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The company then intended to keep all casinos open during restructuring, but that position has since shifted.

The SeaTac property, located near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is now set to shut down, resulting in job losses going into effect June 30 for dealers, servers, cooks, cashiers and security staff, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed Tuesday.

open image in gallery The Silver Dollar SeaTac Casino in Washington is closing, with layoffs effective June 30, as its operator, Maverick Gaming, continues through Chapter 11 bankruptcy under its corporate name, RunItOneTime LLC ( Google Maps )

The casino was initially scheduled to close on December 2, 2025, after Maverick Gaming announced its permanent shutdown plans in September, but the closure was delayed as the company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy and pursued a possible sale of the property. With no deal ultimately completed, the shutdown is now moving forward.

Maverick Gaming operates a total of 1,800 slot machines, 350 table games, 1020 hotel rooms, and 30 restaurants, The Street reports.

The companys bankruptcy filing came after an S&P Global Ratings report that raised serious concerns about its financial stability, warning of elevated risk and questioning its ability to manage debt and continue operations.

The agency also criticized an aggressive acquisition strategy led by Maverick Gaming co-founder and CEO Eric Persson, stating in a June report that the companys capital structure was unsustainable because high fixed costs, including interest, rent, capital expenditures, and lease obligations, were outpacing projected earnings.
A dispute between Aer Lingus and a pilot who was suspended from the companys recently closed Manchester base is to go to mediation, the High Court heard.

Captain Ian Blair had, on Wednesday, been granted a hearing date on Friday of his application for an order that he be allowed to attend a retraining course in Dublin on Monday. The course is for pilots who have been transferred from the closed Manchester operation.

However, Mr Blair is the subject of disciplinary proceedings by the Aer Lingus UK Ltd company which is his employer and is on suspension pending the outcome of that process. However, he says the process ended last January.

Aer Lingus maintains the suspension remains in place and it is governed by UK disciplinary procedures. It says he was rostered for the retraining course in error, which he disputes.

He had been suspended on pay last November to allow for an investigation into a complaint that he had required cabin crew, who were on a positioning flight from Barbados to Manchester, to sit in economy rather than business class. There were no passengers on the flight.

There had been industrial action by Aer Lingus cabin crew in Manchester at this time for higher pay. The cabin crew on the Barbados flight did not take part in the industrial action.

It is claimed Mr Blair did not comply with an instruction from a chief operations officer to allow the crew sit in business class and disciplinary action was taken against him by Aer Lingus UK.

He brought proceedings earlier this month against Aer Lingus Ltd and Aer Lingus UK Ltd over what he said was the airlines insistence that he would have to remain in the UK while disciplinary proceedings against him continued even though he said it had been agreed he would transfer to Dublin.

He then brought another application seeking to be allowed sit the training course and on Wednesday Mr Justice Brian Cregan granted an early date of Friday for the hearing to take place.

On Thursday, his barrister Cathy Smith SC told the judge the hearing on Friday could be vacated as the parties had agreed to go to mediation.

The judge agreed to adjourn the hearing for a week and was also told a previous undertaking by the defendants not to take steps to progress the disciplinary process would continue until then.
Over 200 tyres illegally dumped on Mount Leinster had been deliberately rolled down the mountainside

Carlow County Council are investigating the incident and said the recovery of the tyres was extremely difficult and hazardous

Over 200 illegally dumped tyres have been recovered from Mount Leinster

Aisling Bolton-Dowling Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 07:20

Over 200 illegally dumped tyres have been recovered from the slopes of Mount Leinster in Co Carlow.
Decryption tech breakthrough that helped snare Kinahan may now take down his army of hitmen

One gunman has already been jailed on the back of evidence from deciphered phone messages

How encrypted messages led to the arrest of Daniel Kinahan

Robin Schiller Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 06:30

The breakthrough in decryption technology that led to the arrest of Daniel Kinahan could now also be used to bring down his army of hitmen who carried out a campaign of murder on the cartels behalf.
Robin Schiller: Remaining senior members of cartel who could take over running of crime organisation from Daniel Kinahan

Christy Sr and Christy Jr have $5m bounties on their heads, while other members are under sanctions

From left, Ian Dixon, Christy Kinahan Sr, Christy Kinahan Jr and Bernard Clancy. Graphic: Gabriel Bruton

Robin Schiller Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 06:30

As cartel boss Daniel Kinahan sits in a Dubai prison cell awaiting his fate, a major void has been left at the top of the international crime gang.
Unions warn overcrowding in emergency departments causing surge in assaults

The Mater hospital in Dublin said anti-social behaviour in the hospital has 'increased exponentially'. Photo: Rollingnews

Violent incidents against health staff caused eight workers to suffer significant injuries or other serious effects in the last two years, as more than 12,500 attacks were reported, it has emerged.

The figures from the HSE come in the wake of revelations of a surge in violence against staff at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, leading some to quit rather than endure the safety threat.
Ive cried so much  tenant hit with 400-a-month rent hike after rule change

Thousands of renters may be affected by loophole in new housing legislation, Social Democrats TD says

Ires Reit is the State's largest landlord. Photo: Collins

Sarah O'Mahony Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 06:30

A tenant has said she is paying 400 more a month after a new rule prevented her from replacing a housemate who left her three-bedroom apartment.
President criticised Obama's 2015 agreement but now may make similar trade-offs, some of which may leave Tehran in a stronger position

And some of the same hardline 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 authorised US negotiators to consider a bargain that involves many of the same trade-offs one of his predecessors confronted.

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 US 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 hardline 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 Defence of Democracies, wrote on X, reviving a long-used Republican criticism of president Barack Obamas Iran deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, to attack the proposals currently under discussion.

Trump and other Republican critics of that 2015 deal have spent the past decade blasting it for handing pallets of cash to Iran - a reference to $1.7bn (1.45bn) 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 $20bn  in part 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 criticised 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 his deal wont 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 vice-president JD Vance, who has taken a leading role in the negotiations as he contemplates his desire to win the presidency in 2028.

Vance, long a proponent of maintaining a restrained approach to US military action around the world, was among the most sceptical of launching a war with Iran in the lead-up to the February attacks by the US and Israel. Now he has been charged with ending it  and potentially owning whatever painful compromises may be necessary.

The White House 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 $20m or $10bn or $6bn 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 subsidising the illicit activities that they have not halted, he said.

But he said 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 US negotiator with Iran under Obama.

Its not clear to me what Trumps bottom lines are.
Photo: https://president.az/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed efforts to end the war in Ukraine with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the possibility of holding the next round of Ukraine-U.S.-Russia negotiations in Azerbaijan.

"We also discussed peace efforts. It is very important for Ukraine that Russia finds the strength to end this unjust war. Of course, we highly value the role of our partners in mediating this process," Zelenskyy said during a joint statement with Aliyev in the city of Gabala, Azerbaijan, on Saturday.

He emphasized that Ukraine is ready for trilateral negotiations. "We had such talks in Turkey; we had such talks with our American partners in Switzerland. Of course, we are ready for the next negotiations in Azerbaijan if Russia is ready for diplomacy," Zelenskyy added.

As reported, on February 26, following a meeting between the Ukrainian negotiating group led by Rustem Umerov and David Arakhamia and U.S. President Donald Trumps envoys Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Zelenskyy reported growing readiness for the next trilateral meeting, likely in early March in Abu Dhabi (UAE). The last round of talks took place in Geneva, Switzerland, following previous rounds in Abu Dhabi.

On March 2, Zelenskyy clarified that the Ukraine-U.S.-Russia trilateral meeting was tentatively planned for March 5-6 in Abu Dhabi, but due to hostilities, the Ukrainian side could not confirm the location, though the meeting had not been canceled.

On March 5, a source close to the negotiating delegation told Interfax-Ukraine that the next meeting within the trilateral Ukraine-U.S.-Russia negotiations to end the war has been postponed indefinitely.
Leos Africa trip has been interpreted by Vatican watchers as a pivotal turning point in his papcy

Pope Leo returned to the Vatican from an 11-day trip to Africa on Thursday with his papacy seemingly transformed  a pontiff known during his first year for being tempered and, at times, careful to a fault suddenly demonstrating an ability to roar.

Viewed as more reserved and circumspect than his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died a year ago this week, the Chicago-born leader of 1.4 billion Catholics has shown that while he was not interested in escalating the fight US president Donald Trump picked with him, he also will not shrink from confronting global leaders, be they in the White House or in the troubled African nations he just visited.
Owen Matthews: Why Vladimir Putins myth of invincibility is fading fast in Russia

Formerly loyal Z-bloggers, influencers and even communist figures are speaking out against the president and his government

Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing dissent from the public amid inflation and a struggling economy. Photo: Getty Images

Owen Matthews Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Veteran Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov didnt mince his words when he blasted the precarious state of the Russian economy in parliament earlier this week.
French political philosopher Baron de Montesquieu once observed: Friendship is an arrangement by which we undertake to exchange small favours for big ones.

His words have acquired new resonance in an increasingly transactional age.

That reality was underlined again this week by another excoriating attack on Europe by the Trump administration. Secretary of war Pete Hegseth warned European and Asian countries that the time for free riding is over.

Rehashing a familiar grievance of President Trump  Europes alleged lack of co-operation over Iran  he insisted: America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal.

Oblivious of the fact that the US has its propeller firmly tangled in its own anchor chain when it comes to navigating the crisis created by its war of choice in the Gulf, he went on to declare that Operation Epic Fury was Americas gift to the world.

As fuel prices soar and supply chains fracture, Mr Hegseth may need to brace himself for a delay before global gratitude materialises. The war is creating havoc far beyond the region.

Former US secretary of state Colin Powell once invoked his Pottery Barn rule on the use of American military force: If you break it, you own it.

Trumps invective towards European countries for refusing to be dragged into the conflict has been unrelenting. A leaked internal Pentagon email even outlines options for punishing Nato allies, including suspending Spain from the alliance and revisiting the US position on Britains claim to the Falkland Islands.

As the most powerful country in the world, the US has the capacity to end this war at the negotiating table

Transatlantic relations have deteriorated to the point where Brussels officials are reportedly drawing up plans to activate the EUs littleknown mutual assistance clause in the event of a foreign attack.

These anxieties were echoed by Polands prime minister, Donald Tusk, writing in the Financial Times. He questioned whether the US would remain loyal to its Nato commitment to defend Europe in the event of a Russian attack, and urged the EU to become a real alliance capable of protecting the continent.

The next round of peace talks between the US and Iran looks uncertain at best. Trump has announced a threeweek extension to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, even though Hezbollah is not involved in the talks.

As the most powerful country in the world, the US has the capacity to end this war at the negotiating table. Taking Iran on in the Gulf only hands strategic advantage to Tehran and virtually guarantees a prolonged conflict.

Instead of berating allies  whom it failed to consult in the first place  Washington should be leaning on them and working collectively to devise diplomatic solutions.

Historically, the western alliance was the most powerful the world had ever seen. Friendship, like money, they say, is easier to make than to keep. Cashing in and belittling valued partnerships may provide a convenient distraction from present difficulties, but it cannot make them disappear.
Security personnel block a road in Islamabad, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks. Photo: Reuters

Spare a thought for the people of Islamabad, Pakistans capital. The citys roads and many schools have been sealed off for almost a week in anticipation of peace talks, leaving daily life in a state of suspended animation.

Hopes that the paralysis might soon end were further dashed by Donald Trumps announcement that he had ordered the US navy to shoot and kill any boat dropping mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine sweepers are clearing the Strait right now, the US president wrote on Truth Social. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled-up level!

Prospects of the already fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran holding appear to be diminishing by the day. Only a day earlier, Mr Trump said he was extending the ceasefire indefinitely.

Yet he could not resist throwing a spanner into the works, declaring he was under no pressure to seek a diplomatic resolution to the war. He is quite wrong. The pressure Americans are feeling from rising fuel prices is significant, and ignoring it is contributing to a slump in his popularity heading to historical lows.

Politically, too, Trump is running out of time. According to The Washington Post, he now has just eight days to make up his mind.

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, a presidents ability to wage war without congressional approval is limited to 60 days. The clock is ticking.

The world needs this war to end  and so does Mr Trump. It is deeply unpopular at home, and he campaigned on a promise to end US involvement in forever wars.

The focus could shift to pinprick strikes, targeting smaller vessels over a prolonged period

Meanwhile, reports from Tehran suggest mounting tension between moderates and hardliners, with the latter currently holding the upper hand.

There have also been reports that a closed-door congressional briefing warned it could take as long as six months to clear the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, Washington may be considering a change of tack. Rather than committing to large-scale attacks, the focus could shift to pinprick strikes, targeting smaller vessels over a prolonged period.

But digging in for the long haul comes at an incalculable cost. Global trade and supply chains would face prolonged disruption, with consequences felt far beyond the region. Tehran has said it might consider attending talks in Pakistan  but only if the US blockade is lifted and seized Iranian ships are released.

Authority without wisdom, it has been said, is like a heavy axe without an edge. We have heard much talk in recent weeks from the powerful about might and force. By contrast, the voices of those bombed and terrorised by conflict  in Iran, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine  remain largely unheard.

Wrapping up his tour of Africa, Pope Leo, often dubbed the quiet Pope, gave voice to his fears about unaccountable power. He has also condemned Mr Trumps threat against Iranian civilisation.

What will it say about the 21st century if the words shoot and kill can echo so loudly while diplomacy falls silent?
Nearly three-quarters of the dogs that end up in shelters are not microchipped, leading one Cork councillor to call for dog licencing and microchipping to be linked to make it easier to reunite dogs with their owners.

Cllr Audrey Buckley believes it should be easy to link the two. Speaking at a meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District this week, she said that when you're going to pay for your dog license online the box is there to put the microchip in. So it's all there, we just need to tie it up together.

Like Cork County Council can fine you for not having a dog license but they can't fine you for not having a microchip? Seventy per cent of the dogs that are coming into dog shelters are not microchipped so it's for animal welfare really, she said.

Speaking at a meeting of the councils Southern Division also this week, the Carrigaline councillor questioned the low number of commercial dog breeding establishments registered in County Cork with just six registered last year along with seven boarding kennels.

I'm very disappointed with the numbers, I just don't understand it. We have illegal dog breeders all over the place. And kennels. I just don't think we're doing a good enough job with all these illegal kennels and illegal breeding.

"And we're hearing about it every day. I know you're probably going to say the Department of Agriculture now is responsible, but I just think it's not good enough for the animal welfare. It's actually quite sad, she said.

The Department of Agriculture has been responsible for dog breeding establishments and boarding kennels since January 2025.

Responding to Cllr Buckley, Cork County Councils environment chief Aida Goold said that if people know of illegal kennels they should contact the council. We are actively working on that. We have a new chief warden appointed since March so he's working with his team to increase the number of dog licences.

Ms Goold said that Cork is one of the counties with the highest number of dog licences issued every year. When our dog wardens go out, they do check for licensing. There are a lot of Section 16(1) notices issued, which is a request to produce your dog licence within 10 days. And our dog wardens are actively working at that and they do discuss the microchipping as well at that time.

However, she pointed out that the laws regarding microchipping and dog licensing are separate pieces of legislation. So it's something we'd have to push at a national level because it is national legislation.

A total of 24,089 ordinary dog licences were issued in County Corks eight municipal districts in 2025 along with 83 general dog licences and 813 lifetime ones. In addition, there were 141 fines and 46 prosecutions relating to dog licences during the year and 718 Section 16(1) notices were issued.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
New exhibition in Cork to display original copy of 110-year-old Proclamation of the Republic

A new exhibition looks at the people behind the production of the 1916 Proclamation

The Proclamation turns 110 this month

Kevin Galvin Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 17:20

An original copy of Irelands most iconic document will be put on display at University College Cork, as part of an exhibition, celebrating its 110-year anniversary.
City councillors agree to urge government to legislate to grant authority new powers to levy tax on hotels

Cllr Shane OCallaghan put forward a motion at this months meeting of Cork City Council asking for the council to write to the government requesting legislation to be passed that would grant local authorities the ability to levy a tourist tax on hotels within their areas if they so choose.

Under his proposal it would be up to elected members in each local authority to decide whether to introduce the tax and also the rate at which it would be levied. The funds collected would be allocated to local area committees or municipal districts and local councillors would decide how the money should be spent.

Dublin City Council have already raised this, I think the other local authorities in Dublin have already raised this. It's worth looking at. Just for the national government to legislate so as to allow each city council, being up to the members of each city council, whether they want to or not, Cllr OCallaghan said.

If it was like two euro a night, that's not going to prevent anyone from coming on holidays in Ireland. It's already been introduced in most other European countries you go to. It hasn't affected tourism at all, from what I can see.

The Fine Gael councillor said the tax would strengthen the local authorities in a country which has a heavily-centralised government.

Real, extra power and responsibility for the members of each local authority. It's as much about empowering members as it is about the extra stream of revenue. And as I say, two euro a night is not going to make a blind bit of difference between people visiting Cork or not.

The motion was passed. Cllr Peter Horgan supported it and said Cllr OCallaghans plan of charging two euros per tourist is a very good idea. I would ask that he would talk to his colleagues [Minister of State] Peter Burke and [Minister] Patrick O'Donovan, who have been implacably opposed to this tourist tax in Dublin. I imagine they'd be opposed to it around the country as well.

Cllr Horgan said mayors with strong powers have transformed European cities such as Paris. That's the future we should be looking to get but we need the power to be levied down to us to go ahead and do it. We have a problem in this country of yielding power to our local authorities, we have a very centralised system via Dublin.

Cllr Niamh OConnor also spoke in support, saying that a tourist tax already exists in 21 of the 27 member states of the European Union. They're bringing it in in Scotland at the moment in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. It's been hugely successful. I know some cities have used it to deter tourism but I don't foresee it being used in that way here.

I would say it would be kept to a minimal level. I looked at some figures today that said that Cork city and county gets 900,000 foreign tourists in the year. A euro from each of them wouldn't go astray. I could think of a couple of ways we could use it and the tourists would also benefit, she said.

The Cork City Lord Mayor, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said that I think the motion is only asking for the authority to do that [levy a tourist tax] and I'd be happy with that. I think we did have a motion here previously to have a tax and we didn't agree with that motion.

The city council will now write to the government outlining Cllr Callaghans proposal.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
A racecourse manager in Tipperary has been appointed to a prestigious position in the world of racing.

The Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) has announced a series of key leadership appointments following its annual general meeting held earlier in the week in Newbridge, County Kildare.

DJ Histon, manager of Clonmel Racecourse has been confirmed as the incoming chairman of the association and will formally assume the role in December 2026. He will succeed Conor ONeill, who rotates out of the role after serving his two consecutive four-year terms similar to John Moloney before him.

Michael Moloney, manager of Galway Races has been appointed vice chairman and will take over from John Flannelly. In addition, two highly respected racecourse managers have been deemed elected to the board as directors for the first time - Ruth Morrison, manager of Downpatrick Racecourse, and Aidan McGarry, manager of Naas Racecourse.

The appointments further strengthen the association, bringing extensive operational expertise and regional representation to the board, said a spokesperson.

Richard Lyttle also received an honorary membership of the association, having previously served as racecourse manager at Navan and Downpatrick, a decision warmly received by the membership.

To the role of chairman, DJ Histon brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. He has been a long-standing and active contributor to Irish racing and is widely regarded for his steady approach, collaborative leadership style and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, said the AIR.

Mr Histon commented: I thank the membership sincerely for placing their trust in me. It is a genuine honour to be appointed chair of AIR, and it is one I do not take lightly.

I am fully committed to building on the excellent work of Conor ONeill, putting the membership at the centre of all negotiations on matters that relate to them, acting with integrity and diligence, and ensuring that, despite the many challenges we face, promoting a cohesive and united approach that will have the greatest impact for Irish racecourses and racing alike, led by our CEO Paul Hensey.

AIR will continue to work closely with all 26 racecourses nationwide, Horse Racing Ireland, The Irish Horse-Racing Regulatory Board and all industry stakeholders, in the best interest of its membership, those who own and, or operate Irish Racecourses, added the association.
The TFI 450 service departs Louisburg and goes through Murrisk, into Westport, Newport, Mulranny, Achill Sound, and on through Cashel, Dugort, and Keel before stopping in Dooagh. Photo: Stock Image.

Residents in Achill have raised concerns that Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have made sudden changes to the 450 route that runs from Dooagh to Louisburg in Mayo.

The 450 usually departs from Louisburgh and goes through Murrisk, into Westport, Newport, Mulranny, Achill Sound, and on through Cashel, Dugort, and Keel before stopping in Dooagh.

However, residents reported that the longestablished stop at Lourdies was bypassed last week when the service departed from the beach car park and continued directly to Keel, despite passengers waiting at the usual location.

They said the unexpected change created considerable confusion and inconvenience for users.

It has since been confirmed that the stop has been moved to the Achill Head Hotel in Pollagh.

The lack of prior notice led residents to contact Minister of State Alan Dillon, asking him to seek clarity from Bus Eireann and the NTA on why the change was introduced and whether this was communicated effectively to public transport users.

Transport for Ireland informed residents that, due to a health and safety issue, the 450 service would now terminate at the Achill Head Hotel just before the village of Pollagh until a more permanent solution is found.

Minister Dillon has asked what steps are being taken to restore the stop in Dooagh, saying the removal of it is causing significant concern for residents as the busy summer tourism season approaches.

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, he said.

He also questioned the basis of the health and safety concerns, noting that the local school bus continues to turn safely just beyond the end of the village each day, which he said demonstrates that suitable turning locations do exist within Dooagh.

Local residents have called on Bus Eireann and the NTA to urgently review potential safe stopping points in the village and to engage directly with the community to identify a practical and timely solution.

Minister Dillon said he would continue to follow up on the issue until clarity is provided and a resolution is reached, stressing that having a reliable public transport link is essential for rural communities.

In February, it was reported that the 450 service was to be reduced and that the route would no longer serve stops in Dugort or Dooniver from February 22.

However, following intervention from Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary, who called on the NTA to reverse the decision, the authority decided not to proceed with the cuts.

The NTA said it had postponed the planned change to the TFI route until the end of the current oneyear TFI Anseo pilot, which is underway on Achill. The pilot is due to conclude in August 2026, after which a review will be carried out.

Achillbased councillor Paul McNamara welcomed the U-turn and called on the NTA to meet with local stakeholders to discuss further plans for the area

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
The May bank holiday in County Tipperary is set to be a feast for the senses, with music and dance, classic and vintage cars, dogs shows, a church concert, and more off-the-beaten track adventures which have made the Premier County a must-see destination for 2026, according to the Lonely Planet.

Whether its a whole week of concerts and gigs in Tipperary town, or the chance to win an Audi car in a raffle in Holycross, County Tipperary has something for all the family this coming May bank holiday weekend. Here are some of our top tips for Tipp.

Tipperary Town Festival

The Tipperary Town Festival is one of the musical highlights of the year in the Premier County, running from Friday to Sunday, May 1  10, live at Bank Place, opposite the Lidl car park.

Kick off the weekend at The Big Marquee, Bank Place, Tipperary town on Friday with DJ Richie warming things up, followed by a live performance from Mike Denver and band from 10.15pm until late.

Headlining the Saturday night is Mark McCabe from 8pm, while Sunday evening will feature a live performance by Abbaesque, delivering all the classic ABBA hits, followed by a DJ set from 10pm until late.

Other events later in the week include a teenage disco, the ever popular Nathan Carter, and The Whistlin Donkeys. Admission is 15 to 25 for most events.

The festival is going from strength to strength thanks to the hard work of John OBrien, said a promoter. Looking forward to this years music festival are DJ Richie, and the man who loves his music, renowned promoter John OBrien who has dedicated himself to the music festival for the past three years.

We are so lucky that John has given his time and expertise free of charge and to bring the most talented musicians and bands to Tipperary town. John puts his heart and soul into this festival, and from day one, said a spokesperson.

Clonmel Classic and Vintage Car Show

Clonmel vintage car show.

Tipperarys May bank holiday weekend will see Clonmels Powerstown Park host a major vintage and classic car run through the Tipperary countryside, on Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3.

Clonmel Veteran Vintage and Classic Car Club is promoting the two-day event, with all proceeds going to St Marys Choral Society.

Entry includes tea or coffee at registration, refreshments during the run, an evening meal on return to Powerstown Park, and entry to a Static Show on the Sunday.

A raffle will be held for an Audi A4 convertible, plus a live vintage auction on Sunday afternoon for the following cars: 1936 Morris 10, 1963 Humber Sceptre, 1970 Volvo 164, 1972 Austin 1300, 1985 BMW 528 E28, and a 1992 Saab 900 Turbo 2.0. Gates open to the public on May 3 from 12pm to 4pm.

Holycross Dog Show

South Tipperary Canine Club is hosting a dog show on Sunday, May 3 at the Holycross GAA grounds, in Holycross village, near Thurles.

Not to be missed, this event features a great venue, excellent carpet-like grass rings and a panel of overseas judges, from Croatia, France, UK, Denmark, Australia, and Thailand, looking forward to adjudicating on the dogs.

The event includes freshly cooked food and a trade stand for dog treats, and the venue offers a large area for exhibitor parking, catering, and access to main roads.

Nenagh Church Concert

Michael English.

Michael English is set to perform a concert in the Church of St Mary of the Rosary, Nenagh, on the May bank holiday Monday, May 4, described as a night of faith, hope and inspiration - all in aid of Pieta Ireland and Sarcoma Cancer Care Ireland.

Over the past four years, Michael English has poured his heart into creating his church concert experience.

With a string of sold-out performances across the country, he said he is delighted to now bring the show to Nenagh, where fans can expect a heartwarming and inspiring night of music.

The concert will feature a blend of hymns, well-known inspirational songs, and some of Michaels own most loved compositions, with plenty of moments for the audience to sing along. Previous church concerts have been met with rave reviews and standing ovations.

Doors open at 7pm with the show from 8pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are 30, available from the Nenagh Parish Office, local outlets and online.

Tipp Top Tourism Destination

Suir Blueway.

Tipperary has been named one of the worlds top destinations for 2026 in the Lonely Planets Best in Travel.

Beyond the landscapes, its the culture and food that truly shape the experience here  from legendary Tipperary apples and Cashel Blue cheese to cosy pubs and restaurants celebrating local produce, according to the countys tourism body, Tipperary Tourism.

For the more adventurous of spirit, Tipperary has something to suit every taste, from the Glen of Aherlow Trails, Suir Blueway cycle kayak and walks, to guided mountain hikes and watersports on Lough Derg.

Discover 53km of paddling trails and a 21km cycle route along the stunning Suir Blueway. Paddle, cycle, hike, or stroll through Tipperary, exploring medieval towns, castles and churches. The Blueway from historic Cahir to Carrick-on-Suir is a unique way to experience the beauty and heritage of the region.

Along the River Suir, visitors can explore the waterways and byways made famous in a recent TG4 series, Cois Siuire, presented by Dr Colm Mac Gearailt. The series explored 183km of the River Suir and the communities living on its banks.

Visitors can retrace some of the spots highlighted in the series - iconic heritage sites such as Ormond Castle, the Rock of Cashel, the Swiss Cottage and Cahir Castle.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the conclusion of six agreements with Azerbaijan during his visit to the country, specifically highlighting security cooperation.

"We signed six documents today. Our teams will certainly share details later. These cover various areas. Today, the number one priority is security and the defense-industrial complex," Zelenskyy said during a joint statement with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Gabala on Saturday.

The Ukrainian president also announced agreements on joint production and the work of Ukrainian experts in Azerbaijan.

"Of course, we will develop our cooperation and co-production. These are very important directions that will certainly increase the security of our countries and peoples, as well as trade turnover, which we very much want to increase," he said.

Zelenskyy called the signing of documents on the joint development of the countries defense-industrial complexes a "very serious step."

He also thanked Aliyev for 11 energy support packages and assistance for children evacuated from border areas, and announced agreements in education, specifically for Azerbaijani students to study in Ukraine.

Aliyev, in turn, noted that "fairly serious cooperation" is currently underway between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, which was "confirmed once again" during Zelenskyys visit.

"Regarding military-technical cooperation, we also discussed this issue. It has quite broad prospects in both Ukraine and Azerbaijan. We see the development of military industries and the defense-industrial complex, and we can look into joint production. We have excellent opportunities in manufacturing in general. We had extensive talks about this today," Aliyev said.

According to the Azerbaijani head of state, the presidents also discussed the need to increase bilateral trade turnover. "It currently exceeds $500 million, and I think it will continue to grow. We have every opportunity," he said.

In addition to political dialogue, the parties discussed energy cooperation. "Socar has been working successfully in Ukraine for many years. There are now very good prospects. We have joint projects, initiatives, and investments. All these issues were discussed at length today," Aliyev said.
Psychotherapist Attracta Gill who is the author of Poems for Trauma Recovery, Love, Loss and Belonging.

Wicklow psychotherapist and poet Attracta Gill has finally published her collection of poetry and creative writing - designed to support individuals navigating the difficult journey of healing from childhood trauma.

Poems for Trauma Recovery, Love, Loss and Belonging is published by ShadowScript Publications, and the poetry covers developmental trauma, grief, anxiety, and the journey toward self-compassion, resilience, and reclaiming identity.

Born in Ballymore Eustace, Attracta is married to fellow psychotherapist Austin Breslin, and the couple live with their daughter Alannah Poppy between family homes in Tulfarris, Co Wicklow and Dalkey, Co Dublin.

Attracta blends lived experience and clinical insight from nearly three decades of being a trauma trained specialist.

Shes currently pursuing a Doctor of Professional Studies in Psychological Trauma at the University of Chester focusing her research on survivors disclosure of childhood sexual abuse through the creative approach of poetic inquiry.

Statistics show that one in three females will experience childhood sexual abuse and 52pc of females will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, said Attracta ahead of the launch. This means that there is a high number of people living within our community and the surrounding communities that my book will help. My book is a much-needed resource and we all need to play our part in society to break the silence and shaming of survivors.

For anyone who has felt unseen, unheard, or unloved  this book is for you.

Already, Attractas book has been put forward as a resource for rape crisis centres in the UK, SARC and RASASC. The book is already set to prove to be a vital resource for any woman impacted or affected by sexual violence. The verses serve as a roadmap for survivors, encouraging them to break their silence and find strength in their own personal narratives.

Sadly Mary Gill, Attractas mum is not here to see her daughter achieve her ambition, having only passed away last December.

Helena ODonnell, Attractas sister, is also a professional psychotherapist.

The launch of Poems for Trauma Recovery, Love, Loss and Belonging takes place in The Queens Bar, Dalkey from 6.30pm on May 7, where you can meet Attracta in person as she engages in a hosted Q&A session, followed by wine and canapes. She will also be on hand to sign copies of the collection.
Expose found his trafficking operation in Britain was far more extensive than previously known

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein pictured in an image released by the Department of Justice in 2025. Photo: Justice Department/Handout via Reuters

Jeffrey Epstein housed abuse victims in several London flats after police decided not to investigate him, it has been revealed.

Six women have come forward to say they were held in at least four flats rented by the convicted paedophile in the west London borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

A number of the women, originally from Russia, eastern Europe and elsewhere, said they had been brought to Britain after the Metropolitan Police decided not to investigate Virginia Giuffres 2015 allegation that she had been a victim of international trafficking to London.

Receipts, emails and bank records in the Epstein files appear to show the existence of properties used for sex abuse by the financier.

The Met said it followed reasonable lines of inquiry at the time, interviewing Ms Giuffre on multiple occasions following her complaint and co-operating with US investigators.

Some of the women housed in the London flats were coerced by Epstein to recruit others into his sex-trafficking scheme, as well as regularly transported to Paris by Eurostar to visit him, according to emails in the files.

A BBC investigation into millions of pages of records gathered by the US department of justice and released as part of the Epstein files appears to show how his operation in Britain was more extensive than previously known. They reveal Epstein was paying for his victims housing and frequently transporting women across borders right up to his death, despite warnings to UK police.

Ms Giuffre reported in 2015 that she had been trafficked and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, in 2001. The former prince has always denied any wrongdoing.

Yet, in statements issued between 2016 and 2025, the Metropolitan Police said it believed that other international authorities were best placed to progress the allegations about Epstein.

The investigation found UK police appeared to have had other opportunities to open an inquiry into the disgraced financiers activities in Britain.

It has emerged that a second woman had complained to the Met by early 2020 that she had been abused by Epstein in Britain. It is not clear whether this complaint was acted on.

According to a document in the files, the UK authorities also knew in 2020, soon after Epstein died in jail awaiting trial, that the financier had rented at least one of the flats.

Tessa Gregory, a human rights lawyer at Leigh Day, told the BBC she was staggered that no UK police investigation had ever been launched.

Where there are credible allegations of human trafficking, the UK state, even if no victims come forward, has a positive legal obligation to conduct a prompt, effective and independent investigation, she said.

The Metropolitan Police said: We recognise our duties within Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and are confident these were fulfilled.

Kevin Hyland, a former senior detective with the Met who went on to become the UKs first independent anti-slavery commissioner, said police had missed opportunities to investigate the convicted sex offender.

Mr Hyland told Radio 4s Today programme: The Met and other police forces perhaps, werent complying with what theyre required to do and investigating serious allegations of trafficking and sexual abuse.

In these cases, there were complaints. Virginia Giuffre made a complaint, and there were other women that the Met accepted in 2019 that had made complaints. The most routine of inquiry would have then led to other items of evidence.

In one exchange, a few months before Epsteins arrest on charges of trafficking children for sex, and his death in jail awaiting trial, he messaged a young Russian woman on Skype who was living in one of the London flats he paid for.

He sent her an image which is not included in the files but which seemed to have been a picture of himself. The woman jokingly asked who the good-looking man in the picture was.

Epstein said it was her landlord, but emphasised that unlike most landlords, he paid her rent rather than collecting it.

The women housed by Epstein in London were pictured in Instagram posts, on Russian social media and in high-end fashion shoots.

One of the photographs seen by the BBC shows the exterior of the flat mentioned in the Skype chat, with the name of the building visible, matching a tenancy agreement in the Epstein files.

Emails show that Epstein responded angrily when the women complained about the overcrowded living conditions in the flats.

In one case, Epstein said he would pay a womans rent as a gift if she worked for him for six months, but otherwise he would consider it a loan that needed to be repaid. In another message, Epstein swore at the woman, called her rude and said she had disgusting behaviour, telling her she was a brat who has yet to accept responsibility.

Other women living in the flats appeared to have been coerced to work for him to build his sex-trafficking scheme by recruiting other women.

Evidence of ticket purchases indicates that Epstein used Eurostar to move women in and out of Britain uninterrupted, until his arrest by US authorities in July 2019.

He bought at least 53 tickets to transport women between France and England from 2011-2019, sometimes taking advantage of Eurostars reduced youth fares for under-25s.

Receipts in the files show 33 of the tickets were bought after Ms Giuffre made her 2015 complaint of trafficking.

Lawyers for some of the women transported by Eurostar confirmed that they later came forward as victims of Epstein.

The Met said officers interviewed Ms Giuffre three times in 2015 and 2016 and said they contacted several other potential victims, but no allegation of criminal conduct was made against any UK-based individual.

The force said it had maintained close liaison with the United States and other relevant authorities throughout its investigation to make sure any UK matters could be identified and to consider any support requested.

Scotland Yard said it was fully engaged alongside other forces in the National Police Chiefs Council group established following the release of the Epstein files.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said this included an assessment of information which indicates that London airports may have been used as transit points in the facilitation of sexual exploitation and human trafficking which was ongoing.
Many MPs believe end of PMs leadership is in sight and energy secretary Miliband is in a better position to run than rivals Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner

Ed Miliband is trying to position himself for a coronation to replace UK prime minister Keir Starmer after the local elections in May, Labour sources have said.

After another dreadful week for Mr Starmer who has seen his integrity come under further scrutiny over the Peter Mandelson scandal, many MPs believe the end of his leadership is in sight and the energy secretary has emerged as a new contender to take his place.

Mr Miliband has repeatedly denied any leadership ambitions, but has become increasingly outspoken over the Mandelson vetting crisis and speculation is rife that he is preparing to throw his hat into the ring, with next months local elections results expected to be apocalyptic for Labour and put further pressure on Mr Starmer to step down.

A supporter of Mr Miliband said: He has the energy and enthusiasm. He is loved by younger members. He is a new man from when he was last leader.

Crucially, Mr Miliband does not face the same barriers that could prevent some rival leadership candidates  including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting  from launching successful bids to succeed Mr Starmer.

Supporters of Mr Burnham want to hold off on a leadership contest until he can become an MP and run, while Ms Rayner is still waiting for the outcome of the HMRC investigation into her failure to pay stamp duty on a flat in Brighton. Meanwhile, Mr Streeting, who was seen holding court with supporters in parliament on Tuesday after sacked Foreign Office mandarin Olly Robbinss bombshell evidence had further damaged the prime minister, is not thought to have enough backing in the party to land the job.

Mr Miliband, who served as Labour leader from 2010 to 2015, is among a handful of cabinet ministers believed to have performed well in his current role, and briefings in favour of him taking over have soared after he became the first senior minister to break ranks and collective responsibility on the issue of Mr Mandelsons appointment.

He publicly disowned the appointment of Mr Mandelson as ambassador to the US and suggested both he and deputy prime minister David Lammy, who was foreign secretary at the time of the appointment, had raised concerns.

Mr Miliband told Sky News: Youre saying [Mandelson] should never have been appointed and I agree with you. I steered well clear of Peter Mandelson when I became Labour leader in 2010.

Asked what he had thought about Mr Mandelsons initial appointment, he said: 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.

One Labour MP said: It looks like there is some sort of deal between Miliband and Lammy.

With suspicions that Mr Miliband may be positioning himself for a leadership run, one minister noted: He threw his arms around me yesterday to ask how I was. Hes always been friendly but never that much. Another MP added: I think he is hoping for a coronation because the others are just not in a position to make a challenge.

But any hopes that he may be appointed leader unopposed appear unlikely, with Labour MPs deeply divided over who could take over.

One senior Labour MP said: I think the reality is there is currently no viable alternative to Starmer at all. Wes is Mandelsons protege and Angela brings too many controversies of her own.

We get one shot at changing leader. It has to be someone who offers a genuine break from both the scandals and the disastrous policy decisions that have defined this government.

Others are less convinced about Mr Milibands prospects, partly because of his previous spell as leader which led to a humiliating election defeat in 2015 ( The Independent)
Prince Harry has said he will always be part of the royal family.

Harry, who is on a visit to Ukraine, said that he wanted to bring attention to the causes that needed it.

In an interview with ITV News, who travelled with him, he called on world leaders to show proper leadership to bring an end to conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.

As part of the trip, Harry joined The Halo Trust, the charity working to clear landmines in Ukraine. In January 1997, his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, undertook a similar trip to Angola.

Im here working and doing the very thing I was born to do

Speaking in Bucha, where an estimated 500 Ukrainian men, women and children were killed in one month of Russian occupation, Harry was asked whether he recognised the description of himself as not a working royal.

He said: I will always be part of the royal family and Im here working and doing the very thing I was born to do.

I enjoy doing it. I enjoy being able to do these trips and coming to support the people that Ive met before, the friends that Ive made.

And hopefully bringing attention to issues that for one reason or another drop out of the news because something else has popped up.

Asked by Chris Ship, ITVs royal editor, whether he felt the shackles had been removed after he and wife Meghan Markle quit as working royals in 2020, he said:

From my perspective, we need to feel empowered to speak truth to power. Its really that simple.

Its bad enough in todays world feeling gagged and saying that you cant say these things and cant say that.

What we are witnessing and seeing is a humanitarian catastrophe in multiple parts

Everything becomes political. I fundamentally disagree with that.

What we are witnessing and seeing is a humanitarian catastrophe in multiple parts of the world.

And people are speaking up and will continue to speak up and I would encourage more people to do the speaking up.

Earlier this week, he gave a speech in which he told Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, to stop the war and urged America to show leadership in supporting Ukraine.

When asked about the speech, Donald Trump, the US president, said: Prince Harry is not speaking for the UK, thats for sure. I think Im speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are undertaking a state visit to the US next week.

Harry, asked whether he thought his words would make things hard for his father, said: No, I dont think so. Not at all.

He added: What I see, what I hear and what I learn is that the vast majority of people, whether in the UK or anywhere else in the world, want to see proper leadership and they want to see an end to these conflicts.
Ukraine and Russia exchange prisoners after EU loan of 90bn finalised

Ukrainian president Voldymy Zelensky said the first part of a 90bn EU loan will be released next month. Photo: PA

Ukraines drone wing says it has killed at least 12 officers and injured 15 others in a strike on a command post for Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert Madyar Brovdi yesterday confirmed the attack in occupied Donetsk, and said Ukrainian forces used FP-2 drones manufactured by the Ukrainian defence company Fire Point.

He said the command post hit in the attack is responsible for sabotage operations, building intelligence networks, recruitment, carrying out terrorist attacks and arson, and co-ordinating Russian proxy forces. The drones can carry up to 100kg payloads and are used for medium-range strikes. Moscow is yet to comment on the attack.

It came as Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner of war swap yesterday, sending back 193 captured personnel each in an exchange both sides said was facilitated by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

It still hasnt sunk in that Im home, I was in captivity for three years

It is important that there are exchanges and that our people are returning home, said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in a post on Telegram.

His chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, and Russias defence ministry both said the US and the UAE had assisted with the exchange. Russia and Ukraine have conducted many prisoner swaps over four years of war, exchanging thousands of captives in total.

Mr Zelensky said some of the returned captives, who included soldiers, border guards and police, had injuries, while others had faced criminal charges in Russia. In Ukraine, returning captives streamed off buses, many draped in their countrys flag and overwhelmed with emotion.

It still hasnt sunk in that Im home, I was in captivity for three years... our Ukrainian sky, our trees this is happiness, said Serhiy, a soldier, who gave only his first name.

Ukraines foreign minister has said the countrys frontline position is the strongest it has been in a year.

Andrii Sybiha credited the progress to Kyivs superiority in drone warfare and air defence, which he claimed had the ability to shoot down the vast majority of attacks. We have minimised the Russians advantage in manpower through the use of drones, Mr Sybiha said on Thursday.

He added: For us, the situation on the battlefield is about strengthening our negotiating position. We can shoot down up to 90pc of the targets that strike our cities [Ukraines] position on the battlefield is indeed the strongest, or the most solid, it has been over the past year.

Ukrainian president Voldymy Zelensky said the first part of a 90bn EU loan will be released next month. Photo: PA

Earlier this month, Agence France-Presse analysed data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and found that Russia had made almost no territorial gains across the frontline last month. It marks the countrys worst progress in two-and-a-half years. According to the analysis, Russia lost almost 60 square km of land in Ukraine since 1 March.

Mr Zelensky renewed calls for trilateral peace discussions with Russia, despite US negotiators largely preoccupied with the ongoing war in Iran.

The Kremlin rebuffed the call for fresh talks between leaders, saying that president Vladimir Putin would only sit down with Mr Zelensky to finalise an agreed peace deal.

However, Ukraines position was further strengthened this week after the European Union was able to release 90bn in funds for a loan to Kyiv after Hungarys nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban lost the national elections to Peter Magyar last week. Mr Orban had been holding up the support and had been a staunch ally of Putin and Russia.

The loan will allow Ukraine to purchase weapons and support its economy.

Today is an important day for our defence and for our relations with the European Union, Mr Zelensky wrote in a post on X on Thursday afternoon.

The European support loan for Ukraine has been unblocked  90 billion over two years. This package will strengthen our army, make Ukraine more resilient, and enable us to fulfill our social obligations to Ukrainians, as set out in law.

It matters that Ukraine is securing this level of financial certainty  after more than four years of full-scale war.

Mr Zelensky said that the first tranche of support will be released around May and June and will be directed to arms production, the procurement of necessary weapons from partners that we do not yet produce in Ukraine, and the preparation of our energy sector and critical infrastructure for the next winter. ( The Independent)
Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told the Associated Press.

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araqchi was expected in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals for restarting peace talks with the United States, but Pakistani sources said he was not due to meet US negotiators there.

Key updates What's in the latest Iran proposal to end the war? And is Trump happy? Donald Trump reviews proposal to end war as Vladimir Putin hosts Iran minister Germany's Merz says Iran is humiliating US as talks stall Analysis: If the Iran war stays in limbo, it could leave the world facing chaos Denise Calnan A fisherman lights a cigarette as the sun sets, amid a temporary ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, at the port in Tyre, southern Lebanon, April 27, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica Denise Calnan Israeli military orders more than a dozen towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate

Israel's military issued an urgent warning on Tuesday to residents in more than a dozen villages and towns in southern Lebanon, urging them to evacuate northward immediately and signalling an imminent attack.



The warning said the action was necessary due to the Hezbollah militia's violation of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.



Reuters Denise Calnan Finland says US defence deliveries delayed due to Middle East war

Some U.S. defence material deliveries to Europe are being delayed because of the war in the Middle East, Finland's President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday.



Anne Kauranen, Reuters Denise Calnan US treasury chief says businesses working with Iranian airlines risk sanctions

Businesses working with Iranian airlines risk U.S. sanctions, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday, calling the warning a part of a campaign to put economic pressure on Tehran amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.



Kanishka Singh, Reuters Denise Calnan Meanwhile, in Israel - opposition figures unite in bid to oust Benjamin Netanyahu

Two of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus top rivals announced they would join forces in an upcoming election to oust his coalition government, with a focus mainly on domestic issues such as military conscription for the ultra-orthodox.



But on issues like Iran, Gaza and Lebanon, the joint party led by right-wing Naftali Bennett and centrist Yair Lapid is expected to pursue a security posture similar to that of Netanyahu  who heads the most right-wing government in Israels history  meaning Israels foreign policy would remain largely unchanged. The new party, called BeYachad meaning together in Hebrew, has not released a formal policy platform.



Both Mr Bennett and Mr Lapid previously served as prime minister under a rotating agreement as part of a coalition formed in 2021. But the coalition fractured, leading to elections that brought Netanyahu back to power after 18 months.



Netanyahu has otherwise served continuously as prime minister since 2009, having also led an administration for three years in the 1990s.



Despite the show of unity, Mr Bennett and Mr Lapid have stark ideological differences.



Mr Bennett is an orthodox Jew with hard-line views toward the Palestinians, whereas Mr Lapid is secular and is seen as more moderate, although both have broadly supported Israels military endeavours under Netanyahu since October 7.



However, both enjoyed a close working relationship during their short-lived coalition.



Their alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu.



Both have repeatedly criticised Netanyahu over alleged corruption. He is currently on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, all of which he denies.



The move is intended to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections, Mr Lapids Yesh Atid party said.



A spokesman for Mr Bennett said: This move unites the reform bloc, puts an end to internal infighting, and allows for all efforts to be invested toward a decisive victory in the upcoming elections and to lead Israel toward the necessary reform.



A poll last week indicated that Netanyahu had slumped to neck and neck with Mr Bennett for the first time since summer 2025.



Elections must be held by the end of October.



Alexander Cornwell

Reuters Israeli opposition figures unite in bid to oust Benjamin Netanyahu Two of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus top rivals announced they would join forces in an upcoming election to oust his coalition government, with a focus mainly on domestic issues such as military conscription for the ultra-orthodox. Denise Calnan What's in the latest Iran proposal to end the war? And is Trump happy?

Latest Iranian plan would set aside nuclear issue until after war ends, Iranian sources say

Trump unhappy with delaying deal on Iran nuclear program, official says

Iran demands blockade be lifted before any negotiations begin

U.S. President Donald Trump is unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal on resolving the two-month war, a U.S. official said, dampening hopes for a resolution to the conflict that has disrupted energy supplies, fuelled inflation, and killed thousands.



Iran's latest proposal would set aside discussion of Iran's nuclear program until the war is ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved.



That is unlikely to satisfy the U.S., which says nuclear issues must be dealt with from the outset, and Trump was unhappy with Iran's proposal for that reason, a U.S. official briefed on the president's Monday meeting with his advisers said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the U.S. "will not negotiate through the press" and has "been clear about our red lines" as the Trump administration looks to end the war against Iran it began in February alongside Israel.



A previous agreement in 2015 between Iran and multiple other countries including the U.S. sharply curtailed Iran's nuclear program, which it has long maintained is for peaceful, civilian purposes. But that deal fell apart when Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in his first term in office.



Parisa Hafezi and Steve Holland

Reuters Denise Calnan 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



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. Show more Amy Blaney This liveblog has ended. Amy Blaney Mediators still seek to bridge US, Iran gaps despite no face-to-face talks Trump: 'If they want to talk, they can come to us'

Latest Iranian plan would set aside nuclear issue until after war ends, Iranian sources say

Araqchi visits Russia after trips to Pakistan and Oman

Iran demands blockade lifted before any negotiations begin

Oil prices rise 3.5% Work has not halted to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran, sources from mediator Pakistan said, despite the absence of face-to-face diplomacy after President Donald Trump called off a trip by his envoys over the weekend.



Iranian sources disclosed Tehran's latest proposal on Monday, which would set aside discussion of Iran's 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.



Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since the U.S. president 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 Araqchi shuttled in and out twice over the weekend.



Araqchi also visited Oman over the weekend and went to Russia on Monday, where he met President Vladimir Putin and received words of support from a longstanding ally.



Oil prices rise again

With the warring sides still seemingly far apart on issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions and access through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, oil prices resumed their upward march when trade reopened on Monday. Brent crude was up around 3.5% at around $108.8 a barrel by 1500 GMT.



"If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines," Trump told "The Sunday Briefing" on Fox News.



"They know what has to be in the agreement. It's very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, there's no reason to meet," Trump said.



Araqchi had a different perspective, telling reporters in Russia that Trump requested negotiations because the U.S. has not achieved any of its objectives.



Islamabad reopens after lockdown to host talks

Senior Iranian sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal carried by Araqchi 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 U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and providing guarantees that Washington cannot start it up again. Then negotiators would resolve the U.S. 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 longstanding dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, with Iran still seeking some kind of U.S. 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 Pakistan's capital Islamabad, which had been locked down for a week in anticipation of talks that never took place. The luxury hotel that had been cleared out to serve as a venue was again taking reservations from the public.



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.



Shipping snarled by both sides

Although a ceasefire has paused the U.S.-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.



Both sides could be settling in for a test of wills, to see who can endure the economic pain before making concessions.



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 United States began blockading Iranian ships.



Six tankers loaded with Iranian oil have been forced back to Iran by the U.S. 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.



With his approval ratings falling, Trump faces domestic pressure to end the unpopular war. Iran's leaders, though weakened militarily, have found leverage with their ability to stop shipping in the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global oil shipments.





Fighting Intensifies In Lebanon

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 U.S.-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.



Israel and Hezbollah blame each other for violating the truce agreed between Israel and the Lebanese government in Washington and extended last week.

Show more Alan Caulfield Germany's Merz says Iran is humiliating US as talks stall

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday Iran's leadership was humiliating the United Statesand getting U.S. officials to travel to Pakistan and then leave without results, in an unusually abrupt rebuke over the conflict.



Merz also said he not see what exit strategy the U.S. was pursuing in the Iran war- comments that underlineddeep divisions between Washington and its European NATO allies, which had already been festering over Ukraineand 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," he added at the venue in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.



U.S. President Donald Trump has harshly criticized NATO allies for not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuzduring the conflict. The waterway has remained virtually shut, causing market turmoil and unprecedented disruption in energy supplies.



Merz reiterated that Germans and Europeans were not consulted before the U.S. and Israel started attacking Iran on February 28, and that he had conveyed his scepticism directly to Trump afterwards.



"If I had known that it would continue like this for five or six weeks and get progressively worse, I would have told him even more emphatically," Merz said, comparing it to previous U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since Trump scrapped a visit on Saturday by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital.



Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi travelled to Russia on Monday after failed talks in Pakistan and Oman.



Merz said it was evident the Strait of Hormuz had been at least partially mined. "We have offered, also as Europeans, to send German minesweepers to clear the strait, which has obviously been mined in part," he said.



He said the conflict was costing Germany "a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers' money and a lot of economic strength."



Reuters Alan Caulfield Iran and US at odds over talks timing

Work has not halted to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran, sources from mediator Pakistan said, despite the failure of face-to-face diplomacy after Donald Trump called off a trip by his envoys and said Iran should phone when it wants a deal.



Iranian sources disclosed Tehran's latest proposal, which would first seek to end the war and resolve the stand-off over Gulf shipping, while pushing wider talks about Iran's nuclear programme until later. That suggestion is unlikely to satisfy Washington, which says nuclear issues must be resolved from the outset.



Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since the U.S. president scrapped a visit on Saturday by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shuttled in and out twice over the weekend.



Araqchi, who also visited Oman, arrived on Monday in Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, a longstanding ally.



With the warring sides still seemingly far apart on issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions and access through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, oil prices resumed their upward march when trade reopened on Monday. Brent crude was up around 2.5% at around $108 a barrel.



"If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines," Trump told "The Sunday Briefing" on Fox News.



"They know what has to be in the agreement. It's very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, there's no reason to meet," Trump said.



Reuters Alan Caulfield The Israeli military began carrying out strikes in Lebanon's east on Monday, expanding the scope of its bombing campaign during a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.



A spokesperson for the Israeli military said it was beginning to strike Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley as well as areas in southern Lebanon. Security sources told Reuters strikes had hit near the town of Nabi Chit, near Lebanon's eastern border with Syria.



Reuters Alan Caulfield Analysis: If the Iran war stays in limbo, it could leave the world facing chaos

James C Reynolds: If the Iran war stays in limbo, it could leave the world facing chaos Donald Trump announced late last Tuesday that the US would hold our attack on Iran until a deal is made in an astonishing climbdown, after dismissing calls for a ceasefire extension and threatening to blitz civilian infrastructure. Alan Caulfield Island of Ireland in absolutely critical position amid tensions with Russia, says British military boss

Island of Ireland in absolutely critical position amid tensions with Russia, says top military boss The island of Ireland is in an absolutely critical position amid tensions with Russia, Northern Irelands top military officer has warned. Alan Caulfield Iran suspends exports of steel slabs and sheets until end of May

Iran has banned the export of steel slabs and sheets until May 30, state media reported on Monday without further details, as the country's steel industry has been targeted in strikes during the conflict with Israel and the United States.



Around 10 million tonnes of Iran's annual steel production capacity, or 25% to 30% of its total output, was knocked offline following damage to key facilities, the newspaper Etemad had reported on Sunday.



Major producers, such as Mobarakeh Steel Company and Khuzestan Steel Company, were hit during the war. The resulting disruption to production has sent shockwaves through industries including construction, automotive and infrastructure, according Etemad.



A member of the Iran Chamber of Commerce's board of representatives said the steel sheet market is expected to stabilise within two months as imports offset shortages and curb speculative demand, according to Iranian news agency Tabnak.



In early April, a deputy director of Khuzestan Steel Company said it would take between 6-12 months to restore operations after its facilities were damaged.



Steel is one of Iran's main non-oil export earners, and the loss of production and export capacity could weigh on the trade balance and foreign currency revenues, while also risking the loss of market share in global steel, Etemad added.



The damage is expected to have broader economic consequences, with potential job losses and upward pressure on inflation.



Reuters Alan Caulfield German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that deterrence is needed amid nuclear threats, even as he underscored support for nuclear non-proliferation.



"As long as nuclear threats against us and our partners continue, we will need a credible deterrent," he said in a statement ahead of meetings on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that he is due to attend this week at the United Nations in New York.



He added the conference would seek new ways of safeguarding the treaty's achievements and focus on nuclear disarmament.



France and Germany last month announced plans to deepen cooperation on nuclear deterrence, marking a significant shift in defence policy as Europe faces rising threats from Russia and instability linked to the Iran conflict.



Reuters Alan Caulfield Global consumer companies face pricing stress test from oil shock

The fragile demand recovery seen by consumer companies globally is at risk of getting stalled by chances of more prices hikes as a result of soaring energy and commodity costs due to the Middle East conflict.



On Friday, U.S. consumer giant Procter & Gamble, flagged a roughly $1 billion hit to its fiscal 2027 profit as higher crude prices hurt packaging, plastic materials and logistics.



The warning is a clear sign that the oil shock is adding pressure on companies to raise prices worldwide to tide over the growing costs across their supply chains that have now begun to squeeze profit margins.



"Inflation across food, energy, healthcare, and many other areas of spending has taken a toll on consumers and how they assess value. Recent geopolitical events have elevated this to a new level of concern," P&G finance chief Andre Schulten said on an earnings call.



CONSUMERS UNDER STRAIN



"In short, the consumer path to purchase is changing every day," Schulten said, adding he expects an even more intense period of change over the next three to five years.



Results last week from Swiss giant Nestle and French dairy group Danone showed volume growth in the first quarter after a prolonged stall, offering some relief to investors watching closely for signs of demand recovery after years of price hikes.



Analysts, however, warned that the rebound could be short-lived if companies again raise prices to offset higher costs as it could make value-conscious shoppers trade down to private brands.



"This time round, consumer staples companies will try their best to pass on any extra costs, but they might struggle," said AJ Bell head of markets Dan Coatsworth.



PRICING POWER TESTED



Danone deputy CEO Juergen Esser said short-term hedging is helping cushion near-term cost pressures, while the company has stepped up the pace of its productivity programs to tackle the volatility.



Dettol-maker Reckitt CEO Kris Licht said the conflict has already hit its Middle East business, eroding what had been a positive start to the year.



While the company still sees resilient demand in its core categories, visibility for the second half remains limited, Licht said. Consumer heavyweights such as Unilever, Coca-Cola , Kleenex maker Kimberly-Clark and Cadbury owner Mondelez are yet to outline the impact of higher energy prices on their businesses. They will report quarterly results this week.



Reckitt said more shoppers are switching away from branded health and hygiene products in favor of private-label alternatives, and warned of hit to first-half margins from higher commodity costs.



Keurig Dr Pepper said its shoppers are trading down within branded ranges rather than abandoning them outright, prompting the company to lean harder on promotions.



The warnings mirror a broad pattern through earnings calls this quarter, with companies across industries flagging higher transport and raw material costs, supply-chain strains and reduced visibility due to the nearly two-month conflict.



"Companies are increasingly having to make the difficult choice of whether to defend prices, or let volumes do the work instead. That trade-off will only get harder if energy costs keep climbing through the year," said Zavier Wong, market analyst at eToro, an Israel-based trading platform.



Rising oil and gas prices have pushed up inflation readings in Europe and the U.S., fanning concerns that higher prices could squeeze household budgets just as consumers were beginning to stabilize after the post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis.



"The companies best positioned to weather this are the ones that have made hedging decisions early, and sit in categories where consumers don't have an easy out," Wong said. Denise Calnan Buy airline tickets now, Spain urges as Iran war lifts oil prices

Consumers should buy airline tickets as soon as possible to avoid the risk of higher fares caused by rising oil prices triggered by the war in Iran, Spain's industry and tourism minister said.



After welcoming a record 97 million tourists last year, 3.5pc more than in 2024, Spain could maintain a similar pace of growth this year, Industry and Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said.



However, higher fuel costs threaten to push up airfares and weigh on demand, he warned in an interview published on Monday with Spanish newspaper Expansion.



"What we're recommending is that people buy their tickets now because it's true that (airlines) are currently using kerosene that was purchased some time ago, and therefore there's an element of price fluctuations involved," Hereu said.



"...It's already clear that prices have risen and this could affect demand," he said, adding that Spanish and European authorities were taking measures to prevent fuel shortages.



Disruption to global oil supplies has pushed prices up by around 50pc since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.



Rising oil prices have added more than $100 to the price of long-haul flights from Europe, a cost likely to trigger higher ticket prices, campaign group Transport & Environment said last week.



Hereu said that Spain, the euro zone's fourth largest economy, had a larger stock of kerosene and higher production capacity than other countries.



But he warned: "If the countries that send tourists to Spain had problems, we would have them too."



Reuters Denise Calnan Israeli soldiers walk amid destroyed buildings in Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel, April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem Denise Calnan Israeli strikes kill 14 including women and children in Lebanon; Israel warns residents to leave towns beyond 'buffer zone'

Ceasefire has reduced but not stopped attacks

Hezbollah says will keep fighting Israeli troops in Lebanon

Israel says will strike against Hezbollah threats

Israeli strikes killed 14 people and wounded 37 on Sunday, Lebanon's health ministry said, as the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the "buffer zone" it occupied before a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities.



Sunday's death toll included two children and two women, the health ministry added in a statement. Israel said one of its soldiers was also killed as a fragile ceasefire came under further strain.



A spokesperson for the Israeli military said in a statement on X that Lebanese armed group Hezbollah was violating the ceasefire and that Israel would act against it, telling people to head north and west away from the towns.



The towns are north of the Litani River and the zone in southern Lebanon occupied by Israeli troops, who have continued military operations despite the ceasefire. The military said that it struck Hezbollah fighters, rocket launchers and a weapons depot.



"From our perspective, what obliges us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, the security of our communities," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.



"We act vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and also, by the way, with Lebanon."



Hezbollah said it would not cease its attacks on Israeli troops inside Lebanon and on towns in northern Israel as long as Israel continued its "ceasefire violations."



The Iran-backed group added in a statement that it would not wait for diplomacy that has "proven ineffective" or rely on Lebanese authorities that had "failed to protect the country."



Earlier on Sunday, Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli troops inside Lebanon as well as the rescue force that came to evacuate them. The Israeli military said one soldier was killed and six more were wounded.



The Israeli military said it had intercepted three drones before they crossed into Israeli territory on Sunday, after sirens sounded in northern Israel.



The U.S.-mediated ceasefire, which started on April 16 and has been extended to mid-May, has brought a significant reduction in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, though both sides have continued to fire at each other, trading blame over breaches.



More than 2,500 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the most recent war between Hezbollah and Israel began on March 2, days after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran.



The toll includes 277 women, 177 children and 100 medics, according to Lebanon's health ministry.



The ministry does not otherwise distinguish between militants and civilians, and Hezbollah has not announced a total toll of its fighters. The group has buried dozens of fighters in group funerals in recent days.



Hezbollah attacks have killed two civilians in Israel while 16 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since March 2, Israel says.



Reuters Load more Tickaroo Live Blog Software

US president Donald Trump plans to send special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to talks with Mr Araqchi in Islamabad, and the pair will depart on Saturday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The US has seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hopes more will be made in weekend talks, Ms Leavitt said.

She added that US vice president JD Vance, who earlier this month led a first round of unsuccessful talks with Iran to end their war, is ready to travel to Pakistan to join the negotiations if they prove successful.

Islamabad was the venue for the US-Iran talks that collapsed earlier this week.

Mr Araqchi wrote on X that he was visiting Pakistan, Oman and Russia to co-ordinate with partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments, adding that Irans neighbours remained Tehrans priority.

Pakistani sources said earlier that a US logistics and security team was already in place in Islamabad for potential talks

The tour will include consultations on the latest efforts to end the war, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson later told state media.

Two Pakistani government sources aware of the discussions said Mr Araqchis visit would be a brief one to discuss Irans proposals for talks with the US, which mediator Pakistan would then convey to Washington.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth told a briefing earlier yesterday that Iran had a chance to make a good deal with the United States.

Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely ... at the negotiating table. All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways, he said.

Reports on Mr Araqchis trip in Iranian state media and the Pakistani sources made no mention of Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Irans parliament, who was the head of its delegation at the talks earlier this month.

The Iranian parliaments media office denied a report that Mr Ghalibaf had resigned as head of Irans negotiating team, and added that there was no new round of talks scheduled yet.

Pakistani sources said earlier that a US logistics and security team was already in place in Islamabad for potential talks.

The last round of peace talks had been expected to resume on Tuesday but never took place, with Iran saying it was not yet ready to commit to attending and a US delegation led by Mr Vance never leaving Washington.

Mr Trump unilaterally extended a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday at the 11th hour to allow more time to reconvene the negotiators.

Oil prices remained volatile yesterday, as traders weighed potential disruption from the worst oil shock in history amid the prospect for further talks.

Brent crude futures were down 0.9pc at $104.11 while US West Texas Intermediate futures were down 2.8pc to $93.20.

On Thursday, Israel and Lebanon extended a separate ceasefire for three weeks at a meeting at the White House brokered by Trump.

The war in Lebanon, which Israel invaded last month to root out Irans Hezbollah allies after the militant group fired across the border, has run in parallel with the wider Iran war, and Tehran says a ceasefire there is a precondition for talks.

There was little sign of an end to the fighting in southern Lebanon, however, as Lebanese authorities reported two people were killed by an Israeli strike and Hezbollah downed an Israeli drone.

While the ceasefire that came into force on April 16 has led to a significant reduction in hostilities, Israel and Hezbollah have continued to trade blows in southern Lebanon, where Israel has kept soldiers in a self-declared buffer zone.

Trump imposed a separate blockade of Iranian shipping last week. Iran says it will not reopen the strait until Trump lifts his blockade

Responding to the extension, Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad said, it is essential to point out that the ceasefire is meaningless in light of Israels insistence on hostile acts, including assassinations, shelling, and gunfire and its demolition of villages and towns in the south.

Israels military said it had killed six armed Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon yesterday.

Trump said on Thursday he was in no rush to reach an agreement with Iran and wanted it to be everlasting, while asserting the US had an upper hand in a stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most important energy shipping route.

The US has yet to find a way to open the strait, where Iran has blocked nearly all ships apart from its own since the start of the war eight weeks ago. Iran showed off its control this week by seizing two huge cargo vessels there.

Trump imposed a separate blockade of Iranian shipping last week. Iran says it will not reopen the strait until Trump lifts his blockade.

Only five ships crossed the strait in the last 24 hours, shipping data showed yesterday, compared to around 130 a day before the war.

Those included one Iranian oil products tanker, but none of the vast crude-carrying supertankers that normally feed global energy markets.

Container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd also said one of its ships had crossed the strait, without giving details.
A journalist has been killed in an Israeli air strike while seeking shelter and then left under the rubble for hours without medical care, officials said.

Amal Khalil, who worked for Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, was killed in the village of al-Tayri while covering Israels bombing of southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

Two strikes are reported to have struck the town in the Bint Jbeil district, killing two people and injuring one.

The Lebanese health ministry said in an official statement that the Israeli military pursued Khalil and her colleague, Zeinab Faraj, who had taken refuge from the first raid in a nearby house, targeting the house where they had sought shelter.

When the Lebanese Red Cross arrived to transport the wounded, they were obstructed by Israeli troops who fired a stun grenade at the ambulance and targeted it with gunfire, the ministry said. They were unable to retrieve Khalil.

Amal had gone into to a building to shelter, and the military attacked it, Rida Moussawi, a spokesperson for the Lebanese health ministry, said.

After that, no one was allowed to go back  the teams needed special tools to take her out from under the building. But the [Israeli military] was attacking any vehicle or anything that was going to search for Amal.

She was stuck, wounded under the rubble for more than seven hours before we were able to reach her.

Mr Moussawi added that medical aid was further delayed by roads being closed due to bombing and the fact that the Israeli military attacked the ambulances with guns and grenades.

How is it permitted that a media person with no weapons is attacked and no one is allowed to help her when she is wounded? he asked. And in a ceasefire. What ceasefire is this? This is not the first time that medical convoys have been attacked. We have more than 100 casualties from amongst medical staff.

He added: This constitutes a blatant double violation: obstructing the rescue efforts of a citizen known for her civic media activism, and targeting an ambulance clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem.

Lebanons prime minister, Nawaf Salam, has condemned the attack and accused Israel of repeatedly targeting journalists in what he described as an established approach.

Targeting journalists, obstructing access to them by relief teams, and even targeting their locations again after these teams arrive constitutes described war crimes, he said.

The Committee for the Protection of Journalists has warned that Israel is engaging in the deadliest and most deliberate effort to kill and silence journalists that CPJ has ever documented. A record 129 journalists were killed last year, according to the CPJ. Two-thirds of those were killed by Israel.

The Israeli military said: Earlier today [Wednesday], IDF troops identified two vehicles in southern Lebanon that had departed from a military structure used by Hezbollah. The terrorists in the vehicles crossed the Forward Defence Line and approached the troops in a manner that posed an immediate threat to their safety.

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. 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. The details of the incident are under review. It should be noted that the map of the Forward Defence Line has been published and the area has been evacuated.

The IDF does not target journalists and acts to mitigate harm to them while maintaining the safety and security of its troops.
The United States intends to invite Russian president Vladimir Putin to the Group of 20 leaders summit scheduled for December at president Donald Trumps Doral golf resort in Miami, though the invitation has not yet been sent, administration officials said.

In a statement, the State Department said that Mr Trump has been clear that Russia is welcome to attend all G20 meetings as the United States focuses on delivering a successful and productive summit.

No formal invitations have been issued at this time, but Russia is a G20 member and will be invited to attend ministerial meetings and the leaders summit, said a senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to brief the news media.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said he was not aware of an invitation to Putin but that he would not oppose it.

If he came it would probably be very helpful, Mr Trump said, later adding that he was of the opinion that you talk to everybody. He said, however, that he doubted Putin would attend if invited.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has not attended a G20 summit in person since 2019. Photo: Reuters

The G20 is an intergovernmental forum encompassing representatives of 19 of the worlds largest economies, plus the EU and the African Union. The summit, held annually, is an opportunity for world leaders to discuss pressing global issues.

Russia has skipped in-person attendance since 2019, initially because of the coronavirus pandemic and then later because of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and a subsequent arrest warrant for Putin that was issued by the International Criminal Court. Putin has been accused of war crimes in connection with the Ukraine war.

God knows what will happen before then

Joe Biden, Mr Trumps predecessor, said in 2022 that he would support removing Russia from the G20. Ukraine is not a G20 member, though it has attended some meetings as a guest.

Russian officials had said earlier that Putin was invited to the summit in Miami but that it was not clear if he would attend. Russia has participated in every summit at the appropriate level, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters, adding that a decision on the format of our participation will be made closer to the summit.

Deputy foreign minister Alexander Pankin said the US had extended an invitation at the highest level but, noting that the event was months away, it was not clear if it would be accepted. God knows what will happen before then, Mr Pankin said, according to Ria Novosti. ( Washington Post)
Local elections will only be held in one Gaza cityPalestinian Authority hopes the vote will be a step towards its returnIsrael still occupies much of Gaza and West Bank

Palestinians voted in local elections on Saturday that for the first time in two decades include Gaza and will gauge the political mood as Israel's government seeks to destroy any future for a Palestinian state.

The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, or PA, hopes the symbolic inclusion of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah will reinforce its claim to authority over the territory from which it was ousted by Hamas in 2007.

Gazans, who are struggling to meet their basic needs in the devastated enclave, welcomed the opportunity to vote.

"As a Palestinian and a son of the Gaza Strip, I feel proud that after this war the democratic process is returning," said voter Mamdouh al-Bhaisi, 52, at the Deir al-Balah polling station.

Since a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel took effect in October, intermittent talks led by the United States have made little progress towards a settlement that envisages international supervision of Gaza.

European and Arab governments broadly support an eventual return of Palestinian Authority governance in Gaza, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state comprising Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule under Israeli occupation.

Western diplomats say local elections could be a step towards the first national elections in nearly two decades and advance reforms to increase transparency and accountability that the PA says are under way.

"We hope that the procedure carried out today will be crowned with legislative and presidential elections," said Munif Treish, one of the candidates in the West Bank.

Local elections begin in Al-Bireh, Ramallah, West Bank. Photo: Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty.

They are the first Palestinian elections to be held since the Gaza war started more than two years ago with the cross-border Hamas assault on southern Israeli communities. Municipal elections were last held in the West Bank four years ago.

The PA has struggled to pay wages as Israel withholds tax revenues it collects on its behalf, raising fears of economic collapse. Israel justifies withholding the funds in protest at welfare payments to prisoners and families of those killed by its forces, which it says incentivise attacks.

The Israeli government has also taken steps to help settlers acquire West Bank land. Ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has repeatedly said: "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state."

In Deir al-Balah, which has suffered less damage from Israel's assault since 2023 than other Gazan cities, banners bearing candidate lists hang from buildings. Some voting took place in tents and the process will end two hours early due to electricity constraints.

The Palestinian election committee cited widespread destruction among the reasons voting could not be held across the rest of Gaza, more than half of which is controlled by Israel with the rest under Hamas rule.

"This is a message to the world that here the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are one geographical unit," said Jamil al-Khalidi, the regional director for the election committee in Deir al-Balah.

Some Palestinian factions are boycotting the elections in protest at the PA's request that candidates back its agreements, which include recognition of the state of Israel.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades, has not formally nominated any candidates but one list in the Deir al-Balah election is widely viewed by residents and analysts as aligned with it.

Analysts say the performance of candidates linked to the militant group could gauge its popularity. Most candidates, including in the West Bank, are running under Fatah, the main political movement behind the PA, or as independents.

Hamas has said it would respect the results. Palestinian sources told Reuters ahead of the vote that the group's civil policemen would be deployed to safeguard polling stations in Gaza.

The Palestinian Central Elections Committee said more than one million Palestinians, including 70,000 in Gaza, are eligible to vote, with results expected late on Saturday or on Sunday.
Evidence that scientists found suggests the octupuses could have been the size of the mythological kraken, as depicted in Norse folklore. Photo: Getty

Octopuses the size of lorries once prowled the planets oceans when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, new fossil discoveries suggest.

Scientists have long believed that sharks and giant marine reptiles dominated the seas during the Cretaceous era  such as 11-metre-long mosasaurs and 12-metre-long plesiosaurs.

But new fossils suggest that early octopuses resembling the mythological kraken from Norse folklore could have been just as big, with one creature potentially measuring 19 metres in length  the same size as a lorry, or two double-decker buses.

Palaeontologists from Hokkaido University used a new technique called digital fossil mining to revisit the 15 large fossil jaws previously identified as belonging to early octopus relatives.

Evidence that scientists found suggests the octupuses could have been the size of the mythological kraken, as depicted in Norse folklore. Photo: Getty

News in 90 Seconds - April 25th 2026

The technique involves grinding away a thin layer from the fossil-bearing matrix, taking a high-resolution photo, then repeating the process thousands of times to create a 3D, full-colour model.

Using the technique on late Cretaceous sediments collected from Hokkaido Island, northern Japan, one jaw was found to surpass that of a living giant squid, whose body can stretch up to 12 metres.

Due to their soft bodies, squids and octopuses dont preserve as well, making the fossil record less complete than that of other creatures

The study, published in Science, found that all the fossils belonged to two species of extinct octopus: Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi and N. haggarti. The latter may have stretched between seven and 19 metres long, one of the largest invertebrates ever described.

Due to their soft bodies, squids and octopuses dont preserve as well, making the fossil record less complete than that of other creatures; chitinous beaks are often the only traces of their existence.

Modern-day octopuses are revered for their intelligence, impressive problem-solving and learning capabilities. The fossil evidence suggests early cephalopods may have been the same.

Yasuhiro Iba, from Hokkaido University, suggested early octopuses were huge, intelligent carnivores that used long tentacles to seize bony fish and molluscs before crushing them.

Palaeontologists observed from the extensive wear on the jaws that they crunched on hard shells and bones.

Where some beaks were more degraded on one side, fellow palaeontologist Shin Ikegami said there may be an indication of the cephalopod equivalent of handedness, in the same way humans are left or right-handed.

This laterality is related to the complexity of the brain, Mr Ikegami added.
Photo: National Guard

Russian forces launched a combined strike on Ukraines critical infrastructure overnight Saturday using 47 missiles and 619 drones of various types launched from air, sea, and land; 13 missiles and 36 strike drones hit their targets, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"According to preliminary data, as of 8:00 a.m., air defense forces shot down or suppressed 610 targets  30 missiles and 580 drones of various types," the Air Command said on Telegram.

Specifically, 26 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from the Caspian Sea and four Kalibr cruise missiles also launched from the Caspian Sea were liquidated. Additionally, 580 enemy drones of various types were neutralized, launched from Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and Hvardiyske, Chauda in occupied Crimea.

Total enemy launches on the night of April 25 (from 6:00 p.m. April 24) included 12 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles (from Millerovo, Kursk, Yeysk, and occupied Crimea); 29 Kh-101 cruise missiles (from the Caspian Sea); one Iskander-K cruise missile (from Bryansk region); and five Kalibr cruise missiles (from the Caspian Sea).

The attack also featured 619 strike drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other types, with about 400 being Shaheds.

The main direction of the strike was Dnipro. Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Kyiv regions were also attacked. The assault was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Hits by 13 missiles and 36 strike drones were recorded at 23 locations, while debris from downed drones fell at nine locations. Information regarding four missiles is being clarified.
Two young children have died in a house fire in Wolverhampton.

Officers were called to Mason Street at about 8.30pm on Friday along with the West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Police said.

Firefighters entered the property and rescued two young children but they were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

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Two other children and a woman were already out of the house before emergency services arrived.

They were checked over by ambulance staff but did not need hospital treatment.

Police have cordoned off the property, which was extensively damaged, while work is done to establish the cause of the fire.
The Greek island of Samos is gaining traction in the German travel market as an authentic, uncrowded alternative to busier Mediterranean destinations, with leading German travel publications spotlighting its natural landscape and commitment to sustainable

tourism.

German outlets including Reisereporter and Greece Moments have recently featured western Samos, highlighting the Potami region near Karlovasi for its pebble beaches and forest trails, and Mount Kerkis  one of the Aegean's highest peaks  as a serious destination for hiking and mountain tourism.

The media attention follows a targeted push by Samos municipalities at the ITB Berlin 2026 international tourism fair, where local officials held talks with representatives from Lufthansa and Discover Airlines about extending the flight season and adding direct routes from additional German cities.

"Our region offers a unique combination of nature, culture, and authenticity," said Vangelis Marnezos, deputy mayor for tourism of West Samos.

Mr. Marnezos said that in a climate of global uncertainty, actively promoting the island's distinct identity has become a necessity rather than an option, adding that Samos possesses the raw ingredients to become a leading model of sustainable tourism development.

The island's strategy reflects a broader shift in traveler preferences, accelerated by the overtourism backlash affecting Mykonos, Santorini and other high-profile Aegean destinations. Samos is positioning itself as the answer for travelers seeking genuine character, accessible nature and an experience not yet shaped by mass-market development.

The campaign targets a German demographic that tourism data consistently identifies as high-spending and environmentally conscious  a market segment Greece is actively cultivating as it diversifies beyond its traditional summer sun-and-sea model.

   iefimerida.gr

The Greek island of Samos is gaining traction in the German travel market as an authentic, uncrowded alternative to busier Mediterranean destinations, with leading German travel publications spotlighting its natural landscape and commitment to sustainable tourism.

German outlets including Reisereporter and Greece Moments have recently featured western Samos, highlighting the Potami region near Karlovasi for its pebble beaches and forest trails, and Mount Kerkis  one of the Aegean's highest peaks  as a serious destination for hiking and mountain tourism.

The media attention follows a targeted push by Samos municipalities at the ITB Berlin 2026 international tourism fair, where local officials held talks with representatives from Lufthansa and Discover Airlines about extending the flight season and adding direct routes from additional German cities.

"Our region offers a unique combination of nature, culture, and authenticity," said Vangelis Marnezos, deputy mayor for tourism of West Samos.

Mr. Marnezos said that in a climate of global uncertainty, actively promoting the island's distinct identity has become a necessity rather than an option, adding that Samos possesses the raw ingredients to become a leading model of sustainable tourism development.

The island's strategy reflects a broader shift in traveler preferences, accelerated by the overtourism backlash affecting Mykonos, Santorini and other high-profile Aegean destinations. Samos is positioning itself as the answer for travelers seeking genuine character, accessible nature and an experience not yet shaped by mass-market development.

The campaign targets a German demographic that tourism data consistently identifies as high-spending and environmentally conscious  a market segment Greece is actively cultivating as it diversifies beyond its traditional summer sun-and-sea model.

   iefimerida.gr
IBADAN DECLARATION

Communique issued at the end of Opposition Political Parties National Summit held on Saturday April 25, 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Participating Opposition Parties in Nigeria, after an extensive deliberation on the collective threats that we face and the existential challenges facing our country under the stranglehold of the oppressive and anti-democratic All Progressives Congress (APC) and given the need for urgent, collective action to rescue our nation and the destiny of over 200 million compatriots, hereby resolve as follows:

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1. That we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.

2. That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027; we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.

3. That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.

4. That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis in our nation.

5. That the National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections and run counter to constitutional provisions.

6. That all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offfences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.

7. That we consider the recent guidelines released by the INEC as obstacles, deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties. We therefore demand that INEC extends the deadline for primaries till the end of July, 2026.

8. The Summit commends Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with Opposition Parties to free our nation from State capture.

9. The National summit of Opposition Political Parties thank the Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the epochal event.

SIGNED:

Chairmen of Participating Opposition Parties.
A federal high court in Abuja has ruled that the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cannot impose fines on motorists over third-party motor insurance without a court order.

Hauwa Yilwa, presiding judge, delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Deji Adeyanju, the activist and lawyer, against the inspector-general of police (IGP), the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and the FRSC.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/291/2025, sought clarification of the powers of law enforcement agencies to enforce compliance with motor vehicle insurance laws.

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In her ruling, Yilwa drew a distinction between enforcement and sanctioning powers, holding that while the police and the FRSC can check compliance, they do not have the authority to penalise offenders without recourse to the court.

Marvin Omorogbe, counsel to the applicant, said the court affirmed that both agencies can enforce the law but cannot impose fines.

The police and the road safety may enforce compliance but outrightly lack the powers to impose fines on third parties or vehicle owners, he said.

The court went further to restrain the IGP, the police force and all their officers, including the FRSC, from imposing fines on motor vehicle users or Nigerian citizens.

The suit was initiated through an originating summons, invoking provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, the Insurance Act, and the FRSC (Establishment) Act.

Adeyanju had asked the court to determine whether the police could enforce third-party insurance, impose fines, and whether such enforcement infringes on constitutional rights.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment, he said the decision addressed the core issue raised in the suit.

The sole reason why we came to court is because we wanted the court to make a positive declaration that the police and the road safety do not have the right to impose fines on any Nigerian over motor vehicle insurance. And we have succeeded, Adeyanju said.

He added that the ruling would help curb what he described as arbitrary fines imposed on motorists.

On the other hand, Victor Okoye, counsel to the defendants, said the judgment was only partly favourable and indicated plans to challenge it at the court of appeal.

Okoye argued that the suit was incompetent and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it, noting that the matter ought not to have been commenced by originating summons.

We envisage that we will likely challenge the proceedings at the court of appeal to determine if the court ought to have determined a case where the originating summons is incompetent, he said.

He also maintained that the suit was improperly constituted, adding that the IGP was sued instead of the Nigeria Police Force as a legal entity.

Despite the objections, the court proceeded to deliver judgment.

Okoye, however, acknowledged that the ruling affirmed the powers of both the police and the FRSC to stop and verify compliance with third-party insurance requirements.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected a 1 billion damages award against her in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, citing her right to defend herself against terrorism allegations.

The Kogi State High Court in Lokoja ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghans comments on Arise Televisions The Morning Show on November 4, 2022, were defamatory, awarding 1 billion in damages to Bello.

The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, arose from comments made by the senator during a live appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television on November 4, 2022.

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During the broadcast, Akpoti-Uduaghan made allegations against Bello which the court subsequently ruled to be defamatory.

In his decision, Justice Ibrahim held that the statements made by the defendant were injurious to the claimants character and reputation and were not justified by the evidence presented before the court. He noted that the issues formulated for determination in the suit were resolved in favour of the claimant.

The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme The Morning Show is defamatory to the claimants character and reputation, the judge ruled. The said interview in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.

The court equally granted a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, privies, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello across television, radio, and other media platforms.

Additionally, the court awarded 1,000,000,000 as general damages in favour of the former governor.

While reacting to the judgement, in a statement by her Media Office, in Abuja, on Saturday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said, I reject this judgment in its entirety. We presented substantial and credible evidence before the court, which, in our view, clearly justified our position. Unfortunately, these were not given due consideration.

She also explained that her comments on Arise Televisions The Morning Show were a response to Bellos accusations, adding If there is anybody to be accused of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello and not me.

My comments were rooted in the experiences of our people and the need to speak truth to power.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that the court failed to properly evaluate her evidence, saying her statements were made in the public interest and not out of malice. We presented substantial and credible evidence which were not given due consideration.

She further stated that, My statements were based on information available at the time and were made in good faith, in the interest of accountability to the people of Kogi State, she stated.

I firmly believe that the truth was not adequately reflected in the courts findings. We are heading to the Court of Appeal. This is not the end of the matter. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that justice is served, she added.
In an assessment of Nigerias current fiscal trajectory, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has questioned the Federal Governments continued reliance on borrowing despite the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Speaking in an interview posted by News Central TV on Friday, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, stated that while the removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the exchange rate were necessary, the timing and lack of fiscal discipline are threatening to erase the potential benefits.

According to the monarch, Nigerias practice of supporting foreign refineries while its domestic refining capacity remained dormant was a systemic failure that needed to be addressed.

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I have always said the subsidy regime was unsustainable. We cannot continue supporting foreign refineries. Were an oil-producing country. Keeping refineries open abroad while were not doing our own, Sanusi said.

He, however, expressed optimism over the current shift toward domestic production, noting that the country has moved from a heavy importer of petroleum products to an exporter.

Today, we have a situation where we have our own domestic refinery. Were not importing petroleum products. Were even exporting to Europe, and this is very good for the economy, he added.

While backing the policy shifts, the former apex bank chief raised concerns over the timing and the sequence of the reforms.

He said, Artificial exchange rates, especially when youre printing money, cannot work. There was going to be a devaluation.

For me, removing subsidy or liberalising exchange rates, these are good interventions. Were they done at the right time? Those are certain questions. Were there other things that should be done that have not been done? These are other issues.

He argued that liberalising the exchange rate in a loose monetary environment contributed to the currencys rapid depreciation.

Its not enough to say, oh, they removed subsidy. You had to. When you get to a point where 100% of your revenue goes into debt service, you cannot continue. Where is the money going to come from?

However, if you decide to remove subsidy and liberalise exchange rates in an environment of very loose monetary conditions, before you have tightened money supply, the Naira drops to a bottomless pit. That was a timing issue.

Sanusi went further to challenge the Federal Governments continued borrowing despite eliminating subsidy payments.

Weve removed the subsidy. Were now spending it. What we should not see is fiscal consolidation. You cannot remove wastages and continue borrowing. Ive said this before. You need to see the benefits.

If youre not paying the subsidy and youve got the money, why are we still borrowing and borrowing? What are we borrowing for? Sanusi questioned.

PUNCH reported earlier in April that the Federal Government increased its 2026 borrowing plan upward by 11.31 trillion, bringing the total projected borrowing for the year to 29.20 trillion.

President Bola Tinubu also sought the Senates approval on Thursday for a fresh $516 million loan to fund the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

Watch video below:

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Neighborhood fireworks explode in the background as police investigate a July 4, 2024, shooting near South 60th Street and Kingsessing Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia that killed one person and injured eight others. Read more

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Police said Friday that a 19-year-old man had turned himself in for the July 4, 2024, shooting in Southwest Philadelphia that left one person dead and eight others injured.

Naseem Sills surrendered to police in Center City on Friday and was expected to be charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Maurice White Quann, a senior at John Bartram High School.

The shooting occurred late at night on the 1900 block of Salford Street, where a group of young people had gathered after a larger nearby outdoor party that Quann had been promoting.

Nine people, ages 14 to 24, were shot, including Quann, who was struck in the face and died minutes later at the hospital.

Police said the shooters getaway vehicle was a white Toyota Highlander that was later discovered in Lansdowne with bullet casings scattered inside.
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The Eagles are strengthening their edge rusher corps via a draft-day trade, acquiring veteran outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced on Friday.

In exchange for Greenard and a 2026 seventh-rounder (No. 244 overall), the Eagles are sending their third-round, No. 98 overall selection and a 2027 third-rounder to the Vikings.

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Additionally, the Eagles are signing Greenard to a four-year extension, keeping him under contract through 2031, according to ESPN. The new contract is reportedly worth $100 million and includes $50 million guaranteed.

Greenard, who turns 29 next month, figures to assume a starting role in an Eagles edge rusher rotation that lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency. The 6-foot-3, 259-pounder started all 17 games for the Vikings in 2024 and just 10 in 2025, as he underwent season-ending left shoulder surgery in mid-December after suffering the injury in early November.

As he gets acquainted with Vic Fangios defense, Greenard will look to return to the Pro Bowl form he achieved in 2024. That year, his first with the Vikings, he notched 12 sacks (tied for No. 5 in the NFL), four forced fumbles, three pass breakups, and 18 tackles for loss. In 2025, his production dipped, as he recorded three sacks in 12 games.

Before agreeing to terms on an extension with the Eagles, Greenard had two years remaining on a four-year, $76 million deal he signed with the Vikings in 2024. Prior to his stint in Minnesota, he spent four seasons with the Houston Texans, the team that drafted him in the third round out of Florida in 2020. His best season with the Texans came in a contract year in 2023, when he registered a career-best 12 sacks.

Greenard is set to join a young Eagles edge rusher room that also features Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Howie Roseman has made some other additions to the group since the start of the new league year, including Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Phillips, Joshua Uche, and Azeez Ojulari departed in free agency, while Brandon Graham remains unsigned.

The draft weekend trade for Greenard is Rosemans third such veteran acquisition in the last five years. In 2023, the Eagles traded for DAndre Swift, the former Detroit Lion, on Day 3 of the draft. The previous year, they acquired A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans on the first night of the draft.
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Police are investigating after a Lower Merion High School student drew a swastika on his body Friday and showed it to a Jewish student at the school, and threatened another student in a social media video, administrators said.

Lower Merion School District Superintendent Frank Ranelli said in a message to community members that the video posted by the student after leaving school Friday did not refer to the swastika incident earlier in the day, but it did contain concerning language.

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Let me be perfectly clear, using hate speech or displaying hate symbols is not and will not be tolerated in our schools, Ranelli said in the message, sent Friday night. He noted that district policy prohibits hate speech, and that students who violate it face consequences outlined in the districts handbook.

Lower Merion administrators contacted township police, who are investigating, Ranelli said. He also said the student who drew the swastika and made the video would not be in school, pending a disciplinary hearing and due process.

Further information about the students involved will not be shared to ensure student privacy, Ranelli said.

Lower Merion has faced criticism from Jewish families in the district who have accused it of not doing enough to respond to antisemitism.

In an Instagram post Friday about the incident, the Lower Merion Jewish Families Association called on families to demand more from our administration and our school board, but thanked the district for treating this incident with the seriousness it deserves and escalating to the Lower Merion police.
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New proposed rules that would govern open expression on the University of Pennsylvanias campus have drawn harsh criticism from some students, faculty, and groups who fear they will chill free speech, restrict spontaneous protest, and unfairly give too much authority to the provost.

Penn in 2024 released temporary new guidelines following a tumultuous semester capped by the establishment of a pro-Palestinian encampment on the College Green. The encampment was up for more than two weeks and eventually removed by Penn and city police. The school at that time announced the formation of a task force and said new permanent rules would be forthcoming.

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The new proposed rules  which would be the first substantive changes in the permanent guidelines since 1989  would require prior approval for light projection messages on buildings, livestreaming of events, and the erection of encampments or other structures. They would also restrict the use of bullhorns or amplified sound to certain areas and times and require seven days advance notice to hold an event or protest, though the school would consider shorter notice in special circumstances.

 READ MORE: Penn issues new temporary guidelines on campus protests: Encampments are banned

And the guidelines also cite as a violation speech or conduct that is threatening, harassing, severe, or pervasive such that it limits or denies a Penn community members ability to participate in or benefit from their education or work, leading critics to question who decides what types of speech and conduct fit that description.

The Revised Guidelines have revealed an administration that is afraid of the speech of its students, faculty and staff..., wrote Penn professors Carolyn Marvin, Diana Mutz, and Robin Pemantle, who along with the Penn Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, have opposed the draft guidelines. Its long list of what cant be expressed, and its burdensome impositions on what can, will discourage speech worth hearing and tame the rest.

University officials, who held online and in-person meetings this week to hear feedback, plan to consider the guidelines before releasing a final version this fall. A revised version of the guidelines will be presented at the University Council meeting in September and then will go to the university president for review.

Penns draft guidelines come as colleges across the country are grappling with what limits should be put on free speech, and as President Donald Trumps administration pushes schools to crack down on protests  especially encampments and demonstrations by pro-Palestinian groups, which have raised concerns about antisemitism. At the same time, the White House has called for universities to become more welcoming of conservative voices on their campuses.

 READ MORE: Philly Police have cleared Penns Pro-Palestinian encampment and arrested 33 protesters

Open expression is a bedrock of Penns mission, a university spokesperson said in a statement. The current draft of the Open Expression Guidelines reflects a deliberate, collaborative process guided by a faculty-led task force and shaped by extensive and ongoing engagement with students, staff, and faculty.

We continue to invite candid feedback and recommendations from across the Penn community to further refine and finalize the guidelines.

The university, the guidelines note, must be able to carry out its core missions, including teaching, research, and the safety and security of the Penn community.

It just feels like there is a very unnecessary crackdown on speech, said Sophie Rivell, 19, a Penn freshman political science and communication major. Im worried ... people wont feel comfortable expressing their opinion, that it will sort of create a chilling effect on campus.

Student body president Musab Chummun said the language is too vague and could be interpreted in a biased way. It does not recognize, he said, that protests inherently are supposed to be disruptive  its how they drive change.

In 1973, 200 students held a multiday sit-in following a series of rapes on campus, and out of that, the Penn Womens Center was created, said Chummun, 21, a junior philosophy, politics, and economics major.

This university and also universities across the nation have become better because of bold open expression policies, Chummun said.

Controversy over encampments and pro-Palestinian protests at Penn

The 2024 encampment stemmed from controversy that began at Penn the prior September when the Palestine Writes literary festival, which critics said included speakers with a history of making antisemitic remarks, was held on campus. Tension escalated after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent military response. Donors criticized the university for not doing enough to protect Jewish students, and then-Penn president Liz Magill resigned in December 2023 following a backlash over her congressional testimony about the universitys handling of antisemitic incidents.

Pro-Palestinian students and faculty said the university didnt do enough to protect their rights, and the encampment was erected in April 2024 and disbanded by police 16 days later.

The temporary guidelines that Penn issued in June 2024 banned encampments.

Some other restrictions in the new guidelines also can be traced to issues the university dealt with during that tumultuous 2023-24 year. The rules, for instance, state: University statues and sculptures may not be climbed on or covered with any material. During the encampment, the statue of Benjamin Franklin was climbed on and vandalized.

In fall 2023, messages including from river to the sea, Palestine shall be free, were projected on several Penn buildings, including Penn Commons, Huntsman Hall, and Irvine Auditorium. It is a sentiment that some have used as a rallying cry for the destruction of Israel, and the university said at the time that an investigation was underway.

Concern about new guidelines

Critics of the proposed guidelines fear that the long-standing Committee on Open Expression, made up of faculty, staff, and students, will no longer be the interpreter of what constitutes violations and that too much authority will now be placed in a newly created executive director position who will report to the provost.

This puts the provost in charge of the expression of the community and we dont think thats good, said Marvin, professor emeritus of communication. All of that is a way of quashing speech at Penn, making it more difficult for students to speak out about things that matter to them and matters of public concern.

They also raised concerns about the need for permission to livestream events. Earlier this month, a debate between education professor Jonathan Zimmerman and conservative political commentator Steven Crowder was canceled after Penn prohibited livestreaming and Crowders team backed out, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian, Penns student newspaper.

Mutz, a professor of political science and education, said she pressed Provost John L. Jackson Jr. for the reason livestreaming required permission and he told her, she said, that there was a concern they could draw flash mobs.

Critics also said the university hasnt provided enough opportunity for input and questioned the guidelines on social media use. The guidelines prohibit the online harassment or the doxing of students, faculty or staff" and say the school could take action.

There are going to be lawsuits galore when you try to control peoples social media accounts, Mutz said.

Pemantle, a math professor who attended an in-person listening session about the guidelines, said attendees were upset that the university president and provost were not in attendance. Eric Feldman, a tri-chair of the faculty senate, moderated and notes were taken to provide to the administration.

Nobody was confident they were being listened to, Pemantle said.

He said 27 people spoke, all of whom expressed criticism of the guidelines.

They didnt think it was salvageable, he said.
China's commerce ministry stresses equal IPR protection for domestic, foreign investors

Xinhua) 15:15, April 25, 2026

The State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference about the "Annual Report on China's Combating of IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting (2025)" in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equal intellectual property rights (IPR) protection for domestic and foreign investors.

In this regard, the ministry has effectively implemented policies to improve the business environment for foreign investors, while stepping up its crackdown on infringements of foreign investors' IPR, said ministry official Yu Ning at a press conference.

Efforts have also been made to ensure timely responses to foreign investors' IPR-related needs and concerns, Yu said.

The ministry has worked to deepen international exchanges on IPR protection, Yu noted, adding that bilateral exchange mechanisms with economies including the European Union, Russia and Canada have been fully utilized.

While advancing negotiations on IPR rules under free trade agreements, the ministry has worked with its foreign counterparts to strengthen IPR rule-making in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, and encouraged free trade pilot zones nationwide to explore more effective approaches to IPR protection, the official said.

According to a work report released at the press conference, China has placed greater emphasis on combating IPR infringement and counterfeiting over the past five years, with more effective mechanisms and stricter law enforcement.

Thanks to increasingly robust IPR protection, China's innovation capabilities have continued to improve, with the country entering the top 10 for the first time in the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index 2025.

The State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference about the "Annual Report on China's Combating of IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting (2025)" in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
Photo: https://president.az/

Baku and Kyiv have good prospects for joint production of military and defense industry goods, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

"We had an exchange of views on military-technical cooperation, and very good prospects also exist here. Both Azerbaijan and Ukraine are developing their military and defense industry and have excellent opportunities for join production, for joint production in the industry in general," Aliyev said during a joint press statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Azerbaijans Gabala on Saturday.

The parties also discussed expanding cooperation on many tracks, "including the energy sector, discussed interaction in agriculture and mentioned the activities of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation," the Azerbaijani presidential website said.

Aliyev emphasized that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine "has a very solid political foundation."

"Azerbaijan and Ukraine mutually support and will support the countries sovereignty and territorial integrity in all international organizations," he said.
We feasted on Indian nachos in Berwyn, filet mignon in Wayne, a big bowl of noodles in Point Breeze, and the perfect soft serve swirl in East Passyunk.

Madras nachos at Vibe Haus

Beer goes well with Indian food. And although Philadelphia has no shortage of Indian restaurants with great beer lists  Point Breezes Madira Bar comes to mind  the area had no Indian brewpubs. That drove veteran restaurateurs Karthic Venkatachalam and Gopal Dhandpani to open Vibe Haus in a strip mall off of Route 202 near King of Prussia Mall, which I wrote about earlier this week .

Theyre offering four house brews  a Pilsner, a lager, an ale, and an IPA on tap (plus cocktails) alongside a menu fusing Indian flavors with other cuisines. The food was just as impressive: I enjoyed butter chicken tucked inside pillowy bao buns; arancini flavored like the North Indian appetizer hara bhara; and Madras nachos. There are no tortillas in this kitchen. Instead, Vibe Haus uses papdi chips. The light, crunchy crackers generally found in chaat are the base for a spiced queso, black beans, cilantro crema, and tangy masala corn. It goes great with the Pilsner. Vibe Haus, 402 Swedesford Rd., Berwyn, 835-224-5334, vibehausbrew.com

 Michael Klein

The bakmie ayam at Griddle & Rice is a classic Indonesian dish that blends chewy housemade noodles with two kinds of chicken, sweet and savory, and a soy-based seasoning flavored with chicken and garlic oil. Craig LaBan / Staff

Bakmie Ayam at Griddle & Rice

There are so many tempting dishes coming from behind the tiny open-counter kitchen of this bustling Indonesian corner cafe in South Philly that it can be hard to choose. Do I want sate cilok, whose skewered meatballs come rattling in a tall plastic cup and drenched in fragrant peanut sauce? Or ayam geprek, a smashed chicken cutlet over rice with a craggy crust thats covered in the no-joke chile fire of Griddle & Rices sambal bawang? What about something sweet, like the roti bakar choco cheese toast, an Indonesian French toast fantasy with melted cheese, condensed milk, and chocolate sprinkles? Taken together, the menus expanse explains why this cheerful blue-and-yellow-striped cafe has become one of our favorite new options for a brunchy lunch and a star among Phillys next-gen wave of coffee-centric Indonesian cafes .

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My current favorite here is actually all about the noodles: bakmi ayam. This particular take on the traditional Indonesian breakfast noodle bowl comes from a Bangka Island recipe once sold by the grandfather of the owners family friend at a Jakarta street cart. A combination of tapioca flour and eggs contribute to the elasticity that gives the noodles a noticeable snap at the bottom of the bowl, where these springy threads shine with chicken fat, garlic oil, and soy. The toppings are a comforting celebration of Indonesias savory-sweet allure, with minced chicken two ways  one stir fried with the sweet soy of kecap manis, the other seasoned simply with chicken broth. The garnish of lettuce, scallions, fried wonton chips, and a fistful of fried shallots lend each bite a blend of both fresh greens and savory crunch. Try the cafes new hojicha iced latte mixed with smoky Indonesian palm sugar  an alternative to the now-ubiquitous matcha  to wash it down.

Griddle & Rice, 2151 S. 22nd St., 267-360-2900, griddlericephilly.com

 Craig LaBan

Filet mignon at White Dog Cafe in Wayne. Caryn Shaffer / Staff

Filet mignon from White Dog Cafe

Waynes White Dog Cafe location is one of my favorite restaurants to visit when my husband and I want a treat or were celebrating something special. Many a birthday, anniversary, and Valentines Day have been spent lingering over the restaurants unique seasonal menus. Plus, the service at White Dog is always attentive, but not intrusive; efficient, but never rushed. And I just love taking in the different type of dogs that cover seemingly every corner of the restaurant. Theyre in portraits, in sculptures, and even on needlepointed pillows dotting the seats along the wall.

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White Dogs farm-to-table cuisine is always fresh, and features local cheeses, produce, and meats. My medium-rare filet mignon was plated simply, served on a puddle of smoky caramelized onions with a dollop of Birchrun Hills Farms blue cheese butter on top. The filet was divinely juicy on the inside, crisp and slightly peppery on the outside. The pungent local blue cheese only enhanced the flavor of the meat, and the roasted broccolini on the side was tender-crisp with a pleasant char. White Dog Cafe, 200 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, 610-225-3700, whitedog.com

 Caryn Shaffer

A vanilla bean and creme de cassis soft serve swirl at Superette. Beatrice Forman / Staff

Vanilla bean and creme de cassis soft serve swirl at Superette

My idea of utopia is a place where I can leave with a bottle of a wine and cup of soft serve ice cream for my walk home (because, you know, running errands is an excuse for a little treat). Superette  the French wine bar and epicerie on East Passyunk Ave.  is the closest Ive found.

Though Superette is better known for its menu of vibrant light bites (like a sheet of tiny comte-stuffed ravioli bathed in brown butter) the restaurants ice cream is the real star. A singular machine pumps out picturesque swirls of vanilla and creme de cassis soft serve, the latter of which references an old-school French liqueur made from macerated black currants. Superettes soft serve is alcohol free, but its Dairy Queen-level thick and creamy. The vanilla bean adds a richness that made the twist feel luxurious. Gimme 14 of them right now. Superette, 1538 Passyunk Ave., superettephl.com

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 Beatrice Forman
In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (left) meets with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 25, 2026. Read more

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ISLAMABAD  The latest ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran appeared to fail Saturday before they began, as Tehrans top diplomat left Pakistan and President Donald Trump soon afterward said he had told envoys not to travel to Islamabad.

The negotiations were meant to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the U.S., led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the U.S. after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Irans war grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

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In announcing his decision Saturday, Trump told Fox News: They can call us anytime they want. The White House had said Friday that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to Islamabad.

Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Trump later added on social media.

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Shared Irans position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy, Araghchi later said on social media.

Araghchi had met with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Irans red lines for negotiations. He said Tehran would engage with Pakistans mediation efforts until a result is achieved.

The open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting, but the economic fallout grows with global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer, and other supplies disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has said talks will be indirect

Islamabad had been in near-lockdown ahead of the expected talks. Pakistan has been trying to get U.S. and Iran back to the table since Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, honoring Islamabads request for more diplomatic outreach.

The White House on Friday said Trump was sending Witkoff and Kushner to meet with Araghchi. But Irans foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and Pakistani officials would convey messages.

The first round of talks in Pakistan, led on the U.S. side by Vice President JD Vance, lasted over 20 hours and were face-to-face, the highest-level direct talks between the longtime adversaries since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Araghchi and Trumps envoys held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on Feb. 27 but walked away without a deal. The next day, Israel and the United States started the war.

Standoff around the strait continues

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is still nearly 50% higher than when the war began because of Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

Iran attacked three ships this week, while the U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines.

Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Saturday his country is sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end.

The squeeze on shipments through the strait has rippled through global maritime trade, including through the Panama Canal nearly halfway around the world.

Also Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehrans international airport for the first time since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes two months ago. Flights were scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Omans capital of Muscat, and the Saudi city of Medina, according to Irans state-run television. Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month due to the ceasefire.

A growing toll even as ceasefires hold

Since the war began, authorities say, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and more than 2,490 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region, and six members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
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DAKAR, Senegal  Islamic militants and separatists attacked several locations in Malis capital and other cities on Saturday in one of the largest coordinated attacks in the country in recent years.

The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks on Bamakos international airport and four other cities in central and northern Mali on its website Azallaq. It said the attacks were carried out jointly with the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist group.

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Mali has previously faced insurgencies fought by affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the north.

The Malian army said in a statement that unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in Bamako and that soldiers were engaged in eliminating the attackers. It said in another statement later the situation was under control.

An Associated Press journalist in Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle gunfire coming from Modibo Keita International Airport, around 9 miles from the city center, and saw a helicopter over nearby neighborhoods. The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Malis air force. A resident living near the airport also reported gunfire and three helicopters patrolling overhead.

The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert citing reports of explosions and gunfire near Kati and the international airport, and urged U.S. citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel there.

A resident of Kati, a town near Bamako that is home to Malis main military base, said he was woken by the sound of gunfire and explosions. Gen. Assimi Goita, the leader of Malis military junta, resides in Kati. The residence of Malis defense minister, Sadio Camara, was heavily damaged by an explosion during the attack, a nearby shopkeeper told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Videos on social media showed militant convoys in trucks and motorcycles moving through Katis deserted streets, while residents looked on fearfully.

Residents of Sevare and Mopti, two towns in central Mali, also reported attacks by gunmen.

Other videos in the northern towns of Kidal and Gao showed gunfire exchanges in the streets, with dead bodies lying on the ground.

Insurgents entered Kidal, taking control of some neighborhoods and leading to exchanges of fire with the army, a former mayor of the town told the AP by phone, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad movement, said in a post on Facebook that its forces had taken control of Kidal as well as some areas in Gao, another northeastern city. The AP could not independently verify his claim.

Kidal had long served as a stronghold of the separatist rebellion before being taken by Malian government forces and Russian mercenaries in 2023. Its capture marked a significant symbolic victory for the junta and its Russian allies.

Azawad separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali.

A resident of Gao, the largest city in northern Mali, said gunfire and explosions started in the early hours of Saturday and could still be heard in the late morning.

The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. Im scared out of my wits, the resident said by phone, speaking on condition of anonymity because of concerns for his safety. The resident said the gunfire came from the army camp and the airport, which are right next to each other.

Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said the assault seems to be the largest coordinated attack in years in Mali.

Its especially concerning that JNIM apparently has been coordinating todays attacks with Tuareg rebels. Jihadists and Tuareg rebels teamed up in 2012 when they overran northern Mali, sparking the regions security crisis. Laessing said.

Mali, alongside neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, has long battled armed groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

Following military coups, the juntas in the three countries have turned from Western allies to Russia for help combating Islamic militants. But the security situation has worsened in recent times, analysts say, with a record number of attacks by militants. Government forces have also been accused of killing civilians they suspect of collaborating with militants.

In 2024, a group linked to al-Qaida claimed an attack on Bamakos airport and a military training camp in the capital, killing scores of people.
President Donald Trump listens to speeches before signing an executive order in the Oval Office on April 18. Read more

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Donald Trumps handling of the war in Iran has been so incompetent that he struggled to explain who would lead the peace negotiations, or when they would begin.

As Energy Secretary Chris Wright and United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz were telling the TV networks the vice president would lead the diplomatic talks in Pakistan, Trump, separately, was telling reporters JD Vance would not be traveling because of security concerns.

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After some back and forth, the trip was shelved, and the ceasefire extended. Mission confounded.

When the war will end remains a mystery, and not even Trump knows the answer. Despite his bluster, he no longer holds all the cards, as the Iranians have huge leverage with control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trumps differing account of the most basic facts surrounding the war  such as whether the strait is open or closed, when the war may end, or why the war was even started  has added to the amateur hour feeling emanating from the Oval Office.

 READ MORE: Americans continue to bear the cost of Trumps chaos | Editorial

Even some of Trumps most ardent MAGA supporters have soured on him. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson expressed regret recently over supporting Trump and apologized for misleading people.

Candace Owens, a right-wing political commentator, said in June after the U.S. first bombed Iran that she was embarrassed for supporting the president. In November, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for contributing to Trumps brand of toxic politics. Humbly, Im sorry, she said.

As some rats abandon the failed ship of state, Trump has raised concerns again about his mental health with his erratic behavior and a barrage of late-night social media posts on a range of issues from Iran to coal plants in Pennsylvania.

More than two months after attacking Iran, Trump has yet to explain to the American people why he launched the war. The New York Times detailed how he was primed for battle by Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, but this war was the presidents choice.

Since the bombing began, none of the various goals offered have been accomplished. The regime was changed  but for the worse  and Iran still possesses enriched uranium.

Trump makes outrageous threats about attacking civilian targets in Iran, including bridges, power plants, and hospitals. A whole civilization will die tonight, Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. Never to be brought back again.

 READ MORE: Hungarys Viktor Orban was called Trump before Trump. Will the president also follow him in defeat? | Editorial

Fortunately, he has not followed through on such blatant war crimes, but this is not normal behavior for the president of the United States, and should not be ignored.

Trump has also threatened to seize Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, and Canada. After failing to follow through on each threat, Trump appears more like the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf, but what happens if he snaps and none of his advisers stop him?

Trumps on-again, off-again threats to impose tariffs on at least 10 occasions earned him the nickname TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out.

Through all the bluster, a pattern has emerged: Trumps word is no good.

Thats not surprising for a twice-impeached so-called world leader who has told more than 30,000 lies since entering the White House.

The corruption Trump commits in broad daylight is even worse. Since returning to power, he has enriched himself by at least $1.4 billion  making him the most corrupt president ever. And there are another two years of pocket lining to go.

Trumps decision to send Vance to campaign for Viktor Orban, the corrupt Hungarian strongman who recently lost in a landslide, was a humiliation across the board for Trump, Vance, and the United States. Not to mention, a waste of tax dollars.

Similar incompetence and inconsistency from Trump have enabled Russia to prolong its senseless war in Ukraine.

Between 500,000 and 600,000 lives have been lost in four years of war. Trumps inaction has enabled hostilities to drag on, while the U.S. military wastes resources in Iran and in helping Israel commit war crimes in Gaza.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, while he and Vance lectured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the only hero in this sad saga.

Trumps mismanagement has resulted in death, destruction, wasted tax dollars, and a huge loss in respect for the United States  all to accomplish nothing. The wars in Ukraine and Iran have left the United States with nothing to show for all of its military might except higher gas prices.

It should be painfully obvious by now that there is a difference between electing a president who is thoughtful, experienced, and surrounds themself with dedicated public servants and Trump.

Former President Barack Obama had a team of professional diplomats negotiate with Iran over 20 months on a nuclear deal. The agreement required Iran to limit its nuclear program in return for economic sanction relief.

Trump withdrew from the deal in his first term in office and reimposed the sanctions. Iran returned to its nuclear activity. Trump created this entire mess.

Instead of a nuclear treaty, the U.S. is at war, and gas is more than $4 a gallon.

Now, the world watches: Can the U.S. get a deal thats even close to Obamas nuclear agreement?

Dont hold out much hope from the inexperienced brain trust of Vance, Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and New York real estate tycoon Steve Witkoff. Trump doesnt know who is getting on the plane, let alone anything about the substance of a deal.
A woman who had hoped to enter the United States learns that her appointment with Customs and Border Protection had been canceled on Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of Donald Trump's second term, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Read more

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A federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Donald Trumps declaration of an invasion at the U.S.-Mexico border was illegal, effectively clearing the way to reopen the United States to migrants seeking asylum.

It was not clear when asylum processing would resume, and the Trump administration quickly indicated its intent to challenge the decision. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Trump had utilized his lawful authority to end the egregious exploitation of the U.S. asylum system.

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The Justice Department will seek further review of this badly flawed decision and we are confident we will be vindicated, she said in a statement.

The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump issued the proclamation, Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion, on the first day of his second term, barring entry to asylum seekers for public safety, health, and economic reasons until I issue a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased. Since then, Border Patrol apprehensions have fallen to the lowest levels in decades after spiking to record highs under the Biden administration.

Advocates for immigrants sued, however, arguing that the administration was violating federal law by rejecting peoples right to seek asylum because they fear persecution based on their political opinion, race, or other reasons detailed in federal law. A lower-court judge had ruled in their favor, but the border has remained largely closed to asylum seekers as the case made its way through the courts.

In its opinion, a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said Trumps proclamation was an unprecedented decision that brushed off long-standing federal laws outlined by Congress and probably endangered migrants lives.

Denying asylum in one stroke, without any information about the affected individuals, necessarily ignores every risk of persecution they face when forced back to where they came from, the court wrote in a lengthy opinion. The challenged decision thus necessarily denies asylum even to foreign individuals who are sure to face persecution without it.

The decision was handed down by Judge J. Michelle Childs, a Biden appointee who wrote the decision; Judge Cornelia T.L. Pillard, an Obama nominee; and Judge Justin R. Walker, a Trump appointee who wrote a partial dissent.

Advocates for immigrants cheered the ruling, saying officials have turned away people in fear for their lives.

The courts opinion does not mean there are now open borders, but only that the United States will no longer be one of the few countries in the world who after World War II does not provide a hearing for those fleeing persecution, said Lee Gelernt, the American Civil Liberties Union attorney who argued the appeal. The court properly made clear that the president cannot simply waive away the laws enacted by Congress.

The decision comes weeks after the Supreme Court appeared poised to uphold birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, and as the Trump administration faces dozens of legal challenges to the presidents efforts to discourage illegal immigration and deport undocumented immigrants.

Federal laws have allowed migrants to seek asylum for decades, but the Trump administration contends that asylum is a loophole that has allowed thousands of migrants to gain entry into the United States and obtain work permits while they await a hearing that can take years in the backlogged immigration courts. During his second term, Trump officials have imposed restrictions that have allowed them to expel asylum seekers without a hearing and detain immigrants indefinitely inside the United States.

Border Patrol apprehensions have fallen from more than 2 million in 2023 to fewer than 240,000 last fiscal year, which ran from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30.

If asylum processing resumes, advocates for immigrants say, migrants would have to balance safety in Mexico or other nations against the threat of being detained in U.S. detention centers, where dozens have died since Trump took office amid concerns about inadequate medical care.

Federal officers have also carried out often violent raids across the United States to detain immigrants, though they have pulled back on those in recent weeks.

The fact that the system is back open is really critical and important, said Keren Zwick, co-counsel in the case and director of litigation at the National Immigrant Justice Center. But she added, the invalidated proclamation is just one of many tools in the governments arsenal to harm and restrict asylum seekers.

The appeals court ruling upheld a July decision by U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss, who ruled that the Trump administration lacked the authority to expel asylum seekers. Moss said Trump could not invoke emergency presidential powers to deport migrants without allowing them to follow proper procedures to apply for asylum, including undergoing interviews about threats of persecution or torture and, potentially, a hearing in immigration court.

Migrants and advocacy groups filed the lawsuit in February 2025 shortly after Trump issued the proclamation, saying federal law allows people to apply for asylum as long as they are on U.S. soil, even if they entered illegally.
Europe should impose duties on Russian goods and direct the proceeds toward Ukraines post-war reconstruction, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has said, Politico reports.

Michal emphasized that the scale of destruction to Ukrainian infrastructure requires hundreds of billions of euros. "We need to tariff the goods from Russia to pay off the damages. This has been the talk in different kinds of corridors [and] different meetings, that different kinds of tariffs on Russian goods could fund the reconstruction of Ukraine," Michal said in an interview on the sidelines of the EU leaders summit in Cyprus.

He said that while some EU countries called for tariffs on Russian products like steel and fertilizers in November, the initiative was not included in the latest EU sanctions package.

Michal also stated that the roughly EUR 210 billion in frozen Russian assets held in Brussels is insufficient. He cited a study by the Ukrainian government, the UN, the European Commission, and the World Bank that estimated the 10-year cost of reconstruction at EUR 500 billion, noting that 13% of Ukraines housing stock was destroyed in the first three years of the conflict.

"They should be held responsible. Because if they are not held responsible, then this will repeat," the Estonian prime minister said.
Irelands public sector recruitment body has issued an apology after over 12,000 applicants to a civil service panel ranked incorrectly in order of merit due to an administrative error.

The competition for clerical officers nationwide, run by Publicjobs, involves initial assessments that rank candidates ahead of being invited for further interview.

In the letter sent to candidates, which has been shared online, it said: Unfortunately, we have discovered an administrative error in relation to the assessment for this competition.

This error resulted in candidates receiving an incorrect result and an incorrect order-of-merit ranking for their selected location.

Read More Two dozen ex-ministers and civil servants yet to start paying off incorrect pension deductions

Publicjobs said in the email that prior to launching the competition, it had updated and introduced new scenario questions which formed part of the application form. When candidates completed the test, two of those six questions had not been updated as intended.

[We are] actively working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible, it said. Rescoring is underway, and candidates may notice their application status changing within their candidate portal while this rescoring is carried out.

We understand that this will come as a disappointment for candidates who will receive a lower score/lower placing on the order of merit and we apologise sincerely for this. A quality review is being carried out to ensure that an error of this type cannot happen again.

It added that an updated result would be available within 24 hours on the online portal for candidates, and that it would be pleased to respond to any queries.

Public service union Forsa has hit out at the issue and said candidates should not be unduly disadvantaged by a preventable error.

On the face of it, it marks a very poor start for potential clerical officer candidates, and I can fully appreciate their frustration with this development, its media relations director Niall Shanahan said.

It prompts a broader question for me about the quality control applied to the application process. A lot of HR management in all sectors is transitioning into the use of AI for screening applicants, while many of those new to the job market are likely getting some assistance from AI in preparing their applications.

The error at Publicjobs illustrates what can go wrong in a large-scale digital process, and serves to remind us of the importance of human oversight in any process where much of the work is entrusted to a digital system.

According to figures released by minister for public expenditure Jack Chambers, over 50,000 applications have been received across 10 different public sector competitions, which include clerical officer roles.

In a statement, Publicjobs said: This error resulted in 12,656 candidates receiving an incorrect result and an inaccurate order-of-merit ranking for their chosen location.

Once the issue was identified, Publicjobs contacted all affected candidates to inform them of the error, explain the steps being taken to correct it, and apologise for the inconvenience caused.

The issue has now been resolved. All affected candidates are currently being issued with their correct results and updated order-of-merit rankings.
An SDLP councillor has resigned from the party over their handling of the Bobby Sands statue row.

Paul Doherty, who served as deputy lord mayor of Belfast, and is a councillor for west Belfast, said he knows the statue of the IRA hunger striker holds real significance.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said their councillors had faced an unacceptable level of intimidation, after abstaining on a DUP motion in relation to the memorial.

The statue to Sands, who was 27 when he died on hunger strike in 1981, was unveiled last year at the Republican Memorial Garden in Twinbrook, west Belfast, marking the 44th anniversary of the former MPs death.

It later emerged that it had been erected without planning permission, though the council has not previously taken any action.

At the meeting on Thursday, a DUP motion which called for the matter to be reconsidered, was passed.

Members of the pubic attend the unveiling of the first Bobby Sands statue on Gardenmore Road, Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)

A Sinn Fein amendment seeking a review of the current enforcement status of all such structures across the council area was unsuccessful.

Mr Doherty posted on social media outlining that he has left the SDLP with immediate effect.

My focus will remain on the ground in my community, representing the people of west Belfast, he said.

For clarity, I was not at the hastily arranged Belfast City Council meeting this week  contrary to some posts directed at me.

I was dealing with an emerging issue in the community and therefore did not have the opportunity to vote against the DUP motion  which I would have done.

Anyone suggesting otherwise is simply trying to score cheap political points.

As someone from west Belfast, I know the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook holds real significance for people in our community and beyond.

People should be fully entitled to remember him in this way, and I fully support that. Shame on the DUP and others for turning this into a political stunt.

My focus remains, as always, on the people of my community.

Former SDLP councillor Paul Doherty (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms Hanna said Mr Doherty has been a valued representative of the SDLP over many years.

The SDLP representatives on Belfast City Council collectively developed their position on the Bobby Sands statue. Following the motion, our councillors were subjected to an unacceptable level of intimidation, she said.

While the party has sought to support Paul throughout this period, he has taken the decision to step down, and we respect his decision to put his family first.

The SDLP is proud to be committed and consistent on equality, fairness and respectful debate. There is no place for intimidation in our politics or our society.

We thank Paul for his service and wish him and his family every best wish for the future.
A man in his teens has died after a collision between a car and a motorcycle in Donegal.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the crash, which occurred on the R252 at Cloghan on Saturday afternoon at around 4.30pm.
A Cork man whose mobile home was searched on foot of a search warrant has pleaded guilty in the district court to possession of illegal drugs for sale or supply.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that a warrant was obtained to search the mobile home of Thomas Young, aged 27, of Derryclough Lower, Drinagh, Co Cork. The search was carried out at 7.30pm on January 31, 2024.

During the search, three bags of cocaine were recovered valued at 210, as well as cannabis valued at 352, deal bags, and a weighing scales. The court was told that Young admitted possession and possession for sale or supply and that he had one previous conviction for drug-driving from 2022.

Flor Murphy, defending, said Young was pleading guilty to one count of sale or supply relating to the cocaine and two counts of possession for cocaine and cannabis.

Mr Murphy said Young had said it was cannabis he was dealing and it was between himself and two friends who were buying cannabis for each other.

Mr Murphy said Young had told him that the cocaine was a gift and that no tick list or mobile phone for dealing cocaine was found during the search, though his client was pleading guilty to the sale or supply charge.

The court was told Young had lost his job as a lorry driver due to his previous drug-driving conviction and had taken work with a window company.

He had hurt his back in the new job and had several medical procedures as a result to deal with the back pain which was ongoing.

Young planned to build a home for his family on the site where the mobile home is situated and he just needs to get on with his life.

Mr Murphy added that Young was no longer taking drugs and had engaged with treatment services.

Judge Joanne Carroll said Young was the subject of a search warrant which meant he had come to garda attention.

She said she was not sure the State would accept he was only dealing to two friends and noted that a weighing scales was recovered during the search and there were three bags of cocaine.

The judge said she accepted that Young was now drug-free as there was a significant number of drug-analysis tests that indicated that was the case. She added that Young seemed to have addressed his cannabis issue.

For possession of cocaine for sale or supply, Young was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months. The charges of possession of cocaine and cannabis were taken into consideration.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
A man who stabbed an English tourist during a violent incident in Dublins Temple Bar has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

Jordan Carroll, aged 26, was one of three people involved in an attack on a tourist who had travelled to Dublin to celebrate a friends birthday. The other two attackers were not apprehended.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the victim was outside a Centra store when a verbal dispute developed with Carrolls group, and they then punched the victim before Carroll stabbed him.

Carroll, of Lealand Meadows, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possession of a steak knife, assault causing harm, and violent disorder at Temple Bar Square on September 20, 2025. He has 123 previous convictions, including offences for assault and possession of knives.

Garda Anthony Cunningham told John Moher, prosecuting, that the tourists were approached by three males, who engaged in a verbal altercation. The three males started to punch the victim, and Carroll retrieved a knife before making lunging motions towards the victim.

The victim's phone fell while he was trying to defend himself, and one of the other men took it.

Gardai observed the altercation, and Carroll was caught nearby, while his accomplices fled.

A bloodstained knife was recovered, and the victim was taken for medical treatment.

Carroll told gardai he had been defending himself, that he was hit and hit back, and did not stab anyone. CCTV of the incident was played to the court.

A victim impact statement outlined that the injured party suffered a stab wound requiring stitches, along with ongoing physical and psychological effects. He reported financial losses for damaged clothing and his phone, as well as increased anxiety, reduced fitness, and a negative impact on his social life and family.

Defence and mitigation

Defence counsel told the court Carroll had a highly traumatic upbringing marked by violence and exposure to criminal behaviour from a young age.

Counsel said Carroll fully accepts the wrong committed and is ashamed, embarrassed, and deeply sorry for his reprehensible decision to act in this way. He was intoxicated at the time, the court heard.

In mitigation, it was submitted that Carroll had entered an early guilty plea, co-operated with gardai, and expressed remorse for his actions. The court also heard he had made efforts at rehabilitation and intended to live with his sister upon release.

Judge Martin Nolan said it was a serious offence and highlighted the dangers associated with the use of knives in assaults, noting that there can be circumstances where people die.

He said thankfully that did not occur in this case, but when a knife is used in this way, bad results sometimes occur". The judge set a headline sentence of six years imprisonment but reduced it to three years and nine months by reason of mitigation.
Approximately 50 native Irish oak trees were planted by families and volunteers of the Rotary Club to celebrate the clubs 100th anniversary. This was done in hopes that the next 100 years are just as successful for the club, and to contribute to the restoration of Irelands native woodland. The new grove was planted beside the Mahon Harbour Greenway.
Images of the Whitegate fuel protests earlier this month were altered to make it appear gardai were violent towards protesters.

The AI-doctored images were shared widely online, including by international far-right agitators.

Others that were posted deliberately targeted individual gardai.

One such image was of Garda Chris Daly working at the protests. It included calls to identify him and run him out of the community.

Mr Daly was deployed from Cork City with the public order unit to police the blockade at the Whitegate oil refinery.

Spurious allegations were made online that he "was mad to crack heads", despite clear evidence the blockade had been policed calmly and without violence. Both gardai and the main protesters maintained good relationships throughout the East Cork protest.

But Mr Daly knows of five gardai who were policing Whitegate who had their images shared online with efforts made to identify them.

While the good people of Cork never shared Mr Dalys identity or address, other gardai did have their home addresses shared.

Mr Daly said he was concerned about his wife and children being home alone and having to deal with abusive people coming to the door if his address was publicised.

"People's names shared and families threatened online, that's just unfair, that's passing the line," he said.

At the Garda Representative Association's annual conference earlier this week, Garda Peter Firth from Waterford proposed an emergency motion for the immediate implementation of a comprehensive policy to ensure the swift protection of gardai subjected to online harassment, doxxing, threats, or related abuse.

One garda attached to the Waterford division had his address shared online after policing the Whitegate protest.

The garda produced his pepper spray, gave a verbal warning to protesters, and put the pepper spray back in his utility belt.

Although he never used the pepper spray, false rumours were spread that he sprayed a 14-year-old boy.

Images were taken of the garda holding the pepper spray and were doctored using AI, Mr Firth said.

They said he pepper sprayed a 14-year-old. The national media put a microphone in someones face and that became a parroted line.

He [the garda] was named online. His full home address was given. And his parents were subject to online abuse and comment by people.

Eventually this was picked up by far right agitators like Tommy Robinson, who then spread it to their crowd, ironically showing the Irish tricolour with all of their comments."

He said their members carry out their duties under direction and within legislation.

They are then attacked when theyre off duty, at home. Their property threatened, their lives threatened, their family threatened.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly announced this week senior investigating officers were being appointed in every Garda district to examine allegations of threats made against gardai during the recent protests.

Although this move was reassuring, a policy on threats against gardai was also now urgently needed, Mr Firth said.
According to updated data, the number of casualties from the combined air attack on Dnipro has increased to 46 people, including five children, Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Head Oleksandr Hanzha said.

"There are already 46 wounded due to the massive Russian attack on Dnipro. Among them are five children. Twenty-three victims have been hospitalized. Two women, aged 26 and 44, are in serious condition. Medics are providing everyone with the necessary assistance," he wrote on Telegram.
Not a normal party.

The insult, first used by Leo Varadkar during the 2020 general election to describe Sinn Fein, has stuck and is still rolled out on a regular basis.

In many ways, the idea that Sinn Fein is not a normal party is correct.

But not for the reasons that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael might say.

The main reason, from a political journalists point of view, is that Sinn Fein is oftentimes a shut shop.

There are no leaks from the parliamentary party, no briefing against the leader, and TDs strive to avoid criticising the party in any manner.

In contrast, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are happy to take a phone call from a journalist to lament the current state of their parties or to take a cut off their leader.

A Sinn Fein politician would never do this.

Or at least didn't until Friday afternoon.

Just hours before the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis kicked off in Belfast, an article published by The Sunday Times took everyone by surprise.

It detailed dissatisfaction with Mary Lou McDonald as party leader, questioning how much longer she will be able to hold onto power.

This is not the first time something unexpected has happened in Sinn Fein.

In recent weeks, Ms McDonald failed to get her preferred candidate for the by-election in her own Dublin Central constituency

onto the ticket.

While she was backing disability campaigner Gillian Sheratt, the party membership voted for long-time councillor Janice Boylan.

On Friday evening, a heated discussion on foxhunting at the Ard Fheis saw members openly criticise the party.

Leaks

Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy criticised the fact that an Ard Fheis clar detailing the motions that delegates would be voting on was leaked to lobby groups before being distributed to party members.

Another member spoke from the stage about the fact that he had trouble collecting his delegate's badge, saying he had to fight to get the right to come in here as we were registered to do.

There has been some stuff going on here that I am not particularly happy with, he added.

The debate got so heated that the fire alarm started ringing, and the Ard Fheis had to vacate the ICC Waterfront Arena.

It was pure coincidence, of course, but steam was coming from so many delegates ears that it would not have been surprising if it were a genuine alarm.

In the end, the party decided to vote against the partys previously agreed position to support fox hunting.

However, not everything has changed.

As discussions on Saturday between journalists and Sinn Fein members moved to Mary Lous leadership, Sinn Fein did what Sinn Fein does best.

It pulled up the shutters. Nothing to see here.

Matt Carthy speaking at the Ard Fheis: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

One TD had not seen the Sunday Times piece and was taken aback when all the questions at Ms McDonalds press conference focused on the future of her leadership.

I didnt know where it was coming from, they said.

It is not a feeling I am getting from party meetings. Two other politicians also said that it was not a conversation they were aware of or having, because everyone genuinely loves Mary Lou.

At the press conference, it was put to Ms McDonald that in the years preceding Gerry Adams departure from the top job, it was clear she was being lined up as his successor.

Is there a succession plan being put in place for when she exits the stage?

Northern Ireland's First Minister and Sinn Fein deputy president Michelle ONeill - who had looked bemused, bordering on uncomfortable  had to apologise for laughing in the journalists face following the question.

I dont mean to laugh, but seriously? she said.

Ms McDonald said that there always had to be a plan for renewal, but that did not mean there needed to be a change in leadership.

What a dream squad we have behind us, Ms ONeill said, gesturing at the Sinn Fein politicians from north and south.

When asked who her preference for leader would be, Ms ONeill laughed again before throwing her arm around Ms McDonald.

Inside the ICC Arena, there were discussions on housing, health, justice, and the cost of living, as members of the party voted on the various motions in the party clar.

There were conciliatory moments as well, however. During one contribution on migration, Mr Carthy, who is also the partys justice spokesman, accepted that the party had made mistakes during the last local and European elections.

For the first time, several fringe events were held around the ICC, including a workshop on Kneeecap lyrics.

Gerry Adams book signing, which has become an annual tradition at the ard fheiseanna, was as packed as ever.

Hes been signing that same book for 35 years, one member joked.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (right) and Northern Ireland First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill.

A fireside chat at noon saw Ms McDonald and Ms ONeill interviewed together on stage.

Ms McDonald spoke about the emphasis on collective leadership, with her leading the team in the south, and Ms ONeill leading the team in the north.

I think it works well, doesn't it? Ms McDonald asked, eliciting laughs and, after a delayed response, applause.

Theres no doubt it is a challenging relationship, Ms ONeill said.

A Freudian slip. She corrected herself and told the crowd that she meant to say it was a challenging arrangement as Sinn Fein was in opposition in the Dail, but in Government in Stormont.

You have to keep your head focused on the national question and what we're trying to achieve here, the First Minister said.

But talks of a united Ireland were not the only talk about unity at the Ard Fheis, Janice Boylan downplayed suggestions that she and Mary Lou had fallen out and made up.

I think Mary Lou is in a perfect position to go on to remain to be the leader of this party. I fully support her. The majority of our party fully supports her. Back outside at the press conference, Ms McDonald was quizzed on the fact that stories about her leadership, arguments on the floor on the Ard Fheis, and the fact she could not get her preferred candidate on the ballot paper showed she was losing her grip on the party.

For the longest time that I can remember, members of [the media] have cast Sinn Fein as being undemocratic or secretive or whatever other terminology you may have used, she said.

I think, actually, events demonstrate to you very clearly that we are a democratic party.

Perhaps she is right. Perhaps this is Sinn Fein becoming a normal party.
A traditional maternity leave was never on the cards for ringmistress Olivia Mulvaney, who made the bold decision to return to the circus just one month after giving birth.

The 26-year-old performer, who took over the role from her uncle three years ago, said baby Luca, who is now eight months old, has been lapping up all the love and attention while on tour with Circus Vegas.

Olivia first came back for rehearsals ahead of the new season premiere just four weeks after becoming a mother.

However, her first time performing in front of an audience wasnt until Luca was five weeks old.

I started as ringmistress in 2023. My uncle  Tommy Courtney  was ringmaster before that but he got diagnosed with throat cancer, which meant he was unable to speak on the mic anymore.

"Even though I grew up with the circus I never thought that Id be doing anything like this. When I was in school I dreaded reading aloud in class. If you meet me in person, Im quite shy. I do have a wall up sometimes that I tend to hide behind.

I never thought I would but I am loving the job.

She praised her uncle and mentor for giving her the confidence to become a ringmistress at just 23.

I think it was the end of 2022 that my uncle was given two weeks to live but hes still here and still with the circus," she said.

"He has always been an incredible showman. It makes me happy to see how proud he is of me. We never really had a close relationship when I was growing up, but him showing me the ropes and teaching me so much really brought us together.

Returning to work has been extremely rewarding for the new mum.

"Being a ringmaster isn't just about being on the mic. It's overseeing the ring and making sure the artists are happy to work and their environment is safe to work in," she said.

"My uncle was always showing me different things and giving me little tricks backstage on how to deal with the artists. The fact that hes proud is such a fulfilling feeling for me because he has done this his whole life.

Olivia and Luca: 'Im really looking forward to introducing him to the audience as part of the show but I just havent had the right moment yet.'

Olivia is embracing motherhood.

People always warned me that having a baby is really difficult because it takes a half hour to pack everything up just to be able to leave the house," she said.

"It really didnt faze me at all because thats exactly what Ive been doing this with the circus for years.

"Every week you have to pack up your life and move to another location so its something Ive had to get used to anyway."

She insists the challenges so far have been very easy to overcome.

"This is our family business so I have my mum, my dad and obviously my partner David," she said.

"There are so many artists who have been here the last year or two years. They knew me when I was pregnant and were amazing then too.

"Anytime now that Luca is causing a little fuss or having a little cry and they are straight over. Hes just sleeping for the most part but they have that extra eye on him.

"In another life I might be at home on maternity leave while my partner goes working. With what Im doing I can work but still have the baby with me.

Theres always someone to lean on because its a lifestyle here that blends work and personal life. Its actually really nice to have a baby in the circus.

Olivia, who has a degree in business and management from Dundalk Institute of Technology, hopes baby Luca can experience a childhood similar to her own.

I've been around circus since I was a baby. Mum wasnt from the circus so she always said that education first was her main priority.

"We have our own house in Drogheda and I went to a primary school and secondary school like any other child, but wed always be at the circus at the weekends to see dad, and obviously the rest of the family as well.

"I used to always say that I was like Hannah Montana because I had the best of both worlds. Hopefully, Luca can be part of the next generation to keep the circus going.

Olivia is taking motherhood one day at a time.

I think at the moment it's actually easier to do things as Luca is so small and really only eating and sleeping.

"I think as he gets older, I might find it a little bit more difficult but at the moment Im completely blessed with how good he is.

"He just lies there in the pram during the show taking it all in, so Im very lucky in that regard.

"Im really looking forward to introducing him to the audience as part of the show but I just havent had the right moment yet. It will be exciting to experience that when the time comes.
It seemed like all had been lost when, at the age of just 10, Raisa Miknovitch Carolan was admitted to a mental asylum. The Belarus native, who now lives in Meath, remembers the unimaginable horrors from her time there.

She remembers the pungent hospital smell and patients rocking back and forth. She also remembers the lengths her adoptive family went to during their search for her, as authorities tried and failed to conceal her whereabouts.

Now 33, Raisa says she might have been lost to the system forever were it not for the perseverance of the Carolans. She had first been welcomed into the family at the age of five after being brought to Ireland through the Chornobyl Children International charitys Rest and Recuperation programme.

The initiative had been set up to provide support to communities still impacted by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster. However, it would be a number of years before they could officially adopt her.

An explosion at reactor four of the Chornobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine on April 26, 1986, sent clouds of radioactive material across much of Europe.

Some 31 plant workers and firemen died in the immediate aftermath, mostly from acute radiation sickness. Thousands more have since succumbed to radiation-related illnesses such as cancer, although the total death toll and long-term health effects remain a subject of intense debate.

Soviet authorities strove to conceal the extent of the Chornobyl disaster, refusing to cancel the May 1 parade in Kyiv, around 100 km to the south. Ukraine's current government has highlighted the Soviet authorities' bungled handling of the accident and attempts to cover up the disaster.

Over the following hours and days, it released radiation estimated to be 400 times greater than that of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.

In December 2025, the UN adopted a resolution officially endorsing the use of the Ukrainian transliteration Chornobyl instead of the Soviet-era Chernobyl in all instances going forward.

Adi Roche (left), founder of Chornobyl Children International with Chornobyl children Anna Gabriel (left) and Raisa Carolan (centre) at the unveiling of the Chornobyl Mother sculpture in Marina Park, Cork to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Photo. Darragh Kane

Abandoned at birth, Raisa suffered from a number of physical impairments due to radiation from the Chornobyl disaster, including a cleft palate, webbed legs and a clubfoot.

The family were able to care for her on medical grounds until Belarusian authorities demanded her return.

She started out life at the No.1 Home for Abandoned Babies in Minsk. Life with her host family, including parents Tom and the late Ann Carolan, in Trim was in stark contrast to the No.3 orphanage for disabled children outside Minsk, where she suffered unspeakable physical and emotional cruelty during her formative years.

Decades later, as we mark the 40th anniversary of the nuclear disaster, Raisa is urging the world not to forget the children still impacted by the tragedy.

Speaking about her own experience, she says: My father always brings up a story about my first ice cream. My cleft palate made it very difficult to eat. The ice cream was coming out of my mouth and my nose, and I couldnt manage it. I was six years old at the time, but I looked about two because I was so small.

"My dad just looked at my mum and said 'we have to do something for her'. That was the moment they decided they wanted to adopt me.

My mum always said that for her, there was a missing piece and one more to be added to the family. It turned out that I had been that missing piece all along.

Reminders of Raisas trauma were never too far away.

My mum told me about how the little bottles of milk would go missing when my sister brought over her baby. She might be feeding or burping him, and the next thing they knew, the bottle was missing. They would look behind the couch and see me drinking from it.

"Ive obviously got a lot of counselling over the years, but I suppose that fear of not knowing if or when I was going to be fed stayed with me for a long time.

She recalled the joy she felt while in the company of her adoptive parents.

There was a sense of freedom that came with being able to go outside and do things I would not have otherwise been able to do. I can remember having a fascination with light switches. I was constantly switching them on and off. There were no boundaries.

Life in Belarus

Tom and Ann were always keen to remind Raisa of how loved she was.

It was difficult because my mum used to send things to the orphanage for me, but whatever we had was taken away from us. I can remember receiving a gift from my mum of an Easter egg with a little pig pencil case. I was given the pencil case, but they kept the Easter egg from me and ate it during their lunch break.

"There was very little joy in the orphanage. They had a playground, but we never really experienced it. However, this one particular time, for whatever reason, we were allowed out to play on the swings.

"It gave me such a sense of happiness. I felt like I was floating through the air. Feeling the breeze in my hair took me out of the darkness of the orphanage, if only for a short time.

"When I got adopted, I tried to relive that moment as much as possible. Even after getting adopted, the first thing I always wanted to go on in the playground was the swing.

It was Raisas only experience of happiness while living in Belarus.

After that, I had to go to the mental asylum, she explained.

Raisas adoptive family had no idea of her whereabouts.

The asylum was very dark and dull. Were talking about hollow corridors, hospital-type smells and white walls.

A lot of the time, you would see other patients just sitting there rocking back and forth. Some of them were harming themselves, so it was a very big shock to the system.

"Because I had been in that environment for a couple of months, I picked up a couple of the habits, such as the rocking back and forth.

"Its a habit that they tried to get rid of after I got adopted because Id be just sitting in bed at nighttime trying to rock myself to sleep.

Raisa's adoption

The little girl was unsure if she would ever be adopted.

I knew the adoption was approaching, but didnt know if I was ever going to be found again. I think it took my family a couple of months to actually locate me because authorities werent exactly forthcoming with information about where I was.

"They werent massively in favour of adoptions back then. Its possible, and I can only speculate, that they were trying to lose me in the system.

Raisa, often wonders what it might have been like to experience a traditional childhood.

I always say to people who have experienced a rough or turbulent childhood that you can either give up altogether or pick yourself up and try to find the joy in life.

"Obviously, I never got to experience being a proper child. Even after being adopted, I was always in hospital for surgeries, which meant I missed a lot of school.

Adi Roche (left), founder of Chornobyl Children International with Chornobyl children Anna Gabriel (left) and Raisa Carolan (centre) at the unveiling of the Chornobyl Mother sculpture in Marina Park, Cork to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Photo. Darragh Kane

"Then, when I was 16, I sadly lost my adoptive mum. I was forced to grow up very quickly, but this also made me very independent.

"I just started thinking for myself and thinking about what would make me happy and what I wanted out of life. I try to look on the bright side.

"Im very grateful to have had my adoptive mother for the 10 years that I did. Its nice to know that I was able to give her the satisfaction that comes with being able to look after someone else.

"I think in many ways I kept her young because all of my siblings were a bit older. Theres a 10-year gap between me and my next youngest sibling and 15 and 20 years between some of my other siblings.

Raisa, who has undergone dozens of surgeries in her lifetime, including a limb amputation, says she owes her life to her family and the Chornobyl Children International charity.

She is also thriving professionally, working as part of tech giant Googles trust and safety initiative to combat malware, phishing, and abusive content across all platforms.

If I had stayed in the asylum, I don't even think I would have really even probably made it past my adult years. I had too many problems disability-wise.

"I wasnt even able to eat properly, so even if the other issues were taken care of, I would have likely starved to death. Adi Roche didnt give up, and my parents didnt either, so I will always be grateful to them for that.
After attempting to locate the whereabouts of the baby daughter she had given up in the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster, Anna Gabriels mother was initially directed to the site of a graveyard.

As the world marks 40 years since the explosion at reactor No 4 that led to decades of human disaster, Chornobyl survivor Anna is glad to have been able to offer her birth mother some closure.

She said that it was Adi Roche and Chornobyl Children International (CCI) who made their reunion possible. Even decades after one of the worlds most devastating disasters, shockwaves continue to ripple across generations.

However, Anna is a testament to the strength that can prevail over unprecedented adversity. She first arrived in Bandon, County Cork, in 1996, thanks to the help of Adi Roche from Chornobyl Children International and Ali Hewson, wife of international star Bono.

The pair first set eyes on Anna during a visit to Abandoned Childrens Hospital Number One near Minsk. She was later adopted by Helen and Robert Gabriel. Four-year-old Anna immediately adapted to her new life in Ireland.

Adi Roche (right), founder of Chornobyl Children International with Chornobyl children Anna Gabriel (left) and Raisa Carolan (centre) at the unveiling of the Chornobyl Mother sculpture in Marina Park, Cork, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Photo: Darragh Kane

This was despite severe disabilities, including deafness and deformed legs. All these years later, Anna said the Chornobyl Children International (CCI) charity continues to support her.

They helped me track down my family after turning 21. I met my birth mother and brought her over to Ireland, and got to know her. She had been told I was dead, and I had been told the same about my biological parents.

"You can imagine the shock she must have felt to have someone call to her door and ask if she had given up a daughter all those years ago.

Anna finally had the chance to meet her biological mother, who flew to Ireland for the reunion.

She was a lovely woman, but also a very sad woman. I cant imagine the pain she went through when putting me up for adoption. She couldnt keep me because of the title of a rejected child.

"When she looked at me, I could just see the guilt and shame in her eyes.

I just told her it was okay. If it wasnt for her giving me up, I wouldnt have the family I have today.

"I got adopted and had a brand new lease of life. That is a miracle in itself. Coming to see me was her first time on a plane. It was her first time seeing a beach because where she came from was all enclosed.

"When I met my mother, I felt nothing but love for her because I couldnt imagine the pain of having to give up your own child. It was nice to see that I have her hair and cheeks.

"Its bittersweet now because I cant meet her or send her cards and letters due to the war in Ukraine, but Im hoping we can make contact again someday."

Contaminated land

Since her arrival in Ireland, Anna has benefitted from advanced medical intervention, including prosthetic legs and what she described as a bone-conductor hearing aid.

The 33-year-old admits she has no memories of Chornobyl.

I dont know if thats down to PTSD or the fact that I was so young.

"My earliest memories are of my classmates asking if they could take my wheelchair for a spin. I had a wheelchair when I got tired when I was small.

"The other kids didnt understand Chornobyl even if the teachers explained one or two facts about it. One of the questions I still get asked is what Chornobyl is like today.

"My answer is always the same. The land is contaminated. The water is contaminated. Three or four decades later, the kids are still being born with defects.

"It breaks my heart, but all I can do is continue to raise awareness.

Family bonds

The accountant opened up about the bond she has with activist Ali Hewson.

Its surreal to know that I have Ali Hewson as my godmother. She never forgets my birthday, and she never forgets me. I might get jewellery one year and a hairdryer the next. Id be happy even if it was just a hug.

"Even though we dont get to see each other often  obviously, she has a very busy schedule  its a privilege to spend some family time with her when I can.

"Its more than just godmother duties. I see her as like a favourite aunt or a long-lost sister. She and Adi were the first people to hold me as a baby. They saw something special in me. There are not enough thank yous in the world that can cover what they did for me.

"There were a lot of neglected children left behind because their own families couldnt take them in, classified as reject children.

"Its a term that is often thrown around because that person has a physical or mental disability. Its hard to hear because you dont want any child to be neglected.

Anna is still coming to terms with the loss of her adoptive mother almost two years ago.

She was a brilliant mother and grandmother. The only way I can describe her is as the glue that held our family together.

"Its a tough pill to swallow not having her here anymore, but Im going to continue to make her proud. I have to keep living for the two of us.
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.

We are one nation, and few Dubs are more than a generation or two away from rural Ireland."

These comments werent made by some rural TD or minister from out in the country, this was Leo Varadkar back in 2021.

The then-tanaiste was speaking as he launched Our Rural Future, which set out the Governments plans to develop rural Ireland as the country began to move out of the pandemic.

They were comments typical of a Fine Gael leader, who normally has to balance political messaging between what can be two distinct voter bases, with constituents who lead very different lives.

This sees Fine Gaels identity as a farmers' party clash with its more middle-class, liberal urban voter base in cities and towns across the country.

The comments are certainly a far cry from what Varadkar told the Path to Power podcast last week, where, half a decade later, he took aim at rural farming communities.

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, Varadkar said.

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 receive a lot of subsidies and tax benefits that other people dont get'.

Its a much more Dublin-centric sort of comment from the former Fine Gael leader, who is no longer bound by the need to keep a party together.

It does, however, speak to the straight-talking image that Varadkar managed to cultivate throughout his years in the Cabinet.

He may have apologised for the remarks, but he is not resiling from them entirely, standing over his line that much of Irelands tax take comes from its cities and towns and not rural areas.

But given the sensitivities following the fuel protests, the remarks have been seen as ill-advised within his own party.

The comments came after a bruising two weeks for the Coalition, with fuel protest anger and Dail confidence furores.

It helped to further entrench a position that Fine Gael is out of touch with rural Ireland.

Undoubtedly, there will be some in urban Ireland who agree with Varadkars comments, believing the farmers who brought their tractors up to Dublin and placed the city into a standstill in recent weeks are just never happy with their lot.

But the timing probably couldnt be worse for Fine Gael, with its rural TDs still smarting after the fuel protests earlier this month.

While he has now apologised for the remarks, it set off a flurry of anger within Fine Gael, with rural TDs taking aim at the former taoiseach.

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon, who served as a junior minister under Varadkar, took issue with his former bosss comments, describing them as wrong and unnecessarily divisive.

One TD contacted the partys chairman, Micheal Carrigy, seeking for the party to formally write to Varadkar and call on him to apologise.

While this didnt materialise due to the apology arriving first, there were stern words for the former Taoiseach at the weekly parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday evening.

Michael Murphy, the first time TD for Tipperary, was said to be particularly aggrieved, using his time at the meeting to hammer Varadkar before hammering him again on Virgin Medias Tonight Show.

He should have known better. Words matter, was how one TD criticised him.

Paula Butterly, the Fine Gael TD for Louth, is particularly scathing of the former Taoiseachs remarks, describing them as thoughtless and self-serving.

She accused him of stoking the fire of the urban/rural divide, while putting out a message where if youre not from Dublin, you dont matter.

During his time in frontline politics, Varadkar was often a lightning rod for criticism, but this generally did not come from his partys backbenches.

It speaks to a Fine Gael that has moved on from Leo Varadkar, a party that wants their former leader to get off the stage.

Leo Varadkar leaving Aras an Uachtarain after he tendered his resignation as taoiseach to President Michael D Higgins in April 2024. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

But will he?

Given the former taoiseachs penchant for media attention, it seems unlikely.

It should have been obvious to political observers he would not simply exit stage right and disappear off to America, spending his days lecturing students in Harvard.

He isnt taking the same approach as others who have left the role, who vanished mostly from public life and were scarcely heard from.

Many have been happy to fade off into the distance, opting not to wade into day-to-day politics and save their appearances for occasions like the summoning of the Council of State.

Former Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has been totally absent from the political stage since he stepped down as Taoiseach in 2017, even generating controversy through his failure to show up for Dail votes up until he retired as a TD in 2020.

His only major reemergence in public life came in 2021, when he starred in a six-part RTE docuseries on old Irish railway routes  known as Iarnrod Enda.

Another former taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, normally spends his time lying low  unless hes fighting against the Fianna Fail hierarchy for a run at the presidency.

You generally only hear him nowadays in relation to the Good Friday Agreement, or when he pops up on radio to pay tribute to a former political colleague who has passed away.

Varadkar, meanwhile, has not disappeared off into the sunset. He instead writes a column for the Sunday Times and occasionally makes appearances in podcast and radio studios.

For someone who once took aim at Garret FitzGerald for writing boring articles in the Irish Times, he has ended up on a similar trajectory in quite a short period of time.

The question for Varadkar is does he remain as a regular contributor and commentator on the day-to-day politicking around Leinster House and Government Buildings.

This is a man who, just two years ago, opted to leave politics because he had had enough and in his own words was no longer the best person for that job.

Sure enough, he joked at a farewell Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting he was unable to find someone to stab me in the back, so I fell on my sword instead.

These ongoing dalliances with the media call into question whether he is in or out.

It is also a headache Fine Gael is wishing did not come when it did, as the party gets its by-election campaign under way in Galway West.

With a sizeable portion of the constituency taking in more rural areas, Varadkars comments could end up damaging the partys best hope at claiming a seat in the two constituencies.

The partys higher-ups will be hoping any further remarks from the former taoiseach will be more anodyne and keep him off the front pages of the newspapers.

One TD was a lot more forceful about what Varadkars next steps should be.

Youve abdicated. Away with you.
A rare gold-and-platinum bow-design brooch set with 11 Colombian emerald cabochons of varying size, an estate cabinet from Clonmeen House in Banteer and a rediscovered Roderic O'Conor painting exhibited at the Salon des Independents in Paris in 1904 are among the delights at Fonsie Mealy's Chatsworth summer fine art sale in Castlecomer next week.

More than 1,300 lots will come under the hammer at the sale, which takes place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (April 29-May 1), including contents from Clonbrock House, Galway, items once at Castletown and objects from other stately homes in Ireland.
US negotiators are scheduled to leave for Pakistan on Saturday, but Iran said its officials did not plan to meet the Americans to discuss ending the war that has killed thousands and roiled global markets.

President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are due to depart on Saturday morning for talks with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, the White House said.

Defense secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal" with the United States.

"Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely," he said. "All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways."

Iran plans to make an offer, Trump says

Araqchi arrived in the capital, Islamabad, on Friday. But an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson posted on X that Iranian officials did not plan to meet with US representatives and that Tehran's concerns would be conveyed to mediator Pakistan.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Iranian statement.

Washington and Tehran are at a costly impasse as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil shipments, while the US blocks Iran's oil exports. The conflict, entering its ninth week, has pushed energy prices to multi-year highs, stoking inflation and darkening global growth prospects.

Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran planned to make an offer aimed at satisfying US demands but that he did not know what the offer entailed. He declined to say who Washington was negotiating with, "but we're dealing with the people that are in charge now".

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US had seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hoped more would come this weekend, while Vice President JD Vance was ready to travel to Pakistan as well.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Vance, Witkoff, Kushner and Araqchi, as well as the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, took part in inconclusive talks in Islamabad two weeks ago.

Araqchi, who posted on X that he would also be visiting Pakistan, Oman and Russia, met Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar on Friday at the Serena Hotel, where the earlier talks were held, while a US logistics and security team was in place in Islamabad, Pakistani sources said.

Ceasefires in place, few ships crossing Hormuz

Trump unilaterally extended a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday to allow more time to reconvene the negotiators.

Oil prices surged this week, with Brent crude futures soaring 16%, on uncertainty over the fate of the peace talks and as violence flared in the region.

Shipping data on Friday showed that five ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the previous 24 hours, compared to around 130 a day before the war that the US and Israel launched on February 28. The ships included an Iranian oil-products tanker but none of the vast crude-carrying supertankers that normally feed global energy markets.

On Thursday, Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire for three weeks at a White House meeting brokered by Trump, but there was little sign of an end to the fighting in southern Lebanon.

Israel invaded its northern neighbour last month to root out Iran's Hezbollah allies after the militant group fired across the border. Tehran says a ceasefire there is a precondition for talks.

Lebanese authorities reported six people were killed by an Israeli strike and Hezbollah downed an Israeli drone. Israel's military said it had killed six armed Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon.

- Reuters
Russian drone and missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed at least three people and wounded 21, local authorities said on Saturday.

The bodies of the three were found in the ruins of a house destroyed in the overnight attacks, Dnipropetrovsk regional head Oleksandr Ganzha said, adding that people might still be trapped in the rubble.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening as officials in Islamabad attempted to facilitate a second round of talks between the United States and Iran.

Mr Araghchi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials, two Pakistani officials said.

The Iranian minister wrote on Telegram that they spoke about regional developments, including Irans red lines for negotiations.

He did not offer details but said Tehran would continue engaging with Pakistans mediation efforts until a result is achieved.

Paramilitary soldiers and police officers stand guard at a checkpoint on a barricaded road for the US and Iran talks (Anjum Naveed/AP/PA)

It is unclear when US President Donald Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, expected to lead a US negotiation team, were due to arrive in Islamabad or if they have even left Washington, DC.

An open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting but the economic fallout grows, with global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertiliser and other supplies disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Also on Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehrans international airport for the first time since the war began with US and Israeli strikes two months ago.

Flights were scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Omans capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina, according to Irans state-run television.

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month due to the ceasefire.

Islamabad was in near-lockdown ahead of the expected talks and residents struggled to commute even short distances due to checkpoints, road closures and diversions.

Pakistan has been trying to get the US and Iran back to the table since Mr Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, honouring Islamabads request for more diplomatic outreach.

The White House on Friday said Mr Trump was sending Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner to meet with Mr Araghchi. But Irans foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and Pakistani officials would convey messages.

The first round of talks in Pakistan, led on the US side by Vice President JD Vance, lasted more than 20 hours and were face to face, the highest-level direct talks between the long-time adversaries since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

(PA Graphics)

Iranian officials have openly asked how they can trust the US after talks last year and early this year over Tehrans nuclear programme ended with it being attacked by the US and Israel.

Mr Araghchi and Mr Trumps envoys held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on February 27 but walked away without a deal. The next day, Israel and the United States started the war.

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is still nearly 50% higher than when the war began because of Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

Iran attacked three ships this week while the US maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Mr Trump has ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines.

German defence minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday his country is sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end.

The squeeze on shipments through the strait has rippled through global maritime trade, including through the Panama Canal nearly halfway around the world.

Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and more than 2,490 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 US service members in the region and six members of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Mr Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
Minister Fedorov: Focus of cooperation with Estonia is procurement of drones, anti-UAV systems

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Estonian counterpart Hanno Pevkur agreed on priorities for mutually beneficial cooperation during a meeting in Kyiv.

Fedorov said on Telegram on Saturday that "every decision and funding must meet the current needs of the front."

The Ukrainian defense minister listed key areas of interaction with Estonia. He recalled that Estonia confirmed its decision to allocate at least 0.25% of its GDP to aid Ukraine, which amounts to about EUR 110 million in 2026.

Fedorov called the procurement of drones and anti-UAV systems the main focus of interaction with Estonia.

According to him, a separate track is Estonias co-leadership in the IT coalition along with Luxembourg. "Estonia continues to be a driver of the digital transformation of the military. A total of EUR 1.4 billion has been attracted for communication systems and technological solutions. Estonias contribution this year is EUR 5.7 million," the Ukrainian defense minister said.

Fedorov thanked for the additional $13 million contribution to the PURL mechanism to promptly cover priority needs of the Defense Forces.
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Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has said that the Cabinet of Ministers will provide the necessary support to Dnipro following the Russian combined air attack on Saturday night.

"In Dnipro, after another night attack by the enemy, unfortunately, there are already five dead. More than 40 people were injured. Thirteen civilian locations in the city were damaged, and at least 27 residential buildings sustained varying degrees of destruction. Two kindergartens and an outpatient clinic were damaged. The assessment of the destruction is currently underway. The government will provide the necessary support to Dnipro. I have instructed the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, together with local authorities, to urgently determine the need for state support," she wrote on Telegram.
( CounterPunch )  Events in the Middle East following the February 28, 2026, US-Israeli bombing attack on Iran recall for us the prophecy recounted by Herodotus of the oracles of Delphi to Croesus the king of the Lydians: if he attacked the Persians, he would destroy a mighty empire. The doomed empire turned out to be his own. The political, economic, military, environmental, and moral catastrophe of the current war unleashed by President Trump has raised questions around the world about his mental bearings and the future of the American Empire.

Much of the criticism aimed at Trump for taking the United States into the ruinous Iran war concerns his alleged authoritarian departure from constitutional norms. A loud chorus online and in the press denounces him for flouting the Constitutions separation of powers principle with regard to the provision granting Congress the role of declaring war. That Congress has surrendered this role since World War II suggests that something other than Trumpism bears the responsibility for the imperial presidency under which we now live. This is not to take away from the Trump administrations unprecedented levels of incompetence and malfeasance. The fundamental problem, however, lies in the Article II qualifications and powers of the presidency in the U.S. Constitution itself.

It might be well to review some of the key anti-Federalist arguments of 1787-1789 for insight into the origins of the abyss now stretching before our feet. The anti-Federalists thought that the machinations of any fool or knave who happened to occupy the presidency would be furthered by the 1787 Constitution devised in Philadelphia. In the vast literature that they produced, two speeches by Patrick Henry before the Virginia Ratifying Convention synthesized the dangers lying in wait for the American people under the proposed new government.

In the first of these addresses, on June 5, 1788, it is as if Henry were looking ahead to the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this past January 7 and 24, respectively. Henry observed that under the new Constitution, the people had no power against tyranny, should it come to pass. He foresaw the prospect of American citizens who could not assemble without the risk of being shot by hired soldiers, the engines of despotism. The existing law of the land, the Articles of Confederation, did not make allowances for a chief executive or for direct taxation by the central government to support vast military capabilities against which the power of the citizenry would prove unavailing. What resistance could be made, Henry asked, by ordinary people against a Federal establishment thus armed.

Two days later, in a second speech, Henry expanded on his fears about Article II of the Constitution: there is to be a great and mighty President, with very extensive powers, the powers of a King. The framers of the Constitution supposed that the government would be honest, but Henry countered, If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute. The panoply of government power is in his hands. The constitutional provisions to remove such a man seemed highly technical and abstract to Henry, not in the least equal to an easily imagined scenario involving a ruthless seizure of power. Who would be there to stop such a president?

William Appleman Williams, the American historian most attentive to the concerns of the anti-Federalists, expressly called for the replacement of the US Constitution with an updated version of the Articles of Confederation. In a speech that Williams gave on November 5, 1965, about the increasing dangers of the war in Vietnam, he said of the Articles of Confederation: That document offers a conception and a structure of regional and local communities for the maintenance and extension of democracy. In his view, the Constitution of the United States had concentrated overwhelming power in the Federal government as the anti-Federalists prophetically had warned at the time of its formulation. Under the auspices of the Constitution, Washington had achieved a comprehensive mastery over American life: Our humanity is being pounded and squeezed out of us by the consolidated power of a nationalist corporate welfare capitalism. He counseled radicals to seek alliances with those traditional conservatives who, in their core political views, descended from the anti-Federalists and succeeding generations of the Constitutions critics.

In much of Williamss published work, but particularly in Empire as a Way of Life (1980), he identified the exigencies of defending and augmenting the corporate capitalist status quo as the source of all American wars. Patrick Henry had said in sadness on June 5, 1788, Some way or other we must be a great and mighty empire. Williams thought that by analyzing Americas wars from Plymouth Rock to Vietnam the growth and true purposes of this empire could be determined.

One had to begin by overcoming the cumulative effects of the disorienting propaganda that had accompanied all these wars. Williams began his book with a lesson in semantics. Patrick Henry had been an outlier in his condemnation of the American empire. At the time of their Revolution, Williams noted, American leaders often and unashamedly had used the words empire and imperialism to describe what they were doing in replacing the British Empire with one of their own. Fashions changed, however: Later generations became steadily less candid about their imperial attitudes and practices, talking more about extending the area of freedom and then saving the world for democracy. Through such verbal sleights did empire become a way of life for the American people as a means of transforming the realities of expansion, conquest, and intervention into pious rhetoric about virtue, wealth, and democracy.

The historical process that Williams called our imperialist deception culminated in the 1949-1950 National Security Council study known as NSC-68 when Americans asserted the unique right and responsibility to impose their chosen order among nations so that our free society can flourish. We decided that the corporate capitalist status quo, which he dubbed the American Present, would be the future of the world. He thought that nothing in world affairs down to the present made any sense without reference to NSC-68, the Magna Carta for the United States to operate globally as a warfare state. The many codicils to this document, down to the U.S. National Security Strategy declarations of November 2025, proclaim Americas will to power.

The first practical illustration of the intentions behind NSC-68 became manifest in 1953 with Operation Ajax. Mohammad Mosaddegh, Irans democratically elected prime minister, had sought to put an end to the exploitation of the countrys oil resources. The Mosaddegh government nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. To Washington and London, such an affront signaled the onset of a communist takeover in Tehran. The CIA and MI6 swiftly moved in to rectify the situation, overthrowing the Mosaddegh government and reinforcing the dictatorial powers of the Shah of Iran. A golden age of cooperation ensued between the CIA and SAVAK, the secret police of Iran.

Operation Ajax, the first US covert action to overthrow a foreign government in peacetime, became a model for subsequent actions of this kind in Guatemala (1954), Indonesia (1965), Chile (1973), and the many other episodes analyzed in Vincent Bevinss The Jakarta Method: Washingtons Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World (2020). The overthrow of Mosaddegh also set in motion the events ultimately leading to the US-Israel war against Iran: the American-backed dictatorship of the Shah, the triumph in 1979 of the Islamic Republic of Iran under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the American hostage crisis of 1979-1981, Americas support for Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, the Islamization of Iranian society, and exporting the Iranian Revolution to many countries and groups throughout the region. Most fatefully of all, a parallel development involving the complete absorption of Americas foreign policy for the Middle East into the orbit of Zionisms Greater Israel colonialist fantasies centered on the destruction of Iran have brought us to a decline and fall moment.

President Barack Obama correctly had understood that the only alternative to war lay in diplomacy, but the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action worked out during his administration had incurred the opposition of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. President Trump, the most devoted mouthpiece for the Israel lobby in the history of an office crowded with rival claimants for that distinction, took the United States out of the agreement. He has since replaced diplomacy with Israels regime decapitation strategy for Iran of do what we say or we will kill you. Some militarily impressive but morally reprehensible assassinations and mass murders have followed.

The high-tech recrudescence of the famous slaughters of political opponents perpetrated by the hoodlums of the Italian Renaissance and celebrated by Niccolo Machiavelli in his post-Christian manual The Prince (1513) is the subject of gloating and mirth in the Trump administration. The historian Jacob Burckhardt leaves no doubt in his classic Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy (1860) that these savage depredations and their excited approval by Machiavelli gave evidence of a fatal decline in Italian morality. American morality cannot be vouched for by Burckhardts standards.



ME Map. Public Domain. Picryl .

The anti-Federalists of the eighteenth century did not foresee with precision the decline and threatening fall of the United States in our present circumstances. Men like Patrick Henry could not have conceived of a personality in the mold of Donald J. Trump, least of all as the twice-elected president of the United States. Certainly, some profound alterations in the American character had to have occurred between their time and ours for a state of affairs like the present one to become normalized as an essential part, even the dominant part, of the countrys politics.

What the anti-Federalists did see was the problem in the machinery of the Federal government now obvious to all and long evident to discerning critics: empires do not need constitution-bound presidents; they need emperors of the I am the state variety. President Trump outshines all his predecessors in the delight that he derives from this role. William Appleman Williams identified Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, FDR, and every occupant of the White House since NSC-68 as authoritarian presidents in reality and only bound to the Constitution when it suited their purposes. All these earlier presidents knew enough, however, to tamp down their excitement at the levers of power in conformity with the rhetorical norms of republican leadership.

For Patrick Henry it was just a matter of time before a megalomaniac careless of the niceties of power like Trump came along. The police and military force of the national security state, which Henry would not have had any trouble imagining in principle, had been implicit in the system from the beginning, not only by what the Constitution had said in Article II, but by what the document left unsaid about the inevitable corruptions of power. Henry had asked in 1788, Have we not come through a dangerous war to free ourselves from a kings tyranny. Why would we risk our freedoms for the assurances of mere words on parchment? It is a question for today.

Reprinted with the authors permission from CounterPunch
( Otherwords )  Did you know that Germany won World War II?

Because so many died in the Soviet Union, the combined Russian and U.S. military deaths in World War II were over twice that of Germany. So Germany won  except for the small matter of the Soviets and the U.S. occupying burned-out Berlin at the end of the war.

Similarly, U.S. forces suffered about one tenth as many combat deaths as the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army in the Vietnam War. So we won. Except for the North Vietnamese overrunning Saigon in 1975 and reunifying the country under Communist rule.

The same upside-down logic applies to President Donald Trumps claim that the U.S. has defeated Iran  since our bombs have devastated Iran and since the U.S. has killed many more Iranians than Iranians have killed Americans.

Back in the real world, none of Trumps war aims has been achieved. Notwithstanding the cost to Iran and its people, Iran is emerging as an even stronger regional power.

Trump demanded Iran unconditionally surrender. Iran has not surrendered. Trump promised regime change. Irans theocratic rulers remain in power. The U.S. would seize the nuclear materials Iran needs for atom bombs. But Iran retains its stockpile of enriched uranium  and after being attacked, may decide to develop a weapon in the future.

Whatever damage the U.S. military inflicts on Iran, the country still has sufficient power to attack oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, threaten U.S. allies in the region, and hold hostage the world economy.

The result: The entire world suffers shortages of oil, natural gas, and fertilizer. The price of gasoline in the U.S. has soared  likewise the cost of fertilizers, impacting farmers and food prices. Since energy costs impact every aspect of the economy, most everything else will soon grow more expensive.

This is not victory.

There was no reason to go to war in the first place. Trump repeatedly lied, asserting Iran was on the verge of making an atomic bomb. But experts, including our own intelligence agencies, say the menace was imaginary.

One year ago the U.S. intelligence community issued a report on Iran. They concluded: Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. Nonetheless, three months later, Trump bombed Iranian nuclear facilities and bragged, Irans key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.

This years 2026 threat assessment was no different. The report asserted only that Iran was intending to try to recover from the devastation its nuclear infrastructure sustained last year. This statement plainly meant there was no imminent threat.

Even had Iran actually been moving toward an atomic bomb, war was not necessary.

Before Donald Trump became president, the United States had a signed agreement with Iran, negotiated under President Obama, that restrained Iran from becoming a nuclear power. The deal included a comprehensive system of international inspections to detect any violations and any Iranian moves toward building a nuclear bomb.



Isfandiyars Third Course: He Slays a Dragon, Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp. Painting attributed to Qasim ibn Ali Iranian ca. 1530. NYC Met. Public Domain.

Trump tore up the agreement, asserting he could have negotiated a much better one. But he never did  and because of his actions, it will be much harder to arrive at a reasonable nonproliferation agreement.

We have the power to pound Iran with bombs. But not enough power to stop Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz and inflicting de facto sanctions on America and the world.

If Trump can recognize reality, perhaps an accommodation can be reached. But America will not swiftly recover from the damage of this illegal, immoral, unprovoked, and reckless war.

Via Otherwords
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  According to the pro-government Tasnim newspaper, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has begun a trip to Islamabad, Musqat and Moscow. Iran appears to be attempting to widen negotiations beyond Pakistan, feeling that Field Marshall Asim Munir is well-meaning but is captive to Washington and may lack the independence necessary to be a third-party mediator.

Nevertheless, Araghchi spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday before setting out for Islamabad, where he arrived Friday evening.

It is unclear whether he will be willing to negotiate while there with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Trumps envoys. Iran has complained that Kushner and Witkoff stabbed them in the back in late February as they were negotiating with Washington through Oman, since in the midst of the talks and of major Iranian concessions, Netanyahu and Trump abruptly launched an attack on them. The Omani foreign minister has also intimated that Witkoff and Kushner were not knowledgeable enough to recognize how big Irans nuclear concessions were, and saw the February talks as a failure. That led to the war.

Sharq Daily, a reform-minded newspaper, says that reports that Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf had resigned as the chairman of the negotiating team are false.

Yaman Shamsai, who heads the Parliaments communications and media office, denied these allegations to Sharq: Mr. Ghalibaf has not resigned from anything, and of course, a new round of negotiations has not been set, such that he or someone else would be [named] the head of the Iranian delegation. The rumors are only trying to roil the public mind, and Mr. Ghalibaf is earnestly engaged in his activities.



File photo. Islamabad mall. Photo by Jalal Ajmal on Unsplash

The report was carried by Iran International, a notorious mouthpiece for Saudi and Israeli disinformation about Iran. Some Iranians on social media have speculated that the false report was put out in order to split the Iranian leadership and undermine public confidence in it.

Fars News reports that some payments made to Iran in cash by ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz have been deposited in Irans Central Bank. Fars says that the report refutes earlier speculation that Iran was being paid in cryptocurrency. The wire service alleges that the tolls are based on the type and quantity of cargo and on the degree of risk. The tolls help pay, the pro-regime news service maintains, for providing security to ships that are permitted to pass through the Strait.
Despite statements by the Russian General Staff and Ministry of Defense claiming a "clearing" of the left bank of the Oskil River, units of the 10th Army Corps continue to operate effectively in this direction, the North Operational Command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces said.

"It is worth noting that the 153rd Tank Regiment and units of the 47th Tank Division of the Russian Federation, despite loud statements from their command, are suffering significant losses in personnel and equipment. Some Russian servicemen are joining the exchange fund," the North Operational Command said on Telegram.

The message is accompanied by a video showing search-and-strike operations by the Alpha group within the motorized infantry battalion of the 43rd Separate Mechanized Brigade in the area of Kovsharivka and its outskirts.
In pics: elderly care center in China's Tianjin

Xinhua) 17:02, April 24, 2026

Senior citizens rest at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

A staff member chats with senior citizens at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Senior citizens stroll at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Senior citizens play gateball at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Senior citizens have lunch at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua)

A staff member assists senior citizens on dining at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Senior citizens sit together and perform at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua)

Senior citizens sit together and perform at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua)

Senior citizens have lunch at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua)

An elderly person plays billiards at the No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin, north China, April 23, 2026. The No.1 Elderly Care Center of Binhai New Area covers a total area of 55,000 square meters, including 21,000 square meters dedicated to greenery to enable a tranquil environment for rehabilitation.

It offers over 900 nursing beds and has established a full-cycle care system serving seniors who are fully able, partially disabled, totally disabled, or cognitively impaired, ensuring that all residing elderly are well taken care of, and enjoy their time there. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Resilient supply chains convince multinationals to take root in China

Xinhua) 09:49, April 25, 2026

Staff members work at Airbus' second A320 family final assembly line in Tianjin, north China, Nov. 17, 2025. (Airbus/Handout via Xinhua)

TIANJIN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- In the Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) workshop in north China's Tianjin Municipality, tonnes of beige soybean meal moved along a highly automated production line as it transformed into bags of specialized feed protein after multiple processes.

With an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes, this production line, which began operations last November, is LDC's first global production line for specialized feed protein. During the first three months after its launch, the company managed to establish cooperative relationships with about 20 partners worldwide.

"Tianjin has a world-class port and advanced warehousing and logistics networks, greatly facilitating the import of raw materials and product distribution for us. Our cooperation with local enterprises further strengthened the company's supply chain resilience," said Chen Jiayuan, CEO of LDC North Asia.

In his view, China's highly resilient industrial chain offers unprecedented opportunities for multinational companies.

The Europe-headquartered LDC, a global merchant and processor of agricultural goods, plans to continuously expand investment in the Chinese market in the future, according to Chen.

In recent years, the highly resilient industrial chain provided by the Chinese market has become a major attraction for multinationals. Aerospace companies, which rely heavily on global supply chains, cast their votes via investments, making significant commitments in China.

Last October, Airbus inaugurated its Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. The Airbus A320 family production network now features a total of 10 FALs, with assembly capacity in Tianjin set to contribute 20 percent of the company's total globally.

Such investment in China has demonstrated the company's confidence in the country's booming aviation market, robust supply chain and friendly business environment, said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

Approximately 200 Chinese suppliers now support Airbus' commercial aircraft production efforts, covering the entire industrial chain from raw materials to system assembly, a key factor that gave Airbus the confidence to establish an additional assembly line in China.

Similarly, in Boeing Tianjin Composites Co., Ltd. (BTC), nearly half of production materials are from Chinese domestic suppliers, with these products renowned for their high safety and quality standards within Boeing's global supply network.

Marcus Williams, vice general manager of BTC, said China had a relatively complete aviation industry chain system, and the country's open and inclusive market environment made it a place suitable for long-term investment.

"China is very attractive for global investors," noted Victor Chu, chairman of First Eastern Investment Group, which has invested in Tianjin for many years. Chu added that Tianjin has all the ingredients of industrialization, like high-level research and development, advanced manufacturing and a big market. The company will increase involvement in Tianjin and attract more international partners to the city, Chu said.

He Zhiyi, chief expert at the Institute for Global Industry, Tsinghua University, highlighted that every country has its own competitive industries. While multinational corporations achieved mutual benefits through exchange and cooperation, China, with its open and inclusive market environment and resilient supply chain system, provides an ideal platform for such collaboration.

China is the only country in the world with a complete industrial system. Foreign-invested companies in China benefit from shorter duration, greater convenience and lower costs in accessing industrial chain support from upstream and downstream partners, giving them greater confidence and resilience in coping with global economic and geopolitical changes, said Wu Hongliang, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will continue to expand high-level opening up, creating favorable conditions for multinationals to invest and operate in the country, Wu said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
A JUDGE heavily criticised the State care given to a minor in front of the three social workers the teen was pleading guilty to assaulting, and only three weeks after he last commented scathingly on her situation.

The 17-year-old was appearing behind closed doors in Athy District Court to plead guilty to the assault of the three care workers at an assigned home in Co Kildare on 26 February 2025.

She assaulted three members of care home staff, and slapped one. The injured parties are happy to make statements, confirmed Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.

I do feel sorry for her, sighed Judge Desmond Zaidan, who has known the girl and her circumstances for a number of years now.

I dont think they are successful care plans.

Ive been 20 years on the bench and all children are equal.

What do you want to do? You certainly dont want to be stealing, because alcohol is not good for you (She was also charged with attempted shoplifting from Aldi in Athy on 2 October). Ms Cowzer (probation officer) is a very good person, and she wants to help you.

Do you want to be a hairdresser, a judge? Get her an apprenticeship or something, he said.

Judge, she has three previous for criminal damage in the care home, said Sgt Hanrahan.

I see the same pattern in State care, said the judge.

Whats the damage on these occasions?

Why are you so angry that you slapped a carer and damaged a mobile phone? he asked.

I don't know. I just do it, she replied sullenly.

There is a bit of history of depression, said solicitor Brian Larkin helpfully.

Theres very little counselling in transition  the significant change of their life."

Surely there is something morally wrong with that? asked the judge rhetorically.

You can see why my treatment is guarded, and I take that care plan with a pinch of salt.

This kid doesnt know how vulnerable she is, and it breaks my heart."

The judge suggested: The first person she should talk to is a brother and sister, the logistics are not beyond possibility."

However, at her last appearance on 24 March, he learned she has a large number of siblings, and hasnt seen any of them since March 2025.

Somebody has to speak out, and if I dont, who can? The Irish people deserve to know about this," the judge said.

If I didnt take five minutes out of my time, I see young men out of care, just walking around town, said Mr Larkin.

And will go from State care to prison care, predicted the judge, as he adjourned sentencing until 12 May.
Two Kilkenny TDs have expressed contrasting opinions on the impact of newly proposed vape legislation.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 was introduced and subsequently debated during a recent Dail sitting.

Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane OConnor outlined the purpose of the legislation to the chamber.

She stated: The purpose of the bill is to reduce the appeal and accessibility of e-cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products such as pouches to young people.

According to the current evidence, e-cigarettes may be less harmful than tobacco smoking but this does not mean that they are harmless.

READ NEXT: Defendants addiction spiralled out of control at time of Kilkenny offences

Our priority with this bill is to protect the health of our young people and non-smokers by reducing the likelihood that they will take up or continue to use products like vapes.

The bill looks to restrict the colours and imagery on packaging to make them less attractive to young people.

It also aims to restrict the flavours for sale and prohibit all flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names.

These measures were welcomed by Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fail TD Peter Chap Cleere, who said they could have a transformative impact on young people.

Deputy Cleere stated: As legislators, but first and foremost as parents, we have a responsibility to act when we see a public health threat emerging. That is precisely what we are witnessing.

The industry is increasingly aggressive and actively targeting our children and other younger people through marketing strategies that rely on bright colours, appealing flavours and sleek modern designs.

Let us be very clear: this is not accidental. It is absolutely deliberate. The Government is right to respond strongly through this bill to protect our young people, not just from current harms but also from future ones.

He went on to praise the Government for taking action on the issue and encouraged other TDs to support the bill.

The Government is showing strong leadership through the measures contained in this bill.

I am particularly proud that Fianna Fail continues to play a leading role in advancing public health policy, just as it did with the smoking ban many years ago.

I look forward to the day when I can reflect, not only as a politician but also as a father, on the positive and lasting impact this legislation will have had.

This bill is a step towards that future, and it is a step worth taking, he added.

While many of these potential measures have been welcomed by the Opposition, there has been criticism of some aspects of the bill.

Carlow-Kilkenny Sinn Fein TD Natasha Newsome Drennan criticised the plan to reduce the number of vape flavours available to adults.

Deputy Newsome Drennan said: I can guarantee the Minister of State two things. The first is that every single TD in this Chamber has lost a friend, family member or neighbour as a direct result of smoking.

The second is that every one of us also knows several people who have quit smoking with the help of vaping, friends or family members whose lives have changed.

I am almost certain that almost all of them used the very flavoured vapes the Government is now proposing to ban.

Banning flavoured vapes would be a complete own goal in our fight to reduce the number of smokers in Ireland.

All the Government would succeed in doing is pushing people back into the grip of the tobacco industry or driving them towards unregulated online platforms where there is little to no oversight on safety, age verification or quality control.

She went on to cite figures showing that many people who have quit smoking rely on flavoured vapes.

Let us look at the figures. The numbers are overwhelming. Some 73% of vapers say that fruit flavours play a key role in helping them stay off cigarettes.

Some 49% would actively source flavoured vapes online or from abroad if a ban were introduced.

A total of 72% believe that a ban would lead to more young people taking up smoking rather than fewer and 71% believe that banning flavours would push current vapers back towards deadly tobacco products.

These are not my opinions but the views of the ordinary people whose interests we are here to represent.

Deputy Newsome Drennan concluded by saying that whilst she agreed with many aspects of the legislation, the banning of vape flavours is a step too far.

Having passed the second stage, the bill will now go forward for a detailed examination by a parliamentary committee.

It will then return to the Dail for a vote before, if passed, being brought before the Seanad.
The Youth | Young people on Gulangyu Island find poetry bound with the sea

10:59, April 25, 2026 By Yuan Meng, Xu Jingwen ( People's Daily Online

As the sea breeze sweeps through the red-tiled alleys of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, and bougainvillea sway atop the walls, this island embraced by the sea not only harbors a century of elegance but also brims with an endless stream of poetic grace.

Three individuals bound by poetry have written their own literary stories here, breathing new life into the island's poetic spirit in the modern era.

"I brought some fictional elements from poetry into real life." Yan Fei, a poet who has been rooted on Gulangyu Island for over a decade, opened small shops named "Nie Xiaoqing" and "Qi Xiaojie" as a tribute to poetry. He also initiated the "Twin Cities Poetry Gathering," the "Fujian Poetry Gathering," and the first Gulangyu Poetry Exhibition at the Yangtao Courtyard.

In Yan's eyes, "every corner of Gulangyu is poetry," and beneath his pen, the Lujiang River "resembles a hairtail, its sparkling waters flowing gently into the sea." For him, poetry is a channel for youthful emotions and a faith woven into everyday life, while his family's support provides the firmest foundation for this passion. He says that poetry will never leave him and the flowing moments of life are poetry itself.

Li Huai, a young teacher, builds a bridge to poetry through recitation. From being moved by the vocal charm of "Saying Good-bye to Cambridge Again," to gazing at the city lights of Xiamen from the beaches of Gulangyu, he has found an outlet for expression in the tranquility of the island. "I think every era deeply needs poetry, and poetry is essential."

In Li's view, poetry recitation is a "re-creation," injecting one's own understanding and feelings while respecting the original work. He notes that poetry is an expressive medium well-suited for introverts, allowing scattered emotions to find resonance. The serenity and inclusiveness of Gulangyu perfectly match his inner reflection that "the sea represents hope, and the island represents belonging," allowing a poetic spirit to grow naturally in a noisy era.

Bezokiny Irinya Narah, a master's student from Madagascar at Chinese Language and Culture College of Huaqiao University, has grasped the true essence of poetry through cross-cultural encounters. The poem "A Lane in the Rain" helped her discover herself through Chinese poetry, transforming her from someone introverted and timid into someone blooming with bravery.

On Gulangyu Island, Narah experiences the pure tranquility of the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature and realizes the boundary-transcending power of poetryit is not merely a release of emotion, but a bond for exploring oneself and connecting with the world.

The sound of the waves remains; the charm of poetry lingers. On Gulangyu Island, poetry has never been far from life. Hidden in the waves and blended into the streets, it serves as a spiritual lighthouse for everyone who walks with poetry, helping them settle their souls and chase their dreams.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chengliang)
A guest post from Owen Jennings:

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Christopher Luxons future. Why not? He is Prime Minster, after all. He has to be open to scrutiny.

But, is what we are encountering the normal, hurly burly of politics and strong media coverage? Or is there some other force at play? Some homework, using Artificial Intelligence, suggests there is and its something that should concern every New Zealand voter.

In a ChatGPT analysis of the Herald  the countrys leading print media and a self-determined, major opinion former  the results on opinion pieces showed:

Tone Luxon Hipkins

 Negative 73% 50%

 Positive 14% 30%

Luxon is three times more likely to receive a bad rap than Hipkins. He gets five negative articles to every positive one while Hipkins gets less than two. They have similar numbers of news items and similar numbers of opinion pieces. That is not just difference at the margins  it is heavyweight bias.

We know that opinion pieces are more prominently placed, more interpretive, more influential, and more memorable.

The Herald does not claim to be neutral, but it does state very clearly it provides balanced journalism. The numbers above show it fails woefully and dangerously. Woefully because it doesnt come anywhere close to a balance and dangerously because it holds a highly responsible position as a leading media outlet. It is in danger of being interpreted as running a deliberate and planned campaign to oust Luxon and, with him, the current Coalition.

The mainstream media has lost a huge amount of credibility in the last few years. That is due, in no small measure, to its inability to get anywhere near balance in its output.

We are not the Third Reich nor are we expecting a banning of junior reporters attempt at writing opinion columns. But we have every right to a professional and more obvious adherence to the norms of balanced journalism.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 54F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low around 40F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Japanese gov't ignores historical lessons, whitewashes past crimes: Russian spokesperson

Xinhua) 13:42, April 25, 2026

MOSCOW, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ignores historical lessons and whitewashes past crimes, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Zakharova said Japanese militarists committed horrific crimes during World War II.

Takaichi's recent move of sending offerings to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, demonstrated the Takaichi administration's disregard of the feelings of the people of neighboring countries who suffered at the hands of militaristic Japan during World War II, she said.

This once again shows her administration's "absolute ignoring of the lessons of history, and the whitewashing of the most brutal, monstrous crimes of the past," Zakharova said.

She urged Japan to fully acknowledge the results of World War II and abandon its policy of accelerating remilitarization.

Commenting on Japan's easing of arms export restrictions, Zakharova said the move represents a deliberate departure from the country's pacifist principles enshrined in its constitution.

Regarding the Japanese combat troops' participation in the U.S.-Philippine joint military exercises, she said Russia has consistently expressed its concerns regarding Japan's expansion of military activity within the framework of its alliance with the United States, adding such steps only increase tensions in the Asia Pacific region.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
Weather Alert

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR BOONE COUNTY... At 623 PM CDT, Broadcast media reported flash flooding across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain. SOURCE...Emergency management reported. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Columbia, Centralia, Ashland, Columbia Regional Airport, Hallsville, Sturgeon, Rocheport, Midway, Murry, Easley, Harrisburg, Hartsburg, Lupus, McBaine and Wilton. This includes the following State Parks... Rock Bridge State Park, Finger Lakes State Park and Jewell Cemetery Historic Site. This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 115 and 133. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. && FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following areas, Bond IL, Calhoun IL, Clinton IL, Fayette IL, Greene IL, Jersey IL, Macoupin IL, Madison IL, Marion IL, Monroe IL, Montgomery IL, Saint Clair IL and Washington IL and Missouri, including the following areas, Audrain MO, Boone MO, Callaway MO, Cole MO, Franklin MO, Gasconade MO, Jefferson MO, Lincoln MO, Moniteau MO, Montgomery MO, Osage MO, Pike MO, Saint Charles MO, Saint Louis City MO, Saint Louis MO and Warren MO. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall moving over the same areas will have the potential to produce flash flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&

...The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill MO has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Boonville affecting Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Boone Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This product along with additional weather and stream information is available at www.weather.gov/kc/. && ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON TO EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Missouri River at Boonville. * WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon to early Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 21.0 feet, Low-lying rural areas along the river flood. At 23.8 feet, Easley River Road and Smith Hatchery Road begin to flood. At 25.0 feet, Numerous farm levees are overtopped. Flooding of agricultural land and secondary roads occurs. Backwater flooding on Perche Creek causes flooding in McBaine. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:04 AM CDT Monday the stage was 10.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow afternoon to a crest of 23.6 feet early Wednesday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Thursday afternoon. - Flood stage is 21.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Fld Obs Forecasts Location Stg Stg Day/Time Mon Tue Wed 1pm 1pm 1pm Missouri River Boonville 21.0 10.0 Mon 9am 10.7 19.8 23.6 &&
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
China launches new test satellites for internet technology

Xinhua) 15:50, April 25, 2026

XICHANG, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China successfully sent a new set of test satellites promoting internet technology into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern Sichuan Province on Friday.

The satellites were launched at 2:35 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket and have entered their preset orbits.

These satellites will be mainly used to carry out technology tests and verifications, including direct satellite-to-phone broadband connectivity and space-ground network integration.

Friday's launch was the 639th flight mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
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BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Ambassadors and envoys from five countries have hailed China's remarkable progress in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and innovative applications of nuclear technology, following a week-long tour of nuclear energy and technology application sites across Shandong Province and Beijing.

The diplomats spoke highly of China's robust nuclear industry development, solid nuclear security capabilities, and sincerity in sharing technology and pursuing practical cooperation with developing countries.

The event, which ran from April 18 to 24, was co-organized by the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in Vienna. It gathered ambassadors and envoys from Serbia, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya and Thailand, who represent their respective permanent missions to the UN and other international organizations based in Vienna.

During the tour, the CAEA gave a full account of China's cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. China is advancing its modernization drive in all respects through high-quality development, with nuclear energy positioned as a key option for building a new energy system and achieving its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

After decades of steady efforts, China has developed an independent and complete nuclear industrial chain. It has built up strong technological expertise and a large professional talent pool covering nuclear energy exploitation and utilization, nuclear power plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, uranium resource exploration, nuclear fuel supply, small modular reactor research and application, and a wide range of other nuclear technology applications.

China is also scaling up the application of nuclear science and technology in food and agriculture, health care, environmental governance, industrial manufacturing and public security, offering diverse solutions to improve public well-being and people's livelihoods, the CAEA said.

The country has long championed open cooperation and shared development, delivering substantial outcomes through practical collaboration with other nations, especially those in the Global South.

China will remain committed to openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, and share with all countries the opportunities and outcomes of its peaceful nuclear energy development, the CAEA said.

The envoys noted that through on-site visits and in-depth exchanges, they had gained a deeper understanding of China's advanced concepts and well-established practices in nuclear energy development.

They voiced willingness to take this event as a key opportunity to deepen coordination and collaboration with China in nuclear power development, nuclear technology application and professional personnel training to ensure that nuclear energy better serves global sustainable development and improves people's well-being worldwide. 
Tom Tuite

A Dublin man intercepted moving just over 117,000 in suspected crime proceeds had ledgers showing 5 million in cash movements in a hidden compartment in his car, it has been alleged.

Labourer Alan Smith (45) of Ballintree Villas, Tyrrellstown, Dublin 15, was arrested after the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped him at Newtown Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin on April 23rd 2026.

He is accused of having 117,100, alleged proceeds of criminal conduct.

He appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody after deferring a bail application.

The court heard the case stemmed from a probe into a transnational organised crime group.

Detective Garda Mark Donovan gave evidence that Mr Smith, who has not yet indicated a plea, made no reply when charged.

The detective alleged the man was placed under surveillance and observed briefly interacting with an unknown male in Monkstown, Co Dublin, who handed over a bag through the driver's window of Smith's car.

The court heard that the accused was the sole occupant of the Ford Mondeo.

It was later intercepted in Blackrock, and he was arrested and brought to Dundrum Garda Station.

During the contested bail hearing, it was revealed that his car was subsequently searched and cash was recovered in a "deep concealment" in the rear seat.

The detective explained that it was operated by a button in the car's cigarette lighter and that this was an aftermarket addition to the vehicle.

In addition to the cash, gardai located ledgers and documents relating to "substantial cash movements going back to 2021", including a tick list, amounting to 5 million being transported, the court heard.

The detective garda also said that the accused's phone had been seized but that it was encrypted and could not be accessed.

The officer also feared that the man was a flight risk because of his alleged connection to a group with the means to facilitate his evasion of justice.

The court heard that the accused, a married father of three who is currently unemployed, had lived at the same address for decades.

Detective Garda Donovan agreed with defence barrister Kevin McCrave that during his questioning, his client had spoken about being placed under a threat. The case continues for a bail ruling on Wednesday.

The granting of legal aid has been deferred pending a statement of his means being handed in to the court.
A COUPLE living in very poor conditions in a rural part of Kildare claim they have been ignored by Kildare County Council.

Robert (60) and Miriam Bickerdike (65) live in Old Kilcullen, a rural area roughly 4km from Kilcullen town centre.

They say they have had issues with the flow of water in the tap in their kitchen for the last month and the council has not yet acted.

The couple also cite lack of insulation, mold and the deteroiating condition of the house as issues.

Ms Bickerdike also said that the current situation makes her feel depressed and bewildered.

Both Bickerdikes have serious health issues.

They contacted the Kildare Nationalist primarily over an issue with water flow in their kitchen tap..

The couple told us that after the tap stopped working properly slowing to a trickle, they contacted the council on 16 March. Between then and a visit to the house by the Kildare Nationalist on 10 April, they rang the council eight or nine times, according to Mr Bickerdike.

Mr Bickerdike said the council have not adequately responded to the calls. He claimed on one occasion that he has been hung up on. The Kildare Nationalist was present as Mr Bickerdike rang the council, with there being no answer. He said that this is a regular occurrence.

According to Mr Bickerdike, the council said that they sent out a contractor who could not gain access to the property, which is protected by electric gates.

The Bickerdikes have CCTV, and Mr Bickerdike said that the footage shows no one from the council came.

The couple said that they have an issue with rodents, with Mrs Bickerdike saying that she hears them in the walls. They use rodent poison regularly.

They said that there has been smoke coming out of the washing machine while a press door has fallen off.

The couple said that the council has failed to adequately communicate with them and has failed to address the issue with the tap.

Mr Bickerdike is a native of Old Kilcullen. He owns an acre and a half of land adjacent to the council-owned property. The house was built when he was in his late teens in the 1980s, and he has been living there for around 42 years.

He said he was a county council employee previously, cleaning the streets of Kilcullen. He has a history of oesophageal cancer and is set for a scan in the near future, with worries that the disease may have returned.

Ms Bickerdike is from Dorset Street in Dublins North inner City, and notes the stark difference between her rural surroundings and those in which she grew up, where shops and essential services were close by.

She does not drive and is reliant on Robert, who drives a mobility scooter. They use an attached trailer on the scooter in which Ms Bickerdike sits when she needs to access essential services. She suffers with COPD and high blood pressure.

The Kildare Nationalist contacted Kildare County Council for comment on the matter.

The council said they could not comment on the specifics of the case but mentioned that maintenance requests are assessed by urgency. The council said following in an email to the Kildare Nationalist.

Kildare County Council cannot comment on individual households or cases and we are not in a position to confirm or discuss any specific communications or visits, due to data protection and privacy obligations.

In general terms, where a tenant reports a maintenance issue, the council records the report, assesses the nature and urgency of the issue, and arranges an inspection and/or repair through the relevant maintenance team or appointed contractor. Reports are prioritised in line with their urgency and residents are contacted where access is required or where further information is needed to progress the matter.

 If the individuals involved wish to have their concerns reviewed, they can do so through the Councils customer service and housing maintenance channels, and they may also use the Councils formal complaints process where they are dissatisfied with service or communication. Ms Bickerdike claimed someone from the council who had previously done work for the council in the couples bathroom had hung up on Robert when he rang the individual.

The Bickerdikes said that two people from the council had come to the house two days, after the Kildare Nationalist had contacted the council.

Ms Bickerdike said her husband had rang the council seven days in a row and got nowhere.

She gave her view one council employee they encountered did not want to know about the issues with the house when they visited.

From their experience, the couple feel that people on disability kind of don't matter.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
LAOIS PRIDE will return in 2026 for its fifth annual celebration, running from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 September, with the main festival day taking place on Saturday 12 in Portlaoise.

After the success of previous years, the Laois Pride team says they are planning their biggest and most vibrant festival yet.

Parade marchers will meet on Saturday 12 September at Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise between 11am and 11:30am, for a 12pm start. This will be followed by a Pride fun day until 5pm.

The Pride festival showcases the diversity and inclusion across Laois and celebrates the countys LGBT+ community.

This years festival takes place against a backdrop of rising homophobia and transphobia.

According to a 2024 report from RESIST, a Horizon Europe funded and UCD-lead research project addressing anti-gender politics across Europe, organised anti-trans and anti-LGBT attacks have increased across Ireland.

Pride events are important to build connections with the community, so everyone knows they are not alone, Laois Pride Chairperson Helen Lanigan tells the Laois Nationalist.

It is visible and loud so everyone can see how strong the community is. It is about making connections with other marginalised groups because we will always be stronger together and we want the community to be able to see there is more support there than the negativity they may be seeing more often, Helen continues.

Each year, Laois Pride invites groups from Laois and surrounding communities to join in on the celebration.

Laois Pride was founded in by the Midlands LGBT+ Project in 2022 to celebrate the diverse LGBT community in Laois.
A man admitted intimidating a woman who was a witness in a court case at Portlaoise Courthouse.

Jake Maher (22) of 9 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to intimidating the woman at Portlaoise Courthouse on July 20, 2023.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the woman didnt want to make a victim impact statement in relation to the incident.

He said the woman had been a witness in an aggravated burglary case and she was threatened on the Main Street outside the court in relation to the investigation.

Sgt Kirby said the accused had shouted at her outside the court saying, you better not get Dylan locked up or there will be murder. The incident had occurred on a Thursday afternoon at 3.40pm, he said. Sgt Kirby said the accused has 33 previous convictions.

A barrister for the accused said her client had written a letter of apology and was 19 years old when the offence had occurred. She said he has been in care of the State since he was three years old and was now living in a hostel in Dublin.

He was struggling with some drug addiction at the time of the offence, the barrister said.

She said the mans mother, who lives in Laois, suffered a serious injury and was unable to walk. He brings her into Portlaoise and visits her a lot, she explained.

READ ALSO: Age old tradition being kept alive in Laois

The barrister said her client was trying to find work and he is really trying to turn his life around. She asked Judge Susan Fay to consider allowing the man to engage with probation services.

Judge Fay said she was satisfied that it was appropriate to deal with the matter by way of community service. She imposed 100 hours of community service in lieu of nine months in prison.
Over 50,683 in funding has been announced for projects aimed at improving water quality in Laois.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, announced the funding which will be awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund.

Of the 2,445,229 awarded nationwide, 1,332,492 will be delivered through the Community Water Development Fund to 92 projects nationally and 1,112,737 through the Catchment Support Fund to 56 groups across 20 counties, in addition to two national projects.

Under the Community Water Development Fund, local communities and groups receive grants for projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies thereby helping to improve water quality and protect biodiversity.

The Catchment Support Fund builds the capacity of community groups actively involved in water quality management by providing financial assistance for their core costs, including staff salaries, administration and promotional materials.

Three projects in Laois have been allocated funding under the scheme, with voluntary groups in Killeshin, Portlaoise and Mountmellick benefitting from the financial boost.

Killeshin Waterworks Committee will receive the largest sum of money in Laois with 28,230 given for biodiversity and water quality improvement as well as an educational display at the Killeshin Reservoir.

READ NEXT: Electric Picnic music festival in Laois wins big at IMRO awards night

Mountmellick Women's Shed has been awarded 14,853 for the removal of invasive species from Owenass river subcatchment and Portlaoise Tidy Towns has received 7,600 for the People's Park pond conservation project.

The funding schemes are considered an important commitment within Ireland's Water Action Plan 2024 which is a roadmap to restore the country's waterbodies to a 'good' status or better and to prevent further deterioration as required under the EU's Water Framework Directive.

Laois TD Sean Fleming has welcomed the news of the funding, saying: "The Killeshin Waterworks Committee, Mountmellick Womens Shed, and Portlaoise Tidy Towns are local voluntary groups who care about water quality in their local areas.

"The Government is pleased to support these works, carried out by these committees. The country could not survive without these voluntary groups. We all appreciate those people who give their time on a voluntary basis to improve facilities in their local communities."

Also commenting on the announcement of the funding, Minister Browne said: "Local action by communities and groups is critical in our efforts to protect our waters. Through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund, we are providing significant investment in the grassroots work of local communities and voluntary groups who care deeply about water quality in their local areas."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
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: Childcare facility proposed to be created in Laois community hall

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.
Two students from Laois have won top prizes in this year's 72nd Texaco Children's Art Competition.

Abdul Ahad Zulfiqar from St Mary's CBS in Portlaoise took home the third place price in the 14-15 years category for his fantastic piece entitled 'Study.'

The 15-year-old has also enjoyed previous success in the competition, having won a Special Merit Award in 2017.

Abdul Ahad Zulfiqar with his prize-winning work and his father, Ashraf, and his mother, Tasleem.

The Irish visual artist, curator, educator and Final Adjudicator Pauline O'Connell described Abdul Ahad's artwork as "an engaging composition with an unusual upward perspective. The male figure with a pen in hand appears mid-thought, conveying concentration and introspection through both pose and framing."

Abdul Ahad Zulfiqar's winning artwork entitled 'Study.'

Laois celebrated another victory in the art competition, as 8-year-old Oisin OConnor from Tobar an Leinn National School, Raheen won a Special Merit Award for his work entitled 'A Hard Day's Work.'

READ NEXT: Electric Picnic music festival in Laois wins big at IMRO awards night

O'Connell said Oisin's impressive entry into the competition "was imaginative and demonstrated high levels of skill and creativity."

Oisin OConnor's artwork entitled 'A Hard Day's Work.'

The Texaco Childrens Art Competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates back to the very first Competition held in 1955.

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.
An enthralling episode in the story of ancient Laois will be told at a special upcoming talk about the discovery of Irelands oldest bog body.

The Abbeyleix & District Historical Society says it is delighted to invite local people to an evening that aims to bring Irelands ancient past to life.

Society member Eddie Deevy promises to present a captivating talk on the discovery of the remains of a young man entitled Unearthed From the Past: The Story of the Cashel Man.

Dating back over 4,000 years, the body was discovered in 2011 by Abbeyleix man Jason Phelan at Cashel, near Ballyroan, during Bord na Mona peat harvesting on the large bog which stretches from Portlaoise to Abbeyleix.

The remains turned out to be of huge significance because it was the oldest body of its type found in Ireland.

The society says Eddie will guide attendees through the discovery, the science behind the preservation, and the mysteries surrounding this young man whose final moments were sealed in Laois peat.

Ireland's National Museum, which excavated the body, says that despite the loss of the head and arm to the peat milling machine, wounds noted on the body suggest that one is dealing with a victim of human sacrifice. The Museum also says the body of Cashel Man is the oldest fleshed bog body to have been found anywhere.

Alongside this special talk, the society invites people from across South Laois to share the stories that belong to your area. They are looking for the folklore, the halfremembered tales, the local characters, the unusual happenings, and the family memories passed down through generations.

READ NEXT: Major road upgrade planned for rocky street in Tidy Town champion Laois town

"Join us for an evening of curiosity, conversation, and community. Meet the Society, share what you know, and hear the stories that shaped the places we call home. Whether youre a lifelong local or newly settled, youll find a warm welcome and a lively group of people passionate about keeping our history alive.

If youve been thinking about joining, this is the perfect opportunity. Bring a friend, bring a story, or simply bring your interest  you may be surprised by how much history lives right beside you.

READ ALSO: Put a pep in your step in Laois at the Slieve Blooms Walking Festival

If you enjoy archaeology, storytelling, or the thrill of uncovering the secrets beneath our feet, this is an evening not to be missed, say the organisers.

The free event takes place on Thursday, April 30, in Shanahoe Community Hall starting at 8 pm.
BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Benign interaction between demand and supply is the key driver of economic development. To promote this positive interplay, China has written into the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) the need to foster virtuous interaction between consumption and investment, as well as between supply and demand, so as to achieve a higher-standard dynamic balance and strengthen the endogenous momentum and reliability of the domestic economy.

With a population of over 1.4 billion and a middle-income group of more than 400 million, China has become the world's second-largest consumer market. While striving to expand domestic demand, the country has also attached great importance to effective investment. At present, numerous major projects are progressing at an accelerated pace.

"China's pursuit of self-reliance, especially in high-end manufacturing, is essentially a way to support consumption expansion, not replace it," said Professor Su Jian of Peking University.

INDUSTRY POWERS SPENDING

China's manufacturing value-added output is expected to have contributed over 30 percent of global manufacturing growth during the 2021-2025 period, and the country has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturer for 15 straight years. This extensive industrial system employs hundreds of millions of workers. Without this pillar, rising household incomes would lack a solid foundation.

For example, in Guangxi's Guigang Economic and Technological Development Zone in south China, Guigang Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited is building a 27.5 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars) integrated pulp-and-paper complex. The project, which will produce high-end tissue products and biodegradable materials in two phases, is expected to generate roughly 10 billion yuan in annual output and create more than 3,000 jobs when its first phase is completed in the first half of next year, said Zhou Yongli, the company's general manager.

Moreover, industrial self-reliance is steadily reducing living costs for consumers. A striking example is new energy vehicles (NEVs). In 2025, China's passenger NEVs accounted for 68.4 percent of the global market. Such large-scale production and industrial chain self-reliance have significantly lowered NEV purchase costs, driving the popularization of green travel.

Furthermore, new infrastructure driven by industrial upgrading is expanding consumption scope. For instance, the spread of 5G and the industrial internet enables farmers in remote mountainous areas to sell their specialties to cities via live-streaming, while the roll-out of low-altitude infrastructure has turned drone food delivery from science fiction into daily life. Also, the construction of a unified national computing network allows an AI agent to book meals, call taxis and register for hospital appointments in seconds.

This is the picture of high-quality development: accelerating the transformation of growth drivers and optimizing structure. On the one hand, it opens up blue ocean markets and nurtures new growth points; on the other, it boosts employment, incomes and spending.

SPENDING LEADS, INDUSTRY LEAPS

From "having it" to "having it better," and "buying goods" to "buying experiences," new consumer demands are guiding thousands of industries in China to innovate and improve the quality of supply.

Driven by strong demand for outdoor recreation, Zhejiang Feima Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. in Qingtian County, east China's Zhejiang Province, is running its leisure chair production lines at full capacity. "Domestic sales now account for about 65 percent of our total, and we expect summer domestic sales to grow three to fivefold," said Wang Lei, the company's chairman.

At the recently held 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference in Beijing, smart home products catering to people's needs, including AI glasses that can instantly list recipes and guide cooking step by step, smart robot nannies, and sweeping and window cleaning robots, drew large crowds. Many visitors asked: "When will these be on the market?"

In the first 10 months of 2025, online retail sales of smart wearables like AI glasses and smartwatches rose by 23.1 percent year on year. Behind this figure lay the in-depth integration of China's super-large market advantage and its industrial upgrading.

This year's government work report explicitly noted "taking the expansion of domestic demand as our priority," calling for coordinated efforts to boost consumption and expand investment, tap into every potential for growth in domestic demand, and better leverage the strengths of the enormous market.

A total of 250 billion yuan in ultra-long special treasury bonds will be earmarked for consumer goods trade-in programs, with another 100 billion yuan for introducing a package of coordinated fiscal and financial policies to support private investment and consumer spending.

Zhang Linshan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission, said that the relevant policies include not only top-level design but also unprecedented funding support and systematic measures. "They not only directly expand the consumer market, but also create ample room for emerging industries to grow."

"MADE IN CHINA" MEETS "CONSUMED IN CHINA"

For many years, China has pursued a balanced and sustainable path of economic development, integrating consumption boosting with industrial development rather than prioritizing any single sector in isolation.

On the consumption side, trade-in programs for cars and home appliances, along with targeted subsidies for green and smart products, have directly driven up demand. On the industrial side, fiscal support for R&D, tax incentives for high-tech manufacturing, and the development of digital infrastructure have lowered production costs and accelerated product iteration.

When "Made in China" and "Consumed in China" resonate together, with every technological breakthrough in manufacturing lowering the consumption threshold, and every structural upgrade in consumption steering the direction of manufacturing, an endogenous growth loop takes shape that is resilient to external shocks.

In an era of rising global uncertainty, a large economy capable of self-circulation and self-driving is not just a development model, but also a source of strategic security and stability.

Furthermore, the interplay of "Made in China" and "Consumed in China" creates a symphony that benefits the world. On the one hand, the industrial system undergoing transformation offers enormous innovation and investment opportunities for the world. On the other hand, the fast-growing and structurally upgrading super-large market offers the world vast room for demand and a stable anchor for growth.

While outsiders are still debating whether China prioritizes industry or consumption, the answer has already been given by data, and is reflected in the changing lives of ordinary Chinese people. 
Diversity in Laois was celebrated recently in Portlaoise by people who have made their home in the Midlands county at the unveiling of a new artwork on Wear Red Day.

Members of migrant communities in Portlaoise and Rathdowney gathered in the courtyard of Laois Partnership Company (LPC) for the unveiling of a special mural that celebrates inclusion and diversity.

The mural was a labour of love by people from different countries such as Ukraine, Brazil, Nigeria, Italy, Finland, the Philippines, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Italy, who worked under the tutelage of artist, Claire Noons.

Supported through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). Laois Partnership says the initiative provided a welcoming and creative space for participants to connect and engage with one another. The development comapny said that while creating the tiles for the mural, participants shared memories from their home countries and spoke about their upbringing, and highlighted the unique traditions and characteristics of their cultures.

LPC staff all donned something red to show their support for inclusion and to take a stand against racism at the launch. Also present were members of the Local Authority Integration Team from Laois County Council, and the crowd was welcomed by SICAP Community Development Officer, Cassia ONeill, who spearheaded this imaginative and innovative project.

READ NEXT: Ninjas celebrated on big day in Laois, Offaly town - IN PICTURES

Cassia, who hails from Brazil but has been living in Ireland for some 12 years, shared her own experience of leaving her home country to start fresh in a new part of the world, using the wonderful analogy of how her favourite pair of worn-out Converse trainers carry my story. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Some of the members of local migrant communities who created a special mural celebrating inclusion and diversity.

They walked the streets of Curitiba in Brazil, where I grew up. They walked me through university, through friendships, and through dreams about the future. And later, they walked the streets of Ireland to job interviews, to bus stops, and to new beginnings. They walked with me as I learned how to build a life in a new country, said Cassia.

When I came to Ireland, I came with excitement. I came with plans. I came by choice. And I have been welcomed. For that, I am deeply grateful. But not everyones journey begins that way. Not everyone leaves home because they want to.

Cassia pointed out that many people are forced to flee their homeland because of war or incredible hardship, leaving behind their family, safety, language, and everything familiar.

Sometimes all they carry with them are the clothes theyre wearing and the shoes on their feet. So, when we say, put yourself in someone elses shoes, its not just a phrase. Its a challenge, she said.

READ NEXT: Portarlington's Market House reclaims its place in the heart of town

The group was guided on their creative journey by artist and tutor, Claire Noons. Claire explained that the desire was to bring everyone together collectively to show that community is beyond skin colour or nationality.

Its about people coming together and making their own meaning in life, said Claire, outlining that the ethos behind the mural is Maslows hierarchy of needs, a psychological theory which posits that essential human needs such as food and shelter must be satisfied before people can attend to higher needs such as a drive towards self-fulfilment.

The mural will now become a permanent part of Laois Partnership Company, a symbol of how when people work together in a spirit of community, cooperation and friendship, barriers of race, creed and culture can be swept away by the power of human kindness.

For more information visit www.laoispartnership.ie
Kildare County Council (KCC) has said that it would like to remind farmers based in County Kildare of their obligations.

According to KCC, this relates to the application of organic and chemical fertilisers on farmland, in order to protect water quality and the environment.

Emphasising the need for the alert, KCC said: "Agriculture has been identified as one of the main activities to negatively impact and place significant pressure on water quality.

"The EU Nitrates Directive and the European Union (Good Agricultural Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations, 2025 (GAP Regulations), provide a statutory basis for ensuring good agricultural practices are in place, to protect water quality within the county."

READ NEXT: Daylight criminal damage incident in Kildare prompts garda probe

LANDSPREADING

KCC also said that it regulates landspreading activities within the county.

In addition, KCC said: "The GAP Regulations detail the requirements regarding the collection, storage, management and landspreading of farmyard manure, organic fertiliser and soiled water produced on a farm holding and on weather conditions and the periods of the year when land spreading is prohibited.

"Sewage sludge cannot be spread in County Kildare without the prior submission of a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), prepared by a recognised Agricultural Consultant. The timeframe for assessing all NMPS is four weeks.

"Organic and chemical fertilisers or soiled water shall NOT be applied to land":

By use of an umbilical system with an upward-facing splash-plate

By use of a tanker with an upward-facing splash-plate

By use of a sludge irrigator mounted on a tanker

From a road or passageway adjacent to the land, irrespective of whether the road or passageway is within or outside the cartilage of the holding

KCC further said: "Organic and chemical fertilisers or soiled water shall NOT be applied to land where":

The land is waterlogged

The land is flooded or likely to flood

The land is snow covered or frozen

Heavy rain is forecast within 48 hours (Farmers are advised to monitor Met Eireann weather forecasts)

The ground slopes steeply and there is a risk of water pollution having regard to factors such as surface run-off pathways, the presence of land drains, the absence of hedgerows to mitigate surface run-off, soil condition, and ground cover

READ NEXT: Safety audit sought for 'key' Kildare junction

PROHIBITED PERIODS AND BUFFER ZONES

Moreover, KCC pointed out that the spreading of soiled water is prohibited between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026.

As for the prohibited periods for spreading fertilisers to land, KCC explained that these are:

Chemical Fertiliser - September 15, 2026 to January 29, 2027

Organic Fertiliser (other than Farmyard Manure)  October 1, 2026 to January 12, 2027

Farmyard Manure  November 1, 2026 to January 12, 2027

KCC also noted the Buffer Zones for spreading chemical and organic fertilisers:

200m - Any water supply source providing 100m^3 or more of water per day, or serving 500 or more people

100m - Any water supply source providing 10m^3 or more of water per day, or serving 50 or more people

25m - Any other water supply for human consumption

20m - Lake shoreline or a turlough likely to flood

10m - Any surface watercourse where the slope towards the watercourse exceeds 10 per cent

5m - Any other surface waters (This 5m buffer zone is increased to 10m for a period of two weeks preceding and two weeks following the periods when application of fertilisers to land is prohibited as set out in Schedule 4 of the Regulations)

3m Chemical fertilisers must not be spread within 3m of any surface waters

Furthermore, KCC outlined the applicable Buffer Zones when farmyard manure is stored in a field:

250m - Any water supply source providing 10m^3 or more of water per day, or serving 50 or more people

50m - Any other water supply for human consumption

20m - Lake shoreline or a turlough likely to flood

20m - Any other surface waters

KCC also noted that the specified storage period for livestock manure in County Kildare is 16 weeks.

Lastly, KCC said that anyone seeking further details on the application of organic and chemical fertilisers on farmland, can visit the following resources:

READ NEXT: Going for glory: Kildare apprentice makes it to final of Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition
'Remember me is all I ask', a new album from the Leitrim Percy French Society is to be launched on Friday, 1 May 2026 at The Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan.

The album is a collection of 16 tracks dedicated to the genius of Percy French which features his beloved songs such as Phil the Fluthers Ball Eileen Oge and Paddy Reilly, insightful recitations like If I was a Lady, Ach I dunno and Later On and a clever parody of the well-known nursery rhyme Little Bo Peep written by Percy French in the style of the poet William Wordsworth with the original background music performed by well-known producer and musician Paul Gurney. There is a unique interpretation of the songs Drumcolligher and McBreens Heifer performed by Tish Dunleavy.

Musical director, Tish said that the album is all about celebrating the life, works and genius of Percy and is a culmination of all the work that the society has done so far since starting in 2010. The title of the album comes from a little poem Percy wrote when he signed the visitors book in Glenveigh Castle, Donegal and is also inscribed on his grave in Formby, Lancashire, England.

READ MORE: 'It was time to say goodbye': Closure of Leitrim clothing store announced

Frank Cadam who plays the part of Percy French in their performances always finishes their shows with that poem Remember me is all I ask, but if the remembrance be a task, forget!

Tish said the title sits perfectly with their objective to keep the memory of Percy French alive.

He has been part of my life, all of my life. As a child, I enjoyed listening to my Uncle Dermott performing the songs Drumcolligher and the Westclare Railway with great gusto along with many other pieces. Dermott played the role of Percy French at a centenary celebration of the birth of Percy in 1954 in Clooneyquinn House, near Tulsk, Roscommon where Percy was born.". Percys two daughters Ettie and Joan attended that event and Dermott remained in contact with them until their deaths.

READ MORE: ALERT: Leitrim residents told to watch for suspicious vehicle and occupants

Tish laughed: "As a teenager, my friends would be listening to popular bands at the time like the Bay City Rollers and I would be learning the words of Percy French. I was always passionate about his works, and I am very lucky that the members in the group love him as much as I do.

What makes the group unique is that we really have Percy in our hearts, and everyone uses their storytelling skills to bring his witty lyrics to life. Audiences can picture exactly what the songs and recitations are about.

Tish always reminds the performers to listen to the lyrics they are performing so they paint a picture for their audience.

Frank Cadams first stage interpretation of Percy French brings their audiences back in time and the audience are so convinced they are in the presence of the great man himself, they queue up for selfies after their shows!

Though born in Co. Roscommon, Percy had a great connection with Co. Leitrim. His maternal grandfather, the Rev. W. A. Percy was born in Garadice near Ballinamore and served as the Church of Ireland rector of Kiltoghert which incorporated the parishes of Carrick On Shannon, Mohill, Kiltoghert. His Mother Susan was born in Carrick On Shannon.

READ MORE: GALLERY: Many families have lost 'loved ones to suicide' - Leitrim hill climb for mental health

Tish would like to see Percy French getting more recognition in Ireland and should be celebrated more like Yeats or Joyce. He was well recognised internationally and often performed for the then Prince of Wales when he was hosting events. He also toured the Americas, the West Indies, Canada and many European countries. He was a prolific songwriter and also an internationally recognised watercolourist. Some of his paintings have been sold for record prices lately. Percy, like John B Keane was a great observer of Irish life and society and he is a very important part of our heritage. His works deal with the traditions of that time such as matchmaking, bartering, the dowry and the rambling houses. The genius of Percy is that he could capture a story in a 3-minute work. Mc Breens Heifer for example, deals with matchmaking and the practice of giving a dowry  in this case, McBreen was giving a heifer with one of his daughters to make her more attractive to her prospective husband.!

His inspiration for his recitation 'If I Was a Lady', came from listening to the typical Dublin women discussing what it would be like to be a lady.

Tish is a firm believer in subtle humour rather than over dramatic gestures or expressions to get the message across. Percys lyrics are comical enough without having to over dramatise them. Less is more I always say to the group. A simple gesture or whimsical facial expression can say a lot more to an audience than high jinks or over-the-top displays. Percy French never laughed at the people he met or wrote about but rather enjoyed them and laughed with them. He never featured religion or politics in his works.

Tish, Frank and the group still laugh at lines they have heard hundreds of times and get something new and different out of every piece every time they perform them.

READ MORE: Workshops planned to clarify timeline for taking in charge of Leitrim estates

People may not associate a lot of the well-known songs/recitations with the composer Percy French even though many of his works continue to be performed. For example, many people know the Mountains of Mourne, Come back Paddy Reilly or the Darlin girl from Clare yet they may not know they were written by Percy French. This is another indication of how underpromoted the great genius Percy French is.

Percy French died in 1920 when he was touring Scotland and is buried in Formby, Lancashire, England.
Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has called on the Irish Government to introduce an emergency mini-budget to deal with the cost of living.

Mr Doherty told his partys Ard Fheis in Belfast that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael need to stop talking down to people, stop ignoring them and start acting.

The Government has previously announced measures worth more than three-quarters-of-a-billion euro in response to the fuel crisis arising out of the war in Iran, largely aimed at the transport and agriculture sectors.

The overall package also contains cuts in excise on petrol and diesel, and extensions of the fuel allowance.

Earlier this week, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said budget 2026 didnt give workers a break and that would have to be a priority in the context of budget 2027.

Mr Doherty, Sinn Feins finance spokesman, said people cannot wait for the next budget and the measures already announced represented a failure of leadership.

Over the past number of weeks, we have seen that reality spill onto the streets, he said.

Workers. Families. Farmers. Small businesses. Not because they want to protest but because they are not being heard and instead of listening  what did Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do?

They talked down to people, they belittled them and then they threatened them.

That tells you everything.

Because they do not understand what it means to choose between heating and eating.

They do not understand the pressure on ordinary people.

He added: Fianna Fail and Fine Gael must introduce a mini-budget immediately.

Not in October, but now, because this crisis is happening right now.

An emergency budget that cuts the cost of electricity by delivering energy credits to families, that reduces the tax on fuel, bringing it to affordable levels.

A social welfare package that supports people who are struggling  carers, older people and disabled people, and a tax cut that will put money back into workers pockets.

Mr Doherty further said the Government parties need to stop delaying, stop dithering, stop siding with landlords, developers and the wealthy while workers are pushed to the brink, stop talking down to people, stop ignoring them and start acting.

Act now, he said.

Bring forward an emergency budget and give people the relief they desperately need.

And to the hard-working people who are struggling to get by tonight I say, your anger is justified, your frustration is justified and your voice matters.
LIMERICK gardai are warning the public to not reply or engage with fraudsters following a rise in scam texts.

Sergeant Michelle OHalloran, Crime Prevention Officer Henry Street Garda Station said:

"This scam message has reappeared recently. Fraudsters are posing as a son or daughter whose phone has supposedly been lost or broken. They then ask a parent to save a new number and continue the conversation on WhatsApp. Once contact is

made, they often request money, gift cards, or a bank transfer."

The local crime prevention officer is advising people not to reply or engage.

READ MORE: Garda representative group calls for public inquiry into prosecutions against Limerick gardai labelling it as a "witch hunt"

"Do not save the number and do not move the conversation to WhatsApp. Instead, verify the story independently by contacting your son or daughter on their usual number, through social media, or by another trusted contact method. If you cant reach them, ask another family member if theyve heard from them. If it is fraudulent, block the number."

Sgt O'Halloran added that if someone has replied already they should not share any personal information, banking details, or verification codes.

"Be very cautious of urgent requests such as 'I need money now,' as urgency is a common tactic used by scammers. If a family member genuinely changed their number, it should be easy to verify through another trusted channel. And remember: urgency, a new number, and a request to use WhatsApp is a classic scam pattern."

Gardai are also investigating another scam with a distraction element in Newcastle West.

Sgt O'Halloran detailed: "On the afternoon of the 14th of April 2026, a male reported to Gardai in Newcastle West that while he was at home, he heard a vehicle enter his driveway. He went outside and spoke with the male occupant of the vehicle, who

claimed to be from an electricity provider and sought permission to move a pole."

The crime prevention officer continued: "The victim accompanied the man to the bottom of the road to look at the pole. A short time later, another male came from the direction of the house and told the driver they had to leave. Both men then departed in a black van. When the victim returned to the house, he discovered that a sum of money had been stolen from his home."

Sgt O'Halloran advises the public to always be cautious of unexpected callers or cold callers.

"Ask for identification and never feel pressured into leaving your home unattended. Keep doors closed and locked where possible. If you are suspicious, contact Gardai immediately. And remember, if you do observe suspicious vehicles or behaviour in your communities contact your local Gardai."
SHANNON-based aviation parts specialist Magellan Aviation Group is strengthening its position in the global aviation supply chain through advancing its sustainability programme, which has recently earned the company a Silver EcoVadis rating, placing it among a select group of aviation suppliers demonstrating strong environmental and ethical standards.

Attaining this rating from a global platform that assesses and rates companies on their sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance represents a significant milestone for the company.

The company specialises in acquiring aircraft and engines that have reached the end of their operational life, and recovering valuable components that can be repaired, certified and returned to service. Once purchased, these aircraft and engines are dismantled through a network of specialist partners.

Recovered components are then repaired by specialist vendors across Europe, North America and Asia before being resold to airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations (MROs) worldwide. The company primarily focuses on narrow-body aircraft platforms, which make up the largest portion of global airline fleets.

READ MORE: Family of Limerick EuroMillions winner object to controversial Dublin water plan

The Shannon operation brings together expertise in logistics, finance and aviation asset trading. A significant portion of employees work in warehouse and distribution roles, managing receiving, inventory and global shipping. The Shannon facility also hosts the groups finance function, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Irish operation within the wider organisation.

Managing director Niall Duggan says: EcoVadis ratings are increasingly required by airlines and aviation maintenance providers as part of supplier qualification processes. Achieving Silver status strengthens our position with customers and demonstrates our commitment to responsible business practices across our global supply chain.

Operating from a 100,000 sq ft facility in Shannon where it employs 65 people, Magellan Aviation Group plays a key role in supplying refurbished aircraft and engine components to airlines and maintenance organisations worldwide. The Shannon site forms part of a global network that includes headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an office in Singapore, reflecting the international nature of the aviation parts trading market.

The company performs a vital function within aviation by extending the life of aircraft components through refurbishment and resale. This approach supports the industrys circular economy, reducing waste while providing cost-effective solutions for airlines and maintenance providers.

The company places a strong emphasis on internal career progression, with employees frequently moving from warehouse roles into trading positions specialising in engine or airframe components. This progression model effectively acts as an apprenticeship pathway into the aviation parts trading industry.

Employee development is supported through partnerships with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Aviation Skillnet, with training programmes covering areas such as aviation leasing and finance, Lean process improvement and advanced data analysis.

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue building on its sustainability progress through annual EcoVadis reassessments and further operational improvements. Maintaining Silver status while working towards a Gold rating is a key objective for the coming years.
MUMBAI: IDFC First Bank on Saturday said the impact of the 590 crore fraud uncovered in February is now behind it, with the episode having no effect on new business during the March quarter (Q4FY26).

Speaking during the banks Q4FY26 post-earnings analyst call, managing director and chief executive officer V. Vaidyanathan said similar crises at other banks typically take about a year to stabilize, but that has not been the case here.

We are quite confident that this matter is behind us. Q1FY27 itself, you will see a strong growth in the bank, he said, adding that despite the fraud and the geo-political stress, the bank posted flattish growth in deposits, which is good news for the quarter that went by, especially as it cut rates on savings deposits.

When the news broke out in Feb(ruary) and all of March, the news was hot. The number of accounts opened was as high as the previous month of February, which was equal to January. So new account opening is coming along perfectly strong, Vaidyanathan said.

In Q4, total deposits of the bank grew 17% on year and 1% on quarter to 2.9 trillion, however low cost current account and savings account (Casa) deposits fell 2.5% on quarter. The share of Casa deposits stood at 49.8% as at the end of March, higher than 46.9% a year ago but lower than 51.6% in the previous quarter.

Vaidyanathan said he expects deposits to grow around 5% sequentially going forward.

IDFC First Bank reported a net profit of 319 crore for the quarter, up 4.9% year-on-year but down 36.5% sequentially, reflecting a one-time post-tax impact of 483 crore related to the fraud. A trading loss of 118 crore during the quarter also weighed on profitability.

The lender had on 23 February disclosed a 590 crore fraud at its Chandigarh branch, where employees carried out unauthorized transactions in accounts linked to the Haryana government, creating a deposit balance discrepancy. The bank has since paid the state government 590 crore, suspended the employees involved and filed police complaints against them.

On Saturday, the bank said it has fully expensed the impacted amount in Q4 FY26 and that management is reasonably certain no further material financial adjustments are required beyond those already recognized.

Higher operating expenses also weighed on profitability.

Operating expenditure rose to 6,249 crore in Q4, up 12% sequentially and 25% year-on-year, driven by the opening of around 80 new branches and employee increments. While expenses are expected to remain elevated in Q1FY27, they should start to normalize from Q2 onwards, management said, adding that operating expenditure growth for FY27 is seen at 13-14%.

Vaidyanathan said expenses were high because the bank is in a stage of growing its portfolios unlike larger banks which are functioning on minimal incremental expenses.

You see, liabilities are something that is loss-making, I don't deny. Credit costs are loss-making, gold loans is loss-making, in home loans the new prime book is loss-making, I don't deny. Because these are things which we are building for the future. Some of the rural book we're building is also loss-making, he said.

Also Read | Strong Q4 in but India's top private banks flag caution ahead in FY27

Loans and advances grew 20% year-on-year and 4% sequentially to 2.9 trillion. Net interest income rose 15.7% year-on-year and 3.4% sequentially to 5,677 crore.

Net interest margin improved to 5.93% in the March quarter from 5.76% in the previous quarter, though it was slightly lower than 5.95% a year earlier. Going into FY27, management expects margins to remain stable around the 5.75% level reported for FY26.
IndiGo on Saturday issued a formal statement, saying that documents circulating on social media regarding the airline's grooming policy are incorrect. The airline claims that the viral report is not authentic.

The controversy exploded after an X user shared some screenshots of what appear to be IndiGos grooming handbooks. The documents appear to explicitly ban items like tilak, sindoor, mangalsutra, and kalawa, while allowing other religious markers such as hijab and turban.

We request everyone to exercise caution and refrain from sharing unverified or fabricated documents, a company spokesperson told Mint.

IndiGo also assured that its policies, especially for cabin crew and pilots, are designed in-line with global best practices and with the primary objective of ensuring safety of operations and well- being of our crew and customers onboard.

"IndiGo remains firmly committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. The safety and well-being of our crew, customers, and employees continue to be our highest priority, the spokesperson said.

Netizens spark debate on workplace dress codes after Lenskart row The row over IndiGo's grooming policy comes amid a broader debate on workplace dress codes, which was triggered earlier this month by a viral in-store style guide from Lenskart that drew criticism for allegedly allowing hijabs and turbans while restricting bindis, tilaks and kalawas.

Despite CEO Peyush Bansal calling it an outdated training note and issuing a public apology, the backlash continued, prompting the company to roll out a revised policy that explicitly and unambiguously welcomes all symbols of faith.

Our 2400+ stores are run by people who bring their beliefs, their traditions, their identity to work every day. That is not something we will ever ask anyone to leave at the door, it added in the statement released last week.

In a previous statement, Bansal also clarified that the viral document contained an incorrect line about bindi/tilak that should never have been written and does not reflect our values or actual practice."

Air India faces heat too for alleged dress code practices IndiGo is not the only airline that is facing scrutiny over viral dress-code documents. Recently, Air India also came under he spotlight after alleged internal grooming guidelines surfaced online, drawing criticism for reportedly objecting to items such as sindoor, choora, mangalsutra and more.

Tikkas, sindoor of any colour on the forehead is not permitted, as per the viral cabin crew handbook of the airlines. The viral posts also claimed that strict guidelines were in place regarding accessories and jewellery with the uniform. Only plain white or yellow gold bangles without any design or stones are permitted for staff, while bracelets, mixed-metal bangles, or those with embellishments are not allowed.
Not logical

The cooling-off period is not logical, said Parveen Kumar, national head for assurance for ASA, an accounting advisory firm. "The auditor during the audit is independent during the audit, but afterwards, the audit team can advise the client on how to improve business processes or control costs and point out where the lags are. Such advice or recommendations might not be required during their tenure as statutory auditors.
A US federal judge has thrown out Elon Musk's fraud allegations in his landmark lawsuit against OpenAI and co-founder Sam Altman, Reuters reported, but the case is far from over, with jury selection beginning Monday in what promises to be one of Silicon Valley's most explosive courtroom battles.

Elon Musk had said dismissing his fraud and constructive fraud claims, which he proposed, would streamline the case and keep jurors focused on his goal of ensuring that OpenAI benefit humanity rather than be a "wealth machine."

Fraud Claims Dropped as Elon Musk-Sam Altman Trial Gets Underway A US federal judge on Friday dismissed the fraud claims at the centre of Elon Musk's sprawling lawsuit against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman  clearing the path, however, for the remaining allegations of breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment to proceed to trial.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, presiding in Oakland, California, issued the ruling just days before jury selection was set to begin.

What Is Musk Alleging Against OpenAI and Sam Altman? The lawsuit, in which Elon Musk is seeking up to $134 billion in damages, centres on his claim that OpenAI, Altman, and company president Greg Brockman abandoned a founding promise to operate the artificial intelligence laboratory as a nonprofit in perpetuity.

Since its inception, OpenAI has restructured to allow a for-profit subsidiary to operate alongside its charitable arm, a transformation that has seen the company's valuation soar past $850 billion.

Elon Musk, who was among the original cohort of technologists who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 out of shared anxieties about the unchecked advancement of AI, alleged in a 2024 filing that he was "assiduously manipulated" and "deceived" by promises that the company "would chart a safer, more open course than profit-driven tech giants."

From Co-Founders to Courtroom Rivals: The Elon Musk-Sam Altman Breakdown The two men were once close collaborators, bound by a mutual conviction that artificial intelligence posed existential risks requiring careful, humanity-centred stewardship. That relationship fractured in 2018, when Elon Musk departed OpenAI's board following a series of disagreements over the organisation's direction  including a failed bid to merge the startup with his electric vehicle company, Tesla.

In the years since, the relationship has curdled into open hostility. Elon Musk launched his own AI venture, xAI, in 2023  a direct competitor to OpenAI  and recently merged it with his social media platform X in a deal valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion.

Sam Altman has not been shy about the forthcoming confrontation: "Really excited to get Elon under oath in a few months, Christmas in April!," he wrote on X in February. Elon Musk, for his part, wrote in August: "Scam Altman lies as easily as he breathes."

$134 Billion Lawsuit: What Remains at Stake Of the 26 claims Elon Musk originally asserted against OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman in November 2024, only four survived to the eve of trial: unjust enrichment, fraud, constructive fraud, and breach of charitable trust.

Elon Musk's own legal team subsequently moved to drop the fraud and constructive fraud counts ahead of proceedings to, in their words, "streamline the case." OpenAI's lawyers characterised the move as "evasive tactics," noting in a filing that "trial begins in five days but Plaintiff still refuses to state plainly what claims he will pursue and what remedies he will seek."

Microsoft, a longstanding OpenAI backer and co-defendant, is accused of aiding and abetting the alleged breach of charitable trust.

Should Elon Musk prevail, he has stated he does not seek personal financial gain, rather, he wants "ill-gotten gains" returned to OpenAI's nonprofit, alongside the removal of Altman and Brockman from their respective roles and the unwinding of OpenAI's for-profit conversion.

How the Elon Musk vs OpenAI Trial Will Be Structured Judge Gonzalez Rogers, who was appointed to the US District Court for the Northern District of California by former President Barack Obama in 2011, has divided proceedings into two phases: a liability stage, in which nine jurors will determine whether any wrongdoing occurred, and a remedies phase, in which she alone will decide appropriate damages and next steps. The jury's verdict in the liability phase will be advisory only  meaning the judge retains final authority over the outcome in both stages.

Attorneys for Elon Musk and OpenAI have each been allocated approximately 20 hours to present their respective cases; Microsoft's legal team will receive five hours.

All three parties have submitted witness lists that include Elon Musk himself, Altman, Brockman, and Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella, according to CNBC report. The liability phase is expected to run through mid-May, with court sitting Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. PT. If OpenAI is found liable, the remedies phase is scheduled to begin on 18 May.
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing (L) and Zambian Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane shake hands during a signing ceremony of a development cooperation agreement in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 24, 2026. China and Zambia on Friday signed an agreement under which China will provide Zambia a grant to jointly implement agreed cooperation projects. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua)

LUSAKA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China and Zambia on Friday signed an agreement under which China will provide Zambia a grant to jointly implement agreed cooperation projects.

Addressing the ceremony held in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing said the agreement is an important manifestation of the friendly relations between the two countries.

"The signing of this agreement is an important manifestation of China's sincere support for the Zambian people. The Chinese government and people have always stood with the Zambian government and people," Han said.

While acknowledging that China will continue to provide grant assistance to Zambia, Han emphasized that China has also been helping the country achieve self-driven development through capacity-building programs, including human resource training.

He said about 400 Zambian officials and technical personnel were invited to China last year for training in various fields to strengthen Zambia's capacity.

Han also pledged China's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Zambia across all sectors and working together to advance modernization.

The Chinese government, he added, is actively supporting Chinese enterprises in investing in Zambia to help accelerate the country's industrialization, modernization, and economic diversification.

For his part, Zambian Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane thanked the Chinese government for its support, noting that the signing is the culmination of decisions reached by the leaders of the two countries.

He said the two governments will hold talks to identify projects that will benefit from the grant, adding that the signing of the agreement is further proof of their commitment to implementing agreed initiatives. 
Some employers, like McKinsey, say they are boosting the size of their intern classes this year. Yet others have canceled or cut them back. Workplace technology company Paycom Software, which laid off more than 500 staff last fall and automated some back-office roles, recently notified interns recruited to work there this summer that it was cutting their internships, too, students and professors say. The company didnt respond to requests for comment.
The first round of talks went late into the night in Pakistan. At one point, Kushner stepped out to call Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who were about to watch a mixed martial arts fight in Miami, some of the people said. When he returned, the U.S. insisted that Iran agree to a 20-year halt to uranium enrichment, the people said. The talks ended later.
The funding decision, which Orban cleared this week following his election defeat, comes at a critical moment for Ukraine, which needs the cash to sustain its economy and its military amid relentless Russian assaults as Moscow seeks to grab more land in its neighbors east. Kyiv now depends on its western neighbors for money to shore up its budget and fund weapons purchases to help it hold off Russias giant military. The Trump administration has stopped providing military aid to Ukraine and sought to mediate an end to the war.
At Davids Bridal, the countrys largest wedding-dress retailer, more brides are starting to shop for their dresses about 45 days before their wedding, compared with the companys traditional five- to six-month shopping window, said Chief Executive Kelly Cook. And rush orders, with a turnaround within four weeks of a wedding, are up 50% in the last two years, she said. The company is paying for overtime for its more than 3,000 alteration specialists as needed to meet the demand.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday scrapped the banking licence issued to Paytm Payments Bank Limited, more than two years after barring it from accepting deposits or top-ups.

The move effectively prohibits the payments bank from carrying out any banking business, following years of regulatory friction caused by persistent non-compliance. RBI has repeatedly flagged serious concerns in the bank's operations, which ultimately led to this action.

In the official statement released yesterday, the central bank said that Paytm Payments Bank's operations were conducted in a manner that was detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors.

"The general character of the management of the bank is prejudicial to the interest of depositors as also the public interest," RBI noted.

It also added that No useful purpose or public interest would be served by allowing the bank to continue. Meanwhile Paytm clarified that the cancellation of the bank's licence will not have any financial impact on the company.

What actions have been taken against the payments bank so far? Previously, the central bank has taken some actions against Paytm Payments Bank. Here's a timeline of the developments:

March 2022: Paytm Payments Bank was barred by the RBI from onboarding new customers, following supervisory concerns around its compliance processes, particularly in areas such as KYC.

March 2024: The RBI imposed stricter restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank, prohibiting it from accepting new deposits, processing credit transactions, or allowing top-ups in customer accounts, wallets, FASTags, and NCMC cards. What happens next? Founded by One97 Communications and its founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the payments bank will now undergo winding-up proceedings, with the RBI set to approach the High Court to initiate the process.

Paytm Payments Bank has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up of the bank, RBI was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News.

Also Read | RBI pulls plug on Paytm Payments Bank, cites depositor risk

Sharma, launched Paytm Payments Bank Limited in 2017. However, it soon landed in trouble with the regulators over persistent non-compliance, including KYC Irregularities and concerns over illegal financial activities. Sharma held a 51% stake in the business, while One97 Communications owned 49% stake.

According to its FY 2024-25 annual report, Paytm Payments Bank had 30 million bank accounts, with over 100 million KYC-compliant users, and more than 300 million wallet users. It also stood as the largest issuer of FASTag, with more than 8 million tags in circulation.

What does this mean? This is the first time such action has been taken by the regulator against a specialised bank, which highlights the shrinking significance of payment banks in the banking system.

Indian regulators conceptualised payment banks in 2014 to facilitate small deposits and cash transfers, but the banks lost their relevance after people increasingly started using real-time digital transfers through Unified Payment Interface (UPI), according to Reuters.

While business dwindled, compliance costs rose as the regulator feared small deposit accounts could be misused and hence, directed these banks to tighten monitoring, the agency said.

Share price trend Since the development came after market hours on Friday, the stock of One97 Communications is likely to be focus when markets reopen on Monday.

Shares of the company closed 0.5% lower on Friday. While the stock gained around 32% over the past year and 8% in the last month, it has declined around 2% over the past five trading sessions.
Apoorva Ajith

Apoorva is a Mumbai-based journalist at Mint who covers the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), tracking the pulse of Indias capital markets, regulatory developments and the people who operate within them. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business and financial journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, where she developed a strong foundation in markets, companies, and economic policy. She began her journalism journey with an internship at Bloomberg, where she worked across beats such as real estate, infrastructure, capital markets, and deals, which helped her understanding of business and finance.<br><br>She is guided by the belief that everything in this world can be explained in simple and fewer words, and that idea shapes how she approaches her writing. She aims to cut through complexity and present nuanced regulatory and financial developments in a way that is both accessible and meaningful to readers.<br><br>When she is not tracking market chatter, Apoorva can usually be found deep into a fiction novel or out on a long run. She is also a trained classical dancer in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali.
Reliance Q4 results 2026: Mukesh Ambani-led oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) declared its Q4 results 2026 on Friday evening. When the Reliance Q4 results 2026 were declared, the Indian stock market was closed, but the London Stock Exchange was open, which is a primary exchange for RIL's Global Depository Receipts (GDRs).

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) maintains a significant presence in international capital markets through its GDRs, and one Reliance GDR is equivalent to two Reliance shares, each with a face value of 10. After Reliance announced its Q4 results 2026 on Friday, the Reliance GDR price fell and closed at $57.50, logging an intraday loss of 0.86%. This may have dented bulls' sentiment as they look at the Reliance GDR price as a cue for the Reliance share price opening the next day. So, it is important for stock investors to know whether Reliance's Q4 results 2026 will fuel the Reliance share price.

According to stock market investors, Mukesh Ambani-led oil-to-telecom conglomerate has reported mixed Q4 results 2026, with strong top-line momentum offset by margin pressure in energy and higher costs, leading to lower net profit. However, Jio Platforms was the standout with revenue up 12.7% to 44,928 crore and EBITDA up 17.9% to 20,060 crore.

Reliance Q4 results 2026 review Speaking on the Reliance Q4 results, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said Reliance Industries reported a mixed Q4 FY26, with strong top-line momentum offset by margin pressure in energy and higher costs, leading to lower net profit. Consolidated gross revenue rose 12.9% YoY to 325,290 crore ($34.3 billion), driven by double-digit growth across O2C, Digital Services, and Retail, while Oil & Gas revenue declined due to lower KG D6 production. However, consolidated EBITDA was flat at 48,588 crore ($5.1 billion), down 0.3% YoY, as robust growth in Jio Platforms and Retail was offset by weaker energy businesses.

EBITDA margin contracted 200 bps to 14.9%. Higher depreciation (+9.9% YoY to 14,808 crore) and finance costs (+7.0% to 6,585 crore) on the operationalisation of 5G spectrum further weighed on earnings. Consequently, Profit After Tax fell 8.1% YoY to 20,616 crore ($2.2 billion), and PAT including associates/JVs declined 8.9% to 20,589 crore, Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities said.

Reliance Jio Q4 results 2026 Speaking on Reliance Jio Q4 results, Seema Srivastava said that Jio Platforms was the standout with revenue up 12.7% to 44,928 crore and EBITDA up 17.9% to 20,060 crore, margin expanding 230 bps to 52.4% on 5G and home broadband traction, with 524 million subscribers, including 268 million 5G users.

Reliance Retail Q4 results 2026 The SMC Global Securities expert said that Reliance Retail grew revenue 10.8% to 98,232 crore and EBITDA 3.1% to 6,921 crore, though margin slipped 60 bps to 7.9% due to hyper-local commerce investments; store count crossed 20,000.

Reliance's O2C revenue jumped 12.4% to 184,944 crore, but EBITDA fell 3.7% to 14,520 crore as transportation fuel cracks were offset by higher crude premiums, freight, policy disruptions, and SAED on exports, with margins down 130 bps to 7.9%. Oil & Gas revenue dropped 8.9%, and EBITDA fell 18.1% on lower volumes and realisations. Despite quarterly softness, FY26 was a record, with annual PAT up 18.3% to 95,610 crore.

Reliance share price outlook Decoding Reliance GDR price dip after the Q4 results 2026, Avinash Gorakshkar, a SEBI-registered fundamental equity analyst, said the dip is not that big, which would worry Dalal Street bulls. He said that the Reliance O2C business has taken a hit, with international triggers playing a major role, including the Middle East crisis, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and ongoing uncertainty around the US-Iran war, which has hit the business of most Indian oil majors. Once geopolitical tensions settle down, the O2C business of the Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate is expected to report strong numbers.

Expecting Reliance share price to remain range-bound on Monday, Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager  Technical Research at Anand Rathi, said RIL share price is currently trading within a consolidation range on the daily chart, indicating a phase of sideways price action and indecision. The stock has established a key resistance level near 1380, and a decisive breakout above this zonepreferably supported by strong volumewould signal a potential bullish continuation and can be considered a buying opportunity.

On the downside, immediate support is placed around 1280, which has been acting as a demand zone. A breakdown below this level may weaken the current structure and could lead to further downside pressure, said Dongre.

The Anand Rathi expert said the stock remains range-bound between 1280 and 1380, and a breakout or breakdown from this range will likely determine the next directional move.

Morgan Stanley maintains Overweight rating on RIL For the long-term investors, Morgan Stanley has maintained an Overweight rating on Reliance Industries with a target price of 1,803. The global brokerage believes a recovery in energy and chemicals, along with sustained retail growth, will be key to reversing recent underperformance. It predicts an early signs of improvement emerging across chemicals, fuels and consumer retail.
In early March, I was in a small room at a large conference with a dozen language nerds. While I was in that room, the grin on my face was the equivalent of someone elses face while watching the glorious comeback of BTS. Why lie? I find it hard to decide whether I like Nam-Joon or the average language nerd more. This was a comparative literature organisation so everyone present had a thrilling language pair or two up their sleeve. At an earlier session, a PhD student who worked in Arabic and Malayalam and I guffawed at an anecdote that appealed to Malayali refuseniks. In another, I watched one of my favourite translation theorists read out many versions of the opening lines of a Spanish noveleach one translated by a different machine learning app over the last decade, all equally convoluted. Exiting a different session, I made friends with a woman who told me about her father from Uttar Pradesh, her Iraqi boyfriend and her love for an Omani novel that she and I felt was woefully under-read.

Also Read | Nisha Susan: Why showing up is the key to connection and finding your community

That particular morning, I was thoroughly enjoying the talk about a 1970s Russian translation that had been commissioned to mark the millennial celebration of a medieval Persian scholars work. The young American who was speaking made a joke that I didnt understand. But he giggled with the knowledge that he had told a really good one and three of the five people in the world who could understand that joke were probably in that room. As it happened, among the hundreds of people at the conference, most of the scholars of medieval and modern Iranian literature were in that small room when news of the US-Israel-Iran war broke. Not knowing any of them well enough, I watched unhappily, unable to figure out what to say. What is the right way to say: I am so sorry for the stupidity and immense misery that is coming your way.

A couple of weeks later, I found out that a group of translation scholars I hang out with occasionally had their departmentreligion and classicsdissolved by their university. I thought back to that conference room where at that moment no one had felt the pressure of fake assessments of efficiency and relevance. Tech bros can and have muskily made arguments in favour of cutting out the pursuit of expertise they deem unnecessaryhumanities in general and the more seemingly obscure part of it, in particular. Cant scale up a medieval Persian scholar.

Yet, I say seemingly obscure because a few days after the closure of the religion department, I saw a social media post that made me laugh loudly. A woman called Madeline Odent had posted all these universities kept axing medieval history departments as if they thought tyrants beefing with the Pope was going to stop being relevant. This was, of course, in response to the devolving argument between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo about the war that the US had begun in Iran. Among my freshly annoyed, mostly lapsed Catholic friends, one pointed out that the American administration is extra aggravated by this Pope because he speaks English. When he casually delivers a soundbyte about peace that is transmitted around the world, they can only try to oppress him with tuition in theology and just wars. (Imagine trying to justify your war to the Pope with a theory developed by a Church Father who is the Popes patron saintSaint Augustine. I could only think of all those people shouting their garlic-based covid cures at doctors online).

This war shows again and again the consequences of allowing the wealthy with limited education to decide what true expertise is. For instance, CNN reports that mere days before the US launched its operation in Iran, podcaster-turned-FBI director Kash Patel had fired staff from a team whose particular task was keeping an eye on threats from Iran. Though the Americans have made snarky remarks about the Iranians English not being good enough to negotiate a ceasefire, clearly their English is good enough to be scoring high in the propaganda war with its very American pop culture coded Lego videos.

Irans assessment of the situation was that in April they felt they could suggest a 10-point ceasefire proposal that had different points in the English and Farsi version without the US spotting it right away. And why not, according to a survey by the American Foreign Service Association in December 2025, 98% of 2,100 members of the US diplomatic corps reported a fall in morale since the second Trump regime. Among the thousands of American foreign service officers who have been fired by this American administration were reportedly 13 Arabic speakers and four Farsi speakers, all of whom who could have been helpful in predicting what would come next when the US launched war in Iran. Instead we have heard Trump saying that he was surprised that Iran would retaliate right away on US allies. Instead we had clueless oligarchs and their equally clueless fans around the world (including in India) wondering why this Strait of Hormuz cant be hopped over or drilled through.

In this sea of injustice and cruelty, another terrible story of a persecuted expert caught my eye. Meenu Batra, 53, is the only licensed Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu translator in Texas. Her services are apparently requested by courts all over the USa detail that is not unrelated to what has happened to her. Her legal status in the US (after living there for 35 years) was similar to a refugee status but one that could not be converted to citizenship. On 17 March, ICE (immigrations and customs enforcement) took Batra from an airport and imprisoned her despite having all the right papers and most importantly, being no danger to anyone. She reportedly spent the first 24 hours in prison without food or water.

There is a good probability Batra will be sent away to one of the many countries that the US has made deals with to act as super prisons. Even in her missives from inside prison, Batra has had the incredible fortitude to describe the difficult conditions of other prisoners and how she has been trying to help them with the expertise she is grateful to have. In one interview, she said, Here I am just staring at the wall wondering what exactly Im doing here but also what is anybody doing here. A question that I wish many efficiency experts would ask themselves before putting the world in dire straits.

Nisha Susan is the author of The Women Who Forgot to Invent Facebook and Other Stories.

Also Read | Nisha Susan: How alpine divorce is the new type of violence against women
Among all the finery at Indian weddings, there are a few things you can always spot among the guestsgrubby jeans, hiking boots and polo shirts. And it is usually men who have decided to make little to no effort to dress for the occasion. While Im all for comfort clothing, theres no denying that dressing well is ultimately about self-expression. It doesnt have to be statement-making, but turning out well is a way to say something about how we perceive ourselvesor just to make ourselves feel extraordinary. Theres an anecdote in Prabal Gurungs candid and defiant memoir Walk Like a Girl that captures how clothes change our view of the world and the way the world views us. Gurung, whod been bullied and abused because of his sexuality, describes redesigning his school uniform in the ninth grade. Instead of sky-blue cotton, he had his school shirt made in light-blue silk a few sizes larger to hang on his frame, deciding to stand out instead of blending in to brave the bullying, his first act of public defiance.

Clothing projects personality and identity, and Indian men are slowly beginning to realise it and shed those jeans-and-shirt combos. It could be about having more money to spend, it could be the influence of social media and stars like Ranveer Singh who dress with care, or maybe its just a desire to up their style game, but designers, both couture and mass, have spotted this tiny flame and are fanning it, as we report this week. Theres still a long way to go before we can definitively say Indian men are dressing better but this is a change we are cheering for, and with the range of textile, craft, colour and design in India, theres no reason why men shouldnt drop the corporate or the tech bro uniform and dress up simply to enjoy themselves.

View full Image View full Image The cover of Mint Lounge dated 25 April 2026.

What to do this weekend Need ideas to fill the weekend hours? We have a food guide to Sunday brunches, summer ice creams and a tapas nights in different cities. If staying home if more your scene, take a look at our list of suggestions of new shows to watch this weekend. Or catch an old classicUday Bhatias world cinema recommendation is Frederick Wisemans 1981 documentary, Model, which shows fashions human face and the toil that underlies the glamourous world of modelling.

Meet the baristas putting Aizawl on the coffee map For a long time, India's coffee imagination has been dominated by the south. While Meghalaya and Nagaland have grown coffee for decades, Mizoram has also entered the scene now and entrepreneurs have launched homegrown brands, writes Simanta Barman. Can Norakkan and Tribeland Coffee Roasters brew new stories for the state? Read more.

Do we really need wireless chargers? For a technology that promises freedom, wireless charging has had a strangely slow journey into the mainstream. Its been around more than a decade, yet for many users, it still sits in the category of nice to have. With Apples MagSafe magnetic capability now being adopted by Google Pixelsnap, the experience is evolving. More brands are offering this quiet convenience, but is wireless charging something we really need, asks Abhishek Baxi. Read more.

Rooftops to community centres, films find alternative spaces For decades, battles over films played out at the CBFC or censor board office, and if they lost, they could find audiences through the festival circuit or go direct to streaming. However, some films still struggle to find viewers when censor exemption certificates are denied. It happened at the International Film Festival of Kerala late last year, where six films did not get exemptions. At P.K. Rosy Film Festival this month, organisers were careful with the curation after last years experience of having to change the line-up following outside pressures. So films that cannot find a theatre or streaming release are being screened for smaller, niche audiences on rooftops and in clubs, writes Viren Naidu. Read more.

Beyond spirit: The healing power of mahua In urban India, mahua is popular in trendy cocktails and gourmet restaurant fare, but this aspect rarely captures mahuas nutritional and health benefits. For centuries, mahua (Madhuca longifolia) has been a source of nourishment and medicine for indigenous communities in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chattisgarh. A natural sweetener, cooking oil, relief for aches, skin ailments and respiratory issues, and a nutritional powerhouse, mahuas benefits are far more potent than the alcohol derived from it. Reem Khokhar traces the many forgotten benefits of the deciduous mahua tree. Read more.
BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China has decided that, effective from April 24, 2026, the relevant countermeasures imposed on two banks in the European Union (EU), namely UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas, shall be lifted, and the two shall also be removed from the countermeasure list.

This decision, pursuant to the country's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law and the regulation on the implementation of the law, has been reached in view of the fact that the EU announced the revocation of sanctions against two Chinese financial institutions on April 23, 2026, according to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce. 
Recently, at a luxury wellness retreat in the Sahyadris, I met a senior couple on a three-week programme. The husband, now based in Toronto but originally from around Pune, had returned after 35 years and was throwing himself into the schedule with enthusiasm: trekking up a mountain, attending yoga and Vedanta sessions, staying curious about every part of the stay. His wife was no less game, moving briskly across the hilly property, joining meditation and yoga, and speaking of the whole thing not as a reward but as a long-overdue reclamation. After decades of work and responsibility, they had finally managed to give time to themselves. This, they told me, was their second innings.

That line has stayed with me because it captures something I have been sensing across wellness spaces for a while now. Indian retirement, at least among urban, financially secure people, is beginning to look less like withdrawal and more like redesign. There is a growing willingness to spend time, money and physical energy on oneself without the old accompanying guilt.

Also Read | Positive ageing: It takes a village to age well

REWRITING RETIREMENT For a long time, Indian retirement came with a fairly fixed emotional script. One slowed down, became more available to family, perhaps turned more devotional, perhaps travelled on a pilgrimage. But that script is now changing.

Neeraj Sagar, founder and CEO of Wisdom-Circle, a Bengaluru-based platform focused on opportunities for older professionals, sees this shift clearly. Retirement is no longer seen as an endpoint but as a transition, he says. The previous generation saw later life as a phase of stability and withdrawal, while todays urban older adult increasingly sees it as a phase of continued relevance and contribution.

Younger generations are more financially secure and globally exposed, and they are encouraging their parents to prioritise their own interests and experiences, rather than focusing only on saving or legacy. Ashwini Kapila, co-founder of Mumbai-based WalkAbout, a community-led platform that curates travel and experiences for active agers, says, This is, in many ways, Indias first true boomer generation, not in the American cultural sense, but in the economic one. These are people who built careers in a liberalising India, accumulated wealth, grew comfortable with consumption, and are now entering later life with a very different relationship to money and possibility than their parents had. This generation has spent thirty or forty years fulfilling every obligation placed on them. They have earned the right to define this chapter on their own terms. That idea of earned self-definition is not just about travel, its about permission.

WELLNESS AS INVESTMENT, NOT INDULGENCE At Keralas Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village, older guests have long been part of the clientele. Gita Ramesh, joint managing director, says roughly 20% of the propertys guests are now above 60, and that they tend to stay longer, often for 12 to 14 nights. The motivations may begin with health, but they rarely end there.

Even among the roughly 20% of our guests who are retired, most lead active, engaged lives, she says. They are not withdrawing from life, they are investing in staying capable and involved. Subha Bhattacharyay, 53, ex-Microsoft and now between careers, checked into Kairali for 21 days, partly for a reset and partly to test what a different kind of life might feel like. I dont want to be in a situation where I will have more money and time but not the physical ability, he says. His wife and children nudged him to go, and he sees the expense as an investment on myself for the longer run. His days there have a structure to them: walk, yoga, breakfast, treatment, reading or coding, lunch, a nap, another treatment, evening meditation, dinner, sleep. It gives me the right balance of my personal time, organised activity, and treatment.

For Roweena Kavadia, 68, from Mumbai, who worked in senior roles at National Insurance Academy and LIC Housing Finance before stepping away, this phase feels like my best 2nd innings. Through WalkAbout, she has travelled to Dubai, Kerala, Mussoorie and Goa.

When you are without family, you are free to indulge and be yourself, she says. Everyone is accepted as they are. One Goa trip, with its games, dance sessions, long meals and easy sociality, became, in her words, more of a reset and rethinking of myself as a person. This is the first time I ever felt I deserved this type of break with no conditions of any kind or anything to prove to anyone. That line, I deserved this, highlights the emotional shift underway. 73-year-old Asha Narula from New Delhi never married, helped care for her parents, and stopped working at 54 because of severe knee pain. In 2008, her nephew pushed her to try Arya Vaidya Sala in Kottakkal. She went for 28 days and never looked back. She has returned again and again, nearly annually, for extended stays. Its a great holiday for me, even when I go for self-care treatments.

Narulas long stays are not simply medical interventions or one-off rejuvenation breaks. They have become part of the structure of her life, a recurring act of wellness. Her days there are occupied with treatments, rest, reading, yoga, and conversations with other regulars. I feel I must make use of time and reasonably good health while I can, she says. Who knows when this can change? She often travels solo, valuing the independence it gives her.

Also Read | Why Indias seniors need targeted supplements for healthy ageing

REWIRING, NOT RETIRING Soma Mohanty Garg, 57, co-founder of Singapore-based 25YearsMore, a platform that helps people navigate the shift from a career-focused life to a more self-directed one, offers another version. A former HR leader who lost her corporate role during covid, she describes the aftermath as a collapse of identity followed by a gradual rebuilding through sadhana, trekking, birding, music and travel. It is a complete reset, she says, switching from a life of plans, programs, strategy and achievement to learning, creating, living, challenging my mind and body, and growing in ways I couldnt have imagined.

Of course, this remains, in many instances, an urban and relatively privileged phenomenon. One needs money, health, access, and often a certain looseness of family obligation to choose long wellness or learning-led travel. Kapila, however, believes that the attitude is now extending beyond the affluent. There is an underlying shift in aspiration: this generation of seniors have children who are educated and settled, and so now, with duties duly served, they now want to experience life for themselves.

Perhaps thats the best way to understand the silver sabbatical. It is not simply about older Indians travelling more, it is about what hap pens when a generation that spent decades being useful decides to become curious again.

Anushka Patodia is an independent journalist from Mumbai. Her work spans food, travel and wellness; she also runs The Plate Project (@theplate_project) on Instagram.

Also Read | Embracing fitness: An exercise guide for seniors to thrive
Car lease and driver salary components may be include in an employee's compensation package as part of structured benefits offered by employers. These components fall under the category of perquisites under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and are subject to specific valuation rules for the purpose of taxation.

Drivers and cars in a compensation package are both considered perks. With respect to taxation, they are both considered salary but are not taxed like normal salary, said Siddharth Maurya, Founder & Managing Director of Vibhavangal Anukulakara Private Limited.

Taxpayers must also note that the inclusion of these components in salary packages requires appropriate reporting and compliance in line with guidelines set by the Income Tax Department.

How are these components taxed? The Income Tax Rules provide a way for companies to value these perks, so companies end up paying based on the notional value instead of what the company actually pays. "A company that provides a car and a driver for work and personal use ends up including only a specific value based on engine size and a use factor for that car, Maurya said.

He further noted that if the employer provides a driver, they must also consider a specific value for the driver. However, if the car is used only for company purposes and if the company provides the proper records, the valuation for the tax would be zero, and the company would be better off because the tax on the car would effectively be zero, Maurya explained.

To illustrate the calculation, Maurya explained a scenario in which an employee is provided a driver and a car as a part of his or her compensation. If it is assumed that an employer pays 30,000 a month for a car and 15,000 a month for a driver, the gross employer expenditure would amount to 45,000 a month.

Instead of adding the total to the employees taxable income, the tax regulations may value a car at approximately 5,000 a month, and a driver at approximately 3,000 a month, Maurya noted, stating that with this scenario, the employees taxable income is 8,000 a month or 96,000 in a year.

For an employee in the 30% tax bracket, the tax payable would be approximately 28,800 in a year, he said. This scenario is more beneficial than paying the driver and providing the car, amounting to a gross expenditure of 45,000, and subjecting the employee to a tax liability of 5.4 lakh a year.

Who can benefit the most from this perk? The key draw of a corporate car lease is tax efficiency, especially for those in higher tax brackets, as employees are taxed only on a portion of the car's cost funded by the employer. The total tax savings can range from 80,000 to 1.5 lakh, depending on the total cost of the car, whether or not a driver and car maintenance are included, and the employee's tax bracket, according to Maurya.

The main benefit is through the tax savings that come from being able to convert a cash component of the salary to a perquisite which has a lower and predetermined tax value, he said.
The Income Tax Department on Friday clarified that claiming house rent allowance (HRA) exemption does not automatically translate into significant tax savings, calling such assumptions a misconception and urging taxpayers to make informed decisions while planning their taxes.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the department said, HRA exemption does not necessarily result in similar tax savings." It also said that informed taxpayers make better financial and compliance decisions.

House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption allows salaried employees to reduce their taxable income on rental expenses. It is a key component of a person's salary and a portion of it can be claimed as tax exempt under specific conditions.

What determines the HRA? According to the Income Tax Department, the actual benefits from HRA exemption largely depends on how much rent you paid, your salary structure, and whether you live in a metro or non-metro city.

The HRA exemption is not a fixed amount but is calculated as the lowest of three components, which include:

The actual HRA received from employer

50% of basic salary those living in metro cities or 40% for non-metros

The rent paid minus 10% of basic salary. In simple terms, the tax benefit that can claim as HRA exemption is restricted to whichever of these three amounts is the smallest, according to ClearTax. Taxpayers must note metro cities include Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

Who can claim HRA exemption? There are certain conditions under which a salaried individual can claim HRA exemption under the income tax rules. Here are some of these rules:

Tax regime: HRA exemption is only available under the old tax regime.

HRA exemption is only available under the old tax regime. Residential status: The person must be residing in rented accommodation. Their rent payment must be verified by receipts.

The person must be residing in rented accommodation. Their rent payment must be verified by receipts. Property ownership: The individual must not own the house where they reside.

The individual must not own the house where they reside. Ownership exception: If you own a home in a different city, HRA can still be claimed for the rented place in the city where you are employed.

If you own a home in a different city, HRA can still be claimed for the rented place in the city where you are employed. Parents' home: Rent paid to parents can be claimed if they are the owners, provided it is disclosed as rental income in the parent's ITR.

Rent paid to parents can be claimed if they are the owners, provided it is disclosed as rental income in the parent's ITR. Documentation: Rent receipts, a rental agreement, Form 12BB, salary slip where HRA is incorporated, and the landlord's PAN (required if annual rent exceeds  1 lakh) must be provided. What to do if landlord's PAN is not available? If the landlord's PAN is not available, then a self-declaration along with their name and address must be submitted, stating that the owner of the property does not have a PAN, as per circular No. 8/2013 dated 10 October 2013.

According to Priyank Sharma, a Sebi-registered research analyst, the rule is meant to improve transparency and prevent misuse of rent-related tax benefits, such as HRA, in the Annual Information System.

In many cases, false rent claims were made using non-existent landlords or inflated rent amounts. By requiring the landlords PAN when annual rent exceeds 1 lakh, the tax authorities can verify whether the rental income is being correctly reported by the landlord, he told Mint.

Penalty for misreporting Some people may misuse the HRA exemption benefit by submitting fake rent receipts. Such cases may attract legal scrutiny and massive penalties. If a taxpayer does not properly disclose the landlord-tenant relationship or fails to provide the required details, the rent claim, such as HRA, can be disallowed during assessment, leading to higher taxable income and additional tax liability.

The tax authorities may also scrutinise the claim, and if it is found to be incorrect or false, a penalty can be imposed under Section 270A of the Income Tax Act, which ranges from 50% of the tax payable on under-reported income to 200% in cases of misreporting, Sharma said.
Indias new labour codes lay down provisions governing working hours, overtime, and related compensation for employees. The rules define standard working hours and specify conditions under which employees may be required to work beyond them, given that they are compensated for extra hours.

The government released new codes, merging 29 laws into four labour codes on Friday, November 21, with the aim of promoting ease of business while protecting workers' rights. These include the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code, and Occupational Safety Code.

The codes also outline limits on total working hours and mandate overtime pay at prescribed rates. As per the rules, employers must pay their staff twice the standard rate for any overtime work. Such provisions aim to standardise practices around extended work hours under the new regulatory framework.

Under Indian labour law, the normal working hours for employees in most factories and similar establishments are 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. These limits are designed to ensure basic protections around rest, health, and work-life balance. Any work beyond these mentioned hours will be treated as overtime and requires worker's consent, on top of the double pay.

Who are exempted from the overtime pay? Managerial or administrative employees are often excluded from the definition of worker in policy provisions and, as a result, the right to statutory overtime, according to Siddharth Maurya, Founder & Managing Director of Vibhavangal Anukulakara Private Limited.

Meanwhile for supervisory employees, considerations include wage caps and the nature of employment. If a supervisory employees work is regarded mostly as managerial or if the supervisory employees pay is above the limits set by the government, then the supervisory employee may not be entitled to statutory overtime, he said.

In the field of financial planning, this categorization is considered significant. Managerial employees should not regard overtime as a fixed income and should reorganize their total CTC, Maurya said, adding that, non-managerial employees are entitled to statutory overtime.

What can workers do if the employer refuses overtime pay, other rights According to Maurya, the first line of grievance redressal is internal, in which the employee should address the issue to the employer or line manager directly. If the issue is not resolved, or the employer cannot be contacted, the worker is permitted to bring the issue to the notice of the concerned authority. The concerned authority could be the Labour Commissioner or a government functionary who is an Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

It passes the employers boundary if the violation is of the Code on Wages. The employee can go a step further and submit a complaint to the concerned authority, such as a wage tribunal or a judicial magistrate appointed for the same, purpose he said.

Also Read | How new labour codes can boost tax savings under new tax regime  CAs weigh in

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The complaint should have details of employment, nature of violation, and supporting evidence like wage papers, attendance sheets, or employment agreements. Generally, there are limitations of time and place within which a complaint has to be submitted, usually within 2, 3, or sometimes 5 years from the date of violation, he said.

Besides the above, employees can seek the support of legal representatives or trade unions or both to strengthen their case. If necessary, disputes can be submitted to labour courts or industrial tribunals for resolution as a last resort.

Other provisions for workers Apart from the prescribed working hours and overtime pay, the new codes also mandate that employers must not discriminate between workers based on gender, including transgender identity, in recruitment, wages, or employment conditions for similar work.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday cancelled the banking licence Paytm Payments Bank for non-compliance with norms, saying that bank's operations were detrimental to the interest of its depositors. The central will now approach the High Court to request the closure of the bank. The development is concerning for users as many must be wondering what happens to their Paytm Wallet, UPI, and account now. But, first let's look at what RBI said:

What the RBI said? The central bank said in its statement, the Paytm Payments Bank failed to comply with the conditions stipulated in the Payments Bank licence issued to it.

The licence was cancelled effective from the close of business hours on Friday, the RBI said, adding that Paytm Payments Bank has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up.

The RBI also noted that the affairs of the bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to its own interests as well as its depositors.

"The general character of the management of the bank is prejudicial to the interest of depositors as also the public interest... no useful purpose or public interest would be served by allowing the bank to continue...," the RBI said in a statement.

Also Read | RBI pulls plug on Paytm Payments Bank, cites depositor risk

Paytm Payments Bank was not complying with certain norms of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, it added.

According to the central bank, Paytm Payments Bank Ltd is prohibited from conducting the business of "banking" or any additional business specified under the Banking Regulation Act with immediate effect.

But, what happens to your Paytm accounts now? First of all, your money is safe. RBI has specified in its statement that bank has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up.

Also, you can continue using the Paytm App for UPI, recharges, and payments etc as before.

Following the RBI action, One97 Communications, which owns Paytm brand, mentioned in its company filing that it has no exposure to Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) as it had already impaired its investment in the beleaguered entity as of March 31, 2024.

One 97 Communications Limited also said its key services, including the Paytm app, Paytm UPI, Paytm QR, Soundbox, card machines and Payment Gateway, will continue to operate uninterrupted despite regulatory action against its associate entity, Paytm Payments Bank Limited, by the Reserve Bank of India.

The company further clarified in its filing that its broader ecosystem, including Paytm Gold and Paytm Money, remains unaffected and will continue normal operations.
Europe offers a wide variety of travel experiencesfrom sun-soaked beaches and historic cities to scenic mountains and charming countryside escapes.But travelling to Europe can be expensiveunless you choose these beautiful yet budget-friendly destinations. If youre planning a trip with around 50,000 in hand, there are several countries you can visit comfortably. Here are five budget-friendly European destinations perfect for a 7-day getaway.

Where all you can travel in Europe with  50,000 Romania: Romania is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by travelers. However, this country has a lot to offer in terms of picturesque monasteries, solid stone churches, and stunning landscapes. You can explore the country's rolling hills and architectural marvels without worrying about your budget. The food and lodging costs are relatively low, and hotel stays can cost between 1,500 to 2,500 per day.

Portugal: Portugal has gained popularity in recent years due to its surf beaches, charming villages, and delectable pastries. Although prices around downtown Lisbon have increased, the rest of Portugal is still affordable. You can find budget-friendly hotels for around 1,500 to 2,500 per day.

Slovenia: Slovenia is a small country that is bordered by Hungary, Italy, and Austria. The country is known for its mountainous terrain, dense forests, and natural beauty. It is also extremely budget-friendly, and hotel charges would cost around 3,200 to 5,500 a night.

Also Read | Europe trip this summer? Avoid Schengen visa rejection with this simple hack

Slovakia: Slovakia is a popular tourist destination due to its breathtaking landscapes, including castles, mountains, and Bratislava. Dining and lodging should be the least of your concerns, as Slovakia has accessible food options and affordable hotels. Food and hotel expenses come to about 2,000 per day, and accommodation can cost around 3,500 to 4,500 per night.

Also Read | Good news! France scraps transit visa requirement for Indian Passport holders
Long story short: In a startling twist, a victim of a stabbing incident was revealed to be a murderer of a child in a three-decade-old case. "Salim Wastik", who had revamped his identity to become a famous YouTuber after killing a businessman's son in 1995, was recently arrested by the Delhi Police in Ghaziabad. In February this year, Salim was stabbed by two men who accused him of insulting the Prophet in his YouTube videos.

The full story The Delhi Police Crime Branch said on Saturday that they arrested Salim Wastik, an absconding accused in a 31-year-old kidnapping and murder case.

As per a statement shared by news agency ANI, police said that Salim Wastik, who has recently been in the news for his controversial statements and YouTube videos, was convicted of a serious crime in 1995 and had been evading the law for years.

They said the murder case dates back to 1995, when Sandeep Bansal, the 13-year-old son of a Northeast Delhi businessman, was kidnapped.

In 1997, the court sentenced Salim Khan and his accomplice Anil to life imprisonment.

After being granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court in 2000, Salim absconded and never returned, police said.

They further revealed that the investigations confirmed this using old records, fingerprints, and photographs. Police then arrested him in Loni, Ghaziabad.

According to NDTV, Salim has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Tihar jail on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and murder.

1995 murder case On January 20, 1995, Sandeep Bansal's 13-year-old son left for school in Delhi but never returned.

According to NDTV, the family searched the boy, but was unable to find him. The next day, the businessman received a call informing him that his son had been kidnapped.

The kidnapper had demanded a ransom of 30,000 for his safe release. They instructed the businessman to leave the money in a bus near the Loni flyover and warned that the child would be killed if he informed the police, the report added.

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The kidnappers instructed the businessman to leave the money in a bus near the Loni flyover and warned that the child would be killed if he informed the police. The family, however, immediately informed the police, and a case was filed at the Gokulpuri police station.

During the investigation, the businessman's neighbour reported seeing the child riding an autorickshaw with a tall boy named 'Masterji'.

Based on this input, police traced Saleem Khan (now Saleem Wastik). He reportedly confessed to the crime and led the cops to a drain in Mustafabad, where the child's body was recovered.

The false identity: Saleem Khan or YouTuber Saleem Wastik? Saleem Khan, who was then a martial arts instructor at a school in Daryaganj, had absconded after being granted interim bail on November 24, 2000. In 2011, the Delhi High Court upheld his sentence, but by then, he was still at large, NDTV reported.

Saleem declared himself dead and assumed a new identity. He reportedly lived under the aliases Salim Wastik and Salim Ahmed.

For the next 26 years, he lived hiding in areas like Karnal and Ambala in Haryana. According to NDTV, he worked as a wardrobe maker.

Later, in 2010, he moved to the Loni area in Ghaziabad, where he opened a women's clothing store.

Saleem also established himself as a social activist and YouTuber  who was soon known for his controversial statements and videos, especially on issues related to terrorism and religion. He earned a reputation as an ex-Muslim, Indian Express reported.

A Bollywood producer had also decided to make a biopic on him, NDTV and the Times of India reported. He was even given an advance of 1.5 million for the project. However, Saleem was arrested before this could happen.

The stabbing incident In February this year, Saleem alias Salim was stabbed multiple times by two men in his home in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, leaving him in a critical condition. Accordinf to the Times of India, he was stabbed more than 10 times in his abdomen.

A nearly four-minute CCTV footage of the incident showed the two men, identified as Zeeshan and his brother Gulfam, entering the YouTuber's home and slashing him with a knife.

The video clip showed Saleem sitting on his sofa and watching a video on his mobile phone when the two assailants - both wearing a kurta pyjama and jackets - entered his home through the glass door.

They arrived on a motorcycle without a number plate, wearing helmets that they did not remove. Within a few seconds, they began stabbing the YouTuber.

The assailants could be heard saying, "You are insulting our Prophet, you are insulting our Lord," NDTV reported.

The accused reportedly attempted to slit his throat. A case was filed by Saleem's son, Usman.
As the May 20 layoffs loom over thousands of Meta employees, social media has been flooded with anxiety-ridden, dark humour posts as they wait to learn who will be out of a job.

In a memo sent to staff on Thursday, Meta said it shared some layoff details earlier than usual because the news had already leaked. The company plans to cut around 10% of employees next month and close 6,000 open roles.

"I know this leaves everyone with nearly a month of ambiguity, which is incredibly unsettling," wrote Meta's chief people officer Janelle Gale.

What are the Meta employees saying? Welcome to 28 days of hell, wrote an employee on a thread posted on the anonymous workplace app Blind, under a section just for Meta workers  How are you motivating yourself to work for the next 1 month with layoffs confirmed?

I'm motivating myself to do stuff that I can put on my resume for my next job lol, wrote another employee.

An employee wrote that having to wait almost a month to find out who creates anxiety. A person, who shared that this was their first week at the company, wrote: It might be goodbye for me.

For some Meta employees, the official confirmation of layoffs provided a sense of relief. After weeks of intense internal speculation, the formal announcement finally ended the uncertainty, according to a Business Insider report, citing an anonymous source.

Among the top responses to Gales internal post was an image of an elephant, in reference to a clear nod to leadership finally "addressing the elephant in the room." Since Reuters first reported the planned layoffs in March, employees have spent weeks speculating on the true scale of the cuts.

"Elephant addressed!" commented another employee. "Addressed to: ELEPHANT: Another posted a picture of an envelope that read.

Another employee told Business Insider that the announcement added pressure for them to deliver results because it's unknown which teams will be affected by the cuts  I'm a little stressed about making an impact in the next month.

Although the pressure has intensified, this isnt the employee's first experience with company layoffs. Adopting a "business as usual" approach, an employee said they were preparing for the worst while navigating a month-long wait for further updates.

"I assume I'm always two months away from being laid off, no matter what leadership says, so I'm going to continue to operate as usual," the employee said.

Another employee asked if travel would be restricted the week of May 20. We are not restricting travel company-wide. VPs will share team-specific guidance, Gale responded.

I feel more anxious about surviving Some users asked why Meta couldn't offer voluntary buyouts like Microsoft and Google. Many posts were from users asking others for information about which groups might be affected.

In a longer post, one user said the downside might be surviving the cuts, I feel more anxious about surviving this layoff.
70-year-old heiress of Budget Rent a Car, Margaux Mirkin, was attacked during a home invasion on Thursday and was assaulted and strangled, KTLA reported today, citing police.

Here's what we know about the robbery attempt in the Hollywood Hills: According to the report, a group of masked men broke into the home on the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. About 30 minutes later, neighbours saw masked men moving around the property and contacted officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, who were called to the home.

Officers arrived at her Hollywood Hills residence in Los Angeles and learned that the attackers had left Mirkin inside her home after allegedly smashing her jaw and choking her. The 70-year-old heiress was taken to the hospital for her injuries, following which police reported that she was in stable condition.

While the full extent of the theft continues to be unclear, police said that the accused stole cash and jewelry from Mirkin's home. According to neighbours, some of the jewelry belongs to her late husband, who died in a house fire two years ago.

The individuals involved have not yet been apprehended.

The suspects fled Mirkin's home in a white Honda with jewelry and an unknown amount of cash. Further, it remains unclear how the two suspects got into the home, which is on top of a hill.

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A man who lives in the neighborhood said the scene was unsettling. "The street light was out, so its a dark street. Its at the top, a dead-end street, with not many people on it. So, of course, its like the perfect street for a break-in, Chris said.

Another said that the street is "dark" and a "dead-end street," adding that, "Not many people are on it, so of course its like the perfect street for a break-in."

Police respond to two other calls in Hollywood Hills In two separate incidents, police responded to two other calls in the Hollywood Hills area overnight. Around midnight, officers were called to the 2600 block of Reppert Court, where a homeowner reported that a back door was open. Investigators did not find evidence of a break-in. The second call came around 12:15 a.m. Someone on the 7900 block of Willow Glen reported hearing voices in their yard.

The Hollywood Hills calls come amid a month-long string of break-ins across the Los Angeles area.

Break-in cases across Los Angeles on the rise According to KTLA, earlier this week on Tuesday, police responded to at least four homes overnight as burglars continued a week-long wave of break-ins across the Los Angeles area.

Over a dozen homes have been targeted since the crime wave began earlier this month.

Home invasions are becoming increasingly common across Los Angeles, with recent cases reported in Sylmar, Sherman Oaks, Valley Glen, and Westwood. In many of these incidents, security footage shows masked individuals, but arrests have yet to be made.

Karen Bass, Los Angeles Mayor, has instructed the Los Angeles Police Department to step up patrols and allocate more resources, such as license plate readers, to help identify and apprehend those involved.
Public dissatisfaction with US President Donald Trump has reached an all-time high during his second term, with the latest polling average from The New York Times showing a clear majority of Americans unhappy with his performance.

According to the NYT report, this is the highest disapproval rating that Trump has faced since the end of his first term in 2020, in the aftermath of his re-election campaign loss and the January 6 US Capitol attack.

Gas prices up in the US due to the Iran war Weakening poll numbers against Trump come at a time when the US-Iran war has pushed gas prices higher in the US, with a growing number of Americans now expressing concerns regarding the economy. Similar findings have been drawn from a Reuters/Ipsos

poll, which was released on Friday, in which a clear majority of Americans are blaming Trump for higher gas prices, a move that is weighing on his Republican Party ahead of November's congressional midterm elections.

Roughly 77 per cent of the registered voters in the poll, which concluded earlier this week, said that the US President bears at least a fair amount of responsibility for the recent increase in gas prices, a move that was sparked by his decision to wage a war with Israel against Iran.

Trump's rating dips In a Marquette University Law School poll conducted last week, Trump's rating among political independents has dropped to 28 per cent. It is down from 39 per cent when he took office. Among Republicans, the US President also lost some ground. However, the vast majority of Republicans, nearly 80 per cent, still approve of his job performance.

As of Thursday, the Times polling average indicates that overall, Trump's net approval rating, the gap between those who approve and those who do not, stood at minus 19 percentage points.

Concerns about the US economy grow Concerns regarding the US economy are now growing, with seven in 10 voters saying that the economy is getting worse for them and their families. This number is up from 55 per cent just a year ago in a recent Fox News poll. Separately, economic anxiety has also seen a sharp uptick within Trump's base. Nearly half of Republicans now say the economy is getting worse, double the share who said the same last April.

This comes as Trump's approval on the economy stands at 34 per cent, and his approval on handling inflation is at just 28 per cent. It is worth noting that voters are far more likely to approve of his stance on immigration and the border. Nearly half of all voters, 46 per cent, approve of Trumps immigration policy.

Most Americans disapprove of war with Iran According to a YouGov poll, the majority of Americans continue to oppose the US's war with Iran, along with disapproving of Trump's handling of the situation. Most Americans say Washington should try to make a deal to end the war as quickly as possible, even though few think the US and Iran will reach an agreement in the next two weeks.

While 58 per cent of Americans oppose the war, only 31 per cent approve of it. Roughly 55 per cent of Americans also somewhat or strongly disapprove of the way Trump is handling the situation in Iran. Only 34 per cent approve of Trump's handling. That's about the same as last week.

US and Israel's war in Iran The US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury and Rising Lion in late February against Iran, targeting key military leaders. Since late February, the conflict escalated and dragged on for six weeks, after which a two-week ceasefire was announced. While the two sides came to negotiate in Pakistan's Islamabad to reach an agreement, the first round of talks failed, with the US imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, whereas the Islamic Republic continued to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and later denied engaging in a second round of talks with Washington, citing the naval blockade as the primary reason.
SHANGHAI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Society of International Law on Saturday issued a statement on upholding international law and opposing the illegal use of force.

The statement said that in recent months, there have been grave instances of illegal use of force in Latin America and the Middle East. It solemnly condemns the illegal acts of the United States and Israel, and believes that it is necessary to reaffirm the imperative of observing the Charter of the United Nations (the Charter) and international law in order to effectively safeguard international peace and security.

The statement added that the Charter constitutes the legal cornerstone of the post-World War II international order. Article 2(4) of the Charter establishes the fundamental principle under international law of the prohibition of the use of force: "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." "Territorial integrity" means "the inviolability of territory." The Charter expressly provides for only two exceptions to this prohibition of the use of force: actions authorized by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter and the exercise of the inherent right of self-defense of States referred to in Article 51 of the Charter.

The statement said that on Jan. 3 this year, the United States blatantly launched a military strike against Venezuela, forcibly seized Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and removed them to the United States. There is no lawful justification for this U.S. military operation. It seriously violates the principle prohibiting the use of force, severely infringes on Venezuela's territorial sovereignty, and grossly breaches the rule under international law regarding the personal inviolability and immunity of heads of State. It has brutally trampled on international law and the basic norms of international relations and must be rectified as soon as possible.

The statement further stressed that on Feb. 28 this year, the United States and Israel initiated large-scale military strikes against Iran. The armed conflict in the Middle East has continued to this date. The joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel have targeted multiple cities and regions including the capital Tehran. These actions constitute the use of force prohibited by international law, amount to an armed attack against and invasion of Iran, and violate the rule under international law regarding the personal inviolability of heads of State. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran finds no basis in international law; it is a serious illegal act and must cease immediately. Furthermore, the attacks on Iranian civilians and civilian objects, including schools, hospitals and energy facilities, also seriously violate international humanitarian law.

The statement called on all States, especially major States with special responsibilities and influence in international affairs, to abide by international law, practice international rule of law, and settle international disputes peacefully. It called on all States to resolutely oppose the illegal use of force in international relations, maintain international peace and security, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. 
US authorities have charged the roommate of a University of South Florida doctoral student, who was found dead after reportedly being missing for over a week, with murder, USA Today reported. Officials are still searching for a second missing student.

Two students, Zamil Limon and Nahida S Bristy, both 27, had been missing since April 16, when they were last seen in the Tampa area. Limon's remains were discovered on April 24, and his roommate, Hisham Abugarbieh, was arrested on multiple charges, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Also Read | Texas Man Charged With Attempted Murder of Sam Altman

The sheriff's office announced on Saturday morning that 26-year-old Abugarbieh is now being charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a weapon for the deaths of Limon and Bristy, who is still missing. He was previously facing charges of unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report a death with intent to conceal, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery.

While the sheriff's office noted that evidence was presented to the State Attorney's Office, officials would not divulge more details regarding the findings of the investigation. Additionally, it wasn't made immediately clear if Abugarbieh had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

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Deeply disturbing case: Sheriff Commenting on the incident, Sheriff Chad Chronister noted, "This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution," and added, "While the discovery of Zamil Limons remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth. We will continue to follow every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to hold those responsible fully accountable."

Missing student's remains found Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, in a news conference on Friday, said that Limon's remains were found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. An autopsy is being done on the remains to determine the manner and cause of Limons death, and those results are expected Saturday morning, Maurer said Friday.

Abugarbeih arrested for domestic incident According to the report, earlier in the day, law enforcement responded to an unrelated domestic incident related to the 26-year-old suspect in this case, and upon arrival, Abugarbieh "barricaded himself inside the residence" and refused to comply with commands to exit, the sheriff's office said. A SWAT team and other specialised units had to be dispatched to arrest Abugarbieh.

According to AP, he had been a USF student but was not currently enrolled. University records showed he had attended the school from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023, and had pursued a BS in Management, a university spokesperson said.

Search for Bristy continues The sheriff's office added that the search for Bristy continues, adding that anyone who has information regarding her disappearance should come forward to contact authorities. Limon and Bristy were reported missing by a family friend who hadn't heard from them on April 17.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday (local time) held a meeting with Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Iranian embassy in Pakistan announced on X.

The development comes a day after Iran's state media IRNA announced Araghchi's visit to Pakistan, renewing hopes of an end to the conflict. However, a senior Iranian official stated that his government's representatives have no plans to meet with senior US negotiators headed to Pakistan for talks.

In a post on X early Saturday (IST), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said, "No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Irans observations would be conveyed to Pakistan."

Here are the top developments in the US-Iran talks: 1. Baqaei, in his post, added, "We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending the American-imposed war of aggression and the restoration of peace in our region."

Also Read | US Iran War LIVE: Iran resumes commercial flights from Tehran airport

2. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday (local time) said that a US delegation comprising special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on Saturday morning to engage in direct talks with their Iranian counterparts. Speaking to Fox News, Leavitt said, "The Iranians reached out," adding that the Islamic Republic officials sought an in-person conversation, as US President Donald Trump had asked them to do. Leavitt further noted, "So the president is dispatching Steve and Jared to go hear what they have to say, and were hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal." Vice President JD Vance, who previously led the first round of talks on April 11 and 12, is reportedly on standby and will travel to Islamabad as and when the talks progress.

3. In a phone call with Reuters on Friday, Trump noted that Tehran will be making an offer, adding that he did not know what it would be yet and well have to see.

4. Earlier this week, Trump told the New York Post that a breakthrough in talks is "possible" and added that some "good news" regarding peace talks with Iran could come as soon as Friday. However, soon after Trump's remarks were made public, Iran's Tasnim news agency dismissed the claims, adding that Tehran has no plans to send a delegation to Islamabad.

5. The uncertainty in talks continues after the first round of talks failed. The negotiations, which occurred for 21 hours, concluded without an agreement, following which Trump enforced a naval blockade on Tehran, a move which prompted the Islamic Republic to retaliate by shutting the Strait of Hormuz again in less than 24 hours and not sending a delegation to Islamabad for talks with Washington.

6. Speaking to Reuters, Trump reiterated that the naval blockade would only end after a deal with Iran is finalised. On the contrary, Tehran has noted that an Iranian delegation would come to the negotiating table and reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the blockade is lifted.

7. On April 21, Trump announced that the ceasefire was being extended indefinitely. The US President said the decision followed a request from Pakistans leadership and cited internal divisions within Iran as a factor in pausing military action. "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," he said. Additionally, he noted that Irans internal political situation also influenced the decision, describing the government as seriously fractured.

However, it remains to be seen if the Iranian delegation will be in Islamabad as Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Pakistan.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) announced that he is canceling the visit of US envoys to Pakistan to engage in peace talks with the Iranian delegation.

Speaking to Fox News, he said, "I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing."

This comes after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation flew out of Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday (local time) after holding talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other top officials, Reuters reported.

Araghchi leaves without meeting the US delegation While the details of the talks were scant, Araghchi laid out Tehran's demands and its reservations about Washington's positions as Islamabad made a renewed attempt to end a war that has killed thousands across the Middle East and rattled the global energy markets.

According to a spokesman for the Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry, Araghchi was only meeting with Pakistani officials to convey the country's "observations", with no talks planned with the US delegation.

The development comes a day after Araghchi arrived in Islamabad for bilateral talks, a move that was seen to bring signs of a renewed peace deal between the US and Iran. While officials of the Islamic Republic clearly stated that they had no plans to meet the US delegation, the White House earlier said that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would travel to Pakistan on Saturday.

The two countries have been at an impasse after Tehran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow yet key waterway responsible for transporting a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, while the US has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran lays out demands, sets position According to a statement posted on the minister's official Telegram account, Araghchi "explained our country's principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran."

Asked about Tehran's reservations regarding the US's position in the talks, an Iranian diplomatic source in Pakistan said, "Principally, the Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands." Earlier, the US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Tehran had a chance to make a "good deal." He said, "Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely," and added, "All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways."

US-Iran peace talks in limbo again? The developments come after Trump announced earlier this week that there could be "good news" regarding peace talks with Iran and hinted at a "possible" breakthrough.

While Trump made these remarks, Tehran denied such claims, accusing the US President of lying. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the Islamic Republic did not make any such official statement about sending a delegation to Islamabad.

The peace talks between the two sides seem to be in limbo once again. Earlier this month, the two sides held negotiations in Islamabad for 21 hours. However, the talks concluded without reaching an agreement. Following this, Trump announced a blockade on Iranian ports, and in retaliation, Tehran continued its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian officials, the second round of talks would take place once the US removes the naval blockade, whereas the US President says that the blockade would stay in place until a deal is agreed upon.
Malis army said on Saturday it was battling armed fighters who attacked their barracks in Bamako and other parts of the country.

A Russian embassy official said Africa Corps, the Kremlin-controlled successor to mercenary group Wagners Africa operations, was supporting Malian forces fighting back militants outside the capital.

Our defense and security forces are engaged in neutralizing the assailants, the army chief of staff said in a Facebook post, later saying on the army channel FAMa TV that militants had attacked Bamako, the nearby town of Kati and other cities.

Residents reported smoke and explosions near Bamakos airport around 7:30 a.m. local time.

The rebel Azawad Liberation Front separately claimed an army helicopter was shot down in the northern city of Kidal. An army spokesman couldnt be reached for comment on this.

The assault comes as jihadist pressure on Bamako intensifies, with fuel disruptions and repeated attacks on military convoys destabilizing the capital in recent months. It also coincides with renewed US diplomatic engagement with Mali.

One al-Qaeda-linked group, Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, has been tightening its grip on the capital, raising fears of a broader escalation after a decade-long insurgency.

The violence unfolds as Mali  one of Africas top gold producers  emerges as a key lithium player, with Chinese-backed projects including the Goulamina mine underscoring its growing strategic importance in the industry.

The security challenges persist despite support from Russian-linked forces that replaced French troops, highlighting the fragile backdrop as global powers including the US, China and Russia vie for influence.

With assistance from Diakaridia Dembele.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Taking offence

With AI agents coming in to add to what was already an avalanche of automated email and messaging, the element of human effort is all but being taken out of the equation. And people take offence to that. What makes this moment more interesting is its timing. Just as people are beginning to push back against AI-generated messages, a new layer is about to arrive. AI agents are being designed to write, respond, follow up and even negotiate on our behalf. Communication is no longer just assisted by AI, it is beginning to be conducted by it.
Second, the rise of China  now clearly not the peaceful power Beijing once projected itself to be. "Hide your strength, bide your time" was the mantra given by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s-90s. The basic idea was that China would keep a low profile and focus inward. With Xi Jinping assuming office as Chinas president in 2013, Dengs mantra was jettisoned in favour of a far more assertive foreign policy.
As a serious contender, he should have secured a place in corporate folklore. Instead, remarkably little is known about him today. After the swift collapse of his fortunes, it is almost as if Kapal Mehra was erased from memory.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered its most devastating parliamentary blow yet on Friday as seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including former party loyalist Swati Maliwal and one-time deputy leader Raghav Chadha, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party  with Maliwal delivering a searing public attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of orchestrating physical assault against her, suppressing her voice in Parliament, and running a party defined by "corruption and gundagardi."

Swati Maliwal Joins BJP: What She Said and Why Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday, delivering a blistering public indictment of her former party chief Arvind Kejriwal as she announced her departure from the Aam Aadmi Party. Her allegations were pointed, personal, and unsparing.

"I have left the AAP and joined the BJP. Since 2006, I have been working with Arvind Kejriwal and supported him during every agitation. However, Arvind Kejriwal had me beaten up by a goon in my own house. I was threatened when I raised my voice against it, and he put immense pressure on me to withdraw the FIR I lodged regarding this incident. I was denied any opportunity by the party to speak in Parliament for two years; this is very shameful. Arvind Kejriwal is anti-women," she said.

Maliwal did not stop at the personal. She levelled a series of broader political charges against the AAP leadership, particularly targeting its governance of Punjab. "Now, they have entered Punjab, and the state government is being remotely controlled, turning Punjab into their personal ATM. Sand mining and drug usage are at a peak in Punjab. FIRs are registered against all those leaders who raise their voices against them. Arvind Kejriwal is known for corruption and gundagardi," she said.

On her reasons for joining the BJP, Maliwal was unequivocal: "I joined the BJP not under any compulsion, but because I believe in the leadership of PM Modi. I urge all those who want to do constructive politics to join the BJP."

Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal: Two-Thirds of AAP's Upper House Bloc Defects Maliwal's defection was part of a sweeping exodus. Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha  who had recently been stripped of his position as the party's deputy leader in the Upper House  along with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal also formally joined the BJP on Friday, formalising a split that had been building for weeks. Chadha addressed a press conference in the national capital to announce that two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha membership would be merging with the ruling party.

The trio joined the BJP in the presence of party national president Nitin Nabin at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, where they were formally welcomed into the fold. Also joining the party were MPs Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, and Rajinder Gupta  bringing the total number of defecting AAP parliamentarians to seven.

BJP Welcomes the Defectors  and Sets Its Sights on Viksit Bharat The BJP's response was warm and swift. Nabin took to X to extend his welcome, writing: Welcomed Raghav Chadha Ji, Sandeep Pathak Ji, and Ashok Mittal Ji to the BJP family at the Party HQ today. Also, best wishes to Harbhajan Singh Ji, Swati Maliwal Ji, Vikram Sahney Ji, and Rajinder Gupta Ji to work under the dynamic leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji towards the goal of #ViksitBharat2047.

Maliwal, in her remarks, also made a pointed reference to recent national security and legislative milestones under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "Be it during Operation Sindoor, when we killed enemies by entering their homes and ending Naxalism in the nation, or introducing the women's reservation bill in Parliament, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have taken historic decisions for the development of the nation," she said.

AAP Reels as the Defections Trigger Furious Backlash The departures drew furious reactions from AAP's remaining leadership, even as the BJP moved to capitalise on the moment. For a party that has long positioned itself as an anti-establishment alternative to both the BJP and the Congress, losing two-thirds of its Rajya Sabha representation in a single day represents a wound that will be difficult to absorb  particularly as it continues to battle legal and political pressures on multiple fronts.
While the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is just months away, we have now begun to see leaks about even Apple's upcoming iPhone after that. A fresh report has revealed Apple's plans for the 20th Edition iPhone, which could include the company using a display mechanism that has long been used by Android smartphone makers.

What is Apple planning with 20th Edition iPhone? As you may have already gathered, leaks have suggested for a while that Apple will likely be ditching the iPhone 19 moniker in favour of the 20th Edition iPhone. However, a new leak has suggested a major display overhaul for the upcoming flagship iPhone.

As per tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple is said to be working with Samsung to make Pol-less screens for the 20th Edition iPhone with four micro-curves and a small curvature.

While leaks have previously suggested that the phone could have a quad-curved display, the use of a micro-curved panel could mean that the glass would taper off at all four edges. This should give the 20th Edition iPhone the appearance of thinner bezels and a more immersive display experience without the accidental touches that usually come with quad-curved panels.

Also Read | Harvard student uses Claude to build anti-Grammarly tool to add typos to email

What to expect from 20th Edition iPhone? Mark Gurman had noted in an earlier report that Apple is planning to launch the 20th Edition iPhone with a mostly glass, curved display without any cutouts. The reporter had noted that it would mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone X that had started the transition to an all-screen, glass-focused design of iPhones.

Notably, Apple is also said to be using a brighter and thinner OLED panel for the 20th anniversary iPhone, and the company is planning to use a Samsung panel with Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) technology to remove the polarizing film that comes on an OLED panel.

The company is said to be working towards removing the Dynamic Island and selfie camera cutout completely in order to deliver a full-glass design. Apple is already said to be reducing the size of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, and the 20th Edition iPhone could be the next step for the Cupertino-based tech giant.

Meanwhile, Digital Chat Station had also previously noted that Apple was testing under-screen camera technology for the 20th-anniversary iPhone in order to maintain an uninterrupted viewing experience on the device.

The company is also said to be developing a new battery technology for its flagship iPhone by using pure silicon anode batteries to store more lithium ions per gram than the batteries used on current iPhones. This could lead to a significant increase in battery life without actually increasing the battery size, according to a MacRumors report.

The 20th Edition iPhone is also expected to come with Apple's own modem that could outperform its Qualcomm rival.

Reportedly, Apple's in-house modems are said to be more efficient than Qualcomm modems because of the company being able to better integrate the different hardware components. The use of its in-house modem is also expected to improve the battery life on the 20th Edition iPhone.
Apple is not bringing its iPhone 18 this year, at least that's what the leaks say for now. However, the company seems to be preparing a big upgrade on the performance front for its standard iPhone.

As per a new post on X by analyst Dan Nystedt, the iPhone 18 could come with 12GB of RAM, the highest memory configuration for an iPhone. Notably, Apple had launched the iPhone 17 Pro series last year with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB on their predecessors, and the standard iPhone 18 could get the same upgrade this year.

Also Read | Why Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cooks New Job Is Going To Be Even More Complex

It's not entirely clear why Apple may be making the shift to 12GB of RAM on the iPhone 18, but it could be linked to the company's Apple Intelligence features. Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of Siri along with a bunch of other AI features at its WWDC 2026 conference in June, which would ship with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September. It's likely that Apple may be looking to strengthen its iPhone in anticipation of running these features.

Meanwhile, Nystedt also noted that Apple has procured TSMC's 2nm chip production run for the iPhone 18 series' A20 chipset. The new processor is said to bring 15% better processing power than its predecessor along with no loss in power efficiency.

When will iPhone 18 arrive? If rumours are to be believed, Apple has shifted its product strategy, which could lead to the standard iPhone 18 not releasing this year. Instead, the phone may arrive alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 in 2027. Notably, reports have suggested that Apple is moving to a staggered release schedule in an effort to reduce supply chain pressure and manage costs amid recent memory chip shortages.

The company is also lining up to unveil its first-ever foldable device this year, which could be named iPhone Ultra/Fold.

What to expect from iPhone 18? The iPhone 18 could come with the same 6.3-inch OLED ProMotion display as last year with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is likely to get the same smaller Dynamic Island as the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, which could be around 35% smaller in size than the predecessor.

Apple could also bring a cost-cutting measure to the iPhone 18 by simplifying the Camera Control button. While the Camera Control on iPhone 17 comes with capacitive and pressure sensors, the iPhone 18 could come with only pressure sensors for all Camera Control tasks.

Another upgrade that could arrive on the iPhone 18 from its siblings is the addition of a 24-megapixel Centre Stage selfie camera, up from the 18MP lens on its predecessor.
CHITA, Russia, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Trans-Baikal Foreign Economic Forum "New Horizons - 2026" was held on April 23 to 24 here, serving as an off-site platform for Russia's Eastern Economic Forum. The event has brought together experts and representatives from Russia, China and Mongolia for the fourth consecutive year.

"We have excellent opportunities to build robust international transport corridors, which matter not only for China, Russia and Mongolia, but also carry profound significance for the entire Eurasia," said Governor of the Russian Trans-Baikal Region Alexander Osipov.

"The unique Silk Road and ancient tea road once connected Asia and Europe, turning this region into a transport, cultural and historical crossroads in Eurasia," said Tsogtbayar Shurenchimeg, director general of Mongolia's Great Tea Route Development Foundation. "Our ancestors cooperated, made friends, and jointly built these routes."

Xu Dehong, a professor at China's Xi'an International University, noted that inland regions without seaports need to develop land and air transport hubs to drive economic growth.

The Trans-Baikal Region boasts abundant mineral reserves, forest resources, and agricultural and livestock products, said Xu, noting that it is also home to Chita Railway Station, a key junction on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and major road transport hubs, which create favorable transport conditions for building an international inland port.

Statistics show that since the start of this year, over 110,000 tourists have crossed the border via the Zabaykalsk international checkpoint, marking an increase of 64.7 percent compared with the same period last year.

"Residents of the Trans-Baikal Region view trips to China's Manzhouli and Hailar as a casual visit to a neighboring village to buy quality goods. Meanwhile, we are also making efforts to attract tourists from China," said Bulat Amagabazarov, director of Silver Ring, a tourism company in the Trans-Baikal Region. 
The United States has initiated a global diplomatic push alleging intellectual property theft by Chinese AI companies, according to a diplomatic cable seen by Reuters. The warning arrives shortly after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made a grand comeback in the AI arena as it launched its highly anticipated V4 model, which is adapted for Huawei chip technology and is claimed to be on par with Gemini 3.1 Pro and GPT-5.4 on various tasks.

US warns about Chinese AI models:

According to the Reuters report, the cable sent to US diplomatic posts globally on Friday asked officials to speak to their foreign counterparts about "concerns over adversaries' use and distillation of US AI models."

"A separate demarche request and message has been sent to Beijing for raising with China," the document reportedly notes.

It also explicitly names DeepSeek, alongside other Chinese AI firms Moonshot AI and MiniMax, in connection with these unauthorized campaigns.

Notably, distillation is a technique where a smaller AI model is trained to mimic the outputs and behaviour of a larger, more advanced model to cut development costs.

Reuters reports that the White House had made similar allegations earlier this week, although the cable itself had not been previously disclosed.

The State Department warned that while these distilled models appear to perform comparably on select benchmarks at a fraction of the cost, they do not replicate the full performance of the original systems.

"AI models developed from surreptitious, unauthorized distillation campaigns enable foreign actors to release products that appear to perform comparably on select benchmarks at a fraction of the cost but do not replicate the full performance of the original system," the cable reportedly read.

It noted that the purpose of the cable was to warn of the risks of utilizing AI models distilled from U.S. proprietary AI models, and lay the groundwork for potential follow-up and outreach by the U.S. government.

China's response to allegations:

The Chinese Embassy in Washington dismissed the accusations, calling them "groundless" and describing them as deliberate attacks on the country's AI progress.

"The allegations that Chinese entities are stealing American AI intellectual property are groundless and are deliberate attacks on China's development and progress in the AI industry," the Chinese embassy in Washington told Reuters.

DeepSeek did not respond to the latest controversy, but the Chinese AI startup has previously stated that its V3 model uses naturally occurring data collected through web crawling, rather than intentionally using synthetic data generated by OpenAI.
Mugshot of Rogelio Martinez, 46, who was arrested April 24, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, on a charge of assault family violence impeding breath or circulation. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office U.S. Border Patrol patch on an agent on March 6, 2026. David Gomez Jr. /Laredo Morning Times

An off-duty Border Patrol agent was arrested after strangling his girlfriend and forcing her toward a vehicle during an argument, according to the Laredo Police Department.

Officers responded at about 6:35 p.m. April 24 to a reported assault at the Laredo South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in the 1100 block of Galveston Street.

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A woman told officers her boyfriend, identified as Rogelio Martinez, assaulted her by impeding her breathing and attempted to force her toward a vehicle, police said.

A witness at the scene corroborated the womans account.

Martinez fled before officers arrived but was later located near Ben-Cha Road and Emerald Valley Drive and taken into custody without incident.

Jail records show Martinez, 46, was charged with assault family violence impeding breath or circulation, a third-degree felony.

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Mugshot of Rodolfo Abrego, 37, who was arrested April 24, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, on three counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office A Laredo Police Department 175th Anniversary patch on June 2, 2025, at City Hall. David Gomez Jr./Laredo Morning Times

A man was arrested after a crash left multiple people injured, including a 3-year-old child who was airlifted with critical injuries, according to the Laredo Police Department.

Officers responded at about 2:13 p.m. April 24 to a major crash in the 500 block of U.S. Highway 83 near Diaz Street.

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An investigation determined a Dodge pickup failed to yield while turning and collided with a northbound Cadillac XTS, police said.

All occupants of the Cadillac and the driver of the Dodge Ram were transported to Laredo Medical Center.

A 3-year-old passenger was later airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio with critical injuries.

Due to the severity of the crash, the LPD Crash Team was requested to investigate.

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The driver of the Dodge pickup was identified as 37-year-old Rodolfo Abrego, police said. He was medically cleared and charged with three counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony.
Melanie Ashley Villarreal was indicted on a murder charge after a fentanyl delivery resulted in death. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office

A woman accused of the first fentanyl murder indictment under a recent law change pleaded guilty during a hearing in the 111th District Court before Judge Monica Z. Notzon in a case dating back to Sept. 15, 2023.

Melanie Ashley Villarreal was charged Feb. 5, 2025, by a Webb County grand jury with murder after she delivered a fatal fentanyl dose to Juan Miguel Esquivel.

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After being taken into custody in July 2025, she appeared in court and pleaded not guilty at a July 9 hearing. Months later, Villarreal pleaded guilty to murder during an April 9 hearing in the 111th District Court, where Notzon accepted the plea and ordered a presentence investigation.

Murder is a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison.

The case is set for sentencing on May 4.

Background

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Authorities said Villarreal delivered fentanyl to Esquivel at her house.

An investigation by the state-federal fentanyl overdose task force, which the District Attorney's Office is part of, led to the indictment, according to authorities.

This is the first prosecution brought under the new state law that classifies the delivery of fentanyl leading to the death of an individual as murder, the District Attorneys Office said.

Texas law authorizes prosecutors to charge individuals with murder for supplying fentanyl that results in a fatal overdose, effective Sept. 1, 2023.

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Under House Bill 6, this action is classified as fentanyl poisoning or fentanyl toxicity on death certificates.
A former Dallas police sergeant was sentenced to prison after stealing department-issued firearms and selling them to a pawn shop. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A former Dallas police sergeant will spend more than two years on the other side of a jail cell after admitting to selling stolen service weapons to a pawn shop.

Thomas Michael Fry, 53, was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison Friday after pleading guilty to possession and sale of a stolen firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.

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Court records show Fry stole at least three department-issued firearms in June and July 2022 and sold them to a pawn shop in Oklahoma.

"This police officer violated his oath and the public's trust when he chose to commit a crime," U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in a statement. "We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to root out the few bad apples among their ranks."

Fry's case dates back to incidents between June and July 2022, when investigators say he took the weapons from a Dallas Police Department substation and pawned them across state lines.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dallas Police Department led the investigation and said the case underscores the broader issue of accountability within law enforcement.

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"This case strikes at the core of public trust," ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner said. "The very individuals entrusted to safeguard our communities must be held to the highest standard."
The University of Houston and DHR Health have broken ground on a new medical research and education center in McAllen, Texas. University of Houston

A major investment in the Rio Grande Valley is taking shape, as leaders break ground on a new medical research and education center.

The University of Houston and DHR Health officially broke ground this week on a new facility in McAllen designed to expand access to care and train the next generation of health care professionals in one of Texas fastest-growing regions.

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The project, backed by a $15 million state appropriation, will span four stories and 64,000 square feet, serving as a hub for clinical training, research and academic programs.

University leaders say the investment is about more than just a buildingit's about addressing long-standing gaps in care. And for a region that has historically faced challenges with access to health care and retaining medical professionals, the goal is to train providers locallyso they stay local.

"This partnership is now becoming a reality in a way that will directly impact how we train physicians and deliver care in South Texas," Jonathan McCullers, UH vice president of health affairs and dean of the Fertitta College of Medicine said.

According to UH, the Rio Grande Valley has long struggled to retain physicians and specialists, with many leaving for larger metro areas. By expanding education and research opportunities within the region, leaders hope to create a pipeline that keeps talent closer to home.

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The center is also expected to create jobs and strengthen the local workforce, with estimates ranging from 150 to 200 positions tied to the project.

Rendering of the new UH/DHR medical research and education center University of Houston

DHR Health, which operates more than 70 facilities across the Valley, will serve as a key partner, offering clinical training and research opportunities alongside UH's academic programs.

"Our mission has always been to elevate the quality of health care and medical education in the Rio Grande Valley," said Susan Turley, president of DHR Health. "Partnering with the University of Houston allows us to accelerate that mission and bring new resources, research collaborations and training opportunities to the region."

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The facility itself is designed to bring those efforts togetherhousing classrooms, simulation-based learning spaces, research labs and faculty offices under one roof.

For UH, the project represents a broader push to expand its footprint beyond Houston and build a more statewide presence in health education.

"Together, we are expanding horizons for our students and researchers, while improving health in the fast-growing Rio Grande Valley," UH President Renu Khator said.
KP George's primary loss and felony conviction were just the start of the mess around the Fort Bend County Judge position. Sharon Steinmann/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Last month, incumbent judge KP George was convicted on felony money laundering charges. He placed fifth in the March GOP primary for the position. George previously ran as a Democrat in 2018 and 2022 and won election handily. He switched parties last June and could now face permanent removal from office following the felony conviction.

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However, his April 10 suspension is not tied to the money laundering conviction. Instead, it's connected to a September 2025 civil lawsuit filed by a Fort Bend County resident who sought to remove him from office, arguing he violated her First Amendment rights by removing her from the commissioners court.



George told the woman, "You don't have a First Amendment right here in this courtroom."



"The above-referenced conduct by K.P. George indicates either, gross ignorance of his official duties, gross carelessness in the discharge of those duties, or unfitness or inability to promptly and properly discharge official duties because of a serious physical or mental defect that did not exist at the time of the officer's election," the lawsuit states.



Texas's eighth-most-populous county did not have a county judge for a few days. Not until a visiting judge from Galveston County stepped in to bring order.



Judge Jeth Jones, who presided over the hearing for George's suspension, swore in former Sugar Land city council member Daniel Wong to be the interim judge on April 13. Wong, who handily won the Republican primary for the position in March, will have a clear head start over his Democratic challenger in the November general election. Dexter McCoy, who serves on the commissioners court, will face fellow Democrat Rachelle Carter in a May runoff.



Barely two weeks into his tenure, residents in the community are sounding off.

'Entirely unjustified'

Shortly after Wong's appointment, the Fort Bend County Democratic Party issued a statement saying it "highlights a concerning pattern of partisan politics that threatens the fairness and representation in our local government."

"Appointing a nominee as an interim judge is entirely unjustified," Dr. Jennifer Cantu, the Chairwoman for the Fort Bend County Democratic Party, wrote.

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McCoy agreed with the sentiment.

"Judge Jones abandoned judicial independence and chose to put his thumb on the scale of our elections," McCoy's campaign said.

HAPPENING NOW: Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong is presiding over his first commissioners court meeting. Not everyone is happy to see it. There are a number of people here planning to address Wongs appointment. More on @abc13houston at 5 & 6. pic.twitter.com/I0GXsZ2JEQ  Nick Natario (@NickABC13) April 23, 2026

Dems have also sounded the alarm about two of Wong's recent appointments. Trever Nehls, the current Republican candidate for Texas' 22nd Congressional District, the same seat held by his outgoing twin brother, U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, will serve as his Chief of Staff. Wong said that the office didn't have the "luxury of time" when filling out his staff as he only had 60 hours from the time he was sworn in to do so.

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The fact that Wong, who is his party's nominee for the position, will technically be the incumbent come November, spilled into Wong's first commissioner's court meeting on Thursday. Rosenberg resident Vanessa Luna held up a sign that simply read, "Wrong Daniel Wong Wrong Wrong Wrong." She added to her thoughts once she was inside the meeting.

"I think that you, as an individual with character ... wait, do you actually have character? Do you know the definition of character?" she asked the court, referring to Wong but not mentioning him by name. "Well, if you have good character, you should remove your behind from that position and wait for the political party to vote for you later on. I have no problem with that."

Wong stated he would lead with "honesty" and "integrity." One of the first votes to fall under his watch? Whether the outgoing George would have his salary funded while he served his suspension.

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A new information and support website, CLDAF.ie (County Longford Drug and Alcohol Forum) has been launched to provide online support for citizens and professionals tackling substance misuse.

The launch, which took place in the Longford Arms Hotel, was attended by a variety of professionals including the Longford Gardai, the HSE, the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and Merchants Quay Ireland.

Amy Leavy and Siobhan Cronogue PPN, Maria Nichel and Jacinta Brady (Leap) at the launch of the County Longford Drug and Alcohol Forum (CLDAF) website cldaf.ie Picture: Shelley Corcoran

The website, CLDAF.ie, promotes links to a wide range of helpful services for adults, parents and under-18s in Longford in relation to substance misuse.

The site also connects visitors to information such as up-to-date drug names - a valuable resource for parents and professionals dealing with young people and who wish to familiarise themselves with the ever changing database of narcotic nicknames.

READ NEXT: Longford artists invited to enter this year's AIB Portrait and AIB Young Portrait Prizes

In praising the new resource, Inspector Declan McGlynn said Its a fantastic graduation from what was a paper-based project, growing over 18 years to today, where we're IT friendly.

Inspector McGlynn added, "The site is a one-stop shop for support and guidance in a wide number of areas. It provides incredible support for Longford community groups and families."

"Were dealing with some very, very sensitive topics here, but this is the most positive way to deal with them."

At the launch of the County Longford Drug and Alcohol Forum (CLDAF) website cldaf.ie were Angela Moran, Breda Greaves, Emer Maguire and Siobhan Martin

Addressing the crowd, Inspector Patrick McGirl discussed Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement (DRIVE), which concentrates on helping people experiencing drug related intimidation and violence."

READ NEXT: Longford residents awoken from house by neighbours during arson attack on property

Said Insp McGirl, If someone is in the throes of addiction and their family is affected by drug related intimidation, that can take numerous forms such as threats, online threats, intimidation, and criminal damage to the extent of windows being broken and houses being burned."

Insp McGirl added, "I dont have to go into detail of the serious incidents that have happened recently in Longford as Im sure youre aware of them but all of those have come under the umbrella of drug related intimidation.

For more, visit CLDAF.ie

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TOKYO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- "This place has hidden the truth about Japan's history of aggression. I want to reveal it to more people." Standing at the entrance of the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, 89-year-old Junichi Hasegawa told Xinhua.

Having served as a member of the Shinjuku ward assembly in Tokyo for nearly 30 years, Hasegawa now heads an organization that guides tours of war-linked sites across Tokyo.

Since 2010, he has led visits to Yasukuni Shrine more than 400 times, sometimes with groups of a dozen or more, sometimes with just two or three people.

On each visit, Hasegawa hands out a booklet he has spent years compiling, one that methodically exposes how the shrine conceals wartime atrocities and glorifies Japan's history of aggression.

"I was born in 1937, son of a Japanese soldier who fought in China," Hasegawa said. After World War II (WWII), he began reflecting on the past and came to feel a deep responsibility to tell the true history behind Yasukuni Shrine.

"The shrine looks peaceful on the surface, but in reality, traces of aggression are everywhere." As he spoke, Hasegawa led Xinhua reporters to a large stone lantern near the second torii gate. On its base, a relief carving depicts three soldiers charging toward a railway with explosives.

Since modern times, Japan has launched a series of aggressive wars against foreign countries, including the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, the War of Aggression against China by Japanese Invaders, and the Pacific War. The vast numbers who died in those conflicts have been enshrined at Yasukuni, making it a central pillar of Japan's war mobilization system.

Hasegawa explained how Japanese militarism used the shrine to mobilize the public for war: "Those who die in battle are 'deified' here, and through that, the public is fed a certain idea that if you die in war, you die for the emperor and can be worshiped as a 'divinity.' Therefore, you should be willing to march off to the front."

In 1978, 14 WWII Class-A war criminals were enshrined in Yasukuni, including Hideki Tojo. For countries such as China and South Korea, which suffered immensely from Japanese aggression, Hasegawa said, "this is clearly unacceptable."

Hasegawa has traveled to east China's Nanjing three times to express remorse and has visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

He showed reporters a passage he wrote in 2018: "I apologized on behalf of my father when I was 70 and 80 years old. When I turn 90, I want to travel to Nanjing again."

Today, Japanese right-wing forces continue to use Yasukuni Shrine to push a revisionist view of history, one that whitewashes aggression and glorifies war, especially among younger generations.

"In recent years, Yasukuni has tried to present itself as an ordinary shrine, even branding itself as a popular destination for cherry blossom viewing," Hasegawa said.

Because the shrine deliberately obscures and sanitizes the history of aggression, visitors exposed to such narratives risk walking away with a distorted understanding of the past, he added.

That is precisely why Hasegawa keeps coming back.

"I will keep speaking out," he said. "More people need to know the truth about Yasukuni Shrine." 
The UK Government is taking a dangerous path with amendments to the Legacy Bill, John Finucane has said.

The Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast said he has received no assurances on changes to the framework which risks becoming veterans legislation.

On entering government in 2024, Labour pledged to repeal and replace the previous Conservative governments Legacy Act which ended police investigations into Troubles-related killings and established a new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Labours Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.

Last week, the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn pushed back the Governments Troubles Bill, saying it will return to Parliament with substantial amendments including additional protections and reassurances for veterans.

Mr Finucane said he was very concerned about the updates to the long-awaited legislation.

He told the Press Association at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Belfast: You would be forgiven for forgetting that this is actually a victims legislation, youd be forgiven for thinking that this is actually veterans legislation.

It was a very partial, partisan statement by the British government to further embolden and protect a body of people that were actually victim-makers in our conflict here.

And I think to elevate one section of people above another is very dangerous and, precedent has shown us, not the wisest way to go about dealing with legacy.

There has to be a process put in place that can deliver for everybody and to elevate one section of people above another is a very dangerous path.

He added: There are a lot of victims of state violence, state violence can take the form of people in a uniform or people not necessarily in a uniform, and they are being asked to entrust in a process where the very British government that is legislating for this is going out of their way, bending over backwards, to very cynically protect veterans as a result of their own self interest.

Mr Finucane said he had personally spoken with the Northern Ireland Secretary to ask for further clarity on what the new measures will entail.

Well wait and see what exactly is in the detail, but certainly as a direction of travel this is something that has caused concern, not just to us politically, but certainly to a lot of people who we represent, he said.

He added: Theres nothing that the Secretary of State has said that would provide me with any assurance having listened to what he has said publicly this week.

A public inquiry is due to get under way into the murder of Mr Finucanes father, Pat Finucane, and he reiterated his partys call for a full public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown.

Mr Brown, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones GAA Club in the Co Londonderry town of Bellaghy, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

His widow Bridie Brown, who has led a decades-long campaign for answers about her husbands murder  which an excess of 25 people have been linked to, including several state agents  was in attendance at the first day of the Ard Fheis.

I cant think of another family who have had the endorsement of five High Court judges and a PSNI Chief Constable in calling for a public inquiry, Mr Finucane said.

I think its shameful that a woman whos nearly 90 is being brought to the Supreme Court in London over what is essentially an academic legal point.

I think the British government have the power to grant a public inquiry, they have the ability to do that efficiently and effectively, and they are refusing to do so.

And that feeds into the wider confidence in the legacy context for lots of families who maybe are not the Brown family, but look to the Brown family as inspiration, look to the Brown family and see if thats how theyre being treated, how would we be treated.

A UK Government spokesperson said: The Troubles Bill is about enabling victims, survivors and families still seeking answers about the deaths of their loved ones to find them.

The immunity provisions in the Legacy Act, which were rejected across Northern Ireland and by the courts, are being repealed. And we are putting in place safeguards for any veteran asked to provide information, because of the special duty of care the state has to those who served.

As the Secretary of State has repeatedly said, nothing in the Bill will be contrary to the Governments domestic and international legal obligations, or the framework agreement with the Irish Government.
The Linenhall Castlebar has released its May line-up, which includes the theatre, cinema, and visual art.

Irelands national festival celebrating the arts and ageing, Bealtaine, inspires Creative Connections, which is guided by Denise Guilfoyle and Terry McDonagh. The series is a five-part drama workshop which runs weekly until May 26.

On May 7, a free Azure Tour of the gallerys exhibitions is set to take place. People living with dementia and their family, friends or carers are invited to attend, with Visual Artist Norah Brennan guiding and giving insight.

READ MORE: River Moy Action Group in Leinster House to discuss decline of salmon

On May 14, Betty Gannon will lead the Urban Sketch Club to share skills of sketching and drawing in a free workshop.

On May 9, The Connaught Collage Collective turns two and will celebrate and will mark the occasion with a Big Paper Paste Party. The session will be led by artist Anthony D Kelly, and is open to everyone.

On Thursday, May 7, Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes will be staged at the Linenhall. Set in Paris in 1898, Will Govan plays an exiled Wilde as he looks back on his extraordinarily colourful life, ruminating on love, fame, family and misfortune with his infamous wit and irreverence.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Linenhall Film Club will screen Dragonfly.

More information is available on the Linenhall website.
Mayo Public Participation Network is set to host its Spring 2026 Information Evening and County Plenary. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 29, at 7pm in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar.

The evening will include information on the First Choice Credit Union Community Fund as well as money and budgeting advice from MABS, Tulsa Fostering, and Leave No Trace Irelands newly launched Strategic Plan.

The evening is also set to feature the launch of Mayo PPNs Linkage Groups.

Community participation and representation are core functions of the Public Participation Network, and Linkage Groups are the way that Mayo PPN members have input into policy in their area of operation.

READ MORE: Mayo senator welcomes breakthrough for major development in Ballina

Linkage Groups work by bringing together PPN member organisations with a common interest to discuss their diverse views and interests in a specific policy area and have their position represented at the Strategic Policy Committee level in Mayo.

PPN members will have the opportunity to register for inaugural Linkage Group sessions in the areas of: Housing, Roads & Sustainable Travel; Planning & Corporate Development; Climate Change & Environment; and Community, Integration, and Recreation.
ONE might be tempted to say, theres ink running through her veins. When your great-great-grandfather was a painter, and your grand-father was a talented calligrapher, then its no understatement to say that youve got the talent in your genes.

Mayo woman Karen Brennan has 35 years of experience in traditional penmanship and illuminated lettering. Originally hailing from Castlebar, Brennan lives and works in Dublin now. Her artistic roots reach far back.

My grand-father William Brett was from a line of artists himself. We actually have a photograph of his grandfather whos holding a palette and that would have been kind of the 1860s. Hes holding a paint palette and hes surrounded by his family and I often think that thats going back to the Famine times. The art is so strong in our family still because it probably kept the family alive back in Famine times.

Brennan reckons he was probably painting for the church or from some noble person, getting paid to be an artist. So the art has stayed very strongly in our family DNA and Im just carrying that on today.

READ NEXT: Mayo photographer to represent Ireland at World Photography Cup in Iceland

Especially as Karen Brennan grew up with her grand-fathers extraordinary piece of art on the wall in the house. She explains, that it has so much intricacy in it. One can literally stare at it for hours and find new things in it, Brennan says.

And it references the Gospels, it references the saints, Colmcille, as well as a certain Joan of Arc. She states, that she can see his hand coming out in the way I express myself artistically as well. William Brett was a contemporary of the stained glass artist Harry Clarke and the both collaborated on works for St Patricks Church in Newport.

HISTORIC REVEAL

ON Saturday, April 18, the historic first census of an independent Irish state was made available to the public. Up until recently, the files were controlled by the Central Statistics Office. The 700,000 return sheets have been transferred to the National Archives.

For the first time, Mayo people can learn now first-hand about the way their ancestors lived a century ago.

Enough motivation for Karen Brennan to start working on an artwork of decorative script to go along with this occasion: Its such a historical census because its the first time that Ireland ever counted itself properly. We were kind of under British rule before that, so it would have been the Kings Census, whereas this was the first time we actually counted ourselves. So its a really important first census for the Irish Free State, and I wanted to reference a lot of very key Irish pieces of art in that.

The four provinces are represented in Brennans work. Croagh Patrick for Connacht, the Cliffs of Moher for Munster, the Giants Causeway for Ulster, and Glendalough for Leinster. She also uses Celtic knotwork from the Book of Kells because she would have been highly influenced by it and the ancient Irish scribes as a younger artist going up.

Karen Brennan working on her illustrated manuscript

commemorating the 1926 Census publication.

In order to bring her work up to date, Brennan has incorporated a strand of DNA running through a double helix, running through one of the words in the right-hand panel so that it kind of modernises it a little bit because it is very traditional.

I think also in referencing all our DNA, all our shared DNA, people whove been here who were born here or who have left from here, all the diaspora who are all over the world as well.

Brennan feels the huge responsibility to get it right. She was working six days on it before any ink went on any page because of the planning that goes into it.

And even though one cant see it, theres 120 tiny, fine lines to mark out the calligraphy. Modern calligraphers use lasers but Brennan wanted to work in the same traditional style as her great grandfather, who inspires her so much.

I hand lined the paper. You kind of have to not breathe very much when youre doing the calligraphy because you put so much work into getting ready to get the pen on the paper, you just have to relax and trust the process that itll all work.

Its a very conscious decision to create genuine artwork by hand. Especially in an age where everything computer generated or AI. Brennan points out, that she took it very seriously that this is a very important moment in Irish history: Were getting to see the first real snapshot of what Ireland was like.

Brennan explains that the text is very emotional, about a sense of belonging and claiming Irishness. And for Ireland to reclaim the people who have gone too, that they can get that sense of belonging.

This is the text of the wording for the 1926 Census Illuminated Manuscript which Karen Brennan is creating:

In the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-Six, the fledgling Irish Free State undertook a most distinguished endeavour, the faithful recording of her people in the first great census of this sovereign nation. One hundred years hence, in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, this precious record is at last restored to the generations. To those rooted upon this ancient soil and to the countless sons and daughters who have carried her spirit to distant shores. This enumeration stands as a joyful declaration to all that Ireland and her people wherever they may dwell are known, counted, and celebrated. Among the esteemed names so honoured within this record, we are proud to count

(family name(s) to be inserted here in calligraphy)

as proud descendants of this great nation. May their lineage flourish and their legacy endure throughout the generations. Henceforth, this record will stand as a beacon of heritage, pride, and belonging for all who share in the noble inheritance of Eireann.

Karen Brennan with her work for the 1926 Census release

and her grandfather's work on the wall.
Events held in Laos to mark 65th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic relations

Xinhua) 16:06, April 25, 2026

VIENTIANE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Throughout the week, Laos and China organized a series of commemorative activities in Laos to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Since the beginning of the week, China and Laos have held a series of events in Lao capital Vientiane to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the "China-Laos Friendship Year." The activities highlight the enduring bond between the two countries as "comrades and brothers," and aim to promote further progress in building a China-Laos community with a shared future.

A China Film Week opened on April 20 in Vientiane. Officials from both countries described films as a key platform for cultural exchanges and friendship. The event runs through April 26.

On April 23, a reception co-hosted by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy brought together more than 400 attendees. Among them were senior Lao officials, foreign diplomats, representatives of overseas Chinese communities, and veterans who contributed to the historical ties between the two nations.

At the ceremony, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong emphasized the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries. Both sides noted that, guided by shared ideals, China and Laos have supported each other through periods of struggle and development, fostering a strong and lasting partnership. They reaffirmed their intention to implement agreements reached by their top leaders and further advance bilateral cooperation.

On April 24, a briefing and photo exhibition was jointly organized by the Chinese embassy and several departments of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The event attracted more than 500 participants from various sectors. Speakers reflected on 65 years of cooperation and pledged to strengthen exchanges in governance, expand practical collaboration, and deepen people-to-people ties.

Participants also shared personal stories that illustrated the historical bond between the two countries.

Later that evening, a gala organized by several Lao and Chinese business and community organizations gathered over 1,000 attendees to celebrate the anniversary.

Throughout the week, these events enriched the celebrations and fostered closer ties between the peoples of both countries, strengthening mutual understanding and appreciation of their longstanding friendship.

China and Laos established diplomatic relations on April 25, 1961.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
TEHRAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, vowed Saturday to react if the United States continues its "blockade, banditry and piracy" in the West Asia region.

It made the announcement in a statement carried by Iranian media while pointing to the U.S. naval blockade imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, which prevents vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway, and actions against Iran-bound ships over the past few days.

It called on the United States to know that Iran's armed forces are more powerful and prepared than before to defend the country's national sovereignty and interests as well as territorial integrity, adding the U.S. army experienced part of Iran's power and offensive capabilities during the recent war.

It said Iran's armed forces are ready and determined to, while monitoring the "enemies' behavior and movements" in the region and continuing their management and control over the Strait of Hormuz, inflict more severe damage on the U.S. and Israeli "enemies" if they repeat their "aggression."

Also on Saturday, Saudi state-linked Al Arabiya News, citing a source, reported that Iran will not acquiesce to negotiations involving red lines set by the United States.

The developments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday conveyed Iran's considerations and views regarding the end of the war in a meeting with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Araghchi, who arrived in Pakistan's capital Islamabad Friday night at the head of a diplomatic delegation, also exchanged views with Munir on the latest developments pertaining to a ceasefire with the United States and Israel, and the end of the war, as well as the expansion of bilateral cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the West Asia region, the report said.

Iran had tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28, when it barred passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States after the two countries' joint strikes on Iranian territory.

A ceasefire was achieved between Iran, the United States and Israel on April 8 after 40 days of fighting, followed by lengthy talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad on April 11-12, which failed to yield an agreement. The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterway.

Iranian and U.S. delegations were reportedly expected to hold another round of peace talks in Pakistan this week, but Iran refrained from attending negotiations, citing the U.S. continued naval blockade and "excessive" demands as the main reasons. 
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, together with Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, held the third meeting of the Consultation Mechanism between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of China and Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, April 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

BANGKOK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, together with Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, held the third meeting of the Consultation Mechanism between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of China and Thailand on Friday in Bangkok.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan and also the start of the new Thai government's governance.

Facing a volatile international situation, Wang said, China is willing to work with Thailand to give full play to the coordinating role of the foreign ministers' consultation mechanism guided by the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state.

Both sides should join hands to advance their respective modernization processes, jointly practice genuine multilateralism, create a new golden 50 years for China-Thailand friendship, and make new contributions to promoting the solidarity and development of the Global South as well as regional peace and stability, he said.

Noting that China has always placed Thailand in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, Wang said China is ready to continue to be a reliable strategic partner of Thailand, support the new Thai government in leading its people to follow a development path that suits its national conditions, and promote the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future.

It is believed that Thailand will continue to resolutely support China's great cause of peaceful reunification, he added.

Wang also called on the two sides to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen the alignment of development strategies and initiate the formulation of the new five-year action plan.

He said that both sides should intensify efforts to crack down on transnational crimes, completely eradicate gambling and fraud, strengthen multilateral collaboration and jointly implement the four major global initiatives.

China has always advocated resolving differences between countries through dialogue rather than force, Wang said, extending the hopes that Thailand and Cambodia will consolidate the ceasefire situation, resume bilateral contacts, resolve border disputes as soon as possible and maintain a peaceful and stable environment.

As a common friend of Thailand and Cambodia, China is willing to continue to build a platform for the two sides to rebuild mutual trust and improve relations, he said.

For his part, Sihasak said that Thailand will, as always, attach great importance to its relations with China, firmly pursue the one-China policy, and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Thailand is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China, deepen all-round cooperation in various fields such as connectivity, economy and trade, and combating online gambling and telecommunications fraud, and promote the continuous development of the Thailand-China community with a shared future.

He said that Thailand highly appreciates the four major global initiatives and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with China.

Sihasak expressed the appreciation for China's efforts in actively promoting peace talks and mediating the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that he looks forward to China continuing to play a constructive role.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) and East Asia cooperation, and agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation to actively build an LMC 2.0, promoting the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future to a new level. 
Ricky Lee entertained the crowd on April 21, 2026 for Toe Tapping Tuesday at the Manistee County Council on Aging's Wagoner Community Center. Courtesy of Sarah Howard

Hello Manistee County!

I hope you have been enjoying the beautiful sunshine. After this long winter, I need to get a little vitamin D into my system. A long walk or just sitting outside will help rejuvenate my soul. I hope you can enjoy a little bit of this amazing spring weather.

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This past week has been super busy. The Manistee Civic Players have their play set up and they had their opening night for "Four Old Broads." There was a great crowd last night, and I heard it was a really funny show. If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, come and support the Manistee Civic Players.

Tuesday, we had Medicare with Fran, and Drop in Tech Help with Amanda from the Manistee County Library. This program is very helpful for all of us who are tech challenged. I still get nuts when something doesnt work or freezes up.

We also had Music with Ricky Lee. He had a wonderful crowd, and everyone loves his music. In the afternoon we had Popcorn & a Movie at the beautiful Vogue Theatre.

Wednesday, we had Fun Bingo and we celebrated April birthdays with a beautiful cake from the great people at Meijer. Thank you, Meijer, you rock.

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Thursday, we had Sit & Get Fit with Jai and Cardio Drumming with Regina.

Senior nutrition menu April 27-May 1 Monday: Chicken drumstick with cornbread, brussels sprouts, Italian vegetables, mandarin oranges, milk

Tuesday: Teriyaki chicken with fried rice, oriental vegetables, sliced carrots, craisins, milk

Wednesday: Cheeseburger on a bun, brussels sprouts, Italian vegetables, applesauce, milk

Thursday: Hot ham and cheese sandwich, tomato soup, green beans, orange, milk

Friday: Chicken tenders with bread, harvest vegetables, collard greens, orange, milk Menus are subject to change.

Friday, Nate headed out to Maple Ridge for some Fun Bingo with everyone who lives there. He said he had a great time and loved meeting some new friends.

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I am getting a lot of questions about the Prime Time Living Expo on May 6 at the Wagoner Community Center. We are working with the Manistee News Advocate and Hearst to put on an amazing senior expo. We met to go over all of the progress that was made and it really looks like a great day. I think you will be pleased with all of the wonderful speakers, presentations and vendors that will be here. We will also be doing Expo Bingo that day and having a delicious lunch right after Bingo.

This will be the place to be on May 6. The building will be full of activities, vendors, speakers, music and lots of great information for our seniors. Make sure to mark it on your calendars so you dont miss this great day.

Paul Glaser (left) and Mick Szymanski are pictured at the Manistee County Council on Aging's Wagoner Community Center. Courtesy of Sarah Howard

I want to mention again that we have a great shredding program at the senior center. We have a locked tote that you can safely dispose of your personal old paperwork. The company comes in one time a month and shreds it for us. This is another free service for our Manistee County seniors 60 and older.

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I cant believe this is the last week of April already. Not only do we have all of our regular programs and activities going on this week we also have the Versiti Blood Drive on Monday from 10 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. This is such an important way of giving back to our community. There is a blood shortage, so every drop helps save lives. The best way to get signed up is at http://versiti.org/.

Tuesday, we have Music with Suzanne Long. Suzanne comes in and volunteers her time and her talents with all of us at the senior center. She plays piano and is such a beautiful musician. If you love music, come and hear her play.

We also have a presentation in the afternoon at 1 p.m. on Stop the Bleed. Come in and see how this presentation could save you or someone you love.

Wednesday, we have Fun Bingo in the morning and in the afternoon, we have Trivia Fun with Mark Sandstedt. Grab some friends, grab a seat and lets play trivia. We will have some great prizes for the winners, so make sure you call and get signed up for this fun event.

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I hope you have a wonderful week and remember to try something new.
LONDON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Friday that it is working with member states and partners on an evacuation plan for seafarers stranded in the Gulf, which will be implemented once conditions are safe.

Briefing member states and the maritime industry on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that since the beginning of the conflict, the IMO has verified 29 attacks on vessels in the Gulf and around the Strait, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 seafarers and damage to multiple ships.

Around 20,000 seafarers on approximately 1,600 vessels remain trapped in the Gulf and unable to leave, he noted, adding that several vessels have been seized and detained in the region over the past few days.

Dominguez said the evacuation plan includes compiling a list of affected vessels and prioritizing them based on humanitarian needs, while making use of the existing Traffic Separation Scheme as an evacuation corridor once safety guarantees are in place.

"For the evacuation to proceed, all parties involved in the conflict would need to agree to refrain from attacks on maritime assets during the operation," he said.

He said the IMO will continue to engage with Iran and Oman, which have been coordinating transit operations in the corridor.

Dominguez urged all parties to exercise maximum caution, warning of potential mines throughout the Strait and the risk of further attacks on ships. "There is no safe transit anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

He added that with the conflict now in its eighth week, supplies on vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, including water, food and fuel, are expected to start running short.

He called on all flag states, non-governmental organizations, industry bodies and the seafarers' countries of nationality to provide necessary assistance, including remote support, helplines and communication with families, and stressed the importance of ensuring the fair treatment of seafarers in terms of welfare and payment of wages. 
Technology is moving rapidly, continually impacting areas like the military and requiring the best and brightest to innovate and make the United States military viable. Thats where LIFT comes into play.

LIFT is a nonprofit public-private, Department of Defense-supported national advanced materials and manufacturing innovation institute based in Detroit, Mich., and one of eight DOD national Manufacturing Innovation Institutes to accelerate technology with three main objectives.

One objective, according to LIFT Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Joe Steele, is to accelerate technology on behalf of warfighters and the broader defense industrial base, getting things off the cutting room floor and manufactured for widespread commercialization.

That involves manufacturing for the U.S. military within the nations boundaries, to ensure as Steele put it that we're all singing from the same song sheet and making sure that we are doing things on behalf of the warfighter and their needs.

The last primary goal is to operate education workforce development programs and provide the next generation of advanced manufacturing workers the knowledge, skills and abilities to thrive.

Jihad Mims, left, LIFTs senior manager of education & workforce development, works with Bradley Junker, CNC Instructor at Southeastern Community College, Iowa, on the Amatrol AC/DC Electrical Systems trainer. (LIFT)

These objectives are being accomplished through LIFTs Operation Next program, a rapid credentialing program that gets individuals certified in jobs that are most in demand today, such as welding, machining, industrial technology maintenance, and robotics.

Operation Next was born as a program a number of years ago to give back to our service members, Steele told Military.com. It was actually piloted at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, and it was a way to give back to our service members.  So, when they left the gates, it wasn't, Hey, good luck, go find a job.

It was, you have a credential in hand and you will go find a job immediately because these credentials are industry recognized and nationally portable.

The program that started in 2018 has evolved over the years, he said, and in some instances is now open to not just separating service members, but military families, Guard and Reservists, veterans and civilians.

Boosting Manufacturing in the 21st Century

Operation Next, a program created years ago with support of the Department of Defense, made recent news when the adult training program collaborated with Southeastern Community College (SCC) and successfully certified 40 adult learners in advanced manufacturing skills.

Those students earned industry-recognized Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) certifications, aimed to strengthen the areas talent pipeline as part of the Pentagons encouragement to more swiftly rebuild the U.S. military by enhancing the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and the Organic Industrial Base (OIB).

Steele said it's about efficiency and consistency, whether there's work to be done in automation, robotics, helping make munitions and explosives.

There's a lot of emphasis around modernizing these facilities because they maybe haven't been modernized since they were built 50 years ago. There's an emphasis in bringing these facilities up to newer technologies.

A ribbon cutting for the Ignite program at Delton Kellogg High School in Delton, Mich. (LIFT)

That impacts manufacturing facilities like the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, and by proxy its workforce in the surrounding community. Steele said that can be tricky considering the isolation of some communities, often in more rural and less urban settings.

Providing opportunities like Operation Next in a place like Middletown, Iowa, around the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant is about making sure that that pipeline of talent has the knowledge, has the skills, and has the abilities to go work in those plants right now today, he said, adding that upskilling is not just about technology but the individuals who utilize it.

Facilities 'Struggling' to Meet Long-Term Demands

That begs the obvious question: How can the U.S. manufacturing industry, and by virtue the military defense sector, convince individuals to forego traditional routes leading to higher education and instead encourage more people, notably young folks, to enter the trades?

Steele said that all of their industrial members are currently struggling to find enough workers to meet these demands. The paradigm shift from traditional post-high school career routes that was pushed about a decade ago hasnt become what some industry experts hoped.

Steele said that may be due to misconceptions about manufacturing.

There may just not be enough people choosing to go into manufacturing as a career choice.

But one of our goals is to show them that it is smart, it is digital, it is innovative, it is an exciting place to work. And these are careers where you can you can go into without having had to go to a four-year university necessarily.

Instead, a community or technical college could become a more viable path.

Lift also promotes Ignite Mastering Manufacturing, a high school program showing students various opportunities across advanced manufacturing, whether its robotics, electronics or hydraulicsall part of different kinds of techniques, tools and opportunities that can be accessed at a young age, as part of a hands-on experience.

Recruitment Involves Input at All Levels

Obviously, human bodies are necessary to keep these facilities and the entire industry afloateven in an age of accelerated artificial intelligence.

Steele was asked what the younger generation looks like as a future workforce, notably as such people lack the real-world experience and skills possessed by older individuals or those who have spent years in manufacturing.

It's funny you ask that because at our learning lab here in our Detroit facility, there's not a day that goes by that I don't see a school bus outside of our facility bringing students inwhether it be for a field trip, whether it be for a boot camp, a look around or participating in our Ignite program.

Most of the curriculum in the Ignite and Operation Next programs are hybrid, providing online components and visualized methods of welding, for example, to give a sense of the skill before actually applied.

We really start them off with a virtual welding component that we have here at Lift, where you wear a mask, you wear a welding mask, you hold a welding torch, but it's virtual, he said. You're looking inside the mask, you're looking at a screen and it'll tell you that you're moving too fast or that your angle is incorrect, or that you're too far away from the workpiece.

A Hi Bay interior of a LIFT facility is shown. (LIFT)

He described it as gamification because the virtual component even provides a score to indicate progress and acumen. In effect, it naturally creates competition which in turn betters skills with more frequent practice.

Recruitment maintains a burden for many companies, affecting the manufacturing industry as a whole. Steele essentially said it takes a village.

For example, while Lift is a 45-person outfit, it has hundreds of partners nationwide that can help discover the next generation of talent in schools and communities. Its also about meeting a specific communitys needs, whereas one town may require more welders than machinists or vice versa.

The benefit is working with all those partners to bring the students in, whether they be high school students or whether they be adult learners, he said. The challenge is that folks just don't know what advanced manufacturing looks like and feels like in 2026.

They may imagine some black-and-white film that they saw back in the day, or hearing stories from their grandfather or father who may have worked in manufacturing. Things are different, things are digital, things are cleaner, things are agileand they just might not know what it looks like. That is a challenge to overcome.
For many veterans, leaving the military means giving up the ability to give back to a cause greater than themselves.

However, through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), veterans have discovered a new way to step up for their communities.

On Saturday, May 2, VFW will host its fifth annual Day of Service, a program that encourages veterans to lead local service projects. An initiative that began with humble roots, with about 200 events during its inaugural year, has ballooned to more than 2,300 projects in 2025, with more expected in 2026.

Some veterans have used the Day of Service to mobilize city-wide projects, bringing together other veterans and civilians to improve their communities. The projects will begin on May 2 and continue throughout the month.

For the past four years, thousands of VFW members and veterans around the world have joined together through VFW Day of Service to continue a legacy of service beyond the uniform, said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore in a press release. Their dedication to strengthening communities, helping neighbors and bringing people together, reflects the very best of who we are. We are proud to see Day of Service 2026 build on that momentum and create an even greater impact in communities around the world.

The catalyst for Day of Service began in 2022 as an expansion of VFWs Still Serving campaign that promotes veterans desire to contribute to their community years after their military time has ended. Sponsors for this years event include, Humana, USAA, CenterWell and loanDepot.

It became clear early on in the campaign that while community service efforts continue year-round, veterans wanted to unite in one mission-driven initiative to amplify their collective impact and share in some camaraderie and fun while doing so, Randi Law, senior director for marketing communications at VFW, told Military.com.

Results from a recent survey showed that veterans are more willing to commit to volunteer opportunities than civilians. This years Day of Service provides another chance for veterans to chip in. They can register their event or project or discover a local program to contribute to through VFWDayofService.org.

Veterans from VFW Post 2113 in De Pere, Wisconsin spend several days every May refurbishing military gravesites. (Randy Hansen)

In Their Blood

According to Law, about 50,000 VFW and auxiliary members, veterans and supporters participated in last years Day of Service and Law believes more will join the cause this year.

Law said veterans innate desire to serve others leads them to take part in the Day of Service.

Its in their blood. And oftentimes, they miss having a clear mission and sense of duty after military separation, Law said. Day of Service, and community service more broadly, recreates purpose, offering a familiar, meaningful way to unite in service. Veterans carry proven leadership, discipline, crisis response experience, and a strong sense of teamwork. These capabilities can be in short supply in civilian settings. When veterans engage, they help strengthen community resilience, bridge relationships and improve readiness for challenges.

Since the event began in 2022, Law has heard from veterans and the programs they contribute to, saying they enjoy the camaraderie of working together for a good cause.

They accomplish something meaningful while successfully demonstrating veterans continued commitment to service, Law said. Weve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the organizations we serve, with many expressing deep gratitude for the support. In several cases, the response has even been emotional, highlighting just how meaningful and impactful our networks assistance has been in their communities.

Army Veteran Gives Back

For Randy Hansen, an Army veteran from De Pere, Wisconsin, joining Day of Service was simply a continuation of the dedicated work hes accomplished with local VFW Post 2113 for more than 50 years.

Either way, Hansen isnt afraid to recruit veterans across Northeast Wisconsin to contribute.

VFW Post 2113 in De Pere, Wisconsin uses its Day of Service time to refurbish veterans' gravesites in time for a special salute on Memorial Day. (Randy Hansen)

VFW Day of Service and community service projects may be team projects involving our entire VFW Post 2113 membership and the membership of our Post Auxiliary and members of the community, or simple individual projects helping your neighbor, Hansen told Military.com.

Hansen has been involved with Day of Service since its inception in 2022. Having served for 25 years in the Army, retiring as a chief warrant officer, Hansen knew what it was like to be stationed overseas for long periods, depending on the kindness of friends and family back home to make him feel a little less homesick.

So, it was a natural extension of that support that drove me to pay back all those who supported us over the years by doing community service projects, Hansen said. One of the key statements I like is, It takes a village to raise a child. For military service members, that statement evolved into, It takes a village to provide strong support for servicemembers whether deployed overseas or deployed on a training exercise.

Through the past few years, De Peres Post 2113 has completed several Day of Service projects Hansen is proud of, including creating a new veterans monument in City of De Pere Park honoring all service branches and the organizations that support them.

But the community service project that Im most proud of is the one that has occurred every year for the past 50-plus years. This is a very proud and touching community service. The City of De Pere has five cemeteries that serve the community. Fifty years ago, our VFW Post 2113 created a central headstone at each of those cemeteries that honors all the deceased veterans residing in each cemetery, Hansen said. Each year in May, we spend about five days performing beautification projects (planting flowers, placing U.S. stick flags, etc.) in the days prior to, then performing a full military funeral honors program at each of those central headstone markers of those five cemeteries on Memorial Day as a way to honor all the veterans who have gone before us.

Hansen said there are many ways veterans can serve their communities.

A VFW Day of Service event could be anything from a large group event to a one-person event. The key is stepping outside your comfort zone and sharing your hobbies and other passions with those who truly need to have their spirit uplifted, Hansen said. VFW Posts in your community are a great way to start your own path into community service. Simply reach out, see what they are doing, and join in. Due to the Congressional Charter that created the VFW, not all veterans are eligible to join the VFW, but all veterans are welcomed with open arms by the VFW to join in our community service projects.
Chinese proverb of the day: "If you work hard enough at it, you can grind even an..."

This Chinese proverb shows how patience and steady effort can turn even the toughest tasks into success, reminding us that persistence leads to meaningful results.









Chinese proverb of the day: "If you work hard enough at it, you can grind even an..." Persistence and patience can turn tough tasks into success

Consistent effort matters more than quick results

Dedication and resilience lead to lasting achievement Did our AI summary help?
Quote of the day by Richard Feynman: "Never confuse education with intelligence, you can have a PhD and still be an idiot"

Richard Feynmans quote highlights that degrees do not define intelligence, stressing the importance of critical thinking, curiosity, and real understanding over academic titles.









Quote of the day by Richard Feynman: "Never confuse education with intelligence, you can have a PhD and still be an idiot" Feynman's quote stresses intelligence over academic degrees

True intelligence is shown by curiosity and practical reasoning

Education matters, but true insight comes from questioning Did our AI summary help?
UK Board Result 2026 (OUT): Check UBSE Class 10, 12 scorecards by roll number @ ubse.uk.gov.in; direct link here

UBSE Class 10 and 12 results are now out, ending the wait for over two lakh students. But beyond scores, new access methods and trends could shape what comes next.









UK Board Class 10, 12 Result 2026 Released UBSE declared Class 10 and 12 results online and in schools

Over 2 lakh students; results available using roll numbers

Pass mark is 33%; digital marksheets now available Did our AI summary help?
Ahaan Panday reveals his desire to work with Aryan Khan, recalls why there's no one like 'uncle' Shah Rukh Khan: 'He make you feel seen'

Ahaan Panday shares his admiration for Shah Rukh Khan, recalls childhood memories with Aryan Khan, and expresses interest in collaborating with him in the future.









Calling the Jawan star his earliest inspiration, Ahaan admitted that the lessons he picked up werent always direct but deeply ingrained over time. Ahaan Panday shares childhood memories with Shah Rukh Khan

He may collaborate with Aryan Khan due to their close friendship

Ahaan's debut in Saiyaara was a commercial success Did our AI summary help?
KIEV, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to raise about 500 million euros (586 million U.S. dollars) to repair the confinement structure at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Friday.

At a briefing ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Odile Renaud-Basso, the bank's president, said the funds must be raised by the end of 2027 to repair the New Safe Confinement.

The confinement was put into operation in July 2019 to contain the destroyed reactor from the Chernobyl accident and was severely damaged in a Russian drone attack in 2025.

"The real work on the full renovation must begin in 2028 with the goal of completion in 2030," she said, warning that without repairs, corrosion could fundamentally weaken the confinement structure. 
The album had already made a historical mark being the first album from a Korean artist to be in the No. 1 spot of the Billboard 200 for more than a week.
Comedian Raj Sharma passes away at 50; Vir Das shares heartfelt tribute remembering his mentor and friend

Dallas comedian Raj Sharma passes away at 50, with Vir Das sharing an emotional tribute recalling his early career support, friendship, and Sharmas lasting impact on the comedy world.









Comedian-actor Vir Das paid an emotional tribute to Sharma on social media, reflecting on their bond and the crucial role Sharma played in shaping his early career in the United States. Comedian Raj Sharma passed away at 50, leaving a deep void.

Vir Das paid tribute, recalling Sharma's support and friendship.

Despite health issues, Sharma performed until recently Did our AI summary help?
Have delays become a new norm in Tollywood? Paradise, Peddi and more films with growing crisis in production

Big-ticket Telugu films are increasingly struggling to stick to their announced release timelines. What was once rare is now becoming a pattern, with even actors known for their speed and consistency facing unexpected hold-ups.









Nani used to be able to release two to three movies a year on time, but now he is having trouble with The Paradise. Big-budget Telugu films face frequent release delays

Director focus on detail and actor schedules cause slowdowns

Financial issues and union demands impact production timelines Did our AI summary help?
Karnataka High Court dismisses FIR against Ranveer Singh in Kantara Daiva controversy; orders actor to aplogise at Chamundeshwari Temple

Ranveer Singh has received major relief as the Karnataka High Court quashed the FIR filed against him in the Kantara controversy after he submitted an unconditional apology. The court also directed him to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple within four weeks to seek forgiveness.

Gayatri Rani April 25, 2026 / 16:18 IST























Ranveer Singh FIR dismissed Karnataka High Court quashes FIR against Ranveer Singh

Ranveer offered apology and will visit Chamundeshwari Temple

Court instructed Ranveer to visit temple within four weeks Did our AI summary help?
Kriti Sanon steps down as CCO of Hyphen, confirms beauty brand

Kriti Sanon has stepped down as Chief Customer Officer of Hyphen, the company announced in an official statement. The brand called it a major transition but did not clarify whether she has fully exited the venture.

Gayatri Rani April 24, 2026 / 23:34 IST























Kriti Sanon steps down from beauty brand Kriti Sanon steps down as Chief Customer Officer of Hyphen

Brand did not clarify if Kriti fully left the company

Hyphen generated Rs 400 crore revenue in two years Did our AI summary help?
During the session, an earlier clip of Akshay Kumar was also played, in which he had spoken about the incident back in October 2025.
Prithviraj Sukumaran celebrates 15 years with Supriya Menon, shares heartfelt anniversary note

Prithviraj Sukumaran celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary with Supriya Menon by sharing a heartfelt note and a loved-up photo on social media. The couple exchanged sweet wishes, marking their journey of togetherness and memories over the years.

Gayatri Rani April 25, 2026 / 18:32 IST























Prithviraj Sukumaran and Supriya Menon have been together for 15 years Prithviraj and Supriya celebrate 15 years of marriage

Both shared heartfelt anniversary posts on Instagram

They recently produced L2 Empuraan, releasing in 2025 Did our AI summary help?
Trishas Voting Day post sparks buzz over hidden Vijay link amidst dating rumours: See post

Following the Tamil Nadu election voting in Chennai on Thursday, Trisha Krishnan shared a seemingly simple post on social media but it quickly caught widespread attention. Fans soon began speculating about a possible Vijay connection, focusing on the song she chose to include in the post, which many believe might hint at something more.









Trisha's post has gone viral, turning what may have seemed like a normal update on voting day into one of the most talked-about celebrity political moments of the week. Trisha's voting post with Ghilli song sparks viral speculation

Trishas song choice seen as backing Vijays political debut

Vijay runs for 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly as TVK founder Did our AI summary help?
AI enters the appraisal room, but humans still make the final call

AI systems pull together goal progress, peer feedback, delivery metrics, and learning activity into a single layer of insight that managers previously had to reconstruct manually.









Representative image AI aids appraisals, but managers make final decisions

Managers remain fully accountable for ratings and promotions

AI cuts bias, streamlines reviews, but data quality is key Did our AI summary help?
Oil prices end volatile session mixed but up sharply for the week on supply worries

Brent crude futures settled at $105.33 a barrel, rising 26 cents, or about 0.3%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures settled at $94.40 a barrel, falling $1.45, or 1.5%

Reuters April 25, 2026 / 02:12 IST























For the week, Brent gained about 16% and WTI rose nearly 13%. Brent crude rose 16% and WTI gained nearly 13% this week

Peace talks between US and Iran may impact oil supply disruptions

Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, limiting global oil shipments Did our AI summary help?
RIGA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Latvia has raised 15 million euros (about 17.55 million U.S. dollars) to develop a wastewater monitoring platform for public health surveillance, the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center announced on Friday.

The project aims to establish an integrated platform for monitoring and researching the environment and human health, which can also determine how different environmental factors affect human health, the center said.

The project will be developed by the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre in collaboration with Riga Technical University, the Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the University of Dundee in Britain, the center added. 
Reliance Industries in talks for green ammonia offtake with Japanese, Korean, European firms

The company has signed a deal to supply green ammonia to the South Korea's Samsung C&T in a $3 billion, 15-year contract, starting in the second half of FY29









Reliance Q4: the company is in talks with other off-takers in green ammonia Reliance inks $3B 15-year green ammonia pact with Samsung C&T

Green ammonia plant part of Jamnagar's Giga Complex in Gujarat

Solar and battery storage facilities set for commissioning soon Did our AI summary help? RIRI RIRI NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

Day Low

Volume (NSE) More 
TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, Tech M report muted FY26 hiring; workforce shrinks by 7,389

Management commentary across the board have continued to signal caution when it came to hiring. Companies shied away from sharing definitive outlook on hiring plans for FY27.









Representative image

Debangana Ghosh
Pramodini Medicare files IPO papers to raise funds for capex

Pramodini Medicare IPO | The company plans to mobilise funds by issuing 58.51 lakh shares via initial public offering which consists of fresh issuance of 53.5 lakh shares, and an offer-for-sale of 5 lakh shares by promoters.









Pramodini Medicare IPO News Pramodini Medicare plans to mobilise funds by issuing 58.51 lakh shares via IPO

IPO Mix - Fresh issuance of 53.5 lakh shares, offer-for-sale of 5 lakh shares

Pramodini Medicare operates business through 15 diagnostic centres in 6 states Did our AI summary help?
India records first weekly inflows in 7 weeks; global liquidity conditions remain supportive: Elara Capital

Flows into commodity-related equity funds softened after strong performance during the period of geopolitical tension. Energy equity funds saw moderating outflows over the past three weeks, while gold flows stabilized at a slower pace compared to pre-conflict levels.









global liquidity conditions remained supportive for a fourth consecutive week following geopolitical de-escalation, according to a Global Liquidity Tracker report by Elara Capital. India logs $106m inflow, first weekly gain in seven weeks

ETFs gained $220M; long-only funds lost $400M

Global liquidity steady; US equity inflows $1022B weekly 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
Stocks swing as Donald Trump posts: He has the market in a chokehold

Whats different about Trumps second term is the market swings so closely track his social media posts and public speaking engagements.









Donald Trump (file image) Trump's comments drive S&P 500's biggest swings since 2024

Market reacts sharply to Trump's war and tariff statements

Social media boosts volatility but leaves market trends intact Did our AI summary help?
Traders have been closely tracking the movements of both delegations for signals on whether peace talks will materialize, hoping for a resumption of flows though the vital Strait of Hormuz
Private-sector sleuthing becomes big business for US tech startup

Strider launched its first agentic AI capability on Thursday. The company already has small contracts with the US Air Force, as well as state governments and NATO, and a growing list of former international intelligence officials joining its ranks.









Strider Technologies headquarters in Sandy, Utah. Photographer: Kim Raff/Bloomberg Strider traced Utah land ownership to Chinese government ties.

Strider AI aids US, NATO in risk and intelligence efforts

Utah blocked land sales linked to Chinese entities using Strider. Did our AI summary help?
AAP workers protest outside Harbhajan Singh's residence, scribbles 'Gaddar' on wall after MP joins BJP

The outrage follows a major political shift involving seven Rajya Sabha MPs who left AAP and aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.









Harbhajan Singh (File photo) AAP supporters protest outside Harbhajan Singh's Jalandhar home

Seven Rajya Sabha MPs, including Chadha, merge with BJP

MPs invoke constitutional provision to retain Rajya Sabha seats Did our AI summary help?
Ajit Doval says 'we sail or sink together' as NSA meets Muslim scholars, prominent leaders

The presence of recruits in organisations such as the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Border Security Force (BSF) was described as evidence of deeper integration into national service structures.









National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (File photo) Ajit Doval urges unity, calling India a shared national journey

Rise in Muslim youth recruitment in armed forces noted

Community leaders urged to counter misinformation and extremism Did our AI summary help?
BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Recently, some Western media have been peddling the "China Shock 2.0" narrative, portraying China's ascent in high-tech sectors as a new wave of disruption to the global economy.

This catchphrase risks overlooking realities. China's high-quality, competitively priced products have long been a key factor in making advanced technologies more accessible, offering greater certainty in an increasingly uncertain world.

The narrative, in a way, points to growing unease in the West over China's swift rise, as well as the tangible success of China's development strategy, according to experts.

NARRATIVE BORN FROM UNEASE

"For some, China's rapid rise in high-tech sectors where Western economies have long held a clear lead has proven difficult to reconcile," said Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, a think tank under the Ministry of Commerce.

Against this backdrop, the notion of a "China Shock 2.0" appears less an analytical framework and more a narrative shaped by unease, Bai added.

China's success in the high-tech sector has been underpinned by its long-accumulated industrial strengths and sustained push toward innovation-driven growth. High-tech innovation has long been central to the country's policy agenda, with its 15th Five-Year Plan targeting to increase its total research and development spending by an average of more than 7 percent annually, and raise the value added of core digital economy industries to 12.5 percent of GDP over the next five years.

The effects are already visible. In 2025, the country's high-tech manufacturing showed strong momentum, with profits rising 13.3 percent year on year, 12.7 percentage points faster than the overall industrial sector.

Some critics attribute these gains entirely to extensive state subsidies, accusing China of creating "unfair competition." Such claims, experts said, tend to frame China's success narrowly as achieved via distortionary state intervention.

Mao Keji, a policy expert at the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission, said China's support mechanisms are structured differently from what is typically described as subsidies in Western analyses. Such support is broad-based, embedded across the broader economic system, rather than direct financial transfers, Mao said.

He cited the government's investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare and social protection as an example. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China allocated nearly 3.4 trillion yuan (about 495.09 billion U.S. dollars) in central budget investment to support public sector projects. It also issued roughly 16 trillion yuan in local government special bonds to finance infrastructure and related development projects.

These investments have created conditions conducive to business development, improving labor quality and strengthening overall productive capacity, ultimately enabling large-scale, high-quality supply, Mao said.

"Reducing this model to 'subsidies' is not only misleading, but it also obscures the underlying drivers of China's competitiveness," Mao noted, adding that such an accusation does little to address structural weaknesses in Western economies, and risks slowing their own technological progress.

A BOON, NOT A SHOCK

China's rise has taken place within a deeply interconnected global economy and is rooted in mutual benefit, according to experts.

"The country's development has not been directed at squeezing out other economies, but instead generated broader benefits for the global economy," said Dong Yan, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

China's products are providing more affordable alternatives for many developing countries, helping them upgrade industrial capabilities while supporting infrastructure development and technological progress, she explained.

This trend is reflected in China's expanding trade ties with emerging markets. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, China's trade with Belt and Road partner countries went up 14.2 percent year on year, accounting for more than half of the total. Trade with ASEAN and Latin America both rose 15.4 percent during this period, while trade with Africa increased by 23.7 percent.

Growth has been particularly strong in exports of high-value-added products. For instance, China's exports of photovoltaic products to sub-Saharan Africa regions surged approximately 2.5-fold in Q1, while exports of inverters, wires and cables increased by 56.1 percent.

The power projects built by Chinese companies in sub-Saharan Africa are providing stable and reliable electricity to local communities, said Wang Jun, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs.

Beyond robust exporting, China has also become a vast market in its own right. As the world's largest trader in goods and the second-largest consumer market, China has become a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. Platforms such as the China International Import Expo have further contributed to global demand by expanding access to the Chinese market.

While some still portray China's rise as a challenge to the existing trade order, many countries are treating it as an opportunity and moving to capture new sources of growth.

For example, the British government has signaled that it "should not fear" the rise of Chinese imports, after a plug-in hybrid compact SUV produced by Chinese automaker Chery became the country's best-selling new car in March, the BBC said.

"I don't want to prevent UK consumers from having access to the cars of their choice," Peter Kyle, British secretary of state for Business and Trade, told the BBC. He added that the government is also focused on the "significant opportunities" for jobs and investment as Chinese automakers consider setting up factories in the country.

Experts have noted that in an increasingly fragmented world, cooperation is more critical than confrontation.

"A clearer understanding of China's development, alongside the use of complementary strengths, could offer a pathway for countries around the world to achieve more sustainable growth," Bai said. 
Amit Shah says BJP will win 110 seats in phase 1, vows fast-tracking CAA, crackdown on infiltration in Bengal

Jamalpur/ Shyampur, Apr 25 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the BJP virtually sealed its victory in phase 1 of the West Bengal as..









Amit Shah Amit Shah claims BJP will win 110 seats in Bengal's first phase

Promises swift CAA implementation and crackdown on infiltration

BJP vows monthly aid for women, youth, and pregnant mothers Did our AI summary help?
Atishi claims 'Sheesh Mahal 2' photos against Kejriwal shared by Parvesh Verma lifted from Pinterest

In a post on X, Atishi said the visuals were not from Kejriwals residence at all but lifted from Pinterest, a platform used for sharing and discovering images online.









Atishi BJP leader claims Kejriwal's new residence is lavish

AAP says images shown are fake and sourced from Pinterest

AAP threatens legal action over alleged fake visuals Did our AI summary help?
BJP shares sheeshmahal 2 images, targets Kejriwal as Rahman Dakait; AAP calls them 'fake'

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Delhi minister Parvesh Verma accused Kejriwal of living lavishly despite earlier claims of simplicity









Parvesh Verma BJP accuses Kejriwal of lavish living after AAP MP exits

Fresh images of "Sheeshmahal 2" unveiled by BJP

AAP denies BJP's claims, calls released photos fake Did our AI summary help?
Delhi man's hands cut with grinder after he asks client to pay remaining dues

The injured man was first taken to Rashi Medical Centre and later shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences for further treatment.
Both the platforms have been integrated with indigenously designed & developed 30 mm Crewless Turret, with advanced features to meet the mobility, fire power and protection requirements.
Govt reconstitutes Niti Aayog, Ashok Kumar Lahiri appointed vice chairman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished a productive and impactful tenure to Lahiri and the new full-time members, including scientist Gobardhan Das and former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba.

PTI April 25, 2026 / 16:50 IST























Newly appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Lahiri, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi Read More: Newly appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Lahiri, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi
K Kavitha launches her new party TRS in Telangana

Kavitha had on Friday announced plans to launch a new regional political force in the state









K Kavitha K Kavitha launches new party Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS)

TRS aims to address Telangana's aspirations and unfinished agenda

Kavitha was expelled from BRS after disputes with party leaders Did our AI summary help?
Karnataka approves revised 15% internal reservation for SCs

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Cabinet approved 5.25%reservation each for the 'right-hand groups' and 'left-hand groups', and about 4.5% for other Scheduled Castes, including nomadic communities.









Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Mamata Banerjee to move court against Amit Shah over 'hang people upside down' remark

Referring to Shahs statement, she said, "What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal--never!"









West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee plans legal action against Amit Shah's remarks

Shah warned TMC workers, sparking controversy in West Bengal

First phase polling saw 91.78 percent turnout, next on April 29 Did our AI summary help?
Nashik godman Ashok Kharat, held in sexual exploitation case, faces Rs 8.76 crore fraud charge

In the latest case, Ashok Kharat is accused of cheating his then Chartered Accountant of Rs 8.76 crore during the period between 2018 and 2023.









In the latest case, Kharat is accused of cheating his then Chartered Accountant of Rs 8.76 crore during 2018-23. Ashok Kharat faces new cheating case for Rs 8.76 crore in Nashik

12 cases registered against Kharat, including sexual exploitation

ED conducts searches in money laundering case linked to Kharat Did our AI summary help?
RIGA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The annual Baltic Motor Show Riga "Auto 2026" was held in the Latvian capital this weekend, with Chinese car brands shining in AI and EV segments.

The event was held at the Kipsala International Exhibition Center in the Latvian capital on April 24-26, with some vehicle models making their debuts at the Latvian and the Baltic market.

Chinese automakers showed the latest technologically advanced models.

The latest P7+ sedan of Chinese carmaker Xpeng was displayed on Friday in the auto show, the first time in the Baltics. With this model, Xpeng offers a sedan equipped with technologies that enable autonomous driving using AI tools.

The car brands, Jaecoo and Omoda, which represent Chinese auto manufacturer Chery, also made their debut in Riga this year.

Latvian Climate and Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis said that the motor show has been a special trade fair as it offers visitors a unique opportunity to see various cars in real life.

Andris Kulbergs, president of Latvia's Auto Association, noted that Chinese automakers have learned how to make really good-looking cars and enhanced them technically.

Lv Anqi, economic and commercial counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Latvia, said that Chinese auto brands have successively entered the Latvian market in recent years. It not only highlights the capabilities of China's automotive industry, but also offers Latvian consumers a wider range of high-quality and environmentally friendly options.

The counsellor added that with bilateral cooperation deepening continuously, Chinese carmakers will enjoy broad prospect in Latvia and inject fresh momentum into China-Latvia economic and trade relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. 
Over 3,000 of adulterated tea powder found as Hyderabad police busts major racket

Police said the racket operated on a simple profit model, with the tea powder being bought at around Rs 140 to Rs 150 per kg and later sold for nearly Rs 250 per kg after adulteration.









Representative image Hyderabad police busted a tea powder adulteration racket

3,000 kg fake tea, 1,500 kg expired stock seized

Adulterated tea poses health risks; 10 people arrested Did our AI summary help?
Sheltered Kejriwal, then switched: Ashok Mittal joined BJP hours after AAP chief moved out

On April 2, Kejriwal removed Raghav Chadha as the partys deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and replaced him with Ashok Mittal









Ashok Mittal with Arvind Kejriwal. Several AAP leaders quit and joined BJP in a coordinated move

Internal friction and leadership disagreements fueled the exits

Kejriwals bid for unity failed as leaders quit publicly Did our AI summary help?
'Will fence the borders if our govt comes', says Rajnath Singh in West Bengal

Responding to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) claim of 'outsiders' as political attack for the party, Singh said that the BJP was founded in West Bengal.









Defence Minist Defence Minister BJP promises to fence Bengal-Bangladesh border if elected.

Amit Shah claims BJP will win 110 seats in first poll phase.

BJP vows swift CAA implementation for Matua community. Did our AI summary help?
'Zara Dilli Waapas Jao!': Mahua Moitra hits back at Amit Shahs 'O Bengal Police' remark

The clip shared by Moitra shows Shah addressing a gathering and calling out, O Bengal Police, Zara Wapas Jao.









Mahua Moitra Mahua Moitra mocks Amit Shah after his rally remarks in Bengal

Shah claims Mamata Banerjee's rule will end after May 4 polls

Banerjee plans legal action against Shah for his comments Did our AI summary help?
America's future is with India, Pakistan doesn't even come close, says ex-US official

RSS leader Ram Madhav, who also attended the event, said he was 'glad' Campbell said that









US President Donald Trump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi US strategic interests strongly aligned with India: Campbell

Campbell: America's future is with India, not Pakistan

Ram Madhav: India never agreed to stop Russian oil imports Did our AI summary help?
'Adulting is one long bill': Gurgaon techie breaks down Rs 90,000 monthly expenses, says he doesn't party

Shivank Goel, a 25-year-old product manager, posted a video on Instagram outlining his spending across rent, utilities, groceries, investments and discretionary expenses. His account has resonated widely, prompting users to compare their own financial situations.









The post prompted a range of responses from viewers, many of whom said they found the breakdown relatable.
CET student alleges he was asked to remove Janeu at Bengaluru exam centre: 'I could not write...'

A CET student in Bengaluru alleged that he and other students were asked to remove their sacred thread Janeu at the exam centre and were allowed entry only after doing so.









Student says he was forced to remove sacred thread. (Image credit: ANI) CET aspirants in Bengaluru asked to remove sacred thread 'Janeu'

Karnataka minister calls incident a violation of human rights

Complaint filed; stricter enforcement promised for future exams Did our AI summary help?
'Don't settle for less': Bengaluru CA reveals how her salary went from Rs 7 LPA to Rs 24 LPA in 5 years

A Bengaluru-based CA turned two job switches into a salary that grew nearly three and a half times in five years. She says the biggest career jumps come from knowing your worth.
'Get legal and shame them': Karnataka society denies gym, pool access to 1BHK residents, sparks outrage

A tenant in Karnataka has gone viral after claiming their housing society blocked 1BHK residents from the gym and pool, despite collecting regular maintenance fees, reigniting a broader conversation about fairness and equal access in gated communities.
'He actually made it': Candidate asks to adjust AC in mock interview, ends up facing a technical grilling

A funny mock interview clip went viral as a simple request to adjust the AC turned into a series of absurd technical questions, leaving viewers laughing.









A candidate asks to increase the AC, and the moment quickly turns into comedy. (Image credit: Screegrab/Instagram) Viral mock interview video amuses viewers with technical twists

Panel turns AC and fan requests into quirky technical questions

Clip sparks online discussion about fan blade differences Did our AI summary help?
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez (R) speaks while attending a press conference with visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 24, 2026. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday discussed cooperation in such areas as energy, security, tourism and trade. During the visit, the two countries also signed the final act of the third meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission, aimed at advancing cooperation initiatives. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)

CARACAS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday discussed cooperation in such areas as energy, security, tourism and trade.

Speaking after their first meeting, Rodriguez said both sides held "serious and concrete" discussions on combating criminal groups and transnational crime, including plans to strengthen intelligence sharing.

She said the two countries also explored closer energy cooperation, notably electricity and gas interconnection projects, as well as efforts to boost tourism and expand bilateral trade.

The agenda also covered border issues, migration and broader economic cooperation.

Rodriguez said that bilateral trade amounted to some 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2025 and that the two sides aim to further develop economic ties.

Petro, who arrived in the Venezuelan capital on Friday, highlighted the importance of regional integration.

He said stronger cooperation could benefit both nations while respecting their autonomy. His visit marks the first official trip by a head of state to Venezuela since Rodriguez assumed the presidency on an interim basis.

On Jan. 3, U.S. military forces launched a large-scale operation against Venezuela and forcibly seized President Nicolas Maduro and his wife before transporting them to New York. Rodriguez subsequently assumed the role of acting president.

During the visit, the two countries also signed the final act of the third meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission, aimed at advancing cooperation initiatives. 

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez (R) greets visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 24, 2026. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday discussed cooperation in such areas as energy, security, tourism and trade.

During the visit, the two countries also signed the final act of the third meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission, aimed at advancing cooperation initiatives. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)
'Hope you're doing okay, because I'm not': Gen Z's leave request for Devil Wears Prada 2 goes viral

From bloating and bad skin to booking a nail appointment before Devil Wears Prada 2, a Gen Z employee's brutally honest leave email has left netizens amused.









Gen Z's unfiltered leave request for Devil Wears Prada 2 wins internet. (AI-generated representative image)
Morgan Stanleys Ridham Desai calls reading waste of time, sparks debate among investors

Morgan Stanley strategist Ridham Desais remarks dismissing reading as a waste of time and favouring experience over books have gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from investors and entrepreneurs online.
Mother saves son from paralysis after he collapses from overexercising at gym

Medical experts note that such incidents underline the potential consequences of overexertion, particularly when exercise is undertaken beyond individual physical limits or without proper guidance.
'Not about money': Mumbai woman earning Rs 80 lakh rejects match after man asks to split bill

A woman has gone viral on the internet after ending a potential match following a third date dinner bill split, saying it reflected the mans mindset rather than the money involved.









She said it was not about money but the mans calculative mindset. (Image credit: Pexels) Woman ended match after bill-split request on third date

Incident fuels debate over dating norms and money boundaries

She disliked a transactional view of relationships Did our AI summary help?
Woman shares emotional experience of moving back to India after 17 years in US: 'It feels hard'

An Indian American womans post went viral after she shared her move back to India after 17 years in the US, describing it as a mix of emotional challenges and fulfilment, with struggles to adjust but joy in family time and cultural connection.









Dhara said returning to India felt like starting from scratch. (Image credit: Instagram/twinsbymys) Dhara describes returning to India as rewarding yet challenging

She finds comfort in family time and homeschooling her children

Online users relate to her mixed experience of moving back Did our AI summary help?
Antarctica winter heatwave: How temperatures rose by 28C and what it means for climate change

Antarcticas winter heatwave saw temperatures rise 28C above normal, signaling stronger climate change impacts, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather ahead.









Antarctica winter heatwave: How temperatures rose by 28C and what it means for climate change Antarctic winter 2024 hit temps 28C above normal

Heatwave linked to polar vortex disruption and warm air influx

Scientists warn such events may become 20 times more frequent Did our AI summary help?
Motorola Razr 2026, Razr+ 2026 launch date, specs, and price leaked

Motorola is expected to release its Razr 2026 series soon globally. The company has now teased the launch of this lineup, with a new report revealing most of its details.









Razr 2026 Motorola Razr 2026 series teased, launch expected on April 29

Razr 2026 starts at $799.99, Razr+ 2026 at $1,099.99

Both models feature dual 50MP cameras and AMOLED displays 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
Please dont waste time: Sridhar Vembu shares former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yews advice on PhD, marriage, and children

Sridhar Vembu has shared a video of former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew advising a PhD student not to delay marriage and starting a family, sparking discussion on career choices and declining birth rates.

Sarthak Singh April 25, 2026 / 08:22 IST























Sridhar Vembu Lee Kuan Yew advises PhD student not to delay marriage, children

Vembu video ignites debate on career vs family priorities

Post highlights concerns about declining birth rates globally 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
Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Glasses spotted inside One UI 8.5 code, tipped to launch this year

Samsung may soon launch its first smart glasses, likely called the Galaxy Glasses, which have now been spotted in the latest One UI 8.5 code. Heres everything we know so far.









Galaxy Glass Samsung Galaxy Glasses icon spotted in One UI 8.5 firmware

Glasses may launch in late 2026 with phone companion features

Samsung plans another advanced smart glasses release in 2027 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
American-Kuwaiti journalist arrested for sharing footage of US-Iran war released

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was visiting his family in Kuwait when he was last seen on March 2.









Kuwait and other Gulf Arab states have detained hundreds of people for sharing footage documenting Iranian attacks on their territory during the war.(Representative photo) Journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin released after 52 days in Kuwait

He was arrested for sharing footage of US-Iran war incidents

All charges against Shihab-Eldin have been cleared Did our AI summary help?
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi was held here on Saturday, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The office said Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also attended the meeting.

Pakistani and Iranian officials held a series of meetings on Friday and Saturday following the arrival of the Iranian delegation led by Araghchi, focusing on proposals related to potential talks between Iran and the United States, sources from Pakistan said on Saturday.

The sources added that Iran emphasized their terms and proposals during the talks while vowing to remain engaged to set a future course of diplomatic engagement to end the conflict.

A high-level meeting was held late Friday night in which the Iranian side shared its position on key demands as well as responses to proposals conveyed by the United States, said the sources.

Pakistani officials, acting as mediators, delivered messages from Washington, after which the Iranian delegation presented its views before concluding the session.

The discussions continued on Saturday, with the Iranian delegation engaging in multiple rounds of meetings with the Pakistani mediators to review responses from both sides and assess possible next steps, added sources.

Sources said the Iranian side appreciated Pakistan's leadership for its "untiring and sincere efforts" aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region. 
Are US and Iran officials set to meet in Pakistan? Heres what we know

White House on Friday set Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran's Abbas Araghchi. However, Iranian media said no meeting has been scheduled.









Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday for meetings with Pakistani leaders
Bessent casts potential new swap lines as boost to dollars role

Bessent described discussions with the UAE and other Gulf and Asian nations on dollar swap lines as being part of ongoing, routine conversations the US Treasury has engaged in over a period of a number of years.









US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent US considers extending dollar swap lines to more countries

Bessent says swap lines reinforce dollar dominance and liquidity

Talks ongoing with UAE, Gulf, and Asian nations on swap lines Did our AI summary help?
China hit brakes on fiscal stimulus as economy holds up amid war

A broad measure of public expenditure fell 2.5% last month from a year earlier, its biggest decline since October, according to Bloomberg calculations based on Ministry of Finance data released Friday.









China
'Deeply sorry': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologises for failing to report about teen before Canadas deadliest school mass shooting

On February 10, Jesse Van Rootselaar went on a shooting spree, killing eight people and injuring 25 others.









OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. OpenAI CEO sorry for not alerting police about flagged user

Suspect used ChatGPT to discuss gun violence before mass shooting

OpenAI suspended account but didnt alert authorities pre-attack Did our AI summary help?
Elon Musks comments on race are raising concerns among fans and investors

The billionaires sharp increase in posts about race is unsettling some supporters, even as investors continue to back his companies









Washington Post analysis found that Musk posted around 850 times on the subject in just seven months, nearly triple his earlier pace. Musk boosts race posts, emphasizing White identity issues

Critics say Musk echoes controversial white identity politics

Some investors fear Musks posts may damage his firms image Did our AI summary help?
Germany readies naval units for possible mission in Strait of Hormuz

We will deploy a minesweeper to the Mediterranean and provide it with a command and supply ship, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told









Strait of Hormuz (AFP image)
Iran delegation leaves Pakistan, rules out direct talks with US amid ongoing tensions

Iranian FM Araghchi is now expected to continue his diplomatic outreach with visits to Oman and Russia following his engagements in Islamabad.









Iran leaves Pakistan talks, rejects direct negotiations with the US as American envoys head to the region for discussions.
Iranian FM Araghchi describes his Pakistan visit as very fruitful, highlighting Islamabads role in peace efforts and questioning US commitment to resolving the US-Israel conflict.
Iran military says will respond if US blockade and 'banditry' continues

Irans military warns it will respond if the US continues blockading its ports, calling the actions banditry and piracy amid Gulf tensions.









Irans military warns it will respond if the US continues blockading its ports, calling the actions banditry and piracy.
Iran resumes commercial flights from Tehran's international airport for 1st time since conflict

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month amid a ceasefire with the US which halted fighting between the two countries.









Representative image
BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- By the end of 2025, China hosted 373 cooperative educational institutions and programs offering postgraduate degrees or higher, 69 of which offer doctoral programs, a think tank report said Saturday.

Sino-foreign cooperative education has entered a new phase of higher-quality development, according to the report titled "Study in China: Contributing to the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity."

The focus has shifted from traditional "knowledge transfer" to a model centered on collaborative innovation and the incubation of research outcomes, with high-level programs at the master's and doctoral levels seeing rapid growth, the report said.

The report was released by Xinhua Institute, the think tank arm of China's Xinhua News Agency. 
Iran's Abbas Araqchi arrives in Pakistan, raising hopes for US peace talks

Trump plans to send special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to talks with Araqchi in Islamabad, and the pair will depart on Saturday morning

Reuters April 25, 2026 / 01:44 IST























Iran foreign minister Abbas Araqchi arrives in Pakistan on April 24 Iran FM Araqchi in Islamabad for talks on US peace plan

US envoys Witkoff and Kushner to join Iran talks in Islamabad

Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, disrupting global oil shipments Did our AI summary help?
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets Asim Munir in Islamabad as Pakistan pushes US-Iran engagement

Araghchi arrived here late Friday for engagements with the Pakistani leadership.









Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir in Islamabad. Iranian FM Araghchi met Pakistan Army chief Munir in Islamabad

US envoy and Trump's adviser to visit Pakistan for Iran talks

No direct Iran-US meeting planned, Pakistan hopes for peace Did our AI summary help?
Iran's foreign ministry says 'no meeting planned with US' in Pakistan

Iran said Araghchi is visiting Pakistan to hold discussions with local officials, as part of Islamabads ongoing mediation efforts









Iran foreign minister Abbas Araqchi arrives in Pakistan on April 24 Iran denies plans for talks with US negotiators in Pakistan

Iranian FM Araghchi to meet only Pakistani officials in Islamabad

White House had indicated possible US-Iran talks in Pakistan Did our AI summary help?
Trump on Thursday had expressed concern about who was leading Iran, and U.S. officials have said they believe the leadership is fractured.
Iran yet to deploy 'significant' portion of missile capability, Defence Ministry highlights strong domestic weapons production

According to a spokesman in the defence ministry, approximately 9,000 firms are working alongside the armed forces and the Defence Ministry, forming an extensive industrial network that contributes components, technology and services to the military program.









Since the beginning of the war, Iran has countered US and Israel strikes with missiles. Iran says most missile arsenal remains undeployed

Over 1,000 weapon systems produced domestically

30 million Iranians registered to defend the nation Did our AI summary help?
'Just one half sentence and we would've saved $159 billion': Trump slams Supreme Court ruling on tariffs

People and companies that have taken advantage of our country for decades are now supposed to be given back $159 billion," he wrote.









US President Donald Trump
Local elections in West Bank, part of Gaza could test public trust

The vote in the West Bank will determine the makeup of the local councils overseeing water, roads and electricity. The vote in a single city in Gaza, on the other hand, is largely symbolic, with officials calling it a pilot.

Associated Press April 25, 2026 / 11:34 IST























Mayor of Hebron, Tayseer Abu Sneineh, who was recently released from an Israeli prison, votes during the municipal council election, in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. (Courtesy: Reuters photo)
Mali military battles armed groups after coordinated attacks hit Bamako and other cities

Malis army says it is fighting armed groups after coordinated attacks hit Bamako and other cities, triggering gunfire, panic, and security operations nationwide.









Gunfire erupted across Mali after coordinated attacks hit Bamako and other cities, as the military responds to escalating security threats. (Pic: AFP) Mali army fights unknown groups after Bamako, regional attacks

Heavy gunfire, helicopters seen; streets deserted amid violence

No group has claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks Did our AI summary help?
No nuclear agenda in Pakistan visit, Iranian lawmaker says; reiterates red line on talks

He reiterated that nuclear talks are a red line for Tehran and are not on the agenda during the visit









Spokesperson for the ministry of foreign affairs of Iran, Esmail Baghaei, said that no meeting between Iran and the United States is scheduled
Not flying 18 hours to talk about nothing: Trump cancels envoys Pakistan trip for talks with Iran

The decision came just as the envoys were preparing to depart, with Donald Trump indicating that he saw little value in proceeding with the trip.









US President Donald Trump Trump canceled US envoys' planned trip to Pakistan for Iran talks

Iran FM Araghchi thanks Pakistan leaders for mediation

Pakistan emphasized dialogue and diplomacy for regional peace Did our AI summary help?
ISTANBUL, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Istanbul police seized some 5,000 illegal handgun components in a single raid in a hidden underground bunker, marking the largest such recovery in Turkiye's history, authorities announced Saturday.

During a drone-assisted operation in a rural area of the Pendik district, security forces uncovered a hidden underground water reservoir used to manufacture and store unlicensed weaponry, according to the Istanbul Police Department.

Officers seized 3,092 weapon parts and 1,869 pistol slides intended for illegal assembly, while four suspects were taken into custody during the raid.

The four suspects remain in custody at the Istanbul Police Department as the investigation continues, with authorities intensifying efforts to dismantle the broader network behind the illegal production ring. 
Spain, Britain 'not worried' about Trump's plan to suspend their NATO membership over Iran war

According to NATO officials, the NATO treaty contains no provision for the suspension or expulsion of one of the alliance's members.









US President Donald Trump
Taiwan fears itll be on the menu at Trump-Xi summit: 'We need to avoid...'

Trump is set to travel to Beijing May 14-15 for a summit with Xi thats widely expected to include a variety of business deals and purchasing commitments. It was delayed from late March because of the Iran war and the need for Trump to stay in Washington.









Donald Trump greets Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. Taiwan fears Trump may make concessions to China on its status

US keeps informal Taiwan ties under One China policy

Trump-Xi summit to focus on trade, minerals, and arms sales Did our AI summary help?
Taiwan fears itll be on the menu at Xis summit with Trump

Trump is set to travel to Beijing May 14-15 for a summit with Xi thats widely expected to include a variety of business deals and purchasing commitments









Taiwan  a democratic island claimed as Chinese territory by Beijing  is high on Xis list of priorities Taiwan fears Trump may make concessions to China on its status

US maintains One China policy, no formal change on Taiwan yet

Trump delayed arms package to Taiwan, pause seen as temporary Did our AI summary help?
Trump extends US shipping waiver for 90 days to ease fuel, fertiliser movement

The measure prolongs flexibility in moving critical commodities between US ports, giving suppliers additional options to respond to demand shifts and logistical constraints.









US President Donald Trump. Trump OKs 90-day extension of oil, fertilizer shipping waiver

Waiver allows foreign ships to transport goods between US ports

Plan targets supply chain woes and lowers shipping costs Did our AI summary help?
Trump faces protest over Epstein connection before White House correspondents dinner

Protesters in Washington projected images linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein ahead of the White House Correspondents Dinner, sparking debate over his media presence.









Ahead of the White House Correspondents Dinner, demonstrators in DC staged a protest linking President Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, Protesters projected Trump-Epstein ties outside DC hotel

Trump attends White House Correspondents Dinner as president

Journalists urge questioning Trump on press restrictions at event Did our AI summary help?
Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announces maternity leave: 'I'm about ready to have a baby any minute'

The White House has not named an official replacement, and reportedly senior officials such as Vice President JD Vance may occasionally hold press conferences at the White House in her absence

AFP April 25, 2026 / 00:33 IST























White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
US court blocks Trump plan to stop migrants from seeking asylum at the border

An appeals court in the US has dealt a major setback to Donald Trumps immigration policy, ruling that migrants at the border still have the legal right to seek asylum









The ruling, delivered by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision, strikes at the heart of a key immigration measure introduced at the start of Trumps current term Court halts Trump policy limiting asylum applications

Migrants in US retain right to apply for asylum under current law

Case likely to move to Supreme Court for final decision Did our AI summary help?
US grants Nicolas Maduro access to funds for defense in criminal case

US officials barred them from using Venezuelan funds to pay for their defense, arguing it would undermine sanctions against the country.









Maduro and wife allowed to use Venezuelan funds for legal defense

US reversed ban after judge questioned fairness of restrictions

Couple keeps case active; status hearing set in 60 days Did our AI summary help?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that his agency will continue to constrict the network of vessels, intermediaries and buyers Iran relies on to move its oil to global markets.
US military strike on alleged drug boat kills 2 in eastern Pacific

The Trump administration's campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has persisted since early September and killed at least 183 people in total

Associated Press April 25, 2026 / 08:18 IST























Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Image: AP)
BERLIN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Germany will deploy naval units to the Mediterranean in preparation for possible missions in the Strait of Hormuz, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told the Rheinische Post on Saturday.

He added that a minehunter will be deployed alongside a command and supply ship, without giving a timeline. 
US Navy destroyer enforces Iran port blockade, halts Iranian-flagged ship

The action, the US Navy said, was part of the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which began earlier in April to restrict shipping to and from Iran.









Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) blocks an Iranian-flagged ship attempting to sail to a port in Iran. (Credit: USCENTCOM) US Navy stops Iranian-flagged ship near Iran port Apr 24

US blockade of Iranian ports disrupts global oil and LNG supplies

Iran FM, Pakistani leaders confer on regional peace efforts Did our AI summary help?
US soldier charged with using classified intel to win $400K on Maduro raid is granted bond

Van Dyke was involved for about a month in the planning and execution of capturing Maduro, according to the New York federal prosecutors office. He signed nondisclosure agreements promising to not divulge any classified or sensitive information related to the operations.

Associated Press April 25, 2026 / 08:06 IST























Nicolas Maduro
US strike kills 2 on suspected drug boat in Pacific, death toll in anti-drug campaign rises to 182

US military strikes another suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific, killing two people and raising the death toll to at least 182 since last September.









US military strike in the eastern Pacific kills 2, pushing total deaths in anti-drug campaign to 182 since last year. (Image: U.S. Southern Command/ X) US strike sinks vessel, kills two suspected narco-terrorists

Maritime strike deaths reach at least 182 since September

Legal experts decry strikes lack of due process, evidence Did our AI summary help?
Why JD Vance isnt heading to Pakistan for Iran talks this time

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to lead the US delegation in Islamabad, accompanied by members of Vances team









Vance had led Washingtons negotiating team during the previous round of indirect talks with Tehran JD Vance will not join US diplomatic mission to Pakistan.

Witkoff, Kushner to head U.S. delegation in Islamabad

Vance may join later if talks gain momentum. Did our AI summary help?
Palestinians are seen at a polling station in the West Bank city of Hebron, on April 25, 2026. Thousands of Palestinians voted Saturday in the first municipal elections held in Gaza in 20 years, though the process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, alongside local elections across the West Bank. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

GAZA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Palestinians voted Saturday in the first municipal elections held in Gaza in 20 years, though the process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, alongside local elections across the West Bank.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT), with voting continuing until 5:00 p.m. in Deir al-Balah and until 7:00 p.m. in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Central Elections Commission.

The commission said some 1.3 million voters are eligible across the Palestinian territories, including around 70,000 in Deir al-Balah.

According to the commission, the elections cover 183 local bodies in the Palestinian territories. In total, 321 electoral lists comprising 3,773 candidates are competing for municipal seats, alongside 1,358 candidates for village councils.

In Deir al-Balah, four electoral lists are competing, each with 15 candidates including at least four women.

Commission chairman Rami Hamdallah said in a press conference that holding elections in Deir al-Balah "reflects the unity of the Palestinian territories despite the difficult circumstances."

He noted that Deir al-Balah was selected as the "least affected" among Gaza's governorates in terms of infrastructure damage.

In the streets of Deir al-Balah, campaign activity has been visible in the weeks leading up to the vote. Posters of candidates and electoral lists covered walls, shopfronts and street poles. Campaigning was also visible in displacement camps, community centers, and residential areas hosting displaced families.

"The process was smooth, and there were no difficulties or obstacles for voters," said 42-year-old Salman al-Aidi.

Al-Aidi told Xinhua that voting in the municipal elections carried special significance after many years without participation in local polls.

Emad Abu Afash, 30, a first-time voter, told Xinhua: "This is my first participation in elections. It is a good opportunity to try to recover from the effects of the war, despite the limited scope of the vote."

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called the vote "an important step" and said conditions should be created to extend the electoral process to the rest of Gaza.

Gaza-based political analyst Eyad Abdel Jawad said the elections aim to revive local democratic processes after years of stagnation.

Gaza's political environment is marked by weak institutional trust and deep divisions, making the elections more of a test for local governance than a broader political transformation, he said.

It is the first time local elections have been held in Gaza since 2006, before Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007. Multiple rounds of conflict and political divisions have since prevented such votes. 

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Deir al-balah, Gaza Strip, on April 25, 2026. Thousands of Palestinians voted Saturday in the first municipal elections held in Gaza in 20 years, though the process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, alongside local elections across the West Bank. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

(260426) -- NABLUS, April 26, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian shows his inked thumb at a polling station in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 25, 2026. Thousands of Palestinians voted Saturday in the first municipal elections held in Gaza in 20 years, though the process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, alongside local elections across the West Bank. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

(260426) -- NABLUS, April 26, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian shows his ballot at a polling station in the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 25, 2026. Thousands of Palestinians voted Saturday in the first municipal elections held in Gaza in 20 years, though the process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, alongside local elections across the West Bank. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians enter a polling station in the West Bank city of Hebron, on April 25, 2026. Thousands of Palestinians voted Saturday in the first municipal elections held in Gaza in 20 years, though the process was limited to the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, alongside local elections across the West Bank. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
Pumpjacks at sunset. A new report from the Energy Information Administration finds U.S. oil and natural gas reserves declined in 2024. Jim Suter / 500px/Getty Images/500px

With final numbers in, the Energy Information Administration has issued its report on the nation's proved crude and natural gas reserves for 2024.

The agency's report found proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas decreased by 1% and 3%, respectively, compared with 2023. Agency analysts noted that in 2024, for the second consecutive year, average spot prices for both crude oil and natural gas decreased from their recent highs in 2022.

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U.S. crude oil and lease condensate proved reserves decreased 1% from 46.4 billion barrels to 46.0 billion barrels at year-end 2024. At the same time, U.S. crude oil and lease condensate production increased 2% in 2024.

In Texas, crude oil and lease condensate reserves decreased by 529 million barrels, or 3%, in 2024, the largest annual net decline reported among all states. The second-largest net decline in oil reserves occurred in North Dakota, down 487 million barrels, or 11%.

New Mexico crude oil and lease condensate proved reserves increased by 8%, the largest net increase, at 496 million barrels, in 2024.

In the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp plays in the Permian Basin, EIA analysts found production rose to 1.9 billion barrels, up 157 million barrels from 1.76 billion barrels in 2023. Reserves rose to 17.4 billion barrels from 15.4 billion barrels in 2023.

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Proved reserves from the nation's shale plays grew to 60% of U.S. crude oil and lease condensate proved reserves, after increasing 5% from 26.2 billion barrels at year-end 2023 to 27.5 billion barrels at year-end 2024.

Turning to natural gas, proved reserves of U.S. natural gas decreased 3%, from 603.6 trillion cubic feet at year-end 2023 to 583.9 Tcf at year-end 2024. U.S. natural gas production increased 1% in 2024.

Texas natural gas proved reserves decreased 7% in 2024, the largest annual net decline, at 10.2 Tcf, among all states in 2024.

Natural gas production from the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp in the Permian Basin inched up to 10.6 Tcf from 10.5 Tcf in 2023. Reserves fell 6.1 Tcf to 141.2 Tcf from 147.3 Tcf at the end of 2023.

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U.S. natural gas proved reserves from shale plays were at their lowest level since 2021, declining 3% from 393.1 Tcf to 379.4 Tcf at year-end 2024. Even with this decline, natural gas reserves from shale plays accounted for 65% of U.S. natural gas proved reserves at year-end 2024.

Proved reserves are estimated volumes of hydrocarbon resources that analysis of geologic and engineering data demonstrates with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.

 Price and cost changes

 New discoveries

 Thorough appraisals of existing fields

 Existing reserves production

 New and improved techniques and technologies
More than 70 Permian Basin leaders met in Washington to push energy, infrastructure and workforce priorities for West Texas. Courtesy Photo/Midland Chamber of Commerce More than 70 Permian Basin leaders met in Washington to push energy, infrastructure and workforce priorities for West Texas. Courtesy Photo/Midland Chamber of Commerce Delegation members included oil and gas industry professionals, small business owners, civic leaders, educators, and students from the University of Texas Permian Basin. Courtesy Photo/Midland Chamber of Commerce Participants attended two days of programming while engaging with policymakers and national thought leaders. Featured speakers included Texas Senators John Cornyn, Ted Cruz (pictured above), and James Lankford, as well as many others. Courtesy Photo/Midland Chamber of Commerce Officials during the Washington Fly-In. Courtesy Photo, City of Midland Officials meeting with Senator John Cornyn, center, during the Washington Fly-In. Courtesy Photo, City of Midland City of Midland officials posing in front of the U.S. Capitol during the Washington Fly-In. Courtesy Photo, City of Midland Mayors Cal Hendrick, left, and Lori Blong posing in front of the U.S. Capitol during the Washington Fly-In. Courtesy Photo, City of Midland Lori Blong, left, and Councilman Brian Stubbs posing in front of the U.S. Capitol during the Washington Fly-In. Courtesy Photo, City of Midland

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Local leaders from the Permian Basin visited the nations capital as the Midland Chamber of Commerce and Odessa Chamber of Commerce co-hosted their 2026 Midland-Odessa Washington Fly-in, sponsored by Diamondback Energy.

Midland Chamber members said about 70 leaders brought the voice of the Permian Basin to the nations capital. Delegation members, the Midland Chamber said, included oil and gas industry professionals, small business owners, civic leaders, educators and students from the University of Texas Permian Basin who advocated for policies supporting growth and innovation for West Texas.

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U.S. Rep. August Pfluger welcomed the two chambers for their third biennial trip to the capital and highlighted the regions role in powering the country and fueling the economy. He said innovators and local leaders in West Texas power the regions success every day and encouraged delegation members to share their stories about the region.

Midland and Odessa play a vital role in Texas and on the global stage, said Congressman Pfluger in a press statement. The Permian Basin is the heart of American energy production, driving our economy and strengthening our national security.

According to the city of Midland via a social media post, topics discussed included the following:

Federal permitting reform for water projects

The energy industry

Infrastructure corridor development along Interstates 14 and 27

Growing the commercial aerospace industry

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This Fly-In continues to demonstrate the strength of the partnership between Midland and Odessa and gives our communities a unified presence and a stronger platform to advocate for what matters most, said Renee Earls, President and CEO of the Odessa Chamber. Bringing in over 70 leaders from across the Permian Basin to share our story reinforces just how important our region is not only to Texas but also to the entire nation.

Evan Thomas, Midland Chamber president and CEO, said the week in the nations capital was about creating real connections and having impactful conversations, while also hearing from decision makers on policies and critical issues being considered at the federal level.

This Fly-In was a powerful reminder that our region has a seat at the table in shaping national policy, and we need to take it, said Thomas.

Participants attended two days of programming and engaged with policymakers and national thought leaders on issues such as workforce development, permitting reform, infrastructure, foreign affairs and energy policy. Featured speakers included U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas, and James Lankford of Oklahoma, among others.

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Midland's voice deserves to be heard at the federal level, and I'm grateful to be here alongside so many people who love this city as much as I do, said Midland Mayor Lori Blong in a Facebook post.

In addition to panel discussions, participants met with lawmakers to advocate for policies that support domestic energy production and long-term growth in West Texas.

Staff reporter Luke Dias contributed to this report
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PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has expressed deep regret if Thailand decides to unilaterally withdraw from the maritime memorandum of understanding (MoU).

In a statement dated Friday and released to the media on Saturday, Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Cambodia and Thailand signed the MoU regarding the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf in 2001 (MoU-2001).

It is deeply regrettable if Thailand decides to unilaterally withdraw from the MoU-2001, the statement said.

It added that more than a technical arrangement, the MoU-2001 reflected the genuine will and common interest of both countries to pursue, in good faith, a mutually acceptable framework for the joint exploitation of resources in the overlapping claims area, while simultaneously advancing maritime boundary delimitation in accordance with international law.

Thailand's unilateral withdrawal from the MoU-2001 will be a step departing from the cooperative spirit underpinning the signing of this document, the statement said.

Cambodia, for its part, remains firmly and consistently committed to both the letter and the spirit of the MoU-2001, as well as to the goodwill and good faith that guided its conclusion in 2001.

The statement came after Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed on Thursday that the National Security Council has confirmed the abolition of a maritime MoU on the issue of overlapping sea areas signed with Cambodia during the tenure of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The cabinet will review the relevant decision as soon as possible, Anutin noted.

The resolutions of the National Security Council shall be submitted to the Thai cabinet for approval before they come into effect.

Thadawut Thatpitakkul, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy, told reporters that the reason for the abolition was that the MoU had been in use for many years but had made no progress.

Since Cambodia has now joined the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said, Thailand and Cambodia can negotiate within the framework of the convention. 
Clubs and organizations Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty

Jacksonville Area Landlord Association

Thomas Kusch and Ramona Wilson, managers at The Home Depot in Jacksonville, gave the program during the April meeting of Jacksonville Area Landlord Association (JALA).

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Thomas and Ramona spoke of the many services provided by The Home Depot, such as professional discounts, JALA membership discounts, military discounts, online ordering, delivery services, bid pricing for projects greater than $2,500, Pro Desk services, and others. Their presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period.

Thomas and Ramonas presentation helped JALA members learn more about the services provided by The Home Depot. Anne Jackson won the door prize provided by The Home Depot.

JALAs next meeting will be on May 12 with representatives from Jacksonville Area Council for Independent Living (JACIL) presenting the program. New members are welcome. JALA members meet under the Morgan County Fairgrounds grandstand at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, with a 5:30 p.m. social time, to discuss topics involved in property rentals, repairs and real estate investing. For more informationgo to jville4rent.net.

 Submitted by Richard Vollmer

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Jacksonville Rotary Club

President Kelly Pool called to order the April 17 meeting of Jacksonville Rotary Club at noon April 17 at Hamiltons.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and "America" was sung. Volunteers were thanked, including greeters and 50-50: Joey Henry, Shawn McCombs and Jan Ryan; sergeants-at-arms, Alberta Robinson and Tom Luber; Reflection, Kim Brogdon; Recognitions and Rotations, Joey Henry; notes, Anne Jackson; song leader and Tobbes transportation, Jim McClarey; tech, Dan Lepper; and food delivery, Lynne Sheaff.

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Woo-hoo:

 Laurie Evans was presented a Paul Harris +3 pin.

 Jay Jamison shared the great success Sunrise Rotary Club had with its coupon collection. Way to go, guys!

Announcements:

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 Rotary dues are due.

 If you have not paid your Paul Harris Circle money, please do so now.

 The PolioPlus jars are on the tables.

 Scholarship interviews will be at 5:15 p.m. April 20 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

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 Tobbes bucket list was circulated.

 Tobbe will be moving to another host family on Sunday.

 Volunteers for the Rotary Scholar Athlete Banquet are needed.

 There will be a going-away gathering for Pete from 5 to 7 p.m. May 9 at The Club.

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 The Sunrise club is selling geranium plants for $6 each. They will be delivered before Mothers Day. See Jay Jamison.

Tobbe was in the house! Jay Jamison was a visiting Rotarian from the Sunrise club.

Kelly Pool gave an interesting program on Illinois College's Alternative Spring Break. This year, the group went to Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee. It is an affordable, service-oriented experience that provides personal growth. The group had a wonderful experience and made lasting friendships.

No 50-50 this week. The Four-Way Test was recited and the meeting was adjourned at 1 p.m.

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 Submitted by Anne Jackson

Jacksonville Sunrise Rotary Club

As a cloudy morning dawned with grumbles of thunder, 11 Rotarians and one guest speaker made their way through April showers to gather in the cozy back room of Rudi's Grill. Some ordered breakfast while greetings and chatter circulated around the narrow meeting table, just like the Unbreakable Polio Jar.

When the time was right, President Brittany rang open the April 14 meeting at 7:03 a.m., followed by Jay leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Don leading the reciting of the Four-Way Test (five for the fun-loving members) and Pat giving the opening prayer, focusing that dreary morning on peace.

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Rotations were made by Jay, Jane Zachary, Sarah Robinson, Linda, Sarah Edmiston, Ella, Mary and Don. Pat reminded club members that geranium orders are due at the next meeting. If you need a plant that blooms all summer for your mom and her favorite color is red, Sunrise Rotary members can solve your gift-giving needs for the low price of $6 per plant. Brittany did an excellent job with Recognitions, finding several newspaper clippings for each member to coax donations to the scholarship fund.

Speaker Polly Pulley spoke about Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen. The club learned about her daily operations, how many people are served at each meal, what a typical menu consists of, how the soup kitchen has changed since COVID-19, ways she helps guests beyond delicious meals, and ways the club can help. After answering several questions, Polly accepted an appreciative round of applause.

President Brittany rang the meeting to a close at 7:54 a.m. The next meeting is at 7 a.m. April 21 in the back room of Rudis Grill. Guests and visiting Rotarians are welcome. Club members are reminded to turn in their geranium orders.

Upcoming events:

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 Meeting  7 a.m. April 21 at Rudis Grill

 Geranium sales orders are due April 21.

 Scholarships ($1,000) applications deadline  April 22

 Scholarships awarded  May

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 Geranium delivery  May 8

 Pack-the-House  4:30 p.m.-closing May 13 at Los Rancheros

 Discount cards  Selling in June

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Datebook miniseries/Getty Images

It is recommended you contact the group in advance to verify meeting details. Any changes in meeting schedules can be emailed to JJCsocial@myjournalcourier.com.



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ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

217-370-4002

Jacksonville locations:

 First Baptist Church, 1701 Mound Ave. Wheelchair-accessible.

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 Club HOW, 638 S. Church St.

 Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf, 104 Finley St. (enter through the back)

Monday

 Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW.

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 Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Bowen Group.

 Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW.

Tuesday

 Open discussion, noon at Club HOW.

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 VIRGINIA: Closed discussion, 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Main and Washington streets.

 ROODHOUSE: Closed discussion, 12-step/12 traditions, 8 p.m. at Grace Center, 114 W. Palm St.

Wednesday

 Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW.

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 Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW.

Thursday

 Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW.

 SASS (Strong and Sober Sisters) open womens meeting, 6:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf.

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 Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. Newcomers Group.

Friday

 Closed discussion, noon at Club HOW. TGIF Group.

 Closed discussion, 5:15 p.m., Big Book Study at Club HOW.

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 VIRGINIA: Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 401 E. Broadway Ave.

Saturday

 Open meeting, noon at Club HOW.

 Open speaker, 8 p.m. at Club HOW.

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Sunday

 Closed discussion, 10 a.m. at Club HOW. (Second Sunday is open)

 SPRINGFIELD: AA for Women, 10 a.m. at Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St.

 Closed discussion, 8 p.m. at Club HOW. 12 & 12 Group.

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AL-ANON

Meetings are nonsmoking and open to anyone. The only requirement is that there be a problem of alcohol with a loved one or friend. 217-370-1038.

Wednesday

 Al-Anon, 7-8 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 331 E. State St. (use Morgan Street entrance).

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NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

All meetings are nonsmoking. Not affiliated with any religious organization.

Jacksonville location:

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 Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf, 104 Finley St. (enter through back door). 217-883-1975.

Monday

 Open discussion group, 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf.

Wednesday

 Open discussion group, 8 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf.

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Friday

 Open discussion group, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf.



OTHER MEETINGS

Monday

 Addicts Victorious, 7-8 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle, 571 Sandusky St. Use side entrance to church hall.

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 PITTSFIELD: Addicts Victorious, 7-8 p.m. in the basement of Subway in Pittsfield. 1-800-323-1388.



Tuesday

 Jacksonville Sunrise Rotary, 7 a.m. Rudis Grill, 1913 W. Morton Ave. 217-243-6895.

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 Bereavement support group, 10-11 a.m. Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Meeting Room 4.



Wednesday

 Breastfeeding support group, 6 p.m., Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Meeting Room 2.

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 ROODHOUSE: Women with Hearts of Love (WWHOL), 6-7 p.m. at House of Restoration, 208 W. Franklin St. 217-602-1670.



Thursday

 Jacksonville Area Chess Club, 6-9 p.m. at Jacksonville Public Library. 217-370-0882.

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 Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, noon at Hamiltons.

 WHITE HALL: Addicts Victorious, teens 5:30-6:30 p.m.; adults 7-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of New Life Church, 626 Curtis St.

 Addicts In Recovery (AIR) recovery support group for those suffering from addiction and for anyone who has been affected by addiction; 7 p.m. at Go Church, 767 S. West St.



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Friday

 Jacksonville Rotary Club, noon at Hamiltons.

 PITTSFIELD: Addicts Victorious, 6 p.m. at Assembly of God, 575 Piper St. 800-323-1388.



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Saturday
Co-owner of Soil Regen and first generation farmer, Russell Hedrick, designs and markets drones for agricultural use, in Hickory, North Carolina, on April 10. Grant Baldwin/AFP via Getty Images

Evan Marr said he bought his drone in 2017 for about $1,000.

"That's made it pretty nice where I can get up in the air and go scout, see if we're maybe having a weed problem in an area or possibly even something else," Marr said. "You might see how to field the disease pressure-wise or insect pressure-wise and be able to kind of make a judgment call from there."

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Outside his farm, sometimes Marr brings in outside groups to study the growing pattern of his crops.

"Nowadays the technology is just crazy where we're actually able to use some NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) imagery and things like that to kind of study and view the crop belt throughout the growing season," he said.

According to a 2023 research study from the University of Illinois and Mississippi State University, there's evidence that artificial intelligence can be used as a predictor for crop yield.

"The increase in machine learning and deep learning research for remote sensing presents a promising path forward in incorporating artificial intelligence into agriculture and remote sensing," according to the study.

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While it isn't odd to find drones on a farm, Marr said he's not looking to buy another one anytime soon (although the technology upgrades are always happening). The equipment he has right now if fine enough.

"I've owned one for a long time there since they I started first came out, it started becoming popular," Marr said. "I'd like to update mine, get a newer style."
Kristin Jamison, the executive director of the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation, stands with the sign that honors Charles Rowe, who donated farmland to the hospital. The land includes the area the hospital is built on. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree/Journal-Courier

The first farm donated to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, formerly Passavant Area Hospital, was given in 192 by Charles A. Rowe and is now where the current hospital campus sits.

But that's not the only land donated to the hospital.

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More Information Donors are:  Charles A. Rowe, 267 acres in 1928  Thomas Tissington, 420 acres in 1928  Nellie Rice, 89 acres in 1959  Robert Shekelton, 248 acres in 1972  Frances W. Corrington, 316 acres in 1973  Frank C. Dinwiddie, 610 acres in 1981  Mildred J. Dinwiddle, 339 acres in 1982  Emma Lucille Hembrough, 96 acres in 1982  Edward P. Hostman, 320 acres in 1982  Irma Fox Barsnes, 30 acres in 1985  William and Oley Beilschmidt, 505 acres in 1999  Lloyd Gordon, 466 acres in 1999  Howard and Vera Million, land in 2014

Since the first donation in 1928, there have been more than 4,000 acres donated, allowing the hospital to profit from crops grown across three counties.

Kristin Jamison, the executive director for the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation, said the program is unique and provides an income to the hospital that can be used to help with various programs and projects within the hospital each year.

"To me, this is a unique way to honor a family member," Jamison said. "Our general feeling is that any of the gifts given to the hospital or foundation are because they want to support the work we do. They understand why the hospital is important."

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Currently, the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation oversees the production of crops on approximately 4,000 acres across Morgan, Scott and Cass counties. The total estimated land value under the foundation was roughly $50 million in September 2025.

Since the 1920s, 13 estates have left farmland to Passavant Area Hospital, now Jacksonville Memorial Hospital.

All income from the farms goes to the foundation to benefit the hospital.

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Farmland donated by Charles Rowe in 1928 is being prepared for the spring planting season. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree/Journal-Courier

"The $1 million generated from the farm helps the hospital improve patient services," Jamison said. "These gifts help improve the lives of Morgan County and area residents."

Jamison said there is a Jacksonville Memorial Farm Advisory committee made up of agricultural officials who help her work with the farm operators or management companies that oversee the farms to ensure they are operating to their fullest capabilities.

Jamison said the work done on each farm varies depending on the wishes of those that donated the land.

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"Each is unique in how they are managed," Jamison said. "Some have farm operators and some are managed by a farm manager group. Each has different contracts and all are operating based on the wishes of the donor. They want them to be working farms and it's our mission to uphold those wishes."

A map of Scott County highlights farms donated to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. Courtesy of Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation

Even a portion of the Rowe farm is still operated as a working farm to grow crops just north of the hospital's campus.

The donation of land isn't the only way farmers are supporting the hospital.

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A map of Cass County highlights farms donated to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. Courtesy of Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation

The foundation also has a program where farmers can donate bushels of their crops to support the hospitals emergency department. The profits from those bushels benefit the hospital and its emergency department.

Each farm is designated by a sign that identifies who donated it.

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A map of Morgan County highlighting farms donated to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. Courtesy of Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation
John Lund (third from left) salutes his friend, Terry Kitchen, whose remains were being carried by a member of the Navy. Lund, an Army veteran, considered Kitchen a brother. Officials could not locate any family members, but hundreds turned out as Kitchen was laid to rest Friday. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

Hundreds of people showed up for a funeral at Camp Butler National Cemetery near Springfield on Friday. Cars lined the roads, a Sangamon County Sheriff's Department car sat at the entrance, and people helped make sure people knew where to park.

The service was for two veterans, one who died in Sangamon County and the other in Morgan County. While one cousin was located for one of the men, they were largely without family.

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But one attendee said he still considered one of the man his brother, no matter what blood dictated.

Two military members fold a flag for Terry Lee Furbeck, an Army veteran. Furbeck's funeral coincided with the funeral of a Navy veteran who died in Morgan County, Terry Lee Kitchen. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

John Lund said his friend Terry Kitchen, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the Navy, knew there likely wouldn't be anyone to arrange his funeral. Lund considers Kitchen his brother; so, while Kitchen was alive, they coordinated to make sure Lund had the paper documents that proved he was a member of the military.

When Kitchen's health got worse, he left Lund and Springfield to go a nursing home in Jacksonville. He died June 15. On Friday, he was laid to rest.

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After the funeral service at Camp Butler National Cemetery on Friday, people lingered to speak to each other. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

After Kitchen's death, Lund knew the process of burying him might be difficult without family. Still, he spent months with the help of the Morgan County Coroner's Office making sure the proper documentation, like the DD214 military record, would get to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

"We (Lund and I) talked for six months while I actively tried to get it through official channels," Morgan County Coroner Marcy Patterson said. "And the last time he called, I said, 'I'm still waiting on the 214,' and he said, 'I have the 214.'"

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People bow their heads during a service for two military veterans at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

After that, the funeral was quickly arranged at Camp Butler National cemetery. As of Friday, Lund said he thinks he's honored Kitchen.

"One of the have main reasons is that the reason I got on it  not only is he my military brother, but you know, just to have your final wishes carried out because he always," Lund paused for several seconds, tearing up. "He never felt that honored for his service."

Lund said his friendship with Kitchen started off with mowing his grass, then cleaning his house, then fishing together quietly.

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A veteran touches a flower to the remains of each two deceased veterans. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

Patterson said that after posting a Facebook post about the event, a distant cousin for Kitchen came forward and was able to accept the honors. Patterson accepted the flag on behalf of the other veteran who passed, Terry Lee Furbeck who died in Sangamon County.

"I feel like um I'm doing work that matters today," said Patterson, a veteran of the Illinois National Guard. "It matters a lot."

A cousin of Terry Kitchen (left) and Morgan County Coroner Marcy Patterson hold the folded flags for two servicemembers laid to rest. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

The Facebook post from the Morgan County Coroner's Office had hundreds of interactions and comments. John Poppenga said that's how he heard about the funeral. He sent the information to his friend, Mel Henson.

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Poppenga and Henson aren't veterans, but they're members of the Patriot Guard, a nation-wide, volunteer motorcycle group. The organization often attends funeral services they're invited to so veterans aren't buried without anyone there. They said they've attended five services this year.

Members of the Flatland Riders gather at Camp Butler National Cemetery to pay respects to two veterans being laid to rest. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

Because the Morgan County coroner's invitation was open to anyone, they shared that information with a more of more than 7,000 bikers on Facebook.

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Commentary: Every year, were assured taxes will be simpler. Just look at form ZYUB-47 and subtract the cosine of pi to the angular momentum of 9.8. Olga Pankova/Getty Images Alexandra Paskhaver Syndicated

We made it through another tax season, where well-dressed Americans ironed their suits, sharpened their pencils, and attempted to strangle themselves with their ties.

Its not their fault. Every year, were assured taxes will be simpler to fill out than last year.

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Just look at form ZYUB-47, then add deductions from part A to the fifth participle, then subtract the cosine of pi to the angular momentum of 9.8 meters per second, and youll get your taxes for the year.

No! Im kidding! Really, its much more complicated than that.

Its our duty, as humble citizens, to make sure that congressmen can give themselves raises this year.

So lets review what we need to pay taxes in full, such that we dont give IRS agents the joyous experience of auditing us.

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1. Ascertain the number of dependents you have.

My dog depends on me. So do my houseplants, including the plastic ones. That gives me eight dependents. All I have to do is make up Social Security numbers and I can put them on my taxes, easy.

2. Deduct deductibles.

Are you a megacorporation? If so, dont bother with your tax forms. The government probably owes you money, anyway.

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If youre a small business owner or run-of-the-mill individual taxpayer, do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Add $12,458.23 to your taxes, just because.

3. Get everything checked by an accountant.

I may not be an investment professional, but my cousin Peter is. When I asked him if he could contribute some sage financial advice to my column, he asked to be paid $300.

My cousin Peter is a great accountant, but I am a great cheapskate. In lieu of his advice, I will say this: the cost of an accountant is worth your peace of mind come audit season.

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Unless, of course, the cost of an accountant will leave you unable to pay your taxes.

In that case, I would advise that to gain some quick cash, you either take another job or join the Mafia. In the latter case, you might end up rubbing elbows with some congressmen.

If so, ask them to not audit me this year. I know Ive suddenly gained eight dependents, but I could just as easily have had octuplets.

4. Escape to Alaska.

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The long arm of the IRS can reach into your home and snatch you up like a bogeyman. But there is one place its fingers will not reach: Alaska.

I lied. It can get you in Alaska, too. But at least youd have time to enjoy some scenic glaciers and aurora borealis before youre locked in a cement brick of a prison with nothing to warm you but the lone light bulb in your cell.

5. Breathe.

Whether youre sitting in a dank prison cell or hitting the submit button on TurboTax, its worth it to remember that taxes arent everything. There are things much more valuable than money. For example, your family. Or political influence. Probably the latter.

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Once your taxes are submitted, you are done for the year. Go out! Celebrate! Spend so much money, you can log it as a business expense!
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, accompanied by a delegation, is scheduled to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday to discuss the regional situation, local media reported.

The delegation is expected to convey a message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the meeting, the reports said.

Senior Pakistani military leadership and government officials are also likely to attend the meeting, the reports added.

Araghchi arrived in Pakistan late Friday night with a nine-member delegation and held a meeting with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir in the early hours of the morning. 
Rats love driving tiny cars, even when they dont get treats ars technica (Paul R)

Robert Skidelsky death  some recollections Bill Mitchell. He gave a very nice blurb for my book.

How to pronounce Middle English Dead Language Society (Micael T)

A new way to stop global spread of pathogen once linked to Irelands Great Famine STK (Micael T)

Why your life feels fake: an antidote to the life you were sold Dan Koe (Micael T)

VOTING IS LINKED TO LIVING LONGER Penn Social Policy & Research (Dr. Kevin)

Could humans become Sun-eaters in the future? Big Think

COVID-19/Pandemics

C.D.C. Cancels Publication of Study Showing Benefits of Covid Vaccines New York Times

Climate/Environment

China?

Japan

Breaking the Postwar Taboo: Japan Lifts Its Ban on Lethal Arms Exports The Diplomat

European Disunion

Old Blighty

Israel v. The Resistance

So the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, Iranians asked to talk in person to the US envoys, and they have asked for the meeting, when the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Islamabad and will leave in a few hours. Envoys Steve Witkoff and  Elijah J. Magnier  (@ejmalrai) April 24, 2026

FM Araghchi will hold no talks with US officials during Islamabad visit  Iran News 24 (@IRanMediaco) April 25, 2026

US Shifting Clear Objectives in IRAN WAR /Robert Barnes & Lt Col Daniel Davis

WHY THE WESTERN SECULAR MIND CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE IRAN WAR "Some fifteen years ago I wrote that western reliance on its lens of secular rationality was no longer adequate as a means to understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was becoming obvious  even then  that the https://t.co/Ik9hugtMwY  Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) April 24, 2026

The ongoing US-Iran war has forcefully opened the worlds eyes to a startling reality about the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Their highest-ranking military generals and nuclear scientists are deeply grounded in the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant. The biting irony here is that pic.twitter.com/GBC7f5CVK8  Chetuya Math Chinagolum (@Chetuyachinago) April 24, 2026

Day 57: expecting great violence Alon Mizrahi (Chuck L)

JUST IN:  Largest US naval buildup since the Iraq War now underway in the Middle East, Fox News reports.  BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) April 25, 2026

Houthis have discussed implementing Red Sea tolls, says UK security firm Lloyds List

Israel launches fresh strikes in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire extension Anadou Agency

As the world moves on, Gaza keeps shrinking The Times

New Not So Cold War

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Imperial Collapse Watch

Trump 2.0

GOP Clown Car

Speaker Johnsons beginning of the end Noah Berlatsky (Chuck L)

Democrats Suck

British Labour Party Operative Imran Ahmed Now Key Cog in Democrats Censorship Machinery Paul Thacker (Chuck L)

Mr. Market is Giddy

Economy

AI

The Bezzle

New York Sues Coinbase and Gemini, Seeking To Halt Unlicensed Prediction Market Businesses Associated Press I have two stacks on my desk. The left stack is financial disclosure forms from members of Congress. The right stack is waivers for members who filed their financial disclosures late. The right stack is always taller. On Wednesday morning, I watched a soldier get arrested on  Peter Girnus  (@gothburz) April 24, 2026

Guillotine Watch

Antidote du jour (Tracie H):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. This article describes how the Democratic Parry lack of interest in addressing homelessness has created a policy vacuum that right wing extremists are happily occupying.

By Sonali Kolhatkar, an award-winning multimedia journalist. She is the founder, host, and executive producer of Rising Up With Sonali, a weekly subscriber-funded television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. Her books include Talking About Abolition: A Police-Free World Is Possible (Seven Stories Press, 2025) and Rising Up: The Power of Narrative in Pursuing Racial Justice (City Lights Books, 2023). She is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute and was a senior editor at Yes! Magazine covering race and economy. She serves as the co-director of the nonprofit solidarity organization the Afghan Womens Mission and is a co-author of Bleeding Afghanistan. She also sits on the board of directors of Justice Action Center, an immigrant rights organization. Produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute

A 2024 Treasury Department report articulated the leading cause of homelessness in the United States: For the past two decades, rents and house prices have been rising faster than incomes across most regions of the United States. The logic of this claimbased on documented evidenceis straightforward. People arent earning enough to pay rent or their home mortgage, and subsequently end up living in cars or on the streets.

But, to the Cicero Institute, a right-wing, Texas-based think tank, people choose to become homeless so that they can take advantage of publicly funded housing. According to Ciceros website, Permanent supportive housing doesnt address homelessnessit creates demand for more homelessness.

Such a claim would be ridiculed as disconnected from reality. Except that Cicero, created by tech billionaire and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, is promoting a dystopian solution to homelessness that includes bans on street camping, involuntarily institutionalizing mentally ill people, and building camps outside cities for unhoused people. According to the Housing Not Handcuffs campaign, as of April 2026, 22 states across the country are considering or have passed legislation based on Ciceros ideas.

Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center has strong words for Ciceros policies, calling them racist, backwards, and frankly, ineffective solutions to homelessness that focus on jails and arrests and forcing people off of the streets.

Billionaires and politicians have fundamentally misdiagnosed the cause of homelessness, says Rabinowitz. There is a mistaken but pervasive belief that homelessness is a choice, that people are choosing to sleep outside, and that if we make it a crime to be homeless and make homelessness harder, people will choose something else.

This dangerous right-wing vision of tackling homelessness is flourishing in Donald Trumps America. The president, in a disturbing 2023 campaign video, denounced homeless people as deeply unwell and dangerously deranged who are ruining the quality of working peoples lives and promised he would use every tool to get the homeless off our streets.

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis echoed this language. Instead of acknowledging that no one should be forced onto the streets because they cant afford rent, he said, You should not be accosted by a homeless, like we see. You should be able to walk down the street and live your life. Instead of promising all Floridians the ability to live safely, he instead offered a vision of a state where the homeless disappear from view: Were going to have clean sidewalks. Were going to have clean parks. Were going to have safe streets.

Study after study proves the obviousthat when housing is too expensive, people cant afford it. Every time rents go up $100, homelessness increases by 9 percent, explains Rabinowitz. People should think back. How many times in the past decade has the rent gone up by $100? That is why more people are sleeping outside and have nowhere else to live.

Ciceros vision is most notably being realized in Utah, where state authorities are building a 1,300-bed camp for homeless people on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, complete with in-house facilities to force people into treatment for mental health and addiction. Ciceros Devon Kurtz called Utahs experiment a harbinger of the future.

The foremost goal is not to punish, said Kurtz in an NPR interview. But, he added, there are situations where we just cant accept the status quo.

The status quo is that people are being priced out of their homes, but rather than address the causes of homelessness, Kurtz, Trump, DeSantis, and other conservatives want to spare themselves the sight of homeless people, to punish them for falling through the gaping cracks of the modern American economy.

To be fair, liberal mayors and Democratic politicians have also embraced similar approaches minus the overtly dystopian rhetoric. For example, in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has backed a program that pushes the unhoused into motels as transitional housing. She has come under criticism from housing rights groups for failing to back permanent housing solutions and address the root causes of homelessness. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has instituted bans on encampments and criminalized homeless people.

The failures of Democratic politicians to effectively tackle homelessness have only fed right-wing derision toward permanent housing and other proven solutions rooted in addressing inequality.

In addition to state-level bills to force the unhoused into camps, the Trump regime has wrecked long-standing federal housing policies enacted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In December 2025, HUD staffers struggled to keep unhoused people safe in harsh winter conditions, with their funding being slashed. Trump took a page straight out of Ciceros book in ending federal housing first policies that emphasize subsidized housing and meeting homeless peoples needs.

As worthy as pre-Trump federal housing policies have been, they were never comprehensive enough. Rabinowitz traces the failures of federal housing policy to former President Ronald Reagans decimation of public housing.

We know the solution to homelessness is housing and supports, says Rabinowitz. At the same time, since at least the 80s, the federal government has abandoned its responsibility to ensure that everyone has a safe place to live. So, cities and states across the country are left carrying the water for decades of failed federal housing policy.

Because downstream solutions such as subsidized housing and other government supports dont go far enough, and because there is no political will to implement upstream solutions to rising wealth inequality and housing costs, homelessness continues to be a serious problem.

A recent California-based experiment sheds light on this. As part of a partnership between nonprofit organization Miracle Messages and the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, 103 unhoused people were given $750 in cash per month between 2022 and 2024. Recipients who received this basic income spent it on necessities such as food, transportation, and housing costs. But, after a year, the funding did not drastically change long-term outcomes. Researchers concluded that, While $750 a month helps, it doesnt come close to covering rent in high-cost areas like the Bay Area or Los Angeles. The solution is more money, not less.

We will never solve homelessness until we address the underlying factors, the number one of which is that the rent is just too damn high, says Rabinowitz. We know that housing solves homelessness. Theres just not nearly enough [affordable housing] to go around, he added.

Rabinowitzs organization launched an effort in early 2026 to prevent tax dollars from subsidizing camps for the unhoused, as Utah is doing. The No Federal Funding for Homeless Detention Camps campaign has harnessed the political support of progressive elected officials and nonprofits to demand that federal tax dollars dont go toward such projects.

Hiding the problem doesnt solve the problem, says Rabinowitz. Just like you wouldnt want your kids to sweep all of their crumbs under the rug, we dont want to hide homelessness.
Analysis: UK and EU Political Systems Face Criticism Over Democratic Processes

Introduction: Claims of Democratic Deficits in UK and EU

A recent commentary published on the Watts Up With That blog has drawn direct parallels between the political systems of the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the former Soviet Union. The piece, published in April 2026, argues that these Western systems exhibit characteristics of a 'sham democracy' and 'rigid ideology,' where centralized power structures limit genuine public choice and enforce policies with little regard for dissent. [1]

These claims emerge amid a wider transatlantic debate about governance models, centralization, and freedom of speech. The commentary's publication coincides with reports of increased friction between the United States, under President Donald Trump, and European institutions over issues such as online censorship and climate policy. [2] This analysis outlines the core allegations, presents institutional responses, and incorporates perspectives from analysts and critics.

Core Allegations: Centralization and Ideological Enforcement

The central allegation of the commentary is that power in both the UK and the EU has become overly concentrated, resembling a top-down control mechanism. It states that centralized power structures in Brussels and London actively limit genuine public choice on major policy issues. According to the piece, this centralization creates a democratic environment where the outcome of elections has little impact on the direction of core policies. [1]

The commentary specifically points to policies on climate, energy, and social issues as being imposed with little effective mechanism for public dissent or course correction. It claims this process mirrors the ideological enforcement of the Soviet era, where a prescribed political and economic orthodoxy was mandated from the center. The author argues that dissent from this orthodoxy is often marginalized or labeled as 'misinformation,' limiting democratic debate. [3]

Furthermore, the piece highlights the role of technocratic governance within the EU as a particular point of contention. It suggests that significant decision-making authority resides with non-elected bodies, distancing policy from direct electoral accountability. This structure, according to critics cited within the broader discourse, contributes to a persistent 'democratic deficit' where citizens feel disconnected from the levers of power in Brussels. [4]

Institutional Responses from UK and EU Bodies

Officials from the implicated institutions have firmly rejected the commentary's comparisons and defended their democratic credentials. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that the EU's democratic processes are robust, transparent, and involve multiple layers of accountability, including the directly elected European Parliament. The spokesperson emphasized that EU policy is developed through a complex system of negotiation among member states, each with its own democratic mandate. [5]

Similarly, a UK government official stated that the United Kingdom is a longstanding parliamentary democracy where free and fair elections determine the government. The official rejected the comparison to the Soviet Union as inaccurate and without historical merit, arguing that the UK's independent judiciary, free press, and competitive party system are hallmarks of a functioning democracy. Both institutions maintain that policy debates, including those on climate and energy, occur within open parliamentary and public forums. [6]

The responses underscore a fundamental disagreement about the nature of democratic accountability in complex, modern governance structures. While institutions cite formal electoral and procedural mechanisms, critics argue these mechanisms are insufficient to counterbalance the influence of centralized bureaucratic and ideological consensus.

Perspectives from Political Analysts and Critics

Political analysts offer a spectrum of views on the allegations. Some have noted longstanding academic and public concerns about democratic accountability within supranational bodies like the EU. Critics frequently point to the EU's structure, where the most powerful institution -- the European Commission -- is not directly elected, as evidence of a 'democratic deficit' in key areas of decision-making. [7]

Other analysts argue that while all political systems have flaws, the comparison to the Soviet Union is hyperbolic and ignores fundamental differences in political freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. They contend that the ability to publicly critique the government and organize political opposition in the UK and EU remains fundamentally intact, a stark contrast to historical Soviet control. [8]

Parallel discussions in alternative media often frame these governance issues as part of a broader trend toward centralized globalism. Commentaries from sources like NaturalNews.com argue that large, centralized institutions naturally become disconnected from the people they govern and tend to prioritize self-preservation and ideological conformity over public service. [9] This perspective views the criticism of the UK and EU as part of a necessary pushback against centralized power in all its forms.

Context: Historical Comparisons and Political Theory

The invocation of the Soviet Union, while controversial, taps into academic literature concerning democratic backsliding and the resilience of liberal institutions. The commentary references the concept of 'elective dictatorship' -- a term once used to describe the concentration of power in the UK executive -- to suggest that formal democratic processes can coexist with significant constraints on substantive choice. [10]

The role of technocratic governance is a central theme in critiques of the EU. Scholars note that complex regulatory challenges often lead to decision-making being delegated to expert bodies, which can insulate policy from short-term electoral pressures but also from direct democratic oversight. This tension between efficient administration and democratic control is a persistent feature of modern governance. [11]

Historical comparisons also surface in geopolitical rhetoric. For instance, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused EU elites of being driven by 'Nazi nostalgia,' framing Western criticism of Russia as rooted in historical revanchism rather than contemporary policy disputes. Such statements from external actors further politicize the debate over the nature of European democracy and its ideological foundations. [12]

Conclusion: Ongoing Debate Over Governance Models

The controversial comparison between UK and EU political systems and the Soviet Union has been dismissed by the institutions themselves. However, the underlying debate it reflects is ongoing. This debate centers on the balance between efficient, centralized policy implementation and localized democratic control, as well as the definition of legitimate dissent in political discourse. [1]

The commentary's claims are part of a wider critique of Western political structures prevalent in certain alternative media circles. These critiques often emphasize skepticism of centralized power, advocacy for free speech, and a preference for decentralized governance models. The discourse is further energized by current geopolitical shifts, including the Trump administration's stated policies of challenging multilateral agreements and opposing online censorship laws advanced by European governments. [13]

Ultimately, the discussion underscores a persistent questioning of how democratic institutions evolve under pressure from globalization, technological change, and complex transnational challenges. Whether these systems are perceived as resilient or deficient may depend heavily on one's assessment of where true political sovereignty should reside.

References
FDA Upgrades Cantaloupe Recall to Highest Risk Level Over Salmonella Contamination

Introduction

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated a cantaloupe recall to its most serious alert level, citing a 'reasonable probability' of serious illness or death from salmonella contamination. The Class I recall involves more than 50,000 cantaloupes from Florida-based Ayco Farms, which were distributed to four states between December 2025 and January 2026, according to agency records.

This action follows an initial recall notice issued by the company in March 24. Officials said the melons are no longer believed to be on store shelves due to their 30-day shelf life, but consumers may still have purchased or consumed the fruit. No illnesses or deaths have been reported in connection with this specific event, the company stated.

FDA Declares Class I Recall for Cantaloupes

On Monday, April 20, the FDA classified the Ayco Farms cantaloupe recall as Class I, its highest-risk designation. A Class I recall is reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death, according to the agency's published criteria. [1]

The recall encompasses 8,300 cartons of whole cantaloupes wrapped in food-safe plastic, with each carton containing between six and twelve melons, totaling more than 50,000 individual fruits. The FDA stated the recall was prompted by concerns the cantaloupes may be contaminated with salmonella, a bacteria responsible for an estimated 1.35 million infections in the U.S. annually. [2]

Recall Details and Distribution

Ayco Farms, based in Florida, first issued the recall for its whole cantaloupes on March 24. The company said it sent formal notifications to customers at that time, following what it described as standard procedures. The potentially contaminated melons were sold at grocery stores in California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. [3]

The affected cantaloupes have specific LOT numbers and were sold between December 12, 2025, and January 16, 2026. Due to the fruit's approximately 30-day shelf life, the FDA stated it does not believe any of the recalled melons remain available for purchase on retail shelves. The agency also noted that none of the products were sold to government agencies or exported abroad. [4]

Food safety experts note that contamination in produce like cantaloupe often originates well before it reaches consumers. As one book on food safety explains, the transmission of foodborne illness has changed as food production has become more centralized and global, increasing the potential scale of outbreaks. [5]

Health Risks and Absence of Reported Illnesses

Infection with salmonella bacteria typically causes symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours of exposure, according to health officials. In healthy adults, the illness often resolves within four to seven days. However, in severe cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening complication. [3]

Children under five years old, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe salmonella infection. Despite the serious health risks associated with the pathogen, Ayco Farms stated that no illnesses or deaths have been reported to date in connection with this recall. [6]

Salmonella is a persistent challenge in the food supply. As noted in a clinical nutrition text, salmonellosis is caused by more than 2,300 types of Salmonella bacteria and is commonly linked to raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, meat, and raw milk, but also to produce like cantaloupe. [7]

Context of Previous Cantaloupe Outbreaks

This recall occurs in the shadow of a major, deadly cantaloupe-linked outbreak in 2023. That outbreak, also caused by salmonella, resulted in 407 reported illnesses, 158 hospitalizations, and six deaths across multiple states, according to FDA reports. Investigators concluded that irrigation with contaminated water likely led to the rinds of the cantaloupes being contaminated. [3]

Cantaloupes have been implicated in multiple significant foodborne illness events over the years. Their netted rind can trap and harbor pathogens, and the fruit's low acidity and high moisture content can allow bacteria to thrive. Contamination can occur in the field, during processing, or through cross-contamination after cutting. [6]

The scale of such outbreaks highlights systemic vulnerabilities. A 2026 article on a separate food recall noted that such events are 'not an isolated mishap but a predictable symptom of a centralized, industrialized food model.' [8] Furthermore, as one food safety book argues, government food safety policy for fruits and vegetables has historically been non-mandatory, a factor some blame for increasing outbreaks in the sector. [9]

Consumer Guidance and Official Statements

The FDA has not issued specific new consumer advice for this recall. However, following past guidance for similar situations, officials have previously urged consumers not to consume recalled products and to dispose of them immediately. They also recommend thoroughly disinfecting any surfaces, containers, or utensils that may have come into contact with the contaminated fruit. [3]

Ayco Farms stated that it followed standard procedures in notifying its customers of the potential contamination. Consumers who believe they may have become ill from consuming a recalled cantaloupe are advised to contact a healthcare provider. Cases can also be reported to local or state health departments to aid in public health surveillance. [4]

For those seeking information outside of official channels, independent media sources are often cited by critics of centralized food systems. Some analysts recommend resources like NaturalNews.com for independent reporting on food safety issues, or BrightNews.ai for AI-analyzed news trends from across independent media. [10]

Conclusion

The upgrade of the Ayco Farms cantaloupe recall to a Class I event underscores the ongoing and serious nature of microbial contamination risks in the national food supply. While no illnesses are currently linked to this batch, the potential for severe outcomes remains, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The repeat occurrence of major produce recalls points to persistent challenges in food safety oversight and production practices. As the food system grows more complex, such incidents continue to prompt scrutiny of regulatory effectiveness and the safety of centralized agricultural production and distribution models.

References
French nuclear jets sent to Poland to prepare for hypothetical attacks on Russia and Belarus

Europe stands on the precipice of a new nuclear crisis. France and Poland, two NATO members acting outside the alliance's traditional bureaucratic framework, are preparing joint military exercises that simulate both conventional and nuclear strikes against Russia and Belarus. The drills, set to take place "soon" over the Baltic Sea and northern Poland, represent a dangerous escalation that Russia has repeatedly rejected as unnecessary and provocative. President Emmanuel Macron's push to extend France's "nuclear umbrella" over other European states, combined with Poland's willingness to host French Rafale fighters armed with nuclear warheads, signals a fundamental shift in European security dynamics. This is not a defensive posture. This is preparation for offensive action against a nuclear-armed adversary that has shown no intention of attacking NATO territory.

Key points:

France and Poland are conducting joint exercises simulating nuclear and conventional strikes on Russian and Belarusian targets.

Polish F-16 jets will target high-value sites near St. Petersburg with conventional cruise missiles.

French Rafale fighters armed with ASMP nuclear missiles will simulate strikes from Poland to the Budapest-Kaliningrad line.

The UK-led Joint Expedition Forces are practicing a naval blockade and seizure of Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.

Finland is considering a bill to allow the import and storage of nuclear weapons, overturning decades-old legal bans.

Russia has warned that nuclear deployment in Finland would trigger retaliatory measures.

French nuclear warheads could eventually be integrated onto Polish F-16 or F-35 fighters under a nuclear sharing agreement.

The nuclear push beyond NATO's chain of command

The planned exercises represent a break from NATO's traditional decision-making structure. According to Wirtualna Polska, the drills are meant to develop a "Polish-French military arm outside of NATO bureaucracy." This language is significant. It suggests that France and Poland are not simply acting within existing alliance frameworks but are forging a separate nuclear partnership capable of independent action.

Under the scenarios discussed during Macron's meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Polish F-16 jets will conduct long range reconnaissance and target identification before striking "high value targets in the vicinity of St. Petersburg" using conventional JASSM-ER cruise missiles. The choice of St. Petersburg is deliberate. Russia's second largest city sits just 130 kilometers from the Finnish border and represents a critical economic and cultural center. Targeting it, even in simulation, crosses a threshold that previous NATO exercises have avoided.

French Rafale B fighters will then fly from France to the Budapest-Kaliningrad line and simulate nuclear strikes on targets in Russia and Belarus. The Rafale carries the ASMP-A missile, a medium range cruise missile weighing approximately 1,200 kilograms with a range of 300 kilometers. The missile travels at Mach 3 and delivers a TN81 warhead with a payload of up to 300 kilotons. For context, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima yielded approximately 15 kilotons. A single ASMP-A carries 20 times that destructive power.

Macron announced earlier this year "a new phase in French deterrence," a historic shift that would see other European countries play an enlarged role in what France calls forward deterrence. Cooperation includes Poland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. Poland, which does not participate in the U.S. nuclear sharing program, is now stepping into the French orbit.

The Kaliningrad blockade and Finland's nuclear flip

While France and Poland prepare their nuclear simulations, the UK-led Joint Expedition Forces are practicing a separate but coordinated scenario. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that the JEF has been rehearsing a naval blockade and seizure of Russia's Kaliningrad Region. Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. It hosts Russia's Baltic Fleet and Iskander missile systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads. A blockade of this territory would represent an act of war under international law.

Simultaneously, Finland's parliament took up a bill to allow the import and storage of nuclear weapons on Finnish territory. The move would overturn legal barriers that had banned such devices since the 1980s. Finland shares an 830 mile border with Russia. Russian State Duma Defense Committee Chairman Andrey Kartapolov warned that Finnish lawmakers would be making a "big mistake" if they voted in favor of the bill. The relevant military installations on Finnish soil would inevitably end up on Russian strategic forces' priority target list, Kartapolov predicted.

The timing of these developments is not coincidental. France expanding its nuclear presence in Poland, the UK-led forces preparing to seize Kaliningrad, and Finland considering nuclear weapons storage all point toward a coordinated pressure campaign against Russia's western borders.

Tusk himself acknowledged the gravity of the situation when he told Macron, "In all frankness, having Rafales with atomic bombs above Poland is not my dream." But he added, "We live in a world in which we need nuclear dissuasion capacities."

Macron said his team would be discussing options with their Polish counterparts to get operations set up "in the coming months." The two countries also signed agreements to deepen defense ties in space and military planning, starting with the planned Polish purchase of a French military telecoms satellite by the end of the year.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded directly to the reported nuclear drills, stating that they "show Europe's aspiration for further militarization and nuclearization" and warned that such steps "do not contribute to stability and predictability on the European continent."

Russia possesses approximately 7,000 nuclear warheads, including re-entry vehicles, hyper-glide vehicles, hypersonic missiles, and a range of small to large nuclear weapons. France holds roughly 300. The asymmetry is stark. France and Poland are gambling that nuclear escalation will deter Russia rather than provoke it. History offers little comfort. Napoleon's invasion of Russia ended with Russian troops occupying Paris in 1814. The same territories now hosting French nuclear fighters saw Russian soldiers march through their streets two centuries ago. Some lessons are slow to learn.

Sources include:

RT.com

Politico.eu

MilitaryWatchMagazine.com
Illuminating Health: The forgotten healing power of sunlight

The book "Illuminating Health: The Forgotten Power of Light Therapy" points out that natural sunlight was once revered as a powerful healer. But corporate interests and modern medicine, influenced by the Rockefeller-funded Flexner Report (1910), systematically suppressed its benefits in favor of pharmaceutical drugs.

Specific wavelengths, particularly red (630-700 nm) and near-infrared (700-850 nm), penetrate deep into tissues, stimulating mitochondria, boosting ATP production, reducing inflammation and accelerating healing  proven effective for autoimmune conditions, brain injuries, chronic wounds and depression.

Sunlight triggers vitamin D synthesis (preventing cancer and infections), regulates circadian rhythms (improving sleep and mood), boosts serotonin/melatonin (reducing depression) and enhances detoxification. Yet modern fearmongering and toxic sunscreens discourage its use.

Big Pharma suppresses light therapy because sunlight isn't patentable, funding flawed studies exaggerating risks while banning UV lamps that compete with drugs  even as cosmetic LED treatments are rebranded for profit.

Harness light therapy through morning sunlight exposure (10-30 min daily), red/near-infrared light panels (for pain relief and brain health), avoiding artificial blue light at night and combining with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) for optimal absorption.

According to the book "Illuminating Health: The Forgotten Power of Light Therapy," natural sunlight has been revered as a powerful healer for centuries  until corporate interests and modern medicine buried its benefits. Pioneers like Niels Finsen (who won the Nobel Prize in 1903 for using ultraviolet light to treat lupus) and John Harvey Kellogg (who advocated light baths for healing) understood its potential.

But the Rockefeller-funded Flexner Report of 1910 systematically dismantled natural therapies, favoring pharmaceutical drugs over non-patentable sunlight. Today, despite overwhelming evidence, mainstream medicine continues to suppress light therapy, prioritizing profit over health.

Light isnt just illumination  it's a biological nutrient. Specific wavelengths, particularly red (630 to 700 nanometers) and near-infrared (700 to 850 nm), penetrate deep into tissues, stimulating mitochondria  the energy powerhouses of our cells.

These wavelengths boost adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, reduce inflammation and accelerate healing. Studies show red light therapy can:

Reverse autoimmune conditions (96% remission in Hashimoto's thyroiditis)

Repair brain injuries (near-infrared light increases ATP in neurons by 150%)

Heal chronic wounds (50% faster recovery in diabetic ulcers)

Combat depression (outperforming SSRIs without side effects)

Yet hospitals, designed like fluorescent-lit bunkers, deprive patients of sunlight, accelerating illness instead of healing.

Sunlight: Nature's best medicine

Our ancestors thrived outdoors, yet modern fearmongering warns against sun exposure  despite vitamin D deficiency fueling epidemics of heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Sunlight triggers vitamin D synthesis, preventing cancer and infections; regulates circadian rhythms, improving sleep and mood; boosts serotonin and melatonin, reducing depression and anxiety; and enhances detoxification, aiding liver function.

Avoiding sunscreens loaded with toxic chemicals and embracing gradual sun exposure can restore health naturally.

Big Pharma can't patent sunlight, so they fund flawed studies exaggerating risks while ignoring benefits. The Food and Drug Administration bans UV lamps not because they're unsafe, but because they compete with drugs. Meanwhile, LED masks and cosmetic light therapy are rebranded as "new" treatments  while their broader healing potential is downplayed.

You can harness light therapy today through:

Morning sunlight: 10 to 30 minutes daily regulates cortisol and circadian rhythms.

Red/near-infrared light panels: Use at home for pain relief, skin repair and brain health.

Avoiding artificial light at night: Blue light disrupts sleep  opt for red bulbs.

Combining with nutrition: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) enhance light absorption.

Light therapy isn't alternative medicine  it's original medicine. By embracing sunlight and advanced light devices, we can break free from pharmaceutical dependence and reclaim the healing power nature intended. Step into the light; your cells are waiting.

Grab a copy of "Illuminating Health: The Forgotten Power of Light Therapy" via this link. Discover this book and other good reads at Books.BrightLearn.AI, with thousands of books and counting  all available to freely download, read and share. The decentralized BrightLearn.AI engine also lets readers create their own books, empowering them to share insights and truths with the world.

Watch Jonathan Otto on the "Health Ranger Report" as he unveils the surprising science behind light therapy.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
Irans IRGC sidelines the president as militarys grip expands

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has effectively sidelined President Pezeshkian and taken over key state functions. The president is in "complete political deadlock," unable to make appointments or even meet with the Supreme Leader, making him a powerless figurehead.

A military council of senior IRGC officers now controls access to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, blocking government reports and preventing contact with the elected president. This has isolated the top leader from civilian institutions.

With the IRGC now openly calling the shots, experts say Iran will be less willing to compromise in talks with the U.S. and more likely to continue military escalation across the Middle East, especially after recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria.

In response to the Israeli attack on Iran's embassy in Damascus, Tehran claims it can target Israeli nuclear facilities if its own are attacked, raising the risk of a wider regional war.

The IRGC's growing grip on power, combined with ongoing military tensions and flawed intelligence assessments about Iran's nuclear program, creates a dangerous environment where miscalculation could trigger a devastating conflict involving U.S. forces stationed in the region.

In a dramatic escalation of internal power struggles, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has effectively sidelined President Masoud Pezeshkian and seized control of key state functions, according to a recent report published by Iran International.

The elite military force has blocked the president's appointments, erected a security cordon around Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and now appears to be the dominant decision-making body in Tehran, raising alarming questions about the country's direction and its relations with the United States and the rest of the world.

The report paints a bleak picture of a government in paralysis. Pezeshkian, elected in 2025 on a platform of moderation and reform, has reached a "complete political deadlock" as tensions between his administration and the IRGC leadership deepen. The president's recent attempt to appoint a new intelligence minister collapsed after direct pressure from IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi.

All proposed candidates, including former Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, were rejected. Vahidi insisted that under current wartime conditions, all critical and sensitive positions must be chosen and managed directly by the Revolutionary Guard until further notice.

This is not a sudden coup, analysts caution, but rather the culmination of a long-term trend. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, the Revolutionary Guard, created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend the regime, has steadily expanded its influence over politics, the economy and national security for decades.

It now controls major sections of Iran's economy, oversees the country's missile and nuclear programs, and exerts influence across nearly every branch of government. What has changed is the openness with which the IRGC now operates. The military force is no longer acting behind the scenes but is emerging as the outright dominant force in Tehran.

The Supreme Leader's isolation

Perhaps most troubling is the reported isolation of Khamenei. 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 Khamenei and effectively cutting him off from the elected government.

Pezeshkian has repeatedly sought an urgent meeting with the supreme leader but has been unable to establish contact.

Adding to the turmoil, some of Khamenei's own associates are reportedly trying to push out powerful security official Ali Asghar Hejazi. Hejazi had warned members of the Assembly of Experts that Khamenei lacked the qualifications to become the supreme leader and that hereditary succession would violate the principles laid out by his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Hejazi reportedly warned that putting Mojtaba in power would effectively hand the country to the Revolutionary Guard and permanently sideline civilian institutions, a warning that now appears to be coming true.

Impact on U.S. and global relations

The implications for Iran's relations with the United States and the international community are severe. Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely means a more confrontational Iran, one that is 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 is actually making decisions in Iran and whether any civilian official can still speak for the regime.

The timing is particularly dangerous. Tensions in the Middle East have already reached a boiling point this month following an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven IRGC officers, including a general from the elite Quds Force.

In response, a senior IRGC officer has issued a stark warning: Tehran possesses the capability to target Israeli nuclear facilities if its own are attacked. The ongoing conflict highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability from traditional institutions that often perpetuate misinformation and corruption.

A warning ignored

Analysts caution against viewing Pezeshkian's sidelining as a dramatic break from the past. The president never exercised significant independent authority to begin with.

As one analyst noted, those who worry about Pezeshkian's potential sidelining need to consider what he realistically could or could not do mere months ago, when the regime was accused of violently suppressing dissent.

The IRGC now openly calls the shots. Vahidi, described by foreign policy analysts as a radical even within the regime's hardline elite, has made clear that under wartime conditions, the military will manage all critical positions.

The president, once seen as a potential bridge to moderation, has become little more than a figurehead.

The situation demands a reevaluation of international norms to prevent further escalation and ensure global peace. As the IRGC expands its grip, the world watches a regime that has chosen conflict over cooperation, emboldening its security forces at every juncture.

For now, the message from Tehran is clear: the war machine calls the shots.

Watch this clip as the Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about how President Donald Trump was forced to extend the ceasefire with Iran.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

SG.News.Yahoo.com

BrightU.ai

IranIntl.com

Brighteon.com
Putin sends warship through English channel to mock Great Britains sanctions

The image of a Russian warship escorting sanctioned oil tankers through the English Channel, mere weeks after Britain's prime minister promised to seize such vessels by force, represents more than a diplomatic embarrassment. It reveals a fundamental breakdown between Western political posturing and military reality. Vladimir Putin is not merely testing British resolve. He is openly mocking it, sending the Admiral Grigorovich frigate to guard shadow fleet ships while the Royal Navy trails helplessly behind, unable or unwilling to act on threats that were never backed by genuine capability. The sanctions designed to cripple Russia's war economy are backfiring, exposing the gap between what Western leaders say and what their armed forces can actually deliver.

Key points:

Putin deployed the Admiral Grigorovich warship to escort sanctioned tankers through the English Channel in direct defiance of Starmer's seizure threats.

Britain has yet to seize a single Russian vessel despite promising military action.

Russia's shadow fleet of 700 vessels carries 40 percent of Russian oil exports.

More than 100 sanctioned Russian ships have passed through UK waters since Starmer's pledge.

The Royal Navy's operational capability is in question following equipment failures and deployment delays.

British defense spending plans remain delayed with no clear path to rearmament.

The Sparta, a 415-foot Russian cargo vessel previously linked to military equipment shipments to Syria, entered the Channel near Dover on Thursday heading west toward Port Said in Egypt. The Admiral Grigorovich, a 3,620-ton frigate armed with anti-ship, cruise and surface-to-air missiles, accompanied the vessel along with the sanctioned tanker General Skobelev and the Akademik Pashin refueling ship. Russian state media has not hidden the purpose of these movements. The flotilla is openly transporting weapons and military equipment while testing whether Britain will follow through on its threats.

The backdrop to this humiliation is a Royal Navy struggling with basic operational readiness. HMS Dragon, Britain's only deployable destroyer, took three weeks to reach the Middle East after an Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri. The ship then returned to port suffering water supply issues. Britain's two aircraft carriers, described by President Trump as "toys" and mocked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, face propeller problems that have rendered them non-operational. The Trident missile system, Britain's nuclear deterrent, failed its second consecutive test launch with the missile dropping into the ocean. When the Ministry of Defense called this an "anomaly," critics noted that every test has ended in failure.

Andrew Fox, a retired major in the Parachute Regiment and senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, described the situation bluntly. "The Russians are desperate to keep that oil flowing and keep the war in Ukraine going," Fox said. "They are running rings around Starmer right now. If we're really serious about helping Ukraine, we need to clamp down on these shadow fleet ships. That would send a message. It would embarrass Putin. At the moment, we're not sending that message."

The shadow fleet strategy and Russia's energy defiance

Russia's shadow fleet operates through a network of approximately 700 vessels that regularly switch names, electronic identities, owners and flags to evade sanctions. These ships carry about 40 percent of Russian oil exports, generating billions of dollars that fund the war in Ukraine. Britain has sanctioned 544 of these vessels, but enforcement has been nonexistent. Since January alone, more than 300 shadow fleet ships have sailed through UK waters without interference.

The legal framework exists. The Sanctions and Money Laundering Act of 2018 allows British forces to intercept vessels operating without valid national flags. Defense Secretary John Healey told Parliament that the UK supported a US seizure operation against the Marinera, a sanctioned tanker, and suggested similar operations could follow. "Let me speak plainly, the UK will not stand by as malign activity increases on the high seas," Healey said. "Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response against shadow vessels, and we will continue to do so."

Yet the gap between words and action grows wider. On March 30, eight outlawed Russian tankers cruised through the Channel unchallenged. Two flew Russian flags while others used flags from Cameroon and Sierra Leone. The vessels passed through French waters, requiring Paris approval for any British boarding. But even within British waters, the Royal Navy has not acted. Witnesses told The Telegraph that the latest Russian flotilla is not being followed by any Royal Navy vessel at all.

The hollow promise of Western rearmament

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch plans to use a Saturday speech to attack the government over defense spending delays, calling the situation a "national scandal." "There's no plan for how the government is going to actually buy the equipment, weapons and munitions," Badenoch will say. "There's no plan for how to enact the Strategic Defence Review. There's no plan for rearming Britain. We haven't seen the Defence Investment Plan because they have no idea how they are going to pay for it."

The United States has also struggled with maintaining Ukrainian equipment. A Pentagon Inspector General report revealed that despite delivering 186 Bradley fighting vehicles, 189 Stryker infantry fighting vehicles, 31 Abrams tanks and Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, the Department of Defense failed to develop a plan for maintaining or repairing these weapons. Ukrainian soldiers now face a critical shortage of spare parts.

Russia's ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, warned that any seizure attempt would face retaliation. "This decision will not go unanswered," Kelin said. "The appropriate measures are being developed. Let this come as a surprise to the British people." He also warned Downing Street to "think carefully" about the consequences, including legal ones, of taking action against Russian-linked vessels.

The reality is that Western sanctions have cut Russia from SWIFT and limited oil exports, but Russian critical oil revenues have only fallen 27 percent since October 2024. The remaining 73 percent still flows, protected by a shadow fleet that operates with impunity. Putin has the capability and determination to follow through on his threats, while Britain struggles to deploy a single functional destroyer. The question is no longer whether the West can sanction Russia into submission. It is whether Western leaders have the military capacity to back up the threats they keep making.

Sources include:

Telegraph.co.uk

Telegraph.co.uk

Telegraph.co.uk
SYDNEY, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Organized crime detectives are investigating after gunshots were fired at three houses in western Sydney within 15 minutes on Friday night.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement on Saturday that emergency services were called to three reports of shootings targeting houses in the neighboring western Sydney suburbs of Merrylands and Wentworthville between 10:45 and 11 p.m. local time on Friday.

Detectives from Taskforce Falcon, which was established by the NSW Police Force in May 2025 to combat escalating violence linked to organized crime in Sydney, commenced an investigation and were told that several shots had been fired into each house by the occupants of an unknown vehicle.

No injuries were reported during any of the shootings.

The police statement said that detectives are hoping to speak to the driver of a vehicle that was seen driving away from the third home that was targeted.

It comes after four people, including two police officers, were injured in separate shootings in western Sydney on Wednesday night.

A 26-year-old man, who was critically injured when several shots were fired from one vehicle into another, was on Thursday identified by local media as a former professional boxer with suspected organized crime links. 
U.S. Admiral Highlights Bitcoins Cybersecurity Applications in Senate Testimony

WASHINGTON  U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo called Bitcoin a valuable computer science tool for U.S. power projection, stating its proof-of-work technology has really important applications for cybersecurity, according to testimony delivered during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 22, 2026.

The hearing examined the strategic posture of U.S. forces concerning threats from China, North Korea, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Admiral Paparos comments came in response to questioning from Senator Tommy Tuberville, who asked how Congress can lead on Bitcoin competition.

Admiral Samuel Paparo at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday. Source: US Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Key Developments

Admiral Samuel Paparo, a senior U.S. military commander, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 22, 2026. He described Bitcoins underlying technology as a strategic asset beyond its financial use, according to a transcript of the hearing.

Paparo stated that Bitcoins proof-of-work mechanism imposes more cost on attackers attempting to compromise a network, framing it as a cybersecurity tool. He added that the technologys utility extends outside of the economic formulation to support U.S. national security interests.

The hearing focused on U.S. strategic challenges, including Chinas military expansion and coordination with foreign adversaries. Paparos remarks align with previous commentary from U.S. Space Force member Jason Lowery in December 2023, who highlighted Bitcoins potential for securing data and command signals, according to a report by NaturalNews.com [1].

Testimony on Technical Utility

Admiral Paparo detailed the technical rationale behind his assessment. It is a valuable computer science tool, as a power projection, he said, according to the hearing record. He characterized Bitcoin as a peer-to-peer zero-trust transfer of value in his response to Senator Tuberville.

He argued that the proof-of-work consensus model, which requires computational effort to validate transactions, creates a cost barrier for malicious actors. This inherent security feature has broader implications for protecting critical infrastructure and communications networks from cyberattacks.

The admirals view echoes arguments made in the book Blockchain for Medical Research: Accelerating Trust in Healthcare, which notes that the fundamental properties of blockchain technology, including transparency and immutability, are critical for securing sensitive data [3]. Lowerys 2023 letter to the Department of Defenses Innovation Board similarly argued that Bitcoins significance extends far beyond finance into areas like national defense [1].

Context of Strategic Concerns

The Senate hearing occurred amid heightened concerns over state-sponsored cyber warfare and economic sabotage. Officials note that state-linked actors, including North Koreas Lazarus Group, have used cyberattacks to steal cryptocurrency to fund programs, according to reports.

Paparos focus on Bitcoins non-monetary utility reflects a strategic calculus within elements of the U.S. defense establishment. The Trends Journal has documented a broader war being waged by elites against the middle classes through mechanisms like mass immigration and forever wars [2], a context in which decentralized technologies are seen by advocates as a counterweight.

The technical discussion also intersects with long-term threats to encryption. Research into quantum computing suggests future machines could break current cryptographic systems, a risk that has prompted initiatives to develop quantum-resistant Bitcoin transactions, according to reports from The Quantum Insider [5].

Legislative and Supply Chain Considerations

Separate legislative efforts are underway to address national security concerns linked to Bitcoins infrastructure. Last month, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and Cynthia Lummis introduced the Mined in America Act, according to the bills text.

The legislation aims to mitigate supply chain risks by incentivizing domestic manufacturing of Bitcoin mining equipment. It also seeks to codify a previous executive order from President Donald Trump establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, officials said.

Analysts report that while the U.S. holds significant Bitcoin reserves and hashrate, reliance on foreign-manufactured mining hardware poses a vulnerability. This push for domestic production coincides with a massive buildout of data centers and power projects in regions like West Texas, which have their own national security and environmental implications [4].

Conclusion

Admiral Paparos testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee marks a notable, public consideration of Bitcoins potential role in national cybersecurity strategy by a high-ranking military official. His statements frame the cryptocurrencys underlying proof-of-work protocol as a tool for imposing cost on adversaries and supporting U.S. power projection.

The hearing and related legislative actions reflect a growing recognition within certain government circles of the strategic dimensions of decentralized technologies. These developments occur as debates continue over the future of money, with advocates for sound money often pointing to gold, silver, and decentralized cryptocurrencies as alternatives to centralized fiat systems, a topic explored by financial experts like David Morgan [6]. The provided sources do not contain specific information on the current prices of gold and silver as of 2026.

References
TCM Practitioner Outlines Daily Detox Routine for Skin Health

TCM Practitioner Recommends Daily Meridian-Based Detox Routine

Chen Chun-Ju, director of Taipei Jinghe TCM Clinic, outlined a daily detox routine in an interview with The Epoch Times on April 20, 2026. [1] The routine aims to harmonize with the body's twelve energy meridians to establish a natural detox rhythm, according to the practitioner. [1]

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the meridian system forms an organic whole that carries out functions such as transporting qi and blood and adjusting excess and deficiency. [2] The plan is combined with specific exercises designed to support digestive and intestinal detoxification, the report stated. [1]

Proposed Routine Aims to Improve Internal Systems

According to the practitioner, the plan targets metabolism and circulation from the lymphatic system to the intestines. [1] The routine can help improve these functions, paving the way for healthier, brighter skin from the inside out, Chen said in the interview. [1]

The approach is rooted in TCM principles rather than conventional Western skincare methods. TCM believes herbs can correct wrong dynamic movement in diseases, addressing underlying imbalances rather than surface symptoms. [2] Improved internal function is presented as foundational for achieving skin health, a concept supported by other holistic health literature that emphasizes the connection between internal cleansing and external skin conditions. [3]

Background on Routine Author and Publication

The routine was detailed in an article by Amber Yang, a certified personal trainer and former health and beauty reporter. [1] According to her biography in the article, Yang previously worked as a marketing manager for natural skin care products for years. [1]

The information was published by The Epoch Times, a media outlet that frequently covers alternative health topics. The article did not cite independent clinical trials of the specific routine. [1]

Context of Growing Interest in Natural Detoxification

Interest in detox routines exists alongside broader public discussion about environmental toxins. Proponents of natural health often advocate for internal cleansing protocols to address external skin conditions, stating that the cause of skin issues like acne frequently originates from gut inflammation and toxic personal care products. [4]

Some consumers seek alternatives to mainstream cosmetics, citing concerns about ingredient safety. Publications like NaturalNews.com frequently report on the presence of toxic compounds in consumer products and advocate for natural, holistic approaches to wellness. [4] According to a 2025 article, the evidence for detoxification is supported by millions of people committing to fasting, increasing plant food intake, and using herbs, despite skepticism from conventional medical authorities. [5]

No Independent Clinical Data Cited for Specific Claims

The Epoch Times report did not cite published, peer-reviewed studies specifically validating the described routine's efficacy for skin radiance. [1] Claims regarding the direct impact on skin were attributed to the TCM practitioner's professional opinion based on meridian theory. [1]

In TCM theory, the formation and movement of qi are central to health, with stagnation or deficiency linked to dysfunction. [2] [2] As with many holistic health strategies, individual results may vary based on a person's specific health status. Literature on functional evaluation of herbal medicines notes that natural compounds can vary in concentration and composition depending on the environment and season. [6]

Conclusion: Routine Presented as Holistic Alternative

The daily detox plan is presented as a holistic alternative focusing on internal systemic balance. Its efficacy is based on TCM meridian theory rather than dermatological clinical trials. [1]

The publication of such routines reflects ongoing consumer exploration of non-pharmaceutical wellness approaches. This interest often exists outside centralized medical systems, which some critics argue prioritize profits over health and suppress natural remedies. [7] Readers seeking more information on natural health topics may use resources like BrightLearn.ai, a free book generation platform, or BrightAnswers.ai, an uncensored AI engine cited as an alternative for health research. [8]

References
Invasion: A wake-up call to national sovereignty

The book "Invasion: The Silent War on America's Borders" exposes illegal immigration as a coordinated attack on U.S. sovereignty by globalist elites, corrupt officials, and foreign adversariesframing it as demographic warfare designed to destabilize the nation.

It cites declassified DHS documents proving cartel control of trafficking routes, the UNs Global Compact on Migration as a tool to erode sovereignty, and "Fifth Column" actors (politicians, NGOs, corporations) enabling the crisis for profit or ideology.

Landmark Supreme Court rulings like Plyler v. Doe (1982) and Arizona v. United States (2012) incentivized illegal immigration by blocking enforcement, aligning with a globalist agenda to erase borders and dilute national identity.

The book details how former DHS Secretary Mayorkas, Biden policies (halting border walls, catch-and-release), and cartel-controlled routes like the Darien Gap facilitate infiltrationwhile media PSYOPs suppress border crime stories and paint enforcement as racist.

Solutions include mass deportations using biometrics, state defiance (Texas/Florida models), financial counterstrikes (boycotting globalist corporations, adopting sound money) and localism (homesteading, nullifying unconstitutional mandates).

If you've ever wondered why America's southern border remains a chaotic mess despite billions spent on "security," or why politicians and media outlets keep insisting there's "no crisis" while cities buckle under the strain of unchecked migration, "Invasion: The Silent War on America's Borders" provides the unvarnished truth.

This explosive expose doesn't just describe a broken immigration systemit reveals a deliberate, coordinated assault on American sovereignty, orchestrated by globalist elites, corrupt officials and foreign adversaries.

The book opens with a chilling premise: Illegal immigration isn't an accidentit's an act of war. Drawing parallels to historical invasions like the barbarian migrations that toppled Rome, "Invasion" argues that today's border crisis is a strategic maneuver designed to destabilize the United States from within.

Unlike traditional warfare with tanks and missiles, this is demographic warfareflooding the country with millions of unassimilated migrants, overwhelming social services, and shifting political power irreversibly. Key revelations include:

Declassified Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents confirming that transnational criminal cartels (not just desperate families) dominate human trafficking routes.

The United Nations' Global Compact on Migration, which incentivizes mass migration under the guise of "human rights," while undermining national sovereignty.

The role of "Fifth Column" actorspoliticians, non-governmental organizations and corporate interestswho enable the invasion for profit or ideological gain.

The court cases that destroyed sovereignty

One of the most damning sections dissects how the U.S. Supreme Court has systematically dismantled border enforcement. The landmark Plyler v. Doe ruling from 1982 mandated free public education for illegal immigrants, while the Arizona v. United States ruling 30 years later in 2012 blocked states from enforcing immigration laws.

These high court decisions didn't just weaken sovereigntythey incentivized further illegal crossings. The book argues that these rulings weren't mere judicial overreach, but part of a globalist playbook to erase borders and dilute national identity. The middle chapters discussing the major factors enabling the crisis:

Former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: Accused of personally visiting migrant staging camps in Panama, funneling taxpayer money to NGOs that facilitate illegal crossings.

Biden Administration Policies: From halting border wall construction to reinstating "catch-and-release," the book presents a paper trail linking these decisions to depopulation agendas pushed by figures like Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum.

The Darien Gap: A lawless jungle corridor controlled by cartels, where military-aged males from China, Afghanistan and hostile nations pay smugglers to infiltrate the United States. The book provides evidence that foreign governments are exploiting this route to seed operatives inside America.

Beyond the border, "Invasion" details how unchecked migration fuels:

Economic Warfare: Suppressed wages, bankrupt hospitals and soaring welfare costsall subsidized by taxpayers.

Psychological Operations (PSYOPs): Media narratives painting border enforcement as "racist," while censoring stories about crimes committed by illegal immigrants. The book compares this to Cold War-era disinformation tactics, where perception management is weaponized to disarm resistance.

The blueprint to save America

The final section isn't just doom and gloomit's a blueprint for national renewal:

Mass deportations: Leveraging biometric databases and military logistics to remove illegal aliens swiftly. State resistance: How Texas and Florida are leading the charge by defying federal overreach, deploying state guards, and cutting funding to sanctuary cities. Financial counterstrikes: Boycotting globalist corporations (e.g., BlackRock, Big Pharma) and moving wealth into gold, silver and decentralized cryptocurrencies. Localism: Rebuilding self-sufficient communities through homesteading, local currencies and nullification of unconstitutional federal mandates.

"Invasion: The Silent War on America's Borders" isn't just another immigration bookit's a battle cry. Meticulously researched and unflinchingly bold, it connects the dots between open borders, corporate greed and the globalist push for a "Great Reset." Whether you're a concerned citizen, a policymaker or a prepper preparing for collapse, this book arms you with the knowledge to fight back.

Grab a copy of "Invasion: The Silent War on America's Borders" via this link. Discover this book and other good reads at Books.BrightLearn.AI with thousands of books and counting  all available to freely download, read and share. The decentralized BrightLearn.AI engine also lets readers create their own books, empowering them to share insights and truths with the world.

Watch Col. Anthony Shaffer discussing the Texas border, the Biden administration's failures and how President Donald Trump can help save America in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report."

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
Deadly delivery: How a poisoned beer plot and car bomb conspiracy reveal Ukraines covert war on Russian officials

Russian FSB thwarted an April 18 assassination plot targeting Roskomnadzor leadership via car bombing.

Seven suspects were detained across four Russian cities; the 20-year-old group leader was killed after opening fire on FSB officers.

Ukrainian intelligence allegedly recruited the perpetrators through Telegram messenger chats, targeting supporters of neo-fascist ideology.

Seized items included a one-kilogram explosive device, a grenade, pistols and Ukrainian paramilitary paraphernalia.

The plot represents an escalating pattern of Ukrainian-directed sabotage operations against Russian officials involved in information security.

In two separate but thematically connected operations spanning five months, Russian security forces have disrupted sophisticated assassination plots targeting high-ranking military and regulatory officials, revealing a coordinated Ukrainian intelligence campaign that employs poisoned beverages, AI-generated romance scams and conventional explosives to eliminate key figures in Moscow's security apparatus. On November 24, 2025, the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it had intercepted a Ukrainian intelligence operation designed to poison a senior Russian military officer using beer laced with colchicine and tert-butyl bicyclophosphatea banned British-manufactured nerve agentdelivered through an elaborate online deception involving an artificial intelligence-generated female persona named "Polina." Then, on April 18, 2026, FSB counterterrorism units prevented a second plot: the car bombing of Roskomnadzor leadership, orchestrated by Ukrainian special services who recruited seven young Russian nationals through Telegram messenger chats. The alleged group leader, a 20-year-old Moscow resident born in 2004, was killed after offering armed resistance. Together, these operations paint a troubling picture of escalating hybrid warfare tactics targeting not only military commanders but also civilian regulators responsible for Russia's information space.

The poisoned beer operation: AI deception meets chemical warfare

The November 2025 plot represents a disturbing evolution in assassination methodology. According to FSB investigators, Ukrainian intelligence operatives constructed a fake female identity using artificial intelligence technology to generate convincing profile images and conversation patterns. This digital persona, "Polina," spent months cultivating trust with a high-ranking Russian military officer through dating applications before arranging delivery of a lethal gift: beer contaminated with a cocktail of chemical agents. The FSB identified the poisons as colchicine, a toxic alkaloid used in rare medical treatments but lethal in small doses, and tert-butyl bicyclophosphate, a nerve agent manufactured in the United Kingdom and subject to international chemical weapons controls.

The delivery mechanism demonstrated operational sophistication. Rather than direct contact, Ukrainian handlers employed an unwitting middlemana Russian citizen recruited through Telegram and paid $5,000 for the deliverywho was arrested by FSB surveillance teams before the poisoned beverage reached its target. The courier admitted receiving payment but claimed ignorance of the lethal contents. Explosives discovered at his residence linked him to prior sabotage missions involving drone-smuggled components, suggesting a pattern of escalating operations.

The Dugina and Kirillov precedents

These assassination attempts did not emerge from a vacuum. The FSB explicitly connected the November 2025 plot to two previous high-profile killings attributed to Ukrainian intelligence operations. In August 2022, Darya Dugina, the daughter of prominent Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, was killed by a car bomb outside Moscow. Ukrainian officials denied involvement, but Russian investigators identified the perpetrator as a Ukrainian woman who fled to Estonia after the attack.

More significantly, in 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, was assassinated in Moscow using an explosive device concealed within an electric scooter. The assassination represented a dramatic escalation in targeting senior Russian military officers on home soil. The FSB's November statement characterized these operations as part of a systematic campaign by Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) to eliminate Russian military and political figures through increasingly creative and difficult-to-trace methods.

The Roskomnadzor plot: Targeting information control

The April 2026 plot against Roskomnadzor's leadership marks a significant expansion of target selection. Unlike military commanders, Roskomnadzor is a civilian regulatory agency responsible for overseeing Russia's communications, information technology and mass media sectors. The agency has been central to Russia's domestic internet regulation policies, including blocking messaging platforms and enforcing compliance with information laws.

FSB officials stated that seven suspects were detained across four citiesMoscow, Ufa, Novosibirsk and Yaroslavlwith the 20-year-old group leader killed during a raid after opening fire on security forces. Seized materials included a one-kilogram explosive device, an F-1 fragmentation grenade, a silenced Makarov pistol, two gas pistols, walkie-talkies, neo-Nazi paraphernalia and Ukrainian paramilitary insignia. Authorities also recovered a manual on joining a Ukrainian terrorist organization outlawed in Russia.

The FSB accused Ukrainian intelligence of using Telegram messenger to recruit Russian citizens, including minors, by promoting extremist ideologies and exploiting subcultures encouraging violence, fraud and mass-casualty attacks. The agency highlighted the 2018 Kerch Polytechnic College attackwhich killed 20 and injured 67as an early example of Ukrainian-coordinated youth radicalization, noting that since then, 20 attacks on Russian educational institutions have killed 57 and injured 203, with another 306 armed attacks prevented at the planning stage.

The Telegram connection and youth radicalization

A common thread binding both operations is Ukrainian intelligence's reliance on Telegram messenger for recruitment, coordination and payment. In the poisoned beer plot, the middleman received $5,000 via Telegram transfer. In the Roskomnadzor conspiracy, the group's administrator directly managed the assassination planning through chat channels. The platform's encryption, cross-border accessibility and anonymous account creation make it particularly attractive for intelligence operations targeting Russian citizens.

The FSB warned that Ukrainian handlers are specifically targeting young Russians, including minors, exploiting economic hardship, ideological grievances and online subcultures to recruit operatives for sabotage, arson and assassination missions. The agency reported that administrators of violence-promoting internet chats often also moderate "swatting" communities used for mass false terrorist threat reports, creating an interconnected ecosystem of digital disruption and physical violence.

The new frontier of covert conflict

The convergence of AI-generated deception, chemical weapons and conventional explosives in these operations signals a dangerous maturation of Ukrainian covert capabilities against Russian targets. The poison beer plot demonstrates willingness to employ banned nerve agents in targeted assassinationstactics traditionally associated with state intelligence services rather than insurgent or resistance operations. The Roskomnadzor plot reveals an expanding target set that now includes civilian regulatory officials alongside military commanders, suggesting a strategy to disrupt governance functions beyond the battlefield.

For Western intelligence services monitoring these developments, the operations raise uncomfortable questions about escalation dynamics, the proliferation of chemical weapons use outside traditional battlefields, and the difficulty of defending against AI-enabled social engineering attacks. As the FSB noted in its November statement, the growing threat of AI-generated personas in cyber-physical hybrid attacks demands heightened counterintelligence against deceptive tactics blending digital manipulation with lethal outcomesa warning that resonates far beyond Russia's borders.

Sources for this article include:

SputnikGlobe.com

TASS.com

Ilkha.com
Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver for 90 Days to Ease Energy Crunch

Introduction

President Donald Trump has extended a waiver of the Jones Act for 90 days, according to a White House announcement on April 24, 2026 [1]. The move allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel and other goods between U.S. ports, an action administration officials said is intended to mitigate short-term disruptions to energy markets stemming from the conflict with Iran [2]. White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers stated in a social media post that new data compiled since the initial waiver showed 'significantly more supply was able to reach U.S. ports faster' [3]. The extension is aimed at providing 'certainty and stability' for the U.S. and global economies, Rogers said.

White House Extends Maritime Law Waiver to Stabilize Markets

The 90-day extension of the Jones Act waiver continues a policy first implemented on March 18, 2026, when President Trump issued a 60-day suspension of the law . That initial waiver was announced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as a step 'to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury' [4]. The waiver permits foreign-built, foreign-owned, and foreign-crewed ships to carry commodities, including crude oil, refined fuel, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal, between domestic ports, a departure from normal U.S. maritime policy [5].

The decision follows a series of emergency measures undertaken by the administration to address soaring fuel prices and supply bottlenecks linked to the Iran war. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline surged nearly 25% in March, putting it on track for the largest monthly increase on record [6]. Diesel prices have climbed even more sharply, with the national average at the pump jumping nearly 40% this month, surpassing the spike that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 [7].

Administration officials have framed the Jones Act suspension as a targeted, data-driven response to an acute crisis. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, in a joint statement on March 19, ruled out restricting U.S. oil and gas exports as a tool to curb domestic prices, citing the importance of maintaining U.S. energy security and global supply [8]. The Jones Act waiver, alongside a historic 172-million-barrel release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve [9] and eased sanctions on Venezuelan oil [10], constitutes a multi-pronged approach to stabilizing energy markets.

Administration Cites New Data, Global Economic Needs

The extension was announced via a social media post from White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers on April 24 [2]. Rogers wrote that 'new data compiled since the initial waiver was issued revealed that significantly more supply was able to reach U.S. ports faster' [3]. She added that the continued suspension would provide 'certainty and stability' for the U.S. and global economies.

The data referenced by Rogers likely reflects improved logistical flows following the initial 60-day waiver. The conflict in Iran and associated disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz -- a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments -- had created severe bottlenecks, driving up shipping costs and delaying deliveries [11]. By allowing foreign vessels, which are often more numerous and available, to move cargo between U.S. ports, the waiver aims to increase the velocity and volume of fuel reaching markets.

This policy action is part of a broader administrative focus on energy market functionality amid geopolitical turmoil. The Treasury Department eased oil sanctions on Venezuela on March 18 to boost world oil supply [10]. Furthermore, President Trump authorized the largest single drawdown from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve since its creation, releasing 172 million barrels as part of a coordinated international effort [9]. Officials have consistently stated that these measures are designed to be temporary and responsive to immediate market conditions.

Jones Act and its Role in U.S. Maritime Policy

The Jones Act, formally known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a century-old cabotage law that requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed [12]. The law was enacted to protect the domestic shipping industry and bolster national security by maintaining a robust U.S. merchant marine fleet [13].

Proponents of the law argue it safeguards American maritime jobs and ensures a dependable fleet for national defense purposes. Critics, however, contend it increases shipping costs for consumers, particularly in non-contiguous states and territories like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, where reliance on maritime transport is high [14]. The law has been a subject of periodic debate, with suspensions typically reserved for emergencies or specific logistical crises.

The Act's waiver represents a significant regulatory shift. As Gerard Filitti, a Middle East affairs analyst and attorney specializing in international law, explained in an interview, the law normally raises shipping costs due to limited U.S.-flagged capacity [12]. In crisis situations, this constraint can exacerbate supply shortages and price spikes. The current waiver suspends these requirements for energy-related commodities, aiming to leverage global shipping capacity to alleviate domestic pressures.

Market Context: Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

The initial waiver and its extension were triggered directly by the Iran war and subsequent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz [2]. This narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is a critical transit route for approximately 30% of fertilizer inputs and 20% of crude oil from the Persian Gulf to global markets [15]. Attacks on shipping and a blockade by Iran have compromised the strait, increasing global shipping costs and creating regional supply bottlenecks.

On April 22, President Trump claimed Iran was 'collapsing financially' over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehrans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked three ships in the vital waterway . Earlier, on March 19, Trump warned Iran that the U.S. would 'massively blow up' Irans South Pars gas field if Tehran continued strikes on Qatari energy facilities . These escalations have kept the strait's status volatile, directly impacting energy flows.

Energy analysts note the waiver aims specifically to lower transportation costs for refined products like gasoline and diesel . Physical cargos of crude from Oman and the UAE had already reached $150 a barrel for May delivery by mid-March, while oil futures hit $120 a barrel [11]. The administration's actions, including the Jones Act suspension, are intended to counteract these extreme price movements and ensure fuel continues to reach U.S. consumers and industries.

Perspectives on the Policy Extension

Proponents of maritime deregulation argue the waiver is a necessary and pragmatic response to an acute crisis. They point to the immediate relief in shipping capacity and cost it provides, allowing the market to function more efficiently under wartime pressures. This view aligns with a broader skepticism of centralized, protectionist regulations that can distort markets and increase consumer costs, a perspective often championed by advocates of economic freedom and decentralization.

Domestic shipping industry representatives have expressed concern over the precedent of suspending the law. The Jones Act has long been defended as a pillar of U.S. maritime sovereignty and a protector of domestic shipbuilding and maritime jobs [13]. A prolonged or repeated waiver, they argue, could undermine the U.S. merchant marine and reduce long-term capacity, potentially harming national security.

Economic policy analysts debate the long-term implications for U.S. energy independence and shipping capacity. Some suggest that reliance on foreign vessels in emergencies highlights vulnerabilities in the domestic fleet, calling for reforms to enhance competitiveness without sacrificing security [14]. Others caution that such waivers, while helpful in crises, do not address underlying structural issues in energy supply chains and maritime logistics. The policy's effectiveness will be measured by its impact on fuel prices and supply chain fluidity over the coming 90 days.

Conclusion: A Temporary Measure Amid Ongoing Conflict

The 90-day extension is framed by the administration as a targeted, data-driven response to specific market disruptions [3]. Officials indicate the situation will be reassessed as geopolitical and market conditions evolve. The conflict in Iran remains unresolved, with the Strait of Hormuz still a flashpoint, suggesting energy market volatility may persist.

The policy's effectiveness will be closely watched by market participants and policymakers. Key metrics will include the national average price of gasoline and diesel, inventory levels at key ports, and the volume of fuel transported via foreign-flagged vessels under the waiver. Small businesses, particularly in trucking, agriculture, and construction, have already sounded alarms over record diesel price spikes, warning that such costs 'will cripple our economy' [7].

As a temporary measure, the Jones Act waiver represents a tactical intervention in a complex global energy landscape. It underscores the administration's preference for market-based solutions and regulatory flexibility in response to emergencies, over more permanent, protectionist structures. With Republicans holding a majority in the House and Senate, and President Trump in office following his 2024 election victory, such policy directions reflect a continued emphasis on deregulation and economic adaptability in times of crisis.

References
India's Abhay Singh loses to former world No. 1 Karim Gawad in a thrilling PSA Gold-level quarterfinal at the Grasshopper Cup squash in Zurich.

Zurich, April 25 India's Abhay Singh lost to Karim Gawad, an Egyptian former world No 1 and world champion, in a thrilling men's quarterfinal match at the Grasshopper Cup squash, a PSA Gold-level event.

World No. 24 Singh recovered from a 6-0 deficit to force a tie-break in the first game. The second game was fiercely contested against world No. 4 Gawad, but the Egyptian second seed ultimately won the match with scores of 12-10, 11-9.



Former World Champion Gawad produced some high-quality, enterprising squash throughout his 32-minute tussle with Singh. The world No.3 came firing out of the blocks in the first, charging into a 6-0 lead with some scintillating finishes. Singh, who was appearing in his first-ever Gold quarter-final, stormed back to level proceedings while some errors from Gawad helped him get back level.



After seeing one of his game balls saved, Gawad converted in the tiebreak to go 1-0 up. Singh was applying plenty of pressure on Gawad, which helped him open up a 5-2 lead in the second.



Singh stood toe-to-toe with Gawad as he looked to find a foothold back in the contest, but the Egyptian held firm to take the second and progress to the last four.



"I'm really happy. The pace was really fast, we've only played twice but I feel like we've played more than that. In Qatar he beat me in four and today I got on court and thought I don't want to lose again," Gawad was quoted by PSA Tour.



"In best of three with one of the smartest and talented players on Tour, you can never see what he's thinking with the next shot or the next rally. He can come back with crazy points as you saw in the first game when I was 7-0 up and he came back out of nowhere in less than three minutes we were tied. You can never underestimate what's going to happen next to finish to the very end of the match."





- IANS
Over 1100 former US allies remain in limbo at Camp As Sayliyah

The Taliban regime has assured Afghans waiting in Qatar for US visas that they can return home safely. Over 1100 former US allies remain in limbo at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar. The US is considering relocating some evacuees to the Democratic Republic of Congo. UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett has warned that returns to Afghanistan could violate international law.

Taliban says Afghans waiting in Qatar for US visas can return home safely. Over 1100 evacuees face uncertainty amid relocation plans.

Kabul, April 25 The ruling Taliban regime in Afghanistan on Saturday asserted that there are no security threats in the country and no citizen is compelled to leave on account of security considerations. Responding to media reports suggesting that around 1100 Afghans awaiting US visa processing in Qatar may be relocated to the Congo, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, stated that the returnees can come back home with "full confidence" and "peace of mind".

Afghan media outlet Amu TV reported that more than 1100 Afghans remain in limbo at Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) in Qatar - many of them former US allies evacuated after the Taliban's return to power in 2021, including interpreters, members of Afghan special operations forces and their families.

According to the news report, relocating some of these evacuees to the Democratic Republic of Congo is being considered by the US administration even as several US lawmakers and Senators have criticised the move, warning that it could expose them to new risks.

It was mentioned that many of those in Qatar have already undergone vetting for resettlement in the United States and are waiting without clarity about their future for more than a year.

Reacting to the developments, Kabul said that Afghanistan constitutes the shared homeland of all Afghans and invites all those concerned, as well as others sharing a similar situation, to return to their homeland.

"IEA-MoFA stands ready to engage with all countries, within the ambit of bilateral consular relations and an organised mechanism to safeguard the rights of its citizens and underscores to all sides that there exist no security threats in Afghanistan and none is compelled to leave the country on account of security considerations," read the statement issued by spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi.

It added that those Afghans intending to travel to another country may do so at an appropriate juncture through legal and dignified channels.

Earlier this week, Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, raised concerns over reported plans by European officials to host Taliban representatives for talks on deporting Afghan migrants, warning that such returns could violate international law.

"Reports of EU hosting Taliban officials to discuss deporting Afghans are seriously concerning. Any returns risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement due to widespread human rights violations including against women, human rights defenders and former public servants," Bennett posted on X.

His comments, reported Afghan media outlet Amu tv, come as European Union officials are reportedly considering holding talks with a Taliban delegation in Brussels on the issue.

"The proposed talks, which have not been formally confirmed, are expected to focus on the logistics of returning Afghan nationals without legal status in the bloc, including flight arrangements and conditions upon arrival in Kabul. The plans have already drawn criticism from some European lawmakers," Amu TV reported.

- IANS
Alan Cumming has expressed excitement about reprising his role as Nightcrawler in 'Avengers: Doomsday' after more than 20 years. He described the experience as being part of a "superhero soup" and filmed many scenes independently. The actor called the return "healing" compared to his challenging experience on 'X2: X-Men United'. The film, featuring an ensemble cast, is slated for release on December 18.

Alan Cumming returns as Nightcrawler in 'Avengers: Doomsday' after 20+ years. He shares his excitement about the role and the supportive set environment.

New York, April 25 Actor Alan Cumming has expressed excitement about reprising his role as Nightcrawler in the upcoming film 'Avengers: Doomsday', marking his return to the character more than 20 years after 'X2: X-Men United', according to People.

Speaking at the TIME100 Gala in New York City, Cumming described the experience of returning to the superhero universe as being part of a "superhero soup," noting that the large ensemble cast meant he filmed many of his scenes independently.

"There are thousands of them. I didn't work with that... we all did it sort of, well, I did my bits quite a lot on my own. There were a few I worked with, but it was really lovely to go back to something all those years later that I never thought I was going to go back to and I actually think, 'Oh, I really enjoyed playing this character,' " he explained, according to People.

Cumming, who previously played the teleporting mutant in 'X2: X-Men United', said, "It was really nice. And the people who made it, the brothers, are really lovely and very conscious of making sure everyone on set feels valued and what more could you ask for," as per the outlet.

The actor shared that revisiting the role was both surprising and fulfilling. "It was really lovely to go back to something all those years later that I never thought I was going to go back to," he said, adding that he realized how much he enjoyed playing the character.

Cumming also praised the filmmakers for fostering a supportive environment on set, saying they ensured everyone felt valued during production.

Reflecting on his earlier experience while filming 'X2', the actor admitted it had been challenging at the time. However, returning to the role proved to be a positive and "healing" experience.

Now 60, Cumming said he did not expect to perform stunts as a superhero at this stage in his life, calling the opportunity "great" and noting that filming was completed quickly due to his schedule commitments.

Cumming explained at the time that he is glad to be able to reprise the role so many years later, both physically and mentally.

"It was actually really great to go back. And especially, I'm 60 years old. I did not think I would be doing stunts, playing a superhero in my 60s. So that was great," Cumming noted. "And everyone was really nice. And I got it done really quickly because I couldn't go, because of The Traitors, when most of my scenes were being shot," according to People.

'Avengers: Doomsday' features an ensemble cast including Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston and Simu Liu. The film is slated for release in theatres on December 18.

- ANI
PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Lithuania have vowed to further advance bilateral relations and cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples, said a Cambodian foreign ministry's press release on Saturday.

The commitment was made during a meeting held here between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, said the press release issued at the conclusion of Budrys's two-day official visit to Cambodia.

Sokhonn underscored the importance of sustained political engagement at all levels and extended appreciation to Lithuania's contributions to global mine clearance efforts, encouraging its continued support.

The two ministers also engaged in a constructive exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, the press release said. 
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Prof Gobardhan Das in Kolkata to formally recognize his appointment as a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog. Shah congratulated Das on the role, expressing hope for his contributions to nation-building. Prof Das, an acclaimed immunologist and Director of IISER Bhopal, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity, highlighting his humble origins as a Dalit farmer's son. The appointment is seen as a strategic step to integrate evidence-based scientific research into India's socio-economic policies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets Prof Gobardhan Das in Kolkata, congratulating him on becoming a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog to boost nation-building.

Kolkata, April 26 In a move that signals a strengthening bond between India's premier scientific research community and national policy-making, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Prof. Gobardhan Das, Director of IISER Bhopal, in Kolkata today.

The meeting served as a formal recognition of Prof. Das's new role as a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog, a position that places him at the heart of India's strategic development and "Viksit Bharat" vision.

"I congratulate him on becoming a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog. May he contribute immensely to nation-building," Shah posted on X.

Prof. Das, an acclaimed immunologist and the current head of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, is widely respected for his contributions to infectious disease research and academic administration.

His transition to NITI Aayog is seen as a strategic step to integrate evidence-based scientific research into the country's socio-economic policies.

Prof Gobardhan Das, who has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity, emphasising the impact of the position for those with humble roots.

In an X post, Das recalled his beginnings from West Bengal, along with his experience as an individual from a marginalised community.

"Today is a very important day in my life. I sincerely thank the dynamic Prime Minister, the honorable Shri Narendra Modi Ji, for giving me the opportunity to serve as a member of @NITIAayog. I am the son of an ordinary farmer family from the Dalit class in a remote village of West Bengal. Since childhood, the fragrance of the soil, the value of hard work, and the truth of struggle have been an integral part of my life. Today's responsibility is not just a position for me; it is a glimpse of the dreams, hopes, and beliefs of countless ordinary people like me," he said.

Das, who is currently the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, reaffirmed his dedication to improving the standard of living for remote areas, the farmer community, and ordinary people, describing it as a way for "complete development" of the nation.

"For this purpose, I promise to work with honesty, dedication, and full responsibility under the guidance of the honorable Prime Minister Ji," Das said in the post.

"Being able to contribute even a little to the country's progress on this journey under the visionary leadership of the honorable Prime Minister Ji is a matter of pride for me. I seek everyone's blessings and cooperation," he added.

Dr Gobardhan Das is a celebrated Molecular Science Professor, specialising in Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Cell Biology over a scientific career of nearly three decades.

The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal - senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as a member.

Along with them, PM Modi also congratulated Dr Rajiv Gauba, Prof K V Raju, Prof Abhay Karandikar and Dr M Srinivas on becoming Full Time Members of NITI Aayog.

- ANI
Visit follows collapsed peace talks and US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

No negotiations with US planned during the tour

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is visiting Pakistan, Oman, and Russia to coordinate with partners on bilateral issues and regional developments. He will not hold any negotiations with US officials during this tour. Pakistan will act as a communication bridge to convey Iran's considerations for ending the conflicts. The visit follows a ceasefire on April 8 and collapsed peace talks in Islamabad after the US imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will convey Tehran's considerations regarding ending the war with the US and Israel during his visit to Islamabad, Pakistan.

Tehran/Islamabad, April 25 Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will convey Iran's considerations regarding the end of the war with the United States and Israel in his visit to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Heading a diplomatic delegation, Araghchi is scheduled to visit Pakistan, Oman and Russia, the report said, adding the visits are aimed at ensuring close coordination with Iran's partners regarding bilateral issues, and holding consultations on the latest regional developments.

Araghchi will not hold any negotiations with US officials during his visit, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Tasnim.

According to Tasnim, in the Omani capital Muscat, the Iranian foreign minister will discuss regional issues as well as the war, and in Russia, he will hold consultations on the latest developments pertaining to bilateral, regional and international developments.

Commenting on his tour in a post on social media platform X on Friday, Araghchi said, "Embarking on a timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. The purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority."

Tasnim also reported that Iran currently has no plans to negotiate with the United States, and that Araghchi's visit to Islamabad is not for talks with the US side.

Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported that while Araghchi does not have a plan to meet with the Americans, "Islamabad, as a bridge of communication, will 'convey' Iran's considerations for ending the conflicts."

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Iranian delegation led by Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Friday night.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East.

A ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8, which was followed by lengthy talks between the Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad on April 11 and 12. After the peace negotiations in Islamabad collapsed, the United States imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, preventing ships travelling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway.

The Iranian and US delegations were reportedly expected to hold another round of peace talks in Pakistan this week, but Iran refrained from attending, citing the US' continued naval blockade and "excessive" demands as main reasons.

- IANS
Iran's military spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik announced that a significant portion of the country's missile capability remains unused, emphasizing strategic restraint. The statement coincides with Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Araghchi's arrival in Islamabad for bilateral talks and potential meetings with US negotiators. Talaei-Nik also revealed that over 30 million Iranians have joined a national defense campaign, calling it a "social miracle." Separately, a US think tank reports that IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi has blocked efforts by pragmatist officials to adopt a more flexible negotiating stance.

Iran's military says significant missile capability remains unused, as Foreign Minister Araghchi arrives in Islamabad for talks, including possible US negotiations.

Tehran, April 25 Even as Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Aragchi arrived in Islamabad for bilateral talks and a possible meeting with US Negotaitors Steve Wirkoff and Jared Kushner, Iran's military sent out a tough message of its capabilities. Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik to Iranian state media that a significant portion of Iran's "missile capability has not been used" during recent hostilities and highlighted that strategic restraint had been maintained by the country's military forces.

The spokesperson further asserted that the "Armed Forces had full control over the skies of the occupied territories" up until the period immediately preceding the implementation of the ceasefire.

As detailed by Press TV, the Brigadier General's comments suggest that the nation has retained a substantial amount of its advanced weaponry in reserve. He praised the fact that the weapons manufactured nationwide benefit from a "thoroughly indigenous production line", ensuring self-sufficiency.

Discussing the resilience of the military infrastructure, Talaei-Nik stated, "This capacity is the result of more than 25 years of investment and preparation in the defence industry, to the extent that even if some facilities are damaged, the process of production and support continues across the country's geographical expanse."

He further revealed to Press TV that, "In this process, around 9,000 companies are cooperating with the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence."

The spokesperson also addressed the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was implemented in response to an ongoing American blockade. He asserted that the waterway "has become a lever of control for realising the demands of the Iranian nation."

Press TV highlighted his claim that the military has successfully forced "enemy forces retreat in the Gulf of Oman" through "smart and thorough control" of the maritime chokepoint.

Talaei-Nik also touched upon domestic solidarity, describing recent massive pro-establishment rallies as a "social miracle."

He claimed that over 30 million individuals have signed up for a national campaign to show they are "ready to stand strongly in defence of the nation", an act of mass mobilisation that he believes has defeated efforts to create internal division.

The message from the Iranian Army comes even as a new assessment by the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), has revealed that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his "inner circle" have "repeatedly blocked attempts" by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other "pragmatist" officials to push the Iranian regime toward a "more flexible negotiating position."

- ANI
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited former CM Nitish Kumar at his official residence after securing a trust vote in the assembly. The 20-minute meeting, attended by Union Minister Lalan Singh, is believed to have focused on the impending cabinet expansion. Choudhary praised Kumar's two-decade legacy of governance, including liquor ban and women's empowerment. Currently, all departments are managed by the CM and two deputy CMs, with expansion expected soon.

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary meets Nitish Kumar after trust vote win; cabinet expansion speculation grows as departments remain unallocated.

Patna, April 25 After securing the vote of confidence in the Bihar Assembly, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reached 1, Anee Marg, his official residence, on Saturday to pay a courtesy visit to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Union Minister and JD-U Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh was also present during the meeting, which lasted for about 20 minutes.

While the exact details of the discussion have not been disclosed, it is widely speculated that the talks revolved around the much-anticipated Cabinet expansion in Bihar.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had proved his majority in the Bihar Assembly on Friday.

During the debate preceding the floor test, Samrat Choudhary praised Nitish Kumar, saying that the veteran JD-U leader could neither be removed from his seat of power nor from their hearts.

He credited Nitish Kumar with establishing good governance in the state and expressed confidence that Bihar would continue progressing under his guidance.

Highlighting the former Chief Minister's contributions, Samrat Choudhary said that over the past two decades, Nitish Kumar has given Bihar a new identity by bringing farmers, labourers, and the underprivileged into the mainstream.

He also mentioned initiatives such as increased government employment opportunities, the implementation of liquor ban, and steps toward women's empowerment.

Chief Minister Choudhary also clarified that the Bharatiya Janata Party has entrusted him with key responsibilities, adding that positions of power are not personal property but a matter of public trust.

It is worth noting that even after the formation of the new government, the Cabinet in Bihar is yet to be expanded.

At present, all departments are being handled by the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav.

As a result, political circles are closely watching for the Cabinet expansion, which is expected in the coming days.

Earlier on Saturday, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had also met Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav to deliberate on various issues.

- IANS
BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav asserts Bihar will remain stable under CM Samrat Choudhary's leadership after a successful floor test. Yadav emphasizes NDA unity and a focus on development and welfare for the poor. The confidence motion was passed comfortably by NDA constituents, marking a political transition after Nitish Kumar's resignation. Tejashwi Yadav criticizes the change, calling it a shift from an "elected" to a "selected" chief minister.

BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav says Bihar will remain stable under CM Samrat Choudhary's leadership after floor test win, focusing on development and NDA unity.

Patna, April 25 Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ram Kripal Yadav on Saturday said Bihar will continue to have a stable government under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary, asserting that the National Democratic Alliance has demonstrated strong unity during the recent floor test in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "The emperor of people's hearts, Samrat Choudhary, got unprecedented support in the floor test in the Bihar Assembly, both inside and outside the Assembly... Bihar had, has and will continue to have a stable government under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary."

He further said that the government would now focus on development and welfare in line with the vision of the leadership and the broader NDA agenda.

"I believe that now, under his leadership, in the interest of Bihar's poor, they will follow the Prime Minister's core mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' and the path set by Nitish Kumar. This will lead to welfare through development--welfare for Bihar," he added.

The comments came after the Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chodhary on Friday comfortably won the trust vote in the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly, reaffirming the NDA alliance's unity, marking the completion of the political transition in the state following the resignation of Nitish Kumar from the CM post.

The confidence motion was passed comfortably by Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United) and other NDA constituents, affirming their trust in Samrat Choudhary.

Shortly after Samrat Choudhary presented the vote of confidence in the assembly, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav took a jibe at Bihar CM, thanking him for completing the transition from "elected Chief Minister' to a selected Chief Minister", expressing delight that a graduate of "Lalu Prasad Yadav's pathshala" has taken up the post.

"A government needs stability for development work. But Bihar is a unique state, where this is the fifth government formed in five years... We would like to thank Samrat Choudhary for the transition from an 'elected Chief Minister' to a 'selected Chief Minister'. We are delighted that he is a graduate of Lalu Prasad Yadav's 'pathshala'. What could be better for us than him becoming the Chief Minister?" he said.

Samrat Choudhary, the first BJP Chief Minister of Bihar, comes from a politically active family. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, was a six-time MLA from the Tarapur constituency, while his mother, Parvati Devi, also held the seat in 1998, representing the then Samta Party.

He was appointed BJP state president in 2023 and later took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar in 2024. He assumed the top post following Nitish Kumar's resignation, after the longest-serving Chief Minister stepped down to move to the Rajya Sabha.

- ANI
Canadian Army chief Lt. Gen. Michael Wright says the partnership between South Korea and Canada, forged during the Korean War, is growing stronger. He made the remarks while attending the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong. Canada is in discussions with South Korea's defense industry over army modernization projects, including potential deals for K9 howitzers and Redback vehicles. Wright noted that recent high-level visits between the two nations show their commitment to working together in a fractured world.

Canadian Army chief says partnership with South Korea, forged during the Korean War, is growing stronger amid deepening military cooperation and modernization talks.

Seoul, April 25 Partnership between South Korea and Canada, forged on battlefields of the 1950-53 Korean War, has endured for decades and is growing even "stronger" amid deepening military cooperation, the commander of the Canadian Army has said.

Lt. Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Friday, as he was visiting South Korea to attend a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of a key Korean War battle in the northern county of Gapyeong.

Some 2,000 troops of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade, comprising soldiers of Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, engaged in three days of fierce combat against Chinese forces in April 1951 at the height of the three-year war.

"For Canada, it's a reaffirmation of our partnership that started on the battlefields in Korea in 1950 and endures to this day and, if anything, is getting stronger," Wright said when asked about the significance of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong.

"So I really think that the history that we share is an indicator of what we'll do together in the future," he said.

Ahead of the anniversary, troops from the Canadian Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, an army unit that fought at the battle in Gapyeong, arrived in South Korea for their first high-tech military drills with the South's Army.

Over 26,000 Canadians participated in the Korean War, with 516 killed and approximately 1,200 wounded, according to the UN Command (UNC).

South Korea and Canada are seeking to bolster defence cooperation as President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to deepen their strategic partnership in defence, security and military intelligence sharing during summit talks in Gyeongju last year.

Wright said Canada has been in discussions with South Korea's defence industry over Ottawa's project to modernise the army.

"The Canadian Army is in the midst of our largest modernisation of equipment in over 25 years, and we're looking in accordance with our defence industrial strategy -- what we can do to rapidly accelerate bringing new equipment into the Canadian Army," he said.

On possible areas for arms cooperation, Wright said: "The K9 howitzers, I know, are something that Hanhwa has spoken about. The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle is another example," while noting the Canadian defence ministry and defence investment agency will determine the details.

Hanhwa Aerospace earlier said it proposed an integrated solution binding its K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system and Redback infantry fighting vehicles in a package deal as part of efforts to win contracts over Canada's army modernisation project.

Canada's modernisation strategy centres on generating modern land forces by investing in next-generation capabilities and securing increased sustainment capability, according to a plan outlined by Canada's defence ministry.

The Canadian Army commander struck a positive note about future military cooperation between Seoul and Ottawa.

"I think the future military cooperation is much stronger," he said, noting that the recent series of leadership and ministerial-level visits between the two nations shows how they are looking to work together increasingly in such a "fractured world."

- IANS
Intent to expand scope, complexity, and frequency of bilateral and TriService engagements

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan held talks with US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin B Schneider, reaffirming strategic convergence between India and the US. Both sides expressed a shared resolve towards regional security and stability across the Indo-Pacific. They articulated a clear intent to expand and operationalize bilateral and TriService engagements with enhanced synergy. The meeting follows Schneiders earlier discussions with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to advance defence initiatives and military-to-military cooperation.

CDS General Anil Chauhan and US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin B Schneider reaffirm strategic convergence, pledging to expand bilateral and TriService engagements for Indo-Pacific stability.

New Delhi, April 25 Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Saturday held talks with General Kevin B Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, sharing resolve towards regional security.

Both sides articulated a clear intent to expand and operationalise the scope of bilateral engagements.

As per a statement by the Integrated Defence Staff on X, "General Anil Chauhan CDS engaged with General Kevin B Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command reaffirming the deepening strategic convergence between India and the US. Deliberations underscored a shared resolve towards regional security and the enduring maintenance of peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond."

"Both sides articulated a clear intent to expand and operationalise the scope, complexity and frequency of bilateral and TriService engagements. Recognising technology as a defining determinant of modern power, the partnership continues to evolve with enhanced synergy, capability and strategic foresight," the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, Schneider, met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in the national capital to advance bilateral defence initiatives and deepen military-to-military cooperation between India and the United States.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on enhancing collaboration through joint exercises.

"Commander, Pacific Air Forces & Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command General Kevin B Schneider today called on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. Discussions focused on advancing defence initiatives and enhancing military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training visits & strategic exchanges," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement shared on X.

The meeting comes amid sustained efforts by both nations to strengthen interoperability between their armed forces and expand engagement across multiple domains, including air, land and maritime security. Defence ties between India and the United States have significantly expanded over the past decade, with both sides increasingly participating in complex joint exercises and institutional dialogues.

- ANI
India's Census 2027 will be the country's first fully digital enumeration exercise, marking a major technological shift from previous paper-based methods. The census introduces mobile data collection, a self-enumeration facility, and geo-referenced jurisdictions for greater accuracy. Comprehensive caste enumeration will be conducted during the Population Enumeration phase, with strict confidentiality under Section 15 of the Census Act. The government has approved a financial outlay of Rs 11,718.24 crore for the exercise, which will be conducted in two phases starting in April 2026.

Indias Census 2027 will be the world's largest digital enumeration exercise, featuring mobile data collection, self-enumeration, and caste data.

New Delhi, April 25 Census is the process of collecting, compiling, analysing, and disseminating demographic, social, cultural and economic data relating to all persons in the country or a designated area. The wealth of information collected through the census makes it the richest source of data for planners, administrators, research scholars and other data users.

According to the government, the census serves as a critical foundation for governance, enabling informed decision-making across political, social, and economic domains. Census data enables informed policy making that is inclusive, targeted, and aligned with the diverse needs of the population.

The earliest references to conducting a census in the country can be found in Kautilya's Arthashastra (321-296 BC) and later in the writings of Abul Fazl in 'Ain-e-Akbari' during the days of Emperor Akbar. The first modern population census in India was conducted between 1865 and 1872, though it didn't happen simultaneously across all regions. India conducted its first synchronous census in 1881. Since then, the Indian census has been providing reliable, time-tested data on various aspects of the population through extensive exercises held every 10 years.

Each successive census refined its methods, increased coverage, and modified questions to better understand the population.

Census 2027 will be the 16th in the series of Indian censuses and the 8th since independence. This will be the largest census exercise in the world and marks a major step forward with digital integration, strengthened data security, and streamlining processes, reinforcing evidence-based policymaking. It introduces several pioneering features, including mobile-based data collection, near real-time monitoring through the Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal, an optional self-enumeration facility, and extensive use of geo-referenced jurisdictions. Comprehensive caste enumeration will be done during the Population Enumeration phase.

Supported by advanced digital tools, the exercise aims to deliver faster, more accurate, and granular data while ensuring the highest standards of data security and public participation.

Indian Census has since been conducted decennially. However, the Census due in 2021 could not be undertaken on schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Census 2027 will therefore mark the next enumeration in the series, and is the 16th Indian Census overall and the 8th since Independence.

The Census 2027 is anchored in a robust institutional and administrative framework that ensures consistency, credibility, and nationwide uniformity in data collection. Post-independence, the Census is governed by the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, ensuring a strong legal and institutional framework.

The release stated that the Census is a Union subject under the Seventh Schedule (listed at serial number 69) of the Constitution. As a Union subject, the exercise is centrally coordinated while implemented in close collaboration with State and Union Territory governments, enabling seamless execution across diverse regions.

The framework also guarantees strict confidentiality of individual data, reinforcing public trust and participation. The Census Act contains a significant provision - Section 15, under which personal information provided by people is treated as strictly confidential. It cannot be made public under the RTI Act, used as evidence in any court of law, or shared with any institution.

The intent of the Government to conduct the Population Census 2027 was notified in the Gazette of India on 16th June, 2025. The Union Cabinet has approved a financial outlay of Rs 11,718.24 crore for its implementation.

The census will be conducted in two phases. The first phase--House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), will take place between April and September 2026 for a duration of 30 days in each State and Union Territory, with a 15-day window for self-enumeration prior to fieldwork. This phase will collect data on housing conditions, amenities, and household assets.

The second phase, Population Enumeration, will be conducted in February 2027 and will capture detailed demographic, socio-economic, cultural, migration, and fertility-related data. For Ladakh and snow-bound regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, this phase will be conducted in September 2026 due to climatic conditions.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated students after the state recorded a 92.10% pass rate in Class 10 board exams. Girls significantly outperformed boys with a pass rate of 96.07% compared to 88.03% for boys. Akshat Gopal from Ramnagar topped the Class 10 exams with 98.20%, while Geetika Pant and Sushila Mehendiratta jointly secured the top position in Class 12 with 98%. Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat officially declared the results from the Uttarakhand Board of School Education headquarters in Ramnagar.

CM Dhami congratulates students as Uttarakhand records 92.10% pass rate in Class 10. Girls outperform boys with 96.07% in High School exams.

Dehradun, April 25 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday extended his congratulations to students following the announcement of the Class 10 and Class 12 board results.

The results were officially declared by Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat from the Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) headquarters in Ramnagar.

On Saturday, the Uttarakhand Board of School Education declared that girls significantly outperformed boys. According to official data, the overall pass percentage for High School stands at 92.10%, while girls recorded a pass rate of 96.07% compared to 88.03% for boys.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post on X, said, "heartiest congratulations to all the students who have succeeded in the High School and Intermediate examinations of the Uttarakhand School Education Council, and best wishes for a bright future."

The post further stated, "This success is a testament to your consistent hard work, discipline, and unwavering determination. I am confident that with the same dedication and self-confidence, you will realise your dreams and reach new heights in life."

"Those students who could not achieve the expected results this time should not feel discouraged. With patience, positive thinking, and continuous effort, you will certainly attain success," the post added.

In the High School results, Akshat Gopal from Ramnagar, Nainital, emerged as the state topper with an impressive 98.20%.

According to the Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE), for the Intermediate (Class 12) examination 2026, the overall pass percentage was 85.11%. The pass percentage among boys was 81.93%, while girls achieved 88.09%. Geetika Pant from Bageshwar and Sushila Mehendiratta from Udham Singh Nagar jointly secured the top position with 98%.

District-wise performance in Class 12 was led by Bageshwar, which secured the top spot in the state with a pass percentage of 94.81%.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, J.P. Kala, Deputy Director of Education, spoke exclusively to ANI about the Uttarakhand Board High School examination results declared. The overall pass percentage stands at 92.10%. Girls have outperformed boys, achieving a pass percentage of 96.07%, while boys recorded 88.03%.

In the High School results, Akshat Gopal from Ramnagar in Nainital district topped the state with 98.20% marks.

For the Intermediate (Class 12) examinations 2026, the overall pass percentage is 85.11%. Boys recorded a pass percentage of 81.93%, while girls achieved 88.09%. Geetika Pant from Bageshwar and Sushila Mehndiratta from Udham Singh Nagar emerged as joint toppers with 98% marks each.

In district-wise performance for Class 12, Bageshwar secured the top position in the state with an impressive pass percentage of 94.81%.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath paid floral tribute to former CM Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his 107th birth anniversary. He called Bahuguna an important pillar of Indian politics and recalled his contributions to the freedom movement. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also honored Bahuguna, highlighting his transparent and corruption-free political system. Bahuguna, born on April 25, 1919, served as UP CM from 1973 to 1975.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pay tribute to former UP CM Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his 107th birth anniversary.

Lucknow, April 25 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid floral tribute to former CM Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his 107th birth anniversary, calling him an "important pillar of Indian politics."

Speaking to reporters, CM Yogi recalled his contribution to the freedom movement and hailed his vision for the development of Uttar Pradesh.

UP CM said, "Today is the birth anniversary of former UP CM Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. On this occasion, I pay my humble tribute to him, honouring his memory on behalf of the UP government. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was an important pillar of Indian politics. He was even imprisoned by the then-British government as he participated in the Quit India Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi."

"In the first general elections after independence, in 1952, he became a member of the UP Legislative Assembly for the first time. He also rendered commendable services at the Centre. He had his own vision for the development of UP, and we can feel it coming to fruition," CM Yogi added.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also paid tribute to the late Bahuguna and recalled his efforts in creating a transparent and corruption-free political system.

CM Dhami told reporters in Dehradun, "Today is a big day in Indian politics and in Indian history. Born into a humble family today, the late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna held numerous positions in the Indian government, including as UP CM. His life is an inspiration for all of us. It's his 107th birth anniversary. I salute him on behalf of all the people of the state. He worked with transparency and integrity, freeing people from corruption and creating a system that was very comfortable with the people."

"He faced numerous challenges many times, but he never bowed down to them, always standing firm. Following in his footsteps, we are working tirelessly for the state. Because of his popularity, many institutions and universities in our state are now named after him. We will continue to work in that direction, inspired by him and his life," the Uttarakhand CM added.

Born on April 25, 1919, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was a Congress leader and served as CM of Uttar Pradesh from 1973 to 1975. Later, he joined Bharatiya Lok Dal.

- ANI
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama speaks during the launch ceremony of Ghana's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in Accra, Ghana, on April 24, 2026. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Friday launched the country's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, pledging 270 million U.S. dollars to accelerate the development of the sector. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Friday launched the country's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, pledging 270 million U.S. dollars to accelerate the development of the sector.

Mahama said the investment would be directed at the development of critical infrastructure and funding the implementation of other aspects of the strategy to position Ghana as a leading digital innovation hub in Africa.

"Infrastructure is the foundation upon which innovation rests. Ghana will invest 250 million dollars to establish a top-tier center for AI computing. In addition, the government will commit 20 million dollars to support the implementation of the National AI Strategy. These investments are bold but necessary," the president said.

He said that 300,000 Ghanaians would be trained this year under the government's One Million Coders Program as part of efforts to build digital and artificial intelligence skills across the country. The program is designed to equip young Ghanaians with practical digital and AI skills on a large scale, while also promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Edmond Moukala, country representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, lauded the Ghanaian government for the initiative, saying that "Ghana is launching a program and making a bold statement about its future, a future where innovation is married with equity and where technology serves the interest of all Ghanaians." 

A delivering robot is pictured during the launching ceremony of Ghana's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in Accra, Ghana, on April 24, 2026. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Friday launched the country's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, pledging 270 million U.S. dollars to accelerate the development of the sector. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama speaks during the launch ceremony of Ghana's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in Accra, Ghana, on April 24, 2026. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Friday launched the country's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, pledging 270 million U.S. dollars to accelerate the development of the sector. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
Congress Rajya Sabha MPs Pramod Tiwari and Akhilesh Prasad claim the party will play a decisive role in forming the West Bengal government after assembly polls. They assert that Congress is emerging as a third force, targeting both the Trinamool Congress and BJP. The leaders criticized the ruling parties for political violence, corruption, and failing on security and development. Rahul Gandhi is visiting West Bengal for election campaigning ahead of the second phase of polls on April 29.

Congress MPs Pramod Tiwari and Akhilesh Prasad claim Congress will be decisive in forming Bengal government, targeting both Trinamool and BJP ahead of polls.

Kolkata, April 25 Congress Rajya Sabha MPs, Pramod Tiwari and Akhilesh Prasad, on Saturday claimed that the Congress will play a decisive role in forming the government in West Bengal after Assembly polls.

The Congress is contesting the election in West Bengal on its own and without any alliance after 20 years.

In this context, the leadership is targeting both the Trinamool and the BJP. According to Pramod Tiwari and Akhilesh Prasad Singh, the Congress is emerging as the third force here. Both of them said at the same time, "Although the main focus is on the two big parties here, the Congress has emerged as the third force. Congress will play a decisive role in the coming days."

Pramod Tiwari spoke about the history of cultural and political movements in Bengal. He also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and raised questions about the security of Delhi. He said, "Why has the government failed to ensure security even in areas directly under the Centre? And Trinamool is encouraging syndicate culture, corruption and political violence here. Both parties are doing politics of division."

Another party MP, Akhilesh said, "No government will be formed in West Bengal without the Congress. The state has now gone to the bottom in important sectors like education, health and industry."

The comments from the Congress leaders came ahead of party leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to West Bengal on Saturday for election campaigning. He has three meetings in a row. The first meeting will be in Serampore of Hooghly district, with all the candidates of the district, including the state Congress president Subhankar Sarkar being present. From there, Rahul Gandhi will fly by helicopter to join the meeting at Shahid Minar in Kolkata. The last meeting will be in Metiaburuz area under Kolkata Port Assembly constituency.

The second phase of Assembly polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 Assembly constituencies will be held on April 29. The results will be declared on May 4 after several rounds of counting of votes.

- IANS
Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi has been discharged from BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital after sustaining a head injury during the IPL match against Punjab Kings. The South African fast bowler landed heavily on his head while attempting a catch in the third over. Despite KL Rahul's record-breaking 152*, Punjab Kings chased down 265 runs, the highest-ever in IPL history. DC head coach Venugopal Rao acknowledged the team's poor catching and powerplay bowling as key areas for improvement.

Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi discharged from hospital after nasty head injury during IPL match against Punjab Kings. KL Rahul scored 152* in the chase.

New Delhi, April 25 Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi has been discharged from a Delhi hospital after he was injured during clash against Punjab Kings at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Proteas pacer faced a nasty landing on the back of his head and neck.

He was discharged from BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital. He was brought to the hospital after he sustained a head injury during the IPL match against the Punjab Kings.

Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman and co-owner of the Delhi Capitals, went to the hospital to meet Ngidi.

Despite KL Rahul's record-breaking 152*, a sensational 126-run stand between openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya and a hard-hitting 71* by skipper Shreyas Iyer powered PBKS to an all-time record chase of 265 at Arun Jaitley Stadium. It was a horror show with ball for DC, who missed Ngidi, who had to be stretchered out of the field and hospitalised after his fall while attempting a catch.

In the third over of Punjab Kings' innings, bowled by Axar Patel, Ngidi went for a catch off a lofted shot from Priyansh Arya. He tracked the ball while back-pedalling but never seemed in control of the attempt, stretching backwards without getting a fingertip to it. In the process, he landed heavily on his head, making for a worrying moment on the field and causing the action to stall for over 10 minutes, with spin all-rounder Vipraj Nigam brought in as a concussion substitute.

Following his injury, the IPL issued an update saying that Ngidi is "stable and due to be discharged from the hospital today" and indeed, Ngidi has been discharged from the hospital hours after suffering the ball.

Speaking on Ngidi's injury, Venugopal said during the post-match presser, "Still, I think it is not serious. We will update, but nothing serious."

Ngidi has been a key bowler for DC this season, taking seven wickets in seven matches at an average of 29.42, with an economy rate of 8.70 and best figures of 3/27.

Venugopal also stressed on overcoming poor catching, pointing out that the team dropped "almost six catches", including two of skipper Shreyas Iyer by Karun Nair. He highlighted the need to hold on to these chances to have any chance at defending the total.

"See, when you are dropping at a crucial time, I do not think we will win these kinds of matches. Chances to players like Prabhsimran, Priyansh Arya and Shreyas, we need to take those. If we drop catches, we cannot defend," he added.

Speaking on recovering from the loss, Venugopal said, "We will see. Next game when we come, we will answer. There are a lot of positives. But the areas to improve are powerplay bowling and catching."

Lastly, on KL's record-breaking 152*, which made him the third-overall and first-ever Indian member of IPL's 150 run club and the holder of the highest score by an Indian in T20s, Venugopal pointed to the responsibility KL took as a senior player.

"See, after scoring and putting a target of 264, still we could not defend. First of all, credit goes to KL, the way he handled it. Nobody knows how the pitch behaved, but he kept striking the ball well. The way he played till the last over, hats off. He continued his form. In this format, you cannot relax. He took responsibility as a senior player and you saw the difference this year in what he can bring. I am happy for him. We could not get the win, but we will come back strong next match," he signed off.

With this win, PBKS stand unbeaten with six wins and a no result, giving them 13 points. DC is at the sixth spot, with three wins and four losses, giving them six points. PBKS broke their record of chasing down 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2024 season.

Coming to the match, after DC opted to bat first, an entertaining 220-run second-wicket stand between KL Rahul (152* in 67 balls, with 16 fours and nine sixes) and Nitish Rana (91* in 44 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes) took DC to 264/2.

PBKS did not put their weapons down either, as Priyansh Arya (43 in 17 balls, with two fours and five sixes) and Prabhsimran (76 in 26 balls, with nine fours and five sixes) shaved off 116 runs in the powerplay, later, Shreyas (71* in 36 balls, with three fours and seven sixes) put partnerships with Nehal Wadhera (25) and Shashank Singh (19*), completing the chase in 18.5 overs with six wickets left.

- ANI
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan paid tribute to former ISRO chief Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan on his death anniversary. Pradhan remembered Kasturirangan's role in formulating the National Education Policy 2020 and his contributions to India's space program. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar also honored Kasturirangan for his leadership in operationalizing PSLV and GSLV. Kasturirangan, a Padma awardee, passed away at age 84 last year.

Union Minister Pradhan and Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar pay tribute to former ISRO chief Kasturirangan on his death anniversary.

New Delhi, April 25 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday paid tribute to former ISRO chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan on his death anniversary, remembering his role in formulating the National Education Policy, 2020.

In an X post, Union Minister Pradhan said that Kasturirangan's wisdom shaped his understanding of education and nation-building. Pradhan also acknowledged the late astrophysicist as a "towering architect of India's space journey."

The Union Minister wrote, "On his death anniversary, I remember Dr Kasturirangan, not just as a towering architect of India's space journey or the guiding force behind NEP 2020, but as a mentor whose wisdom deeply shaped my own understanding of education and nation-building. He believed in an India where curiosity is not confined, where learning is rooted in our civilisational ethos yet open to the world and where every child--irrespective of background--has the opportunity to realise their full potential. His vision for NEP 2020 was not merely reform, but a quiet revolution to make education more holistic, flexible and aligned with the aspirations of a new India."

"His clarity, humility and unwavering faith in young minds left a lasting imprint on me. In every step we take to strengthen our education system, I continue to hear his voice--measured, thoughtful and always guided by a larger purpose. India has lost a guiding light, but his vision will continue to illuminate our path for generations to come," the X post read.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also paid a tribute and remembered K Kasturirangan's leadership in the operationalisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and progress on Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

"Remembering distinguished space scientist and former ISRO Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan on his death anniversary. His leadership strengthened India's space programme through the successful operationalisation of PSLV and progress on GSLV. His work in satellite development and space applications placed India firmly among the world's leading spacefaring nations," Shivakumar posted on X.

K Kasturirangan passed away on April 25 last year, at the age of 84. He is known for his contributions in the successful development and deployment of major satellite systems, including INSAT and IRS, as well as the operationalisation of PSLV and GSLV.

From 2003 to 2009, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha while also holding the position of Director at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. He has also served as a member of the Planning Commission. He chaired the committee which formulated the National Education Policy, 2020.

He was a recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, along with honorary doctorates from 27 universities.

- ANI
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed a group of Nepali journalists on the significant progress in India-Nepal partnership. Minister Kiren Rijiju also engaged with 20 Nepali journalists at Parliament House. The interactions highlight the strong civilizational and cultural ties between the two nations. India considers Nepal a priority partner under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefs Nepali journalists on India-Nepal partnership progress, highlighting strong people-to-people ties and Neighbourhood First policy.

New Delhi, April 25 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Saturday held talks with a group of journalists from Nepal.

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that Misri briefed the group on the progress made in the partnership between India and Nepal.

In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "A group of journalists from Nepal interacted with Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri. Foreign Secretary briefed the group on the significant progress made in the multifaceted partnership between India and Nepal and its positive outlook for the future."

Earlier on April 23, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also engaged with 20 media journalists from Nepal at Parliament House.

In a post on X, Rijiju said, "Engaged with 20 media journalists from Nepal at Parliament House, New Delhi, during their familiarisation visit to India. Exchanged views on India's parliamentary system, political framework & diplomatic outreach. Such interactions contribute to stronger institutional cooperation and further deepen the trusted partnership between India & Nepal."

Nepal shares a border with five Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The age-old civilizational and cultural ties that exist between India and Nepal are exemplified by the strong people-to-people link between the two countries. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy, as per a statement by the MEA.

These bonds of friendship are also strengthened by regular exchanges at a high level between India and Nepal. Since May 2014, there have been 17 exchanges at the level of Head of State/ Head of Government, as per MEA.

Frequent high-level visits and exchanges between both the nations have added momentum to the bilateral partnerships, and helped the leadership to review at regular intervals the entire gamut of the relation, the MEA statement added.

- ANI
Gulf crude oil production could largely recover within months of the Strait of Hormuz reopening, according to Goldman Sachs. However, a full return to pre-war levels may take longer due to risks like pipeline capacity and well flow rates. The longer the closure, the more extensive work needed, potentially delaying restart. Historical data shows recoveries of 70% after three months and 88% after six months.

Goldman Sachs says Gulf oil production could rebound within months after Strait of Hormuz reopens, but full recovery faces risks from prolonged closure.

New Delhi, April 25 Gulf crude oil production could largely recover within a few months of the Strait of Hormuz reopening, Goldman Sachs research said in a report. However, it added that a complete return to pre-war levels may take longer and the crude oil production is likely to face heightened risks if the closure of the crucial waterway and tensions in West Asia continue for a longer period.

The research wing of the investment bank estimated that Gulf output went down by 14.5 million barrels per day (mbd), or 57%, from pre-war levels. In its latest research note, Goldman Sachs said a swift recovery is possible, given there are no renewed strikes on oil assets and a full, safe reopening of the Strait in the coming months. However, the last leg of the ramp-up could be prolonged and may not fully materialize if the waterway remains closed for an extended period.

The speed of recovery will hinge on transportation and well flow rates. Once the Strait reopens, the key constraints are likely to be pipeline capacity, the availability of empty tankers to clear previously produced oil, and the mobilization of materials and workers for field workovers. Goldman estimates that available empty tanker capacity in the Gulf has fallen by about *50%, or 130 million barrels*, since the start of the conflict.

Historical data shows Hormuz flows peaked at 23.3 mbd compared to a normal 20 mbd, with pipeline redirection capacity running at 3.5 mbd above normal. Forced curtailments can also create reservoir complexities, requiring intervention and workover jobs before wells can be brought back to prior production rates. The longer the closure, the more extensive the work needed and the slower the procurement of depleted inputs like drill pipes, which could further delay the restart.

Goldman sees three reasons for a relatively solid recovery in the near term. Firstly, publicly reported evidence of physical damage to oil fields remains limited compared to LNG assets. Secondly, the comments from Saudi Aramco's President and CEO in March suggested that Saudi production could ramp up relatively quickly. Third, history shows that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are likely to deploy available spare capacity to stabilize markets.

Still, the report cautions that a full recovery may take several quarters and risks being only partial after a prolonged closure. Reservoir characteristics vary widely across Gulf fields, with Iran and Iraq estimated to have a higher share of production from fields with relatively low reservoir pressure, making restarts more complex. Infrastructure sophistication, maintenance levels and sanctions risks also differ across countries.

Historical episodes of supply disruptions show mixed outcomes in terms of speed and extent of recovery, and Goldman Sachs noted that today's shock is unprecedented. An average of external forecasts from the EIA and IEA shows recoveries of 70% of lost production after three months* of reopening and 88% after six months.

While not its baseline, Goldman Sachs warned that the risk of "scarring" to oil production capacity could rise if hostilities resume, as seen in several of the previous five largest oil supply shocks.

- ANI
A man named Manohar was rescued from a 40-foot-deep borewell in Haridwar after a 10-hour joint operation. The incident occurred in Kangri village under Shyampur Police Station on Friday. The rescue involved NDRF, SDRF, police and fire service teams using manual efforts and a JCB machine. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

A man named Manohar was rescued from a 40-foot deep borewell in Haridwar after a 10-hour joint operation by NDRF, SDRF, police and fire services.

Haridwar, April 25 A man was rescued from a 40-foot-deep borewell in Haridwar after a 10-hour-long joint operation by the State Disaster Response Fund, National Disaster Response Fund, police and fire service teams.

The victim has been identified as Manohar, who met with an accident while working at the borewell, officials present at the team said.

The incident took place in the Kangri village under the jurisdiction of the Shyampur Police Station in Haridwar on Friday.

The rescue operation started at 10:30 am and concluded at 9:00 pm

Team Commander, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Tirepan Singh said that the NDRF team recieved the information at 11:45 am and reached the spot within 25 minutes. First, the teams tried to rescue the victim manually, but were unsuccessful. Afterwards, a JCB machine was called, and the man was successfully rescued.

"As soon as we received the information from the disaster control room at 11:45 am, our team reached the incident site. The SDRF, NDRF, civil police and fire service conducted a joint rescue operation. First, we tried to rescue the trapped man manually, but it was unsuccessful, after which a JCB machine was brought. The person was 40 feet deep in the borewell. We have rescued the victim successfully," he said.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

Further details are awaited.

- ANI
US INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo has described India as a key pillar in the US strategy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the "transformative growth" in US-India security relations through military exercises, defence sales, and strategic dialogue. Paparo noted India's role as a stabilising force in South Asia and its growing cooperation in maritime security, including planned acquisition of MQ-9B drones. He emphasised that partnerships like the Quad are central to maintaining regional balance and deterrence.

US INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo says India is a key pillar in countering China, highlighting expanding defence ties and strategic cooperation.

Washington, April 25 India is emerging as a key pillar in the US strategy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, with top American military leadership highlighting expanding defence ties and growing coordination with New Delhi.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, told lawmakers this week that engagement with India remains a priority, describing the relationship as "on an upward trajectory" and among his most active military partnerships.

His remarks come as Washington sharpens its focus on China's military rise and seeks to deepen ties with regional partners to maintain balance in the Indo-Pacific.

In his testimony, Paparo said the US-India security relationship has seen "transformative growth through increasingly complex military exercises, defence sales, and strategic dialogue" under the Major Defence Partnership framework.

He pointed to expanding cooperation in areas such as maritime security and underwater domain awareness, including India's planned acquisition of MQ-9B drones through Foreign Military Sales.

Paparo described India as a stabilising force in the region, saying it "continues to be a source of stability within South Asia" while strengthening strategic partnerships and defence cooperation across the Indian Ocean.

He cited India's growing regional role, including investments in Sri Lanka and agreements with Mauritius aimed at boosting maritime cooperation and ensuring strategic infrastructure remains "free of adversarial influences."

The Indo-Pacific commander also highlighted India's participation in multilateral groupings such as the Quad, alongside the United States, Japan and Australia, which is expanding cooperation on maritime security and logistics.

Exercises like Malabar, involving all four countries, have become central to building interoperability and demonstrating joint capability in the region, he said.

Paparo said partnerships are central to the US strategy in the Indo-Pacific, describing alliances and partnerships as Washington's "greatest asymmetric advantage."

He also noted that India faces persistent tensions with Pakistan, with recent military exchanges extending beyond traditionally disputed areas. Despite this, he said India's primary focus remains on "maintaining deterrence and credible warfighting capability within the region writ large."

The broader context of US-India engagement is shaped by concerns over China's growing military capabilities and expanding footprint across the Indo-Pacific.

Paparo warned that China's actions, combined with its deepening ties with Russia and North Korea, pose a complex challenge to regional stability.

In the second part of the hearing, lawmakers underlined the importance of strengthening partnerships, such as India, to counter Beijing's influence.

Representative Adam Smith said alliances are critical to deterrence and credibility in the region. "We need to maintain those relationships. We need to let those folks know that we are there and they can depend on us," he said.

Paparo also confirmed that his engagement with India is extensive, describing it as one of his most frequently visited and closely coordinated partners at the military level.

The Indo-Pacific has become the focal point of global strategic competition as China accelerates its military modernisation and expands its presence across the region.

The United States has responded by strengthening ties with partners such as India, Japan and Australia, including through the Quad, while expanding joint military exercises and defence cooperation.

- IANS
India's Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan held discussions with US Indo-Pacific Command official General Kevin B. Schneider, reinforcing strategic alignment on regional security. Both sides emphasized shared priorities in maintaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific. The talks focused on expanding the scope and frequency of bilateral and TriService engagements. Earlier, General Chauhan also met with UK military officials to address contemporary security challenges.

India's CDS General Anil Chauhan meets US Indo-Pacific Command official General Kevin B. Schneider, reaffirming commitment to regional security and deepening strategic ties.

Washington, April 25 Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan held discussions with a senior US Indo-Pacific Command official, reinforcing the expanding strategic alignment between the two nations in terms of regional security.

He engaged with General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, where both sides emphasised shared priorities in regional security and the sustained commitment to maintain peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

"General Anil Chauhan, CDS, engaged with General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, reaffirming the deepening strategic convergence between India and the US. Deliberations underscored a shared resolve towards regional security and the enduring maintenance of peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond," the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X on Saturday.

It further mentioned that both sides articulated a "clear intent to expand and operationalise" the scope, complexity and frequency of bilateral and TriService engagements.

"Recognising technology as a defining determinant of modern power, the partnership continues to evolve with enhanced synergy, capability and strategic foresight," it added.

Earlier this week, General Chauhan held several engagements with top UK military officials.

The CDS met with his UK counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, during which India and the 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," the 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," the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.

- IANS
Indian Navy's INS Kalpeni has docked at Gan in the Addu Atoll, Maldives, highlighting strong bilateral ties. The visit underscores India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and multi-faceted defence cooperation with the Maldives. This follows the earlier arrival of INS Sunayna in Male, part of the IOS SAGAR initiative with a multinational crew. The deployment includes joint exercises and subject matter expert exchanges to enhance maritime cooperation.

Indian Navy's INS Kalpeni arrives at Addu Atoll, Maldives, underscoring deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted defence cooperation under the Neighbourhood First policy.

Male, April 25 INS Kalpeni, an Indian Navy Fast Attack Craft, has arrived at Gan in the Addu Atoll, marking a significant step in the ongoing maritime engagement between India and the Maldives.

The High Commission of India in the Maldives shared the development in a post on X, noting that the "Indian Navy's Ship INS Kalpeni reaches Gan, Addu Atoll." Emphasising the strategic importance of the arrival, the mission further stated that "this visit underscores our deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted defence cooperation."

Reinforcing this regional outreach under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy, India previously marked a significant maritime milestone in the Maldives when INS Sunayna arrived in the capital, Male, on Sunday, April 6. This earlier arrival was part of the IOS SAGAR initiative, which, according to an official press release by the Indian High Commission in the Maldives, underscores India's strategic vision in the Indian Ocean Region and its commitment to deeper cooperation with neighbouring countries.

The INS Sunayna, a Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessel, is currently manned by a multinational contingent from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) and was received with full naval honours by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Highlighting operational coordination, the release noted that prior to docking, joint exercises were conducted at sea.

"Prior to making port, INS Sunayna and MNDF Coast Guard assets completed intensive Joint Seamanship Training manoeuvres. The at-sea phase focused on tactical station-keeping, advanced signalling, and extensive small arms firing for the crew. Further, Damage Control and Firefighting Drills were also progressed," the release stated.

This visit is part of a broader deployment aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability. The mission added that "the three-day stay will facilitate Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) to consolidate maritime domain awareness."

Calling the visit strategically important, the release noted that "as the first international stop in a 50-day deployment, this visit projects India's role as the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region." Reaffirming India's commitment to the archipelago, it stated, "The visit to Male further emphasises India's role as the 'First Responder' and a trusted partner in the Maldives' developmental and security journey."

Earlier, in a post on X, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives confirmed that IOS SAGAR had reached the Maldives, marking the first port call of its overseas deployment. IOS SAGAR was accompanied by 39 international crew members from 16 different countries.

The High Commission further stated on X that the presence of the "39 international crew from 16 countries incl. MNDF personnel" is a "reflection of India's vision of 'leadership through partnership, strength through unity, progress through peace'."

Reaffirming India's commitment to collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, the second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR commenced on March 16, as per a statement by the Ministry of Defence on March 18. The Indian Navy assumed the chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in February, and this edition consequently includes participation from 16 IONS nations across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

This initiative builds on India's long-standing maritime cooperation efforts and reflects the Government of India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), while also advancing the broader framework of MAHASAGAR -- Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions.

IOS SAGAR is designed as a unique operational engagement programme that enables naval personnel from Friendly Foreign Countries to train and sail together onboard an Indian Naval Ship. By integrating international participants into shipboard activities and professional training modules, the initiative promotes practical cooperation, interoperability, and a shared understanding of maritime operations.

- ANI
BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the European Union (EU)'s move to include Chinese companies in its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, despite China's repeated representations and objections, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday.

China has repeatedly reaffirmed its firm opposition to unilateral sanctions imposed without authorization from the United Nations Security Council and strongly rejects the EU's so-called long-arm jurisdiction over Chinese companies and individuals, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson noted that the EU's move runs counter to the spirit of the consensus reached between Chinese and EU leaders, and it has seriously undermined mutual trust and the overall China-EU relationship.

China urges the EU to immediately remove Chinese enterprises and individuals from the sanctions list, uphold the spirit of the leaders' consensus, and address respective concerns through dialogue and consultation, the spokesperson said.

China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the spokesperson said, adding that the EU side will bear all consequences. 
India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Former bureaucrat KBS Sindhu argues in Saviours Magazine that the 1960 treaty was an act of imprudent generosity giving Pakistan 80% of water flow. He says India is under no legal compulsion to maintain a water compact with a state that exports terror. Sindhu proposes large-scale infrastructure projects to divert water from western rivers to water-stressed northern Indian states.

India suspends Indus Waters Treaty after Pahalgam attack. Analysis by KBS Sindhu calls for lasting water security advantage.

Chandigarh, April 25 India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack has reignited debate over water security, sovereignty, and long-term strategic planning, with a recent analysis in Saviours Magazine arguing that New Delhi must convert the move into a lasting hydrological and geopolitical advantage.

In a strongly worded article, former bureaucrat KBS Sindhu describes the 1960 treaty as "an act of remarkable -- and ultimately imprudent -- generosity", suggesting that India conceded a disproportionate share of river waters to Pakistan under outdated assumptions of goodwill.

Writing in Saviours Magazine, Sindhu said the agreement was based on expectations that Pakistan would adhere to "the norms of civilised inter-state relations", an assumption he argues has "not survived intact".

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan, allocated the eastern rivers -- Ravi, Beas and Sutlej -- to India while granting Pakistan control over the larger western rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

According to Sindhu's analysis in Saviours Magazine, this division resulted in Pakistan receiving nearly 80 percent of the basin's total water flow.

"The arithmetic was staggering in its imbalance," Sindhu wrote, adding that India, despite being the upper riparian state, "willingly constrained itself" while Pakistan benefited downstream.

The article comes in the backdrop of India placing the treaty "in abeyance" after the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed.

Sindhu argues that the move is both legally defensible and strategically overdue. Quoting principles of international law, he said a "fundamental change of circumstances" -- including decades of cross-border terrorism -- justifies suspension of treaty obligations.

"India is under no enforceable compulsion, in law or in conscience, to maintain a water compact that subsidises the agricultural economy of a state that exports terror," Sindhu said in his analysis published in Saviours Magazine.

Beyond legal arguments, the article highlights India's underutilisation of its own water entitlements. Projects such as the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Dam faced decades of delays, allowing significant volumes of water to flow into Pakistan unused.

Sindhu noted that "each year of delay has allowed roughly 0.6 MAF of India's own Ravi entitlement to flow unhindered across the border," even as groundwater levels in Punjab continue to decline.

On the western rivers, where the treaty permits limited storage and hydropower development, India has also fallen short. Sindhu points out that while the country is allowed to build up to 3.6 million acre-feet of storage, only a fraction has been realised. Similarly, hydropower potential of over 18 gigawatts remains largely untapped.

"Pakistan... weaponised the treaty's dispute architecture," Sindhu said, alleging that repeated objections and arbitration proceedings have delayed Indian infrastructure projects.

The Saviours Magazine article also places India's decision in a broader global context, arguing that international norms are increasingly shaped by national interest rather than legal frameworks. Sindhu cited examples of major powers disregarding treaties when strategic priorities shift, suggesting that India's approach is consistent with evolving global behaviour.

"The lesson is unambiguous: nations, when sufficiently pressed, subordinate treaty text to sovereign survival," he wrote.

A key focus of the analysis is the strategic importance of water for India's internal stability, particularly in Punjab. The state relies heavily on groundwater, with extraction far exceeding recharge rates. Sindhu warned that declining water tables pose not just an agricultural challenge but a national security risk.

"A depleted Punjab... is an invitation to instability," he said, linking water scarcity to economic distress and potential social unrest in a sensitive border region.

To address this, Sindhu proposed a series of large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at diverting water from the western rivers to northern Indian states.

Among them is the proposed Chenab-Ravi diversion through the Marhu Tunnel, which he described as capable of transforming "a diplomatic signal into a hydrological reality".

He also advocated for accelerated construction of major storage dams such as Bursar and Sawalkot, as well as inter-basin transfer systems connecting the Jhelum and Beas rivers. These projects, he argued in Saviours Magazine, should be treated as national security priorities with full central funding and fast-tracked clearances.

"Threatening what one cannot yet deliver is a confession of weakness," Sindhu cautioned, emphasising that India's leverage will depend on actual infrastructure rather than political rhetoric.

The article further suggests that water could eventually become a bargaining tool in India-Pakistan relations. As Pakistan faces growing water stress due to population pressures and climate change, Sindhu believes it may be compelled to negotiate.

"When Pakistan eventually comes to the table... it will come not as an equal partner... but as a state in a water crisis," he said, adding that any future agreement should be linked to verifiable action against terrorism.

Institutional reforms are another major theme of the analysis. Sindhu called for the creation of a National Indus Basin Authority to oversee planning and execution of projects, along with legislative backing to streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic delays.

In conclusion, Sindhu framed the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty not as an end in itself but as the beginning of a broader strategic shift. "What comes next is not about revenge or headlines," he wrote in Saviours Magazine. "It is about transforming a political signal into a hydrological fact, and a hydrological fact into a strategic reality."

As India recalibrates its approach to water sharing with Pakistan, the debate outlined in Saviours Magazine underscores the complex intersection of security, sustainability, and sovereignty that will shape the future of the Indus basin.

- ANI
Delhi Capitals have received a major boost as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has joined the team camp after recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries. The 36-year-old, who was Player of the Series in the Ashes with 31 wickets, is expected to miss the clash against Punjab Kings. His potential return could come against Rajasthan Royals on May 1. Delhi Capitals currently sit sixth in the IPL 2026 points table.

Mitchell Starc joins Delhi Capitals camp after recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries. The Australian pacer may return against Rajasthan Royals on May 1.

New Delhi, April 25 Delhi Capitals have received a major boost in the Indian Premier League 2026 as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has joined the team camp following a period on the sidelines due to injury.

The franchise confirmed the development through their official Instagram handle, announcing the joining of the left-arm seamer to the squad ahead of the Capitals clash against the unbeaten and strong Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 35th match of the IPL 2026 season on Saturday afternoon. The Capitals vs Kings clash will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.



After recovering from shoulder and elbow issues, Starc is expected to miss the clash against Punjab and could make a potential return for Delhi's clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 1.



The 36-year-old left-armer has been out of action since late January following a heavy workload during the Ashes, where he was named Player of the Series for claiming 31 wickets at an average of 19.93.



Starc bowled over 150 overs across five Tests before featuring in five matches for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL).



His last appearance came in a game against the Perth Scorchers, where he suffered a fall on his left shoulder and elbow while attempting a catch. Though he took a break in February, lingering soreness upon his return to bowling delayed his IPL arrival.



Starc's return to the squad will mean a big positive for Delhi Capitals, which is currently reeling at the sixth spot in the IPL 2026 points table.





- ANI
The Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, departed Islamabad on Saturday after delivering an official list of demands to Pakistani leaders, effectively ending Pakistans hopes of hosting the second round of US-Iran peace talks. Despite a high-level meeting with Pakistans civilian and military leadership, Tehran refused to meet the US delegation in Islamabad, which included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Pakistans diplomatic efforts were sidelined as Iran now plans to travel to Oman and Russia for further negotiations. The failure mirrors the first round of talks in Islamabad, which lasted 21 hours without any breakthrough.

Irans delegation left Islamabad after handing demands, dashing Pakistans hopes to host US-Iran talks. Tehran now heads to Oman and Russia.

Islamabad, April 25 The Iranian delegation, led by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, departed Islamabad on Saturday evening after a day of high-level meetings with the Pakistan leadership, leaving Pakistan's ambitious claims of brokering a US-Iran peace deal as part of the second round of negotiations in tatters.

As reported by Al Jazeera, the delegation left the Pakistani capital after delivering an "official list of demands" to Pakistani leaders for the US and Israel in order to achieve a complete solution to the conflict in West Asia.

The departure effectively signals the end of Islamabad's hopes to facilitate the much-anticipated second round of direct dialogue, as Araghchi is now set to travel to Oman and Russia, bypassing any further engagement in the Pakistani capital.

In a frantic effort to project diplomatic weight, Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership converged at the house of the Pakistani Prime Minister for a meeting with the Iranian delegation that lasted approximately two hours prior to Araghchi's departure.

Alongside Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the meeting saw the heavy-handed presence of Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Despite the presence of Pakistan's entire security and political top brass, the engagement appeared to be little more than a 'messenger' service.

According to Kamran Khan, chairman of Pakistan-based news outlet ARY News, citing sources, the Iranian side, rather than engaging in the mediated peace talks Pakistan had promised, simply handed over a list of preconditions--specifically the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports on the Strait of Hormuz.

Khan, prior to the high-level diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Islamabad, reported that the talks with the US and Iran in Islamabad were "rapidly fading", exposing the host nation's diplomatic impotence as Tehran refused to meet the travelling American delegation.

Despite going to extreme lengths to orchestrate high-profile diplomatic arrangements, the Pakistani establishment has been entirely sidelined by the actual stakeholders, reducing Islamabad to a mere spectator in its own capital.

According to Khan, citing informed sources, Tehran was "not ready to meet the US delegation", which includes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, who were scheduled to travel to Islamabad for the second round of talks.

While the Pakistani establishment attempted to roll out the red carpet, the city of Islamabad was held hostage by a "suffocating security lockdown."

Authorities sealed major arterial roads and placed the high-security Red Zone under a "strict cordon", paralysing daily life for residents.

However, this display of force yielded no diplomatic breakthrough. The highly anticipated second round of talks between Tehran and the US delegation--led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner--failed to materialise as Tehran refused to even meet the American representatives on Pakistani soil.

Taking to X, Sharif attempted to put a positive spin on the failure, stating he had a "most warm, cordial exchange of views" and discussed "further strengthening of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations". Similarly, Ishaq Dar emphasised "the importance of dialogue and diplomacy" in a separate post on X.

Despite hosting the Iranian FM and the US delegation simultaneously earlier, Islamabad was unable to bring the two sides into the same room again for the second time.

Tehran's decision to deliver demands and immediately depart for Oman and Russia underscores that it views those nations, rather than Pakistan, as the credible arbiters of regional peace.

This weekend's diplomatic theatre is rapidly mirroring the failures of the past. The first round of talks hosted in Islamabad--featuring US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker MB Ghalibaf--dragged on for a gruelling 21 hours without yielding a single breakthrough.

- ANI
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad during a security lockdown. The visit occurs as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner head to the region for potential talks, though Tehran insists it will not meet with the US. The diplomatic deadlock centers on Iran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and Israeli operations in Lebanon. Washington continues to build up military presence in the Middle East while imposing fresh sanctions on Iranian crude transport.

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi meets Pakistan's Army Chief Munir in Islamabad amid stalled US talks over nuclear program and Strait of Hormuz blockade.

Islamabad, April 25 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as an Iranian delegation reached the Pakistani capital amidst a "deepening diplomatic deadlock" with the United States.

The high-level meeting took place as the city remains under a "suffocating security lockdown," with authorities sealing major arterial roads and placing the high-security Red Zone under a "strict cordon."

In a separate diplomatic engagement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar noted on social media that he was pleased to "receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, to Islamabad," adding that he would "look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability."

The timing of this visit is particularly sensitive, as the White House recently announced that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would also be heading to the region for potential talks with Iran.

However, Tehran has remained firm in its defiance, asserting that it would "not be meeting" with the US.

This diplomatic standoff has brought the "commercial pulse" of Islamabad to a crawl, where markets in the Blue Area are largely deserted and public transport networks have been crippled.

Local residents are reportedly struggling with growing commodity shortages and the psychological strain of the prolonged uncertainty.

This current wave of restrictions follows a similar shutdown on April 11-12 during the inaugural session of discussions, which finished without a breakthrough.

The diplomatic friction in Islamabad stems from a total deadlock on three primary issues: Tehran's highly enriched uranium (HEU) and the future of its nuclear ambitions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel's military operations in Lebanon.

While the White House has indicated that emissaries are prepared for an "in-person conversation," Tehran's state media has rebuffed the claim, insisting that direct negotiations were "not in the cards."

Despite this, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that two envoys are slated for discussions with Araghchi, stating, "We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal."

She further clarified that although Vice President JD Vance would not be travelling to the site, he remains "deeply involved."

Reflecting on the lack of progress, US Vice President JD Vance noted that "21 hours of intense negotiations" previously yielded no breakthrough.

"Their nuclear program and the enrichment facilities they had before have been destroyed. But we do not see a commitment to not develop more nuclear weapons," Vance remarked.

These discussions represent some of the highest diplomatic engagements witnessed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

However, attempts to resume dialogue have reached an impasse as Tehran refuses to return to the table while a US naval blockade remains active at its ports.

In retaliation, Iran has enforced a "de facto blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz, severely restricting maritime traffic through the critical energy corridor and triggering chaos in global markets.

Amidst the stalemate, Washington is continuing its military build-up in the Middle East with the arrival of the USS George HW Bush, the third US aircraft carrier deployed to the region.

Simultaneously, the US has ramped up economic pressure, imposing fresh sanctions on a major Chinese oil refinery and approximately 40 shipping firms and tankers linked to the transport of Iranian crude.

According to the Foreign Office, "during the visit, the Iranian foreign minister will hold meetings with Pakistan's senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability," even as the capital stays in a state of "suspended animation" with no confirmation yet on whether fresh talks will materialise.

- ANI
The Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah launchers in three areas of southern Lebanon, including Dir al-Zahrani, Kafr Remen, and al-Sa'miyeh, citing threats to Israeli forces and citizens. Earlier, the IAF attacked launchers in Yaroun and Kfar Kila. The IDF also targeted Hezbollah military structures in Deir Aames in response to ceasefire violations. Additionally, the IDF exposed Hezbollah's use of ambulances to conceal weapons, including explosive devices and mortar shells.

Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah launchers in three areas of southern Lebanon, citing threats to IDF forces and citizens.

Tel Aviv, April 25 The Israeli Air Force targeted launchers used by the Hezbollah in Lebanon on Saturday.

As per the IAF statement, the launchers in Dir al-Zahrani, Kafr Remen, and al-Sa'miyeh posed a threat to Israel.

In a post on X, the IAF said, "In three areas in southern Lebanon: the Air Force struck tonight launchers belonging to the terror organization Hezbollah in the areas of Dir al-Zahrani, Kafr Remen, and al-Sa'miyeh in southern Lebanon, north of the forward defense line. The launchers that were attacked posed a real threat to IDF forces and the citizens of the State of Israel."

"The IDF continues to operate in the space of the forward defense line to remove threats to the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF forces," the statement added.

Earlier in the day, the IAF attacked Hezbollah launchers in Yaroun and Kfar Kila of Lebanon.

"The Air Force attacked a short while ago launchers belonging to the terror organization Hezbollah, in the areas of Yaroun and Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon, north of the forward defense line. The launchers that were attacked posed a threat to IDF forces and the citizens of the State of Israel," it said in a statement.

On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces struck Hezbollah military structures in the area of Deir Aames.

In a post on X, it said, "STRUCK: Hezbollah military structures in the area of Deir Aames, from which rockets were launched toward Shtula. This strike was carried out in response to Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire."

The IDF also uncovered the Hezbollah's use of ambulances as cover to transport weapons.

"EXPOSED: Hezbollah's use of ambulances for terror. Hezbollah uses ambulances and medical teams as cover for transporting weapons and operatives, undermining the special protections granted to medical facilities and equipment under international law. During IDF searches in southern Lebanon, an ambulance used by Hezbollah to conceal weapons was located. Among the weapons found were explosive devices, mortar shells, magazines, and a grenade," it said.

- ANI
The Indian Embassy in Mali has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to remain highly vigilant following multiple attacks by armed groups in Kati and other areas. The embassy is coordinating with Malian authorities and monitoring the situation closely. Malian armed forces confirmed the attacks but stated the situation is under control, with several terrorists neutralized. Loud blasts and gunfire were reported in Kati, a garrison town near the capital Bamako.

Indian Embassy in Mali urges nationals to stay vigilant after armed group attacks in Kati and other areas. Embassy monitoring situation closely.

Bamako, April 25 The Indian Embassy in Mali has urged all Indian nationals residing in the West African nation to remain highly vigilant following multiple attacks by armed groups across the country on Saturday.

"Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time," read an advisory issued by the Indian Embassy.

It mentioned that the Embassy, in coordination with the Malian authorities, is closely monitoring the evolving situation and will issue further updates, as required.

The advisory further requested all Indian nationals in Mali to stay in touch with the Embassy through its website and the Embassy's official social media accounts on Facebook and X.

Earlier in the day, armed terrorist groups attempted attacks in several cities across the country, Mali's armed forces confirmed while adding that the situation was "under control".

The attackers "immediately suffered heavy setbacks" due to the response of the armed forces, the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces said in a statement issued at around 11 am local time, Xinhua news agency reported.

The sweeping operations were continuing and several terrorists were nuetralised and equipment destroyed, the statement added.

The General staff asked the population to rely exclusively on official channels for reliable information and to remain calm, and not spread videos or messages which might fuel public concern.

"Loud blasts and gunfire were heard in Kati, a garrison town near the country's capital, Bamako," local sources told Xinhua.

The security sources said simultaneous attacks on several sites and barracks were launched by armed terrorist groups in the capital and interior regions.

The Malian army destroyed a training camp located 20 km north of Markala in the Segou region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said at the start of this month. It also mentioned that a large quantity of military equipment, including improvised explosive devices, was found at the site.

- IANS
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George held talks with UNGA President Annalena Baerbock on the global fight against terrorism and UN reforms. He also met UN Counter-Terrorism chief Alexandre Zouev to discuss India's cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. George called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, underscoring India's commitment to multilateralism and reforms. India reiterated its push for a greater voice for the Global South, including through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

MEA Secy Sibi George meets UNGA President & UN chief on terrorism, multilateralism, and UN reforms, championing Global South representation.

New York, April 25 Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George on Saturday met with Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly on global fight against terrorism.

In a post on X, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said, "Secretary (West) Sibi George had a productive meeting with President of the United Nations General Assembly Ms. Annalena Baerbock on diverse issues, including peace and security, development, reformed multilateralism and the global fight against terrorism."

Earlier on Friday, George held talks on threats of terrorism with Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism.

In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Secretary (West) Sibi George met Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, and discussed India's strong cooperation with United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in countering the threat of terrorism."

India has reiterated its strong commitment to multilateralism and called for greater representation of the Global South during a high-level meeting at the United Nations.

According to Jaiswal, George met the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to discuss key global issues, including UN reforms.

In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Secretary (West) Sibi George called on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the UN." He added, "Secretary (West) underscored India's strong commitment to multilateralism."

The spokesperson further said that both exchanged views on UN reforms and imparting a greater voice to the Global South, which the spokesperson said, "India has consistently championed" through initiatives including the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

He further said, "Both exchanged views on UN reforms and imparting greater voice to the Global South, which India has consistently championed, including through initiatives such as India-UN Development Partnership Fund."

Earlier on April 20 (local time), India pushed for long-pending reforms of the United Nations Security Council during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting at the UN.

- ANI
The Mercosur-European Union trade agreement will take effect on May 1, creating the world's largest free trade zone with 720 million people and a combined GDP of $22 trillion. Minister Marcio Elias Rosa called the pact a milestone that could redefine Brazil's role in international commerce, featuring gradual tariff elimination on 95% of traded goods. Mercosur exports like meat, soy, and oil are expected to benefit from faster tariff reductions than European industrial goods. The Brazilian government anticipates positive effects on employment, with over 100 million people currently employed and expectations of further job creation.

The Mercosur-EU free trade agreement starts May 1, creating the world's largest trade bloc with 720M people and $22T GDP.

Sao Paulo, April 25 The long-anticipated Mercosur-European Union trade agreement is set to come into effect on May 1, signalling a transformative shift in global trade dynamics and Brazil's economic strategy. The deal establishes the largest bilateral free trade zone in the world, encompassing a combined market of 720 million people and a GDP of approximately $22 trillion, as reported by Brasil 247.

According to Brasil 247, speaking to A Voz do Brasil, Minister Marcio Elias Rosa emphasised the historic scale of the agreement, noting that it connects Mercosur nations Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and soon Bolivia with all EU member states. The minister described the pact as a milestone that could redefine Brazil's vital role in international commerce. A key feature of the agreement is the gradual elimination of import tariffs on about 95% of goods traded between the two blocs. This phased approach aims to ensure economic stability while enhancing trade competitiveness. Mercosur exports, particularly commodities like meat, soy, and oil, are expected to benefit from faster tariff reductions compared to European industrial goods.

Beyond trade, the agreement is also expected to boost foreign investment and deepen economic ties between the two regions. Analysts suggest that the deal could make Mercosur more attractive to many global partners, strengthening its position as a major and growing player in international markets, as highlighted by Brasil 247.

The Brazilian government also anticipates positive domestic impacts, especially in employment. With over 100 million people currently employed, officials believe that increased trade and industrial policies will further drive job creation and income growth. The agreement represents not just an economic shift but a strategic realignment, positioning Brazil and its regional partners within one of the most influential trade networks in the world, as reported by Brasil 247.

- ANI
Union Minister Pabitra Margherita held trade talks with Tuvalu's Acting PM Paulson Panapa in Funafuti. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral development cooperation in health and climate-resilient infrastructure. Margherita also met Governor-General Tofiga Vaevalu Falani and Minister Maina Vakafua Talia. The visit highlights India's commitment to Pacific Island countries under the FIPIC framework.

Union Minister Pabitra Margherita discusses trade, climate resilience, and development cooperation with Tuvalu's Acting PM Paulson Panapa in Funafuti.

Funafuti, April 25 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita held trade-related talks with Paulson Panapa, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade of Tuvalu.

Margherita on Friday affirmed India's steadfastness in Tuvalu's development journey.

In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to meet Hon. Paulson Panapa, Acting Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade of Tuvalu. India and Tuvalu share a deep partnership rooted in shared values and commitment. Had Productive discussions on strengthening our bilateral development cooperation, including in health and building climate-resilient infrastructure. India remains a steadfast partner in Tuvalu's development journey."

Margherita also called on Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, GCMG, Governor-General of Tuvalu.

In a post on X, he said, "Honoured to call on His Excellency Reverend Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, GCMG, Governor-General of Tuvalu. Had a warm and productive discussion on further strengthening India-Tuvalu bilateral cooperation across key sectors, reaffirming our shared commitment to the progress and well-being of our peoples."

Margherita also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation with Tuvalu's Minister for Home, Climate Change, and Environment, Maina Vakafua Talia.

"Happy to meet Tuvalu's Minister for Home, Climate Change, and Environment, Hon. Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia. Exchanged views on strengthening cooperation on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, sustainable development and capacity building."

Margherita is on his first official visit to Tuvalu.

He said, "Arrived in Funafuti on my first official visit to Tuvalu. Looking forward to productive engagements to further strengthen our longstanding friendship and partnership."

Margherita is in Tuvalu "for a two-day visit, where he will engage in bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other dignitaries of the country," a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

He will also review the ongoing developmental assistance projects being implemented under the Grants in Aid programme of India.

The MEA underlined that the visit to the Republic of Vanuatu and Tuvalu by Pabitra Margherita underscores India's commitment to strengthening political and developmental cooperation ties with Pacific Island countries and is in continuation of the historic 3rd Summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) held in May 2023 in Port Moresby.

- ANI
Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to intensify attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, vowing to change the face of the Middle East. He stated that a historic peace process between Israel and Lebanon has begun, despite Hezbollah's attempts to sabotage it. The IDF reported eliminating a terrorist who infiltrated Israel on October 7 and locating a large stockpile of anti-tank missiles in southern Lebanon. Strikes also targeted Hezbollah's Radwan Force unit and launchers in several areas, as Israel maintains full freedom of action against all threats.

Israel's Netanyahu orders IDF to intensify attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, vowing to restore security and achieve historic peace.

Jerusalem, April 26 Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, said the Government Press Office of Israel.

He said that he had promised to change the face of the Middle East and that this is exactly what is being done.

He added that, first and foremost, in Iran, he had an excellent conversation with President Trump, who is applying very strong pressure on Iran, both economically and militarily.

He said that they are operating in full cooperation.

He further stated that the same applies to Lebanon and that a process has begun to achieve a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon.

He added that it is clear that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this.

The message also mentioned that they are maintaining full freedom of action against any threat, including emerging ones.

Netanyahu said that they attacked yesterday and today and are determined to restore security to the residents of the North.

Earlier today, the Israel Defense Forces said that they eliminated a terrorist who infiltrated the territory of the State of Israel on October 7.

The Israel Defense Forces also reported that a stockpile of anti-tank missiles belonging to the Hezbollah terror organisation was located by the forces of the 146th Division in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces also struck buildings used by the Hezbollah terror organisation, including the "Radwan Force" unit, for military purposes, and a warehouse used to store combat equipment south of the forward defence line.

The Air Force successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target launched from the direction of Lebanon towards Israeli territory after alerts were activated in several areas in the northern part of the country, said the Israel Defense Forces earlier in the day.

The Israel Defense Forces also stated that they struck launchers of the Hezbollah terror organisation in the areas of Dir al-Zahrani, Kafr Reman, and Al-Sa'miya in southern Lebanon, north of the forward defence line.

- IANS
UNITED NATIONS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday called for the peaceful use of nuclear weapons as the world marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

At a special commemorative meeting, UNGA President Annalena Baerbock said the scale of Chernobyl underlined that nuclear technology, even when used peacefully, is fundamentally different from other technologies.

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant saw one of the worst nuclear accidents in history on April 26, 1986, when a series of explosions ripped through the No. 4 reactor, spreading radioactive contamination across Ukraine, Belarus and other parts of Europe.

Over 8 million people were exposed to radiation, thousands died, and children developed leukemia and other illnesses, Baerbock said, adding that many required long-term care that shaped the rest of their lives.

"As we mark 40 years since Chernobyl, today, let us honor memory with responsibility by ensuring that nuclear technology is used strictly for peaceful purposes, supported by robust international safeguards, compliance with international law, and cooperation through the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, so that disasters such as Chernobyl never occur again," she said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described it as "the most significant nuclear accident in history," saying in remarks delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder that "we also remember how this tragedy revealed the best of the human spirit," citing first responders and the multinational, long-term recovery efforts that followed.

"Chernobyl was never only a national tragedy," but a lesson that "the consequences of nuclear accidents are shared by the international community," Guterres said, underscoring the vital importance of countries working together and sharing information and experiences to build a culture of safety around nuclear power.

Dmitry Chumakov, Russia's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, also said the accident holds an important lesson.

"Human beings are capable of mistakes," he said. "Any technologies, even the best-intentioned ones, without proper prudence can become a source of threat." 
Nitish Rana reached the 3,000-run milestone in the Indian Premier League during Delhi Capitals' match against Punjab Kings on Saturday. He scored a blistering 91 off 44 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and four sixes, which is now his highest IPL score. Rana and KL Rahul shared a record 220-run partnership, the second-highest for any wicket in IPL history, guiding DC to 264/2. This total is the highest of IPL 2026 so far, with Rahul scoring an unbeaten 152 off 67 balls.

Nitish Rana scored 91 off 44 balls for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings, reaching 3,000 IPL runs and forming a record 220-run partnership with KL Rahul.

New Delhi, April 25 Delhi Capitals batter Nitish Rana brought up his 3,000-run milestone in the Indian Premier League during the team's match against Punjab Kings on Saturday.

Rana played a blistering innings of 91 runs off just 44 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and four sixes. Before the match, Rana had 2,930 IPL runs to his name. After his knock against the Punjab Kings, he now has 3,021 runs in the IPL at an average of 28.23. Notably, Rana's 91 also stands as his highest IPL score.

Rana shared a record 220-run partnership with KL Rahul, guiding Delhi Capitals to 264/2 in 20 overs--the highest total of IPL 2026 so far. The 220-run partnership now stands as the second-highest for any wicket in IPL history, behind the 229-run stand between AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli against the Gujarat Lions in the IPL 2016 season.

Coming to the DC vs PBKS match, led by an unbeaten 67-ball 152 run knock from KL Rahul and a 91 from Rana, the Capitals dismantled the Punjab bowling attack to post 264/2.

The innings began steadily for Delhi Capitals. While PBKS got rid of Pathum Nissanka early, a dropped catch of KL Rahul by Shashank Singh proved costly as the batter went on to annihilate the Punjab bowlers.

Rahul reached his century, the batter's sixth in IPL history, in 47 balls, while Rana provided explosive support with his 91, including a 28-run over against Xavier Bartlett. The duo maintained relentless scoring through the middle overs, taking DC past 200 in just 16 overs despite efforts from PBKS bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Yuzvendra Chahal.

DC finished strongly despite Rana's late dismissal, adding nine runs in the final over to set a massive target. Punjab Kings' bowlers struggled throughout, with only Arshdeep and Bartlett taking wickets in an otherwise one-sided batting display.

- ANI
US sends Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for Iran-related talks

Araghchi to also visit Muscat and Moscow on regional tour

Iran's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that no direct talks with the United States are scheduled in Islamabad during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's ongoing visit. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei clarified that Iran's observations regarding the US would be conveyed through Pakistani mediation. Araghchi is set to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, with further stops in Muscat and Moscow. The visit follows the White House's announcement that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan for Iran-related discussions.

Iran's Foreign Ministry confirms no direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad during FM Araghchi's visit, focusing on Pakistani mediation for regional peace.

Tehran, April 25 Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday stated that no talks are scheduled with the United States in Islamabad during the ongoing visit of a delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that a delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad for talks with Pakistani leaders, amid efforts to promote regional peace.

He also clarified that no direct meeting is planned between Iran and the United States during the visit.

In a post on X, Baghaei wrote, "We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region."

"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," the post read.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday (local time), raising prospects of renewed peace talks between Tehran and the United States, ARY News reported.

During his visit, Araghchi is expected to hold meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei is also accompanying him on the trip.

Following his stop in Islamabad, the Iranian foreign minister is set to travel onward to Muscat and Moscow as part of his regional tour, ARY News reported.

The visit comes after the White House announced that US President Donald Trump will send Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan to engage in talks linked to Tehran, signalling a fresh push for dialogue.

Earlier, the White House said that US President Donald Trump has decided to dispatch Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan to engage in discussions linked to Iran, as Washington signalled potential diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

- ANI
Pakistan aims to set up new OGWs in J&K after old network fell due to crackdown

Pakistan is attempting to rebuild its overground worker (OGW) network in Jammu and Kashmir after a crackdown by Indian security agencies. The new OGWs are being selected from shopkeepers, tour guides, and unemployed youth, avoiding those with police records. The ISI is also planning to restart a student outreach program, sponsoring education abroad for J&K youth to radicalize them discreetly. These moves reflect Pakistan's desperation to reset its Kashmir plans amid increased security and changed ground realities.

Pakistan is trying to set up new overground workers in J&K and restart a student outreach plan to radicalize youth, amid a crackdown by Indian agencies.

New Delhi, April 25 In a bid to rebuild and revive its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has been trying to set up a group of completely new overground workers.

The OGW network, crucial for terror operations in the Valley has largely fallen, following an intense crackdown by the Indian security agencies.

An official said that the new OGW network is being set up because most of them, part of the old or existing guard, have police records against them.

The ones with police records are easy to track and this information has been used several times by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to nab these OGWs, the official added.

While attempts are being made to send in foreign fighters to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan realises that they cannot operate without a strong OGW network.

This is the network that facilitates the movement of terrorists, their shelter, food and logistics.

"The presence of a strong OGW network is key to a successful terrorist strike by terrorists. Hence, Pakistan is shunning many within the existing guard and looking for newer ones," the official said.

Some of the men who are on the target list include shopkeepers, tour guides and unemployed youth.

Another official said that Pakistan would not entirely dismantle its OGW network.

"It would have a couple of them from the old guard to be part of the network. These persons have experience and would be needed to train the newer lot," the official added.

The ISI is also attempting to get the youth of Jammu and Kashmir onboard. It is attempting to restart its earlier programme through which the ISI would sponsor the education of the youth.

The education would be imparted in top universities and colleges abroad. They would pick countries such as the US, UK and Australia for the education of the youth. Like in the past, they would avoid taking the students to Pakistan and imparting education. This would become too obvious and Pakistan would want to avoid that.

"Once abroad, the Pakistani agents would get in touch with these students and radicalise them. The ISI will push money for the education of the youth discreetly so that the funding trail is not traced. Once their education and radicalisation programme is completed, they would return to Jammu and Kashmir where they would be expected to further the ISI's narrative and rope in more youth," an official said.

These developments make it clear that Pakistan is desperate to reset its Kashmir plans.

A lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. The Indian government has been getting the youth into the mainstream and telling them to shun supporting terror and move away from the separatist mindset.

Pakistan on the other hand is facing heat from its terror groups and hardliners regarding the Kashmir issue.

The establishment is being questioned about the lack of action in Jammu and Kashmir and why things have quietened down.

A majority of Pakistan's policy is shaped around Kashmir and in the context of local politics, raking up this issue is important for the ISI and Army.

Off late, the infiltrations have been hard owing to heavy security. Hence, Pakistan is trying to take baby steps and trying to reshape the narrative.

For this, it has decided to start from the ground level by rebuilding its OGW network.

"At the same time, it wants to re-capture the minds of the youth in Kashmir. This explains why it wants to restart its education funding programme. This program in reality is not an educational programme, but one that is aimed at radicalisation," an official added.

- IANS
Pakistan's Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad. Dar was joined by Army Chief Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in receiving the Iranian delegation. The talks are focused on promoting regional peace and stability. Araghchi will also meet Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit.

Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar welcomes Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for talks on regional peace and stability with Army Chief Asim Munir.

Islamabad, April 25 Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday welcomed Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad, expressing hope for talks focused on regional peace and stability.

Dar said he received Araghchi along with Army Chief Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and looked forward to meaningful discussions during the visit.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday (local time), ARY News reported.

In a post on X, Dar wrote, "Pleased to receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, H. E. Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi, to Islamabad, alongside Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi."

"Look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability," the post read.

Further, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said the Iranian Foreign Minister is scheduled to hold meetings with Pakistan's top leadership to discuss the evolving regional situation and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability.

The official statement read, "An Iranian delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran H.E. Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Islamabad today. The Iranian Foreign Minister was received by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir along with other senior officials upon arrival."

"During the visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister will hold meetings with Pakistan's senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability," the statement read.

During his visit, Araghchi is expected to hold meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei is also accompanying him on the trip.

Following his stop in Islamabad, the Iranian foreign minister is set to travel onward to Muscat and Moscow as part of his regional tour, ARY News reported.

- ANI
Polish ambassador Piotr Switalski reaffirms Polands strong support for deepening India-EU ties, especially after the recent Free Trade Agreement. He highlights growing defence cooperation, with Polish firms investing in India and Indian companies looking to Poland. Switalski calls the current $6 billion annual trade volume insufficient and urges both sides to rediscover each others potential. He also praises Indias role in seeking peaceful solutions to global conflicts.

Polish envoy Piotr Switalski says Poland is a 'staunch advocate' of deepening India-EU ties, praising defence investments and the recent FTA.

New Delhi, April 25 Polish Ambassador to India, Piotr Antoni Switalski, stated recently that Poland is a "staunch advocate" of enhancing the relationship between the European Union and India across various sectors, including Defence, in light of the recent Free Trade Agreement.

In an interview with IANS, Switalski expressed satisfaction with the interest of Polish companies in selling, manufacturing, and investing in India. He also noted that several Indian Defence companies have indicated their interest in investing in the European nation.

The Polish envoy also appreciated India's efforts towards reaching a peaceful solution in the ongoing conflicts -- West Asia and Russia-Ukraine wars -- and stated that Poland is also looking forward to stabilisation of the situation.

The following are the full excerpts of the interview:

IANS: How is the Indian-Polish relationship shaping in recent times?

Switalski: Poland and India are now pursuing a strategic partnership. The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Poland in 2024 opened a new page. Now, we are trying to consolidate this new momentum in our relationship.

A positive context is the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India, which sends a reinforcing signal to our relationship. Poland is a staunch advocate of strengthening and deepening ties between the European Union and India. We believe our bilateral relations are a very precious addendum to the overall picture of a new strategic relationship between the European Union and India.

IANS: India has ordered Polish-made attack drones. What is the status of the order and delivery?

Switalski: The Defence sector is one of the sectors where I believe the prospects for our cooperation are quite good. India is seen as a very advanced and effective military power with advanced technology and extensive experience. Poland, too, is now beefing up its defences. As you know, Poland is spending almost 5 per cent of its GDP on Defence for obvious reasons. I believe our Defence sectors are in a good position to open new avenues and use the possibilities for cooperation.

You mentioned one aspect of it, but there are other possibilities. I'm very glad that Polish companies are interested not only in selling their products to India but also in investing in India, building manufacturing facilities, and exporting products to third markets. That's a very good sign. India is seen as a partner, not just as a market.

Again, as a representative of Poland, I've received signals from very important Indian companies that want to invest in Poland in the Defence sector. As you can see, we have new opportunities now, and I hope we capitalise on them. Quite soon, we will be witnesses to the signing of new contracts and the inauguration of new production facilities.

IANS: What is the impact of the India-EU trade deal on Polish investment in India?

Switalski: I'm very glad the agreement on free trade was concluded. Poland has always been very supportive, and we believe it's an important lever and tool we should use to boost our economic relationship. We should see the Free Trade Agreement as the floor, not the ceiling. It should be implemented well. We hope bilateral contacts and relations between EU member states (including Poland) and India will get an important boost.

I hope the FTA will come into force before the end of the year; at least that's the plan in Brussels. I hope it could enter into force even sooner, but the end of the year is okay. It should be complemented by additional measures, including those relating to investment protection.

I'm not satisfied with the current level of India-Poland economic exchanges. The $6-billion annual trade volume is far from our capacity and our expectations. It is true that for several years, India and Poland were not active with each other. Now, it's time we rediscover the new India, and India should look at Poland from a new perspective: Poland as the 20th largest economy in the world, a $1 trillion economy, and as one of the five key members of the European Union. The possibilities are here; let's use them and send the necessary political signals, including from the top. I believe that quite soon, we can see results for the benefit of India and for our benefit.

IANS: What is your take on the ongoing conflict in West Asia?

Switalski: The war in West Asia complicated our supply chains and resulted in price hikes for oil, gas, and other mineral resources. It threatened many thousands of tourists, including Polish tourists. It is a disturbing factor. The situation is developing, so it's difficult for me to comment on the current state.

Poland is in favour of the stabilisation of the situation, finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, restoring stability, and establishing an uninterrupted regime of navigation, which I think is very important.

We appreciate India's effort in this direction. We are aware of your numerous contacts -- your leaders, your Prime Minister, and your Foreign Minister -- who are in close contact with the regional powers, the United States, and Israel. We are looking forward to the stabilisation of the situation.

We should reach a stage where we have an agreement and a peace deal, which should be implemented as soon as possible. We are not a direct player; we can only appeal, and that's what we are saying to our allies, our friends, and our partners in the region.

IANS: What is your view on PM Modi's effort to de-escalate the situation in West Asia? He regularly talks to all stakeholders, including Gulf countries.

Switalski: We appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister Modi. He is pursuing the understandable interests of India, because several of your ships were locked in the Persian Gulf and millions of your people still live in the Gulf states, and it is affecting your economy. We believe Prime Minister Modi is expressing the interests and expectations of other countries as well. He is acting for the sake of a peaceful solution to the conflict. India's efforts are contributing to the peaceful resolution of this conflict.

We hope that common sense will prevail on the Iranian side and they will take the offer.

IANS: Do you think that this war is only dependent on oil or to establish a powerful influence in the Gulf?

Switalski: I believe that, as stated by President Trump, the main issue is the nuclear program of Iran. To what extent Iran is still willing to resume its nuclear program is another story. But Poland belongs to the countries that do not want to see a nuclear Iran. We support efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. That's our traditional approach because we believe nuclear weapons in that region will have a very big destabilising effect.

We supported the efforts of the European Union and the United States to seek a deal with Iran. Regrettably, the perception was that this deal was not implemented in good faith by Iran, but that is subject to different assessments. We hoped that it could be solved without resorting to force. But we are where we are. We have the situation as it developed, and now we have to deal with the follow-up. The primary goal is not oil or regime change, as speculated by some observers; I believe the primary issue at stake is the nuclear program.

IANS: Does Poland back US President Trump's claim for the Nobel Peace Prize? Do you think that he deserves it?

Switalski: The Nobel Peace Prize is decided by a narrow circle of people from the Norwegian Parliament. We do not participate in it. Different actors can submit candidates, and we understand that some politicians submitted the candidacy of President Trump. We will not comment on it, just as we didn't comment on previous Nobel Prize winners. We hope that the Nobel Prize Committee will live up to the good practices and standards reflected in previous decisions.

I don't think President Trump himself thinks much about the Nobel Prize; he made it clear during one of his recent statements that it's not on his mind right now.

IANS: A few days ago, US President Trump criticised the Pope on social media, saying that he should stop supporting the radical Left. What is your take on this?

Switalski: We are for the separation of religion, the Church, and the state. We don't want to be part of this discussion. We understand that the Pope reacted to the words of President Trump, but we are not the Church. We understand the role of the Catholic Church is to support peace and be against wars. But the head of the Catholic Church is not a politician.

You can remember the statements of the previous Pope on the war in Ukraine. Sometimes we didn't like the statements, but we respect the role of the Pope and the Church, even if we disagree sometimes with his political assessments of what happened in Ukraine. As I said, we will not participate in this discussion.

IANS: Is there a possibility of a visit by any Polish leader to India?

Switalski: India is an important partner for us, and I hope very much that the contacts at the top level will get a new momentum. Prime Minister Modi visited Poland, opening a new chapter, and I believe very much that a visit by the Polish Prime Minister will send the right signals. Of course, it is subject to mutual agreement, but we are looking forward to such a visit in the not-too-distant future.

IANS: Poland continues to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. How is it affecting your nation?

Switalski: We support Ukraine. They are defending their statehood and territorial integrity. This war, this aggression by Russia against Ukraine, is affecting our security. For good reason, we are now increasing our Defence spending because we felt the impact of the war. As you know, even some Polish civilians were killed by a missile, and there were acts of terrorism on Polish territory, bombs planted on railways, attempts to set fire to storage facilities, and explosives planted on parcels to be transported by cargo planes.

We are too close to the battlefield to be neutral. We believe our security is threatened. Ukraine is not only defending itself. Of course, we are helping to the extent possible.

Like India, we would like this conflict to end as soon as possible because we are also paying the price. Poland has received more than 2 million Ukrainian refugees. There are still a large number of them in Poland -- more than 1 million -- mainly women with children. It puts a burden on our economy and our services: Schools, healthcare facilities, and so on. So yes, we are in favour of a peaceful deal based on just principles, not just any deal, but a just and lasting peace that will not reward the aggressor. That's the basic point. We share the Indian approach: Let's have a deal as soon as possible to end this war.

IANS: The European Union agreed to provide Ukraine with a large loan package. How do you see it?

Switalski: We supported it from the very outset. We believe it is necessary for sustaining the defence effort, the functioning of the economy and the state of Ukraine. As you know, this loan was blocked by Hungary. But a new government will be taking responsibility in Budapest, and because of that, all the vetoes previously put forward by Hungary are no longer valid. We have the loan. We hope that this loan will be harnessed to strengthen Ukraine's economy and defence effort.

Poland also believes Ukraine should move forward on the track of membership in the European Union. It was blocked by Hungary again; however, we hope that the new government in Budapest will be constructive, and we will start real negotiations with Ukraine concerning membership in the European Union.

- IANS
Dr Gobardhan Das, newly appointed NITI Aayog Full-Time Member, hails his induction as a victory for West Bengal. He aligns his role with Prime Minister Modi's vision for a developed India by 2047. Das emphasizes a development model where no citizen is left behind, working across all fields. His appointment brings a scientific, research-oriented perspective to the national think tank.

Dr Gobardhan Das appointed NITI Aayog member, calls it a victory for Bengal. He outlines PM Modi's Viksit Bharat vision for 2047 with inclusive growth.

Kolkata, April 26 Newly appointed NITI Aayog Full-Time Member Dr. Gobardhan Das has hailed his induction into the national think tank as a victory for the state of West Bengal, framing his new role as a mission to ensure "no citizen is left behind" on India's path to 2047.

Speaking in Kolkata shortly after being congratulated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the IISER Bhopal Director expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the nation's strategic development.

Dr Das emphasised the regional significance of his appointment, noting that having a representative from Bengal at the highest level of national planning is a point of collective pride.

"Today is a very happy day for me... It's the happiness of the entire Bengal. By making a Bengali a member of NITI Aayog, today is a day of great joy for Bengal. We are very proud," said Dr Gobardhan Das.

Looking ahead, Dr. Das aligned his personal objectives with the Prime Minister's vision for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by the centenary of the country's independence. He outlined a holistic approach to policy-making that prioritises inclusivity and rapid progress across all sectors.

Dr Das noted that while the country is currently progressing "very rapidly," the goal is to accelerate this momentum to meet the 2047 deadline. He committed to a development model where "not a single citizen of the country is left behind," emphasising that national strength is derived from taking every individual forward.

To achieve the status of a developed nation, Dr Das stressed the necessity of working across "every field," from scientific innovation to grassroots social welfare.

"Our country is progressing very rapidly right now. We need to take the country much further, and our Prime Minister has shown us a direction. We have to make the country a developed India in 2047. To make a developed India, we have to work in every field. We will work in such a way that not a single citizen of the country is left behind. We have to take all our citizens forward...," he added.

As an eminent scientist and academic administrator, Dr. Das's inclusion in NITI Aayog is expected to bring a data-driven, research-oriented perspective to the council. His focus on inclusive growth suggests that his tenure will likely emphasise bridging the gap between high-tech research and the practical needs of rural and marginalised populations.

His appointment comes at a critical juncture as India refines its long-term economic and social strategies under the guidance of the central planning body.

Dr Gobardhan Das is a celebrated Molecular Science Professor, specialising in Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Cell Biology over a scientific career of nearly three decades.

The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal - senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as a member.

Along with them, PM Modi also congratulated Dr Rajiv Gauba, Prof K V Raju, Prof Abhay Karandikar and Dr M Srinivas on becoming Full Time Members of NITI Aayog.

- ANI
Actress Sai Tamhankar has shared her approach to selecting roles that challenge her and reshape audience perceptions. She revealed that there is no fixed process for choosing parts, but she prefers characters with a voice and a spine. Her filmography includes emotionally layered roles in Mimi and intense performances in Bhakshak and Matka King. Sai, a former state-level Kabaddi player, emphasized choosing roles that are different from her previous work.

Actress Sai Tamhankar discusses her role selection process, from Mimi to Matka King, emphasizing strong, layered characters with a voice.

Mumbai, April 25 Actress Sai Tamhankar has spoken about her approach to selecting roles that challenge, while also reshaping how the audience perceives her. She revealed that there's no fixed process to choose parts.

From emotionally layered roles in Mimi to intense performances in Bhakshak and now Matka King, her filmography reflects versatility.



Speaking about the same, Sai, who is one of the highest-paid actresses in Marathi cinema, told IANS: "There is no fixed process to choose parts, really. Sometimes work just comes to you, and you like the setup, you like the people you're going to work with, and you say yes."



"I mean, there are sometimes a hundred different reasons that determine one's choice," she added.



Sai, who gained recognition with Love Sonia, says she likes to take on something different from her previous work.



"Having said this, I think I'd like to pick something that will be different from the previous work. I like characters who have a voice, who have a spine. I like strong characters, intense, layered characters, and probably that's how I choose," shared the 39-year-old actress, who was a state-level Kabaddi player and has an orange belt in karate.



The actress, who started her journey with television in supporting roles as she worked in Marathi series, added: "Something that I know that is going to challenge me or something that I haven't done before or something I have done before, but this time I can do it differently. So there are really, I mean, there are hundreds of criteria to approach this process."



Her latest work includes Matka King with Vijay Varma and Kritika Kamra. It tells the story of Mumbai in the 1960s, where an enterprising cotton trader who craves legitimacy and respect, starts a new gambling game dubbed 'Matka'.





- IANS
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi reunited with the team of her 1996 film "Fire" on Instagram. She shared a photo with co-star Nandita Das and director Deepa Mehta, noting the coincidence of matching dupattas. "Fire" is the first installment of Deepa Mehta's Elements trilogy and was groundbreaking for discussing lesbian relationships. The film sparked protests and public dialogue on homosexuality and freedom of speech.

Shabana Azmi reunites with Nandita Das and Deepa Mehta, celebrating the 1996 film 'Fire' on Instagram. See the nostalgic photo and her heartfelt caption.

Mumbai, April 25 Veteran actress Shabana Azmi got a chance to reunite with the team of her 1996 release, "Fire".

On Saturday, Shabana took to her official Instagram account and published a picture posing with her 'Fire' co-star Nandita Das and director Deepa Mehta.



In the photo, Shabana is seen twinning with Deepa in black attire with identical dupattas, while Nandita opted for a yellow saree.



Standing in the middle, Nandita had her hands around both Shabana and Deepa.



"#Deepa Mehta and I are wearing identical dupattas by sheer coincidence ! Shukr hai #Nandita Das is in yellow ! (sic)," she captioned the post.



"Fire" is the first installment of Deepa Mehta's Elements trilogy, succeeded by "Earth" (1998) and "Water" (2005).



Loosely inspired by Ismat Chughtai's 1942 story, "Lihaaf" ("The Quilt") "Fire" is one of the first mainstream Hindi films to talk about a lesbian relationship.



Following the release of the movie back in 1998, several protests were staged, leading to a public dialogue around issues such as homosexuality and freedom of speech.



Shabana keeps turning back the clock, sharing precious memories with her loved ones on social media.



Earlier this month, she posted a lovely childhood memory with her brother Baba Azmi and mother Shaukat Azmi.



She dropped an old picture from her childhood days on her Insta in which her younger brother, Baba Azmi, was hugging their mother, while Shabana had her hands up in the air.



The veteran actress admitted that she had raised her hands out of sheer insecurity, as she wanted to shift the attention to herself.



"I remember clearly when this photo was taken at our small room in #Red Flag Hall. My younger brother #Baba Azmi was clinging to mummy and I put my hands up to cover up my insecurity and draw attention to myself !!!", Shabana wrote the caption.





- IANS
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai says reprising Ballu Balram in Khalnayak Returns is a bigger challenge for Sanjay Dutt, who acquired the rights to the iconic 1993 film.

Mumbai, April 25 Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who helmed the 1993 film "Khalnayak", has heaped praise Sanjay Dutt for bringing back the action crime movie and said that playing the iconic character of Ballu Balram is a "bigger challenge" for the Bollywood star and he's sure he will prove it again.

It was on Friday, when Sanjay announced that Khalnayak Returns will be a 'fresh interpretation' of the 1993 original, which also stars Madhuri Dixit Nene and Jackie Shroff.



Taking to Instagram, Subhash, who directed the original film, first shared the poster of the upcoming movie and wrote: "We all at mukta arts ltd are happy to see that dear sanjoo is back with #KHALNAYAK RETURNS with an impactful teaser shown to media yesterday with all ovation."



"Playing iconic character of Ballu Balram is a bigger challenge for sanjay dutt n I m sure he will prove it again. My all blessings to him n his team all over," he added.



Khal Nayak also stars Anupam Kher and Rakhee Gulzar. The film's plot follows two police officers, Ram and Ganga, as they attempt to apprehend escaped criminal Ballu.



Sanjay has acquired the rights to his film 'Khal Nayak' and called it a long-cherished dream to revive the film's legacy.



Talking about the collaboration, Sanjay on Friday said in a statement: "'Khal Nayak' is a film that is close to my heart and even today it's remembered with fondness. It's been a long-cherished dream of mine to be able to revive this film and hence we have legally acquired the rights for it."



She thanked Ghai and the team of Mukta Arts for entrusting him with this legacy.



"With Jyoti on board and Jio Studios presenting the film and partners like my dear sister Aksha, we are looking forward to creating something truly special for both longtime fans and a new generation".





- IANS
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory based on historical and legal grounds

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected eight Chinese aircraft and seven vessels operating near Taiwan as of Saturday morning. The MND confirmed it monitored and responded to the situation, noting similar activity on Friday. China maintains that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, rooted in historical and legal arguments, while Taiwan functions independently with its own government and military. The status of Taiwan remains a contentious issue in international law, balancing sovereignty and self-determination.

Taiwan's MND detected 8 Chinese aircraft and 7 vessels near Taiwan. Beijing asserts Taiwan as part of China, while Taipei maintains de facto independence.

Taipei, April 25 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of eight sorties of Chinese aircraft and seven vessels as of 6 am on Saturday.

The MND said they responded to the situation.

In a post on X, the MND said, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier on Friday, the MND detected the presence of two sorties of Chinese military aircraft and seven vessels operating around itself.

In a post on X, it said, "2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded."

China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements.

Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India.

China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga.

However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned under Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised.

In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC.

- ANI
LOME, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The sixth International Book Fair of Lome was held on Friday at the Togolese Center for Exhibitions and Fairs (CETEF).

Organized by the Association of Writers of Togo (AET) and the literary club Le Litteraire in partnership with CETEF, the two-day event aims to promote the development of the country's book industry and provide a platform for exchanges among stakeholders.

Supported by the Togo's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, the event features a delegation of authors from neighboring Benin, serving as a platform for exchanges among writers, publishers, booksellers, institutions and readers.

It also seeks to enhance the visibility of Togolese literary production and stimulate the still-developing local book market.

"The fair provides a platform bringing together all stakeholders of the book value chain," said AET President Koumealo Anate.

Held under the theme "Writing the World to Come," the 2026 edition explores the role of literature in the face of social, technological and cultural transformations through activities such as conferences, panel discussions, writing workshops, literary cafes, book signings and a special day dedicated to students.

A Chinese book exhibition stand was also set up during the fair. Chinese Ambassador to Togo Wang Min said China stands ready to work with partners to promote a culture of reading, using books as a bridge to enhance mutual understanding and deepen people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa. 
A transformer fire in Laxmi Nagar's J Extension area spread to nearby residential buildings early Saturday. Eight fire tenders were deployed, and no casualties were reported. Fire Officer Rajesh Kumar Shukla confirmed multiple calls were received starting at 12:45 A.M. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A transformer fire in Delhi's Laxmi Nagar spread to residential buildings. Eight fire tenders deployed; no casualties reported. Cause under investigation.

New Delhi, April 25 A fire that broke out in an electrical transformer in the Laxmi Nagar J Extension area of Delhi spread to nearby residential buildings, affecting multiple floors in the early hours of Saturday.

According to the fire department, eight fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control. No casualties have been reported so far.

Fire Officer Rajesh Kumar Shukla said the department initially received several calls reporting a transformer fire. "We received multiple calls from different locations, including from residents using their personal mobile phones. The first call came in at around 12:45 A.M.," he said.

He added that four fire tenders were initially dispatched. However, after teams reached the site and found that the fire had spread from the transformer to nearby flats, additional units were sent. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

In a separate incident, a fire erupted in a slum area near Punjabi Bagh in New Delhi on Friday, prompting swift intervention by the fire department. Fire tenders reached the spot soon after receiving the alert and began operations to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

No casualties or injuries have been reported in that incident either. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Earlier this week, a massive fire broke out on Wednesday morning at a shoe factory in Delhi's Narela area, triggering panic in the locality. The incident occurred around 7:45 A.M. in the Bhorgarh Industrial Area, officials said.

Thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the factory premises as firefighters battled the flames. Initially, around 15 fire tenders were deployed, but as the fire intensified, the number was increased to 24. No casualties have been reported so far, and officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

- IANS
The Trump administration has secured the release of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin after 52 days in detention in Kuwait. The journalist was arrested on March 3 while visiting relatives and faced charges including spreading false information and harming national security. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed relief at his acquittal, noting the charges were vague and overly broad. Shihab-Eldin, who has worked for BBC, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times, has safely left Kuwait.

The Trump administration secures release of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin after 52 days in detention in Kuwait.

Washington, DC, April 25 The US State Department has announced the release of a Kuwaiti-American journalist who was previously detained in Kuwait, following an intervention by the Trump administration.

Officials confirmed that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been freed and has subsequently been "permitted to depart from the country." The journalist had reportedly been held for over 50 days amidst a regional crackdown on the sharing of footage related to the ongoing conflict.

A State Department official stated that Shihab-Eldin has safely left the Gulf nation, though the department declined to provide "further specifics regarding the release," citing "privacy considerations."

According to a report by Fox News, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) CEO Jodie Ginsberg expressed significant comfort regarding the development, stating, "We are relieved that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been found innocent after 52 days in detention."

The journalist was originally taken into custody on March 3 whilst visiting relatives in the Gulf nation and faced various allegations, including "spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone."

These charges were described by the CPJ as "vague and overly broad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists," according to Fox News. The organisation further noted, "Ahmed's freedom and safety remain our topmost priority and we will continue to closely monitor his case."

Prior to his arrest, Shihab-Eldin, whose career includes work for the BBC, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times, had shared footage of a US fighter jet crash in the vicinity of an American military base in Kuwait.

Fox News highlighted that the arrest coincided with a period of heightened restrictions, as Kuwait's Ministry of Interior had issued a warning against sharing images of missiles or strategic sites.

Furthermore, a local decree now mandates up to a decade in prison for anyone who undermines "the prestige of the military or deliberately works toward eroding public trust in them."

The Trump administration reportedly prioritised the case through diplomatic channels, with a State Department spokesperson previously informing Fox News that the government "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans."

The official added that in any instance "whenever an American is detained abroad, the Department works to provide consular assistance in accordance with our authorities under U.S. and international law."

A representative for the journalist's family has since confirmed his acquittal.

Fox News also cited the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, which indicated that dozens of individuals have been detained in similar cases involving freedom of expression since regional tensions escalated.

Throughout the ordeal, the CPJ had urged the public to support the journalist using hashtags such as #freeahmed and #journalismisnotacrime.

- ANI
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the US of military interventions in Iran and Venezuela driven by oil interests. He claimed Washington operates under a "doctrine of dominance" in global energy markets, using extreme measures. Amid tensions, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set for new talks with Iran in Pakistan. Russia warned that the US and Israel may use peace negotiations as cover for a ground attack on Iran.

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov claims US military involvement in Iran and Venezuela is motivated by oil, citing a "doctrine of dominance" in global energy markets.

Moscow, April 25 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has asserted that the United States has openly acknowledged that its military involvement in various nations, including Iran and Venezuela, is driven primarily by an interest in oil.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Lavrov noted that "The United States has officially stated that no one can dictate to it. They only care about their own well-being," during an interview with Public Television of Russia.

The Russian diplomat further alleged that Washington is prepared to secure its interests through extreme measures, including "coups, kidnappings or murders of the leaders of those countries that have the necessary natural resources for Americans."

Referencing specific nations, Lavrov stated that, in the cases of "Venezuela, Iran - our American colleagues do not hide that it is oil." As highlighted by Al Jazeera, he claimed that the US operates under a "doctrine of dominance in the world's energy markets."

Lavrov further suggested that such an approach signifies the erosion of international law, arguing that global decisions are no longer bound by legal frameworks but are instead dictated by the notion that "might is right," Al Jazeera reported.

These remarks follow Lavrov's earlier criticisms on April 16, where he challenged Washington's diplomatic approach and suggested that the United States should prioritise communication over confrontation. In a post on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted Lavrov as stating, "I would advise the US, in every case where it dislikes a particular government, to begin by engaging it in dialogue."

The veteran diplomat highlighted that the breakdown in relations often stems from American policy shifts, asserting that "it was the US, however, that first made agreements and then walked away from them." Amidst these tensions, the Russian Security Council issued a warning via TASS on April 15, suggesting the US and Israel may be utilising the "peace negotiations process as a cover" to orchestrate a future "ground attack on Iran," while noting that "Iran possesses sufficient weapons to respond."

This backdrop of Russian skepticism coincides with a shift in Washington, as the United States confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday to participate in a "new round of talks" with Iranian officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday, "I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks... with representatives from the Iranian delegation."

Leavitt indicated that the initiative for the meeting came from Tehran, stating, "The Iranians reached out, as the US president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation." While top aides report back to US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, notable absences in this second round include Vance himself and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the leader of the Iranian negotiating team in the first round.

The diplomatic movement follows an announcement by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding a "timely tour" to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow to "closely coordinate with our partners." Although US representatives are expected to be in the same location for a "new round of talks," there has been no official clarification from Araghchi regarding a planned meeting with the American delegation.

Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remarked that President Trump suggested the US "had all the time in the world and we are not anxious for a deal," adding that Tehran has a chance to make a "good deal, a wise deal."

- ANI
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth characterized the Iran conflict as "a gift to the world" and announced the indefinite continuation of the American naval blockade. Iran's Defense Ministry warned of unused missile capability and claimed control over the Strait of Hormuz. A new round of US-Iran talks is scheduled in Pakistan, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the US. Internal divisions within Iranian leadership were revealed, with IRGC officials blocking pragmatic negotiating approaches.

US Sec of War Pete Hegseth calls Iran conflict a 'gift to the world' as naval blockade persists. Iran warns of unused missile capability. New US-Iran talks set in Pakistan.

Washington, DC, April 25 US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has characterised the ongoing conflict in Iran as "a gift to the world", asserting that the American blockade of Iranian maritime traffic will persist "as long as it takes."

Addressing journalists at the Pentagon on Friday, Hegseth stated that the naval restrictions are essential to fulfilling what he described as a "bold and dangerous" mission aimed at neutralising Iran's perceived threat to international stability. While American officials maintained that the blockade has successfully intercepted 34 vessels, maritime monitoring data indicates that Tehran continues to circumvent these measures to export sanctioned oil.

According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, "a steady flow of shadow fleet traffic" has been observed moving through the Persian Gulf. This includes 11 tankers carrying Iranian cargo that reportedly departed from the Gulf of Oman, outside the strait, since April 13.

In response to the American stance, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV quoted Defence Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, who warned that "a significant portion of our missile capability has not been used." The General further claimed that the "Armed Forces had full control over the skies of the occupied territories" until the moments leading up to the ceasefire.

Talaei-Nik also highlighted domestic resilience, describing the continued public support following the cessation of hostilities as a "social miracle." He noted that "over 30 million people registered in the 'Sacrifice' campaign", calling it "an unparalleled example of popular mobilisation in the world."

Directly challenging the American strategy, the spokesperson alleged that "the enemy" intended to instigate internal chaos. However, he maintained that the vigilance of the public and the coordination of security agencies have kept the nation in a "secure, stable, and cohesive condition."

The Brigadier General further asserted that the "Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's wise and powerful management" and has evolved into a "control lever for realising the demands of the Iranian nation." He added that Western forces in the Sea of Oman have "repeatedly retreated in the face of the decisive response of the Armed Forces."

This defiant message from the Iranian military emerges even as a new assessment by the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), revealed a rift within the Iranian leadership. The ISW report stated that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his "inner circle" have "repeatedly blocked attempts" by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other "pragmatist" officials to push the Iranian regime towards a "more flexible negotiating position."

Despite this internal friction, the United States has confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday to participate in a "new round of talks" with Iranian officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday, "I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks... with representatives from the Iranian delegation."

Leavitt indicated that the initiative for the meeting came from Tehran, stating, "The Iranians reached out, as the US president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation." While top aides report back to US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, notable absences in this second round include Vance himself and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the leader of the Iranian negotiating team in the first round.

The diplomatic movement follows an announcement by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding a "timely tour" to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow to "closely coordinate with our partners." Although US representatives are expected to be in the same location for a "new round of talks", there has been no official clarification from Araghchi regarding a planned meeting with the American delegation.

Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remarked that President Trump suggested the US "had all the time in the world and we are not anxious for a deal", adding that Tehran has a chance to make a "good deal, a wise deal."

- ANI
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan arrived in Jaipur for a day-long official visit. He was warmly welcomed by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde and Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa. The Vice-President will attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day program. Earlier, he presided over the 6th Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh.

Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan arrives in Jaipur for Rajasthan University convocation and 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day program. Warm welcome by Governor, Deputy CM.

Jaipur, April 25 Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan landed at the Jaipur International Airport on Saturday for a day-long official visit to the state capital. Upon his arrival, he was accorded a warm welcome by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde and Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, alongside other senior dignitaries.

The Vice-President is visiting the city to participate in multiple events, including an academic convocation and the 23rd Cancer Survivors program.

Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan in a post on X said, "Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan was warmly welcomed at Jaipur International Airport upon his arrival by the Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, and other dignitaries."

The post further read, "The Vice-President will attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre today."

Earlier, on Thursday, the 6th Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh was held in the presence of the Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, marking a significant milestone in the Institute's journey of academic excellence and nation-building in the field of healthcare.

The ceremony also witnessed the presence of the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, and the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.).

The Vice-President released the Institute's annual chronicle, "RUDRAKSHA", which encapsulates the key achievements, innovations, and academic advancements of AIIMS Rishikesh over the past year, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The publication reflects the Institute's commitment to excellence in medical education, research, and patient care.

Addressing the gathering at the 6th Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, highlighted the significance of the occasion as a moment of transition, reflection, and responsibility for graduating medical professionals.

Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice-President noted that the convocation marks the culmination of years of discipline, perseverance, and sacrifice, while also signifying the beginning of a deeper professional commitment to society and the nation. He urged the graduates to uphold the highest standards of ethics, compassion, and service in their medical careers.

- ANI
At least four women close to the White House are pregnant, including second lady Usha Vance

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she is leaving for maternity leave to have a daughter, with no replacement named. The White House is experiencing a baby boom as multiple women with ties to the administration are pregnant, including second lady Usha Vance. Vice President JD Vance has been a vocal pro-natalist, criticizing declining birthrates and promoting traditional family values. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth faces controversy over allegations of blocking promotions of Black and female Army officers.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announces maternity leave as multiple women close to the Trump administration are pregnant, signaling a baby boom.

Washington DC, April 25 White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday announced that she will be away from the White House for maternity leave as the MAGA proponent is set to have a daughter.

There will not be any replacement for Leavitt, but she announced that the press will continue getting updates from her team.

"How are you?" an excited press asked her as she walked towards the crowd.

After her usual gaggle with the press outside the White House, Leavitt concluded, "Finally, on a personal matter, this will likely be my last gaggle for some time. As you can see, I'm about ready to have a baby any minute. So I will see you guys very soon. I know you'll be in very good hands with my team here at the White House, and I know all of you have the president's phone number personally, so I have no doubt that you will have no shortage of statements and news from this building while I am gone. So we'll see you guys this weekend. Thank you."

Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a New Hampshire-based real estate developer. The couple married in January 2025, just before US President Donald Trump's second inauguration. They welcomed their first child, a son named Niko, in 2024.

The White House is witnessing a baby boom after the conservative Republican party's takeover.

At least four women with close ties to the White House are pregnant, including second lady Usha Vance, Leavitt and Katie Miller, who is married to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and his wife, Sam, were expecting a baby in March, as reported by Fox News.

Leavitt told Vanity Fair in its report published on December 16, 2025, "The president doesn't give a crap if you're a man or a woman. He just wants you to be good at your job."

The comment seems at odds with the CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk's orthodox views on women. Erika's late husband, Charlie Kirk was a galvanizing force for conservatives. US President Donald Trump told Fox News that Charlie was like a "son" to him.

Kirk encouraged women to prioritise motherhood over career. "As a woman you are meant to be the guardian of your home -- to be the helpmate of your husband," CNN quoted her as saying. "When I met Charlie - that was it, I could care less about the career," she said at Turning Point's Young Women's Leadership Summit in 2024.

US Vice President JD Vance also seemed to propagate the same idea. "I want more babies in the United States of America," Vance said at a March for Life rally last year, as reported by Time Magazine on January 21.

His wife, Usha, is pregnant with fourth child, a boy due late July.

Usha is an experienced litigator in a variety of industries. She also earned her bachelor's degree from Yale University and a master's degree from the University of Cambridge. However, Vance chose to speak about his wife's faith.

"Now, most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. As I've told her, and as I've said publicly, and as I'll say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends, do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way."

Vance is also an outspoken pro-natalist. He has sounded the alarm on declining birthrates, branded Democrats as "childless cat ladies" and "anti-family and anti-child," and called Americans' lack of desire to have children as a "civilizational crisis," as reported bhy Time Magazine.

As Trump administration has branded 'wokeness' as 'foolish', Secretary of War Pete Hegseth faces allegations of being sexist and racist. Per a New York Times report on March 27, Hegseth blocked the promotion of four Army officers to be one-star generals, a highly unusual move that has prompted some senior military officials to question whether the officers are being singled out because of their race or gender.

Two of the officers targeted by Hegseth are Black, and two are women on a promotion list that consists of about three dozen officers, a list of overwhelmingly white men, senior military officials said. It is exceedingly rare that a one-star list draws such intense scrutiny from a Secretary of War. Hegseth has said repeatedly that he is determined to change a culture corrupted by "foolish," "reckless", and "woke" leaders from previous administrations, as per The New York Times.

When egged on to give a remark on the situation, Leavitt defended Hegseth, saying he was "doing a tremendous job restoring meritocracy throughout the ranks at the Pentagon, as President Trump directed him to do."

Trump himself has displayed gendered brusqueness on several occasions. When The New York Times produced a detailed, data-driven report on Trump showing signs of ageing, he responded by calling the female reporter who co-wrote the story "ugly." The male reporter, who co-wrote the story, Dylan Freedman, found no mention, CNN noted. Trump had said "quiet, piggy" to another female reporter earlier.

In February this year, Trump chided another female reporter associated with CNN calling her "the worst reporter" and scolding her for not smiling. "She's a young woman -- I don't think I've ever seen you smile. I've known you for 10 years. I don't think I've ever seen a smile on your face," he remarked sardonically.

- ANI
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A Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a Pakistani satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on April 25, 2026. The satellite, named PRSC-EO3, was lifted off at 8:15 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully entered its planned orbit. (Photo by Guo Jinqi/Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China launched a Pakistani satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Saturday.

The satellite, named PRSC-EO3, was lifted off at 8:15 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-6 carrier rocket and successfully entered its planned orbit.

This launch marked the 640th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. 

A Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a Pakistani satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on April 25, 2026.

The satellite, named PRSC-EO3, was lifted off at 8:15 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully entered its planned orbit. (Photo by Guo Jinqi/Xinhua)

A Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a Pakistani satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on April 25, 2026.

The satellite, named PRSC-EO3, was lifted off at 8:15 p.m. (Beijing Time) and successfully entered its planned orbit. (Photo by Guo Jinqi/Xinhua)
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and drives nearly $415 billion in annual healthrelated costs, according to the American Heart Association, highlighting the need for scalable, realworld health innovation. In response, the American Heart Association is investing in early-stage health innovators and collegiate entrepreneurs working to build solutions designed for adoption, trust, and measurable impact.

The Association today announced the close of applications for the 2026 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator, a national, eight-week program that provides early-stage, purpose-driven businesses with nondilutive funding, deep mentorship, and market validation to help purpose-driven businesses scale solutions that advance equitable health.

The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator is built for founders navigating complex health systems where success depends not only on bold ideas, but on adoption, trust and measurable impact. Rather than focusing solely on pitch refinement, the program equips entrepreneurs to understand how decisions are made across healthcare and community ecosystems, identify structural barriers to progress and design pathways for sustainable change.

Innovators closest to communities often have the most powerful solutions, but they face the steepest barriers to growth. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator helps close that gap by pairing funding with the insight, validation and narrative clarity founders need to move from promising concept to realworld impact." Marcella Roberts, Esq., member of the American Heart Association Board of Directors

Generous support for the 2026 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator is provided in collaboration with MATTER Health, and the Wells Fargo Foundation. Through this collaboration, the accelerator delivers structured programming, mentorship, ecosystem access and strategic guidance designed to position founders for additional capital and longterm success. The program integrates accelerator design, founder sourcing, alumni engagement and national amplification strategies to strengthen the health innovation pipeline. Through this collaboration, selected founders receive a comprehensive support package that includes:

Flexible funding to help early-stage health innovators and collegiate entrepreneurs move their ideas forward, without giving up ownership.

to help early-stage health innovators and collegiate entrepreneurs move their ideas forward, without giving up ownership. Hands-on guidance from experienced leaders who have built, scaled, and supported successful health-focused organizations.

from experienced leaders who have built, scaled, and supported successful health-focused organizations. Opportunities to test and strengthen solutions with real people and communities, not just in theory.

with real people and communities, not just in theory. Support to clearly tell their story in front of partners, funders, and communities to understand the value and impact of their work.

Applications for the 2026 cohort opened March 3 and closed April 27. Applicants will be notified beginning June 1, with cohort onboarding taking place June 1519. The core accelerator runs June 22 through Aug. 14, followed by Rapid Validation Labs for selected participants. The program culminates with a Finale Showcase on Oct. 22 at MATTER headquarters in Chicago, where founders will present their work to investors, partners and ecosystem leaders.

The accelerator is open to U.S.based founders age 18 and older who serve as the founder or CEO of a nonprofit or preseed, seed or Series A startup. Eligible innovations demonstrate the potential to improve equitable health outcomes in the United States.

Over the coming months, the American Heart Association will announce the 2026 cohort and share stories of founders working at the intersection of health, equity and innovation highlighting how early, missionaligned investment can unlock lasting change.

Entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in supporting or learning more about the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator can visit EmPOWEREDtoServe.org. To stay informed about future accelerator opportunities and founder stories, follow @HeartNews on X.

More than 8 in 10 (82%) U.S. adults say they are confident in the American Heart Association to provide trustworthy information related to public health, according to a recent article, https://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/stark-divide-americans-more-confident-in-career-scientists-at-u-s-health-agencies-than-leaders/. The Association ranked second only to an individual's personal health care provider.
Researchers from the University of California San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science have found that both anti-vaping advertising and widespread news coverage of a lung-injury outbreak tied to vaping - known as e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) - were critical in making 2019 a turning point in youth vaping prevalence in the United States.

The study published in BMC Public Health, offers key insight into why the 2019 public health messaging coincided with more teens attempting to quit vaping and a decline in interest among teens who had never vaped.

What we saw in California between 201718 and 201920 was a rare, dramatic population-level shift in adolescent vaping behavior. A convergence of media forces - aggressive public health campaigns and frightening news reports about people being hospitalized with severe lung injuries - appears to have shaken adolescents out of complacency and motivated many of them to quit." Shu-Hong Zhu, PhD, senior author of the study, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health professor

Youth vaping in the United States surged from 8.1% in 2017 to a peak of 20% in 2019 before beginning a sustained decline, reaching 5.9% by 2024. Understanding what triggered that reversal is critical for ongoing tobacco prevention efforts. By 2019, two major media forces converged: aggressive anti-vaping advertising from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Truth Initiative and state-led campaigns like California's Tobacco Control Program; and extensive news coverage of the EVALI outbreak. EVALI was linked to more than 2,800 hospitalizations - many among young people - and 68 deaths. News organizations covered the crisis heavily, with nearly 20,000 EVALI-related news articles appearing online between July 2019 and March 2020.

The study analyzed data from two cycles of the California Student Tobacco Survey, a large, population-representative biennial survey of students in grades 8, 10 and 12. The 201718 cycle, which included more than 117,000 students, was conducted before national anti-vaping campaigns had launched; the 201920 cycle, with more than 143,000 students, was conducted after the campaigns had been running for over a year and during peak EVALI news coverage. Researchers compared quit attempts and quitting intentions among current vapers, and susceptibility to future vaping among students who had never vaped, across the two periods.

The differences were striking. Among current vapers, the proportion who had attempted to quit in the past year nearly doubled, rising from 28.8% in 201718 to 53.2% in 201920. Intentions to quit also climbed sharply, from 56.9% to 79.1%. Among teens who had never vaped, susceptibility to trying vaping in the future dropped from 30.3% to 25.7%. The research confirmed that both anti-vaping advertising exposure and EVALI awareness independently predicted higher odds of quit attempts and quitting intentions, even after controlling for demographics and other tobacco-related behaviors.

EVALI awareness was significantly associated with lower susceptibility to future vaping among never-vapers - an effect not found with anti-vaping advertising. This is remarkable because the two major national ad campaigns had combined annual expenditures exceeding $100 million, while EVALI awareness emerged primarily through news coverage generated at no direct advertising cost.

EVALI coverage was pervasive in part because the outbreak's cause was not initially identified, leading reports to frame the crisis around vaping broadly. Though the outbreak was eventually linked to black market THC vape products, most teens who became aware of EVALI incorrectly believed nicotine was responsible. Future research should examine whether those perceptions persisted as the real cause became clearer, and whether the misinformation itself played a role in the behavioral changes observed.

The researchers note that a similar reversal has not been observed in countries such as England, where youth vaping has continued to rise. Cross-national comparisons of media environments and policy contexts could offer valuable insights for designing the next generation of tobacco control strategies.

"Quit attempt rates on a population level almost never change this dramatically from one period to the next," said first author Jijiang Wang, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, whose doctoral dissertation as a student in the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health focused on this topic. "When they do, it tells us something important about what is possible when the media environment shifts."

Additional co-authors on the study include: Anthony C. Gamst and Yue-Lin Zhuang from UC San Diego.

The study was funded by the California Department of Public Health (contract #CDPH-16-10109).
A cutting-edge University of Cincinnati College of Medicine study has shown how emergency medicine researchers can partner with community emergency medical services nationwide to investigate the causes of sudden cardiac arrest.

The study, "Cincinnati Biorepository to Enhance the Acute Resuscitation of Cardiac Arrest Patients (Cincy BEARCATS): A Feasibility and Pilot Study" was recently published in Prehospital Emergency Care, the official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when a person collapses outside of a hospital setting, said lead author Justin Benoit, MD, an associate professor of clinical emergency medicine. Only about 10% survive.

It's a fast-paced problem. We only have about 30 minutes to try to revive the patient. There's not even time to get to the hospital. The best thing to do is work on the person at the scene." Justin Benoit, MD, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine

Traditional clinical research is not feasible in those moments. So UC researchers began partnering with the Cincinnati Fire Department (CFD) in 2022 for this first-of-its-kind study. Benoit and his collaborators developed kits that allowed CFD paramedics to draw blood from sudden cardiac arrest patients during treatment. After care was completed, the paramedics delivered the samples to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where they were stored in a biorepository for later analysis.

Researchers collected 18 samples in the pilot study, demonstrating that the approach is feasible on a larger scale.

Benoit said the samples also showed significant variation among patients, with no uniform disease processes, underscoring the need for a larger study.

"It further demonstrated that one size doesn't fit all," said Benoit. "We know cardiac arrest has a lot of potential causes. This is not only a disease of the old and frail. We really want to figure out what is going on with these people."

What's next

Benoit and his collaborators are now seeking grant funding to expand the study at sites across the United States, including Seattle, Detroit, Minneapolis and Irving, Texas. They intend to collect blood samples from 700 patients.

The long-term goal is to better understand what triggers sudden cardiac arrest and develop a point-of-care diagnostic tool.

"My goal is, 20 years from now, if somebody's in cardiac arrest when EMS agencies arrive, they're going to be able to get a little blood sample, run it through a point-of-care machine and it's going to tell us: 'The patient is having this kind of cardiac arrest. You need to treat it this way,'" said Benoit. "We're going to be much more specific about how we treat patients in the future."

Study collaborators include Jason T. McMullan, MD; Erica M. Fatica, PhD; Heidi J. Sucharew, PhD; Christopher M. Barczak and Robert L. Hug at UC; and James E. Rose at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Treating sudden cardiac arrest

For now, Benoit said an ideal sudden cardiac arrest response involves calling 911, using an automated external defibrillator and performing CPR.

A companion or bystander who knows CPR can make a difference. Lay rescuer CPR can buy time for a person until medics arrive. "You are literally that person's beating heart," said Benoit. "When EMS crews arrive, that's when advanced cardiovascular life support begins."

One approach uses CPR and defibrillation to treat shockable rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, which prevent effective blood flow.

"That's actually the better one, because it has a 29% survival rate across the U.S.," said Benoit. "But it only happens 18% of the time in the U.S. and 17% of the time in Cincinnati."

The other category includes asystole, or cardiac flatline, and pulseless electrical activity, in which the heart shows electrical activity but does not pump blood, resulting in no pulse. Since both are considered non-shockable rhythms, they are treated with CPR and intravenous epinephrine to stimulate the heart.

Return of spontaneous circulation means the heart is beating on its own again. It signals successful resuscitation, though the patient may remain unstable.

Out-of-hospital or sudden cardiac arrest:

Occurs about 30 times a day in Ohio

Occurs about 300,000 times a year in the U.S.

Has a survival rate of about 10%

Leads to $11.3 billion in economic productivity lost
The Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics (ASDP) has responded to the Australian Governments proposed reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), following the address by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, at the National Press Club this week.

ASDP recognizes the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the NDIS, while continuing to deliver meaningful outcomes for children and families. The Society notes that while the direction of reform is becoming clearer, significant detail regarding implementation remains unresolved.

Developmental paediatricians work at the frontline with children and families navigating complex needs, Reform must strengthen - not disrupt - access to timely, evidence-based developmental care. Dr Katie Heathershaw, President, ASDP

Refocusing the NDIS on functional need

ASDP supports a shift away from diagnosis as the primary gateway to the NDIS, and a return to the Schemes original intent of supporting individuals with significantly reduced functional capacity.

Diagnosis alone does not determine a childs needs, said Dr Heathershaw. Two children with the same diagnosis can have vastly different levels of functional impact. Assessment must focus on a childs capacity, strengths, and challenges in daily living, communication, behavior and participation.

The Society notes that a functional approach, has the potential to improve equity and better target supports. However, further clarity is needed on how functional capacity will be assessed in children, including whether assessment tools are evidence-based, consistent and appropriate for developmental and fluctuating conditions. It will also be important to ensure these tools are appropriate for use in children from non-English speaking backgrounds and from different cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Early intervention must remain central

ASDP acknowledges the Governments focus on strengthening earlier supports outside the NDIS, including the development of foundational supports such as those proposed under the Thriving Kids program.

Early identification and targeted supports are critical to lifelong outcomes, said Dr Heathershaw. If supports are shifted outside the NDIS, they must be consistent, equitable, accessible, and grounded in developmental expertise.

The Society notes that these systems are not yet fully established and will require coordinated implementation across state and federal systems.

Delays in access to early supports during critical developmental periods can have lasting impacts on outcomes across health, education and participation.

A healthy NDIS for the future

ASDP is particularly concerned about the risk of service gaps during the transition to new models of care. Without clear and timely implementation of alternative supports, there is a risk that children and families may experience delays in accessing essential services.

The Society also highlights the need to rebuild community-based support pathways for children with mild to moderate needs, including early childhood, school and preschool-based services, many of which have diminished over time as the system shifted toward the NDIS.

ASDP emphasises that successful reform depends on investment in workforce capacity, including developmental paediatricians and allied health professionals, noting that a functional assessment model requires time, expertise and multidisciplinary input.

We share the Governments goal of a fair, sustainable system, said Dr Heathershaw. Ensuring continuity of access to support for children, particularly during early developmental stages, will be critical to achieving that goal.

ASDP welcomes the opportunity to work with Government to ensure reforms are informed by clinical expertise and grounded in the lived experience of children and families.
International students face a range of health challenges in their daily lives due to language barriers, different cultural values, and unfamiliar healthcare systems. Even something as basic as a dentist's appointment can be incredibly daunting when it's in another language and the price feels like a complete mystery.

A recent study from Tohoku University found that international students in Japan were less likely to report good health than their Japanese peers. Based on an online survey of 1,366 students across six regions, the research explored the relationship between nationality, health status, and health literacy among university students in Japan.



The finding of overall poorer health status in international students seemed concerning at first. However, further analysis revealed that the difference was not driven by nationality itself, but by lower health literacy - the ability to access, understand, and use health-related information. When health literacy was considered, the gap in health status disappeared. What's more, among students with higher levels of health literacy, international students reported an overall better health status than their Japanese counterparts. This suggests that the health of international students depends not only on access to medical care, but also on their ability to understand health-related information and navigate healthcare systems. In other words, for both domestic and international students in Japan, self-reported health status appears dependent on how well they can use and interpret health information.



Based on these findings, the researchers emphasize the importance of helping international students develop the skills needed to confidently access and use healthcare information.

We believe that reducing this gap starts with improving health literacy - by making health information clearer, adapting communication to suit different student backgrounds, and helping students better navigate healthcare services." Ryoichi Nagatomi, Specially Appointed Professor at Tohoku University

These efforts may help reduce health inequalities and support the well-being of all students. Afterall, improving health literacy in students - whether they are domestic or international - will help lead to healthier, happier futures all around.
In a new research report, a team of scientists led by Johns Hopkins Medicine say people with severe obesity and a common type of heart failure experience weakened heart muscles, and that losing weight may reverse some of these effects.

In the National Institutes of Health-funded study, to be published April 23 in Science, the scientists analyzed heart muscle cells from people with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a common form of heart failure that disproportionately affects people with severe obesity. Their research identified abnormalities associated with the condition, including weakened force production in muscle cells obtained from the hearts of very obese people (those with a body mass index of greater than 40 kg/m2) with HFpEF.

In a subgroup of patients from the study who underwent weight loss therapy, those who lost the most weight had better contraction of their heart muscle cells, suggesting that contraction problems may be reversible. The Johns Hopkins Medicine team also identified a chemical change that causes weakened contraction on a muscle protein, troponin I. This change was more prominent in people with HFpEF and severe obesity, pointing to troponin I as a potential drug target for patients with this specific condition.

This is a major advance in understanding a common yet puzzling form of heart failure that disproportionately affects people with severe obesity." David Kass, M.D., study lead, the Abraham and Virginia Weiss Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

About 6.6 million people in the United States have heart failure, and nearly half of these have HFpEF, which has a one-year mortality rate of 20%29%, according to the American College of Cardiology.

In HFpEF, the heart's main pumping chamber appears to contract normally, but it has increased stiffness and relaxes slowly, so has difficulty filling, Kass says. Historically, HFpEF occurred in older people with long-standing high blood pressure, thick-walled hearts with fibrosis, diabetes and kidney disease. Newer research indicates patients with HFpEF are likely to have obesity (a body mass index over 30 kg/m2) or severe obesity (a body mass index of over 40 kg/m2), Kass says. Obesity with HFpEF is linked with worse outcomes, including greater weakness, fatigue, kidney disease and an increased likelihood of death.

Ejection fraction measures the percentage of blood a heart ejects each beat, and is typically around 65% in healthy people and in those with HFpEF. This measurement may not, however, tell you what the underlying muscle cells are doing, says first author Vivek Jani, an M.D./Ph.D. candidate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"That could be at the root of the fundamental paradox as to how patients with heart failure can have different ejection fractions and responses to drugs, yet present with similar symptoms," says Jani.

In their study, Kass and his team turned to Kavita Sharma, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Center for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction, to collect biopsies of small pieces of heart muscle with permission from 80 patients with HFpEF. The researchers compared these samples to heart tissue from the Division of Cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania, which was obtained from human organ donors without heart failure and from people with advanced heart failure receiving a heart transplant.

The researchers first used a computer algorithm to sort patients with HFpEF using information about their heart muscle cell properties. The algorithm identified two subgroups based on body mass index, one group whose BMI was much greater, 43 kg/m2, and a second group whose BMI was 30 kg/m2. The scientists say the cells' ability to increase force with calcium or stretch, which are key to muscle contraction, was very reduced in the first group of patients with HFpEF and more severe obesity, as compared to the second, less obese HFpEF group, as well as non-failing heart tissue samples.

"Myocytes from people with HFpEF and severe obesity surprisingly resembled those from people with heart failure and a low ejection fraction who were receiving a heart transplant," says Kass.

Resting cell stiffness, thought to be a common feature of HFpEF, was more prevalent in the least obese HFpEF group, Kass says. However, both HFpEF groups had slower muscle cell relaxation, with the slowest measures in those with the most severe obesity.

The investigators also observed how myocytes malfunction depending on the severity of obesity. X-ray analysis revealed the crystal-like structure of motor proteins in the muscle cells, and cells from the most obese HFpEF group had abnormal structures, resulting in a lower active force that weakens the heart's ability to contract. In heart tissue samples from people with severe obesity without heart failure, the researchers say severe obesity alone did not appear to cause similar heart muscle cell problems.

Then, the scientists examined the underlying causes of weak active muscle contraction in people with severe obesity and HFpEF. Looking at the major proteins that form the muscle contraction unit, called a sarcomere, they found changes in the protein troponin-I. Troponin-I is critical to contraction and relaxation of muscle and has a sub-unit altered by a process called phosphorylation. The researchers found more phosphorylation in HFpEF patients who were more obese, and demonstrated that this chemical change alone could weaken active muscle cell force.

In a subset of the HFpEF group, 16 people with a starting BMI averaging 39 underwent weight loss therapy with primarily a GLP-1 inhibitor for a median time of 1.5 years. In this group of people who lost weight, scientists say their muscle cells regained contraction abilities. Those who lost 10% or more of their body weight had close to normal peak muscle cell force, Kass says.

"HFpEF has long been viewed as a stiffness problem," Kass says. "Our study shows a distinct picture in patients with severe obesity: The muscle itself can be weaker, driven by a specific chemical change in a contraction protein, opening possibilities for targeted treatment."

Given their findings, the scientists caution against prescribing certain drugs to severely obese people with HFpEF, including mavacamten and aficamten, which are used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, another form of heart disease with a "preserved" ejection fraction, Kass says.

"This work points to potential therapies," says Jani. "Supporting safe, sustained weight loss for patients, and developing drugs that reverse the molecular change we've identified in sarcomere proteins."

In addition to Kass, other researchers include Vivek Jani, Marcus Rhodehamel, Axel Fenwick, Eli Fisher, Maria Giannakopoulos, Sun Moon, Meaghan Barry, Virginia Hahn, Kavita Sharma and Anthony Cammarato from Johns Hopkins, Weikang Ma and Thomas Irving from Illinois Institute of Technology, Romi Castillo and Jil Tardiff from University of Arizona, Leslie Kennedy and Elizabeth Murphy from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Raghothama Chaerkady and Qing Wang from Complete Omics, and Kenneth Margulies and Kenneth Bedi Jr. from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

The work was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the United States Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, Amgen, and the Steven M. Gootter Foundation.
Scientists at UCLA have created one of the first cellular-resolution molecular maps detailing how Down syndrome alters human brain development before birth - a resource that resolves longstanding contradictions in the field and could lay the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies.

The study, published in Science, analyzed more than 100,000 nuclei from human prenatal neocortex samples collected across 26 pre-genotyped donors during gestational weeks 13 to 23 - the only window during which all the cortical neurons a person will carry for their entire life are generated. The findings suggest that Down syndrome disrupts the developmental sequence of that process, creating shifts that may help explain later differences in cognition, learning and sensory processing.

There's a new level of detail here that had never existed before. For the first time, we can really try to understand systematically what's going on in the developing brain of individuals with Down syndrome." Luis de la Torre-Ubieta, senior author of the study and a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA

Filling a critical gap

The Down syndrome research field has historically focused on two areas: the adult brain and the disorder's connection to neurodegeneration. The link is striking - the vast majority of people with Down syndrome will develop Alzheimer's disease, typically by their 60s.

What remained largely unexamined, despite clear indicators that Down syndrome is a developmental condition - such as smaller brain volumes detectable by MRI and cognitive differences apparent as early as 6 months to one year of age - was how the condition shapes the developing brain itself.

"No one had looked at the developing human brain in Down syndrome directly using single-cell genomics," said de la Torre-Ubieta, an assistant professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences. "Mouse models and in vitro models are important tools, but don't really give you a gold standard of what's happening in the human brain - and actually, they have led to different results and some confusion in the field."

These inconsistencies are due in part to differences in how mice and human brains develop, and the fact that in vitro models don't fully represent all the cell types and tissues present in the brain.

The new study, de la Torre-Ubieta said, can serve as that gold standard resource.

A disrupted developmental sequence and its impact on brain size

The development of the prenatal neocortex typically follows a tightly orchestrated sequence. Progenitor cells - the brain's stem cells - must first divide repeatedly to expand their own pool, building up a sufficient base for all future neurons. Only then do they begin differentiating into neurons, starting with deep-layer cell types and progressing toward upper-layer cells in a carefully timed order.

In Down syndrome, that sequence appears to break down. The study found that progenitor cells appear to rush prematurely into neuron production, depleting their own pool and skewing the balance of neuron types generated. Specifically, the researchers observed a relative increase in upper-layer intratelencephalic neurons and a reduction in deep-layer corticothalamic neurons.

Those two cell populations play fundamentally different roles: CT neurons project outward from the cortex - connecting to brain structures and to the spinal cord to govern sensation and movement; IT neurons wire within the cortex, connecting the two hemispheres and contributing to information processing. This finding offers a new hypothesis for how early developmental changes might contribute to the cognitive profile of the condition.

The finding also offers a new answer to a longstanding question in the field: Why do people with Down syndrome tend to have smaller brains? Earlier theories centered on elevated rates of cell death. The current study found less evidence of widespread neuronal death and instead points to the depletion of the progenitor pool.

A systems-level view of a systems-level disorder

The study employed paired single-nucleus multi-omics, a technology that measures both gene expression and chromatin accessibility in the same individual cell. Chromatin accessibility reveals which regions of the genome are open and active - the enhancers and promoters that regulate gene expression - offering a layer of information beyond which genes are simply switched on or off.

By combining these two readouts, the researchers were able to reconstruct not just a snapshot of which cells are present, but the regulatory programs that guide cell fate - and how those programs are disrupted in Down syndrome. Systems-level approaches also led them to uncover alterations in cell metabolism and changes in how the vasculature interacts with the developing nervous system, both of which could speed up neuron production.

Implications beyond Down syndrome

The study's significance extends beyond Down syndrome. The researchers specifically tested for overlap between the molecular disruptions they identified and the genetic risk signatures associated with other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism, epilepsy and developmental delay. They found substantial convergence, particularly in the gene-regulatory networks governing the specification of IT versus CT neurons.

"Down syndrome could be a model to understand intellectual disability and neuropsychiatric disorders more broadly," de la Torre-Ubieta said. "Also to uncover the shared biology underlying these conditions - because the mechanisms are often still unknown."

Two papers, one story

The publication coincides with a companion paper from researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, appearing in the same issue of Science. While the UCLA study focuses on the prenatal period, the Wisconsin team examined the postnatal brain, studying Down syndrome between approximately one and five years of age.

When the two groups shared preliminary findings, they discovered striking parallels: many of the changes identified prenatally by the UCLA team appear to persist into early childhood.

Together, the two papers provide a continuous molecular view of Down syndrome brain development from mid-gestation through infancy - a resource that did not previously exist and that the researchers expect will serve as a reference for their field for years to come.

A foundation for future therapies

While the researchers are careful to emphasize that the findings do not point to a near-term clinical application, the study provides the clearest picture yet of the cellular and molecular events that distinguish the Down syndrome brain during development, and a framework for identifying future therapeutic targets.

"We are finding targets that could be actionable down the line if you generate drugs for specific pathways," de la Torre-Ubieta said. "And you could conceive of a gene therapy based on that, to suppress the expression of particular drivers and restore development closer to its normal course."

UCLA authors Celine K. Vuong and Alexis Weber led this work, along with Patrick Seong, Yu-Jen Chen, Jordan Peyer, Shahab Younesi, Angelo Salinda, Daniel Gomez, Gabriella Rivas, Abril Morales, Beck Shafie, Pan Zhang, Susanne Nichterwitz, Le Qi, Nolan T. Fernandez, Emily Friedman, Daniel H. Geschwind and William E. Lowry. Nana Matoba, Michael I. Love, Michael J. Gandal and Jason L. Stein contributed to this study.

The research was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, including a Rose Hills Foundation Innovator Grant and a post-doctoral training grant, the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center Ablon Scholars Program, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the National Institutes of Health Biomedical Big Data Training Program.
YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat  theyre just a few of the banned social media sites for Australian teenagers under 16. But while the push to protect young people from too much screen time continues, a major Adelaide University study shows that a balanced approach to social media might not be so bad.

In new research published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers identified a sweet spot for teenagers use of social media, with moderate use (up to 12.5 hours/week) linked to more positive wellbeing.

While the findings may sound like good news for teenagers, researchers warn that there are caveats, with both excessive social media use and not using social media both associated with poorer wellbeing.

Lead author Dr Ben Singh from Adelaide University says social medias relationship with teen wellbeing is complex, varies by age and sex, and should not be viewed in blackandwhite terms.

Public debate often frames social media as being harmful to teenagers wellbeing, but our findings suggest the reality is far more nuanced, Dr Singh said.

For girls, we found that moderate use of social media was linked to better wellbeing in their middle teenage years (grades 7-9; ages 12-15) and onwards.

It was the opposite for boys with those not using social media as they grew older at risk of poorer wellbeing.

In the younger years, not using social media had little impact on wellbeing, because childrens offline interactions can sufficiently meet their social needs.

But by middle adolescence, social media becomes a key setting for peer connections, identity expression and belonging, making engagement in this space more important.

Overall, the strongest outcomes were among teenagers who used social media in moderation. These teens were far more likely to report positive wellbeing than those who had too much or too little social media engagement.

Its a real Goldilocks scenario  not too little and not too much social media is best for teenagers wellbeing.

The study analysed data from more than 100,000 Australian children and teenagers in grades 4-12 across a three-year period (2019-2022) examining how time spent on social media relates to happiness, life satisfaction, emotional regulation and other key indicators of wellbeing.

While the research showed that social media is neither inherently harmful nor inherently beneficial for teenagers, it also reinforced concerns about high levels of use.
A major study, led by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Nemours Children's Health, and Children's National Hospital and involving an extensive network of medical centers across the United States and abroad, found that different types of crystalloid fluid resuscitation were equally effective for staving off the most serious adverse kidney events after the treatment of pediatric patients with suspected septic shock. The findings of this large clinical trial are detailed today in a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine and are being presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting in Boston.

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that causes organ failure. The combination of the body's immune system and the infection together cause an abnormal response, which can prevent different organ systems from working normally. The disease is estimated to send more than 18,000 children across the country to hospitals each year. While many decades of research and improvements in clinical care have significantly improved outcomes for pediatric sepsis patients, about 1 in 10 children nationally with sepsis or septic shock are still at risk of dying.

In some previous multi-center studies, researchers found that critically ill adults who received balanced crystalloid fluid  an intravenous (IV) treatment meant to exhibit similar properties to human plasma  resulted in lower risk of complications and death compared with a standard 0.9% saline IV solution. This prompted researchers to explore whether a similar study could determine whether one fluid treatment was superior for pediatric sepsis patients.

We knew we were going to need thousands of patients to answer this question, which we knew would be a challenge. Yet we were excited to proceed because these fluids are inexpensive and universally available around the world, meaning that we wouldn't have decades of waiting to take action once the study was complete; we could be pragmatic and take immediate action based on the results that we found." Fran Balamuth, MD, PhD, co-lead author, attending physician and Division Chief of Emergency Medicine at CHOP

Because suspected cases of sepsis are uncommon among the general population, Balamuth, co-lead author Scott L. Weiss, MD, attending physician and Division Chief of Critical Care at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware, and their colleagues required the collaboration of many hospitals to achieve the data standards needed for meaningful conclusions. For this, they collaborated with Nathan Kuppermann, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Children's National Hospital and Director of the Children's National Research Institute, who has a history of running successful clinical trials in acutely ill children, and served as the senior author.

"This trial demonstrates the power of large collaborative research networks to answer important clinical questions for children," Kuppermann said. "By enrolling thousands of patients across multiple countries, we were able to provide the kind of evidence clinicians need to guide care for children with suspected septic shock."

In the United States, the team utilized the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), a group of 18 hospitals across the country that make up a multi-institutional network for research in pediatric emergency medicine as part of the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children Program. Collaborative institutions in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Costa Rica also contributed to the data. In the end, a total of 47 emergency departments across five countries were represented in the study, with more than 9,000 patients enrolled who received either balanced fluid or 0.9% saline.

The primary outcome of the study was Major Adverse Kidney Events by 30 days (MAKE30), an important outcome for kidney injury that accounts for death, new renal replacement therapy or persistent renal dysfunction. The researchers found that MAKE30 occurred in 3.4% of patients enrolled in the balanced fluid group and 3.0% in the 0.9% saline ground. The study found biochemical differences in children treated with the two fluids, including a higher frequency of elevated blood chloride levels in the 0.9% saline group, and higher lactate levels in the balanced fluid group. Both groups had 23 median hospital-free days of 28, and there were no differences in mortality or other safety outcomes or adverse events.

"This trial confirms that either balanced fluid or 0.9% saline are effective and safe for the initial resuscitation of children with suspected septic shock, and that a fluid strategy that reduces hyperchloremia does not necessarily translate to improved patient outcomes," said Weiss, an attending physician and Division Chief of Critical Care at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware. "We also did not identify differences across subgroups. However, despite the large number of participants, it is important to note that we cannot exclude the possibility of benefit of one fluid or the other in a subset of children with the most severe illness."

"A large trial like this definitively answers a question we've had in our field for many, many years," Balamuth said. "In an emergency department with a child with suspected sepsis, you can treat the child with whichever fluid is readily available. And we think that's great news for children around the world."
LOME, April 25 (Xinhua) -- President of the Council of Togo Faure Gnassingbe has met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who is on a diplomatic visit to Lome, according to a statement issued on Friday evening by the Presidency of the Council of Togo.

During the meeting on Thursday, the two sides conducted an in-depth review of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on economic and trade partnership, said the Presidency of the Council.

The discussions also covered ways to strengthen joint efforts in mediation and security in Africa, as well as international issues, particularly the situation in the Middle East.

Barrot commended Togo's mediation role in the Great Lakes region and highlighted concerns over developments in the Sahel region, while reaffirming France's commitment to working with Togo to promote peace and stability on the African continent.

The two sides also discussed preparations for the upcoming Africa Forward Summit, scheduled for May 11-12, in Nairobi, Kenya. 
Meghan Ireland always loved chemistry, but as a college freshman studying chemical engineering, she didn't know she could channel her passion for science into the art of making whiskey. It took stumbling across an article about a female chemical engineer who became a master whiskey distiller for something to click: Ireland's fellow students could go into plastics and pharmaceuticals, but she was going into whiskey. Ireland, now the chief blender behind Vermont-based whiskey brand WhistlePig, is among a growing number of women who've become leaders inside a traditionally male-dominated industry that hasn't always welcomed outsiders. Increasingly, women are launching their own brands and finding new ways to innovate in distilling and blending at a time when more women are drinking whiskey, per the AP. More:

'Do you even like whiskey?': There's a common, lingering doubt among some male colleagues and consumers that the women gaining expertise in the industry even like the stuff. Becky Paskin, a UK journalist and founder of OurWhisky Foundation, a group that promotes and supports women in the whiskey business, said she was asked that question while serving as a judge at a whiskey tasting event. "It is a drink that comes with certain expectations around which gender drinks it and which gender makes it," Paskin said, adding: "Barely any other drink or food falls under such scrutiny."

There's a common, lingering doubt among some male colleagues and consumers that the women gaining expertise in the industry even like the stuff. Becky Paskin, a UK journalist and founder of OurWhisky Foundation, a group that promotes and supports women in the whiskey business, said she was asked that question while serving as a judge at a whiskey tasting event. "It is a drink that comes with certain expectations around which gender drinks it and which gender makes it," Paskin said, adding: "Barely any other drink or food falls under such scrutiny." A little history: Whiskey-making has long been considered a masculine profession in America, a drink exclusively enjoyed by men swirling golden liquid in dark, smoky rooms. But industry experts and historians are quick to point out that women have always been involved in the process and were likely key to its survival in the US. The first distilling instrument was created by a woman, Maria Hebraea, an alchemist from around the second century, according to Susan Reigler, a bourbon expert. From there, distilling was largely seen as women's work as they were in charge of home brewing, making medicine, and taking care of the home.

Whiskey-making has long been considered a masculine profession in America, a drink exclusively enjoyed by men swirling golden liquid in dark, smoky rooms. But industry experts and historians are quick to point out that women have always been involved in the process and were likely key to its survival in the US. The first distilling instrument was created by a woman, Maria Hebraea, an alchemist from around the second century, according to Susan Reigler, a bourbon expert. From there, distilling was largely seen as women's work as they were in charge of home brewing, making medicine, and taking care of the home. Innovation and creativity, with a woman's touch: In Vermont, Ireland has been in charge of keeping WhistlePig's whiskey consistent since 2018, but she also oversees experimental batches. Her first whiskey innovation was the Boss Hog VII, which quickly attracted praise and awards for her decision to finish it in Spanish oak and Brazilian teakwood barrels. Judy Hollis Jones spent years as a senior exec in the food industry before launching a whiskey company in Kentucky in 2019. The transition to the whiskey world mimicked the boardrooms she'd been in for decades, where she was often the only woman present. "I've had people say to me, 'Oh, well, you don't wear jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat,'" she said. "And I said, 'No, I don't. And every bourbon drinker female does not. We are [a] very wide range of people [who] love bourbon.'" More here.
The Wall Street Journal is pulling back the curtain on a job that demands perfectionand, some say, punishes honesty about mental health. Its latest piece is centered on 38-year-old Seattle-area air traffic controller Joshua Adams, who died by suicide last fall after years of hiding his depression from the Federal Aviation Administration, fearing he'd lose the medical clearance required to work. His widow, Davy, describes a profession where chronic understaffing, long shifts, and strict disclosure rules leave controllers afraid to seek help. "Babe, I can't talk to anybody," Davy says Joshua told her at one point when he was struggling. "Please don't talk to anybody about how I'm feeling. I don't want to lose my job."

Current and former controllers, medical experts, and others tell the Journal that Joshua's story isn't an outlier. The controllers union estimates 12 suicides in 2024 aloneroughly eight times the national ratethough FAA records show fewer, underscoring how little is formally tracked. Controllers say when it comes to their issues, they "bottle it up" rather than risking career-ending evaluations or medication bans. The FAA says it encourages treatment and will continue to regularly update its rules. A proposed Mental Health in Aviation Act, meanwhile, would bring about broader reforms. Airport Technology has more on the "silver lining" of what initiatives are already in progress on this front. More here. (Airline pilots face the same dilemma.)
Potentially millions of Americans suddenly have a much easier path to Canadian citizenship, prompting a rush of people to explore their ancestry and file paperwork seeking dual citizenship. For people like Zack Loud of Farmington, Minnesota, it was a surprise to learn that under a new law, Canada already considered him and his siblings citizens because their grandmother is Canadian. "My wife and I were already talking about potentially looking at jobs outside the country, but citizenship pushed Canada way up on our list," he said. Since the new law took effect on Dec. 15, immigration lawyers in the US and Canada say they've been overwhelmed by clients seeking help submitting proof-of-citizenship applications, per the AP .

Driven by politics, family heritage, job opportunities, and other factors, thousands of Americans are exploring whether the easier process makes now the right time to gain dual citizenship. Immigration attorney Nicholas Berning said his practice is "pretty much flooded with this." Canada has been changing its citizenship laws for decades, whether to update historic interpretations of law or to address discrimination issues. Previously, Canadian citizenship by descent could only be passed down to one generation, from a parent to a child. That changed when Canadian Bill C-3 took effect on Dec. 15, opening up citizenship to anyone born before that date who could prove they have a direct Canadian ancestora grandparent, great-grandparent, or even more distant ancestor.

Those born on or after Dec. 15 need to show that their parent met a residency requirement of 1,095 days. Under the new law, descendants of Canadians already are considered citizens, but they must provide proof to obtain a certificate of citizenship. For those with documentation ready at hand, the proof-of-citizenship application fee is a relatively inexpensive $55but costs will climb for those seeking help from an attorney or genealogist. The website for the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada office, which processes applications, says processing times for a certificate is around 10 months, with more than 56,000 people awaiting a decision.

Last year, 24,500 Americans gained dual US-Canada citizenship. American applicants have varied motivations, but many say US President Trump's immigration crackdown and other controversies have led them to seek dual citizenship. Michelle Cunha, of Bedford, Massachusetts, said she decided to move to Canada after reflecting on decades of political activism and deciding she had "nothing left to give." "I put in my best effort for 30 years," she said. "I have done everything that I possibly can to make the United States what it promises the world to be, a place of freedom, a place of equality. But clearly we're not there and we're not going to get there anytime soon." More here on what (current) Canadians think about all this.
Gunmen attacked several locations in Mali's capital and other cities early Saturday in a possible coordinated assault, residents and authorities said. Mali's army said in a statement that "unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital," per the AP . It added that soldiers were "currently engaged in eliminating the attackers." Mali has been plagued by insurgencies fought by affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the north.

An AP journalist in Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle gunfire coming from Modibo Keita International Airport, around 9 miles from the city center, and saw a helicopter over nearby neighborhoods. The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Mali's air force. A resident living near the airport also reported gunfire and three helicopters patrolling overhead. Residents in other cities in Mali reported gunfire and blasts on Saturday morning, suggesting a possible coordinated attack by armed groups. Gunmen entered the northeastern city of Kidal, taking control of some neighborhoods and leading to gunfire exchanges with the army, a former mayor of Kidal said.

The Azawad separatist movement has been fighting for years to create the state of Azawad in northern Mali. They once drove security forces from the region, before a 2015 peace deal that has since collapsed paved the way for some ex-rebels to be integrated into the Malian military. A rep for the Azawad Liberation Front said on social media that its forces had taken control of several areas of Kidal and the city of Gao. The AP couldn't independently verify his claim. A resident of Gao said gunfire and explosions started early Saturday and could still be heard in the late morning.

"The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. I'm scared out of my wits," the resident said. Mali, alongside neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, has long been battling armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS, a fight that has escalated over the past decade. Following military coups, the juntas in the three nations have turned from Western allies to Russia for help combating Islamic militants. But the security situation there has worsened in recent times, analysts say, with a record number of attacks by militants. Government forces have also been accused of killing civilians they suspect of collaborating with militants.
The challenge for King Charles III when he embarks on next week's state visit to the US is, as always, to live up to his mother's example. The late Queen Elizabeth II wowed Congress in 1991 with a speech that celebrated the shared democratic traditions of Britain and the United States; quoted Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Ralph Waldo Emerson; and highlighted the deep bonds between the two nations. Those themes will also be at the top of Charles' agenda as he celebrates America's 250th birthday and seeks to calm tensions surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer's refusal to support US President Trump's war against Iran, said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, per the AP .

Beneath the pomp of Charles' four-day trip to DC, New York, and Virginia starting Monday is a choreographed diplomatic event staged, like all royal visits, at the request of the UK government. Starmer resisted pressure to cancel it after Trump belittled the British military's sacrifices in Afghanistan and criticized him personally for failing to back the US in Iran. Despite those tensions, Trump has continued to speak warmly about Charles. "History has shown that President Trump really tries to be impressive whenever he's dealing with British royalty," Brinkley said. "And I'm sure it'll be the same this time around."

Queen Elizabeth II made four state visits to the US during her 70-year reign. She helped President Gerald R. Ford celebrate America's bicentennial in 1976 and met with President George W. Bush in 2007 as British and American forces fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Smoothing turbulent waters and reminding both sides about their common bonds were what those trips were all about. Charles' visit will be no different. It includes a commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks; a ceremony honoring fallen service members; and an event to be attended by Queen Camilla to mark the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh stories by British author AA Milne.

Charles won't meet with Jeffrey Epstein's victims, despite calls for the king to address his brother's links to the convicted sex offender. Nor are there plans for Charles to meet with his son Prince Harry, who has been a critic of the monarchy since giving up royal duties and moving to California. "There's a difference between the government of the UK and the kings and queens of Great Britain, who are really always coming to try to put [on] a good face," Brinkley said. "Politics come and go, prime ministers, presidents, come and go, but there's something deeper about the special relationship between the United States and the UK." More here.
People learn about an outdoor design jointly developed by Chinese outdoor lifestyle brand YARDCOM and designer Steve Leung during Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

By Xinhua Writers Diao Ze, Zhang Huan and Li Jing

MILAN, Italy, April 24 (Xinhua) -- During the ongoing 2026 Milan Design Week, Chinese designs are making frequent appearances across the streets of Milan. Some integrate into local communities by telling stories that connect China and Italy; others blend traditional Chinese elements with contemporary art, while still others reshape spaces using innovative materials and technologies.

With growing experience on the international stage, Chinese designers are attracting increasing attention through urban installations, contemporary craftsmanship, material and technological innovations, and new lifestyle concepts.

BLENDING WITH CHINATOWN

Many Chinese designers have chosen Milan's Paolo Sarpi area, the city's historic Chinatown, as a starting point.

On Monday, the 2026 edition of China Week opened in the Zona Sarpi design district with the unveiling of a 100-meter painted scroll wrapping a local building. The street installation, titled Bridge of Civilizations, tells the story of Italian missionary Matteo Ricci, one of the most influential cultural bridges between East and West in the 17th century.

Sun Qun, one of the initiators of Milan Design Week China Week, told Xinhua that the event could turn the neighborhood into a window for Chinese design and a space for urban renewal. As more Chinese designers entered the district in recent years, local Chinese shop owners have been more active in redesigning storefronts and display windows.

Hu Yuehua from southwest China's Yunnan Province is among the artists showcasing her work at the China Street exhibition area. Inspired by nature, her designs draw on the colors, shapes and lines of plants, fungi, mountains and terraced fields. Yet rather than depicting these elements directly, her works present a contemporary, abstract aesthetic.

"I want to express these ideas in a way that is more contemporary and closer to people today," she said.

Milan's Chinatown has increasingly become a trendsetting space, as designs displayed there each year gradually integrated into the city's everyday visual and social fabric.

RESHAPING TRADITION

Traditional Chinese elements are prominently featured during Milan Design Week. At Palazzo Litta, one of Milan's historic buildings, Hong Yao intangible cultural heritage is reinterpreted in a carpet design.

Xie Molin, founder of Cybos Carpets, said her team worked with a national-level inheritor of Hong Yao intangible cultural heritage to translate traditional weaving techniques into contemporary carpet design.

"Only when a craft is used can it truly be inherited and remembered," she said, adding that she hopes to bring Chinese craftsmanship to a global audience by integrating it into modern design and everyday life.

At the Salone del Mobile fairgrounds, a group of emerging designers under 35 from Donghua University's College of Fashion and Design presented works combining ethnic minority motifs, embroidery techniques and digital tools.

Associate Professor Tian Yujing said she and her students regularly travel to rural areas to collect traditional patterns and craft methods, then reinterpret them through modern techniques and expressions that resonate with younger consumers.

Also at the fairgrounds, the exhibition Origins of Chinese Aesthetics: Liangzhu Culture and Contemporary Creation transformed imagery linked to Liangzhu civilization, including jade cong, rice cultivation and water motifs, into installations and contemporary artworks. Professor Zhang Junjie of the China Academy of Art said the exhibition aims not to present Liangzhu as archaeology, but to reactivate its creativity through contemporary aesthetics and new technologies.

CONNECTING WORLD AND FUTURE

At the main exhibition area of the Salone del Mobile, Chinese participation also drew attention. They are no longer limited to showcasing standalone products but are shifting toward offering integrated spatial solutions. Some Chinese companies used installations, material innovation and cross-sector collaboration to present visions of future lifestyles.

Ma Qingjiang, founder of Chinese outdoor lifestyle brand YARDCOM, said future competition will increasingly depend on the ability to integrate materials, technology, design, spatial solutions and service systems.

Stefan Antoni, founder of South African architecture firm SAOTA, told Xinhua that China has become "a very exciting country to follow." Chinese design stands out for its sense of culture, history and continuity, as well as its depth and connection to nature, he said, adding that "it is very inspiring" as China today provides not just products, but also ideas and creativity.

Francesco Leoni, a Milan-based attendee, said Chinese culture is being presented in a way that feels "very accessible" and "very interesting to explore."

Through Milan Design Week, it is difficult to define a single characteristic of today's Chinese design. It appears in standalone displays as well as across diverse urban and institutional settings. It reflects Chinese cultural identity while engaging with global lifestyle trends. It is both distinctive and universal, combining strong visual impact with cultural appeal.

These works reflect sustained engagement with China's cultural roots and the broader upgrading of Chinese manufacturing toward greener, higher-end and more integrated development. At one of the world's most influential design platforms, Chinese cultural confidence, craftsmanship, innovation, and international outlook are increasingly shaping a diverse design landscape -- offering a more vibrant image of China. 

Visitors view exhibits at the exhibition Origins of Chinese Aesthetics: Liangzhu Culture and Contemporary Creation during Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A visitor views exhibits at the 2026 edition of China Week during Milan Design Week in Milan's Paolo Sarpi area, Italy, April 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A visitor touches a carpet from the culture of Hongyao, a branch of the Yao ethnic group in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, during an exhibition at Palazzo Litta in Milan, Italy, April 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A visitor looks at a floor lamp at the booth of Chinese company X-ZOO during Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
A teenager is in custody after gunfire at a busy Baton Rouge mall left one 17-year-old dead and several others injured. Police say 17-year-old Markel Lee surrendered on Friday with his lawyer and was booked on charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a firearm, reports NBC News . Lee is said to have an "extensive" juvenile rap sheet, per KATC . NBC reports that shooting broke out around 1:30pm on Thursday in the food court of the Mall of Louisiana after an argument between two groups, according to Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse.

A city police officer stationed at the mall and an East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputy outside the mall rushed in as shots were fired. The victim who was killed was identified as 17-year-old Martha Odom, a senior at Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, roughly an hour west of Baton Rouge. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who said in a social media post that her family has long known the Odoms, called it a "devastating loss of innocent life" and said those responsible "must face the full force of the law." Odom's school described her as a "joyful presence" and said two other students injured in the incident are recovering.

A 43-year-old man, identified as Donnie Guillory, remains in critical condition after surgery, Morse said, per NBC. Several others were also wounded in the shooting. Investigators used mall security footage and other methods to ID suspects and are still seeking another person wanted in connection with the case (KATC has a pic here). Five people detained on Thursday have since been released, pending further investigation, per Morse.

The police chief said at a news conference that detectives are examining whether the violence was tied to "social media beef" or gang activity and believe handguns were used; one firearm has been recovered, he noted. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards praised responding officers for running toward the gunfire, saying they likely prevented additional casualties.
OpenAI's chief executive has formally apologized to a small Canadian town where eight people were killed in a February mass shooting, saying the company should've gone to police sooner about the suspect's activity on ChatGPT. In a Thursday letter to residents of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Sam Altman wrote that he was "deeply sorry" that OpenAI didn't alert authorities after suspending the user account of 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar last June, reports the Wall Street Journal .

According to earlier reporting in the Journal, OpenAI's automated systems had flagged Van Rootselaar's messages for violent content, leading to an internal ban. Multiple staffers reportedly viewed the writings as a possible sign of danger and urged management to contact Canadian law enforcement, but the company declined to do so at the time. Once police publicly named Van Rootselaar after the shooting, OpenAI says it identified a second ChatGPT account tied to the suspect.

In his letter, first published by local outlet Tumbler RidgeLines, Altman offered condolences to the community and said he was renewing a pledge to the town's mayor and British Columbia Premier David Eby to look for ways to prevent similar incidents. OpenAI says it has since strengthened its safety policies and that, under its updated rules for referring users to law enforcement, Van Rootselaar's account would be reported if it were flagged today. Eby said this week that police are in the last phase of their investigation into the shooting.

"The apology is necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge," Eby wrote on Facebook, per the AP. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka recently told reporters that residents are still grieving, with some only beginning to recover. The incident has also fed into Canada's broader debate over artificial intelligence: Members of the governing Liberal Party recently backed a nonbinding resolution to bar AI chatbots for kids under the age of 16, as federal officials say they're still weighing potential AI regulations. (Florida has opened a criminal probe into ChatGPT over a deadly shooting last year at Florida State University.)
Russian drone and missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed at least five people and wounded at least 46, authorities said on Saturday. The bodies of four people were found in the ruins of a house destroyed in overnight attacks, Dnipropetrovsk regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said, per the AP . "The Russians have been hitting Dnipro and other cities and communities practically all night," Hanzha wrote on Telegram of the attacks, which caused fires to break out across Dnipro and partially destroyed several apartment buildings, businesses, and a private house.

Another person was killed in a separate Russian attack on Dnipro Saturday afternoon, according to Hanzha, in the same residential area hit by the overnight strikes. He said that 46 people were wounded in total. To the southwest, two people were wounded in overnight drone attacks in the Odesa region. Residential buildings, port infrastructure, and cars were damaged in the south of the region, regional head Oleh Kiper said on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Russia, a woman was killed and a man was seriously wounded by a Ukrainian drone strike in the border region of Belgorod, local officials said.

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed governor in Ukraine's Luhansk regionof which Russia earlier this month said it had taken full control, a claim denied by Ukrainesaid Saturday that three people were killed in an overnight Ukrainian drone strike on a village. Ukraine didn't comment on the attack, and the claim couldn't be independently verified by the AP. Following those attacks, Romania's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that drone fragments were found in a residential area of the southeastern city of Galati, as well as on a farm some 18 miles from Galati, near the NATO member's border with Ukraine. No casualties were reported.

The attacks followed a prisoner swap on Friday, in which Russia and Ukraine exchanged 193 service members. Periodic prisoner exchanges have been one of the few positive outcomes of otherwise fruitless monthslong US-brokered negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. The talks have delivered no progress on key issues preventing an end to Russia's invasion of its neighbor, now in its fifth year. While meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is open to continuing peace talks with Russia in Azerbaijan.
Several members of a federal board that oversees the government's main basic science funding agency were removed without warning this weekend by President Trump. Scientists on the National Science Board, which helps direct the National Science Foundation's roughly $9 billion in annual basic research spending, received emailed notices Friday from the Presidential Personnel Office stating that their appointments were "terminated, effective immediately," according to screenshots shared with the Washington Post . The messages, sent "on behalf of President Donald J. Trump," did not give a reason.

The board, created in 1950, functions similarly to a corporate board, setting policy and approving major projects for an agency that supports university research, operates Antarctic stations, telescopes, and research vessels, and has backed technologies used in MRIs, cellphones, and LASIK, as well as companies such as Duolingo. Members, typically 25 scientists and engineers from academia and industry, are presidential appointees but serve staggered six-year terms designed to span administrations. Several seats were already unfilled, including that of the foundation's director. Board member Keivan Stassun of Vanderbilt University said he had direct confirmation that about one-third of the board was dismissed.

The top Democrat on the House Science Committee ripped the dismissals in a press release. "This is the latest stupid move made by a president who continues to harm science and American innovation," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, adding, "Will the president fill the NSB with MAGA loyalists who won't stand up to him as he hands over our leadership in science to our adversaries?" Some members questioned whether the timing was tied to the board's role in defending the foundation's mission to Congress after Trump proposed cuts. Trump's budget request last year sought a 55% reduction in the agency's funding, which lawmakers rejected; his fiscal 2027 proposal also calls for a sharp decrease.
A former University of South Florida student has been charged with killing his roommate and the roommate's girlfriend, doctoral students from Bangladesh who disappeared earlier this month, authorities said Saturday. Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is facing two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, students at USF, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He made an initial court appearance Saturday in Tampa, where he was ordered held without bond, the AP reports. A hearing is set for April 28. Limon's remains were found Friday morning, but Bristy is still missing, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said on Friday. Abugharbieh, a native-born U.S. citizen, was taken into custody on Friday.
President Trump spent part of Saturday courting top backers of his personal cryptocurrency token at Mar-a-Lago, even as the coin's price hovered near its lows. Speaking to nearly 300 of the largest holders of the $TRUMP meme coin at what organizers called an exclusive crypto and business conference, Trump praised the digital-asset industry and cast the US as vital to it. He ranged across topics including the war in Iran, artificial intelligence, and government backing for Intel, the Wall Street Journal reports, but he did not mention the coin's steep decline. The token traded around $2.59 on Saturday, down 14% in 24 hours and far below its high above $70 reached shortly after his 2025 inauguration, according to CoinGecko.

"The crypto industry was created in America," Trump said. "Its growth has been led by America, and its future will be made in America and other countries." The event drew high-profile guests including investor Cathie Wood, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, Tony Robbins and Mike Tyson. The 29 largest $TRUMP holders were invited to a special reception and offered Trump-branded merchandise such as fragrances, posters, and watches, though organizers said there would be no private meetings. The crypto industry supported Trump's campaign, and once in office again, he has used presidential authority to legitimize cryptocurrencies, remove regulations, and lean on the Securities and Exchange Commission to ease enforcement, per the Washington Post. Since his return, a growing share of his family's wealth has come from crypto businesses.

Trump spoke at a similar gathering last year. One investor, Morten Christensen, told the Journal that this year's event was better organized but that the president's speech "was useless like last time." The broader crypto market remains in a downturn, with bitcoin off about 40% from its October peak and digital assets losing roughly $1.6 trillion in value. Ethics advocates criticized the timing and nature of the Mar-a-Lago conference, noting that Trump-linked entities earn fees on every $TRUMP trade despite the coin's crash. "The optics of this grift and corruption happening at this time is unfathomable," said Donald K. Sherman of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, warning of potential conflicts and foreign influence. A White House official said Trump attended in a personal capacity.
A small hand held in war. A promise carried for life.

A veteran sailor who has served on four warships, working deep below deck. Far from the horizon, yet never far from the sea in his mind.

A man who once sent his childhood savings to support an aircraft-carrier dream, now standing aboard the Liaoning.

As the Chinese Navy marks its 77th anniversary, their stories converge, where memory, duty and belief become a bond that endures.
Conversations with global technology and business leaders revealing how they are translating AI and quantum into impactful and responsible business decisions

Clear, practical insights to help listeners stay at the forefront of technology redefining our society and the economy

Hosted by Dr. Kristin Milchanowski, BMO's Chief AI and Quantum Officer

TORONTO, CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, April 24, 2026 /CNW/ - BMO today announced the launch of Return on Intelligence, a new podcast series with Dr. Kristin Milchanowski, BMO's Chief AI and Quantum Officer. Developed through the BMO Institute for Applied AI and Quantum, the series features interviews with global technology and business leaders on how organizations are approaching the application of quantum computing and artificial intelligence across their businesses.

Return on Intelligence podcast (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group)

The series explores how leaders are moving beyond experimentation to integrate AI into decisionmaking, governance, operating models, and talent strategies--highlighting leadership choices that shape realworld execution.

"Too much of the conversation around AI and quantum innovation still centers on tools rather than outcomes," said Milchanowski. "This series is about how leaders think -- how they govern, invest, and build trust -- and how those decisions translate into real competitive advantage over time."

"At BMO, we have consistently prioritized a disciplined approach to implementing AI and quantum technologies. By emphasizing robust governance, setting clear priorities, and seamlessly integrating these capabilities into our daily operations, we ensure that innovation is both practical and responsible," said Steve Tennyson, Chief Technology & Operations Officer, BMO. "The Return on Intelligence podcast embodies this philosophy, offering valuable leadership insights that move the conversation beyond theory into actionable strategies for success."

The debut episode with Mona Malone, Chief Administrative Officer, BMO, will explore the leadership, talent, and governance choices needed to responsibly scale advanced technologies while maintaining institutional trust.

New episodes of Return on Intelligence will be available on BMO's award winning Markets Plus platform as well as major podcast channels, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

BMO has earned top recognition for AI talent development in global banking, reflecting its enterprise-wide approach to building and scaling AI capabilities. With AI adoption exceeding 96% across employees and intelligent agents supporting frontline and operational teams, BMO has embedded AI broadly across its businesses. Focused on personalizing client experiences, augmenting teams, and automating operations, and guided by strong Responsible AI governance, the bank is advancing AI and quantum technologies at scale through the BMO Institute for Applied AI and Quantum.

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2026. Serving clients for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

Media Contacts: Scott Doll, [email protected]
A container ship is seen in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. Asghar Besharati/AP From left, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad, listen to President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, right, speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad, listen during a meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP Mourners carry the coffin of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike, during her funeral procession in the village of Baysariyeh in southern Lebanon on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Mohammed Zaatari/AP Zainab, the sister of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike, hugs her helmet as she mourns over her coffin in the village of Baysariyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, April 23, 2026. Mohammed Zaatari/AP

President Donald Trump says he told top U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press.

Trump said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House. The meeting was the second high-level negotiation between the two countries since last week. The initial 10-day ceasefire, which took effect last Friday, had been due to expire Monday.

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The Trump administration is placing economic sanctions on a major China-based oil refinery and roughly 40 shipping companies and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil. The move, announced Friday, actualizes the administrations threat to impose secondary sanctions on entities that do business with Iran, an effort to cut off Irans key source of revenue  its oil exports.

Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices. Heres what to know if your flight is canceled.

Here is the latest:

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Irans foreign minister will visit Pakistan again

Thats according to a report by Irans state-run IRNA news agency.

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It says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will return to Pakistan after his current visit to Oman on his way to visiting Russia.

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The report said he was expected to be back in Islamabad on Sunday and would join other members of his delegation who had gone to Tehran for consultations and instructions on the topics related to the end of the war.

US says its hunting for explosive mines in latest push to open the Strait of Hormuz

Trump says the U.S. Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The vital sea route for Persian Gulf oil is closed to most ships, and thats a strain on the global economy.

Experts say sweeping for underwater explosives could take months despite a tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

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Any future claims that the U.S. cleared the waterway where 20% of the worlds oil typically passes might fail to convince commercial freighters and their insurers that its finally safe.

Theres only so much the U.S. can do to give that confidence back to commercial shipping, said Emma Salisbury, a scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institutes National Security Program.

Seeking out mines is among the latest tactics announced by the Trump administration to get traffic moving again through the strait as rising energy prices and wider economic effects pose a political risk.

 Read more

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Trump says Iran presented new offers 10 minutes after he canceled US teams trip

Amid the stalled negotiations with Iran, the president said the Iranians sent over a new peace proposal, but that it could have been better, and rejected it.

They gave us a paper that could have been better, and interestingly, immediately when I canceled it, within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better, Trump said to reporters on Saturday before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington from Florida.

The President wouldnt offer specifics about what was in the latest proposal other than saying they offered a lot. But he stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

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Trump said he canceled the latest rounds of negotiations with Iran because it was a lot of traveling and because his negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, werent meeting with the leader of the country.

Trump said the U.S. will deal by telephone and they can call us anytime they want before adding that we have all the cards.

Israeli fire kills one Palestinian in Gaza, health officials say

The drone strike near a school in northern Gaza City wounded at least two others, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.

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The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel continues to carry out near-daily strikes across Gaza, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed despite a ceasefire with Hamas since October, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Pakistan PM, Iran president hold warm talks on regional situation

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone on Saturday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, holding what he described as a warm and constructive discussion on the evolving regional situation.

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In a post on the social platform X, Sharif said he appreciated Irans continued engagement, including the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

He added that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an honest and sincere facilitator to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.

Netanyahu orders vigorous strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

The statement by the prime ministers office follows a string of rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel and on Israeli ground troops in southern Lebanon on Saturday. There were no injuries.

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Also on Saturday, Israel launched multiple airstrikes in southern Lebanon while a fragile temporary ceasefire was in effect, killing at least six people it said were Hezbollah militants.

Netanyahu has instructed the army to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the statement said, without providing further detail.

Irans top diplomat arrives in Oman

Abbas Araghchi has arrived in the capital, Muscat. Hes expected to meet about regional developments. Oman was a mediator for indirect talks before the war.

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Iran says continued US naval blockade will trigger powerful response

Irans joint military command warned in a statement Saturday that if the U.S. continues its naval blockades, banditry, and piracy in the region, it will provoke a decisive military response from Iran.

The statement, carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, added that if the U.S. and Israel renewed their aggression, they would face more losses.

It remains unclear whether Iran and the U.S. will resume negotiations soon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan, the key mediator in the negotiations between the two countries, a few hours ago, with no immediate word on possible resumption of talks. Shortly after, Trump said in a social media post that he called off sending U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations.

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Pakistan eases Islamabad restrictions after Iran delegation leaves

Pakistani authorities on Saturday evening began easing restrictions following the departure of an Iranian delegation and a U.S. decision not to send its delegation to Islamabad for potential talks, offering relief to hundreds of thousands of residents after nearly a week of near-lockdown conditions.

The developments signal a setback to Pakistans efforts to host a second round of talks.

The Islamabad administration said in a post on the social platform X that entry of all types of public and goods transport has been allowed. It added that bus terminals across the capital have reopened, except for a key terminal on the citys outskirts, which will remain closed until further notice.

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The move is expected to improve the supply of fruit, vegetables and other essential items in the capital.

Trump says he called off dispatching top U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran

The president said in a social media post, I just canceled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad.

That came shortly after Trump told Fox News that hed instructed U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to go.

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He wrote in the subsequent post, Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!

The president also repeated his past suggestions that the leadership of Iran remains unsettled, writing, Nobody knows who is in charge.

Trumps post followed two Pakistani officials saying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Pakistan without meeting U.S. officials.

Trump tells Fox News hes no longer sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks

Trump says he told top U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want.

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In a brief phone interview, Trump told Fox News that he told U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Youre not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.

Trump also said of the U.S. side, We have all the cards.

His comments on Saturday came after the White House said Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would be heading to Pakistan for another round of negotiations with Iran.

Lebanons top Sunni religious authority backs the presidents right to hold talks to end war with Israel

The Supreme Islamic Sharia Council, headed by Lebanons Sunni Muslim Grand Mufti Abdul-Latif Derian, said that the constitutional right of President Joseph Aoun to pursue diplomatic negotiations to end the war with the Zionist entity should be respected.

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The council blasted Israel, saying it launched a devastating and relentless war on Lebanon and committed the most heinous and dangerous crimes.

Lebanon and Israels ambassadors to Washington held two rounds of talks this month, the first official meetings between the two countries in decades.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group is opposed to direct negotiations with Israel and has blasted the meetings held in Washington.

Trump said this week that Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in Washington in the coming weeks.

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There has been no official confirmation from Lebanon that Aoun will attend such a meeting with Netanyahu.

Lebanons Health Ministry raises death toll to 2,496

The ministry added in figures released Saturday that 7,725 people were wounded in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out on March 2.

The war started after Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel two days after the U.S. and Israel attacked its main backer, Iran.

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A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on April 17. The ceasefire was extended by three weeks on Thursday.

Despite Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli strikes kill suspected militants and Hezbollah fires on Israel

The Israeli military said that in multiple strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, it killed six people that it said were militants. And several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon, the army said, causing no injuries.

A 10-day ceasefire, in effect since April 17, has been repeatedly violated by both sides. On Thursday, Trump said Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend it by three weeks. Hezbollah has not been part of the ceasefire talks.

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One strike, in the village of Yohmor, killed three people driving a truck that the army said was loaded with weapons. A second strike in that area killed a person on a motorcycle. A third strike, in the Litani area, killed two people that the army said posed a threat to Israeli ground forces.

Irans foreign minister leaves Islamabad without meeting US envoys, Pakistan officials say

Two Pakistani officials say Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Pakistan without meeting U.S. officials.

Senior Pakistani officials were at an airport near Islamabad to see him off. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

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Araghchi had met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials about matters including Irans red lines in negotiations.

 Cara Anna

Israeli airstrikes kill 4 people in southern Lebanese village

Lebanons Health Ministry said that Israeli airstrikes on the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon targeted a pickup truck and a motorcycle, killing four people.

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Saturdays airstrikes came despite a 10-day ceasefire in place since April 17.

Since the truce went into effect, it has been repeatedly violated by both sides.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks.

Pakistans prime minister meets with Irans foreign minister

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday at the prime ministers office in the capital, Islamabad.

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Sharifs office issued a statement saying the meeting was ongoing.

It said Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir were also present.

No further details were immediately available, and the statement only said the current regional situation will be discussed.

Irans top diplomat meets with Pakistan army chief

Irans top diplomat and Pakistans army chief have discussed efforts to launch a new round of talks with the United States.

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Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Telegram that he met with Pakistans Field Marshal Asim Munir Saturday morning in Islamabad, Pakistans capital, and explained Irans views on ending the war between the Islamic Republic and the U.S.

Araghchi didnt offer further details, but said Tehran will continue engaging in the Pakistani-led mediation efforts until a result is achieved.

Irans president calls on people to save electricity

Irans president has urged people to reduce their use of electricity after American and Israeli strikes damaged the countys energy infrastructure, state media reported.

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President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government aims to control consumption of electricity, according to the Iranian state television.

Instead of turning on 10 lights at home, turn on two lights. What is wrong with that? he said.

He said the U.S. and Israel destroyed our infrastructure, and noted that the U.S. imposed a blockade on Irans ports.

Commercial flights resume at Tehrans airport

Commercial flights resumed Saturday at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran for the first time since the war with the United States and Israel started about two months ago.

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Irans state-run television reported the airport has flights to Istanbul in Turkey, Omans capital, Muscat, and the Saudi city of Medina.

Flightradar24, a flight tracking platform, showed at least three Istanbul-bound flights departed Saturday morning.

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month during a ceasefire with the U.S.

Germany to deploy minesweeper ships

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country plans to deploy minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean, which later could be transferred to the Strait of Hormuz.

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We will deploy a minesweeper to the Mediterranean and provide it with a command and supply ship, Pistorius told the Rheinische Post newspaper Saturday.

He did not say exactly when the ships are scheduled to depart.

After an end to hostilities between the U.S., Israel and Iran, the German minesweepers could be deployed in the Strait of Hormuz, though such a mission would need to be approved by Germanys parliament.

To save time, we have decided to deploy part of the German units to the Mediterranean early on so that  once the mandate is approved  we do not lose any further time, Pistorius said.

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Islamabad locked down before talks

Pakistans capital Islamabad appeared to be in a near-lockdown Saturday morning, hours after Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived on a closely watched visit as Pakistan attempts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.

The weeklong security restrictions have disrupted daily life, with hundreds of thousands of residents struggling to commute even short distances. Checkpoints, road closures and diversions have become routine sights, particularly around sensitive zones.

The usually busy arteries leading to the airport and the heavily fortified Red Zone were largely deserted early Saturday, with movement tightly restricted. Soldiers and police were at key intersections while helicopters circled overhead.

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The measures were reinforced over the past 24 hours on the citys outskirts with additional forces stationed along key airport access routes. Soldiers were visible on rooftops overlooking major approach roads, particularly near the airport where the Iranian delegation arrived late Friday.

Iran executes another man over alleged ties to Mossad

Iran hanged a man Saturday over alleged ties to Israels Mossad intelligence agency and his participation in anti-government protests in January.

Erfan Kiani was the latest in a series of executions in Iran following the war and nationwide protests.

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The Mizan news agency of Irans judiciary announced Kiani was convicted of charges including attacks on security forces in the city of Asfahn in January.

The agency claimed he was on a mission for Mossad without offering evidence.

Human rights activists long have said Iran convicts people in closed-door trials without allowing defendants to properly defend themselves.

There recently have been multiple executions of alleged spies, as well as protesters and those affiliated with an Iranian exiled opposition group.

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Pakistan president will travel to China

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to travel to Beijing on Saturday to begin a weeklong visit at the invitation of the Chinese government.

Discussions will include economic and trade cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

China has played a role in facilitating Pakistan as a host for ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. Zardari is expected to discuss his countrys efforts to host a second round.

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The visit is part of a longstanding tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and holds special significance as they mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said.

It reflects the deep commitment of both countries to further strengthening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, the ministry said.

Iran's foreign minister arrives in Pakistan

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met late Friday with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir shortly after arriving in Pakistans capital Islamabad, officials said.

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On Saturday morning Araghchi met with Munir and Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, officials said.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the Iranian delegation will hold talks with Pakistans senior leadership on the latest regional developments and efforts to promote peace and stability.

The visit comes as Pakistan is also preparing to receive U.S. envoys, although officials have not specified when Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due in Islamabad.

Egyptian and Pakistani officials discuss the Iran war

Egyptian and Pakistani foreign ministers late Friday discussed efforts to launch a new round of talks between the United States and Iran.

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Badr Abdelatty of Egypt spoke by phone with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Ben Bronz Academy earlier this year purchased the former St. Rose Church at 21 Church St. in East Hartford. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media The Bicentennial Square Veterans Memorial off Scotland Road in East Hartford. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media

EAST HARTFORD  The town is working on a 14-step master plan to revitalize the Burnside Avenue and Church Street neighborhood with public and private projects.

The effort follows a $220,000 Brownfields Area-Wide Redevelopment grant awarded by the state Department of Economic and Community Development in July 2024. In response, the town formed an advisory committee to guide a study of the neighborhood, culminating in a draft master plan presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday.

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Kimberly Baptiste of Colliers Engineering and Design, one of four consultants on the project, said Wednesday that the current plan includes 14 proposed initiatives across a 142.6-acre study area. The overarching vision, she said, is to preserve the neighborhood's character while making it vibrant and walkable, bringing in a variety of housing styles and businesses, and adding and enhancing public spaces and recreational activities, including utilization of the Hockanum River.

An East Hartford committee has presented a draft master plan for revitalizing the Burnside Avenue and Church Street neighborhood. Members expect to finalize the plan by the end of June after gathering additional feedback. Courtesy of East Hartford

Nine of the proposed projects involve private investments, including new housing and mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse projects and enhancements to existing commercial buildings.

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Baptiste said the plan identifies the existing plaza at 700 Burnside Ave. as an area for investment. The committee has explored two options, upgrading the existing building and infrastructure and completely redeveloping the site into a new mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial and upper-level housing.

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The plan also includes adaptive reuse proposals. Ben Bronz Academy, currently located in West Hartford, announced in January that it will move into the former St. Rose Church at 21 Church St., which closed in 2024. Similarly, a former Stone Academy property could be redeveloped into multifamily housing, and a townhouse redevelopment has been proposed for 47 Church St.

The five public projects include a reworked streetscape for Burnside Avenue, improvements at Bicentennial Square Park, sidewalk and trail improvements, and a new recreational area along the Hockanum River dubbed "Overlook Park." The streetscape would focus on improving pedestrian and cyclist safety while slowing drivers down, as well as adding various amenities. The town would also look at specific areas of the sidewalk network that need maintenance and accessibility improvements.

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Baptiste said a plan to rework Bicentennial Square Park, developed with input from the public and members of the Veterans Commission, includes expanded programming, more off-street parking, and enhanced memorials honoring veterans in the community.

The Bicentennial Square Veterans Memorial off Scotland Road in East Hartford. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media

Baptiste said the project is about eight and a half months along, with organizers aiming to finalize the plan by the end of June after gathering additional feedback. She noted that implementation will depend largely on private property owners, though the owner of 87 Church St. has expressed support.

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CT Culture Corner is a weekly look inside the culture, arts and entertainment world in Greater Waterbury, Litchfield County and beyond.?? Hearst Connecticut Media graphic

Some people spent their COVID-19 lockdowns baking bread.

Others ate more than they should have.

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Trapped in Connecticut, Peter Jones thought about the Seven Deadly Sins.

Jones, a British historian who spent several years working at the School of Advanced Studies in Tyumen, Siberia, stayed with friends in the Westville section of New Haven, while waiting for a flight to get back to Siberia. While stuck in New Haven, Jones worked on his recent release "Self-Help From the Middle Ages."

Peter Jones researched part of the book, "Self Help From The Middle Ages: What the Seven Deadly Sins Can Teach Us About Living" in Connecticut, while he was on Covid lockdown. Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Jones said his family was in Connecticut during Covid for a few months, "We stayed with our close friends in Westville, just up Chapel Street from downtown New Haven," he said via email. He did research at the Sterling Memorial Library and ultimately finished the book in Westville in August 2025. He added that while writing about modern clinical approaches to the sins, he sought medical advice from his friend, Dr. Sharon Ostfeld Johns, assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale.

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Peter Jones, author of "Self Help from the Middle Ages: What the Seven Deadly Sins Can Teach us About Living." Courtesy of Jairo Vargas Martin/Penguin Random House

Jones burrowed into archives and libraries to uncover "a lost psychology," according to a news release, "a world where confession was therapy, sin was diagnosis, and the Seven Deadly Sins served as a map of the human mind."

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The medieval historian reminds readers that the "Seven Deadlies" pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth were not a list of naughty behaviors but a path of seven basic patterns of thought. Through personal, historical and topical anecdotes, Jones illuminates how differently the medieval mind thought about nefarious behavior. Lust, for example, was "the least 'deadly' of the sins in the Middle Ages," he writes, whereas envy was considered a poison, feeding on our fear of missing out. Jones also writes that although avarice, or greed, was always a danger, it only began to challenge pride in the 13th century, when a "commercial revolution" brought more luxury goods into Europe.

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By far the most deadly of the sins was pride, which St. Augustine believed was the root of all others. For the medieval person, pride was a "heartlessness" that makes us believe "we can manipulate other people like toys. Pride...isn't just egotism," he writes, it's a way of insulating oneself from colleagues, family and friends. In the Middle Ages, sloth, which today we think of as laziness, was synonymous with despondency, he writes. Gluttony was less about piggishness than "a burning ferocity to get the food or drink you want, precisely at the time you want it."

For Jones, that was easy to do around New Haven Pizza.

I suppose I can also say that I discovered more about my own gluttony eating the white clam pizza from Sallys in New Haven, and the baklava at Pistachio (Cafe) bakery in Westville And my sloth lying on the beach in West Haven, dozing and too lazy even to get in the sea! he wrote.

Trivia Question

In the fourth century, the Christian monk Evagrius Ponticus wrote down whats known as the eight evil thoughts": gluttony, lust, avarice, anger, sloth, sadness, vainglory and pride, according to History.com. These eventually became the Seven Deadly Sins in the sixth century under Pope Gregory I. How did they change?

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The Magdalene Master, who was active in Florence between 12501290, created this "Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Leonard and Peter," about 1270. It was acquired in 1871 by Yale University Art Gallery in 1871, part of the its James Jackson Jarves collection. Courtesy Yale University Art Gallery

Jumping into the Renaissance at Yale

If you are an Italian Renaissance fan, Connecticut has a bevy of riches available. Yale University Art Gallery has among the best works from Italy in the 13th to 15th century in the state. Among them are three panels by Fra Angelico, including his "Annunciation" in tempera and gold; Neroccio di Bartolomeo de Landi's famous "Annunciation" and a late Renaissance work by Jacopo Zucchi, "The Crucifixion," all on view on the second and third floors at the New Haven gallery.

In 1871 the art gallery acquired the James Jackson Jarves Collection of Italian paintings, making Yale only the second public institution in the United States (following the New-York Historical Society) to own and display a significant number of works from the early Italian Renaissance, according to the gallery. The collection was assembled in Florence by Jarves between 1850 and 1859, and enlarged by subsequent gifts, according to the gallery.

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Antonio del Pollaiuolo's "The Abduction of Deianira," was painted around 147580, according to Yale University Art Gallery.



Courtesy of Christopher Mir/Yale University Art Gallery

Outside of Yale, the best place to see Italian Renaissance work is the Wadsworth, which was the first museum to acquire a Caravaggio, according to Connecticut History. The Wadsworth has his "Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy," making the Hartford museum the only place in the state one can see the baroque master. Also at the Wadsworth, are other Renaissance masters, including Giorgione, Piero di Cosimo and Artemisia Gentileschi, whose "Self-Portrait as a Lute Player" is a rare example of a work by a woman Renaissance artist.

Fra Angelico's "St. Joseph (?)," was painted around 141920 in tempera and gold on panel. It is a part of the Early Renaissance collection at Yale University Art Gallery. Courtesy of Richard House/Yale University Art Gallery

Trivia Answer

Pope Gregory I rearranged the eight evil thoughts by removing sloth and adding envy. Then, in the 13th century, theologian Thomas Aquinas brought back sloth and eliminated sadness, according to History.com. Today, the Catechism of the Catholic Churchs capital sins are basically the same as Aquinas', except that pride replaced vainglory, according to History.com.
Miss Indian World Dania Wahwasuck is introduced to the crowd during the last Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, April 24, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP Dancers pause under the arena lights during the grand entry at the last Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, April 24, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP Hundreds of dancers enter the arena during the opening grand entry at the last Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, April 24, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP This photo provided by Andrew Steven Hansen shows Miss Indian World Shayai Lucero, front left, at the Stanford University Powwow in 1997, in Stanford, Calif. (Andrew Steven Hansen via AP) Andrew Steven Hansen/AP Miss Indian World Dania Wahwasuck greets morning commuters on the Rail Runner Express train after departing Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Codi High Elk was a shy teenager most comfortable caring for horses on her family's ranch on the Cheyenne River Reservation when she threw away an application to compete in a new pageant for Indigenous women  an application her brother fished out of the trash, sending her on a path to becoming the first Miss Indian World.

That was in 1984, when High Elk remembers letting her six older siblings do most of the talking and wanting no part in a competition that required public speaking. But the event that transformed her from shy teen to an ambassador for her people has come to an end.

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From the day I got my crown, my life changed, said High Elk, who credits her time as Miss Indian World with giving her the confidence to pursue two degrees and a career expanding credit access for Lakota people. I want that same opportunity for my granddaughters.

The pageant has been a headlining event at Gathering of Nations, a massive and at times controversial event that bills itself as the largest powwow in North America, for more than four decades. The competition shaped the lives of young women from across the U.S. and Canada eager to share cultural knowledge and compete for the prestigious title and iconic, intricately beaded crown.

But this year will be the last for the powwow, with the final Miss Indian World named in 2025. Organizers have said the time has come for the events to end, but gave no other details.

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The pageants rotating collection of beaded crowns are set to be retired when the two-day gathering culminates Saturday. In time they may be offered to a museum for display, said Melonie Matthews, daughter of the Gathering of Nations founder.

Stiff competition

Dania Wahwasuck, of the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Pyramid Lake Paiute tribes, won her title before a roaring crowd last year. Her pastel-colored crown and sash featuring a star quilt motif and another set that sparkles with rhinestones and shades of pink will be among those retired Saturday.

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The pageant invited Indigenous women, aged 18 to 25, to compete. Contestants had to be single, with no children and pledge to maintain specific moral standards.

Contestants described an intense five-day process with interviews, public speaking and a highly anticipated traditional talent showcase.

Tori McConnell, who won the title in 2023, sought advice from Karuk and Yurok elders while developing her performance. She showcased traditional basketry, explaining first in Karuk and then in English how she weaved using materials gathered from her ancestral homelands in northwest California.

To have our art recognized on that level was so validating, McConnell said. Not just for me but for my community.

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A cultural ambassador

The Miss Indian World crown has traveled around the world, from a Maori Haka competition in New Zealand to the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan and the Oceti Sakowin camp at the height of protests at Standing Rock against an oil pipeline.

In the summer of 1984, High Elk recalls scouring a Paris grocery store for ingredients to make fry bread and Lakota tripe soup for the university students who had invited her there.

You become an ambassador not just for your own culture but for all Indigenous peoples, said Shayai Lucero, who was crowned Miss Indian World in 1997.

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Lucero, who comes from Acoma and Laguna pueblos in New Mexico, did not grow up in a powwow culture. But at the 1997 Stanford University Powwow, she was embraced by a community of pueblo people who had been in the Bay Area for decades due to a federal program that sought to relocate Native Americans off reservations and into cities.

All these people showed up who knew my family, knew our language and traditions, said Lucero. Suddenly, I felt at home.

During their tenure, winners have advocated for causes ranging from Indigenous language revitalization to domestic violence prevention.

Cheyenne Kippenberger, Miss Indian World 2019, focused on mental health as COVID-19 forced ceremonies, cultural events and community gatherings to shut down. As the only two-year titleholder, she hosted online events and encouraged Native people to get vaccinated.

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I remember thinking, everybodys feeling really lonely and confined. We need to find a way to connect people, said Kippenberger, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Florida.

The end of an era

There are no plans for the Miss Indian World pageant to continue, the organization said. The title is trademarked by the Gathering of Nations, Ltd., the nonprofit that operates the powwow and pageant.

Over the years, Gathering of Nations has been criticized and called overly commercial. Founder Derek Mathews, who at times has claimed distant Cherokee ancestry but is not a tribal citizen, has made few public comments in response.

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Melonie Matthews, who is Santa Clara Pueblo on her mother's side, said the organization did not consider transferring the Miss Indian World trademark to any other group.

The Miss Indian World pageant goes hand in hand with the powwow. It was never a stand-alone event, she said in an emailed statement.

Several former titleholders, however, have been exploring the creation of a new national pageant for Indigenous women.

A lot of us were saying Miss Indian World is bigger than one powwow," Lucero said. We don't need the powwow to continue her legacy.

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Many tribal nations and powwows crown royalty. But young women who dream of representing their communities on a national, Native-focused pageant stage won't have that avenue. Five years ago, Miss Native American USA crowned its last winner. The Miss Indian Nations and Miss Indian America titles also are defunct.

Many past Miss Indian World titleholders who went on to become lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, language and culture bearers and sisters to one another say the crown empowered them as leaders.

It's a bittersweet feeling, said Kippenberger, who now heads a tribal consulting firm. "But I feel full confidence and optimism that something positive will fill in the gap.
O. John Maduko, M.D., President, CT State College resigned as the interim Chancellor of the state's college system Friday while under investigation, officials said. Courtesy of Melissa Lamar

HARTFORD  The interim chancellor of the state college system resigned Friday while under investigation, according to a news release issued Saturday by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Interim Chancellor John Maduko was notified on April 20 that he was the subject of a complaint that he violated policy, and an investigation would be initiated, the release said. He was placed on administrative leave Thursday, the board said.

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"After thoughtful reflection, I have made the decision to step down from my role as interim chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and will not return to Connecticut State Community College as president," Maduko wrote in his resignation letter Friday. "This decision reflects what is right for my family and for me at this time."

The circumstances that prompted the investigation were not disclosed because it is a personnel matter, the board's release said.

The board sets policy and tuition for all of the state's universities and community colleges except for the University of Connecticut.

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"General Counsel Karen Buffkin will serve in an acting leadership role to ensure continuity of operations while the board determines next steps in the selection of new leadership," the board's release said. "The board remains focused on the effective operation of the system and continued support for its students, faculty, staff and institutions. ... The board will launch a national search for a permanent chancellor, which will take place later this year."

Maduko was appointed to serve as interim chancellor in June 2025 for one year while the board searched for a permanent leader, according to a news release issued by the board in June.

As interim chancellor, Maduko was expected to provide strategic leadership for the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system, which includes six public institutions: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, Charter Oak State College and CT State, the release said.

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The union representing employees of Charter Oak State College criticized the board in a statement released after Maduko's resignation.

The Board of Regents cannot continue to tell teaching faculty at Charter Oak State College that there is no money for fair wages while CSCU spends hundreds of thousands of dollars managing executive turnover and administrative instability," said Seth Freeman, president of 4Cs SEIU Local 1973.

He said the CSCU system is still paying the former chancellor a full salary and now will be paying Maduko as well.
The Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside a warehouse at 3080 Main St. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media The Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside a warehouse at 3080 Main St. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media An industrial property at 3080 Main St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside the Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. Joseph Villanova/Hears Connecticut Media An industrial property at 3080 Main St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside the Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  The Hartford showroom of a kitchen fixture supplier Express Kitchens has been listed for sale, marketed alongside another nearby warehouse it used to occupy.

Real estate agency NAI James E. Hanson has listed for sale a 5.39-acre property at 230 Weston St. in Hartford, currently home to a 120,295 square-foot warehouse and showroom occupied by Express Kitchens. The Weston Street property has been marketed alongside 3080 Main St., a 1.7-acre site with a 50,758 square-foot warehouse located around the corner that formerly served as an Express Kitchens showroom.

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Express Kitchens, a venture of businessman and Hartford Chamber chairman emeritus Max Kothari, offers cabinets, countertops, sinks, and other fixtures, as well as remodeling consultations. The company has other showrooms in Bristol, Brookfield, New London, Newington, Orange, and Stamford, as well as "Factory Outlet" stores in both Bristol and Hartford.

Brochures for the two buildings state that the properties will be "delivered 100% vacant at closing," providing an opportunity for investment within Hartford's industrial market.

"Strategically positioned in Hartfords Northeast neighborhood, just north of downtown along the Connecticut River, the assets offer exceptional regional connectivity with direct access to Interstate 291, Interstate 91, Interstate 84, and Interstate 384," NAI Hanson said. "This central location provides efficient access to the greater Hartford market as well as key Northeast distribution corridors between New York and Boston."

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The brochures further state that 231 Weston St. is in Hartford's ID-1 industrial zone, which allows for a variety of industrial and warehousing uses, and 3080 Main St. is a preexisting nonconforming industrial use within the city's NX-2 zone.

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The property listings and related documents do not include a list price, instead inviting interested parties to request pricing.

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Opening day April 15 at Torre Fuerte Cafe at 60 Newtown Road, Danbury. The eatery serves authentic Columbian and Ecuadorian food. Courtesy City of Danbury Opening day April 15 at Torre Fuerte Cafe at 60 Newtown Road. The eatery serves authentic Columbian and Ecuadorian food. Courtesy City of Danbury Restaurant owner Cirilo Rodriguez with Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves on the new opening of the restaurant, Torre Fuerte Cafe at 60 Newtown Road. Courtesy City of Danbury Danbury city officials from left: Economic and Community Development Advisor Farley Santos, restauranteur Cirillo Rodriguez and Mayor Roberto Alves at the opening of the Latin eatery Torre Fuerte Cafe at 60 Newtown Road. Courtesy City of Danbury

DANBURY  Local entrepreneur Cirilo Rodriguez recently opened his second Latin eatery, Torre Fuerte Cafe at 60 Newtown Road, offering more traditional Columbian and Ecuadorian specialties with a Puerto Rican fusion.

City officials including Mayor Roberto Alves recently celebrated the grand opening on April 15 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Alves expressed support for Rodriguezs latest business venture, saying: Cirilo Rodriguez represents the very best of Danburys entrepreneurial spirit.

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Rodriguezs first restaurant is Torre Fuerte Deli at 53 Locust Ave. which also serves traditional Latin fare along with classic deli items, such as their house Cuban sandwich and favorites, including corned beef and pastrami.

Hes built a business that serves thousands each year and has earned the trust and loyalty of our community, Alves said about Rodriguezs first restaurant.

About opening of the new cafe, Alves said, That kind of growth doesnt happen by chance, its a reflection of hard work, consistency, and a belief in Danbury. Cirilos success story shows that in our city, small businesses can not only thrive, but expand, create opportunity and leave a lasting impact.

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At the new place, Rodriguez serves authentic Columbian dishes such as bandeja paisa, called a feast on a platter, according to internationalcuisine.com, with rice, beans, grilled steak, sausage, fried sweet plantain and avocado.

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The cafe also features ceviche, an Ecuadorian specialty with poached seafood marinated in lime and orange juice with red onions, tomato and cilantro.

The menu will also include Puerto Rican frituras, which are fried snacks such as alcapurrias (starchy fritters) and pastelillos (turnovers).

The new Torre Fuerte Cafe is also a sign of a positive business climate in the city, Alves said.

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Were seeing a city where opportunity isnt just attracting new entrepreneurs, its giving those who have already found success here the confidence to grow, expand, and reinvest, Alves said. Thats the kind of momentum that continues to strengthen our local economy.
Jacqueline Smith Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media File photo of Stars and Stripes military newspaper. Getty Images

The U.S. Department of Defense has relieved the ombudsman of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes of her duties, four months after announcing plans to overhaul the publication and refocus away from woke distractions.

Jacqueline Smith, a Bethel resident, wrote a column Thursday on the Stars and Stripes website that she was informed her last day is April 28. She said she was given no reason for the dismissal.

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I knew there would be perils for speaking out against Pentagon attempts to control the news, but I expected some communication or questions or warning first, Smith wrote.

Smith was hired to a three-year term as the publications independent ombudsman in 2023. The first woman to serve in the role, she was tasked by Congress with monitoring the papers editorial independence.

In an interview on Friday, Smith said she suspects she was dismissed for publicly pushing back against efforts by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to take control of the papers content, including a March directive barring the use of stories, syndicated columns and comic strips from commercial media.

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In her column on Thursday, Smith said the prohibition eroded Stripes editorial independence in unacceptable ways.

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It was becoming more and more public, and papers were republishing my columns, Smith said in the interview. So my instinct tells me that got attention and they didn't like that kind of attention.

Smiths last column noted that the effort to exert greater control over the paper ramped up in January when Sean Parnell, the departments chief spokesperson, posted on social media that the Pentagon would modernize its operations.

A spokesperson for the Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The New York Times reported that the agency confirmed Smith has been relieved of her duties effective immediately.

Smith was formerly an editorial page editor for Hearst Connecticut Media Group at The News-Times and Norwalk Hour from 2014-2020. She was inducted into the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024 after more than four decades in the industry.

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Smith said she knew speaking out against the Pentagon brass would be a risk, but she felt a duty to serve the military community who relies on the paper for their news, especially veterans and troops serving overseas.
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.
Since commencing operations, the China-Laos Railway has become a Road of Friendship between the two nations.

As this year marks the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations, Xinhua reporter Andres and Meilin, an international student from Laos, boarded the cross-border train. Check out their unique way to offer best wishes for the deep-rooted friendship between China and Laos.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service 
New Haven Superior Court in a file photo. Officials said a 35-year-old Hamden man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for a 2017 fatal shooting in New Haven. Meghan Friedmann/Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  A 35-year-old Hamden man convicted of murder in a 2017 shooting that left a 27-year-old dead and another man seriously injured has been ordered to serve 80 years in prison, state prosecutors said.

Treyvon Battle was sentenced Wednesday during a hearing in Superior Court in New Haven, according to a news release shared Friday by New Haven Judicial District States Attorney John P. Doyle Jr.

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The decision was handed down about three months after Battle, who officials previously said lived in New Haven, was found guilty of murder, first-degree assault, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit.

Doyle said evidence presented during the trial showed that Battle was responsible for shooting two men on Dickerman Street in New Haven on May 12, 2017.

Officials said Norman Boone, 27, was fatally wounded in the shooting while a 26-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to their neck but later recovered.

Battle was arrested in connection with the killing in 2022, more than five years after the shooting. He was formally charged while in federal custody following a conviction for illegally possessing a loaded handgun.
The Dominion Energy Offshore Wind Farm staging area is seen at the Portsmouth Marine terminal Monday, April 13, 2026, in Portsmouth, Va. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Former Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., poses for a photo near the Dominion Energy Offshore Wind Farm staging area Monday, April 13, 2026, in Portsmouth, Va. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP FILE - Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., speaks at a House GOP news conference, March 5, 2026, in Washington. Allison Robbert/AP FILE - Two offshore wind turbines are seen off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va., on June 29, 2020. Steve Helber/AP

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP)  When President Donald Trump tried to cancel five massive offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast, it wasn't just environmentalists who cried foul. Nine Republicans in the U.S. House sent a letter to administration officials demanding an explanation.

Americas energy policy should be grounded in facts, fiscal responsibility, and the national interest  not ideology or politics, they wrote.

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One of the lawmakers is Rep. Jen Kiggans, a former Navy helicopter pilot who represents a coastal district in Virginia where an $11.5 billion wind farm is expected to create 1,000 jobs. Her support for an initiative targeted by Trump shows the scrambled politics of clean energy in an election year where Republicans are at risk of losing the House.

Kiggans could be even more at risk after Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a new congressional map that makes her competitive district more Democratic than before.

Trump's broader campaign against clean energy resulted in the cancellation of nearly $35 billion in U.S. projects last year, according to a report by E2, a clean energy business group. Republican-held congressional districts lost nearly twice as much in investments than did Democratic districts, the report said.

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For now, the Virginia project is back on track, along with the other four, because of federal court rulings. But Elaine Luria, a former congresswoman who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District represented by Kiggans, said the incumbent's efforts have been futile in the face of Trumps onslaught.

Her advocacy did nothing," Luria said. Kiggans did not respond to requests for comment.

A president who hates windmills

Trump has treated energy issues as another front in the nation's cultural clashes, referring to Democrats' support for clean energy as the Green New Scam. He frequently talks about his hatred of windmills, which he described as STUPID AND UGLY on social media. He issued an executive order on the first day of his second term blocking wind projects and he has insisted that smart countries do not use wind power.

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Solar farms are not much better in his mind.

You go around and you see all these things that are 3 miles long by 3 miles wide and you say what the hell is that, Trump said at the White House last summer.

The administration even agreed to pay $1 billion to a French company to walk away from two U.S. offshore wind leases and instead invest in oil and natural gas projects.

Kiggans voted in favor of Republican legislation to gut clean energy tax credits as part of Trumps sweeping tax and spending bill even though she has long portrayed herself as a champion of renewable energy. Democrats have turned the issue into campaign advertisements, and Luria said it undermines Kiggans' attempt to sell herself as if she's a moderate.

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Luria said Kiggans voted for a bill to make energy more expensive.

In a Facebook post after the bill was passed in July, Kiggans said her vote wasnt about politics  it was about overall results.

I had ONE vote, and I voted YES on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act not because it was perfect but because it delivers permanent tax relief for families & small businesses, rebuilds our Navy & invests in national defense," she wrote.

Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said front-line Republicans have been put in a difficult position.

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Kiggans is not the only Republican being squeezed" as Trump focuses on his own priorities and the country faces economic headwinds exacerbated by the war with Iran, he said. Although few want to risk upsetting the president, Farnsworth said, in coastal Virginia politics, theres not much upside to opposing wind."

U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., has been caught up in a controversy over the Gateway Tunnel, which will add new rail tracks under the Hudson River to alleviate congestion between his state and New York City. Trump tried to block federal funding, a potential setback for commuters in towns that Kean represents. A judge ordered the administration to restore money for the project after Democratic leaders in New Jersey and New York went to court.

An opportunity to lead on offshore wind

Although Trump has dismissed offshore wind turbines as ugly, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is about 27 miles (43 kilometers) out into the ocean, making it difficult to see from land. On a recent visit to the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, where construction is staged, the turbines were impossible to discern along the horizon.

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Dominion Energy, which operates the wind farm, says it delivered its first power to the grid last month. The project, first announced in 2013, is expected to create 1,000 jobs and generate about $2 billion in economic activity, the company said.

Once finished, the 176-turbine project could deliver 2.6 gigawatts of power to the grid  enough to supply more than 660,000 homes  at a time when Virginia faces growing energy demand from an expanding hub of artificial intelligence data centers.

There's an opportunity here for Hampton Roads to be a national leader in offshore wind,'' said Andrew Nissman, a spokesman for the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, which has trained maritime workers for the project.

Nissman declined to comment on the congressional race, saying, as with any stop-and-start challenge, it's important the project is moving forward.''

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While the wind farm is now partially online, "Kiggans nearly cost her constituents this project by standing with an administration dead set on dismantling the offshore wind industry and voting to repeal critical clean energy tax credits last year,'' said Dan Taylor, Southeast regional field manager for the BlueGreen Alliance, which coordinates labor unions and environmental groups.
A man on his scooter passes next to an Iranian flag placed in front of a destroyed building, following a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. Hussein Malla/AP A taxi driver waits for passengers in front of a billboard that shows a graphic depicting a military personnel's hand holding the Strait of Hormuz in his fist with signs which read in Farsi: "In Iran's hands forever," "Trump couldn't do a damn thing," "The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran's forever," in Vanak Square in northern Tehran, Iran, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP An Israeli soldier works on tanks in northern Israel, on the border with Lebanon following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Friday, April 17, 2026. Ariel Schalit/AP Assem Abdallah reacts as he enters his friend apartment destroyed in a Israeli airstrike in Kfar Roumman, southern Lebanon, Friday, April 17, 2026, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Hassan Ammar/AP Mourners kiss a coffin of a Hezbollah fighter, who was 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

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP)  The post-Oct. 7 order in the Middle East  such as it is  is barely pieced together by conditional ceasefires and mutual threats.

Iran has suffered severe blows, yet not enough to shake its posture at the negotiating table. Its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza are degraded but functioning, with Israel still regularly launching strikes at both. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under mounting pressure to translate military achievements into clear dividends ahead of elections later this year.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, who boasts of his peacemaking abilities, still appears to be seeking a nuclear deal with Iran and wider peace in the Middle East. But talks so far have produced no results and the two countries are locked in an escalating standoff over the Strait of Hormuz.

Major military operations have halted, but the underlying grievances  which long predate Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack  have not been addressed. Millions of people are still displaced, and many fear the fighting could resume at any time.

Ceasefires dont fix anything  they just stop things from getting worse, said Michael Ratney, a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Its part of an answer to an immediate political problem, which is (Trump) needs to get out of war and cant figure out how do that.

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A closed strait and an escalating standoff with Iran

For weeks, Trump has vacillated between threats to unleash major attacks on Iran's infrastructure  at one point threatening to end a whole civilization  and attempts to negotiate an agreement over its nuclear program and other disputes going back decades.

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This week he extended a ceasefire but said he would maintain a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports. On Wednesday, he vowed to attack Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively choked off since the start of the war, sparking a worldwide energy crisis.

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Iran has given no public indication it is willing to make concessions on its nuclear program, ballistic missiles or support for regional proxies. It says the strait will remain closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade and Israel halts attacks on Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah.

Neither side seems to want full-scale war. A new round of ceasefire talks appeared to fall apart Saturday in Pakistan when Iran's foreign minister left Islamabad and Trump said he had told U.S. envoys not to go.

Iran's leaders, based on their statements on social media, seem to have concluded that they can withstand the blockade longer than Trump can bear soaring gas prices and an unpopular war, especially with U.S. midterm elections later this year.

Jon Alterman, chair of Global Security and Geostrategy at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Trump's record shows his instincts lean toward making headlines and announcing quick results.

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The most visible part of the fighting has stopped, but the less visible efforts are roaring ahead, he said. Ceasefires can seem comfortable but lock in unsustainable patterns, with one side feeling it has lost the urgency to resolve the underlying conflict.

A shaky truce in Lebanon

A truce in Lebanon agreed to last week has largely held outside of the border area, where fighting continues. Israel has indicated it plans to occupy a swath of southern Lebanon indefinitely. The Iran-backed Hezbollah, which is not an official party to the truce, is demanding that Israel withdraw.

Trump announced a three-week extension of the truce on Thursday after a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese officials at the White House.

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The U.S. and Israel have demanded that Lebanon's government assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah. Beirut tried to enact part of a plan to do so before the outbreak of the latest fighting. But Lebanese leaders acknowledged their limited capacity, and their efforts yielded little as Hezbollah retained the ability to fire thousands of missiles and drones toward northern Israel over the past two months.

With Beirut unwilling to risk civil war by confronting the militants directly  especially while Israel occupies Lebanese territory  the ceasefire offers some reprieve.

As in Gaza, Israeli forces have drawn a yellow line in southern Lebanon, demolishing homes that Israel claims were used by Hezbollah, preventing people from returning and announcing strikes on people it says are militants attempting to cross it. Many in Lebanon fear a return to Israels 1982-2000 occupation of the south, which ended after years of deadly Hezbollah attacks on Israeli troops.

On Wednesday, a day before the talks in Washington, Israeli strikes killed a well-known Lebanese journalist covering southern Lebanon and wounded another reporter. Health officials said Israeli forces fired on an ambulance crew that was trying to rescue journalist Amal Khalil and forced it to turn back. Israel denied that it targeted journalists or rescue teams.

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Gaza's ceasefire holds, with no end in sight to its suffering

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire reached in October led to the release of the last remaining hostages held by Hamas and has halted major military operations. But Israel still carries out regular strikes against what it says are militant targets. Health officials in Gaza, seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, have reported more than 790 Palestinians killed since last year's ceasefire, including about 225 children. There have also been occasional attacks on Israeli forces.

Israel says its withdrawal from the half of Gaza its forces control, the return of hundreds of thousands who were displaced, the establishment of a new political authority and desperately needed reconstruction all hinge on Hamas disarming  something the militant group has shown no sign of doing.

Hamas says it has offered proposals to give up its weapons while seeking further Israeli concessions and accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire.

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That has left the vast majority of Gaza's more than 2 million people confined to sprawling tent camps or the ruins of their homes, with no end in sight to their suffering.

Israel says it has the right to respond to any ceasefire violations or movement across another yellow line there. Health officials say scores of civilians have been killed in the strikes.

A committee of Palestinian technocrats has been established to govern Gaza temporarily, but Israel has not allowed them to enter from Egypt, and Hamas still rules half of the territory.
In this photo released by the Pakistan Prime Minister Office, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, fifth left, meets with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, center, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Pakistan Prime Minister Office via AP) AP

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The latest ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran appeared to fail Saturday before they began, as Tehran's top diplomat left Pakistan and President Donald Trump soon afterward said he had told envoys not to travel to Islamabad.

The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the U.S., led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the U.S. after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Iran's war grip on the Strait of Hormuz waterway.

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A woman walks past an anti-U.S. graffiti painted on the wall of the Tehran University on Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) street in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, April 25, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP Teenage girls react to the camera on Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) street, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, April 25, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP The wife and children of Fadi Al Zein, who lost both his homes in Israeli strikes in his village of Khiam and in Dahiyeh, sit on the balcony of their heavily damaged apartment building in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, April 25, 2026. Hassan Ammar/AP In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP) AP

If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!! Trump said on social media, adding: Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! The White House on Friday said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to Islamabad.

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

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Shared Irans position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy, Araghchi later said on social media.

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Another ceasefire, between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, was shaken Saturday as each side fired at the other and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon."

Iran had said any talks would be indirect

Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. It has paused most fighting, but the economic fallout is growing two months into the war as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies are disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Both sides have continued to make military threats. Irans joint military command on Saturday warned that if the U.S. continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy it will face a strong response."

Even before Saturdays developments, Irans foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and that Pakistani officials would convey messages. In Pakistan, Araghchi met with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Irans red lines for negotiations.

Araghchi went on to Oman, a mediator in talks before the war and the country on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign minister will visit Pakistan again on Sunday before visiting Russia, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Trump later told journalists that within 10 minutes of him canceling the envoys' trip to Pakistan, Iran sent a much better" proposal, with no details. He stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

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Contentious points in talks include Irans enriched uranium and the standoff on the Strait of Hormuz as well as concerns about Irans missile program and its support for armed proxies in the region.

Tehran has noted that indirect talks with the U.S. last year and early this year over its nuclear program, the issue long at the center of tensions, ended with Iran being attacked by the U.S. and Israel, adding to its wariness.

The standoff around the strait continues

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is nearly 50% higher than when the war began because of Iran's grip on the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

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Iran attacked three ships this week, while the U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines.

Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country was sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the strait once hostilities end.

Also Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehrans international airport for the first time since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. Flights were scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Omans capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina, according to state-run television.

A growing toll even as ceasefires hold

Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,496 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

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Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.

But Israel struck southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing at least six people it aid were Hezbollah militants, and several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region and six members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

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___
A toy firing squad. blackwaterimages/Getty Images

Often, at holiday gatherings, the children will gather around me and say, Grandpa, tell us about firing squads.

And I do.

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Sometimes I tell them about Gary Gilmore who, right before his 1977 execution by firing squad, said, Lets do it, which (this is true) became the inspiration for the Nike ad campaign Just do it.

I tell them about the tradition of having all of the rifles but one fire bullets. That other rifle is loaded with a blank, and the squad is not told who has it. The idea is to let all of the shooters go home thinking  if they need to  that maybe they didnt kill anybody that day.

Gilmores brother claimed there were five bullet holes in Garys clothing and five men in the squad. So maybe the state didnt feel like taking any chances.

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I tell the kiddos about places like Iran, where the regime is quite fond of firing squads and of the additional charming mortification imposed on the families of the slain, who are told the body will not be released to them unless they pay for the bullets used. Again, this is true.

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The children seem to enjoy this and usually repair to the backyard, five of them getting rifle-length sticks and the others putting on makeshift blindfolds. Good clean fun.

Good news, then, that firing squads are coming back. A press release issued by the Department of Justice on Friday announced plans to expand the execution protocol to include additional manners of execution such as the firing squad.

The phrase such as the is doing unspecified work there. What else is in the pipeline? Stoning? Guillotines? Drowning (witches)? Drowning (non-witches)?

The Trump administration is eager to start executing people. Federal capital punishment was effectively paused during the Biden administration, and, even though the murder rate decreased, there was an impalpable sense of something being missing. As George Carlin put it, You have to kill people. How else are they going to learn?

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Why firing squads? Here we run into an exceptionally dire case of unintended consequences.

Capital punishment is not a growth industry. Since World War II, abolition has been the trend. The only European country with a death penalty is Belarus, and even they havent used it since 2022. Russia imposed a moratorium and hasnt executed anybody in 30 years. Theyd have to go hunting around in dusty storage units if they wanted to do somebody now.

Under the circumstances, you dont see a lot of dads telling their sons, Someday, this sodium thiopental factory will be yours.

There is actually a shortage of lethal injection drugs. In keeping with our plucky, can-do American spirit, some states have used expired drugs or ordered pentobarbital from sketchy local compounding pharmacies including one named, ominously, Rite-Away.

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Theres also some exciting innovation in Deep South states where nitrogen hypoxia  a form of suffocation  is being tried despite concerns expressed by radical woke left groups such as the United Nations.

But five states offer  if thats the right word  firing squads. Starting in July, Idaho will use it as the primary means. In South Carolina, you have opt out of it.

One of the hallmarks of the Trump years has been a return to the good ol days, when you could catch measles, drink on the job and block the promotions of Black and female military officers.

And perhaps lost in the shuffle of last weeks news, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy jousted  not literally, but jousting will definitely make a comeback  with senators from both parties over his objections to germ theory.

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Thats right, germ theory. Thought that one was pretty much settled, did you?

A final thought. Most us have never seen a firing squad, and its possible that our primary exposure to the idea, especially for Boomers, comes from cartoons, specially the 1942 Looney Tunes short Fresh Hare, in which Bugs Bunny, facing execution, somehow distracts Elmer Fudd and the firing squad by getting them to sing Dixie along with him in a blackface minstrel show.

In case you were wondering whats coming back next.
State Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden, a member of the General Assembly since 2017, is seeking enough support from delegates to the state's Democratic Convention in mid-May to challenge Gov. Ned Lamont to a primary in August. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

Josh Elliott is running a long-shot campaign against Gov. Ned Lamont, pressing delegates to next months Democratic Convention for support to get the 15% he needs to force an August primary and possibly upset the governors plans for a third four-year term.

Whoever earns the nod of the Democratic Party will face an eventual Republican nominee in November. State Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich, former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, or Betsy McCaughey of Greenwich a former lieutenant governor of New York are in that GOP race.

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Here is a brief rundown on Elliott.

What is Josh Elliotts political experience?

Elliott, 41, is in his fifth two-year term representing his hometown of Hamden. In 2016, he won the 88th House District seat formerly occupied by retired Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey, defeating Republican Marjorie Bonadies in a vote of 6,375 to 3,874.

A lawyer, Elliott is a deputy speaker of the House and co-chair of the 102-member Democratic majority caucus. A progressive, he serves on the caucus screening committee, which reviews legislation in advance of possibly bringing it to the floor of the House for debate and votes. He serves on three legislative panels, including the tax-writing Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, the law-writing Judiciary Committee and the Public Health Committee.

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Elliott started the legislative Tax Equity Caucus in attempt to change the current tax system and require Connecticuts wealthiest residents to pay more. His campaign website touts his record supporting a higher minimum wage and establishing the states paid family and medical leave program.

What do we know about his personal life?

Elliott was home-schooled until the 10th grade. He received a bachelors degree in sociology from Ithaca College and a law degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law. He is co-owner of Thyme and Season, a grocery store in Hamden.

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Why is he in the race for governor?

Its about affordability, fighting back against the federal administration and breaking up monopolies that are crushing Connecticut families, Elliott said recently in the State Capitol. He said he has been discouraged by Lamonts opposition to higher tax rates on the states wealthiest. Last July, when announcing his candidacy, Elliott said, We are not here to demonize the wealthy. But we will talk candidly about a tax code that currently rewards wealth instead of work.

What makes Elliott a strong candidate?

He said he is hoping to attract support from fellow progressive Democrats who believe that Lamont should have done more over the years for the states lowest-income residents. Elliott has been in the forefront of major issues, including adult-use cannabis; the end of the religious exemption for childhood vaccines; and new prison reforms such as the end of high-cost phone calls for people who are incarcerated. He also supported efforts for student athletes to benefit monetarily from their name, image and likeness, known as NIL.

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HARTFORD  Sarah Keitt, a second term member of the General Assembly, isnt happy.

Its 10 p.m. on a spring Thursday. The debate on legislation that would require annual registration of parents who teach their kids at home is only about two-thirds through. Another Republican member of the House of Representatives is offering extended opposition arguments identical to those raised during the previous four hours.

But after the final 96-53 vote is tallied at 11:46 p.m., Keitt, who appreciates the gorgeous Gothic architecture of the 1878 State Capitol building, must confront a series of makeshift wooden ramps, lifts and elevator rides to start her early morning journey back home to Fairfield.

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Keitt, 56, has multiple sclerosis and must plot her arrivals and departures with care to confront as few staircases as possible. The historic building, a monument to the American Civil War, has only three elevators, plus a couple of shorter, mechanical lifts she can use after wheeling around half the circumference of the 151-seat House chamber.

When the General Assembly breaks next month for election season, Keitt said she expects to focus on making the historic site more compliant under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Second-term state Rep. Sarah Keitt, D-Fairfield, in the historic hall of the House of Representatives, in the State Capitol. Keitt, who has multiple sclerosis, says it can be challenging to get around the Capitol. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

Keitt, a Democrat with a masters degree in public health, says she loves the work on her four committees, including Public Health, Human Services, Children, and Commerce, of which she is vice chair. But just getting around makes her public service a little harder.

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In 2022, she ran for the seat representing the Greenfield Hill neighborhood left vacant when Republican Laura Devlin left the legislature to become the lieutenant governor running mate to Bob Stefanowski, who was defeated in the governors for a second time by Ned Lamont.

We couldnt find anybody who was interested in running, so I said why not me? says Keitt, whose surname is pronounced Kit. Her seat is in the top row of the 102 Democratic desks that make up two-thirds of the semicircle of tiers and that is accessible only by steps. The job of state representative is both rewarding and frustrating on its own, without the added logistics, she says.

I love it when I can help constituents, says the mother of a college graduate and undergraduate. I love it when we pass meaningful legislation. I get frustrated with incremental changes when we have some really big problems that need big ideas.

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In the end, she says, Its an amazing opportunity and an honor and I get to give voice to people who dont otherwise have a voice.

MS symptoms begin

Keitt started noticing symptoms of the autoimmune disease in 2000, when she was living in Washington, D.C., and working for a nonprofit health research organization.after earning a masters degree in public health from Georgetown University.

It started insidiously, she says. I used to walk to work, one-and-a-half, two miles a day to and from work every day.

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And I found myself not being able to get home. I had to stop and rest. Normal work days I couldnt make it through without becoming weak and tired and dizzy.

Doctors first said it was in her head and maybe she was depressed, she says. But months went by and she developed numbness in both her legs.

Then I started losing the vision in one of my eyes, she says. Finally, a neurologist nailed the diagnosis, which triggered a series of tests, hospital visits and treatment for multiple sclerosis, which attacks the covering of nerve fibers.

Once I got on the right medications and things settled down, it became manageable and almost unimportant, she recalls. After 26 years, I am just starting to have some accumulation of disability. I dont know if this is a flare-up or its my new normal.

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A few feet behind Keitt, against the back wall, is the four-wheeled walker with the hand brakes and storage area that can double as a wheelchair.

Getting around this building is difficult, but its a lot easier than worrying about tripping and falling, Keitt says. Before she got the walker, she says it had been six months since she went on a neighborhood stroll with her husband.

This building is not very ADA friendly and its something I want to work on, she says as the House debate drones on in the background. We handle disabilities in this country horrifically. For example, my insurance does not cover my mobility device.

She calls MS an invisible disease that has been the subject of much misinformation, forcing some people to hide their diagnosis.

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Its really expensive to have a disease like this, she says. I really want to destigmatize MS for those who are suffering from it and for family members. A diagnosis of MS can be devastating, but it does not mean that your life is over. We just have to incorporate the disease in your life, to make the most of it and not be afraid to say, hey, I need a mobility device. I need accommodations at work. "

Journey through the Capitol

For Keitt to get to the second-floor Democratic caucus room, she takes the walker around the outside of the top tier of seats and into a lift down a few feet and then changes to another lift to get down to the second floor. There are still two steps to get into the caucus room, but she says she can navigate them, for now.

The caucus room is on the east side of the Capitol, but the womens restroom is on the west side, so Keitt has to get in an elevator, take it down to the first floor and walk around the rotunda to the west side.

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Its an historic building and I understand that, she says. We need to make this building accessible for everybody. This is the peoples house  and if people cant get into it, its not the peoples house.

Connecticuts peoples house is not alone in 19th century design that creates barriers.

State capitols across the country, they dont have the best accessibility standards, said Laura Hoch, vice president of state advocacy and policy for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It essentially makes it harder to get older buildings updated. Some people with MS cant access these buildings at all, the public as well.

The possible remedies are legal changes, laws from legislatures or informally persuading building supervisors to cobble accommodations, Hoch said.

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On the Capitols west side on the second floor, in front of an entrance to the House chamber, is an unpainted wooden ramp with two-by-four handrails that can get wheeled devices and wheelchairs up a couple steps. But people are still confronted with granite steps into the historic Hall of the House.

The Connecticut State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark where little can be changed without scrutiny. The State Capitol Preservation and Restoration Commission, an advisory board of 12 appointees, works in cooperation with the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Management in reviewing any planned changes, including a massive upcoming rehabilitation of the exterior that will add a new layer of gold on the 257-foot exterior dome.

Weve done some things, but not enough, said state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, chair of the commission and co-chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. Its not just the Capitol side. We have been looking at the (Legislative Office Building) side, trying to make sure that in particular, people who are in wheelchairs or who use wheeled devices can get into meeting rooms.

Osten noted that some of the bigger meeting rooms in the LOB have recently had rows of seats removed so wheelchairs can better maneuver. In recent years, Osten said she has inserted funding for translators, but the sound system requires more-flexible microphones for people testifying from wheelchairs.

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Osten said the work will continue after the legislative session, and she looks forward to collaborating with Keitt.

Shes right. Its very hard to get around, Osten said. People in wheelchairs who travel between the Capitol and the LOB often take an elevator to the basement, where historic brick floors can make wheeled equipment wobble.

If you have thin tires you can get stuck in the bricks, Osten said, adding that the historic status of the Capitol prohibits major changes. Can you poly over the bricks, keeping the bricks, as a workaround? We want to make sure we are doing what we can to make a better experience for people to come to our meetings.

Back in the House chamber, Keitt says shes optimistic and is running for a third term this fall.

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We need to do a lot more in this state and in this country to help people with disabilities stay vibrant, productive members of communities, she says. I would like to do a lot more about allowing people to have higher incomes while theyre on disability, but still receive benefits.
If youve spent any time in New England, youve probably heard the saying often (erroneously) attributed to Mark Twain: If you dont like the weather, just wait five minutes.

While that can certainly feel true here in Connecticut, the reality is there are places across the country that make our weather look remarkably consistent by comparison.

Back in late March, the temperature dropped by nearly 60 degrees over a 24-hour period across the Plains of the Central U.S. WeatherBELL

Take Oklahoma City, for example. Sitting right in the heart of Tornado Alley, its exposed to a constant tug-of-war between warm, humid air from the Gulf and colder, drier air from the north. That setup can lead to dramatic swings in temperature, wind and storm activity, sometimes all within the same day.

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Oklahoma averages roughly the same number of days with a high temperature over 90 degrees as days with low temperatures under 32 degrees, demonstrating the volatility of their seasonal shifts. Oklahoma State Mesonet

OKC's sharpest temperature change in a single calendar day happened on January 24, 1943, when the temperature plummeted from a balmy high of 76 degrees to a bitter low of 15 degrees in several hours. That marks a 61 degree difference in the matter of a few hours.

Oklahoma City has a history of intense changes in temperature over a short time. Iowa Environmental Mesonet of Iowa State University

In fact, the ten largest calendar day temperature differences at Oklahoma City are all larger than Bridgeport's sharpest change of 48 degrees, which happened on December 23, 2022. That day, the temperature plummeted from 57 to 9 degrees as an Arctic air mass arrived.

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It's not just Oklahoma experiencing wacky changes in the weather. Out west, Denver is famous for its weather whiplash, often thanks to downslope winds off the Rockies that can rapidly spike temperatures from sub-freezing to summer-like. Its not unusual to go from snow on the ground to pleasant warmth in less than 24 hours.

Then theres Chicago, where the influence of Lake Michigan adds another layer of complexity. Wind shifts off the lake can quickly change temperatures and even flip precipitation types from rain to snow.

So where does that leave Connecticut?

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Our weather can absolutely change quickly, especially in the spring and fall. But the nearby Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound act like a buffer, helping to moderate those extremes. That means fewer dramatic temperature swings and generally slower transitions compared to the middle of the country.

While Connecticut's weather may not bring the extremes that other parts of the country experience, conditions can still rapidly change around here. Iowa Environmental Mesonet of Iowa State University

That said, the day-to-day or week-to-week fluctuations are still impressive around here. The same variety of weather that makes it a great place to live can also give us a taste of everything, like a sample platter of weather phenomena. Just in the last ten years, Connecticut has seen blizzards, tropical storms, tornadoes, heat waves, flash flood emergencies, and even wildfires.

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CAIRO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday reiterated the unequivocal rejection of any attempt to displace the Palestinians under any circumstances, stressing the full implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, read a presidency statement.

Addressing the nation in a televised speech to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the liberation of the Sinai Peninsula, Sisi further asserted the necessity of halting the repeated attacks against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, to protect their rights, preserve their dignity, and uphold the values of justice and humanity.

Furthermore, Sisi stressed the importance of the full implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid and the immediate commencement of reconstruction.

"The Middle East is navigating a critical and decisive juncture, witnessing deliberate endeavors to redraw its map under extremist ideological pretexts," he noted.

He stressed that "political solutions and negotiations remain the most effective means to spare the region further bloodshed, destruction, and humanitarian crises."

"Egypt underscores the necessity of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and stopping attempts to divide and dismantle countries of the region, seize their peoples' resources, and fuel internal strife, and civil and international wars," he said.

The speech marked Sinai Liberation Day, commemorating the withdrawal of Israeli forces in 1982 following the Camp David Accords peace treaty signed with Israel in 1978. 
SHANGHAI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Society of International Law on Saturday issued a statement on upholding international law and opposing the illegal use of force. 
MOSCOW, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran plans to hold the 7th Caspian Summit despite the ongoing war, Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali told RIA Novosti on Friday.

"At the moment, we are planning to hold the conference," and the event will definitely take place if conditions permit, the ambassador said.

The Iranian government plans to hold the Caspian Summit on Aug. 12 this year, which could be the first potential opportunity for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

The Caspian Summit is a high-level negotiation platform involving the leaders of the five littoral states, including Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, known as "the Caspian Five". 
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NICOSIA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) leaders wrapped up a two-day informal summit in Cyprus on Friday in a relatively relaxed atmosphere. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was recently ousted after 16 years in power and long seen as a frequent source of friction within the bloc, did not attend the meeting.

Yet despite approving a 90-billion-euro (105 billion U.S. dollars) loan for Ukraine and adopting a new sanctions package against Russia, leaders remained divided on key issues including energy, defense and the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), suggesting that the bloc's differences run deeper than any single political figure.

OVERDUE ENERGY MEASURES DELAYED, AGAIN

Energy prices were among the most urgent issues facing leaders in Cyprus, as the conflict in the Middle East has driven up energy costs and renewed concerns over Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU's bill for imported fossil fuels had increased by more than 25 billion euros (29.3 billion dollars) since the beginning of the conflict, without bringing in additional energy supplies.

The Commission came to Cyprus with proposals aimed at softening the impact of higher energy prices. But several leaders said the measures did not go far enough.

"Europe must have a lot more courage," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday. While she welcomed the proposals, which include cutting energy taxes and optimizing jet fuel distribution, she said it was "not enough of a step forward."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain had asked the European Commission to show more ambition in shaping a joint EU response. He also called for a tax on large energy companies, looser fiscal rules to allow investment in the green transition, and a one-year extension of the recovery fund.

Nearly two months into the Middle East conflict, the EU still has no concrete energy package. Officials repeatedly say supplies remain secure, but analysts have warned that Europe could be only weeks away from aviation fuel shortages.

Discussion on the issue was again postponed. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said leaders agreed to ask finance ministers to continue the discussion at two meetings in May, adding that he hoped a general approach could be reached by June.

MUTUAL DEFENSE MEETS RESISTANCE

The summit also put the EU's mutual defense clause, Article 42.7 of the EU treaty, firmly on the leaders' agenda.

The clause obliges member states to provide aid and assistance to any fellow EU country subjected to armed aggression. But its practical meaning remains unclear, especially in a bloc where 23 of 27 member states are also North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.

"The treaty is very clear about the 'what,'" von der Leyen said, referring to the obligation for member countries to come to each other's aid. "The treaty is not clear about the 'how.'"

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for a substantive upgrade and activation of Article 42.7. He said it was important that the issue be on the European Council's agenda, adding that Greece would use its EU presidency in the second half of 2027 to further elevate the discussion.

But the debate remains sensitive. Many EU members are cautious about any move that could be seen as turning away from NATO and its Article 5 mutual defense pact or encouraging the United States to withdraw from the alliance.

"NATO is our most important alliance if it comes to security," Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said.

"For me, it is an absolutely crucial thing that Article 5 is the key of our collective defense and collective security, and it will remain so," Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said Thursday.

BUDGET FIGHT EXPOSES EU AT ODDS

Another contentious issue was the EU's next MFF, the bloc's seven-year budget covering 2028 to 2034. Meloni told reporters the budget is an "extremely difficult negotiation."

The Commission has argued that the EU needs a larger and more flexible budget to meet growing demands, including support for Ukraine, defense, competitiveness and repayments of debt raised under NextGenerationEU, the bloc's post-pandemic recovery instrument.

But some countries pushed back. Jetten told reporters on Friday that the long-term budget needed "modernization" and that its size should "substantially go down," a position at odds with the Commission's call for more funding.

Italian news outlet Eunews reported that Jetten said the Netherlands was not alone in calling for a leaner EU budget, warning that a "broad front" was emerging against the Commission's nearly 2-trillion-euro (2.34 trillion dollars) budget proposal, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Ireland, while Austria and Germany also view the proposal as too high.

The Cyprus meeting showed that Orban's absence could ease the mood, but not settle the bloc's deeper disputes on a variety of issues. As Politico Europe put it, "Europe's heads of state and government finally had to be honest with themselves: Their problems -- and their differences of opinion -- are a lot bigger than one man." 
Louisiana Governor, Jeff Landry, addresses joint members of the legislature on the opening day of the 2026 regular legislative session at the Louisiana State Capitol Monday March 9th 2026 in Baton Rouge, La. John Ballance pool photo.
NEW YORK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of New York on Friday sued the Trump administration for withholding more than 73.5 million U.S. dollars in highway funding after the state refused to revoke some commercial driver's licenses.

The U.S. Transportation Department said in December that the state had been issuing commercial driver's licenses to foreign drivers illegally, and threatened to withhold an additional 147 million dollars annually in future years.

Federal officials said they found significant flaws in the audit, such as licenses remaining valid long after an immigrant was authorized to be in the country.

New York officials said the state believes it properly followed all the federal regulations, so it doesn't plan to revoke the licenses. They also accused the federal government of political motivations.

It's unfair for the federal government to withhold money the state relies on to help provide safe roads and bridges, said New York Attorney General Letitia James.

"Once again, New York is facing devastating federal cuts for nothing more than political payback," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "Ripping away money that goes to critical safety upgrades on our roads is reckless, and it is illegal."

New York, California and other states have repeatedly filed lawsuits to challenge the Trump administration over canceling transportation funds and have accused it of political motivations. 
Devon and Cornwall Police and partner organisations have been working together in Plymouth to raise awareness of wildlife disturbance along the coast as part of the national Operation Seabird campaign.

The initiative took place earlier this month at the citys quayside and aimed to educate the public about how recreational activities can impact marine life, and how small changes in behaviour can help protect it.

READ NEXT: Plymouth pet shop chain closes after 30 years, leaving customers shocked

Members of the Plymouth City Centre and Waterfront Neighbourhood Policing Team led the event.

Operation Seabird was supported by Cattewater Harbour Commissioners and environmental groups including the National Marine Aquarium, Devon Wildlife Trust, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and the Sharks Trust.

The Ministry of Defence also attended the event, arriving by vessel.

Operation Seabird is a nationwide campaign focused on reducing wildlife disturbance along the coastline and encouraging people to be more mindful when using the sea and surrounding areas.

ABOVE: Plymouth Operation Seabird event highlights hidden wildlife disturbance (Image: D&CP)

Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Jessie Rapson-Blackler said:

We are all working together to raise awareness of our wonderful marine wildlife and how to share our home with them to minimise disruption and harm to them.

She added that officers spoke to visitors about the role of a Wildlife Crime Officer and offences that can occur, sometimes without people realising.

The event was well attended and received positive feedback from partner agencies, with plans to host another Operation Seabird event in Plymouth during the summer with additional exhibitors.

Devon and Cornwalls coastline is home to a wide range of wildlife, and targeted days of action are held throughout the year to address specific concerns.

The campaign is supported by police forces across the UK, working alongside the Marine Management Organisation, the RSPCA and local conservation groups.

Residents can sign up to Devon and Cornwall Community Messaging for updates on wildlife crime initiatives in their area.
A small Devon primary school is celebrating after inspectors praised its strongly inclusive culture and ambitious curriculum following its latest Ofsted inspection.

Witheridge Church of England Primary Academy, part of TEAM Multi Academy Trust, was inspected on 13 January 2026 under Ofsted's new 2026 Report Card framework.

The school achieved Strong Standards, the highest available rating, in two core areas: Inclusion, and Personal Development and Wellbeing.

Inspectors confirmed the school continues to meet the Expected Standard across Achievement, Curriculum and Teaching, Early Years, and Leadership, with Safeguarding Standards fully met.

Inspectors were particularly impressed by the school's inclusive ethos, noting that staff hold high expectations for all pupils regardless of their background.

The report highlighted the school's community outreach work, including coffee mornings and baby sessions, as key to building relationships that help identify and remove barriers to learning early.

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were singled out for praise, with inspectors finding they receive precisely targeted support that allows them to access the full curriculum alongside their peers.

The school, which has 127 pupils, well below the national average of 272, punches well above its weight academically, with Year 6 outcomes and Year 4 multiplication checks tracking above national averages.

The school's personal development offer was described as ambitious and rooted in its rural Devon identity, with opportunities including surfing, moorland navigation, and a partnership with a school in Mumbai.

Inspectors noted a calm, purposeful atmosphere throughout the school, with pupils described as kind and respectful towards one another.

Head of School Lucy Ratcliffe said: We are incredibly proud of this report. It captures the heart of Witheridge, a school where every child is known, kept safe, and encouraged to build each other up. To see our work in Inclusion and Personal Development recognised as a Strong Standard is a testament to our dedicated staff and the wonderful community we serve.

Sue Wells, Chair of Trustees, added that the result reflects the power of collaboration, saying the school has developed a broad, ambitious curriculum that celebrates its Devon roots while preparing children for a global future.
LIBREVILLE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Gabon donated a batch of climate aid to Gabon's Ministry of Water and Forests, Environment, Climate, in charge of Human-Wildlife Conflict, on Friday.

Developing clean energy is an important component of Gabon's national strategy, and China's aid fully reflects the two countries' shared vision for promoting sustainable development, said Maurice Ntossui Allogo, head of the ministry, at a handover ceremony in Libreville, capital of Gabon.

Thanking China for the donation, the minister said the aid will help Gabon reduce dependence on fossil fuels and enhance its capacity to address climate change.

Chinese Ambassador to Gabon Zhou Ping said the donation, mainly solar power generation equipment, aims to alleviate electricity shortages in Gabon's remote areas and contribute to local economic development and people's well-being.

China is ready to continue strengthening cooperation with Gabon in clean energy to enhance the country's green and low-carbon transition and sustainable development, Zhou said.

In April 2023, China and Gabon signed a joint statement establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, under which China pledged to provide Gabon with climate change assistance within the framework of South-South cooperation. 
Ethan Bauley

FGS Global has named Weber Shandwick veteran Ethan Bauley head of its AI advisory. He will counsel clients about how AI is reshaping media, workflows and reputation and what to do about it.

Bauley will also lead integrated teams of the firms data scientists, engineers and subject matter experts to help clients navigate their AI usage, and understand how their models represent their brands.

At Weber Shandwick, Bauley most recently worked at the agencys Weber I/O global data and AI unit. He counseled clients through a variety of special situations and helped architect the firms data and AI roadmap, including multi-year strategic partnerships with leading technology companies and academic researchers.

Prior to the now-Omnicom operation, Bauley spent three years in global corporate communications at HP, where he was digital editor-in-chief and led media for HP Labs analytics and AI researchers.
The scourge of drug addiction is sweeping through Offaly's farming community, a Councillor told the April monthly meeting of Offaly County Council.

Cllr Hughie Egan pointed out during the meeting that he wanted to highlight this serious issue because in rural Ireland it is a much bigger problem than many realise. Over the last six months or so some of the stuff which has come to my attention has really shocked me. It has opened my eyes to what is going on out there at the moment among young farmers.

The Councillor said some farmers get deep into debt because of their drug addiction and as a result they have to sell their assets such as machinery and livestock. He said he is keenly aware of the adverse consequences which this scourge is having on the families of those suffering from drug addiction. He pointed out that it is very important that this serious subject is highlighted and focussed on in our society and in our media.

Drug addiction is no longer just an urban thing, he pointed out. It is everywhere. It is not just young farmers suffering from this. I know of people in their 40s and 50s who are suffering from drug addiction."

The Councillor called on the Offaly Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) to highlight the issue during its meetings. LCSPs replaced the former Joint Policing Committees which ran for many years. LCSPs bring together residents, community groups, An Garda Siochana, and statutory agencies to improve safety in their respective counties.

Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy agreed with Cllr Egan. She said she is on the LCSP and they recently listened to a presentation about the scourge of drug addiction in Offaly. It was jaw dropping, she commented. It is very worrying. She said the HSE should arrange training sessions for Councillors so they can learn the best ways to approach this problem when they come across it in their communities. It is coming more and more to our attention and some training could be very useful. She pointed out that alcohol addiction also remains, of course, profoundly damaging to society.

Cllr Aoife Masterson pointed out that Class A drugs are getting more popular in both urban and rural Ireland. She said she knew someone in Westmeath who overdosed on cocaine mixed with fentanyl and died. Some of his friends were actually using drugs during his funeral. Cllr Masterson commented that the drug problem is not a class issue nor mainly an urban issue. This problem is impacting absolutely everybody.

We have all stood in queues going into young people's houses, remarked Cllr Egan. I had to take a young fellow down from a tree one time. It is devastating.

Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach, said there has been a huge shift in society's culture over the years which has led to this problem. I too am coming across incidents where farmers are having to sell their assets to pay their drug debts. I have heard of some people being targeted by drug dealers and being beaten severely. There is a lot of fear out there in society.

READ NEXT: Massive suspected drugs seizure by gardai during Offaly search
Editor's note: Fostering new quality productive forces is one of China's top priorities in the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Statistics showed that new progress was made in this endeavor in the first quarter of this year. Xinhua hereby presents a series of four stories that examine how China's provincial economic powerhouses are taking the lead in developing new quality productive forces. The following is the fourth and final piece, looking at how Fujian Province is turning to deep-sea aquaculture using intelligent offshore platforms to boost fish quality and coastal incomes, and building a modern "blue granary."

FUZHOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At daybreak on China's southeastern coast, fish farmer Lu Tongfeng is already busy on his offshore platform, scooping a plump yellow croaker from a deep-sea net. The fish glimmers golden in the morning light and comes with a price to match.

"This size sells for about 200 yuan (about 29 U.S. dollars) per kilogram at the dock," Lu said. That is three to five times the price of similarly sized croaker raised in traditional inshore cages.

The secret lies in the "steel castle" beneath his feet.

Lu's platform, named Dinghaiwan No. 2, sits two to three kilometers off the coast of Lianjiang County in Fujian Province. Measuring 60 meters long and 32 meters wide, its submerged rearing area reaches 17 meters deep and holds over 15,000 cubic meters of seawater, which is enough for 200,000 fish to swim relatively freely.

"Unlike cramped inshore cages, this is like a ranch. The fish have room to move, the currents are stronger, and there are more algae and plankton," Lu said. "So that the fish meat is firmer, and the taste is close to wild croaker."

During the spring harvest, Lu said he sells more than 10 tonnes of fish a day -- often working until 2 or 3 a.m.

The shift from traditional to offshore farming has brought other advantages.

Conventional nets, long submerged in inshore waters, tend to accumulate barnacles and algae, causing damage. On Lu's platform, a single button rotates the giant net out of the water, where sunlight naturally removes the buildup. Labor costs, he said, have been cut by more than half.

"The new method also withstands typhoons and red tides better," Lu added. "Survival rates for young fish have risen to over 90 percent."

Gao Shuangcheng, Party secretary of Lianjiang County, compared the change to poultry farming. "Keeping chickens in cages doesn't produce the best results," he said. "Offshore aquaculture is closer to free range, and the results speak for themselves."

Lianjiang, with a sea area 2.7 times its land area, has ranked first nationwide in fishery output value at the county level for three consecutive years. The county has deployed 11 modern offshore platforms, such as Dinghaiwan No. 2, producing nearly 2,000 tonnes of high-quality fish annually and generating an output value of 400 million yuan.

The impact extends beyond higher fish prices. In Xiaocheng Township, over 80 percent of the 27,000 residents work in fishing or related sectors such as processing, logistics and sales.

Lianjiang's transformation reflects a broader national push. China's latest five-year plan, covering 2026 to 2030, calls for strengthening marine industries and developing deep-sea aquaculture and modern distant-water fisheries. Official data shows that by 2024, China's deep-sea aquaculture volume had reached 65.2 million cubic meters, yielding 500,000 tonnes of aquatic products.

Coastal provinces, including Fujian, Guangdong and Shandong, have all deployed similar offshore farming platforms.

"We are increasing investment in technology and upgrading our platforms with smarter systems," said Gao. "We are also expanding high-value-added products like seaweed, kelp and abalone to enrich our 'blue granary.'"

Lu is already looking ahead. "I'm considering working with universities and research institutes to bring robotics onto the platform," he said. 
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall has been the center of a vast, decentralized conversation for years, letting us hear in interviewees' own words the power of connection in every realm. His new book brings it all together, showing us that the old order is broken and fast being replaced from the bottom up. The old power elite may not know it yet, but millions of us -- organizers, artists, thinkers and doers -- have gotten the message. So should you, by reading Bottom-Up."



Arlene Goldbard, author of The Culture of Possibility: Art, Artists & The Future
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Taxes, for instance, have been changing and staying the same ever since Ronald Reagan and the 1980s: They've been heaven for corporations and the rich, purgatory or worse for everybody else.

Now comes a groundbreaking book that looks back not just decades but centuries. It's Vanessa A. Williamson's The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History. The surprises never stop coming.

Surprise No. 1, the Boston Tea Party. We've been brainwashed into believing that taxes were the cause. Not so; the Sons of Liberty were actually opposing the bailout of the "too big to fail" East India Company. As Samuel Adams warned, the bailout was "introductive to Monopolies."

Williamson says the colonists never objected to paying taxes. "To the extent the American Revolution was about taxation," she writes, "it was about the desire of Americans to tax themselves"--

Come 1787, the new America had to decide what its own tax policies would be. Next surprise, the framers of the Constitution agreed that the wealthy few had to be protected from the masses. Listen to this from Alexander Hamilton:

"All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well-born, the other the mass of the people." As Hamilton saw it, the people "seldom judge or determine right."

Thomas Paine saw things the other way around.

Everybody knows that Paine helped ignite the American Revolution. Not many know that he wanted a tax revolution as well. Paine worried about the "overgrown influence" of wealth, calling it "one of the principal sources of corruption at elections." He wanted marginal income tax rates, topping out at 100%. Echoing Paine, an early New York newspaper proposed that "men should by every fair means be legally prevented from becoming exorbitantly rich".

In 1857, the South was angered by a tax surprise of its own making: A little-known Southern writer, Hinton Helper, called for taxing slavery out of existence. His book, The Impending Crisis of the South, presented reams of statistics comparing the region unfavorably to the North. Taxes on slaves, he wrote, should be raised until they delivered "an infallible deathblow" to the practice.

Ironically, Helper was a racist. He wanted slavery abolished only because it was economically crippling the Southern states. In 1988, the late historian George M. Frederickson called Helper's treatise "the most important single book, in terms of its political impact," ever published in the United States.

Decades later, an amendment to the Constitution amended the history of taxation in America.

In 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment gave Congress the power to "lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived"-- Finally, despite the constant opposition of the few, the many could now leverage their numbers in shaping the nation's tax policies.

They used that leverage to help create both Social Security and Medicare, the two most egalitarian social welfare programs in America. The votes in the House of Representatives (often called the People's House) were 372-33 for Social Security and 313-115 for Medicare.

Over the years the programs have become prime examples of how most Americans really feel about taxes: They're happy to pay them when the money goes toward a common goal.

They're unhappy, though, with the most expensive welfare state ever created. It's not for people who need anything, it's for people who already have everything. It's evolved over decades, paid for with zillions of tax-break dollars and other giveaways, all redistributed to the few.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
BAGHDAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region was hit by 809 drone and missile attacks between Feb. 28 and April 20, leaving 20 civilians dead and 123 others wounded, local authorities said Saturday.

In a statement, the media and information department of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said most of the attacks targeted civilian areas despite the region's declared neutrality in ongoing regional conflicts.

It said civilians and the private sector suffered the heaviest human and material losses.

Erbil province recorded the highest number of incidents, with 477 attacks, including 419 drone strikes and 58 missile strikes, according to the statement. The attacks killed 10 civilians and wounded 83 others.

The KRG said the attacks were carried out against civilian areas under various "unfounded pretexts."

The attacks came amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran beginning Feb. 28. Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks targeting Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. 
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, reaffirming Pakistan's firm commitment to regional peace and security, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged detailed views on the current regional situation and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability, the statement added.

Sharif said that Pakistan would continue its efforts to promote regional peace and security, according to the statement.

The prime minister appreciated the participation of a high-level Iranian delegation in talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, and welcomed Iran's decision to send another delegation led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, which held important meetings in the Pakistani capital earlier in the day.

He also shared an overview of his recent diplomatic outreach to several world leaders, noting that these engagements had helped build a broader consensus in support of sustained dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving lasting peace in the conflict-affected region.

For his part, Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for Pakistan's contributions to ongoing peace efforts, the statement added. 
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Overcast with rain showers at times. High near 75F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Mostly cloudy. High 76F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter and personal finance columnist. Over more than three decades he's worked for multiple newspapers and magazines, and his reporting has been honored with more than 50 state, regional and national journalism awards. David reports on the impacts of South Carolina's rapid population growth and development. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com
TEHRAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Muscat on Saturday for talks with senior Omani officials on bilateral relations and regional developments, Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

The visit is the second stop on a regional tour that began Friday in Islamabad and will end in Russia. Araghchi is leading a diplomatic delegation.

In Islamabad, Araghchi met with Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. He discussed Iran's position on ending the war involving the United States and Israel, as well as bilateral ties and broader regional developments.

In a post on X, Araghchi described his visit to Pakistan as "very fruitful" and said Iran appreciated Pakistan's "good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region."

He said he had shared Iran's position on a framework for permanently ending the war, adding: "Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy."

After Araghchi left Pakistan, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had canceled a planned visit to Pakistan by special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East.

A ceasefire was reached on April 8. Follow-up talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 failed to produce an agreement.

Iran and the United States had been expected to hold another round of talks in Pakistan this week, but Tehran declined to attend, citing the continued U.S. naval blockade and what it called "excessive" U.S. demands. 
PR-Inside.com: 2026-04-25 04:06:13

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 24, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) between July 23, 2025 and February 3, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important May 4, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Boston Scientific common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Boston Scientific class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55398 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 4, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Boston Scientific's U.S. Electrophysiology segment; notably, that management was aware that the segment's growth rate was unsustainable and that it was approaching an earlier tipping point than the market was anticipating. Due to defendants' statements of confidence and lofty expectations, investors and analysts were left surprised by Boston Scientific's net income miss and underwhelming guidance for the first half of fiscal 2026. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Boston Scientific class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55398 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New data demonstrate that transgenic American chestnuts produce significantly smaller blight cankers than their wild-type counterpartsMCGRAW, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2026 / Today,SilvaBio , in collaboration with academic partners, reports findings from four independent experiments demonstrating that transgenic American chestnut trees consistently tolerate blight, the fungal disease that rendered the species functionally extinct in the early 19th century. This expanding body of evidence-spanning studies conducted by Purdue University, the University of New England (UNE) and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)-provides validation of the single-transgene approach and reinforces its application for restoration of this keystone species across its native range.American chestnut trees (Castanea dentata) carrying the oxalate oxidase (OxO) transgene consistently develop smaller blight cankers than their wild-type counterparts after deliberate exposure to chestnut blight fungus, when measured under comparable conditions at each site. Across six separate comparisons-conducted by multiple research groups using varied experimental designs, inoculation protocols, and pathogen strains-the transgenic trees produced cankers 30% to 81% smaller, providing robust evidence that validates blight tolerance.In addition, at three sites, Chinese chestnuts were tested alongside transgenic American chestnuts under identical inoculation conditions. While Chinese chestnut trees are considered to provide the "gold-standard" comparison for blight tolerance, transgenic trees performed comparably to their Chinese counterparts.Collectively, these results provide the most comprehensive evidence to date that the OxO transgene confers reproducible, meaningfully enhanced blight resistance under controlled conditions.According to Dr. Andrew Newhouse, Ph.D., director of the chestnut research program at ESF, "These results confirm that Darling American chestnuts can tolerate blight infections in multiple outdoor environments. We are proud to work with this team of partners and collaborators, and look forward to continued progress on this critical conservation project." "At the University of New England, we have arrived at a body of evidence indicating that the American chestnuts carrying the OxO gene are better able to tolerate the fungal blight compared to their full sibling counterparts without the gene," said Dr. Thomas Klak, Ph.D., professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs. "We see no negative impacts on maturation from carrying the OxO gene and good field performance by the OxO trees when inoculated with a virulent strain of the blight." "For over a century, the American chestnut has been absent from our forests. These four independent studies offer the strongest evidence to date that we are on the right path to restore it," said Michael Bloom, SilvaBio CEO.John Dougherty, American Chestnut Restoration Vice President for Science, "These studies confirm that the ESF lab and green house screens successfully predicted that Darling has sustainable blight tolerance performance in field trials that is equal to or better than Chinese standard." Results by SiteAcross multiple independent field and experimental trials, transgenic American chestnut trees consistently developed substantially smaller blight cankers than non-transgenic controls.University of New England (UNE): Transgenic trees showed ~30-36% reductions in canker length across two years of trials.Purdue University: Across large, multi-year field trials, transgenic trees exhibited ~46-50% reductions in canker area.SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF):In young seedlings, transgenic trees had up to 81% smaller cankers than wild-type trees.In older field-grown trees, reductions remained substantial at ~62%.BackgroundOnce a cornerstone of eastern forests, the American chestnut made up as much as a quarter of the canopy across its 25-state native range. In the early 1900s, a fungal blight killed an estimated 4 billion trees, rendering the species functionally extinct within decades and leaving a lasting ecological and economic void. After years of research, scientists at SUNY ESF developed the first blight-tolerant, fully American chestnut, known as "Darling 54," marking a major breakthrough built on ongoing collaboration among American Chestnut Restoration Inc., SilvaBio, and other partners.Building on this work, SilvaBio is advancing restoration by moving the Darling line from the lab to scalable, real-world deployment. Using genomic prediction, accelerated breeding, and advanced micropropagation, the company is developing and producing a robust, genetically-diverse range of resilient seedlings for forest-scale reintroduction. These capabilities enable earlier selection of disease-tolerant trees, compress breeding timelines, and support large-scale production needed for meaningful restoration, pending deregulation.Together, these findings support the effectiveness of the OxO-based transgenic approach as a viable path to restoring the American chestnut and provide the scientific foundation for extending this platform to other at-risk species, including ash, oak, and elm.To learn more about the Darling 54 American chestnut restoration project, please visit https://www.restorechestnut.org/ To learn more about SilvaBio, please visit https://www.silvabio.com/ ###About SilvaBioSilvaBio is a biotechnology company addressing hardwood tree disease, beginning with the restoration of the American chestnut and expanding to other threatened species such as ash and elm. U.S. forests contribute over $350 billion annually and absorb nearly 15% of national carbon emissions, yet invasive diseases are outpacing traditional restoration. SilvaBio combines advanced genomics, accelerated breeding ("Lightspeed"), and proprietary micropropagation to develop resilient, regionally adapted trees and scale their deployment-enabling restoration at the scale our forests require. To learn more, please visit https://www.silvabio.com/ About SUNY College of Environmental Science & ForestryThe SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the mo world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate o
BRAZZAVILLE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The presidency of the Republic of the Congo on Friday evening released a statement on national television announcing the lineup of the country's new government.

According to the statement, in addition to Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, who was reappointed earlier by President Denis Sassou Nguesso, the new government comprises one deputy prime minister, three ministers of state and 37 ministers.

Among them, Jean-Jacques Bouya, former minister of state for territorial planning and major works, was appointed deputy prime minister in charge of infrastructure development and territorial planning.

Pierre Oba, former minister of state for mines and geology, was appointed minister of state at the presidency in charge of political affairs. Former Minister of State for Trade, Supply and Consumption Claude Alphonse Nsilou was appointed minister of state for construction, urban planning and housing, while former Minister of State for Land Affairs and State Property Management Pierre Mabiala was appointed minister of state for civil service, labor and social dialogue.

In the presidential election held on March 15, Sassou Nguesso won re-election with 94.9 percent of the vote. According to the Constitution, the president is required to appoint a new prime minister to form a government.

Former Prime Minister Makosso and his government submitted their resignation on April 17, which was accepted by the president. On April 23, the presidency announced Makosso's reappointment as prime minister, tasking him with forming a new government. 
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KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / April 24, 2026 / Inspace Creation Berhad("Inspace Creation" or the "Company"), an established provider of comprehensive interior fitting-out services, is pleased to announce that the Malaysian public portion of its initial public offering ("IPO") has been oversubscribed by 70.30 times. This overwhelming response ahead of its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities") reflects significant investor confidence in the Group's operational track record, expertise in commercial office environments, and future expansion plans.In summary, Inspace Creation's IPO comprises 97.80 million ordinary shares, consisting of a public issue of 68.50 million new shares ("Public Issue Shares") and an offer for sale of 29.30 million existing shares ("Offer Shares"). The offering is structured as follows:Public issueMalaysian public:18.47 million Public Issue Shares or 5.00% of the enlarged issued share capital for application by the Malaysian public.Eligible persons:8.50 million Public Issue Shares or 2.30% of the enlarged issued share capital, for application by the eligible directors, employees, and other persons who have contributed to the success of the Group.Private placement to selected investors:41.53 million Public Issue Shares or 11.25% of the enlarged issued share capital for application by way of private placement to selected investors.Offer for saleOffer for sale of 29.30 million Offer Shares or 7.93% of the enlarged issued share capital for application by way of private placement to selected investors.A total of 10,411 applications for 1.32 billion Public Issue Shares were received from the Malaysian public, resulting in an overall oversubscription rate of 70.30 times. Specifically, a total of 6,189 applications for 633.07 million Public Issue Shares were received for the Bumiputera portion, representing an oversubscription rate of 67.57 times. Meanwhile, a total of 4,222 applications for 683.59 million Public Issue Shares were received for the other Malaysian public portion, representing an oversubscription rate of 73.04 times.Commenting on the robust demand, Mr. Wong Chong Siong, Executive Director of Inspace Creation Berhad, said, "We are deeply encouraged by the strong investor interest, which underscores the market's belief in our capabilities and our ability to deliver high-quality, end-to-end interior solutions for a diverse corporate clientele. This successful balloting process provides a solid foundation for our next chapter as a public-listed entity, where we will focus on enhancing our operational efficiency through setting up a storage and mock-up space and expanding our geographical footprint beyond the Klang Valley as well as other commercial segments." Mr. Ku Mun Fong, Head of Corporate Finance of TA Securities Holdings Berhad, added, "The oversubscription rate reflects the investing public's interest in Inspace Creation's business and its future plans and its prospects. This demand underscores the Group's strategic positioning within the commercial interior fitting-out sector." Boasting an operational track record of approximately eight years in the interior fitting-out industry, Inspace Creation has established itself as a specialist for commercial office properties. The Group's comprehensive service suite covers the complete project lifecycle, from initial planning and design to execution and post-completion maintenance. Through its subsidiary IDPM Sdn. Bhd., the Group holds a Grade 7 CIDB registration, allowing it to undertake projects of unlimited contract value throughout Malaysia.Inspace Creation is scheduled to be listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities on 8 May 2026.TA Securities Holdings Berhadis the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Placement Agent and Sole Underwriter for the IPO.###ABOUT INSPACE CREATION BERHADInspace Creation Berhad ("Inspace Creation" or the "Company") is an established provider in the interior fitting-out industry, offering end-to-end solutions for commercial properties. The Company and its subsidiaries ("Inspace Creation Group" or the "Group") offer a comprehensive range of interior fitting-out services from project planning and management, design conceptualisation and build as well as servicing and maintenance services. With a Grade 7 CIDB qualification and ISO 9001:2015 certification, the Group is recognised for its ability to deliver quality services for interior transformations. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Inspace Creation continues to serve a diverse corporate clientele, supported by a proven track record of excellence in the Malaysian workspace market.Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Inspace Creation BerhadFor more information, please contact:Jazzmin WanEmail: j.wan@ swanconsultancy.biz Qian Yu ChowEmail: s.chow@ swanconsultancy.biz Chris SerEmail: c.ser@ swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: Inspace Creation Berhad
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Coty Inc. ("Coty" or the "Company") (NYSE:COTY). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Coty and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until May 22, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Coty securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On February 4 and 5, 2026, Coty announced its financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2026, which included disappointing results with worsening performance in the Consumer Beauty segment. The Company also noted the recent transition of its Chief Executive Officer in conjunction with the below-expectation results. Coty further withdrew its fiscal year 2026 guidance for EBITDA and revised the Company's near-term outlook downward. Coty attributed its results and lowered guidance to a combination of macroeconomic factors including rising costs and uncertain consumer demand and lack of "operational discipline" in both Prestige and Consumer Beauty segments.On this news, Coty's stock price fell $0.77 per share, or 22.45%, over two trading sessions, to close at $2.66 per share on February 6, 2026.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 24, 2026 /ZEUS NORTH AMERICA MINING CORP. (CSE:ZEUS)(OTCQB:ZUUZF)(FRANKFURT:O92) (THE "COMPANY" OR "ZEUS") is pleased to announce that effective April 30, 2026, the Company will consolidate its common shares (the "Common Shares") on a two (2) to one (1) basis (the "Consolidation") as previously announced on February 11, 2026.It is expected that the Company will begin trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") on a consolidated basis on or about April 30, 2026. The new CUSIP number will be 98956B202 and the new ISIN number will be CA98956B2021 for the post-Consolidation Common Shares of the Company. The total issued and outstanding number of Common Shares post-Consolidation will be approximately 46,603,749. The Company's stock symbol will remain unchanged. Registered holders of physical share certificates will receive a letter of transmittal by mail advising that the Consolidation has been effected and will contain instructions on how to exchange share certificates evidencing pre-consolidated Common Shares for new share certificates representing the number of post-Consolidation Common Shares to which they are entitled. No action is required for shares held by non-registered holders (shareholders who hold their shares through an intermediary) and or by holders holding their shares via Direct Registration System." On behalf of the board of directors."Dean Besserer"President and CEOFor more information, please contact the Company at info@ zeusminingcorp.com About Zeus North America Mining Corp.The Company is in the business of mineral exploration. The Company is focused on its exploration properties in the state of Idaho known as the: Cuddy Mountain; Selway; and Great Western properties, respectively. The Idaho properties consist of 101 (Cuddy Mountain), 57 (Selway) and 38 (Great Western) lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 4,200 acres. The Company's flagship Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metal Corp's Leviathan Copper Porphyry discovery. More recently, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire a 90% interest in the Delker and Bulls Eyes copper-gold properties in Nevada.Forward Looking StatementsWhen used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, amongst others, statements regarding completion of the Placement, the use of the net proceeds of the Placement, and completion of the Consolidation. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions.The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.SOURCE: Zeus North America Mining Corp.
A series of attacks across northern Nigeria during Ramadan and Easter has raised concerns about a pattern of violence timed to coincide with major religious gatherings.

On Palm Sunday, 29 March, worshippers in Jos, Plateau State, gathered under the morning sun to mark the start of the Christian Holy Week. Hours later, gunfire tore through the area, killing between 20 and 30 people, according to local authorities and media reports.

Weeks earlier, on the night of 4 to 5 March, in Ngoshe, Borno State, families had just broken their Ramadan fast and evening prayers were beginning when gunmen stormed a military outpost, entered the community, and abducted dozens of residents, according to reporting by Daily Trust and the ICIR.

The attacks occurred hundreds of kilometres apart and involved different armed groups operating in distinct conflict zones. However, together, they illustrate a pattern analysts say is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: violence shaped not only by location or perpetrators, but also by timing.

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Clustering around sacred periods

At least eight major terror incidents across six states between early March and mid-April coincided with Ramadan and Easter.

Reports compiled from multiple media outlets, alongside conflict data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), indicate a noticeable clustering of violent attacks across northern Nigeria during the Ramadan and Easter periods.

Incidents documented by Reuters, AFP, and Nigerian outletsincluding PREMIUM TIMES and Daily Trustshow that violence occurred across several states, including Plateau, Borno, Kebbi, Benue, Kaduna, and Zamfara during this timeframe.

In Kebbi State, at least 34 people were reportedly killed in coordinated attacks during Ramadan, according to Reuters and local media accounts. Similarly, on Easter Sunday, gunmen attacked a community in Mbatsada, Mbalom (Benue State), killing at least 17 people based on residents accounts. Authorities, however, confirmed a lower number of recovered bodies.

Individually, the incidents reflect Nigerias familiar security challenges, including insurgency, banditry and communal violence. Collectively, they show attackers exploiting periods of predictable civilian activity.

Predictable gatherings, limited protection

Religious observances draw large crowds at known times and places. Easter church services occur in the morning, while Ramadan iftar meals and night prayers concentrate people in the evening.

In rural areas, these gatherings often have minimal security presence and weak telecommunications, delaying distress calls and response times. Security experts describe such settings as soft targets: areas with high civilian density and limited protection.

Worshippers were attacked during Easter services in Benue, Plateau and Kaduna. In Ngoshe and other North-east communities, violence struck shortly after evening prayers. Despite differences in religion and geography, the underlying vulnerability is similar.

Different actors, similar tactics

The groups responsible operate in different contexts. In the North-east, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province target civilians and military positions. In the North-west and North-central regions, armed groups linked to banditry pursue land, resources and criminal gain.

Yet, recent incidents reveal striking tactical overlap. Attacks during both Ramadan and Easter have involved surprise raids, targeting of civilians, burning of homes, abductions and assaults on nearby security positions.

The motivations are not always the same, but the operational patterns are increasingly alike, particularly in how timing is used, said Timothy Avele, a security analyst and managing director of Agent-X Security Ltd.

Speaking in a phone interview, Mr Avele said attackers often exploit predictable civilian gatherings and gaps in rapid response.

In many rural terrains, the chances of interception drop sharply within minutes, he said. Attackers use motorcycles and bush paths that security vehicles cannot access, and without real-time tracking, response teams are effectively moving blind.

He added that delays are often structural. In some areas it can take 35 to 55 minutes for units to mobilise after a distress call, whereas an effective response should happen in under 12 minutes, he said.

He also pointed to a persistent mobility gap between attackers and security forces.

Many armed groups move on motorcycles that can access narrow bush paths, while security teams rely on vehicles that are limited to roads, he said. That difference alone can determine whether attackers escape.

Offering a broader institutional perspective, a security analyst, Malik Samuel, said the problem is rooted in longstanding gaps in deployment, logistics and trust.

Most of these attacks happen in remote communities where there is little or no security presence, he said. By the time security forces arrive, the attack has already happened.

He added that logistical constraints, including fuel shortages and poor road infrastructure, continue to slow response times, particularly in rural areas.

Intelligence gaps and trust deficits

Mr Samuel also pointed to a breakdown in trust between communities and security agencies as a key factor limiting prevention.

In many of these areas, people are reluctant to share information because they do not trust that they will be protected, he said. But without community-level intelligence, it becomes difficult to prevent attacks.

He noted that many incidents are preceded by smaller disputes that escalate into larger reprisals.

These attacks are not always spontaneous, he said. There are warning signs. The problem is that those signals are not acted on early enough.

He also pointed to communication challenges in areas without reliable network coverage, saying the absence of alternative systems further delays response.

The government knows these areas lack network coverage, he said. It has a responsibility to provide alternative means of communication or ensure security presence on the ground.

Rural disruption and displacement

Beyond immediate casualties, the violence has disrupted rural economies. In Benue and Plateau, part of Nigerias agricultural belt, repeated attacks have displaced families and affected farming cycles.

In Borno, assaults on communities such as Ngoshe have undermined fragile resettlement efforts, forcing some residents who had returned after years of displacement to flee again. Attacks timed to moments of peak gathering intensify these disruptions.

Beyond religion, but not beyond pattern

Experts caution against framing the violence solely as religious conflict. In Benue and Plateau, many incidents stem from disputes over land and farming. In Borno, insurgents pursue territorial control and military advantage. In the North-west, banditry is driven by weak governance and economic incentives.

However, timing attacks during religious observances increases both impact and visibility.

Shared vulnerability across communities

A clear pattern is that vulnerability cuts across religious lines. Christians were attacked during Easter and Palm Sunday. Muslims were killed during Ramadan gatherings and prayers.

Attackers exploit moments when civilians, regardless of faith, are most concentrated and least protected.

When violence follows the calendar

For affected communities, the consequences are immediate. Lives are lost, families are displaced, and survivors face lasting trauma.

At a broader level, the pattern shifts the challenge from reaction to prevention. When violence aligns with predictable dates, it becomes easier to anticipate.

Security experts recommend targeted deployments during major religious events, stronger rural intelligence networks, improved communication infrastructure and closer coordination with local communities.

Until these measures are in place, periods meant for worship and reflection will remain at heightened risk.

From Palm Sunday in Jos to evening prayers in Ngoshe, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore.
Opposition political parties in Nigeria on Saturday said they have agreed to field one candidate for the 2027 presidential election, which will most likely have President Bola Tinubu as the candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

The agreement was announced in a communique issued at the end of a national summit, held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, on Saturday.

In the communique, Taminu Turaki, the National Chairman of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), explained that the leaders across the opposition parties would work to achieve the goal.

According to him, the agreement is to rescue the nation and its long-suffering masses.

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The leaders equally said they would resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party state on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy.

They called on the National Assembly to immediately review the Electoral Act 2026 by removing all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of elections and run counter to constitutional provisions.

According to the communique, the leaders expressed their reservations about having the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Amupitan, a professor, to conduct the 2027 general elections.

They accused the INEC boss of demonstrating bias and partisanship, questioning his capacity to ensure the neutrality required to deliver free, fair, transparent, and credible elections.

The opposition leaders also considered INECs recently released guidelines to be obstacles, claiming they were deliberately designed to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties.

We, therefore, demand that INEC extend the deadline for primaries till the end of July 2026, read the communique.

The parties also called for the immediate release of all detained leading politicians and those being harassed for bailable offences.

This, they said, would allow them to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.

The opposition, however, commended Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with opposition parties to free the nation.

ALSO READ: Opposition parties accuse APC of plot to disrupt Ibadan summit

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that parties at the summit include the African Democratic Party (ADC), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). It is unclear if other political parties in the country would embrace the one-candidate initiative.

The following notable political leaders were present: Abubakar Atiku, Aminu Tambuwal, Jerry Gana, Babangida Aliyu, and Peter Obi.

Others are Kabiru Turaki, Raufu Aregbesola, Rabiu Kwankwaso, David Mark, Pat Utomi and Seyi Makinde.

Speaking on the Ibadan summit, Atiku said, via a statement posted on his Facebook post, At todays National Opposition Summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, we spoke with one voice, fearless, and unmistakable: the time has come to forge a united opposition, bound by purpose and driven by the sacred duty to defend and sustain our democracy.

This is not a choice; it is an obligation we owe to Nigeria and to generations yet unborn.
A coalition of jihadist and separatist forces, on Saturday, launched a coordinated offensive across Mali, striking strategic military and urban targets from the north to the capital, Bamako, in one of the most significant escalations in recent months.

The military in Mali confirmed the attacks in a statement, saying the terrorists suffered immediate setback and many of them were neutralised.

Fighters from Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)an al-Qaeda affiliate in the Saheland the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-dominated rebel alliance, are reported to be behind the attacks, which appear to have been synchronised across multiple fronts.

In the capital region, gunfire and explosions were reported in Kati, home to Malis main military base, as well as near Bamakos airport and key military installations. A major vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) reportedly detonated outside the residence of Malis defence minister, Sadio Camara, while unverified accounts suggest a military helicopter may have been downed. Authorities have also shut down Airbase 101 as a precaution.

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Across the country, the scale of the offensive is becoming clearer. Northern army positions are reported to have been overrun, with Kidal said to be under rebel control, while Gao has been breached and Sevare is witnessing ongoing clashes and active militant movement.

Despite the intensity of the attacks, Malis armed forces in a statement say counter-operations are underway and insist the situation is under control.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified or alarmist content, even as the United States Embassy in Mali has advised against all travel due to the deteriorating security environment.

JNIM, Islamic State affiliate, and the expanding militant footprint in the Sahel

The latest offensive underscores the entrenched presence of JNIM, which has steadily expanded its operational reach across Mali and the wider Sahel in recent years. The group has previously demonstrated its ability to blockade key supply routes, mount complex assaults on military bases, and exert influence over rural populations.

JNIM operates alongside a rival but equally potent jihadist actor, the Islamic State Sahel Province. While the two groups have at times clashed, their parallel campaigns have collectively strained Malis security architecture, particularly in the north and central regions where state presence remains limited.

The FLA, meanwhile, represents a consolidation of predominantly Tuareg separatist factions seeking autonomy or independence for northern Mali. Emerging from earlier rebel movements and evolving alliances, the FLA has periodically cooperated with or operated alongside jihadist groups, while also pursuing its own territorial and political objectives.

Both JNIM and Tuareg rebel coalitions have a history of launching major offensives, sometimes independently, sometimes in overlapping theatres. Past attacks have included high-profile assaults on military installations in cities such as Gao and Timbuktu, as well as coordinated strikes on convoys and remote garrisons.

Even so, analysts caution against drawing premature conclusions about state collapse. Despite the breadth of the current attacks, there is, so far, no clear indication of an imminent breakdown of the Malian state.

Philip Brant, a jihadi researcher with focus on Lake Chad region and the Sahel said nothing indicates that there will be an imminent collapse of the Malian state so far.

Mali isnt Syria and JNIM isnt HTS, politically, militarily and diplomatically speaking, he added.

HTS known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was a dominant rebel force in North-west Syria, before consolidating territorial control,especially in Idlib.

It traces its roots directly to al-Qaeda through its predecessor, Jabhat al-Nusra, which was established as al-Qaedas official branch in Syria during the civil war. Although the group later rebranded and publicly severed formal ties in 2016, many analysts argue that ideological links, leadership continuity, and operational legacies have kept its historical connection to al-Qaeda significant.

HTS has now transitioned from a rebel group into the core of Syrias new governing structure after leading the 2024 offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad, with its leadership now integrated into the countrys interim government and security apparatus.

Calm has now returned to Mali, according to many observers.

As expected, after several hours of fighting calm has returned to Bamako and its vicinity (Kati and Senou) after the intervention of the Malian Air Force and the Africa Corps, several JNIM militants were killed by the army and others lynched by crowds, Mr Brant posted on X.
Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has raised fresh concerns over the survival of Nigerian airlines, warning that more operators could shut down within days despite a recent Federal Government intervention.

Speaking on News at 10, a programme on TVC News, on Friday, Mr Onyema commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a 30 per cent reprieve on outstanding debts owed by airlines to federal aviation agencies.

We appreciate Mr President for being magnanimous enough to offer us a 30 per cent reprieve Thats a very welcome development, he said, adding that the current administration has shown more support to domestic airlines than previous governments.

However, he stressed that the industrys most pressing challenge remains the soaring cost of aviation fuel, which he blamed on market conditions rather than government policy.

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For the avoidance of doubt, I want Nigerians to know that the airlines are not after the government. Government is not our problem, he noted.

Mr Onyema explained that while global crude oil prices have risen moderately due to geopolitical tensions, including developments involving Iran, aviation fuel prices in Nigeria have increased far more sharply.

Before the crisis, we were buying fuel at about N900 per litre. Now it has risen to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some selling as high as N3,300 to N3,500, he said, noting that the increaseestimated at over 250 per centhas placed severe pressure on airline operations.

According to him, airlines are now operating largely to offset fuel costs while also contending with high borrowing rates.

All the airlines in Nigeria have been flying to pay fuel marketers only, and you dont want to compromise safety, he said.

The Air Peace chairman warned that the situation could worsen if urgent steps are not taken, revealing that at least two more airlines risk shutting down soon.

We want to meet with Mr President because as I speak to you now, about two more airlines want to go down by Monday. It is very urgent that we meet with Mr President so that he will hear from us, he said.

Government intervention

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu approved a 30 per cent reduction in debts owed by domestic airlines to federal aviation agencies, in a move aimed at easing mounting financial pressure on operators grappling with rising fuel costs.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the approval on Thursday after receiving communication from the President through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The intervention means local carriers will pay less on accumulated obligations, including parking fees to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, navigational charges to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and other statutory levies.

Despite the relief, industry operators say the rising cost and limited availability of Jet A1 fuel remain a major threat to airline sustainability.
The planned inauguration of the Hall of Fame and Museum at the 131-year-old Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar, Cross River State, is expected to strengthen tourism development in the state and Nigeria.

Chairman of the Hall of Fame and Museum, Ekpe Ita, said this on Friday at a press conference ahead of the inauguration ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

Mr Ita said the facility, located within the institution, would be a major attraction for visitors, showcasing the schools legacy and its distinguished alumni.

He said Nigerias first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the wife of Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, alongside 58 other notable personalities, would be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the event.

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According to him, the inductees are individuals who passed through the institution and distinguished themselves in various fields, bringing honour to their alma mater.

The project has significant historical and institutional value, and for Cross River, it will enrich the tourism circuit.

We envisage tourists visiting the Hall of Fame and Museum to experience its rich offerings, he said.

Mr Ita explained that the facility would house photographs of inductees as well as archaeological artefacts, including ancient pots, potsherds and other relics.

He added that historical items such as trophies, books and records of the institution would also be displayed.

The building housing the museum, constructed in 1894, is itself a heritage site and recognised as a national monument.

Hope Waddell Training Institution, founded on 8 March 1895, is one of Nigerias oldest educational institutions. The institution celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2025.

The late Azikiwe was a student of the institution in 1922, while retired teacher, David George, who served the school for 45 years, is among those to be inducted.
Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, has finally secured accreditation for the operation of its College of Health Sciences, five years after the process began.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) granted the approval during a visit to the insitution on Wednesday.

It also approved an admission quota of 100 medical students for the university.

The MDCN team was led by its Deputy Registrar, Nnameka Nwakanma, who communicated the accreditation to the management.

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During the visit and engagement with FUTA management, Mr Nwakanma expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness demonstrated by the university.

He noted that the engagement was productive and emphasised the importance of aligning the colleges operations with the regulatory standards set by the council.

With the development, students of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme heaved a sigh of relief having been stagnated for two years.

Speaking on the development at her office, the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Adenike Oladiji, said the university management had worked diligently to put in place the necessary structures and facilities required for the accreditation.

The university remains fully committed to excellence in medical education and is determined to ensure that all standards stipulated by the council are met and implemented in order to strengthen the College of Health Sciences, she said.

Mrs Oladiji thanked the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, for mobilising key leaders of the kingdom to contribute to the development of FUTA and the medical programme through the donation of multi-million-naira ultra-modern teaching laboratories and accommodation facilities for medical students to facilitate and enhance teaching and learning.

The Chief Medical Director of FUTA Teaching Hospital, Olusegun Ojo, described the approval by the MDCN as a landmark achievement.



Its a wonderful development that students have the hope to move forward. Its a great achievement for the vice chancellor and the university. We thank God for everything, Mr Ojo, a professor, said.

The MBBS programme started in 2021 but had not been able to proceed beyond 300L due to the lack of accreditation.

Recently, students and some stakeholders took to the social media to voice their frustration, and in a bid to pressure the management to put more effort in moving the programme to the point of accreditation.

Last week, the management conducted the formal opening of multimillion naira medical laboratory and a hostel for the medical students.

This was in addition to the earlier takeover of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital by FUTA, which is fundamental to the training of medical students.
The Enugu State Government says the ongoing construction of 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state will cost N24 billion.

The Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Friday when he appeared as a guest on Arise News TVs The Morning Show.

Mr Onyia, a professor, said the state government was spending about N90 million to complete each of the 260 PHCs in the South-eastern state.

That includes the equipment, the solar system, the laboratory equipment, accommodation for the health workers, the perimeter fencing and all that, he explained.

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The SSG said 30 PHCs have been completed so far, while 230 others are nearing completion.

His Excellency (the governor) has just approved about N4 billion for equipping 100 PHCs, he added.

He stressed that the state government has disbursed the total money for the construction of all 260 PHCs, apart from funds earmarked for equipment procurement.

We are now starting the second phase, which is equipping the PHCs, he stated.

Type-2 PHCs in Enugu

PREMIUM TIMES reports that, months after assuming office, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State flagged off the construction of the Type-2 PHCs across the states 260 wards.

On 4 January 2025, President Bola Tinubu visited the South-eastern state to commission some of the completed PHCs and other infrastructures accomplished by Mr Mbahs administration.

Tanimola Akande, a public health physician, had told PREMIUM TIMES that the construction of the PHC facilities in Enugu State would improve access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children in rural areas.

This effort should help improve the health indices in the state, said Mr Akande, a professor of public health.
by Xinhua writers Ye Ting, Xu Zheng and Tafara Mugwara

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, April 25 (Xinhua) -- For African exporters showcasing their wares at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair set to close on Saturday, the message is clear: China's zero-tariff policy is not just a trade dividend, but a gateway to unprecedented growth.

As Zimbabwe's premier trade showcase draws to a close in Bulawayo, the country's second-largest city, exhibitors from across the continent expressed a shared optimism that China's zero-tariff policy will allow them to aggressively expand their footprint in China, the world's second-largest economy.

Starting May 1, China will grant zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. For many, this timeline could not be more opportune.

"Many traditional markets are tightening access through increasingly complex regulations," said Sami Kebed, marketing officer for Gelila Manufacturing, an Ethiopian industrial group specializing in footwear and food processing among its diverse product portfolio. "It is a real relief for African countries to secure more direct access to the Chinese market."

Kebed noted that the policy serves as a powerful incentive for Ethiopian firms to ramp up production in footwear and food processing. Beyond immediate sales, he emphasized that the measure stimulates export-driven growth and job creation across the continent.

"The decision will directly improve our export earnings," Kebed said, adding that Ethiopian coffee, in particular, is poised to become significantly more competitive in Chinese cafes and households.

While the policy opens the door, exporters are aware that they must still win over Chinese consumers. Lidia Million, general manager of Linu Manufacturing PLC, an Ethiopian leather goods exporter, is already refining her strategy.

"There is a massive opportunity, but success requires a deep understanding of Chinese consumer preferences," Million said. She plans to leverage the zero-tariff policy to introduce high-end Ethiopian leather products to Chinese boutique markets, aiming to break new ground with premium quality.

Similarly, Malebo Matlala, founder of the South African outdoor apparel brand Mokatani, described the policy as a game changer.

"Accessing a market of China's scale at an advantageous price point is a rare opportunity," Matlala remarked. "It levels the playing field, making African-made apparel competitive against brands from any other region."

The enthusiasm for the zero-tariff policy extends deep into the agricultural sector, where it is acting as both a catalyst for established exporters and a powerful incentive for tech-driven startups to scale up.

In Mozambique, producers of high-value fruit are already eyeing China's vast appetite for fresh produce. Alves Vicente, a provincial delegate from Mozambique's Zambezi Valley Development Agency, highlighted that exporters of avocados and lychees are among the most eager to benefit.

"The demand is huge, and the market is asking for more," said Vicente. He noted that in the agricultural business, where profit margins are often thin, the removal of tariffs provides a crucial price advantage, making Mozambican products far more attractive to Chinese importers.

Hydro Smart Farms, a Zimbabwean startup specializing in hydroponic strawberries, represents a new wave of agribusiness eyeing future growth. While the firm has yet to enter the Chinese market, the prospect of zero-tariff access serves as a significant incentive for its long-term planning and technological investment.

For such startups, the policy is a gateway to deeper industrial cooperation. The firm is actively seeking strategic partnerships with Chinese enterprises in affordable technology, greenhouse infrastructure, and cold chain logistics to build a more robust, tech-enabled supply chain.

By bridging the gap between African supply and Chinese demand, the policy is transforming the trade landscape, turning the aspirations of both veteran exporters and budding entrepreneurs into a new era of commercial reality. 
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has suspended the Senate Presidents media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, following a dispute over convening a stakeholders meeting without the approval of the partys local leadership.

The suspension, announced by Ward 9 executives of the party, came barely 24 hours after the Esit Eket chapter chairperson, Urua Akpe, threatened sanctions against Mr Eyiboh and other political figures over the same meeting.

Announcement of suspension

In a letter dated 22 April and addressed to the state chairman through the chapter chairman, the ward executives said the decision was based on alleged anti-party conduct.

The letter is posted on Facebook.

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We, the entire ward executives of the All Progressives Congress, Ward 9, Esit Eket Local Government Area write to formally notify of the suspension of Eseme Eyiboh from the party at the ward level.

This decision follows several acts considered detrimental to the unity and progress of the party, including negligence, anti-party activities, refusal to acknowledge (party executives) in his ward, attack on party executives, and actions that have encouraged division within the party.

In view of the above, we the undersigned ward executives hereby resolve and effect suspension on Mr Eyiboh, pending further directives from higher authorities, stated the letter signed by 21 APC local leaders.

Meeting held despite warnings

The suspension is linked to a stakeholders meeting hosted on Wednesday by Mr Eyiboh and attended by political leaders and community figures in Esit Eket.

Prior to the meeting, Mr Akpe had warned that any such gathering held without the approval of the party leadership would attract sanctions.

Those mentioned in the warning included a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Bassey Dan-Abia, a former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Usoro Akpanusoh, and former commissioner of women affairs, Ini Adiakpan.

Despite the warning, the meeting proceeded and produced a strong political message ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Stakeholders back Tinubu, Akpabio, others

At the meeting, participants endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

They also backed a senator, Ekong Sampson and House of Representatives member, Okpolupm Etteh, citing the need for continuity in leadership.

Former NDDC managing director, Mr Dan-Abia, described the meeting as community-driven.

Our focus is on moving Esit Eket forward and recalibrating its growth trajectory. We must remain conscious of the welfare of our people and the future of our community, he said.

Mr Eyiboh, who addressed the gathering, called for transparency in the management of funds under the Petroleum Industry Act.

We must remain vigilant and ensure accountability. This platform allows citizens to ask questions and fully exercise their civic rights, he stated.

Other speakers, including former Speaker of Akwa Ibom assembly, Bassey Essien and the former state lawmaker, Mr Akpanusoh, stressed zoning, inclusiveness, and broader engagement as critical to political stability.

Dispute over stakeholders meeting

Mr Eyiboh has rejected the basis for the sanctions, insisting that the gathering was not a formal party meeting and therefore did not require approval from party officials.

He doesnt need to approve the meeting of Esit Eket stakeholders. There are two things there. Maybe, his level of ignorance. If were convening a party meeting hes the person to convene the meeting based on the APC guidelines but not the stakeholders meeting, Mr Eyiboh told this newspaper on Thursday.

After news of his suspension surfaced, Mr Eyiboh questioned the authority of party executives over such gatherings, asking if the party executives have anything to do with community stakeholders.

Background to dispute

The controversy appears rooted in earlier remarks by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who had warned that no individual should convene APC meetings at state or local levels without the approval of party chairmen.

The governor had, however, exempted himself and Mr Akpabio from the directive, a position that may have influenced the chapter leaderships stance.

When contacted, the APC spokesperson in the state, Patrick Edeke, said the party would take a position on the matter.

Mr Edeke asked PREMIUM TIMES to wait for the partys decision, indicating that the suspension at the ward level may not be final.
Air passengers have expressed frustration over prolonged delays and sudden schedule changes by Nigerian air carrier Air Peace, even as the airline attributes the disruptions to ongoing aviation fuel supply challenges.

In two separate notices issued on Saturday, the airline said the situation has affected flight operations nationwide.

We wish to inform you that flights departing from some of our terminals may experience delays due to the current aviation fuel supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide, the airline said in one of the statements.

It added that fuel availability remains limited, a development that has disrupted scheduled departures.

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The airline also announced a temporary adjustment to its AbujaLondon route.

Due to the current Jet A1 (aviation fuel) supply constraints affecting flight operations nationwide and around the world, we wish to inform you that our AbujaLondon service has been temporarily adjusted to three weekly flights until 01 July, 2026, it said.

Air Peace said the measure was necessary to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational reliability, adding that full frequency would resume once conditions improve.

While assuring passengers it is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the situation, the airline acknowledged the impact on travel plans.

We recognise that this adjustment may impact your travel plans, and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding, it said.

However, some passengers say the disruptions have come with significant inconvenience.

A passenger, Francis Eze, described a case involving his two elderly parents stranded due to rescheduling.

Please whats the penalty for rescheduling flights and attributing it to the current aviation fuel crisis? I have two elderly parents currently stranded in Owerri, waiting for an @flyairpeace flight that was to depart by 10 a.m. but has been changed to 8:50 p.m., he said.

Another passenger on X, identified as Adam (@Bin_DaudNG), also criticised the delays.

@flyairpeace una no try ooo. From 1:40 to 6 p.m. isnt fair. Imagine I arrive late, you will say check-in closed, he wrote.

Responding to the complaints, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, said airlines are obligated to comply with passenger protection regulations during delays.

The airline needs to comply with the regulations in the case of lengthy delays; inform the passengers, provide light refreshment after two hours, etc. Kindly meet up with NCAA Consumer Protection Officers at the terminal for assistance and more information, he said.

He reiterated that passengers have rights in such situations.

In the event of a lengthy delay, passengers are entitled to light refreshment after two hours They will protect your rights, he added.

The latest disruptions come amid a broader crisis in Nigerias aviation sector.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) warned it might suspend operations over what it described as an astronomical and unsustainable rise in Jet A1 fuel prices, which surged from about N900 per litre to over N3,300.

Following the warning, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, intervened, urging airlines to shelve plans to increase airfares or halt operations while the government engaged stakeholders to find a solution.

While operators did not immediately shut down services after the intervention, the current wave of delays and schedule adjustments suggests that the underlying fuel supply challenges persist, continuing to strain airline operations and passenger experience across the country.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday set 29 April for the arraignment of a woman, Tracynither Ohiri, over alleged cyberstalking of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Judge James Omotosho adjourned the case after the prosecution lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, applied to the court for a short adjournment to enable him serve the defendant, who was not in court.

The judge had on 16 April warned that he might strike out the charges filed by the police against Ohiri, the sole defendant in the case.

He issued the warning after the prosecution was unable to produce Ms Ohiri in court for arraignment.

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But neither the defendant nor her lawyer was present in court on Friday.

Mr Madaki told the court that although the matter was scheduled for arraignment, efforts to serve the charge and the hearing notice were unsuccessful.

In response, Mr Omotosho asked him to explain the efforts made.

What effort have you made? Dont just come to tell me you have made all your efforts. You cannot abandon your case here, the judge said.

Mr Madaki said the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and his team travelled to Lagos on 20 April in an attempt to serve the defendant.

But my lord, they could not find the defendant. They said her door was locked. They even spent three days in Lagos, my lord, he said.

Following the explanation, the judge adjourned the matter until 29 April for arraignment.

Charges

The police filed 13 counts against Ms Ohiri for cyberstalking and defamation of Mr Umahi.

The charges were filed by Mr Madaki from the Directorate of Legal Services, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

In count one, Ohiri was alleged to have, on or about 16 October 2023, transmitted via her TikTok account a video in which she accused the minister of threatening to kill her if she entered Ebonyi State.

The prosecution said the statement was false, menacing, and capable of causing fear and reputational harm, in violation of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.

Count three, alleged that, on or about 8 March 2024, posted a TikTok video claiming that Mr Umahi victimised her for refusing sexual relations and used his office to oppress women.

Similarly, count four said that on 3 May 2024, she posted that Mr Umahi tied down her business capital for 10 years due to her refusal of alleged sexual advances.

Count six accused her of publishing on Sahara Reporters and circulating on social media on 28 March 2025 a statement alleging that Mr Umahi owed her over N200 million for campaign materials, which she allegedly knew to be false.

Count seven alleged that she claimed on the same date that the alleged non-payment was retaliation for refusal of sexual advances, which she knew to be false and intended to damage reputation.

Count eight accused her of posting a Facebook video on 26 February in which she said Mr Umahi threatened that she would not leave Ebonyi State alive and that he would do to you what happened to the NELAN Engineers.

In count 10, the prosecution accused her of causing her publications to be widely shared and circulated across social media platforms, thereby amplifying their reach and impact, with intent to cause hatred, ill will, and reputational injury.

Backstory

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the dispute between Ms Ohiri and Mr Umahi stemmed from a long-running claim by the businesswoman that the minister owes her N250 million for promotional and printing services linked to his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State.

She alleged that repeated requests for payment were not met and said this later led to alleged advances from the minister, which she rejected. She further stated that the disagreement escalated into threats and police involvement.

Ms Ohiri was later arrested in Lagos over allegations of cyberbullying linked to her social media posts on the dispute. She was moved to Abuja and detained at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. She was subsequently arraigned before a magistrates court in Wuse, Abuja, on a defamation charge and granted bail.

The case gained wider public attention after activist Omoyele Sowore confronted Mr Umahi at the police headquarters and criticised what he described as the criminalisation of a civil matter.

Meanwhile, amid the controversy and following Mr Umahis denial of the allegations, Ms Ohiri released a video retracting her claims. She also apologised to the minister and his family after discussions with her relatives, friends and legal advisers.

The matter resurfaced after a viral video in which Ms Ohiri accused her lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, of lack of transparency and poor handling of the case. She claimed she was pressured to withdraw her allegations and that a promised compensation was not paid before she issued her retraction.

However, Mr Abubakar dismissed the claims. He said Ms Ohiri agreed to withdraw her allegations after failing to present evidence of any contractual agreement with Mr Umahi. He added that she was offered options to continue the dispute or pursue settlement and later opted for an apology.

He further stated that after the matter was resolved, a third party paid $70,000 as a peace gesture, not as compensation or admission of liability.

Mr Abubakar said he was considering legal action against Ms Ohiri over what he described as false allegations and threats to his reputation.
A human rights lawyer, Maxwell Opara, has sued the Nigerian government and the army to stop the reintegration of repentant insurgents into the Nigerian society.

He filed the suit on 23 April at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants in the suit are the Nigerian Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and President Bola Tinubu, listed as first to third respondents respectively.

Mr Opara also sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to initiate and pursue criminal prosecution of over 700 repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

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He said their prosecution would be in accordance with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and other relevant laws.

He urged the court to answer, among other questions, Whether the reintegration of the said repentant insurgents violates the right of Nigerian citizens to life, dignity of the human person, and personal liberty as guaranteed under Sections 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), by exposing them to renewed threats of violence from persons whose criminal culpability has not been judicially determined?

PREMIUM TIMES reported that on 17 April in Gombe State, the federal government announced the graduation of 744 ex-insurgents and victims of violent extremism under the Operation Safe Corridor deradicalisation programme.

The military said the participants completed rehabilitation, vocational training, counselling and ideological reorientation. Officials said the process prepares them for return to civilian life after surrender.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the programme supports reintegration into society as part of Nigerias non-kinetic counter-insurgency strategy. He added that the aim was to reduce insecurity by disengaging participants from extremist ideology and reintegrating them into their communities.

However, the graduation has continued to generate mixed reactions, with supporters describing it as a pragmatic approach to peacebuilding, while critics insist it raises unresolved questions about justice and reconciliation in conflict-affected regions.

The suit

Mr Opara, in the suit, sought an order directing the Nigerian Army to immediately suspend the Operation Safe Corridor reintegration programme pending the hearing and final determination of the suit.

The lawyer raised seven questions for determination.

Among other requests, he asked the court to determine whether the reintegration of over 700 repentant insurgents into Nigerian society without criminal prosecution, judicial conviction or sentencing is consistent with the Constitution and the ACJA, 2015.

He sought a declaration that the reintegration of the repentant insurgents into society without prior prosecution and judicial conviction is unlawful, unconstitutional and a violation of the rule of law.

Mr Opara also asked for a declaration that the first and second respondents lack legal authority to grant de facto immunity or amnesty to individuals accused of terrorism, murder, kidnapping and other violent crimes without legislative authorisation and judicial oversight.

A declaration that the actions of the first respondent in releasing and reintegrating the said insurgents constitute a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers and an usurpation of judicial authority, he added.

In the affidavit in support of the suit, Mr Opara, who described himself as a public interest litigation lawyer, attached the official press release of the Nigerian Army as Exhibit A.

He said over 700 persons identified as former members of the Boko Haram terrorist group had been released and reintegrated into society.

He added that they were not subjected to criminal prosecution, trial or conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction before their release.

He also stated that many of the said individuals are reasonably suspected to have participated in acts constituting terrorism, murder, kidnapping and other grave offences under Nigerian law.

He said judicial powers are vested exclusively in the courts.

He said the reintegration of untried insurgents poses a real and substantial risk to public safety. And added that failure to prosecute persons accused of serious crimes erodes public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law.

Mr Opara urged the court to grant his prayers in the interest of justice, national security and the rule of law.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors has raised concerns over a move by the National Broadcasting Commission to sanction broadcast presenters accused of expressing personal opinions as facts or bullying guests during programmes.

In a statement issued on 21 April and signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the guild described the move as dangerous and injurious to journalism, warning that it could undermine press freedom and editorial independence.

The editors said although the NBC may be aiming to enforce professionalism and ethical standards, its position appeared vague and open to multiple interpretations, creating room for misuse and selective application against journalists and media organisations.

They noted that the interpretation of the 6th edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news and political programmes, is inherently subjective. According to the guild, allowing the commission to act as the sole judge of what constitutes appropriate questioning could lead to abuse and encourage self-censorship among broadcasters.

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By positioning itself as the sole arbiter regarding rigorous questioning or appropriate scrutiny, the NBC opens the door to potential abuse. This approach risks weaponizing the broadcasting code to induce self-censorship among broadcasters, stifle legitimate journalistic inquiry, and silence critical voices.

We reiterate that the role of broadcast presenters and journalists, particularly during interviews, is to ask probing questions, challenge inconsistencies, and demand clarity in the public interest. Journalism is not designed to place public officials or interviewees in a comfort zone, but to hold power accountable, the statement read.

Journalists are not lawbreakers- Guild of Editors

The statement comes as the country approaches another election cycle, a period the editors said requires heightened media vigilance. They emphasised that citizens depend on the media for accurate and comprehensive information to make informed decisions.

The NBC had issued a formal notice to broadcast stations, warning of stricter enforcement of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code over what it described as declining professional standards in news and political programming.

The commission cited a rise in ethical breaches, including presenters injecting personal opinions into broadcasts, failure to ensure balance, and the use of platforms for divisive or inflammatory content, warning that such infractions would attract sanctions.

However the guild, while acknowledging the need for professionalism and civility, warned against weakening journalism through excessive regulation. It reiterated that democracy thrives on bold and responsible reporting, not timid engagement with public issues.

The editors also urged regulatory bodies to operate within transparent and clearly defined frameworks that do not erode media independence. They called on the NBC to demonstrate restraint and distinguish between genuine misconduct and legitimate journalistic practice.

Journalists are not lawbreakers. They are trained professionals guided by enduring ethical standards, including the principle that comment is free, but facts are sacred.

We therefore urge regulatory bodies to operate within clearly defined, transparent, and fair frameworks that do not undermine the independence of the media.

ALSO READ: Society of Nigerian broadcasters warns NBC not to close campus radio stations

The NBC must demonstrate impartiality and restraint, carefully distinguishing between genuine misconduct and the rightful exercise of journalistic duty, the statement added.

Reaffirming its stance, the guild said the Nigerian press would not be intimidated and remains committed to asking tough questions and reporting without fear or favour.

The NBC was established in 1992 by the military regime to regulate and license broadcasting in Nigeria, ensuring fairness, professionalism, and adherence to public interest standards.

However, it has repeatedly faced criticism from media and civil society groups, who accuse it of using its regulatory powers to sanction critical outlets and potentially stifle press freedom.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed Anugbum Onuoha, a former aide and cousin to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State.

In a post on its verified Facebook and X pages, INEC office in Akwa Ibom, announced the change of baton, stating that the outgoing REC, Obo Effanga, handed over to Mr Onuoha at the commissions state headquarters in Uyo on 17 April.

Photographs accompanying the post showed Mr Effanga and Mr Onuoha during the handover event.

Mr Onuoha, a professor of property and secured credit law, was previously the REC in Edo State where he supervised the 2024 governorship election. Mr Effanga, who had served in Akwa Ibom since 2025, will now take charge of INEC affairs in Edo in what appears to be a routine administrative redeployment.

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Although the INEC headquarters in Abuja had yet to publish details of the redeployment on its official website or social media platforms, transfers of RECs remain a common practice in the commissions internal administration. INEC is yet to update the database of the states each REC is serving.

Mr Onuoha, who once served as a special adviser on lands and survey to the Rivers State Government under Mr Wike, was among the 10 RECs appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.

His nomination, along with other recommendations (RECs), drew public criticism at the time after concerns were raised over the alleged partisanship of some appointees.

He also previously served as commissioner for legal and political parties monitoring at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in 2007, during the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

After serving under Mr Wike, he was later elevated to the traditional leadership rank in Rumuepirikom, Wikes hometown in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Mr Onuohas close political and family ties with Mr Wike have occasionally stirred controversy around his posting within INEC.

READ ALSO: INEC visits Labour Party secretariat ahead of congresses

Responding to past calls from opposition parties in Edo for his removal before the Edo 2024 elections, he insisted that the structure of the electoral commission limits the influence of individual commissioners to manipulate elections.

Even if you remove me, I will go to another state, he was quoted as saying at the time. I am not afraid of being removed. My conscience is alive and every staff member of the commission knows this.

With his assumption of duty in Akwa Ibom, Mr Onuoha now becomes the commissions principal electoral officer in a state that has consistently drawn attention for its fiercely contested elections.
The Nigerian Army says it has recovered the suspected remains of two of its personnel abducted and killed in 2022 in Imo State, Nigerias South-east.

It also said it has dismantled a notorious camp of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the state.

The development is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja.

The report disclosed that the operation, conducted by troops of 82 Division in collaboration with other security agencies, took place on Friday along the Ubaha-Orsu axis of Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

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According to the report, the mission was part of ongoing clearance and search operations aimed at flushing out IPOB/ESN elements and locating the remains of Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew.

The two personnel were abducted and killed in May 2022 while travelling for their traditional wedding, it said.

The report stated that troops advancing on the suspected hideout came under heavy attack from armed criminals but responded with superior firepower, repelling multiple ambushes and forcing the attackers to flee.

It noted that the encounter highlighted the desperation of the criminal group, which continues to target both security personnel and innocent civilians.

Following the clearance of the camp, troops conducted a detailed search and discovered shallow graves suspected to contain the remains of the slain personnel.

The remains were subsequently exhumed and secured for forensic examination, including DNA analysis, to confirm their identities.

Efforts are ongoing to liaise with the families of the deceased to ensure proper identification and facilitate dignified burial arrangements, the report said.

It added that the operation underscored the armys commitment to justice for fallen personnel and the continued dismantling of criminal networks in the South-east.

The discovery further exposes the atrocities of IPOB/ESN elements and their disregard for human life, the report stated.

The army reassured the public of its resolve to sustain operations until all criminal elements are neutralised and lasting peace restored in the region.

It also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
Leaders of opposition political parties have converged on Ibadan, Oyo State, for a summit aimed at forging a united front ahead of future political contests, amid allegations of planned disruption by the ruling party.

The spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged in a post on X that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was planning to frustrate the meeting.ongoing on Saturday.

Mr Abdullahi said the opposition had earlier been denied access to venues in Abuja and now faced fresh threats against the Ibadan gathering. He, however, stated that opposition leaders would proceed with the meeting, insisting they were on the side of the Nigerian people.

We have uncovered plans by the ruling APC to disrupt the summit being held by the opposition parties in Ibadan, Oyo State, today, 25th of April.

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After denying us the use of venues in Abuja, they now will not leave us alone to hold our meetings. They say they are not scared, but they are behaving like people who are terrified. But we will not be deterred, because we are on the side of the Nigerian people, he said.

The APC has not publicly responded to the allegation as of press time.

The summit, tagged National Summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders, is being held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. It is themed, That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is chairing the event, while Governor Seyi Makinde is hosting.

A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, confirmed his arrival in Ibadan for the meeting in a separate post on X.

Organisers say the summit is designed to address Nigerias pressing governance, economic and security challenges while exploring pathways for collaboration among opposition parties.

Key speakers include Chidi Odinkalu and Usman Bugaje, who will speak on democratic governance; Mike Igini, who is expected to address electoral integrity; Pat Utomi, who will focus on economic reforms; and Kabir Adamu, who will speak on insecurity.

The gathering comes at a time of heightened political activity and growing calls for stronger opposition coordination in Nigerias multi-party system. Organisers describe it as a strategic response to the countrys socio-economic and security challenges.

In recent months, the ruling APC, led by President Bola Tinubu, has faced criticism from opposition parties and some civil society groups over growing constraints on political activities. The opposition has alleged a pattern of actions aimed at limiting its ability to organise and mobilise, claims the government has consistently denied.

The issue came to the fore during preparations for ADC National Congress when the party said it faced repeated setbacks in securing venues in Abuja for its convention.

Party officials said some bookings were withdrawn at short notice, forcing last-minute adjustments and fuelling concerns among opposition figures about possible interference, although no direct link to government authorities was officially confirmed.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged Nigerians in South Africa to be cautious due to the growing unrest and anti-foreigner protests in parts of the country

In a statement issued on Friday, the commission asked citizens to adhere to the instructions outlined in the travel advisory issued by the Nigerian embassy in South Africa.

The advisory warned of violent demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal city, as well as planned protests in Gauteng Province, between Monday and Wednesday.

Concern over xenophobic violence heightened as videos of hostility towards African migrants circulated online. Some South Africans were seen holding sticks as they chased and beat Black foreigners, telling them to leave their countries.

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The South Africans described themselves as an anti-immigration task force as they attacked and assaulted others.

In one incident, about three South Africans were seen punching a Ghanaian man in the face and head during a protest after discovering he was Ghanaian.

A woman identified as the leader of the group said, We are trying to fix this continent. This idea of people moving from one country to another will no longer work. We are tired of African migrants who refuse to fix their own countries.

Now we are making it clear that we do not want you here. You should go back and fix your countries. You come into South Africa as visitors and then decide to integrate with us, yet we cannot go to Ghana and do what you are doing here, she added.

According to the NiDCOM, the protest is likely to turn more violent and could lead to lootings, riots, and property damage.

NiDCOM urged Nigerians to avoid any confrontation with protesters.

It also asked citizens in the country to engage with demonstration groups and monitor local media outlets for real-time safety information.

Following an official circular from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg *(Ref No: CGJHB/AD/209/VOL I)* dated April 22, 2026, demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal have turned violent, leading to looting, property damage, and injuries.

According to intelligence noted in the Consulates circular, further protests are scheduled to happen in the Gauteng Province, between April 27-29, 2026, with demonstrators intending to apply pressure on the South African government over the presence of foreign nationals, the statement read.
Governor Seyi Makinde has warned that Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party state if opposition parties fail to overcome internal divisions and provide credible alternatives to the ruling government.

Mr Makinde spoke on Saturday in Ibadan while addressing leaders of opposition political parties gathered for a national summit aimed at strengthening collaboration across party lines.

He said recent political developments, including the concentration of power in the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), should concern Nigerians, noting that a majority of state governments and legislative structures are now controlled by one party.

At the same time, opposition parties are increasingly entangled in internal crises and legal battles that raise serious questions about their ability to function effectively. Taken individually, each of these may have its own explanation, but taken together, they point to a pattern where the space for real political competition is disappearing.

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This is not something that we should treat lightly, because democracy is not destroyed overnight, it is weakened step by step until people begin to feel it no longer works for them, he said.

He also expressed concern over internal crises within opposition parties, which he said have limited their effectiveness and weakened their ability to serve as a check on government.

The governor stressed that democracy thrives on the existence of viable alternatives, adding that the absence of a strong opposition undermines accountability and citizens ability to make meaningful political choices.

Democracy is not defined by the success of one party. It is defined by the existence of real alternatives, by the ability of citizens to choose, and by the confidence that those choices matter. Once that disappears, what we have may still be called democracy, but it will no longer function as one, he said.

Mr Makinde said the choice of Ibadan as venue for the summit was symbolic, describing the city as a historic centre of political thought and debate in Nigeria. He referenced its role in shaping early constitutional discussions, noting that such engagements remain critical to the countrys democratic development.

The governor dismissed suggestions that the gathering was targeted at any individual or driven by personal ambition. He said it was instead focused on preserving democratic values and ensuring Nigeria remains open, competitive and accountable.

He urged opposition leaders to set aside differences and work collectively to strengthen democratic institutions, warning that weakening opposition, whether by design or neglect, would have consequences for the entire political system.

It is not a gang up against one man, and it is not about individual ambition to be president. It is about the collective ambition of the Nigerian people to have a democracy that is properly defined.

This is a gathering about something more fundamental, the survival of a system that allows Nigeria to remain open, competitive, and accountable. Because democracy without opposition is not democracy. It is a slow drift towards a one-party state, and Nigeria must not make that drift. The truth is simple, he said.

Opposition heavyweights, experts headline summit discussions

Among those in attendance at the opposition summit are former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Kano State Governor Rabi Kwankwaso, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Also present are Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, elder statesman Jerry Gana, a factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saminu Turaki, and political economist Pat Utomi.

Speakers at the summit are expected to address key national issues, including governance, electoral integrity, the economy and security.

Chidi Odinkalu and Usman Bugaje are billed to speak on democratic governance, while Mike Igini will focus on credible elections. Pat Utomi is expected to lead discussions on economic reforms, and Kabir Adamu will examine Nigerias security challenges.

Organisers say the sessions are designed to produce coordinated strategies for a more effective opposition.
ABUJA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops carried out a series of anti-terror raids in the northeastern states of Borno and Yobe between April 17 and 23, eliminating at least 31 suspected terrorists and freeing multiple hostages, said the military on Saturday.

Michael Onoja, spokesperson for the military, said in a statement that the troops carried out ambushes and patrols in the two states, killing the terrorists in separate raids. Many weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operations.

In Borno, airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) destroyed terrorist hideouts in the Southern Tumbuns area on Friday night, NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame said in a separate statement on Saturday.

The airstrikes followed credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area, Ejodame said, noting that the NAF conducted a targeted surveillance sweep, during which several terrorists were observed moving along concealed tracks and were trailed to structures hidden under dense foliage.

"Following identification, the NAF executed a precise strike, engaging the structures with onboard munitions," he said, adding that "the operation achieved the desired effect, with terrorist structures destroyed, further degrading their capability and freedom of movement in the area." 
More than 5,000 residents of Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State have fled to nearby Pulka following a recent wave of armed attacks, leaving families in overcrowded conditions with little access to food, water, or shelter.

The displacement follows violence in early March that forced residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in Pulka, about 15 kilometres away, where many are now sleeping in open spaces and along roadsides.

According to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), one of the displaced persons, Safiya Aga, described how residents fled after their homes were destroyed.

Our homes were bombed, everything we owned was destroyed. We fled with almost nothing, she said in a statement released by the organisation.

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Strained conditions, rising risks

MSF said the displaced population faces severe shortages of basic necessities, warning of a growing risk of disease outbreaks due to poor sanitation and lack of clean water.

The organisation, which began a four-week emergency intervention on 10 April, said it has distributed relief items to more than 900 families, including cooking utensils, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and water containers. It is also supplying about 16,000 litres of clean water daily and rehabilitating sanitation facilities.

However, the group said the scale of need far exceeds current assistance.

People urgently need food and improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services, said Abdoulaye Mahmoudoune, MSFs emergency field coordinator, in the statement. We cannot meet these overwhelming needs alone.

Questions over response

Despite the scale of the displacement, there has been no detailed public update from emergency management authorities on coordinated relief efforts for those affected.

Nigerias national and state emergency agenciesincluding the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)are typically responsible for leading humanitarian responses in such situations.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no immediate response from the agencies on assistance provided to those displaced in Pulka.

A familiar cycle in Gwoza

The latest displacement underscores a recurring pattern of violence in Gwoza and surrounding communities, once heavily affected by insurgency.

Communities in southern Borno have experienced repeated attacks over the years, forcing residents into cycles of displacement, return, and renewed violence.

Data from conflict monitoring groups such as Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project show that attacks on rural communities in Borno State have persisted despite ongoing military operations targeting insurgent groups.

Security analysts say remote communities like Ngoshe remain vulnerable due to limited state presence and difficult terrain.

ALSO READ: ISWAP terrorists raid military bases in Borno

Shrinking aid, growing needs

The situation in Pulka also reflects broader concerns about declining humanitarian support in northeast Nigeria.

MSF warned that funding gaps and a reduction in humanitarian assistance are putting critical healthcare and relief services at risk across Borno State, with health facilities already under strain.

Call for urgent intervention

MSF called on humanitarian organisations to urgently scale up assistance in Pulka, particularly in food aid and water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The organisation also urged donors to increase funding to prevent further deterioration of living conditions for displaced populations.

For many of those displaced, survival now depends on how quickly additional support arrives.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) states that the federal government has reversed its earlier decision on implementing the revised Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and has made new commitments to settle outstanding arrears and fund residency training programmes.

The disclosure was contained in a communique issued at the end of the associations emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.

The dispute

The current development follows weeks of tension between NARD and the federal government over unresolved welfare issues.

Earlier in April, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the association declared a nationwide strike, citing persistent welfare challenges and policy inconsistencies in the health sector.

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At the centre of the dispute was the governments decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT. The government has now agreed to implement the PAT.

The doctors also raised concerns over delayed payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears, the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and about 19 months of unpaid professional allowances.

NARD warned at the time that the unresolved issues were affecting doctors morale and threatening the sustainability of healthcare delivery across the country.

Following negotiations with government officials and other stakeholders, the association had earlier suspended the strike, citing progress in discussions and commitments by the authorities to address the concerns.

However, the association maintained that the suspension was not a resolution of the dispute but a window to assess the governments willingness to implement agreed measures, a process that has now culminated in the latest commitments outlined in its communique.

Government concessions

In its observations, the association said the federal government has now reinstated the implementation of the reviewed PAT, noting that the adjustment is expected to reflect in April salaries and subsequent payments.

NARD also said the government renewed its commitment to pay all outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions.

It further noted that initial approval has been secured for the 2026 MRTF, with a firm commitment by the authorities to conclude and finalise the disbursement process.

According to the communique, the Budget Office has also indicated readiness to commence the process for the payment of 19 months arrears of the professional allowance.

However, the association expressed concern over the continued delay in the payment of house officers salaries.

Demands

Following its deliberations, the NEC demanded the sustained implementation of the reviewed PAT as reflected in the April salary and in subsequent months.

The association also called for the prompt payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions, in line with the governments renewed commitment.

It further demanded the expedited conclusion and full disbursement of the 2026 MRTF, as well as the immediate commencement and timely completion of the process for the payment of the outstanding 19 months arrears of the professional allowance.

On house officers salaries, NARD called for the convening of an urgent stakeholders meeting to address and bring persistent delays to a definitive resolution.

In light of the latest developments, the association said it has resolved to suspend its planned comprehensive strike.

It added that progress on the governments commitments would be reviewed at its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) scheduled to be held in Kano in May.

Stakeholders interventions

NARD said it reviewed high-level engagements involving several government officials and institutions, including Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi.

Others include the Coordinating Minister of Finance, the Budget Office, the Cash Management Office, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Nigerian Medical Association, and the State Security Service (SSS).

Appreciation

The association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Shettima, and other government officials and stakeholders for their interventions.

Those acknowledged include Senate Committee on Health Chairperson Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Salako; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Accountant-General of the Federation Shamsedeen Ogunjimi; and Director-General of the SSS, Adeola Ajayi.

Others are the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Fatima Kyari; Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Temitope Esan; President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Bala Audu; and Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, Saad Ahmed.

The association also appreciated other government officials, its members nationwide, and media organisations for their support.
In sub-Saharan Africa, household air pollution remains one of the most pressing public health challenges. According to the World Health Organisation, exposure to smoke from traditional cooking fuels contributes to over 800,000 premature deaths annually across the continent, with women and children bearing the greatest burden. At the same time, estimates from the International Energy Agency suggest that nearly 80 percent of households in the region still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking.

These figures highlight a critical reality. Clean cooking is not only an energy issue. It is one of the most immediate and high-impact interventions at the intersection of public health, climate action, and economic development.

Yet, despite the availability of proven solutions and clear demand, the sector remains significantly underfunded. The constraint is not technological. It is financial. More specifically, it reflects a structural gap in how clean cooking initiatives are financed. Without government-backed authorisation, carbon finance, which is widely regarded as one of the most viable mechanisms for scaling clean cooking, risks falling short of its full potential.

Carbon markets have created a pathway to address this gap by assigning value to emissions reductions. Through this model, project developers can generate carbon credits and use the proceeds to subsidise the cost of clean cookstoves, in some cases reducing prices by as much as 90 percent for low-income households. While this approach has shown promise, its effectiveness depends on market confidence.

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That confidence is evolving. In todays carbon markets, credibility is no longer determined solely at the project level. It increasingly depends on whether emissions reductions are recognised and authorised at the national level. Investors and buyers are placing greater emphasis on alignment with host country climate commitments and on transparent accounting systems.

This is where government-backed authorisation becomes critical. Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon credits intended for international transfer are expected to be supported by host governments through instruments such as Letters of Authorisation. These approvals allow credits to be treated as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes and used toward national or international climate targets.

In practical terms, such authorisation can strengthen the credibility of carbon credits by linking them to national climate frameworks. Without it, credits may face limited demand, pricing uncertainty, and reduced investor confidence. With it, they are more likely to attract financing and support long-term scale.

Across much of Africa, however, the frameworks required to enable this process are still evolving. Clean cooking projects are already delivering measurable benefits by reducing emissions, limiting deforestation, and improving household welfare. However, according to industry observers, many projects remain constrained by unclear regulatory processes and the absence of fully developed authorisation systems. This creates a bottleneck where implementation capacity exists, but financing cannot flow at the required speed or volume.

Nigeria is beginning to signal movement in a different direction. According to public statements from the National Council on Climate Change, the country is positioning itself to access new streams of climate finance. The Director General, Omotenioye Majekodunmi, has highlighted priorities such as developing a national carbon market framework, operationalising a climate change fund, and strengthening institutional financing mechanisms.

Recent policy signals also suggest a shift toward more structured carbon market governance. These include efforts to develop a national carbon registry and to establish clearer oversight mechanisms. In addition, reports indicate that initial Letters of Authorisation have been issued to selected project developers, marking an early step toward implementation.

Early examples, including clean cooking initiatives associated with companies such as BURN, illustrate how emerging frameworks could support investment in local manufacturing, job creation, and large-scale distribution. Facilities such as BURNs operations in Kano highlight the potential for carbon finance to contribute to domestic value chains while delivering both climate and development outcomes. These examples remain illustrative but point to what could be achieved within a more predictable and transparent policy environment.

If clean cooking is to scale across Africa, this level of policy clarity will be essential. Governments may need to move more decisively to operationalise Article 6 frameworks, establish transparent and predictable authorisation processes, and align carbon market strategies with national climate commitments.

The opportunity is significant. Carbon finance has the potential to channel substantial investment into African economies, supporting industrial development, creating jobs, and accelerating access to modern energy solutions. However, this potential is closely tied to regulatory certainty and institutional credibility. The technology is available. The demand is well established. The financing model has shown promise.

What remains in many markets is the enabling policy environment required to unlock scale.

Without government-backed authorisation, clean cooking carbon projects risk remaining fragmented and underfunded. With it, they are better positioned to expand, reaching millions of households and delivering meaningful climate and public health benefits.

*Chudy Uwadiegwu is a commentator on national issues
Recently, in an unprecedented and distinctive manner, the creme de la creme of Enugu States sectoral leaders, founding fathers, and political stakeholders, led by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah paid a thank-you and solidarity visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The visit, rich in symbolism and political undertones, has continued to generate discourse across political circles, highlighting both its strategic advantages and potential implications. President Tinubu, who was visibly overwhelmed by the visit, its significance and magnitude, especially considering the calibre of individuals in the delegation, could not hide his enthusiasm and euphoria.

This was evident in his body language, countenance, and the barrage of eulogies, accolades, and commendations he showered on the delegation, particularly on Governor Mbah, whom he described as a quintessential and transformative leader Nigeria needs to move forward.

Looking at the delegation, it was not only intimidating and unifying, but also all-encompassing and symbolic, as no part or sector of the state was left behind or missing in action. It was clear, unequivocal, and unquestionable that the people of Enugu State are not only strongly supportive of Governor Mbahs administration and his well-deserved re-election bid, but also solidly behind President Tinubus government and his re-election.

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This position was clearly communicated to the President by Governor Mbah during his remarks, where, like Oliver Twist, he made further requests for federal consideration and interventions, to which President Tinubu gave his assurance and word. It is becoming increasingly obvious that the success of the visit has sent shivers down the spines of the feeble and directionless opposition and their social media hirelings.

Little wonder they have been desperately and angrily belabouring efforts to vitiate or downplay the significance of the visit across social media platforms. Unfortunately for them, they are labouring in vain.

With the calibre of Enugu men and women in the delegation, one may rightly ask: who else among the leaders, stakeholders, and people of the state stands with the noisy opposition and their questionable, valueless leadership? None, except their hired social media agents who are rambling, wailing, and already mourning their impending defeat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

From President Tinubus speech and overall disposition, it is evident that he has deep respect and admiration for Governor Mbah.

This stems from the Governors outstanding leadership qualities and sterling performance in office. It can be recalled that President Tinubu had earlier demonstrated similar admiration during his presidential visit to Enugu State on 4 January 2025, where he described Governor Mbah as both the tomorrow and today of Enugu State after commissioning people-oriented and gargantuan infrastructural projects executed by the administration.

It is, therefore, not out of place to note that it was after this visit that Governor Mbah emerged as the most sought-after bride of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which later culminated in his defection to the party.

As I had emphatically stated in my earlier series of articles titled 2027: Why Governor Mbah Remains the Most Beautiful Bride, written prior to his defection, his eventual reception into the APC was marked with red carpets, to the surprise and disappointment of the now-ousted minister and his associates who had vowed to stop his move.

It is neither hyperbolic nor exaggerated to state that even before Governor Mbahs defection to the APC, President Tinubus administration had already been undertaking major federal projects in Enugu State and its environs by consistently approving and releasing funds for their execution.

Such projects include the completed Eke Obinagu flyover, Emene; the ongoing dualisation of the 21.7km Abakaliki Road from Airport flyover to Ebonyi State border by Governor Mbahs administration; the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission; the reconstruction of the EnuguPort Harcourt Expressway; and the approval and consistent release of funds for the continuation of the EnuguOnitsha and Ninth MileOpiNsukkaMakurdi roads, among others.

When the New Artisan Bridge along the EnuguPort Harcourt Expressway suddenly collapsed, turning Enugus internal roads into overstretched highways with daily risks, the federal government promptly intervened and repaired it.

Thus, it can be conveniently and factually stated that even before Governor Mbah joined the APC, the Tinubu administration had demonstrated considerable interest in the state and maintained a constructive partnership despite political differences.

Given the cordial and symbiotic relationship between both administrations before and after the defection, it is evident that Enugu State stands to benefit even more after the 2027 general elections, especially if the electorate delivers overwhelming support for both Governor Mbah and President Tinubu.

With Governor Mbah effectively connecting Enugu State to the centre, the state will no longer merely receive a share of the national cake; rather, it will be among those baking and sharing it. In such a scenario, the states interests will be better protected and advanced.

As earlier argued in my article following the APC National Convention titled 2027: The APC National Convention, Presidency and the Southeast, the most strategic option before the Southeast region ahead of the 2027 presidential election is to support the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is crucial for securing political relevance and influence ahead of the 2031 presidency, in line with the adage: he who plays the ball licks the orange.

If the Southeast delivers massive votes for President Tinubu in 2027 and he secures victory, the region can leverage that political capital to negotiate for the vice-presidential slot in 2031, thereby positioning itself for a credible shot at producing a president of Southeast extraction thereafter, especially following the expected rotation after the Northeasts turn.

Admittedly, this position may not sit well with everyone and may attract criticism. However, politics is fundamentally about realism, strategy, and calculated engagement.

The dream of a Nigerian president of Southeast extraction cannot be realised without cross-regional collaboration, negotiation, bridge-building, and pragmatic alignment. The failure to achieve this within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), due to miscalculations, internal divisions, and excessive ambition, does not foreclose its possibility through another platform or approach.

Considering the current political barometer and evolving dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, it is my candid and reasoned view that the Southeast region should seriously consider aligning with the ruling APC. By making a bold and decisive electoral statement across presidential, governorship, and National Assembly elections, the region can reposition itself strategically and secure meaningful political relevance ahead of the 2031 presidential contest.

Meanwhile, the Enugu delegations visit to President Tinubu is more than a ceremonial engagement; it is a calculated political statement with far-reaching implications. While armchair critics and hired social media miscreants may question its timing and intent, its strategic value in fostering federal-state synergy and positioning Enugu State within the national power structure cannot be dismissed.

Ultimately, the true impact of this move will be measured not just in political rhetoric, but in tangible developmental outcomes and the long-term political trajectory it sets for both Enugu State and the Southeast region at large.

Samson Ezea, a public affairs analyst wrote from Enugu
Stakeholders of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have unanimously supported the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal for their second term in the 2027 general elections.

The State chapter of the APC convened a high-level Stakeholders Meeting on Saturday, 25 April 2026, at the Government House, Gusau where the two leaders were endorsed.

The stakeholder meeting brought together critical party leaders, including all four former governors, elected officials, elders, youth and women representatives, as well as key stakeholders across the States fourteen (14) Local Government Areas.

In his remarks, Governor Lawal said the meeting was timely, given that the period for the commencement of political activities leading up to the 2027 General Elections is fast approaching.

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He said, Distinguished stakeholders, our decision to join the APC was not just political but a strategic move to support Zamfaras repositioning. It positions us to work with the Federal Government, leverage national initiatives, and contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

I wish to sincerely appreciate all of you for your steadfast support from the period of consultations, through the transition process, and into our joining the APC. Your commitment has been instrumental in shaping this direction.

Fellow leaders and stakeholders, while we may represent different political backgrounds and interests, the Rescue Mission we lead is a mandate for every citizen of the State. It is not a mandate for any one group, section, or political tendency. It is a mandate to restore hope, rebuild institutions, secure our communities, and give our people a government that works for them.

As key stakeholders, ladies and gentlemen, our administration focuses on restoring stability, rebuilding institutions, and providing development in Zamfara State. In a short time, we have made significant progress through collective effort, disciplined leadership, and shared commitment.

Mr Lawal further stressed that his transition to the APC was a deliberate, well-considered decision aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing StateFederal collaboration, expanding development opportunities, and accelerating service delivery.

With this new phase comes greater responsibility. We must manage expectations and pursue political interests with maturity, fairness, and strategic discipline.

Politics, by its nature, involves negotiation, compromise, and consensus-building. As the political space expands, so do desires and aspirations. It is important to recognise that while many seek opportunities, not all expectations can be met or accommodated urgently.

Leadership is not defined solely by positions. Political relevance comes from serving, influencing, and contributing to the States development.

I assure you that fairness, equity, and justice will continue to guide our decisions. We will uphold internal democracy, due process, and transparency in all our engagements. Loyalty to our party must be matched by discipline. We must avoid actions or statements that create division or weaken our collective resolve and standing.

During the high-level meeting, former governors Ahmed Sani Yarima, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Abdulaziz Yari, and Bello Mohammed Matawalle all made clear commitments to the APC and expressed full support for President Tinubu and Governor Lawals re-election bids.

The stakeholders in a communique read by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, said the meeting provided a platform for in-depth discussions on party unity, governance coordination, security concerns, and preparations for upcoming party events and the 2027 General Elections.
Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, at the weekend, joined the management and board of Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of Vanguard Newspapers, in honouring elder statesman and former Second Republic governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, describing him as a man who stood out in service to his people.

Mr Mbah recalled that decades after his time as governor, Nwobodos legacies still loomed large across the present Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi States.

The governor spoke at the 2025 Vanguard Personality of the Year Award ceremony in Lagos, where the octogenarian received the Vanguard Lifetime Achievement Award.

This is a fitting tribute to your life of service to the nation and humanity in various capacities, as well as your towering legacies that have continued to stand the test of time, he said.

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Presenting the award to Nwobodo on behalf of Vanguard Media Limited, Governor Mbah added, First, I would like to thank the management and board of Vanguard for this recognition and for allowing me the privilege to present this award to our selfless elder statesman.

He noted the former governors exploits as Chairman of Rangers International, as well as Minister of Youth and Sports, during which Nigeria excelled at the Olympics and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON 94) in Tunisia.

Jim, as we fondly call him, represents a whole lot for us. As governor, at just 39, he left bold legacies virtually across what we refer to today as the South East. He was the governor of three states  Anambra State, Enugu State, and part of Ebonyi State.

As a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, he epitomised courage and patriotism.

So, it is with a deep sense of pride and profound honour that I present this Lifetime Achievement Award to a distinguished son of Enugu State and a patriotic Nigerian.

On behalf of my family, the Government, and the good people of Enugu State, I convey our warm congratulations to you, Mbah concluded.

Wife of the elder statesman, Dr Patricia Nwobodo, and other prominent Nigerians stood by the former governor as he received the award.
A traditional ruler, his wife, son and two other residents have been killed in Olegabulu community of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, in the latest wave of violence in the state.

Daily Trust reported that the attack occurred on Thursday night when gunmen riding on two motorcycles stormed the palace and opened fire on the occupants.

Residents said the attackers moved through the community without raising suspicion* before heading straight to the residence of the traditional ruler.

A local resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the gunmen appeared familiar with the area.

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They came in like normal people, greeting in our dialect, so nobody suspected anything, he said. But immediately they entered the traditional rulers house, they opened fire.

The attackers reportedly killed the ruler, his wife and son inside the palace before proceeding to a nearby compound, where two other residents were shot dead. One person was said to have sustained injuries during the incident.

They operated for about 20 minutes, another witness said. After attacking the palace, they moved to another house and killed two more people before fleeing.

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident. It is true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person was injured during the attack, he said, adding that security personnel have since visited the community.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive full details of the attack.

The latest killings add to a pattern of violent attacks in Benue, where rural communities have faced repeated assaults by gunmen in recent months.

In a separate incident, the police said they arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of a National Youth Service Corps member, Ben Agir, in Buruku Local Government Area.

Mr Agir was reportedly killed by a mob last Sunday night near the Buruku Local Government Secretariat after being accused of stealing a motorcycle.

READ ALSO: Nigeria soldiers kill gunmen in Plateau ambush

Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson, Ms Edet, said the accusation was false. The deceased was accused by a group of hoodlums of stealing a motorcycle and was subsequently mobbed to death without any investigation, she said.

But preliminary findings revealed that the accusation was false, as documents relating to the motorcycle indicated that the deceased was its rightful owner.

She identified the arrested suspects as Terkimbi Abumswende and Joshua Adagim, adding that another suspect remains at large.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime, but another suspect remains at large, she said, noting that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The Buruku Local Government chairman, Raymond Aondoakura, said the vigilante group allegedly involved in the killing has been suspended pending investigation.
A fire outbreak on Saturday evening razed a bungalow building located within the environmental axis of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) estate in Lugbe, along Airport Road, Abuja.

The incident, which began around 7:30 p.m., completely destroyed the property.

Residents said the building went up in flames shortly after electricity was restored to the area.

The occupants of the building are not around. The fire started after they brought light. Everything has burnt down, a resident told PREMIUM TIMES at the scene.

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Fire service officials were said to have responded after being alerted. However, some residents criticised the pace of the response.

The fire has been burning for about an hour. The fire service guys could not extinguish it, another resident said.

At least three fire service trucks, with personnel fully kitted, were seen at the scene battling to put out the flames.

No fatalities were recorded.

Dozens of residents gathered at the scene, watching as emergency responders struggled to contain the fire.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that the building, located in a fenced compound with a red-coloured gate has been completely destroyed.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has offered automatic employment to 37 first-class graduates of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) at its 16th convocation ceremony.

Mr Soludo, a professor, made the announcement on Saturday at the universitys main campus in Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area.

The governor also gave N4 million to the overall best graduating student, Augustus Umeh of the Department of Economics.

Mr Umeh graduated with a cumulative grade point average of 4.85 on a 5.0 scale.

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Speaking at the event, Governor Soludo urged the graduands to seize the moment and emerge as beacons of hope, disruptive thinkers and agents of change in society.

The Nigeria of 2026 is a country facing difficult challenges but on a path of necessary transformation. This is our country, and we must rise to the occasion rather than dwell on lamentations, he said.

Mr Soludo further charged the institution to focus on producing problem-solvers rather than mere enumerators.

He added that his administration would continue to prioritise human capital development to build the desired future.

Also speaking, the universitys Chancellor, Matthew Kukah, commended the state government for its significant investment in education.

Statistically, Anambra is performing well in education among the 36 states.

As the new Chancellor, we will not only strive to achieve the universitys goals but surpass them, Mr Kukah, the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto, said.

Earlier in her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Kate Omenugha, disclosed that 3,155 students were awarded first degrees across various disciplines in the undergraduate programme.

She added that 803 graduands obtained postgraduate degrees in different fields.

Giving a breakdown, Mrs Omenugha, a professor, said 37 students graduated with first-class honours, 888 with second-class upper division and 1,712 with third-class degrees.

She congratulated the graduands and urged them to uphold the universitys values and represent the institution with pride.

The vice chancellor also pledged the universitys commitment to achieving global relevance and academic excellence, while thanking the governor for his support in upgrading the institution.

(NAN)
Opposition political parties in Nigeria have resolved to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The resolution is contained in a communique issued at the end of a national summit held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, and later shared on the X page of the Kabir Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In what they termed the Ibadan Declaration, the parties accused the APC of actions capable of undermining multi-party democracy, vowing to resist any attempt to impose a one-party state.

The opposition groups also dismissed suggestions that President Bola Tinubu could emerge as a consensus candidate and win the 2027 without any contest, insisting they would field candidates across all levels of the elections.

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However, they said discussions were ongoing to agree on a single presidential flagbearer to be backed by all participating opposition parties.

That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027; we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.

That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses, the statement read.

Removal of INEC chairman

The communique further raised concerns about the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for the removal of its chairman, Joash Amupitan, over alleged bias.

The parties said his continued stay in office could undermine confidence in the electoral process, although INEC has not responded to the allegation.

That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis in our nation, the statement added.

The summit also urged the National Assembly to review provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 that it said could weaken the credibility of elections, and called on INEC to extend deadlines for party primaries to the end of July.

In addition, the parties demanded the release of political actors allegedly detained over bailable offences, arguing that such actions could limit political participation.

They commended Nigerians for what they described as resilience in the face of economic and political challenges, and expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for hosting the summit.

The declaration marks one of the clearest attempts yet by opposition parties to coordinate strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, amid ongoing debates about the state of Nigerias democracy.
BAMAKO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Strong explosions and gunfire were reported early Saturday in several cities in Mali, including Kati and areas of Bamako, local sources said.

Reports said detonations were also heard in Mopti, Gao, Sevare, and Kidal. Earlier in Kati, a garrison town in Mali's Koulikoro Region near the capital, two powerful explosions were heard between 5:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and 5:30 a.m. (0530 GMT), waking up some residents in Bamako.

"A deafening noise woke up our whole neighborhood early this morning," a resident of Kati told Xinhua. Local sources said detonations were still being heard in some areas, while residents were staying indoors amid fear and uncertainty.

According to a security source, the incidents were believed to be coordinated attacks targeting positions of the Malian Armed Forces. The situation remained unclear, and no official statement or casualty report was immediately available. 
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Washington, April 25 : Lawmakers from the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and other political leaders have strongly condemned a social media post by President Donald Trump targeting Indian and Chinese immigrants, calling it racist, divisive and dangerous.

In a joint statement, CAPAC Chair Grace Meng, alongside lawmakers including Ted Lieu, Judy Chu, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar, said they were "deeply outraged" by remarks referring to India and China as "hell-holes" and immigrants as "gangsters with laptops".

"At a time when hate incidents against South Asian communities are on the rise, and one in four Americans view Chinese Americans as a threat, this kind of rhetoric pours fuel on an already dangerous fire," the lawmakers said.

They added that the remarks reflect "a disturbing pattern of the President legitimizing bigotry" and accused the administration of endorsing individuals who had called to "normalize Indian hate" and urged people to "never trust a Chinaman or Indian."

"Those who become American by birthright are just as American as anyone else," the statement said, calling on the president "to serve all Americans with dignity and respect, not just those he deems worthy."

Congressman Ted Lieu in a separate slammed Trump for this. "During WWII, over 100,000 Americans were torn from their homes and forcibly incarcerated in US internment camps because they were deemed disloyal," he said. "The message was clear: Japanese Americans could never truly belong."

"For much of US history, Asian Americans have been cast as forever foreigners," Lieu said, adding that Trump's post "claims there is 'no loyalty' among today's immigrants, singling out Indian and Chinese communities specifically."

Lieu also highlighted personal experience. "I came to this country with my family at three years old," he said, noting his military service and public career. "Immigrants make our country great. Nothing trump says will change that."

Other political figures echoed the criticism. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "Chinese Americans and Indian Americans are valuable members of our communities. President Trump's hateful message about fellow Americans is truly despicable."

Jayapal described the post as "disgusting, insulting and rooted in white supremacy," adding, "Birthright citizenship is foundational to Americano amount of racism or xenophobia from Trump can change that."

Representative Greg Stanton warned that such comments "are designed to divide us and normalize hatred toward our neighbours," noting that "hate crimes against South Asian communities are already on the rise."

The Hindu American Foundation also criticised the rhetoric, saying it had "serious implications" and reaffirming that "Asian Americans are integral to the fabric of this country, driving its economy, strengthening its institutions, and enriching its society."

The controversy comes amid broader debates in the United States over immigration, citizenship and racial identity. Asian American communities, including Indian Americans, have in recent years reported increased incidents of hate and discrimination, particularly during periods of political polarisation.
Washington, April 25 : The US Justice Department has filed a civil complaint to revoke the citizenship of a Pakistan-born man convicted of sexually grooming and abusing a minor, alleging he obtained naturalisation by concealing his crimes and giving false testimony.

The case targets Hassan Sherjil Khan, who was granted US citizenship in May 2013 despite what prosecutors describe as years of criminal conduct involving a child. The government argues his citizenship was "illegally procured" and must be revoked under federal law.

Court filings show Khan met the victim online in 2007 when she was 11. Over several years, he used internet chats and video calls to coerce her into sending sexually explicit images and engaging in sexual activity.

In April 2012, prosecutors say, Khan travelled from the United States to England, where the victim lived, and engaged in sexual acts with her when she was 15 and he was 24.

During his later plea hearing, Khan admitted his actions. "I knew that my conduct was not only illegal but morally wrong, and I'm deeply regretful of that conduct, your Honor," he told the court.

The Justice Department said Khan continued to exploit the victim online until at least 2013 and contacted her repeatedly even after she asked him to stop.

Despite this conduct, Khan applied for naturalisation in August 2012. In his application and subsequent interview, he stated he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested, a claim prosecutors now say was false.

"Naturalization and US citizenship will not protect sexual predators from the consequences of their horrific acts," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate. "If you fail to disclose serious crimes while seeking naturalization, the government will discover your lies and revoke your ill-gotten US citizenship."

The complaint argues Khan lacked the "good moral character" required for citizenship because he had committed crimes involving moral turpitude and later lied under oath during the naturalisation process.

Prosecutors further allege he secured citizenship through "willful misrepresentation" and concealment of material facts, which would have disqualified him had they been disclosed.

Khan was arrested in 2015 after the victim reported the abuse. In January 2016, he pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison and remains incarcerated, with a projected release date of July 2029.

At the time of his arrest, he was working as a physician, according to the Justice Department.

The government has asked the court to cancel Khan's naturalisation certificate, revoke his citizenship, and bar him from claiming any rights associated with US nationality. The allegations in the civil complaint have not yet been adjudicated.

Denaturalisation cases in the United States are rare and typically pursued in instances of fraud, war crimes, or serious criminal conduct concealed during the immigration process. Under federal law, courts are required to revoke citizenship if it is found to have been illegally obtained or secured through misrepresentation. --IANS

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Washington, April 25 : The United States imposed sanctions on a China-based refinery and dozens of vessels linked to Iran's oil trade, stepping up pressure on Tehran's energy revenues.

The Treasury Department said its Office of Foreign Assets Control (Office of Foreign Assets Control) targeted Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co., Ltd., describing it as one of Iran's largest buyers of crude oil and petroleum products.

"Economic Fury is imposing a financial stranglehold on the Iranian regime, hampering its aggression in the Middle East, and helping to curtail its nuclear ambitions," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The move also targets about 40 shipping firms and vessels linked to what US officials call Iran's "shadow fleet". The Treasury said these ships transport oil and petrochemicals to global markets, providing a financial lifeline to Iran's government.

"At President Trump's direction, Treasury will continue to constrict the network of vessels, intermediaries, and buyers Iran relies on to move its oil to global markets," Bessent said, referring to Donald Trump. "Any person or vessel facilitating these flowsthrough covert trade and financerisks exposure to US sanctions."

Treasury officials said China's independent refineries, known as "teapots", purchase most of Iran's crude oil. Hengli, identified as China's second-largest such refinery, has bought "billions of dollars' worth" of Iranian petroleum.

The statement said Hengli has received shipments linked to sanctioned vessels and to Iran's Armed Forces General Staff through Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, generating "hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the Iranian military".

In a parallel move, the US sanctioned 19 vessels accused of transporting billions of dollars in Iranian crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas and other petrochemical products. These vessels operated under flags from jurisdictions including Panama, Hong Kong and Barbados.

Some tankers were cited for delivering millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China, while others transported cargoes to the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh. The Treasury said the vessels engaged in activities such as ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the origin of the oil.

The action was taken under Executive Order 13902, which targets Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors. It forms part of a broader campaign of economic pressure on Tehran's oil exports and financial networks.

Since February 2025, the Treasury said it has sanctioned more than 1,000 Iran-related individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft as part of that campaign.

Under US law, all property and interests of designated entities within US jurisdiction are blocked. Transactions involving these parties are generally prohibited for US persons, and foreign entities risk penalties for facilitating such activity.

The Treasury warned that violations could lead to civil or criminal penalties. It also said financial institutions and others could face sanctions exposure for engaging in transactions involving designated entities.
New Delhi, April 25 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address election rallies in West Bengal on Saturday, with public meetings scheduled in Kolkata and Serampore after an earlier setback when permissions for the events were initially denied.

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha's campaign schedule was disrupted before being put back on track, albeit with a change of date.

LoP Gandhi's planned April 23 rallies in Kolkata and Serampore were initially cancelled due to a lack of police permission.

The development triggered sharp political reactions, with the Congress accusing the state administration of bias and obstruction.

The party alleged that the denial of permission was influenced by the ruling Trinamool Congress, escalating tensions between Opposition parties in the state. However, the situation was resolved shortly thereafter. By April 22, authorities granted fresh clearance, allowing the rallies to be rescheduled for April 25.

According to the revised plan, LoP Gandhi will address a major public meeting at Shahid Minar Maidan in Kolkata at around 2:30 P.M. today. The venue, a historic political ground in the city, has long been associated with significant political mobilisations.

Following the Kolkata event, LoP Gandhi will travel to Serampore in Hooghly district, where he is set to address another key election rally later in the day.

Earlier, Congress leaders had strongly criticised the initial denial of permission, claiming it reflected an attempt by the state government to curb Opposition campaigning. The episode briefly added to the already charged political atmosphere in West Bengal, where multiple parties are vying for influence ahead of ongoing electoral contests.

Meanwhile, LoP Gandhi sharpened his attack on both the ruling Trinamool and the BJP during his remarks on Thursday. He argued that the BJP's rise in West Bengal was a direct consequence of governance failures by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration.

"If Mamata Banerjee had run a clean government and had not polarised Bengal, the BJP would not have been able to rise," Rahul Gandhi said, as polling for the first phase of elections in the state was held on April 23. The second phase of voting is scheduled for April 29.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Washington, April 25 : The Indo-Pacific is "the defining strategic theatre in the 21st century," Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, has told lawmakers, warning that Washington must sustain deterrence through alliances, forward military presence and technological advantage to counter rising challenges in the region.

Washington, April 25 (IANS) The Indo-Pacific is "the defining strategic theatre in the 21st century," Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, has told lawmakers, warning that Washington must sustain deterrence through alliances, forward military presence and technological advantage to counter rising challenges in the region.

During a Congressional hearing this week, Paparo said deterrence in the region depends on sustained operations and coordination with allies, describing it as "our highest duty."

"We deter with dynamic combat power, conducting operations every day across all domains," he said, pointing to expanded exercises and deeper military integration with partner nations.

He stressed that alliances remain central to US strategy. "Our allies and partners increase our combat capability and capacity and strengthen deterrence," Paparo said, citing growing cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

Highlighting India's role, he noted that the military-to-military relationship with New Delhi "is on an upward trajectory" and remains a priority engagement, reflecting Washington's broader push to deepen ties with key regional partners.

Paparo warned that China's approach goes beyond conventional military expansion, pointing to tactics such as "information operations," coercion and legal manoeuvres aimed at reshaping the regional order without direct conflict. "These are all contingencies that we plan very deeply," he said.

He also underlined the rapid evolution of warfare, saying the US must adapt to emerging technologies and battlefield realities. "We see it every single day the commoditisation of cheap, distributed, precision kill," Paparo said, referring to lessons from ongoing conflicts.

The admiral called for a mix of advanced and cost-effective capabilities. "While we need exquisite to take down exquisite things, we need cheap to take out less exquisite things," he said, emphasising investments in unmanned systems and scalable weapons.

Senior Pentagon official John Noh reinforced the administration's position, saying the United States seeks to "deter China through strength, not confrontation," while ensuring no single power dominates the region.

"This is not for the purpose of dominating or humiliating China," Noh said. "Rather, it is to defend our vital national interests in the Indo-Pacific."

Paparo also raised concerns over China's deepening ties with Russia, warning that Beijing provides "90 per cent of the semiconductors that power Russia's war machine" and a majority of critical industrial tools, calling the connection "deeply concerning."

In the second half of the hearing, lawmakers focused on broader geopolitical pressures and their impact on US strategy in Asia.

Representative Adam Smith said maintaining alliances is critical to deterrence, but warned that conflicts elsewhere are stretching US resources. "The war in the Middle East is causing enormous problems in the Indo-Pacific as well," he said.

He stressed the importance of credibility with partners. "We need to let those folks know that we are there and they can depend on us," Smith added.

Other lawmakers raised concerns about delays in arms deliveries to Taiwan and the need to accelerate defence production. Paparo agreed on the urgency, saying deliveries should be made "not just on time, but early."

Despite concerns over resource diversion, Paparo maintained that US forces remain postured to deter aggression, emphasising mobility, logistics and sustained presence as key elements.
Chembur, April 25 : The Chembur Police has arrested four persons for allegedly attempting to sell elephant tusks in violation of wildlife laws. The action was carried out by the Crime Detection Unit following a tip-off regarding illegal trade in wildlife contraband.

The accused have been identified as Akash Ashok Avhad (28), Sandip Randhir Bidlan (33), Shashank Chandrashekhar Ranjankar (38), and Dinesh Rammanohar Agnivanshi (40).

According to the police, acting on specific Intelligence, a trap was laid on April 22 at a hotel on RC Marg in Chembur. Informants were instructed to pose as buyers and arrange a deal with the accused. A room was booked at a local lodging facility, where the suspects agreed to deliver the tusks for sale.

After receiving a signal from the informants, the police team conducted a raid at the hotel. During the operation, four individuals were found inside the room along with two ivory tusk-like objects placed on the bed.

Officials from the Maharashtra Forest Department were called to the spot and prima facie confirmed that the seized items were genuine elephant tusks. The accused had allegedly planned to sell the tusks for approximately Rs 3.5 crore.

The seized contraband includes two elephant tusks weighing about 11 kg and 20.6 kg respectively, along with bags and packing materials used for transportation. Police also recovered four mobile phones from the accused.

All items were seized and sealed as per procedure. The accused were taken into custody and brought to the police station for further legal action.

A case has been registered under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, including Sections 9, 39, 44, 48, 50, and 51. Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the tusks and identify other members of the wildlife trafficking network.

Earlier in February, the Poojappura police launched an investigation into the alleged theft of two elephant tusks worth a2 crore from the Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with a suspected link to a DJ party held at the premises.
BAMAKO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Mali's armed forces said on Saturday that armed terrorist groups attempted attacks in several cities across the country earlier in the morning, adding that the situation was "under control."

In a statement issued at around 11 a.m. local time, the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces said the attackers "immediately suffered heavy setbacks" due to the response of the armed forces.

Several terrorists were neutralized and equipment destroyed, it said, adding that sweep operations were continuing.

The General Staff called on the population to remain calm, avoid spreading videos or messages likely to fuel public concern, and rely exclusively on official channels for reliable information.

Earlier in the day, loud blasts and gunfire were heard in Kati, a garrison town near the country's capital, Bamako, local sources told Xinhua. Malian security sources said armed terrorist groups had launched simultaneous attacks on several sites and barracks in the capital and interior regions. 
Washington, April 25 : A senior South Korean diplomat said that Seoul and Washington are making efforts toward "normalisation," amid reports that the US has partially limited its sharing of intelligence on North Korea in response to what it sees as a classified information leak by a top Seoul official.

Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Jeong Yeon-doo made the remarks after his meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker at the State Department in Washington on Friday (Washington time), amid concerns that the reported curbs on the sharing of intelligence could affect security cooperation between the allies.

"That is what we are trying to do. Both sides are making (efforts)," he said when asked by Yonhap News Agency if things are moving toward "normalisation."

When asked if misunderstandings between Seoul and Washington have been addressed, Jeong said, "We had discussed (issues), including that. Let's wait and see."

Reports have said that the US partially restricted South Korea's access to its satellite intelligence on North Korea after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young referred to the North's Kusong area as one of the sites that host uranium enrichment facilities.

Seoul believes that Chung's reference to the Kusong site is based on "open-source" information, while the US side regards it as a disclosure of confidential information, reports Yonhap news agency.

Given that both Jeong and Hooker are well-versed in North Korean issues, the two sides were expected to have in-depth discussions over the matter.

Jeong was in the US as he plans to attend a meeting of states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at UN headquarters in New York early next week.

On the controversy in Seoul, a senior Trump administration official said that the US government "expects all our partners to safeguard sensitive US information that has been shared in private channels."

During a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, South Korea's National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac said that Seoul and Washington have been in communication over the issue.

Asked if the US has actually curbed the sharing of intelligence with the Asian ally, Wi said, "It is difficult to either confirm or deny it" as it pertains to intelligence matters between the allies.
Jaipur, April 25 : The Chief Justice of India (CJI), Surya Kant, will address a one-day seminar titled 'The Bench Beyond Retirement' in Jaipur on Saturday, focussing on the role of retired judges.

Rajasthan Chief Minister, Bhajanlal Sharma, is also scheduled to attend the event.

Coinciding with the CJI's visit, an unprecedented judicial arrangement will see 39 judges, including Acting Chief Justice S.P. Sharma, sit together at the Rajasthan High Court's Jaipur Bench.

Legal observers say this is likely the first time since the establishment of the Jaipur Bench that all judges will conduct hearings simultaneously from Jaipur, marking a significant moment in the state's judicial history.

To facilitate this, the High Court has restructured its roster, constituting four Larger Benches, six Division Benches, and fifteen Single Benches.

Notably, this is the first instance in Rajasthan where four Larger Benches, comprising more than two judges, will function concurrently. In addition, cases originating from Jodhpur will also be heard from Jaipur through video conferencing.

This is second visit of the CJI to the city within two months. He had earlier visited Jaipur on February 20 to inaugurate a national conference on cybersecurity.

On this occasion, he raised serious concerns over the growing threat of cybercrime in the country, revealing that he has been targeted by cybercriminals as well. His remarks, made during the inauguration of a three-day cybersecurity seminar in Jaipur, triggered a wider discussion on digital safety and trust in the online space.

Addressing the seminar, the CJI had said that fake websites using his identity appear frequently. "Every other day, I see a new website in my name. One day, a girl like my sister and my daughter received messages from a website in my name. Fortunately, the language in those messages was not offensive, as they likely knew about me and my views," he said.

He added that the matter was immediately reported to cybercrime authorities, which helped trace the operators. However, he noted that the websites were being run from Nigeria, highlighting the cross-border nature of such offences. "This demonstrates the complexity of this crime. Cybercrime knows no boundaries," he said.

CJI Surya Kant had also described Artificial Intelligence as a game-changer for improving access to justice, but warned that cyber offences are expanding beyond financial fraud.

He said cybercrime now threatens public trust and noted that around 6.6 million cybercrime complaints are pending across the country.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, April 25 : North Korea on Saturday criticised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for making a ritual offering to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo, calling it a "challenge to international justice."

Takaichi on Tuesday sent an offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japanese war dead, including 14 Class A criminals convicted by the Allied forces after World War II. Other prominent Japanese politicians visited the shrine.

"(It) is a blatant distortion of history and a challenge to international justice and peace," a Rodong Sinmun newspaper article read. "It is a place to pay respects to aggressors and war criminals who caused suffering that cannot be healed."

The newspaper accused Tokyo of seeking to "disseminate" militarism through the shrine visits, calling on it to atone for the past, reports Yonhap news agency.

Japanese politicians have faced criticism for sending offerings or visiting the shrine, with neighbouring countries, such as South Korea and China, viewing such actions as an attempt to glorify the country's militaristic past.

Korea was under Japan's colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, while China was invaded by Japan during World War II.

Meanwhile, earlier on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, of ignoring historical lessons and whitewashing past crimes.

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Friday, Zakharova said Japanese militarists committed horrific crimes during World War II.

Takaichi's recent move of sending offerings to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, demonstrated the Takaichi administration's disregard for the feelings of the people of neighbouring countries who suffered at the hands of militaristic Japan during World War II, she said.

This once again shows her administration's "absolute ignoring of the lessons of history, and the whitewashing of the most brutal, monstrous crimes of the past," Zakharova said.

She urged Japan to fully acknowledge the results of World War II and abandon its policy of accelerating remilitarisation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Commenting on Japan's easing of arms export restrictions, Zakharova said the move represents a deliberate departure from the country's pacifist principles enshrined in its constitution.

Regarding the Japanese combat troops' participation in the US-Philippine joint military exercises, she said Russia has consistently expressed its concerns regarding Japan's expansion of military activity within the framework of its alliance with the United States, adding that such steps only increase tensions in the Asia Pacific region.
Mexico City, April 25 : Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that the country's sovereignty "is not negotiable," rejecting any form of foreign interference, particularly from the United States.

At her daily press conference on Friday (local time), Sheinbaum said that cooperation with other countries must strictly comply with Mexico's constitution and national security law.

She said Mexico's relationship with the United States is based on coordination and cooperation, but stressed the need to clarify whether foreign intelligence agents were involved in a recent operation in the northern state of Chihuahua.

She warned that such participation would violate Mexican law.

Two US embassy personnel were killed in a vehicle accident in Chihuahua on Sunday. Local authorities said the victims were instructors participating in routine training exchanges, but The Washington Post reported that they were US Central Intelligence Agency agents involved in an anti-narcotics operation linked to the dismantling of a clandestine drug lab.

Sheinbaum also criticised calls within Mexico for foreign intervention in domestic affairs and said all levels of government and citizens must adhere to national laws, reports Xinhua news agency.

She added that her administration is sending a letter to state governors to ensure that any cooperation with foreign agencies complies with legal frameworks and is coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and the Security Cabinet.

Earlier, on April 22, too, the Mexican President said that the federal government was unaware of the US CIA agents taking part in an anti-narcotics operation in northern Mexico to dismantle a clandestine drug lab.

The presence of US agents in an operation against organised crime in Chihuahua, a state bordering Texas, "is something that should not be taken lightly," as it is a matter of national security and sovereignty, said the President on Wednesday (local time).

"We are verifying whether they were accredited or not," she said at Wednesday's morning press conference regarding this case that came to light after the two American agents lost their lives in an accident in the Chihuahua mountains while dismantling drug labs.

Sheinbaum emphasised that, given this potential violation of national laws, the Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the US Ambassador to Mexico requesting all relevant information and that such actions are not part of established security protocols.

"Any relationship with the US government, particularly on security matters, must go through the federal government," she said, adding there had been "no knowledge" of the agents' participation. She also stressed that no US government agents should operate in Mexico without authorisation.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Seoul, April 25 : President Lee Jae Myung returned home from his two-nation swing to India and Vietnam, where he focused on expanding strategic cooperation in energy and supply chains to address uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict.

Lee wrapped up the six-day trip after holding summits with leaders of the two countries, aimed at deepening economic and strategic ties across various areas, reports Yonhap news agency.

On Monday, Lee held a bilateral summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and agreed to step up economic cooperation in critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence, finance and shipbuilding, among other sectors.

The two sides also pledged to accelerate talks to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which the countries say will help double their bilateral trade to US$50 billion by 2030 from the current $25 billion.

On Wednesday, Lee held summit talks with Vietnam's top leader To Lam in Hanoi and agreed to forge closer economic ties across energy, infrastructure and technology, and step up coordination for supply chains.

"In light of recent developments in the Middle East, we will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation to ensure a stable supply of energy resources and key raw materials," Lee said after the summit.

The two sides also pledged to accelerate talks to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which the countries say will help double their bilateral trade to US$50 billion by 2030 from the current $25 billion.

Fifteen memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed on the sidelines of the Lee-Modi summit to expand cooperation with India, the world's fourth-largest economy with a population of about 1.5 billion.

In particular, Lee expressed hope for collaboration in the shipbuilding sector following the signing of an agreement to lay the groundwork for the joint construction of a shipyard in the South Asian country.

a"IANS

na/

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
London, April 25 : Oxford University plans to launch a centre for Korean studies as early as October to boost research in Korean culture, language and history, professors leading the project have said.

The university will announce the establishment of the Oxford Centre for Korean Studies during the official public opening of Oxford's Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on Saturday.

The centre's establishment, led by Jieun Kiaer, James Lewis and Chi Young-hae of the university's Korean studies program, received final approval from a faculty meeting last month, reports Yonhap news agency.

The centre will oversee Korea-related research and lectures, and promote further research in modern Korean politics, economy and literature.

It marks the latest addition of such a centre at the university, following the establishment of centres on Japanese and Chinese studies in 1981 and 2008, respectively.

Lewis, a professor of Korean history, told Yonhap News Agency that Europe as a whole will likely be inspired by the envisioned centre's long-term research.

Another senior faculty meeting last month decided on the need for a Korean studies centre, noting the importance of Korea as a subject of research and student interest in the country's soft power, especially its popular culture.

Kiaer, a professor of Korean linguistics, noted the importance of English-language scholarship on Korean culture for its longevity, saying the centre will serve as a hub for such research.

The University of Oxford is a research institution composed of colleges, located in Oxford, England.

It has records of educational activities dating back to 1096, which makes it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest university globally that has been continuously operating.
New Delhi, April 25 : Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan arrived in Jaipur on Saturday to attend key programmes, including the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day event, marking a visit focussed on education, healthcare, and public welfare engagements.

His visit underscores continued high-level participation in academic and social initiatives aimed at promoting service-oriented development.

According to an official post shared by the Vice-President's social media handle, "Vice-President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan was warmly welcomed at Jaipur International Airport upon his arrival by the Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, and other dignitaries. The Vice-President will attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre today."

The Vice-President will also participate in the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, reflecting the emphasis on patient care, awareness, and support systems for survivors.

The event is expected to highlight advancements in cancer treatment and the importance of community-driven healthcare initiatives.

Earlier, V.P. Radhakrishnan chaired the sixth convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand on Thursday, where he addressed graduating medical students and said that convocation marks not just the end of academic training but the beginning of a greater responsibility towards society and the nation. He urged young doctors to serve with dedication, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose.

He emphasised that healthcare is a public trust and a crucial pillar of nation-building, encouraging graduates to focus on preventive care, rural outreach, research, and innovation. He also highlighted the spiritual and cultural importance of Rishikesh as a global centre of healing and reflection, which adds deeper significance to such academic milestones.

Referring to India's response during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice-President praised the country's resilience under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted the success of the nationwide vaccination drive that reached more than 140 crore citizens and highlighted India's global contribution through "Vaccine Maitri," under which vaccines were supplied to over 100 countries, reinforcing India's role in global health cooperation.
Patna, April 25 : In a shocking case from Bihar, four individuals - including two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) - have been arrested in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case, an official said on Saturday.

Patna, April 25 (IANS) In a shocking case from Bihar, four individuals a" including two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) a" have been arrested in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case, an official said on Saturday.

Police have also recovered Rs 1.5 lakh, allegedly collected as ransom, from the accused. The incident is linked to the Nawada district.

According to the SHO of Jamui Nagar Police Station, the arrests were carried out on Friday by the Jamui district police, who apprehended four personnel of the Nawada Excise Department.

The accused include ASI Sujit Kumar, incharge of the Kauakol check-post, ASI Dilip Kumar, and two Home Guard jawans posted at the Pakribarawan Excise Police Station.

The incident is reported to have taken place at Mahuliya Tand under the Kauakol police station area.

On Thursday night, excise officials were conducting a vehicle checking drive when they intercepted a Creta car carrying three individuals, who were allegedly in an intoxicated state.

They were taken to the Pakribarawan excise police station.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when one of the detained individuals, identified as Santosh Kumar, informed his family over the phone that he had been kidnapped and asked them to bring Rs 5 lakh to Nawada for his release.

Acting on this, his brother, Pintu Kumar of Narwada village in Jamui, filed a written complaint at the Jamui Nagar police station, alleging abduction.

Following the complaint, the family members reached Nawada with cash on Friday.

It is reported that Rs 1.5 lakh was paid at the Pakribarawan excise police station in exchange for the release of the Creta vehicle.

Taking swift action, the Jamui City Police registered Case No. 193/26 and launched an investigation.

During the probe, they conducted raids and recovered Rs 1.5 lakh from the residence of ASI Dilip Kumar.

The Creta car was also seized as evidence. Subsequently, all four accused were arrested and brought to the Jamui police station.

The incident has sparked outrage, raising serious questions about the functioning and accountability of law enforcement agencies.

Allegations of police personnel themselves being involved in crimes such as kidnapping and extortion have dealt a severe blow to public trust and highlighted concerns over law and order in the state.
April 25 : Lucknow: At the Education Conclave 2026 organized to discuss education reforms in India, Uttar Pradeshs Yogi Model emerged prominently. At this national platform organized by the Central Square Foundation, Additional Chief Secretary Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma highlighted the transformation in the states basic and secondary education systems. The Uttar Pradesh model became the center of discussion among policymakers, experts and administrators from across states.

The conclave also featured detailed discussions on improving assessment systems, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), Early Childhood Education (ECE), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the use of EdTech. Under the NIPUN Bharat Mission, states shared their experiences and successful models.

During the session, Sharma explained that education reform in Uttar Pradesh has been driven by clear goals, continuous evaluation and empowered teachers. Target-based teaching, ongoing assessments, and a teacher-centric approach have given a new direction to the education system. Effective implementation of schemes has translated into tangible outcomes on the ground, leading to qualitative improvements in education.

He also noted that the state government has placed special emphasis on supporting teachers and ensuring their active participation. Initiatives such as mentor cadres like Academic Resource Persons (ARP), structured dialogue through cluster meetings, and regular monitoring of student progress through tools like Talika have made the system more accountable and result-oriented.

The assessment system is being redesigned with a corrective approach - used not as a means of reward or punishment, but as an effective tool to identify learning gaps and address them. This has increased the focus on actual learning outcomes. Schools facing challenges in achieving proficiency are being provided continuous guidance and support.

At the same time, the effective use of technology has enabled real-time connectivity between administrators and teachers, allowing quick decision-making and efficient implementation - emerging as a major strength of the education system.

Additionally, instead of limiting the strategy to recognizing only NIPUN schools, emphasis is being placed on identifying and scaling successful practices across the state, accelerating the models expansion and institutional strengthening.
April 25 : Lucknow: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh Government is continuously taking important steps to improve the electricity system and provide relief to consumers. In this sequence, State Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma has taken a major decision in the interest of electricity consumers.

He stated, "Significant relief has been provided to consumers having domestic electricity connections up to 1 kilowatt. Even if their balance becomes negative, their electricity connection will not be disconnected for 30 days."

The Energy Minister has issued necessary instructions to officials in this regard. This facility has been implemented with the objective of providing relief to consumers.

The Energy Minister made it clear that even in case of a negative balance, under no circumstances will the connection be disconnected before the completion of a one-month cycle. Along with this, keeping transparency and consumer convenience in mind, it has been made mandatory to send 5 SMS alerts to consumers before disconnecting the connection.

This will provide them with an opportunity to make payment in time. In addition, relief has also been extended to consumers with 2 kilowatt connections. The electricity connection of such consumers will not be disconnected for a negative balance of up to 200. For them as well, a 5-stage SMS notification system has been implemented to avoid any inconvenience.

Considering the rising heat, Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma has also instructed officials in all districts to accelerate electricity maintenance work.

He stated that large-scale work has been carried out to strengthen electricity supply in the state. So far, approximately 30 lakh new electricity poles have been installed. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in transformer capacity.

The Energy Minister expressed confidence that Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as the state providing the highest electricity supply in the country.

He said that during this extreme heat, the people of the state will not face any problems related to electricity. The government is fully alert and committed to ensuring uninterrupted and quality power supply.
CAPE TOWN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- South Africa marked World Penguin Day on Saturday with renewed warnings over the decline of the critically endangered African penguin.

The species, scientifically known as Spheniscus demersus, was uplisted as "Critically Endangered" in 2024 on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, reflecting a sharp population decline across southern Africa.

In a statement, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) said the day is a reminder that protecting the African penguin is "not just a moment," but a daily commitment.

The organization recently returned eight African penguins to the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony in Cape Town after completing their rehabilitation journey.

"The African penguin is facing extinction in the wild within our lifetime, but there is still hope through collective action," it said.

Meanwhile, the Cape Town city government said that, while the world honors all 18 species of these flightless icons, the day is also a reminder that the African penguin is now among the most "at-risk" populations globally.

"The city joins this year's World Penguin Day celebrations with trepidation and worry. Following the African penguin's 2024 uplisting to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, there are now fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs left," said Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment Eddie Andrews.

He added that the City of Cape Town continues to invest in a dedicated Penguin Ranger Team, a partnership project with SANCCOB, to combat these threats. 
New Delhi, April 25 : BJP leader and Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday launched a sharp attack on former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of hypocrisy and misleading the public over his lifestyle and housing choices.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Verma alleged that Kejriwal, who once projected himself as a leader of simplicity, is now living in luxury, pointing to his new official residence at 95 Lodhi Estate.

Verma claimed that Kejriwal had earlier built a controversial 'Sheesh Mahal' and is now shifting to what he described as 'Sheesh Mahal 2,' raising questions over the source of funds used in developing the property.

"Those who call themselves the Aam Aadmi Party today, they live like kings. There is nothing wrong with that. Let them live, but then don't call yourself the Aam Aadmi Party," Verma said.

In a series of strong remarks, he alleged that Kejriwal had misled the public by invoking figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, and B.R. Ambedkar during the Anna movement, while promising a simple lifestyle. "Today, in front of you once again, those who have been deceiving the people of Delhi, taking the help of the Anna movement, taking the help of the photo of Mahatma Gandhi, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Babasaheb Ambedkar, wearing the cap of the Aam Aadmi Party, giving an affidavit on a one-rupee stamp paper that 'I will not take a government house, will not take a bungalow, will not take a car'" he said.

Verma further added that Kejriwal is "Delhi's Rahman Dacoit", taking reference from the movie 'Dhurandhar'.

Highlighting visuals of the residence during the press conference, Verma added, "Looking at this house, does it seem like an ordinary person's house? This is Kejriwal's bedroom. It looks like a seven-star hotel suite in Goa... 95 Lodhi Estate, their new Sheesh Mahal. Each penny invested in this house is private."

He also took a swipe at Kejriwal's earlier claims of simplicity, saying, "Earlier, Kejriwal used to say 'I will not take a house.' After that, he built Sheesh Mahal"

He further questioned the funding of the residence, asking, "Why does the person who promised a two-room flat repeatedly feel the need to build such a Sheesh Mahal? BJP wants to ask: In this new Sheesh Mahal, whose money has been invested? Which companies' money has been used? Where did this money come from?"

Verma also made a scathing political jibe, saying, "In the history of independent India, if anyone has the most extravagant hobbies, his name is Arvind Kejriwal His party's name should not be 'Aam Aadmi Party', it should be 'Aalishan Aadmi Party'."

"Sheesh Mahal has surrounded Kejriwal so much that today he cannot see the pain of the people of the country, the people of Delhi, and the people of Punjab..." he alleged.

The BJP leader said the party would continue to raise the issue and demand transparency, as the controversy over Kejriwal's residence is likely to intensify political confrontation in the national Capital.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Election Commission of India on Saturday said that no re-poll has been recommended in either Tamil Nadu or West Bengal after the completion of scrutiny of the register of voters and other poll-day documents following the Assembly elections and bye-elections held on Thursday.

The poll panel said it implemented consolidated instructions for post-poll scrutiny of the register of voters (Form 17A) along with other election-day records to improve transparency, detect possible malpractices and recommend re-poll wherever necessary, a statement said.

In West Bengal, scrutiny was conducted on Friday across all 152 Assembly constituencies that went to polls in the first phase on Thursday. The exercise was carried out by returning officers in the presence of general observers and over 600 candidates or their representatives.

The Election Commission said all the 1,478 candidates in West Bengal were informed in advance about the date, time and venue of the scrutiny.

After the review, no re-poll was recommended in any of the 44,376 polling stations where voting took place in the first phase.

The second and final phase of polling in West Bengal will be held on April 29.

Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, scrutiny was completed in all 234 Assembly constituencies on Friday. The process was overseen by returning officers and general observers, with 1,825 candidates or their representatives participating.

According to the commission, all 4,023 candidates in Tamil Nadu, where the assembly election was held in a single phase, were informed beforehand. No re-poll was recommended in any of the 75,064 polling stations that went to the polls.

The ECI said that the entire scrutiny process in both states was videographed, and Forms 17A and related materials were re-sealed with the seal of the returning officers after examination.

The Commission added that EVM-VVPAT machines have been securely stored in strong rooms under a double-lock system with round-the-clock two-tier security and CCTV surveillance.

Candidate representatives have also been permitted to set up camps near strong rooms to monitor security arrangements.

Voter turnout remained high in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal during the first phase of the Assembly elections held on April 23.

Tamil Nadu recorded an impressive turnout of around 85 per cent across all 234 constituencies, while West Bengal saw over 92 per cent polling in 152 constituencies despite sporadic incidents of violence, reflecting strong public participation in the democratic process.

--IANS/

snj/skp
New Delhi, April 25 : A team of the ARSC, Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested Salim Wastik, a 54-year-old social activist and YouTuber and former Muslim known for his controversial public statements and critical views on Islam, in connection with a 31-year-old kidnapping for ransom and murder case.

The accused, also known as Salim Ahmed or Salim Khan, was apprehended from Loni, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. According to police officials, he was wanted in a 1995 case involving the abduction and murder of a 13-year-old boy. The arrest was carried out under the supervision of senior police officers following sustained surveillance and verification of his identity.

As per the police case file, the incident dates back to January 20, 1995, when Sandeep Bansal, a 13-year-old student and son of a local businessman in North East Delhi, left home to attend school but did not return as expected.

His family initially searched for him but later received a phone call the next day, informing them that the boy had been kidnapped. Shortly thereafter, another call was allegedly made demanding a ransom of Rs 30,000 for his safe release.

The caller reportedly instructed the victim's father to deliver the ransom at a bus stand near the Loni Flyover and place the money inside a designated bus bound for Baghpat.

The caller also warned the family not to inform the police, threatening harm to the child if instructions were not followed.

A case was subsequently registered at Police Station Gokulpuri under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code related to kidnapping.

During the initial investigation, suspicion reportedly fell on Salim Khan, who was working as a martial arts instructor at Ramjas School, Daryaganj, where the victim studied. A witness statement indicated that the child was last seen leaving in a rickshaw accompanied by a tall man referred to as "Masterji."

Acting on this lead, police detained Salim Khan, who allegedly made a disclosure leading them to a drain near Mustafabad, where the body of the deceased was recovered and later identified by his father.

Further investigation led to the identification of co-accused Anil, who allegedly played a key role in the conspiracy and execution of the crime. He later surrendered before the court in February 1995.

Investigators also recovered the victim's personal belongings, including a watch, school bag, and tiffin box from his possession. Both accused were charged under Sections including 302, 364A, and 34 of the IPC.

Following completion of the trial, both accused were convicted in 1997 and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, Salim was granted interim bail in 2000 by the High Court of Delhi but allegedly failed to surrender and absconded thereafter. His conviction was later upheld in 2011.

According to police, over the years he changed his identity to Salim Ahmed and later became known as Salim Wastik. He reportedly moved across several states, including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, before settling in Loni, Ghaziabad, where he operated a small business.

Acting on a tip-off received by HC Mintu Yadav, a special team was formed under Inspector Robin Tyagi. The team, with assistance from local police, apprehended the accused after verifying his fingerprints and old records.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to living under a false identity after jumping bail. He reportedly worked various jobs, including carpentry and small-scale business activities, to avoid detection.

Police sources also stated that he had recently been approached for a biographical film project based on his life and had received an advance payment from a film producer, which is also under verification.

Salim Wastik, originally born in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, is reported to have trained in martial arts before working in Delhi as a school instructor and later as a trader.

Salim Wastik came into national spotlight following his strong and controversial statements on the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists lost their lives. Taking a public stand against terrorism, Wastik, along with his associate, travelled to Pahalgam to protest against the terrorist attack on tourists and express solidarity with the victims.

During this visit, they recorded videos in Pahalgam condemning the attack, jihad, and Islam.

Following these actions, Wastik claimed they were detained, their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram) were taken down, and they faced severe, unlawful treatment by local authorities.

In subsequent public appearances, including a podcast following the April 2025 attack, Wastik openly blamed Pakistan for orchestrating terror activities and strongly criticised cross-border terrorism policies.

He also publicly supported India's counter-terror operations and hailed 'Operation Sindoor,' launched by Indian forces targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied- Kashmir and Pakistan.

Recently, Salim Wastik came into the news when two months ago, on the morning of February 27, two brothers together stabbed him 14 times in his house. Salim's condition improved after a month of treatment. Both the brothers accused of attacking him have been killed in an encounter.

YouTuber Salim Wastik, who had renounced Islam, was attacked by masked attackers who entered his office in broad daylight on a bike without a number plate and stabbed him repeatedly. They tried to slit his throat. When he screamed, the attackers fled leaving him half dead.

In connection with the above assault on Salim Wastik, Uttar Pradesh Police announced a bounty of Rs 1 lakh each on the attackers. On March 1, in the first encounter, UP Special Task Force and Ghaziabad Police tracked down the main accused, Zeeshan, to Loni, Ghaziabad, UP where he was killed in a shootout. Within 48 hours of the first encounter, on March 3, the second suspect, Gulfam, was killed in a separate encounter in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, UP.

Officials confirmed that Salim Wastik has now been taken into judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail following completion of necessary legal procedures. Further investigation in the case is ongoing.
Mumbai, April 25 : Actress Hina Khan is currently soaking in nature and amidst adorable animal encounters during her luxurious vacation in South Korea.

The actress, who is currently travelling with her husband Rocky Jaiswal and her mother, gave fans a glimpse into her wholesome getaway.

The actress posted a series of pictures on her social media account that speak volume of the fun and leisure experience by Hina at her trip.

At an animal farm, Hina was seen spending time with 'alpacas'.

Alpacas are the fluffy, gentle animals who are native to South America but popular in petting farms across the world.

In one set of pictures, she is also seen feeding a brown alpaca with her hands, smiling as the animal curiously leans in. In another frame, a white alpaca can be seen approaching her.

She captioned the post as, "Hello cuties,"

Another highlight from her trip was a visit to a historic site featuring a thousand-year-old juniper tree. Sharing a picture of the tree along with an informational board, she reflected on its timeless presence, wondering what all it must have seen.

Talking about Hina Khan, on the professional front, the actress rose to fame with her first show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai that went on air in 2009.

She essayed the role of Akshara a traditional Indian bahu with extreme family values.

Aur character portrayal was loved by her friends, who even consider her as Akshara even 17 years of the shows debut.

After quitting the show in 2017, Hina went on to participate in reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss season 11.

IANS

rd/

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, April 25 : If sources in the industry are to be believed, National Award winning music director and actor G V Prakash's eagerly awaited horror thriller 'Immortal' is likely to release in May this year.

Sources close to the actor claim that the makers of director Mariyappan Chinna's horror thriller 'Immortal', featuring actors G V Prakash and Kayadu Lohar in the lead, are considering releasing the film in May this year.

The film has been eagerly awaited ever since the makers released a chilling and entertaining teaser of the film last year.

Sharing the teaser on his X timeline, G V Prakash Kumar had then said, "Here is #Immortal teaser for all of u a the mystery world unveils now .. @11Lohar @AKfilmfactory #maarichinna."

The teaser begins on a funny romantic note. It has G V Prakash, who is a die hard romantic, having a conversation with a friend. He says, "Imagine how it would be if a handsome guy like me and a very beautiful girl stayed in the same house." The friend replies, "It would be jealousy-inducing." To this, G V Prakash gleefully says, "It must."

The teaser then shows G V Prakash having a conversation with actress Kayadu Lohar in a flat that looks exactly like the one he was seen talking about a while ago to his friend.

"If I ask you something, will you mistake me," he asks her and she shoots back, saying, "You will anyway ask something that is wrong."

The teaser makes it evident that G V Prakash's character in the film is romantically interested in the character that Kayadu Lohar plays. He tells her, "My room has a lot of mosquito problems" to which she replies, "Mine has problems caused by bats. Is it alright?"

It is then that the horror phase starts. He wakes up in the middle of the night and looks through the keyhole, only to find a beast with the face of a bat!

The film, apart from G V Prakash Kumar and Kayadu Lohar, also features a host of actors including TM Karthik, Kumar Natarajan, Lollu Sabha Maaran, Aaditya Kathir, Arshu Maharjan, Pema Tsamchoe and Sunita Shrestha.

On the technical front, the film, which has been produced by Arunkumar Dhanasekaran, has cinematography by Arun Radhakrishnan and music by Sam CS. Editing for the film is by San Lokesh while art direction is by Siva Sankar. Stunts for the film have been choreographed by R.Sakthi Saravanan while dances have been choreographed by Sabarish.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New York, April 25 : Iran and the US appeared to be readying for communicating again, if at arm's length and with secondary-level interlocutors, as a team from Tehran arrived in Pakistan and a US group was set to head there on Saturday.

After the second round of talks that was to have taken place this week or over last weekend didn't take off because Iran refused to join, there has been some delicate manoeuvres by Tehran to reopen contacts.

As the stalemate continues, Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, and the US has blockaded Iran's ports.

And behind the facade of a ceasefire, the US has attacked and seized Iranian ships, and Tehran has attacked and seized ships, including one heading to India from Dubai.

While Iran has refused to negotiate with the US while the blockade was in effect, its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday, ostensibly as part of a round of consultations with Pakistan, Oman and Russia, according to Tehran.

Presumably, Araghchi will be there when US negotiators -- US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Special Representative Steve Witkoff arrive there.

But Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei ruled out a direct meeting between them.

Taking to his social media platform X Baghaei said, "No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan."

Instead of a direct contact, the two sides may communicate through Pakistani intermediaries.

It could be like the failed indirect negotiations between the two sides in Geneva where Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi acted as the go-between on February 26 -- two days before Israel began bombing Iran with the US joining in.

Kushner and Witkoff were in Geneva as was Araghchi.

US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Iran Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led their sides during the stalled direct negotiations on April 11, won't be in Islamabad this weekend.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, however, told reporters that Vance "is on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time".

After having refused to participate in talks with the US till it lifted the blockade of its ports, Iran tried to pass off Araghchi's Islamabad visit a routine matter involving three countries.

Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi on X said, "Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments."

Leavitt, however, was more open about the possibilities of negotiations and, even, a breakthrough.

She told reporters, "Steve and Jared will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow to hear the Iranians out" while "the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of State (Marco Rubio), will be waiting here in the United States for updates."

The White House Spokesperson added, "We've certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days."

Trump announced a two-week ceasefire on April 7 ahead of the first round of talks, and before it was to end this week, he extended it indefinitely even though Tehran wasn't resuming negotiations.

The US President said it was because "Iran is seriously fractured" and he was waiting for it to come up with a unified approach.

But Trump kept the blockade, which is now the centre of the standoff.

The split in Iran's leadership that Trump referred to, between moderates and hardliners, became apparent last week when Araghchi, considered a moderate, said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was open, only to have the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reinstate it on Saturday.

Ghalibaf, a former IRGC Brigadier General, represents the hardliners and has continued with vehement attacks on the US.

Significantly, the Iran Parliament Speaker won't be in Islamabad this weekend, and Araghchi by himself won't have the clout for a decision.

Moscow has been a supporter of Tehran, diplomatically and materially, with direct shipping across the Caspian Sea beyond the reach of the US or the West.

Media reports have said that Russia was sharing intelligence with Iran and may be providing it equipment.

In this context, Araghchi's Moscow consultations could have a bearing on Iran's strategy.
Seoul, April 25 : Partnership between South Korea and Canada, forged on battlefields of the 1950-53 Korean War, has endured for decades and is growing even "stronger" amid deepening military cooperation, the commander of the Canadian Army has said.

Lt. Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Friday, as he was visiting South Korea to attend a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of a key Korean War battle in the northern county of Gapyeong.

Some 2,000 troops of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade, comprising soldiers of Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, engaged in three days of fierce combat against Chinese forces in April 1951 at the height of the three-year war.

"For Canada, it's a reaffirmation of our partnership that started on the battlefields in Korea in 1950 and endures to this day and, if anything, is getting stronger," Wright said when asked about the significance of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong.

"So I really think that the history that we share is an indicator of what we'll do together in the future," he said.

Ahead of the anniversary, troops from the Canadian Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, an army unit that fought at the battle in Gapyeong, arrived in South Korea for their first high-tech military drills with the South's Army.

Over 26,000 Canadians participated in the Korean War, with 516 killed and approximately 1,200 wounded, according to the UN Command (UNC).

South Korea and Canada are seeking to bolster defence cooperation as President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to deepen their strategic partnership in defence, security and military intelligence sharing during summit talks in Gyeongju last year.

Wright said Canada has been in discussions with South Korea's defence industry over Ottawa's project to modernise the army.

"The Canadian Army is in the midst of our largest modernisation of equipment in over 25 years, and we're looking in accordance with our defence industrial strategy -- what we can do to rapidly accelerate bringing new equipment into the Canadian Army," he said.

On possible areas for arms cooperation, Wright said: "The K9 howitzers, I know, are something that Hanhwa has spoken about. The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle is another example," while noting the Canadian defence ministry and defence investment agency will determine the details.

Hanhwa Aerospace earlier said it proposed an integrated solution binding its K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system and Redback infantry fighting vehicles in a package deal as part of efforts to win contracts over Canada's army modernisation project.

Canada's modernisation strategy centres on generating modern land forces by investing in next-generation capabilities and securing increased sustainment capability, according to a plan outlined by Canada's defence ministry.

The Canadian Army commander struck a positive note about future military cooperation between Seoul and Ottawa.

"I think the future military cooperation is much stronger," he said, noting that the recent series of leadership and ministerial-level visits between the two nations shows how they are looking to work together increasingly in such a "fractured world."
New Delhi, April 25 : Gold prices dipped 0.34 per cent during the week after precious metals came under corrective pressure due to profit booking.

On Friday, MCX gold June futures gained 0.61 per cent while MCX silver May futures inched up 1.39 per cent. Currently gold futures stand at Rs 1,52,683, while silver futures at Rs 2,44,877 per kg.

The price of 10 grams of 24-carat gold was at Rs 1,51,479 on Friday up from Rs 1,52,002 seen on Monday market opening, according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).

However, gold advanced towards the end of the week as optimism grew around advancements in United States and Iran negotiations. Traders also weighed the Federal Reserve's interest'rate path after the Justice Department dropped a probe related to the Federal Reserve.

Bullion climbed above $4,700 an ounce as bond yields fell, easing pressure on nona'yielding assets.

Selective buying was seen in precious metals at lower levels, but momentum remained tentative as geopolitical uncertainty lingered without a clear resolution, analysts said on Saturday.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Islamabad and US envoys also on the way, creating chances of diplomatic deadlock being lifted, multiple media reports said. However, Iranian officials denied they plan to hold talks with US delegates.

Although safe-haven demand eased slightly on expectations of continued negotiations, underlying risks helped limit the downside, analysts said, adding that precious metals may remain vulnerable to further consolidation in the absence of fresh safe-haven triggers.

Any renewed geopolitical escalation or shift in global dollar dynamics could amplify volatility in domestic commodity prices on the MCX, market participants said.

COMEX gold traded near the $4,720"$4,750 zone, up 3 per cent on a weekly basis, however a major resistance was ahead of $5,000, after which they predicted a strong bull run.

COMEX Silver is currently trading near the $75"$76 zone, indicating consolidation with a slight negative bias after failing to sustain recent highs, analysts said.

"IANS

aar/rad

-- Syndicated from IANS
New Delhi, April 25 : In a bid to rebuild and revive its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has been trying to set up a group of completely new overground workers (OGWs).

The OGW network, crucial for terror operations in the Valley has largely fallen, following an intense crackdown by the Indian security agencies.

An official said that the new OGW network is being set up because most of them, part of the old or existing guard, have police records against them.

The ones with police records are easy to track and this information has been used several times by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to nab these OGWs, the official added.

While attempts are being made to send in foreign fighters to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan realises that they cannot operate without a strong OGW network.

This is the network that facilitates the movement of terrorists, their shelter, food and logistics.

"The presence of a strong OGW network is key to a successful terrorist strike by terrorists. Hence, Pakistan is shunning many within the existing guard and looking for newer ones," the official said.

Some of the men who are on the target list include shopkeepers, tour guides and unemployed youth.

Another official said that Pakistan would not entirely dismantle its OGW network.

"It would have a couple of them from the old guard to be part of the network. These persons have experience and would be needed to train the newer lot," the official added.

The ISI is also attempting to get the youth of Jammu and Kashmir onboard. It is attempting to restart its earlier programme through which the ISI would sponsor the education of the youth.

The education would be imparted in top universities and colleges abroad. They would pick countries such as the US, UK and Australia for the education of the youth. Like in the past, they would avoid taking the students to Pakistan and imparting education. This would become too obvious and Pakistan would want to avoid that.

"Once abroad, the Pakistani agents would get in touch with these students and radicalise them. The ISI will push money for the education of the youth discreetly so that the funding trail is not traced. Once their education and radicalisation programme is completed, they would return to Jammu and Kashmir where they would be expected to further the ISI's narrative and rope in more youth," an official said.

These developments make it clear that Pakistan is desperate to reset its Kashmir plans.

A lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. The Indian government has been getting the youth into the mainstream and telling them to shun supporting terror and move away from the separatist mindset.

Pakistan on the other hand is facing heat from its terror groups and hardliners regarding the Kashmir issue.

The establishment is being questioned about the lack of action in Jammu and Kashmir and why things have quietened down.

A majority of Pakistan's policy is shaped around Kashmir and in the context of local politics, raking up this issue is important for the ISI and Army.

Off late, the infiltrations have been hard owing to heavy security. Hence, Pakistan is trying to take baby steps and trying to reshape the narrative.

For this, it has decided to start from the ground level by rebuilding its OGW network.

"At the same time, it wants to re-capture the minds of the youth in Kashmir. This explains why it wants to restart its education funding programme. This program in reality is not an educational programme, but one that is aimed at radicalisation," an official added.
Washington, April 25 : Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan held discussions with a senior US Indo-Pacific Command official, reinforcing the expanding strategic alignment between the two nations in terms of regional security.

He engaged with General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, where both sides emphasised shared priorities in regional security and the sustained commitment to maintain peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

"General Anil Chauhan, CDS, engaged with General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, reaffirming the deepening strategic convergence between India and the US. Deliberations underscored a shared resolve towards regional security and the enduring maintenance of peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond," the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X on Saturday.

It further mentioned that both sides articulated a "clear intent to expand and operationalise" the scope, complexity and frequency of bilateral and TriService engagements.

"Recognising technology as a defining determinant of modern power, the partnership continues to evolve with enhanced synergy, capability and strategic foresight," it added.

Earlier this week, General Chauhan held several engagements with top UK military officials.

The CDS met with his UK counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, during which India and the 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," the 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 Indiaas role in shaping a stable and secure global order," the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
KABUL, April 25 (Xinhua) -- More than 120 million U.S. dollars have been invested in the battery production sector in Afghanistan, the official Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) has reported.

Citing Abdul Matin Qalandari, the head of the Chamber of Industry and Mines, RTA reported Friday that over 80 percent of battery demand is met by domestic production.

Currently, 11 battery production plants are operational in Afghanistan.

As part of its efforts to support local products and private sectors, the Afghan government welcomes national and international investments to rebuild the war-torn nation. 
Srinagar, April 25 : Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar Police said on Saturday that in the intensified crackdown on drugs, it has targeted assets worth Rs 3.5 crore belonging to a drug smugglers.

A police statement said that continuing its intensified crackdown against drug trafficking and under the aegis of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Srinagar Police has attached immovable properties worth Rs 3.5 crore belonging to narcotics smugglers.

Police Station Sangam, acting under the provisions of Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, attached two immovable properties linked to the accused persons involved in FIR No. 56/2025 under Sections 8/20 and 29 of the NDPS Act.

The details of the attached properties include a double-storey residential house along with 1 kanal of land, belonging to accused Shakeel Ahmad Ganie, son of Ab Satar Ganie, resident of Kreshbal, Noorbagh, Srinagar; and a double-storey residential house worth over Rs 2 crore, along with 1 kanal of land, belonging to accused Farooq Ahmad Mir, son of Ab Rehman Mir, resident of Kreshbal, Noorbagh, Srinagar; and another double-storey residential house with one kanal of land worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore, owned by Farooq Ahmad Mir of the same area.

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Saturday participated in an anti-drug campaign in Samba. In a post on X, he said, "Today in Samba, a massive crowd joined the Drug-Free J&K campaign & pledged to eliminate drugs from society. Addressing the gathering, I reiterated that this 100-day movement will inspire future generations & stand as proof that when people rise together, they can change history."

"I told Samba's youth that the solution to this grave problem lies in their hands. Their dreams are powerful; their potential limitless & society must rally behind them to make those dreams real. I urged them to stay firm on the right path with determination," he added.

J&K police and the security forces are carrying out aggressive operations against drug smugglers, drug peddlers and those involved in the hawala money racket. These illegal activities are under the scanner of the security forces, as it is believed that the funds generated by these activities are used to sustain terrorism in the Union Territory.

While police and the security forces carry out anti-drug operations in the hinterland, the army and the Border Security Force (BSF) prevent drug smuggling, infiltration, exfiltration, and drone activities initiated by terror outfits backed by Pakistan's ISI.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Saturday hailed the decisive action taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in cancelling the licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), seeking probe into the matter.

This firm regulatory intervention is in the larger public interest and will help safeguard the hard-earned savings of millions of Indians who trusted the institution with their money, said the industry body in a statement.

CAIT Secretary and BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said that the RBI's decision reflects the seriousness of repeated regulatory non-compliance, governance failures, and continued disregard for supervisory directions.

It may be recalled that in 2024, the RBI had already imposed major restrictions on the banking operations of Paytm Payments Bank. However, despite earlier warnings and corrective opportunities, the institution appears to have failed to adequately address critical concerns, leading to the present action.

Khandelwal appreciated RBI's assurance to depositors that their funds remain safe and will be returned as per due process.

"This assurance is important, especially for lakhs of small traders, shopkeepers, street vendors, hawkers, self-employed persons and women entrepreneurs who have been using Paytm extensively for day-to-day payments and digital transactions," he said.

CAIT had earlier cautioned that any regulatory action on Paytm Payments Bank could create financial inconvenience and transaction disruptions for a large number of micro and small users dependent on the platform.

Therefore, it has urged the authorities to ensure a smooth transition mechanism so that such users do not suffer unnecessary hardship, said the industry body.

CAIT National President, BC Bhartia, demanded a comprehensive investigation into the handling, storage, and location of the vast financial and consumer data collected through Paytm's platforms over the years.

The RBI on Friday cancelled the licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), citing failure to comply with the regulatory conditions laid down under its payments bank licence. The Central Bank said the entity would no longer be permitted to carry out banking operations and announced that it will approach the High Court to initiate the process of winding up the bank.

According to One 97 Communications Limited, the parent company of Paytm, the company does not have any exposure to PPBL or any material business arrangements with PPBL.

"No services provided by the Company are in partnership with PPBL. Additionally, PPBL operates independently, with no board or management involvement from the Company. There is no direct financial impact on the Company since, as previously disclosed, the Company had already impaired its investment in PPBL as of March 31, 2024," according to the company's exchange filing.

Paytm and its services, which have been operating without interruption, will continue to operate uninterrupted. These include the Paytm app, Paytm UPI, Paytm Gold and all other services offered by its subsidiaries and associated companies such as Paytm QR, Paytm Soundbox, Paytm card machines, and Paytm Payment Gateway, Paytm Money, among others, it mentioned.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 : Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan on Saturday alleged that Kerala's emerging power crisis and unannounced load shedding were the result of the state government scrapping long-term electricity purchase agreements, claiming corruption was the motive behind the decision.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of power restrictions, warning of strong protests by the UDF if the situation continues.

Calling the outages amid intense heat a challenge to the people, Satheesan questioned the LDFas claim of delivering ten years without power cuts under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He argued that a long-term deal secured during the tenure of Oommen Chandy to procure 465 MW at an average cost of Rs 4.29 per unit was arbitrarily cancelled.

This, he said, forced the State to buy power at Rs 6 -- Rs 12 per unit, causing daily losses of Rs 15-20 crore to the Kerala State Electricity Board. He also alleged that the move benefited private companies and demanded a probe into the decision and the alleged financial gains.

Responding to the charges, Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty denied that the State is witnessing unannounced load shedding. He maintained that only natural regulation is being carried out when the grid faces overload. Power consumption, he said, has crossed 6,195 MW, necessitating costlier power purchases.

The government is trying to avoid a tariff hike, he added, urging consumers to exercise restraint.

The Minister also dismissed criticism of the LDFas no power cut claim, stating that the current electricity strain is part of a wider national trend.

In a pointed remark, he said the Opposition should ask nature about the situation, attributing the surge in demand during extreme heat, and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved within two days.

Meanwhile, complaints of frequent short-duration outages, especially at night, are rising from across the state as consumption spikes. A high-level meeting convened by the Chief Minister is scheduled to review the situation as Kerala grapples with peak summer demand.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Bengaluru, April 25 : Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Saturday criticised the Congress-led state government's decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging that it amounts to a historic betrayal of the community.

In a statement released, Vijayendra said the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had "backstabbed" Scheduled Castes by delaying the implementation of reservation distribution as per Supreme Court directions for nearly two-and-a-half years.

He said the state government has now categorised Scheduled Castes into A, B and C groups through a Cabinet decision.

He added that the previous BJP government under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's leadership had increased reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15 to 17 per cent.

However, the State BJP President alleged that the present Congress government has reduced allocations within categories.

According to Vijayendra, the quota for Category A has been reduced from 6 to 5.25 per cent, while Category B has been cut from 5.5 per cent to 5.25 per cent, resulting in injustice to multiple communities in the state.

He also alleged that the earlier allocation of 4.5 per cent for Banjara, Bhovi, Koracha and Korama communities, along with a separate one per cent reservation for nomadic groups, has been scrapped.

He said these groups have now been merged into a single Category C, and instead of a justified 5.5 per cent share, they have been given only 4.5 per cent, which he termed as another act of injustice.

The State BJP President also claimed that despite there being no stay order from the court, the state government itself filed an affidavit agreeing to reduce the overall Scheduled Caste reservation from 17 to 15 per cent, which led to the reduction.

Criticising the state government's handling of employment, Vijayendra said lakhs of government posts remain vacant and have not been filled.

He accused the Congress government of wasting nearly two-and-a-half years in the name of internal reservation, and now, with only about two years left in its tenure, announcing recruitment as a means to mislead the public, including the Scheduled Castes.

He also warned that senior Congress leaders, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, would have to pay a political price in the future for the alleged injustice done to Scheduled Castes in Karnataka.

Vijayendra said that if the Congress is truly committed to Scheduled Castes even now, the state government should undertake an appropriate legal battle to retain the 17 per cent reservation implemented under the previous BJP government.

Otherwise, the State BJP President cautioned, the Congress may face a significant political decline in South India.

In a move aimed at ensuring justice to all communities within the Scheduled Castes, the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday took a historic decision, unanimously approving internal reservation in the ratio of 5.25:5.25:4.5 for left, right, and other communities.

Siddaramaiah announced that for communities categorised as left (5.25 per cent), for Right (5.25 per cent), and for other communities (4.5 per cent) reservation.

"As announced in the Budget, the state government will fill 56,432 posts this year. Notifications will be issued shortly, and recruitment will be expedited. Until the court gives a final judgment, the 50 per cent reservation cap will be followed, though the state government remains committed to implementing 56 per cent reservation in the future," the Chief Minister said.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday condoled the passing of Muni Narayana Prasad (87), head of Narayana Gurukulam and a leading interpreter of Sree Narayana Guru's philosophy, describing him as a teacher who inspired society to think with humanism and a sense of equality.

With his demise that happened on Saturday, a life that harmonised knowledge and humility draws to a close.

Based at the Gurukulam in Sreenivasapuram area of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, Prasad made the ashram both his meditative anchor and field of action, presenting the essence of the Upanishads and Guru's teachings in clear, accessible language.

A successor to Nataraja Guru and Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati, Prasad led the Gurukulam's global network while living with the simplicity of a monk.

Honoured with the Padma Shri, he remained deeply engaged in the institution's daily rhythm, underscoring through personal example that spirituality demands constant, disciplined action.

Born in 1938 near Thiruvananthapuram, Prasad began as an engineer before an inner quest led him to renounce his career.

Initiated into brahmacharya in 1970, he later embraced sannyasa, immersing himself in Advaita philosophy.

A prolific scholar, he authored nearly 200 works in Malayalam and English.

His commentaries on major Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita are regarded as authoritative, while his interpretations of Guru's poetry brought complex ideas closer to ordinary readers.

He also served as a visiting professor abroad and spoke at global forums, extending his intellectual reach from Moscow to Fiji.

At the Gurukulam, Prasad combined intellectual rigour with physical labour, beginning his days with routine tasks and insisting on discipline among disciples.

Detached from acclaim, Prasad accepted the Padma Shri with characteristic equanimity.

Prasad's legacy lies in distilling profound philosophical truths into lived humanism beyond caste and creed.

His passing marks an irreparable loss to the Sree Narayana movement and Kerala's cultural life. He would be laid to rest near his teachers at Varkala.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bengaluru, April 25 : There is hectic political activity taking place in Karnataka Congress with Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar camping in Delhi to meet leaders of the Gandhi family and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah holding a closed door meeting with his supporters in Bengaluru.

Congress sources state that the controversy surrounding Davanagere bypolls has given opportunity to Shivakumar to initiate action against CM Siddaramaiah camp leaders. They also indicate that CM Siddaramaiah's camp will come up with a counterstrategy soon.

Although the two leaders had earlier projected unity through joint appearances, including breakfast meetings, recent developments suggest that the leadership debate may resurface prominently after the bye-election results.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting with his close ministers, even as Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh headed to Delhi.

While both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have publicly displayed unity, their supporting legislators have issued contrasting statements.

Siddaramaiah's son, Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, asserted that his father would continue as Chief Minister for a full five-year term. On the other hand, legislators aligned with Shivakumar have claimed that he would assume the Chief Minister's position within the current tenure.

Until recently, the Congress high command was occupied with elections in five states. With those polls now almost concluded, the arrival of Shivakumar in Delhi has fuelled political curiosity.

On the other hand sources confirmed that CM Siddaramaiah convened a closed-door meeting with trusted ministers at a private venue on Cunningham Road in Bengaluru, reportedly to discuss Cabinet reshuffle and internal party concerns. Ministers including Bhairati Suresh, G. Parameshwara, K.H. Muniyappa, Satish Jarkiholi, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Dinesh Gundu Rao were said to be present.

The meeting is believed to have focussed on concerns that close aides of the Chief Minister are being targeted and on Siddaramaiah's perceived silence. Participants reportedly expressed apprehension that unilateral decisions within the party could harm senior leaders' standing and alienate communities ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. There was also a call for Siddaramaiah to intervene more actively to prevent damage to the party.

Meanwhile, speaking in Delhi, Shivakumar said he was unaware of the meeting held by the Chief Minister's close aides and remarked that he did not distinguish between who is "close" or not. He hinted that a Cabinet reshuffle may be necessary as the government completes three years in office, suggesting that "unexpected developments" could occur before May 20.

Earlier, responding to the media after the budget, Siddaramaiah had stated that the people of the state want him to continue as Chief Minister, but emphasised that the final decision rests with the party high command. He reiterated his commitment to abide by that decision and expressed his willingness to present two more budgets if given the opportunity.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, April 25 : While it is important not to underestimate China, any data from Chinese sources, especially government sources, should be regarded sceptically, a new report has said, adding that it is a mistake to accept official or published Chinese statistics at face value.

China is succeeding in many fields but numbers can be misleading, writes James Lewis, a Distinguished Fellow at Tech Policy programme at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) headquartered in Washington, DC.

"There are places where China is ahead, but fewer than a casual reading might suggest," he says.

According to the report, China is engaged in a long-running influence campaign to persuade the world of its success.

"China's government regards more data as 'state secrets' than other countries do. Statistics, particularly economic statistics, are often massaged or hidden. In several cases, China has even arrested journalists and researchers for revealing data that other countries would regard as public," the report mentions.

There is a constant desire to inflate metrics like GDP and to disguise metrics, such as debt levels, that contradict the story that success is inevitable.

"Published data may show that the US has more public debt than China, but this is the result of Chinese obfuscation," writes Lewis.

The use of number of citations or scientific publications as an indicator of strength also needs to be scrutinised carefully. There is also the question of what the metric asserts it is measuring versus what it is actually measuring.

For example, China's assertion that its radar could detect stealth aircraft and that the J-20 was a fighter equivalent to F-35 is bogus.

"Recent events in Venezuela and Iran  or the disappearance of the J-20's designer  suggest this may have been an exaggeration," the report argues.

China has more high-speed trains, but the US has more passenger airplanes. Similarly, 5G remains a contentious area for measurement. China has done quite well in 5G, but when you look at access to 5G services, the US leads, says the report.
Kohima, April 25 : Security forces have apprehended three cadres of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) [ULFA-I] during a counter-insurgency operation in Nagaland's Mon district, officials said on Saturday.

Kohima, April 25 (IANS) Security forces have apprehended three cadres of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) [ULFA-I] during a counter-insurgency operation in Nagalandas Mon district, officials said on Saturday.

According to officials, the operation was launched on Friday based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of ULFA-I cadres in the region.

The cadres were reportedly active in the Phomching area and were attempting to move towards Shangnyu village when security forces initiated the operation. Troops of the Assam Rifles carried out a targeted raid at Shangnyu village under the Phomching sub-division.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence inputs, the forces managed to intercept the militants and apprehended all three without any exchange of fire, officials added.

The arrested individuals have been identified as self-styled Lieutenant Gajendra Asom (35), a resident of Tezpur in Assam; self-styled Lance Corporal Brojen Asom (27) from Jorhat district; and self-styled Sergeant Puhor Asom (26) from Golaghat district.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Gajendra Asom had been associated with the outfit since 2011, making him the most experienced among the trio. Brojen Asom is believed to have joined the organisation in 2022, while Puhor Asom had been active since 2019.

Security forces also recovered four grenades from their possession, indicating that the cadres were likely involved in planning disruptive activities in the region.

The recovery is being seen as a major success in preventing potential threats to civilian safety and maintaining stability in the border areas.

Officials stated that the apprehended cadres are being further interrogated to gather more information about their network, movement patterns, and possible plans.

The operation underscores the continued vigilance and coordination among security agencies in curbing insurgent activities in the Northeast.

The region has witnessed sustained counter-insurgency efforts in recent years, leading to a decline in militant activities.

However, security forces remain on high alert to neutralise any residual threats and ensure peace and security in the area.
Jaipur, April 25 : The Vice-President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Saturday urged youth to become job creators and nation-builders while addressing the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur.

Gracing the programme as the chief guest, the Vice-President described Rajasthan as a land of rich heritage, bravery and cultural depth, noting that Jaipur stands as a symbol of both tradition and progress. He said the university continues to shape generations of thinkers, leaders and change-makers committed to knowledge, integrity and service.

Congratulating graduating students, he said a convocation marks both an end and a beginning, urging them to use education as a tool for societal progress. He emphasised that the true value of education lies in its application for innovation, ethical conduct and the betterment of society.

Referring to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, he encouraged students to become innovators and employment generators.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Rajasthan government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in promoting opportunities for the youth.

Highlighting women's empowerment, the Vice-President expressed pride in the achievements of women graduates, noting that a majority of gold medal winners in recent years have been women. He stressed that a truly developed nation cannot exist without equal opportunity, dignity and leadership roles for women, and expressed hope that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would enhance women's representation in legislative bodies.

Addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing world, he urged students to think critically, act ethically and embrace lifelong learning.

"Excellence without empathy and achievement without humility are incomplete," he said, calling on graduates to remain resilient and grounded in values.

He also advised students to contribute meaningfully to society, respect diversity, avoid drugs and use social media constructively.

Among those present on the occasion were Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Alpana Kateja.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Jaipur, April 25 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday emphasised the continued importance of retired judges in strengthening the judiciary, likening them to Rajasthan's traditional "bawris" (stepwells) that serve as vital reservoirs during times of drought.

Addressing a one-day seminar titled 'The Bench Beyond Retirement' in Jaipur, the CJI said former judges act as a dependable resource during institutional stress, much like stepwells that sustain communities in arid regions.

Drawing from his roots in Churu, he noted how people rely on bawris, where rainwater accumulates over time and is used during droughts.

"Our former judges are like those bawris," the CJI said, noting that their wisdom and experience are often sought in courts, Lok Adalats, mediation, and arbitration during crisis.

"A judge never truly retires. Once a judge, always a judge," he remarked, underscoring that their experience cannot be replicated through committees or training programmes.

"We organise a farewell, garland them, speak warmly of their service... and then quietly assume that the system will move on just fine without them. Their chambers are vacated, files are handed over, and we move ahead. But this assumption, in my view, is not just incorrect -- it is a wasteful tradition. Because a judge never truly retires. Once a judge, always a judge. The experience a judge carries cannot be replicated by any committee, nor compressed into any training programme."

"They do not carry merely the knowledge of law -- they carry the knowledge of people. They have seen the struggles of a rural farmer whose life savings are at stake, the anxieties of a first-generation entrepreneur, the silent battles of families and individuals at their most vulnerable moments," CJI Surya Kant said, highlighting that retired judges bring not just legal expertise but also deep understanding of human issues, having witnessed a wide range of societal challenges, from rural distress to entrepreneurial struggles and personal disputes.

He stressed that the trust earned by judges over decades is a "national resource" and warned that leaving it underutilised amounts to a public loss.

Suggesting a more structured role for former judges, the CJI outlined four key areas where they could contribute significantly: as mediators and arbitrators, legal educators, pre-litigation counsellors, and institution builders mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

"Let me suggest four key roles where former judges can transform our justice system: First, as mediators and arbitrators, where their stature and impartiality can resolve disputes efficiently. Second, as legal educators, reaching schools, colleges, and even gram panchayats -- explaining rights in simple language to those who may not even know they possess them. Third, as pre-litigation counsellors, helping resolve conflicts before they turn into long, exhausting legal battles. And fourth, as institution builders -- mentoring young mediators, training legal aid lawyers, and preserving institutional memory for future generations."

While noting progress through initiatives like Lok Adalats and emerging arbitration centres, the CJI called for a formal framework to engage retired judges with dignity and accountability instead of ad-hoc arrangements.

Referring to poet Dushyant Kumar, CJI Surya Kant underlined the enduring faith of common citizens in the judiciary and stressed the responsibility of strengthening that trust.

"Woh aadmi nahin, mukammal bayan hai, Mathe pe uske chot ka gehra nishaan hai, Fatehaal hai, par jhole mein ek Samvidhaan hai..."

Quoting lines about resilience in the face of adversity, the CJI said that a robust system built on experience and wisdom can withstand even the toughest challenges.

"Let us not allow our 'bawris' to dry up in neglect," he added, urging preservation and meaningful engagement of retired judges to ensure accessible and enduring justice.

He concluded his address by saying, "Jisko toofanon se uljhne ki aadat ho, Aisi kashti ko samandar bhi dua deta hai."
VIENTIANE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Throughout the week, Laos and China organized a series of commemorative activities in Laos to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Since the beginning of the week, China and Laos have held a series of events in Lao capital Vientiane to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the "China-Laos Friendship Year." The activities highlight the enduring bond between the two countries as "comrades and brothers," and aim to promote further progress in building a China-Laos community with a shared future.

A China Film Week opened on April 20 in Vientiane. Officials from both countries described films as a key platform for cultural exchanges and friendship. The event runs through April 26.

On April 23, a reception co-hosted by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy brought together more than 400 attendees. Among them were senior Lao officials, foreign diplomats, representatives of overseas Chinese communities, and veterans who contributed to the historical ties between the two nations.

At the ceremony, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong emphasized the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries. Both sides noted that, guided by shared ideals, China and Laos have supported each other through periods of struggle and development, fostering a strong and lasting partnership. They reaffirmed their intention to implement agreements reached by their top leaders and further advance bilateral cooperation.

On April 24, a briefing and photo exhibition was jointly organized by the Chinese embassy and several departments of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The event attracted more than 500 participants from various sectors. Speakers reflected on 65 years of cooperation and pledged to strengthen exchanges in governance, expand practical collaboration, and deepen people-to-people ties.

Participants also shared personal stories that illustrated the historical bond between the two countries.

Later that evening, a gala organized by several Lao and Chinese business and community organizations gathered over 1,000 attendees to celebrate the anniversary.

Throughout the week, these events enriched the celebrations and fostered closer ties between the peoples of both countries, strengthening mutual understanding and appreciation of their longstanding friendship.

China and Laos established diplomatic relations on April 25, 1961. 
New Delhi, April 25 : The Congress said on Saturday that it will challenge the Gauhati High Court order rejecting anticipatory bail to party leader Pawan Khera before the Supreme Court.

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said that the party stands "solidly in solidarity" with Khera and expressed confidence that relief would be granted and "justice would prevail over the politics of threat, intimidation, and harassment".

"The entire Indian National Congress stands solidly in solidarity with Pawan Khera, the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Department. The verdict of the Guwahati High Court is in the process of being challenged in the Supreme Court. We are confident that justice will prevail over the politics of threat, intimidation, and harassment," Ramesh said in a post on social media platform X.

The reaction comes a day after the Gauhati High Court rejected Khera's plea for anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR lodged in Assam over his alleged remarks against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.

A single-judge bench of Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia held that Khera "does not deserve to be given the privilege of anticipatory bail" and said the case could not be treated as one of "defamation simpliciter".

"The case cannot be termed as a case of defamation simpliciter. There are materials for a prima facie case under Section 339 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023," Justice Saikia said, while rejecting Khera's anticipatory bail plea.

The case stems from statements made by Khera during a press conference in Guwahati earlier this month, where he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma held multiple foreign passports and had financial dealings abroad.

Following the remarks, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma filed an FIR denying the allegations and asserting that she is solely an Indian citizen.

Appearing for Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the statements were part of "political rhetoric" made in the context of electoral discourse and, at best, could amount to defamation.

He also alleged political vendetta and apprehended harassment in the event of arrest.

However, opposing the plea, Assam Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia said that the allegations were based on documents later found to be "false", attracting serious offences beyond mere defamation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In its order, the Guwahati High Court underlined the need for custodial interrogation to ascertain the source and authenticity of the documents relied upon by Khera.

"This Court is of the opinion that custodial interrogation is necessary... to find out who are the associates of Mr. Khera, who had collected those documents for him and how and from where they had collected those documents," the High Court order said.

Rejecting the argument of political motivation, Gauhati High Court said that the accusations appeared to stem from a motive of "furthering the ends of justice" and found no material to suggest that the proceedings were intended to "injure and humiliate" the petitioner.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to grant Khera protection from arrest and declined to extend his transit anticipatory bail, directing him to approach the competent court in Assam.
Srinagar, April 25 : The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir wing (CIK) on Saturday carried out a raid at the Central Jail in J&K's Srinagar in connection with a terror-related case.

Officials said that CIK sleuths conducted searches at Central Jail Srinagar in connection with a terror-linked case and seized digital communication devices.

officials added that the searches were carried out following a warrant issued by a special court designated under the NIA Act in a case registered as FIR No 06/2023 at Police Station CI Kashmir.

He said the case was registered under Sections 153-A, 505, 121, and 120-B of the IPC, along with Sections 13 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

"Acting on technical inputs about the presence of suspicious digital signatures inside the jail premises, search operations were conducted across multiple barracks and blocks in coordination with jail authorities," an official said.

The official said that during the operation, digital communication devices and other incriminating material were recovered and seized.

The seized devices will be sent for forensic examination to establish possible links and identify any wider network connected with the case, he said, adding that an inquiry has also been initiated into how the devices were brought inside the high-security prison and the role of any facilitators involved.

The official said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb misuse of communication devices in sensitive establishments, including prisons, and to investigate terror-related activities in the Union Territory. The Counter-Intelligence is a part of the J&K criminal investigation case (CID) of the police and is assigned counter-intelligence duties.

The wing has worked with appreciable results for many years in countering the designs of the enemy and unearthing plots aimed against the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The wing also carries out focused verification of individuals suspected of having terror links.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Supreme Court has suspended the sentence of a Bihar government officer convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act and granted her bail, while expressing serious concern over the prosecution's claim that seized bribe money was destroyed by rodents.

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Aruna Kumari, a former Child Development Programme Officer, challenging a judgment of the Patna High Court which had reversed her acquittal.

The trial court had earlier acquitted Kumari of charges under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. However, the Patna High Court convicted her and sentenced her to four years' Rigorous Imprisonment under Section 13(2) and three years under Section 7 of the Act.

Taking note of the submissions made by senior advocate S. Nagamuthu appearing for the petitioner, the apex court issued a notice and ordered that "the substantive order of sentence passed by the High Court is suspended," directing that the appellant be released on bail subject to conditions to be imposed by the trial court.

During the hearing, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench also flagged a troubling aspect of the prosecution case recorded in the Patna High Court judgment  that the currency notes allegedly recovered as bribe were destroyed by rodents due to poor storage conditions in the police malkhana.

"We are taken by surprise that the currency notes got destroyed by rodents," the apex court observed.

Raising broader concerns, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench remarked, "We wonder how many such currency notes recovered in this type of offences get destroyed as they are not kept at a safe place. It's a huge revenue loss for the State."

The top court also questioned the explanation offered for the destruction of the seized currency, noting that it "does not inspire any confidence."

Indicating that the issue may have wider implications, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench said it would examine the aspect in detail at the stage of final hearing of the matter.
Gandhinagar, April 25 : With voting for Gujarat's local self-government elections scheduled for Sunday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has appealed to citizens to ensure 100 per cent voting, describing participation as both a democratic right and a civic duty.

In a message issued on Saturday, the Chief Minister urged voters across the state to take part enthusiastically in what he termed the "sacred festival of democracy".

He said that voting was not merely a right but also "a sacred duty as a citizen" and emphasised that each vote would contribute to the overall development of villages, talukas, districts and cities.

"Every vote will further accelerate the overall development of the state's villages, talukas, districts and cities," Patel said, calling on voters to visit their polling stations on April 26 and to encourage family members, friends and neighbours to do the same.

Appealing for full participation, he added that citizens should take a pledge for "100 per cent voting" to make the democratic exercise successful.

He also linked participation in the polls to broader development goals, stating: "Voting would contribute to building a developed Gujarat from a developed India."

The appeal comes at the close of campaigning for one of the largest grassroots electoral exercises in the state, with polling set to take place across urban and rural local bodies.

Campaigning concluded on Friday with major political parties holding roadshows and rallies across Gujarat, including high-profile events in Ahmedabad, as parties sought to mobilise voters ahead of polling day.

The elections will cover 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats, making it a wide-ranging contest across tiers of local governance.

According to the State Election Commission, more than 4.19 crore eligible voters are expected to participate in the polls, which will be conducted at tens of thousands of polling stations using electronic voting machines.

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with counting of votes scheduled for April 28.

Over 10,000 seats are being contested in this election cycle, including positions in newly formed municipal bodies, while the polls are also the first to be held under the revised 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in local bodies.

Authorities have made extensive security arrangements, deploying more than one lakh personnel across the state to ensure a peaceful voting process, alongside additional measures in sensitive areas.

The outcome of the elections is expected to shape governance at the grassroots level and influence the administrative direction of urban and rural bodies across Gujarat for the coming term.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 25 : Former Indian Army Chief (retired) General Manoj Mukund Naravane has emphasised the significant distinction between politics and the Indian armed forces, criticising efforts to link the military to political matters.

He said that the Indian Army follows a "chain of command" and following the orders of the political leadership does not indicate the institution has become political.

General Naravane said this in an interview with IANS in response to a question regarding the politics involving the Army.

"I don't believe that the Army is being brought into politics, nor will we, as an organisation, come into it. The Indian Army and armed forces are totally apolitical in every direction. However, following the orders of the political leadership does not mean you have become political. There is a difference between these two things," the former Army Chief told IANS.

Stressing the importance of hierarchy, General Naravane said, "If I pass an order to my junior, it is his duty to follow my order. So, as an Army Chief, who is my senior? The Defence Minister. If the Defence Minister passes an order, the Army has to follow it. This doesn't mean the Army has become political."

"The Army is apolitical, but there is a chain of command, and giving respect to that chain of command is the right course of action," he added.

Criticising the attempts to link the armed forces and politics, the former Indian Army Chief said that India's ability to progress compared to neighbouring Pakistan is due to the military being "apolitical".

"Understand the difference -- we are an apolitical Army, and we will remain apolitical. And the attempts being made to drag the military into politics are bad for the country. If we are to move forward, the Army must remain apolitical because you have seen what happens in our neighbouring countries and how far ahead of them we have progressed. And if we have been able to progress so far ahead compared to other neighbouring countries, it is because we are apolitical," General Naravane said.

"People can make an issue out of anything; that is their choice. But we have so much self-confidence among ourselves that no matter what anyone says, we are not going to get trapped or caught in that web. We have faith in ourselves. I always used to tell my soldiers to have faith in themselves. Believe in yourself. Believe that we are a very good Army, a good organisation, and whatever actions we take will be for the betterment of the country," he added.
Rohtak, April 25 : Following the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha, and six other Members of Parliament from the AAP to join the BJP, AAP leader Anurag Dhanda on Saturday alleged that the BJP is acting out of fear due to the party's growing influence, particularly in Gujarat.

Speaking to IANS, Dhanda claimed that AAP's rapid expansion has unsettled the ruling party. "The BJP is afraid of the Aam Aadmi Party. The way AAP is rapidly progressing in Gujarat has unnerved them," he said. He further accused the BJP of attempting to weaken AAP through investigative agencies, intimidation, and alleged coercion of party members.

Dhanda also alleged restrictions on AAP's digital presence, claiming that social media accounts linked to the party in Gujarat, including Instagram and Facebook handles, have been blocked. "This is an attack on freedom of speech. They want to silence us, but no matter what they do, they cannot stop Arvind Kejriwal," he added.

Drawing parallels with India's freedom struggle, Dhanda invoked figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Bhagat Singh, stating that history remembers those who resist oppression rather than those who compromise.

He also mentioned that AAP leader Sanjay Singh has written to the Rajya Sabha Chairperson seeking termination of membership of MPs who have joined the BJP, arguing that they no longer have the legal right to remain in the Upper House.

Earlier, Chadha formally announced his move to the BJP on Friday. The Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab stated that more than two-thirds of AAP's members in the Upper House have decided to merge with the BJP under constitutional provisions.

Addressing a press conference alongside party colleagues, Chadha said, "We, the two-thirds members belonging to AAP in the Rajya Sabha, have decided to exercise provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP."

The development comes after months of reported tensions between the AAP leadership and Chadha.
New Delhi, April 25 : A day after former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal, along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she cited AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal's "corruption, hooliganism and lies" as the reason. Maliwal also clarified that she has not joined the BJP under any compulsion.

During an interaction with IANS, she rekindled her time with the AAP.

Maliwal said: "I have been working with Arvind Kejriwal since 2006. I left my home, gave up my job, and stayed in jhuggi areas for seven years, supporting him in every movement."

However, reiterating her allegations from 2024, she added, "Arvind Kejriwal got me brutally beaten by his aides at his residence. When I tried to file an FIR, I was threatened and intimidated. Even over the past two years, several attempts were made to force me to withdraw the FIR."

She also accused Kejriwal of being an "anti-woman person".

Maliwal asserted that she had tried to improve the party for the past two years, however, she said that change is not possible with "so much of money game".

"I tried to raise issues in the past two years but no body listened to me," she claimed.

Referring to previous instances of several leaders quitting the AAP, Maliwal said, "Every good person has left Arvind Kejriwal at some point or the other. When one realises that he (Kejriwal) is corrupt and a liar, he or she leaves him."

"There are thousands of volunteers whose names we might not know, they also have left the AAP. Arvind Kejriwal had shown a dream to all of us but later he himself became corrupt," she added.

Blaming Kejriwal for focusing to lead a luxurious life, she said: "Simplicity was one of our very important aspects when we started, that has been completely lost by Arvind Kejriwal."

Maliwal alleged that after losing the Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP Chief is now running the Punjab government "via remote control".

"He (Kejriwal) has imposed all the rejected MLAs from Delhi on Punjab. Didn't he find any Punjabi to appoint to any of the commissions? And Bibhav Kumar, who hit me and had behaved so rudely, Arvind Kejriwal has given that man Z+ security in Punjab. He has appointed that person as the Chief Advisor to (Punjab Chief Minister) Bhagwant Mann," she alleged.

Moreover, she added, "He (Kejriwal) has made the AAP government in Punjab as a personal ATM. Due to him, today Punjab has drowned into corruption."

The MP further blamed the AAP for illegal sand mining and drug mafia "taking over" Punjab.

She accused the AAP of using Punjab in order to lead a lavish lifestyle.

"Punjab will never forgive them," she asserted.

Sharpening the attack on her former party, Maliwal alleged that for the last two years, despite being the only woman AAP MP, she was not allowed to speak in the Parliament out of the party's allotted time.

"Only when the new Rajya Sabha Chairman (V.P. Radhakrishnan) started allotting me time from his quota, I could speak something. Recently I spoke on POCSO issues for 10 minutes," she mentioned.

The MP also claimed that other leaders within AAP are also "disappointed" and the entire party will "collapse very soon".

Meanwhile, she praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

"One one hand there is Arvind Kejriwal's hooliganism and corruption and on the other hand there is a decisive leadership in the country which is of PM Modi," Maliwal said.

"I want to work under the guidance of PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I am not joining the BJP under any compulsion," she clarified.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Imphal, April 25 : A day after three people were killed and several others injured in a violent clash in Manipur's Ukhrul district, central and state security forces on Saturday intensified operations to apprehend those involved and prevent further escalation, officials said.

A police official in Imphal stated that security measures have been significantly enhanced in the area to prevent any further escalation of violence. Operations are ongoing in the surrounding regions, he added.

Ukhrul district, which shares an inter-state border with Nagaland and an international border with Myanmar, is predominantly inhabited by the Tangkhul Naga community.

According to police, a heavy exchange of fire took place in the Mullam village area under the Litan police station on Friday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The deceased have been identified as Paominlun Haolai (22), Letlal Sitlhou (41), and Horshokmi Jamang (29).

Haolai and Sitlhou belonged to the Kuki community, while Jamang was from the Tangkhul Naga community. They were residents of three different districts -- Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Kamjong. Many houses were burnt down in the Mullam village during the clash.

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, who belongs to the Thadou tribal community, strongly condemned the incident and urged people to stand united against violence while working collectively toward a peaceful, secure, and prosperous society.

Condemning the violence in Mullam village, she said that the senseless acts by armed miscreants have devastated homes, destroyed property, and left many innocent civilians injured, including women and children.

"Such barbaric acts against unarmed villagers are not only inhuman but also a direct assault on the very fabric of our society. I extend my deepest and most heartfelt solidarity to all the victims and affected families. In this hour of grief and suffering, the pain of those who have lost their homes, security, and peace is profoundly felt. I stand firmly with every affected individual, especially the women and children who have borne the brunt of this tragedy," Kipgen said.

The Minister, who holds the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department portfolio, further appealed to all communities to exercise utmost restraint. "At this critical juncture, I make a strong and earnest appeal to all communities to uphold peace. Violence does not offer solutions; it only deepens wounds, erodes trust, and obstructs progress, development, and lasting peace. We must reject hatred and retaliation and instead come together in unity to rebuild and move forward," she added.

Meanwhile, the Thadou Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Thadou tribal community, expressed concern that a repeat of the prolonged Kuki-Naga clashes of the 1990s would be unimaginable, especially at a time when ongoing Kuki-Meitei tensions have already caused significant devastation.

The organisation appealed to all sides to refrain from targeting or involving the Thadou community in the conflict. It also advised members of the Thadou community and villages to remain neutral, avoid participation in any form of violence, and clearly identify themselves as "Thadou" to minimise the risk of misidentification.

In a separate development, security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from Khumkot village in Chandel district. The recovered items included four single-bore rifles, four Pompi rifles, seven Pompi shells, three grenades, a detonator, and five Baofeng radio sets, along with chargers.

Meanwhile, in a prompt and well-coordinated midnight operation, the Assam Rifles successfully rescued a 55-year-old individual from Sengui village in Churachandpur district. A defence spokesperson said the operation was launched following a formal request from the district administration to ensure the individual's safety. The man, who had been residing at his spouse's home in Sengui for the past 15 years, required urgent intervention after a video related to him went viral on social media platforms, posing a significant threat to his safety.

Acting swiftly on the request, Assam Rifles personnel, in coordination with local police authorities from Sangaikot and Chakpikarong, carried out the evacuation smoothly without any untoward incident. The individual was transported under secure arrangements and later handed over to Chakpikarong Police Station for further necessary action in coordination with Chandel Police.

The successful operation highlights the strong coordination between the Assam Rifles and local civil administration in maintaining law and order. By responding decisively to emerging threats amplified through digital platforms, the force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and preserving peace across Manipur, the spokesman said.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 : The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has issued a stern warning to its leaders and workers against making public statements on the Chief Ministerial choice after the elections, as internal divisions spill into the open and intensify online.

KPCC President Sunny Joseph on Saturday said remarks in print, visual, and social media that could tarnish the partyas image would not be tolerated.

Such statements, he cautioned, would be treated as indiscipline.

The directive follows growing unease among party workers and supporters of the United Democratic Front (UDF), who have expressed dissatisfaction over the public airing of internal matters.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) had earlier advised leaders to refrain from such discussions, but sections within the party continued to engage in them, prompting the KPCC to reiterate its position.

Despite the warning, factional activity has shown little sign of abating, particularly on digital platforms.

In a related development, Hibi Eden has offered to step down as head of the KPCC Digital Media Cell, citing the conclusion of the Assembly elections.

His decision comes amid a sharp escalation in online clashes over the Chief Ministeras post, with even members of the digital media team reportedly divided along factional lines.

Eden, however, has maintained that his resignation is not linked to the ongoing controversy.

The KPCC has yet to take a final decision on his letter.

Further underscoring the deepening rift, Vimala Binu, Digital Media Cell coordinator, has lodged a complaint with the State Police chief alleging that fake screenshots were being circulated in her name as part of the campaign around the leadership tussle.

She has sought legal action against those responsible.

The controversy gained traction after purported screenshots suggested she had called for cyber attacks against supporters of K.C. Venugopal.

Supporters of Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala remain locked in a bitter online battle, even as senior leaders avoid direct confrontation.

With potential MLA support becoming crucial, loyalists of all three camps are also engaged in quiet efforts to consolidate backing, highlighting the high stakes in the leadership contest.
New Delhi, April 25 : Newly appointed Niti Aayog's Vice Chairman, Dr. Ashok Lahiri, on Saturday met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.

This meeting took place a day after assuming charge, marking his first official engagement in the role.

Following the meeting, Lahiri, who is also a BJP MLA from West Bengal and a renowned economist, shared the details on social media platform X.

"Today, I met with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi," he wrote on X.

Lahiri had succeeded Suman Bery, who has been serving in the role since May 2022.

Adding to the Bengal angle, Gobardhan Das, a prominent immunologist and academic, is also set to join NITI Aayog as a member.

Das, who contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections from Purbasthali Uttar on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket but lost, has previously served as Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, and was a faculty member at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

His inclusion alongside Lahiri signals a notable representation of Bengalis in the countryas top policy-making body.

Lahiri, who represents Balurghat in the current Bengal Assembly but is not contesting the ongoing elections, brings with him a distinguished career in economics.

He served as the 12th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India and has held positions at the Delhi School of Economics, the Asian Development Bank, Bandhan Bank, and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.

His global experience includes stints with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

An alumnus of Presidency University, Kolkata, Lahiri is widely respected for his academic and policy contributions.

With a career spanning over four decades, he is regarded as one of Indiaas senior economists.

For the Bharatiya Janata Party, the elevation of two Bengalis to NITI Aayog could be projected as recognition of Bengalas intellectual and policy leadership, while also serving as a counter-narrative to the All India Trinamool Congressas dominance in the state.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Students paint panda sculptures during a celebration to mark the International Chinese Language Day in Suva, Fiji, April 24, 2026. Teachers and students of a Fijian school have celebrated the International Chinese Language Day in Suva, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and mutual respect. (Photo by Gao Xin/Xinhua)

SUVA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Teachers and students of a Fijian school have celebrated the International Chinese Language Day in Suva, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and mutual respect.

The event, held at Yat Sen School on Friday, treated attendees to a diverse array of performances, including music, dances, poetry reading and Chinese martial arts performance, which won prolonged applause and cheers.

It also offered an immersive cultural experience that highlighted the richness of the Chinese language and its cultural heritage through calligraphy, paper cutting, Chinese chess, pot throwing and 24 Solar Terms AR experience.

In her welcome address, principal of Yat Sen Secondary School Raijeli Sikivou said language is more than words; it is identity, heritage, and a pathway to friendship and cooperation across borders.

"Chinese is one of the oldest continuously used languages in the world. Beyond communication, it carries with it its centuries of history, philosophy, art and tradition. Learning Chinese not only opens doors to global opportunities but also deepens our understanding of one of the world's great civilizations," Sikivou said.

Wang Yuan, charge d'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, encouraged the students to learn Chinese well and become "little envoys" of friendship between China and Fiji.

He said that Chinese language education has been carried out in over 190 countries and regions around the world.

"Mastering Chinese is not only acquiring a valuable skill, but also gaining a head start in future development," Wang added.

Ninety years ago, when Yat Sen School was founded, it was dedicated to providing Chinese language education and the inheritance of Chinese culture for the children of Chinese people in Fiji.

Through the unremitting efforts of generations, the school has continued to expand, and its Chinese language education has also flourished. 

A student wears an AR device to experience Chinese 24 Solar Terms during a celebration to mark the International Chinese Language Day in Suva, Fiji, April 24, 2026. Teachers and students of a Fijian school have celebrated the International Chinese Language Day in Suva, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and mutual respect. (Photo by Gao Xin/Xinhua)
New Delhi, April 25 : Former Indian Army Chief, General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane said that he has not seen his memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny' in a published form and has no answers to how the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi got access to it.

General Naravane, speaking to IANS in an interview, said that the Union government has given "full freedom" to the armed forces to take actions in situations like the 2020 India-China standoff, which shows that it has "full trust" in its military.

He said that if people "aren't ready" to accept that the Chinese were forced to retreat during the standoff, then he cannot say much.

This reaction came after the former Army Chief was asked about the controversy surrounding his unpublished book, 'Four Stars of Destiny'.

When asked about the authenticity of the alleged copy of the unpublished book brought outside the Parliament by LoP Rahul Gandhi to corner the Union government over it, General Naravane reiterated that no copy of the book is in circulation.

"I would just say that I myself haven't seen a final copy of that book as an author. So, I can't say which book it was or where it came from. As Penguin has also very clearly stated, 'no copy of that book is in circulation, either in print, hard copy, or soft copy'. So, as for where it came from, what can I say about that?" the former Army Chief told IANS.

About the emphasis on an alleged line in a chapter of the book accessed where it was mentioned that the Army was told to "do whatever you deem appropriate (Jo uchit lage, vo karo)", General Naravane said that "wrong perspective" was derived from that.

"The Army is always given full freedom when it comes to taking action. And the freedom given implies that the government has full trust in its Army. So this should be viewed from that perspective. If you always want to see the glass half empty, then there is no solution for that," he added.

The former Army Chief said that when the armed forces take any action along the borders, it is a "whole-of-nation effort".

"It's never just one branch or organisation. In this, the political dispensation has a contribution, the diplomatic side has a contribution, and the military has a contribution. So, everyone moving forward together is a whole-of-nation effort. And because we took this action unitedly, we were able to be successful," he said, referring to the 2020 Galwan standoff.

He also mentioned that due to these very efforts, the Chinese Army was forced back, while also commenting on the doubts raised regarding the stepping back of China from along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"Even now, we believe that the actions we took are the reason the PLA (People's Liberation Army) had to go back. All the things coming on TV screens showing them dismantling their bunkers -- such things had never happened before, that China stepped back. We forced them to step back. So if this isn't a victory, then what is? And if people aren't ready to accept this either, which they are seeing with their own eyes on TV, then what else can I say?" the former Army Chief added.
Islamabad, April 25 : Pakistan's "drama diplomacy", led by Army Chief Asim Munir, is being viewed as a desperate attempt at "face-saving" outreach, following the collapse of the first round of talks between the United States and Iran.

According to a report in India Narrative, amid the shifting dynamics in the Gulf, Pakistan appears to be engaging in theatrics by pushing for a second round of talks, which is already on shaky ground and carries negligible diplomatic weight to deliver meaningful outcomes.

"After the collapse of the first round of talks, the second round is on the horizon and is almost on the brink of collapse, as Iran is unwilling to negotiate further with the US. Amid the tense drama of negotiations, Pakistan is staging its own desperate theatrics to project itself as a key player in Gulf conflict management and to reassert its dwindling influence in the Gulf. However, the broader strategic picture suggests that maximalist-driven interests and coercion are destabilising any effort towards peace in the Gulf," the report detailed.

"The conflict exit process driven by diplomacy is a delicate art that requires a balance of power and flexibility, neither of which either side currently enjoys. As a result, the exit is gradually being delayed and is becoming a conundrum drama rather than a real episode of diplomacy," it added.

According to the report, the United States appears to be revisiting its earlier negotiation script with other countries, this time relying on coercive tactics and a show of force in the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to push Iran back into talks.

It stated that, however, unlike past precedents, there is no real balance of power or flexibility, as Iran retains asymmetrical warfare capability that reinforces its survival and provides Tehran leverage to resist coercive pressure by the US, unlike North Vietnam.

"The negotiating terms remain maximalist, with Iranians seeking more concessions rather than a small bargain. Similarly, the US is ready to offer limited concessions but, in return, seeks maximalist demands, ranging from a long-term halt to complete abandonment of the nuclear or missile programme. In other words, flexibility is absent because coercive and preventive diplomacy is not working," the report noted.

"This time around, Iran will not be walking away from the table with consolation prizes. They are seeking an exit on their own terms, which is effective and provides long-term strategic and security assurances, which makes the US's prospects of seeking a deal a more dangerous gamble," it added.

Emphasising the stakes involved, the report stressed that face-saving had become crucial for Asim Munir, as a complete breakdown in talks could further damage Pakistan's credibility and weaken its efforts to strengthen ties in the Gulf.

The report further said, "While Pakistan's role is limited to that of a messenger, even this minor diplomatic influence is at stake in the Gulf; hence, the fear is real for Asim Munir."
Jaipur, April 25 : Vice-President, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Saturday emphasised that mental resilience is key in the fight against cancer and urged citizens, especially the youth, to stay away from intoxicants, tobacco, and similar substances to reduce cancer risk. He called for large-scale, sustained public awareness campaigns focussed on cancer prevention and also sated that tablet-based cancer treatments are emerging as a promising alternative to chemotherapy.

Addressing a programme organised by the Cancer Society of India on Saturday, the Vice President noted that recent advances in medical research are encouraging, particularly initiatives exploring tablet-based therapies as alternatives to intensive treatments such as chemotherapy.

He underlined the importance of access to clean drinking water and expressed concern over the rising number of cancer cases annually.

Highlighting government support, he said that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, eligible patients can avail free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The scheme covers major cancer treatments a" including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy a" for diseases such as breast, lung, and oral cancers at empanelled hospitals nationwide.

He added that for indigent patients, provisions of up to Rs 15 lakh offer significant relief. Under the National Health Mission, nearly 75 per cent of allocated rural funds are currently being utilised for cancer prevention initiatives.

The Vice President also pointed out that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India and noted that both Central and State governments are implementing measures such as vaccination and improved treatment protocols. He commended Rajasthanas proactive efforts, stating that the state is emerging as a leader in the fight against cancer.

He also lauded cancer survivors present at the event as a source of inspiration.

Governor Haribhau Bagde stressed the need for a dedicated 'Cancer-Free Rajasthan Campaign,' drawing parallels with successful initiatives like the TB-Free campaign. He observed that while not a medical expert, his interactions and reading suggest that cancer often stems from cellular disorders and genetic factors.

The Governor cautioned against the use of tobacco products such as bidis and cigarettes, citing their strong link to cancer. He added that tribal regions of Rajasthan may exhibit lower cancer prevalence due to cleaner environments and healthier lifestyles.

He also highlighted concerns regarding chemical contamination in water and the use of fertilisers in agriculture, calling for stronger efforts to ensure access to clean water and chemical-free food.

Minister of Medical and Health Department, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, emphasised the importance of awareness initiatives and outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare services across the state.

Earlier, the Vice President, Governor, and Health Minister jointly unveiled a film dedicated to cancer survivors.

Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Agarwal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 : A major twist has emerged in the attempted murder case filed against Kerala Students' Union (KSU) workers over the black flag protest against Health Minister Veena George at Kannur Railway Station in the last week of February, with the minister's own statement weakening the prosecution's core charge.

Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 (IANS) A major twist has emerged in the attempted murder case filed against Kerala Students' Union (KSU) workers over the black flag protest against Health Minister Veena George at Kannur Railway Station in the last week of February, with the ministeras own statement weakening the prosecutionas core charge.

In her deposition to the police probe team, recorded nearly two months after the incident, Veena George stated that only pushing and jostling occurred during the protest.

The statement effectively undermines the allegation made by her gunman that she had suffered a neck injury inflicted with a weapon, an accusation that formed the basis for invoking Section 307 (attempt to murder) against five KSU workers.

The accused had spent over two weeks in jail before securing bail.

With no substantive evidence backing the charge, the Railway Police are now set to drop the attempt to murder count and proceed with lesser offences when filing the chargesheet.

The protest unfolded during the ministeras visit to Kannur, where she faced black flag demonstrations at five locations.

The situation escalated at the railway station, reportedly triggered by the alleged assault of Youth League leader Shajir Iqbal by CPI(M) workers at Peringome earlier that day.

At Platform 1, the confrontation lasted around two minutes, marked by pushing, shouting, and commotion.

Following the incident, the minister cancelled her journey and was rushed to the district hospital.

As news spread rapidly, senior leaders, including Chief Minister Vijayan, visited her.

Later that night, she was shifted to Government Medical College Pariyaram for further evaluation.

The five KSU workers arrested at the scene were initially detained by Town Police and later handed over to the Railway Police.

An FIR was registered the same night, and the accused were produced before a magistrate the next morning and remanded.

Bail was granted only after about two weeks.

Significantly, the wound certificate from the district hospital did not record any injury caused by a weapon.

Statements from police personnel on duty and CCTV visuals from the station also failed to indicate any attempt to murder.

Though medical bulletins from Pariyaram hospital repeatedly mentioned pain in the cervical spine region, no corroborative evidence of a serious assault emerged.

Despite multiple attempts, investigators were unable to record the ministeras statement earlier.

It was only after the elections that she provided a detailed account, prompting a reassessment of the case.

The development lends weight to Opposition claims that the charges were excessive, raising broader questions about the use of serious criminal provisions in politically-charged situations.

This incident started a trail of social media trolls depicting the journalist-turned-Minister in poor light.
Mumbai, April 25 : Calling for integrity-driven growth in India's capital markets, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the country's financial future depends on building stronger, more transparent markets rather than simply scaling them up.

Speaking at SEBI's 38th foundational day event here, FM Sitharaman stressed quality over sheer expansion.

"Above all, we want better markets, not merely bigger markets. Size without integrity is fragility. Volume without investor protection is exploitation," FM Sitharaman said.

"Growth without governance is unsustainable. And ensuring that is definitely a shared national priority and responsibility," the finance minister added.

FM Sitharaman said that the journey towards Viksit Bharat will require extraordinary investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy transition, urban transformation, innovation and human capital.

"It cannot be financed by the public balance sheet or banks alone. It will require deep, well-regulated capital markets, where SEBI's role becomes instrumental," the finance minister stated.

Highlighting India's increasing integration with global financial systems, FM Sitharaman observed that the country's capital markets are closely linked to international investors and cross-border capital flows.

"India's capital markets are deeply connected to the world. Our investors are global, our issuers engage international pools of capital and regulatory developments in one major jurisdiction increasingly influence market practice far beyond its borders," the finance minister said.

"In that context, our regulatory conversations cannot remain only domestic. I would urge SEBI to institutionalise more frequent and more substantive periodic consultations with its global counterparts and leading market participants on emerging issues such as cross-border fraud, use of AI in markets, sustainable finance disclosures and settlement interoperability," FM Sitharaman added.

The Union Minister further said that AI-led tools are making cyberattacks faster, more adaptive, scalable, and in some cases more autonomous in execution.

"Therefore, not just SEBI, but all Regulated Entities will have to remain exceptionally vigilant. The tools of attack are evolving at high speed, and the tools of defence must evolve even faster", Finance Minister Sitharaman said.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued an administrative warning to Manappuram Finance Ltd Chairman and Managing Director, V.P. Nandakumar, for delayed disclosure of share pledge transactions, the company said in a regulatory filing on Saturday.

The warning was issued via a letter dated April 24 related to a delay in disclosure of pledge of shares by the NBFC's CMD in his personal capacity for transactions carried out between September 21 and September 24, 2018.

According to the disclosure, the required intimation was made on October 11, 2018, reflecting a delay of seven days.

The company clarified that the communication has been issued to Nandakumar in his personal capacity and does not have any financial, operational or other impact on Manappuram Finance Ltd.

"No penalty or restriction has been imposed pursuant to the communication," the filing noted.

Earlier this month, the company said it had reported a violation of its code of conduct under insider trading rules, involving a transaction carried out through the portfolio management services (PMS) account of one of its independent directors.

The company said the trade was linked to Abhijit Sen, an Independent and Non-Executive Director, who also serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Shares of Manappuram Finance ended about 1 per cent lower at Rs 289.65 apiece on the NSE on Friday. The stock has declined around 8 per cent so far this year. It has touched a 52-week high of Rs 321 and a low of Rs 222.51.

The company reported a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 239 crore in Q3FY26, a 14 per cent decline from the corresponding period in the previous year.

Net interest income (NII) fell 18.36 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,298.9 crore, while consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 2,353 crore, down 8 per cent.

Meanwhile, consolidated assets under management (AUM) rose 18.1 per cent to Rs 522 billion during the quarter.
Dharwad : , April 25 (IANS) Hundreds of supporters of Congress leader and MLA, Vinay Kulkarni, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in connection with the murder of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda, gathered in Dharwad on Saturday to take part in a silent protest march, alleging a political conspiracy against him.

The march, organised by his supporters and local Congress leaders, began at 12 noon from Kala Bhavan. Supporters assembled at the venue in large numbers ahead of the procession, many of them wearing black T-shirts and tying black bands as a mark of protest.

The silent march proceeded from Kala Bhavan to the KCC Bank, with hundreds of party workers and followers participating. Organisers said the demonstration is being held to protest what they described as a "political conspiracy" against Kulkarni, alleging that he has been made a scapegoat.

Kulkarni, who has already been sentenced to life imprisonment, remains at the centre of the controversy, with his supporters continuing to assert that he has been unfairly targeted. The protest saw significant participation from party workers and loyalists, who had gathered in large numbers even before the commencement of the march.

It can be recalled that a special court in Bengaluru sentenced Vinay Kulkarni and 16 other convicts to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs 30,000 each for the offences of criminal conspiracy and murder of BJP leader, Yageshgowda Goundar, in Dharwad district of Karnataka in 2016.

The case dates back to 2016 and Vinay Kulkarni was listed as accused number 15. The case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the state government. At the time the allegations surfaced, Kulkarni was serving as a minister and district incharge minister.

Yogesh Gowda was hacked to death by a group of assailants at a gym in Dharwad city on June 15, 2016. He had politically challenged Kulkarni, and the incident soon took a worse turn.

Kulkarni was arrested in 2020 and released on bail in 2021. He was accused of influencing witnesses, following which the CBI sought cancellation of his bail, alleging violation of bail conditions. The court accepted the plea and revoked his bail.

Subsequently, Kulkarni, who is currently the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, surrendered before the authorities and was recently released on bail again.
Patna, April 25 : After securing the vote of confidence in the Bihar Assembly, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reached 1, Anee Marg, his official residence, on Saturday to pay a courtesy visit to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Union Minister and JD-U Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh was also present during the meeting, which lasted for about 20 minutes.

While the exact details of the discussion have not been disclosed, it is widely speculated that the talks revolved around the much-anticipated Cabinet expansion in Bihar.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had proved his majority in the Bihar Assembly on Friday.

During the debate preceding the floor test, Samrat Choudhary praised Nitish Kumar, saying that the veteran JD-U leader could neither be removed from his seat of power nor from their hearts.

He credited Nitish Kumar with establishing good governance in the state and expressed confidence that Bihar would continue progressing under his guidance.

Highlighting the former Chief Minister's contributions, Samrat Choudhary said that over the past two decades, Nitish Kumar has given Bihar a new identity by bringing farmers, labourers, and the underprivileged into the mainstream.

He also mentioned initiatives such as increased government employment opportunities, the implementation of liquor ban, and steps toward women's empowerment.

Chief Minister Choudhary also clarified that the Bharatiya Janata Party has entrusted him with key responsibilities, adding that positions of power are not personal property but a matter of public trust.

It is worth noting that even after the formation of the new government, the Cabinet in Bihar is yet to be expanded.

At present, all departments are being handled by the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav.

As a result, political circles are closely watching for the Cabinet expansion, which is expected in the coming days.

Earlier on Saturday, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had also met Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav to deliberate on various issues.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, April 25 : In a shocking case of revenge spanning nearly three decades, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a 29-year-old man and his accomplice for allegedly murdering a 78-year-old man believed to have been an informant in a 1999 police encounter.

According to officials, the main accused, Shadiq Jawar, is the nephew of former gangster Shadiq Kalia, who was killed in a police encounter in 1999.

Police allege that Jawar plotted the murder of Iqbal Ibrahim Celia, suspecting that he had informed the police about his uncle's whereabouts at the time.

Investigators claim that Celia had allegedly tipped off encounter specialist Daya Nayak, leading to Kalia's death.

Driven by this belief, Jawar is said to have planned the killing as an act of revenge.

The incident occurred on the evening of April 20 at Celia's residence in Mumbai's Nagpada.

Police said the attackers entered the house when other family members were not present and fatally assaulted the elderly man with sharp-edged weapons, inflicting more than 20 injuries. When Celia's wife and son returned home, they discovered his body lying in a pool of blood.

Following the murder, the accused fled the site.

However, CCTV footage helped investigators track their movements.

The Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that the duo travelled through Antop Hill and Vidyavihar to Kalyan before escaping to Nagpur.

Based on technical surveillance and evidence, police teams traced and arrested Jawar along with his 22-year-old accomplice, Naushad Mithani, from Nagpur.

During police questioning, the accused duo, Jawar and Mithani, allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime.

Police records indicate that Kalia was once a street vendor in Mumbai's Kalachowki area before joining the underworld and becoming associated with the gang of Chhota Shakeel. He was killed in November 1999 during a police operation.

Officials said Jawar was only two-years-old at the time of his uncle's death but allegedly grew up harbouring a desire for revenge.

Further investigation into the case is underway.
New Delhi, April 25 : Domestic investors raised their shareholding to a record 29 per cent in Indian equities, offsetting the decline in foreign participation, a new report has said.

Foreign portfolio investor (FPI) ownership in Indian equities dropped to its lowest level in 16 years in the March quarter, the report from Morgan Stanley said.

Domestic ownership in the listed universe surged 40 basis points from the previous quarter. With the increase primarily driven by domestic institutions, which raised ownership by 58 basis points to 19.3 per cent. Direct household ownership rose 20 basis points.

Resilient local flows and weaker foreign positioning could support demand for primary issuances and a pick-up in buybacks, it said.

Institutions gave an overweight call on financials and consumer discretionary shares and remained underweight on materials, energy, health care and utilities.

Foreign investors held their largest overweight position in financials, although they reduced active positions during the quarter. Industrials remained their biggest underweight sector, the report said.

Domestic institutions maintained their largest underweight position in financials, though that underweight position narrowed. Consumer staples remained their largest overweight position.

On the liquidity front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 1,369 crore during the week, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 9,782 crore.

The domestic equity markets closed on a weak note this week, with benchmark indices declining about 2 per cent amid escalating tensions in West Asia, a sharp spike in crude oil prices, and heavy selling in IT stocks weighing on sentiment.

On a weekly basis, headline indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower, falling 2.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively.

According to analysts, markets remained volatile with a cautious undertone during the week, as early recovery attempts fizzled out amid resurfacing US-Iran tensions and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

a"IANS

aar/pk
SARAJEVO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- As fuel prices continue to climb amid global energy uncertainties, more consumers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are turning their attention to electric and hybrid vehicles, with Chinese brands emerging as increasingly attractive options.

In showrooms across the capital Sarajevo, brands such as Geely, Chery, have been drawing growing interest from the public with competitively priced models, advanced technology and extended warranties, offering consumers an attractive alternative as household budgets come under pressure.

"I was very surprised by the quality, design and driving stability (of Chinese electric vehicle models)," said Zvezdana Stojakovic, a TV host of Radio and Television of BiH, adding that she was quite impressed after trying several Chinese electric vehicle (EV) models.

She said that Chinese auto manufacturers have made rapid progress in recent years, adding that electric models provide lower operating costs and greater environmental benefits. "In the long run, I believe electric vehicles will become the standard," she said.

Automotive industry expert Dino Subasic said BiH is following a broader regional trend toward electrification, adding that the market share of the Chinese brands has risen from around 3 percent last year to about 4 percent by March 2026.

"Chinese brands are among the pioneers in the transition. They offer environmentally friendly solutions and increasingly competitive products," Subasic said, adding that high fuel prices and global geopolitical tension are altering consumers' interest, while hybrid vehicles are serving as a practical bridge toward full electrification.

Igor Gavran, an economist from BiH, noted that Chinese EV brands have advantages in technology, battery performance and digitalization.

He said that Chinese manufacturers were among the earliest to develop and commercialize EVs, offering products that are competitive in nearly every aspect while maintaining relatively reasonable prices.

Industry observers believe that with improved technology, competitive pricing and growing environmental awareness, Chinese electric vehicles are poised to play an increasingly important role in BiH's evolving automotive market. 
Bengaluru, April 25 : The Karnataka Health Department on Saturday said the bird flu outbreak reported at a government poultry training centre in Hesaraghatta near Bengaluru has been successfully contained following a 10-day intensive surveillance drive, with no human cases detected so far.

According to an official statement by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the outbreak was first detected on April 14 and subsequently confirmed through laboratory reports from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal. In response, State and District Rapid Response Teams, along with teams from Hesaraghatta and Sonnenahalli Primary Health Centres, were immediately deployed to contain the spread.

An infected zone with a radius of 0-3 km and a surveillance zone covering 3-10 km were established around the outbreak site. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services undertook culling of all birds at the affected centre and ensured safe disposal of eggs and contaminated feed in accordance with prescribed biosecurity protocols.

As part of the containment exercise, a total population of 28,172 people across 22 villages within the 10-km surveillance zone was monitored over a period of 10 days. Multiple rounds of surveillance and sanitation activities were carried out as per standard guidelines.

Health officials stated that nasopharyngeal samples collected from quarantined staff on the fifth day of surveillance and sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Bengaluru, tested negative for H5N1. Additional samples collected on the tenth day have been sent for testing, and results are awaited. Authorities confirmed that no human cases of H5N1 infection have been detected so far in either the infected or surveillance zones.

The Health Department has directed all healthcare facilities in Bengaluru to continue monitoring cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Hospitals have also been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of personal protective equipment, triple-layer medical masks, antiviral medication such as oseltamivir, viral transport media, and throat swab kits.

Meanwhile, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services issued a sanitisation certificate for the affected area on April 21. As a precautionary measure, poultry-related activities at the centre will remain suspended for a period of 90 days. During this time, the premises will undergo periodic disinfection every 15 days through fumigation indoors and spraying in open areas.

The government has issued a public advisory urging people to avoid handling or consuming meat or eggs from sick or dead poultry, and to promptly report any sightings of such birds to local veterinary or health authorities. It has also advised that poultry products should be thoroughly cooked before consumption, as proper cooking effectively neutralises the virus.

Authorities have appealed to the public to follow official health advisories and refrain from spreading unverified information or panic.

Authorities had confirmed an outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza virus at a government poultry training centre in Mathkuru village, Hesaraghatta, near Bengaluru, on April 14, based on a report from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 25 : In a major breakthrough under its zero-tolerance policy against drugs, the East District Police have busted an inter-state drug syndicate and arrested three drug traffickers, including two key suppliers from Uttar Pradesh. A total of 475 grams of heroin (smack), classified as a commercial quantity and valued at nearly Rs 80 lakh in the international illicit market, has been recovered.

The operation was carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Squad (ANS) of East District as part of an ongoing campaign to curb substance abuse and dismantle drug networks in the national capital.

Police officials said that sustained efforts are being made to achieve the goal of a drug-free society.

A dedicated ANS team, comprising Sub-Inspectors Rahul and Vikas, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Amit and Arun, Head Constables Pradeep Sharma, Amit Kasana, and Harendra, Woman Head Constable Anamika, and Constable Kaushal, was formed under the supervision of Inspector Arun Kumar and overall guidance of Assistant Commissioner of Police Pawan Kumar.

The team intensified intelligence gathering by activating local informers and monitoring suspected drug activities.

On April 2, the team received specific information that a individual named Mohd Arif was involved in supplying smack and would be arriving near Ghazipur Road, close to the old Regional Rapid Transit System site in Delhi.

Acting swiftly, the police laid a trap and apprehended the accused at the identified location.

During the search, 270 grams of heroin were recovered from the accused's possession.

Subsequently, a case under the NDPS Act was registered at Patparganj Industrial Area Police Station, and further investigation was initiated.

During police questioning, Mohd Arif revealed that he sourced the drugs from two suppliers based in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur, identified as Amit and Vikas.

Recognising the importance of dismantling the supply chain, police teams conducted multiple raids across Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh.

Based on technical surveillance and the accused's disclosures, both drug suppliers were eventually apprehended.

As much as 205 grams of heroin were recovered from the possession of the drug suppliers, bringing the total seizure to 475 grams.

All the three accused have been formally arrested, and further investigation is underway.

Police revealed that Mohd Arif initially became involved in drug peddling due to personal addiction.

Over time, he began purchasing small quantities of smack and selling them in Delhi-NCR.

In recent months, Arif escalated his operations by procuring bulk quantities from his drug suppliers and distributing them at higher prices, forming part of an organised inter-state drug network.

The accused were primarily motivated by financial gain, exploiting addiction vulnerabilities in urban areas for profit.

The accused individuals include Mohd Arif (40), a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur currently living in Delhi; Amit (22) and Vikas (28), both residents of Shahjahanpur. All three are married.

Police confirmed that the total recovery of 475 grams of heroin constitutes a commercial quantity under the law, and strict legal action is being pursued.
Indore, April 25 : A young traffic police constable was found dead at his residence in Indore on Saturday, sending shockwaves through the department and the local police colony.

According to the police, the incident occurred at the Chauthi Paltan police quarters under the Malharganj Police Station limits in the city.

The deceased has been identified as Ankit Tomar, who was posted in the Indore city traffic wing.

Tomar was allegedly found hanging inside his flat after he failed to respond to repeated phone calls from colleagues and acquaintances.

Concerned over his sudden unresponsiveness, fellow personnel alerted senior officers, who rushed to the spot and found him unresponsive.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sumit Kerketta said Tomar had returned to his quarters around 10 p.m. on Friday after completing his duty.

When Tomar did not report for work on Saturday and remained unreachable, suspicion was raised, leading to the discovery.

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) was called to examine the site.

The premises were thoroughly inspected and evidence was collected.

"However, no suicide note was recovered from the spot, making it difficult for investigators to ascertain the immediate cause behind the incident," the police said.

Tomar was unmarried and posted at the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East), where he handled clerical responsibilities.

Colleagues described him as disciplined and soft-spoken, adding that his sudden death has left many in disbelief.

The police said the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Authorities are awaiting the arrival of Tomar's family members, after which further legal formalities will be completed and detailed statements recorded.

Officials added that all possible angles, including personal and professional reasons, are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

In February this year, a Head Constable in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch district had died by suicide, leaving behind a detailed note alleging corruption and mental harassment within the police force in the state.

IANS

pd/khz
Bengaluru, April 25 : Karnataka Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge downplayed the Delhi visit of Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar and dismissed the leadership chatter.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday in Bengaluru, Minister Priyank, son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge addressing the controversy surrounding Shivakumar's recent visit to Delhi, maintained that the Deputy Chief Minister had met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and dismissed criticism over the visit.

"What is wrong in meeting a Union Minister? He has gone to discuss Bengaluru-related issues and development works. Should he not meet leaders?" Kharge asked. He added that even ordinary party workers meet leaders, and there should be no controversy over such interactions.

In a counterattack, Kharge questioned whether BJP leaders would raise similar concerns if Congress leaders met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. "If our leaders meet Bhagwat, will you question it the same way?" he asked.

On the issue of leadership change speculation within the Congress, Kharge dismissed the chatter, stating that such matters are decided by senior leaders like the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge. "There is no confusion here. Who else apart from Kharge saab should take such decisions?" he asked.

Rejecting rumours of any major political upheaval, he added, "There is no 'May revolution' or anything of that sort. April 24, April 25  all such speculation has come and gone."

Kharge's remarks come amid heightened political speculation and ongoing debates over inter-party dynamics and leadership questions within Karnataka and at the national level.

Priyank Kharge also responded sharply to speculation around alleged political developments at the national level, including claims about AAP leader Raghav Chadha joining the BJP and ongoing discussions around 'Operation Lotus.'

Taking a dig at the BJP, Kharge questioned whether they were unaware of 'Operation Lotus,' a term widely used to describe alleged attempts to engineer defections. "Was it not you who introduced 'Operation Lotus' to the national stage? Everyone knows how such standing operations are carried out," he said.

Referring to AAP leaders like Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, he remarked that those in national politics are well-aware of such developments. He also questioned the silence of sections of the national media on the issue, pointing fingers at what he implied was selective coverage.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Srinagar, April 25 : The Kashmir wing of the Jammu and Kashmir crime branch said on Saturday that its Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has filed the charge sheet against an accused in the fake service book, forged order scam in the Power Development Department (PDD).

A crime branch Kashmir statement said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Srinagar, of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a charge sheet in FIR No. 46/2023 before the Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla, against Nasir Ahmad Mir of Kunan Babagund, Bandipora; Mushtaq Ahmad Malik of Aragam, Bandipora (a government employee in KPDCL); and a deceased former Executive Engineer of KPDCL/ED Sumbal, a resident of Jammu.

The statement said that the case originated from a written complaint alleging fraudulent appointments in the Power Development Department (PDD).

During the investigation, it was found that Nasir Ahmad Mir had secured employment using a fabricated appointment order purportedly issued under SRO-43 of 1994.

The said order was found to be missing from official records, raising serious doubts about its authenticity. The investigation further revealed that Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, then serving as a Senior Assistant, prepared a forged service book for Nasir Ahmad Mir, falsely reflecting his appointment under SRO-43.

Forensic analysis confirmed that the entries in the service book were authored and signed by Mushtaq Ahmad Malik. Furthermore, no official dispatch or receipt records supported the issuance of the alleged appointment order. Verification by the then Tehsildar, Bandipora, confirmed that Nasir Ahmad Mir was not eligible for appointment under SRO-43, as no qualifying family circumstances existed.

Despite this, the deceased Executive Engineer facilitated salary disbursement in 2009 without proper verification, more than three years after the purported date of appointment.

The investigation established a criminal conspiracy among the accused, involving forgery, cheating, and misuse of official position. Accordingly, offences under Sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B RPC have been established, along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the involved public servants.

The charge sheet has been submitted for judicial adjudication, reads the statement.
Mumbai, April 25 : Basking in the success of "Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1", actress Rukmini Vasanth is gearing up for her next big release with "Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups".

Speaking during a recent media interaction, Rukmini provided some insights into the film's massive scale, along with the expansive world it plans to bring to the big screen.

Emphasising the sheer scale of the drama, she said that it is unlike anything she has ever seen till now.

"The scale of it is certainly unlike anything that I have seen yet," she said.

Rukmini added that the cinematic world being created for "Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups" feels absolutely fresh and expansive.

Talking about working with filmmaker Geetu Mohandas, Rukmini pointed out the uniqueness of the world being built for Yash's highly promising next.

"I just think that the world that our director Geetu Mohandas and our star Yash are building is just so expansive, so newit feels really pioneering to me. So I'm excited to be involved in it, and I think I'm really excited to see how people respond to it and how they react to this new world," she shared.

Looking back on the journey of being a part of "Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups", Rukmini went on to add, "I'm very blessed. But what I'm really excited about is Toxic, which is out on June 4th".

Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under their KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations production companies, the core cast of the movie includes Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshay Oberoi, and Sudev Nair, along with others.

"Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups" will be dubbed in multiple Indian and international languages, such as Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.

In addition to "Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups", Rukmini also has NTR Neel's next alongside Jr NTR in the making.

Her lineup further includes a few unannounced projects.

--IANS

pm/
New Delhi, April 25 : A 32-year-old man was seriously injured after an alleged brutal assault over a payment dispute in Vijay Enclave area of Dwarka in the national capital, police said on Saturday.

According to officials, a PCR call was received on April 24 at around 8:30 p.m. reporting that a man's hands were allegedly cut using a grinder by few known persons in Delhi's Vijay Enclave.

Police from Dabri Police Station rushed to the spot and found the victim, Lokesh Gupta, a resident of Vijay Enclave, who works as a halwai and tent service provider.

During preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that the accused, Ajay Pal (53), had hired Gupta's tent services for his daughter's wedding held on April 20 for Rs 2.5 lakh.

However, around Rs 2 lakh remained unpaid.

When Gupta approached Ajay Pal to collect the pending amount, the accused, along with two to three associates, allegedly attacked him and attempted to sever his hands using a grinder.

The injured was first taken to Rashi Medical Centre and later referred to AIIMS for advanced treatment. Medical examination confirmed grievous injuries caused by a sharp weapon.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Dabri Police Station. The main accused has been arrested, while two juveniles involved in the incident have been detained. Further investigation is underway.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said that strict action is being taken and all aspects of the case are being thoroughly probed.

Separately, a 35-year-old woman was killed by her husband in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad following repeated arguments over her going to the gym.

The accused, Shobhit Gupta, a scrap dealer from the Katghar area, allegedly struck his wife, Poonam Gupta, on the head with an iron shutter handle on Wednesday morning, leading to her death.

Poonam had returned home from the gym when an argument broke out between the couple. The dispute escalated, and in a fit of rage, Shobhit attacked her with the metal rod.

The accused then placed her body on the bed and remained in the house for almost seven hours, attempting to stage the incident as an accident.
Dehradun, April 25 : A Special PMLA Court in Dehradun sent a key accused in the BTC Fund Scam, which allegedly involved illegal sale of cryptocurrency and cheating with investors, to four days of ED custody, an official said on Saturday.a

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Dehradun Sub-Zonal Office, had sought the custody of Hemant Ishwar Sharma before the Special Court after the probe agency conducted searches at four locations under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.a

During the search, incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized. Sharma has been arrested in connection with the case.a

The ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by Police Station Rajpur, Dehradun, under Section 420 of the IPC, 1860, against Sharma for cheating investors through the website BTCFUND.IS, the ED said.a

A similar FIR was also registered by Police Station Dineshpur, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, under various provisions of the IPC, 1860, against Hemant Ishwar Sharma and others, in relation to the same fraudulent scheme, the ED said.a

Investigation revealed that Sharma fraudulently collected substantial sums of money from members of the public under the pretext of investing in Bitcoin through the website BTCFUND.IS, which was under his control, the ED said.a

He lured investors by promising high returns and falsely claimed that several foreign nationals were associated with the company, thereby projecting the scheme as credible and internationally backed, the statement said.a

Investors from across India were induced to deposit funds on the platform on these false representations, it said.a

The ED investigation established that the Proceeds of Crime collected from investors were diverted by the accused to his personal bank accounts and subsequently invested in immovable properties registered in his name, constituting an offence of money laundering under the PMLA, 2002.a

The ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 4.56 crore (approx.) representing Proceeds of Crime, in the form of land and bank account balances belonging to Sharma.a

It has further come to light during the investigation that the accused attempted to alienate the attached assets, in violation of the attachment orders, it said.a

a
Kolkata, April 25 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gets angry with him whenever he issues warnings from public rallies to Trinamool Congress-backed hooligans about stringent action in the event of disruptions to the polling process.

"In every election, the hooligans backed by Trinamool Congress disturb the polling process through acts of violence. So in every rally, I caution these hooligans about dire consequences if they try to disrupt the polling process. And whenever I issue such warnings, the Chief Minister gets angry with me.

"But I want to say that now I am just issuing a note of caution. If the hooligans do not mend their ways, their place will be behind bars," the Union Home Minister said while addressing a campaign rally at Jamalpur in East Burdwan district.

Speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Shah also launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister over her comments following the rape of a Dalit medical student of a private medical college in Durgapur in West Burdwan district a few months ago, when she had advised women not to step out after 7 p.m.

"A total of 20 Indian states have Chief Ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Have you heard any one of them advising women not to step out after 7 p.m.? Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed that, as a woman Chief Minister, she was unable to ensure the safety of women in West Bengal. But if the BJP comes to power, anyone even looking at a woman with bad intention will be immediately sent behind bars. Women will be able to step out and move freely after midnight," Home Minister Shah said.

He also said that action against corruption syndicates linked to Trinamool Congress leaders would begin immediately after a new government is formed.

"Allow us to form the government this time. All these syndicates will be drowned in the Bay of Bengal," the Union Home Minister said.
Bengaluru, April 25 : The Karnataka High Court on Saturday accepted an undertaking by Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, known for his role in 'Durandhar', to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru and tender an apology for his mimicry of a deity depicted in the film Kantara Chapter-2.a Bengaluru, April 25 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court on Saturday accepted an undertaking by Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, known for his role in 'Durandhar', to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru and tender an apology for his mimicry of a deity depicted in the film Kantara Chapter-2.

Meanwhile, the complainant and advocate Prashant Methal stated in Bengaluru that the matter has been settled and that the court will issue an order in this regard soon.

The bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, accepted Ranveer Singh's undertaking to make amends for his mimicry of the temple deity's depiction in the film.

The court observed that it would pass a formal order after recording the actor's apology and indicated that it may direct him to visit the temple within four weeks.

Senior counsel Sajjan Poovayya, appearing for Ranveer Singh, submitted that the actor had filed a revised affidavit offering an unconditional apology.

He also stated that Ranveer Singh would visit Chamundi Hill and tender his apology for the act of mimicry.

Speaking to the media at the Bengaluru Police Commissioner's office, the complainant, advocate Prashant Methal, said that the Ranveer Singh case had been settled.

He said that arguments were heard on the affidavit submitted to the court, which stated that the actor would visit Chamundi Hill in Mysuru "in due course".

He added that they had raised arguments on what "due course" implies, whether it is 15 days, 30 days, one year, or even 10 years.

The actor's counsel submitted that, due to security concerns, a specific timeline could not be provided.

After Durandhar 1 and 2, there appears to be a need for enhanced security.

Methal said they expressed confidence in the Karnataka Police, who can provide foolproof security when the actor visits.

He further stated that the bench agreed with this position.

The affidavit has been filed, stating that he will come soon and apologise before the goddess.

He added that forgiveness is a fundamental principle of all religions.

Since he has tendered an apology, no further punishment is necessary.

He said it is appropriate to end the matter here and that it would not be proper to continue.

It can be recalled that the controversy, often referred to as the "Kantara mimicry row", arose from an incident during the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 28, 2025, where Ranveer referred to the sacred Chamundi deity as a "female ghost" and mimicked a scene from the film Kantara Chapter-1.

A Bengaluru-based advocate, Prashanth Methal, filed a complaint alleging that Ranveer's mimicry of the Panjurli/Guliga Daiva (revered divine spirits in Coastal Karnataka) was crude, derogatory, and blasphemous.

A First Information Report was registered against Ranveer under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 299 (outraging religious feelings), and 302 (intentional insult) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The Karnataka High Court, specifically Justice M. Nagaprasanna, pulled up the actor for being "reckless and insensitive" and emphasised that public figures must be responsible, noting that "freedom of expression does not excuse casual or uninformed remarks about matters of faith".


BERLIN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said a minehunter, accompanied by a command and supply vessel, will be deployed to the Mediterranean, German media reported on Saturday.

The military deployment in the Strait of Hormuz would require authorization from the German federal parliament, the Bundestag, said Pistorius in an interview with Rheinische Post.

"To save time, we have decided to move part of our forces to the Mediterranean in advance so that no further time is lost once the mandate is approved," he said.

Pistorius noted that the German Navy is highly capable in detecting and clearing naval mines, adding that the planned deployment would leverage these capabilities.

He said that any potential German naval deployment to the Strait of Hormuz would be contingent on a cessation of hostilities.

"As one of the largest armed forces in Europe, we must assume responsibility," Pistorius said, adding that Germany is also aware it must not overstretch its military capabilities. 
Hyderabad, April 25 : As many as 47 underground cadres of CPI (Maoist) from Chhattisgarh, including Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) member and in-charge of South Bastar Divisional Committee Hemla Iythu alias Vijja, surrendered before the Telangana Director General of Police B. Shivdhar Reddy here on Saturday.

The surrendered cadres include four from the Peopleas Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), 28 from DKSZ and 15 from the 9th and 30th platoon of South Bastar DVC.

The Maoists who joined the mainstream surrendered 32 firearms, including one Light Machine Gun, four AK-47 rifles, three SLR rifles, two INSAS rifles, two 410 musket rifles, one 8 mm rifle, 12 single-shot guns, one 9 mm pistol, one revolver, two BGL guns, two air guns and one SBBL gun along with 515 live ammunition of various calibre.

The DGP told media persons that attracted by Telanganaas surrender and rehabilitation policy and influenced by the proactive and supportive approach of the Telangana Police towards underground Maoist cadres, the cadres laid down their arms.

Following the surrender of all key leaders of the CPI (Maoist), almost all remaining underground key leaders and armed cadres from the South Bastar DVC of DKSZC, including its secretary, have now been neutralised, leaving the South Bastar DVC on the brink of collapse, the DGP said.

Hemla Iythu joined CPI (Maoist) in 2004. The 45-year-old held various positions in the banned outfit.

Podium Lachu, alias Manoj, DVCM and Commander of 9th Platoon, South Bastar DVC, had joined the Maoist party in 2009. Twelve Area Committee Members (ACMs) were among the surrendered.

The DGP stated that for the surrender of 47 underground CPI (Maoist) cadres along with weapons, the total eligible reward amount of Rs 1.50 crore will be disbursed.

As all the forty-seven cadres are natives of Chhattisgarh, an interim relief of Rs 25,000 each has now been handed over to them. The remaining amount will be disbursed after completion of documentation and opening of bank accounts. The health of all cadres surrendered in Telangana, irrespective of their native place, is being duly taken care of.

As assured by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, health cards for all cadres who surrendered between 2024 and 2026 in Telangana are currently in process and will be issued shortly. All additional benefits due under the rehabilitation policy are extended to them promptly, enabling them to rebuild their life with dignity and security.

The police chief revealed that a total of 260 underground CPI (Maoist) cadres have surrendered in Telangana this year so far. This includes the surrender of two Central Committee Members (CCMs), 10 State Committee Members (SCMs), one Regional Committee Member (RCM), 23 Divisional Committee Secretaries/Members (DVCs/DVCMs), 94 Area Committee Secretaries/Members (ACS/ACMs) and 130 Party Members (PMs).

In addition, 238 firearms have been recovered in Telangana in 2026 alone, marking a significant depletion of the groupas armed strength, he said.

The DGP stated that only four active underground cadres from Telangana remain in various formations outside Telangana. All four are operating in other States, including Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Two among them are Central Committee Members of CPI (Maoist).
Mumbai, April 25 : A major controversy has erupted after Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, claimed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj felt tired from continuous battles and approached Samarth Ramdas Swami, removed his crown, and placed it at the saint's feet, asking him to take over the administration of the kingdom.a Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) A major controversy has erupted after Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, claimed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj felt tired from continuous battles and approached Samarth Ramdas Swami, removed his crown, and placed it at the saint's feet, asking him to take over the administration of the kingdom.

He further sparked debate by advising Hindus to have four children, suggesting that one should be dedicated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The controversy is particularly sensitive as the remarks were made in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat during a function at Nagpur on Friday.

Opposition leaders have launched a scathing attack on both Shastri and the ruling Mahayuti government for remaining silent during the speech.

The Congress party leaders, including Vijay Wadettiwar and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Harshavardhan Sapkal, condemned the statement as a "distortion of history".

They argued that Shivaji Maharaj never "tired" of fighting for Swarajya and termed the narrative of surrendering the state to Ramdas Swami as historically baseless.

Congress has demanded Shastri's arrest for insulting the state's icon.

Wadettiwar added that it is a disgrace that such statements were made while the Chief Minister and Union Ministers were at the state event.

He questioned why they were silent and asked whether the Bharatiya Janata Party agrees with the narrative that Shivaji Maharaj surrendered his crown.

He further said that this is a systematic attempt to lower the stature of their deity, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and that it will not be tolerated.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticised Bageshwar Baba's statement, calling it "historically inaccurate" and stating that it distorts the facts.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that first, a statue collapsed in Malvan, in the coastal Sindhudurg district, due to corruption, and now outsiders are being brought in to insult their history.

He added that Shivaji Maharaj was the sovereign ruler who established Swarajya, and that suggesting he gave his kingdom to anyone else is a historical sin.

He further alleged that the Mahayuti government is providing a platform for these insults.

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) legislator Rohit Pawar remarked that it was painful that, while Bageshwar Baba was allegedly insulting Shiv Chhatrapati, the state rulers were present on stage.

He said a ban should be imposed on Bageshwar Baba in Maharashtra and that he should not be seen in the state again, otherwise it would cost both him and the government dearly.

He added that he does not think the government will take action, and therefore, the Shiv-loving public must decide whether to tolerate and ignore or to teach a lesson.

Another Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) legislator, Jitendra Awhad, demanded an unconditional apology from Shastri.

He stated that historical records from the 17th century prove that Shivaji Maharaj and Ramdas Swami's interaction was limited and did not involve the surrender of the throne.

On the other hand, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is currently in damage-control mode, attempting to distance the administration from Shastri's statement while defending the religious event.

Responding to the row, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that such narratives lack historical backing.

He stated that many folktales and stories circulate, but as far as documented history is concerned, there is no evidence of such an incident.

He added that while people may have different ways of expressing devotion, it is important to rely on authentic historical records of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life.

He further noted that saints and sages express their views from time to time, and it is important to understand their perspectives properly.

He said that Bageshwar Baba's underlying intent was to highlight that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is an organisation that has kept Hindu culture and Sanatan traditions alive and energised.

He added that the message was that every household should have at least one son who is a part of the Sangh.
Tokyo/Beijing, April 25 : China's claims of democratic reforms, freedom, and development in Tibet rings hollow given the absence of democracy in the mainland, a report has highlighted.

Writing for 'Japan Forward', Tsewang Gylapo Arya, Representative of the Dalai Lama's Liaison Office for Japan and East Asia, stated that the Chinese regime portrays itself as democratic, claiming former serfs have become masters. However, he noted that even after 76 years of "democratic reforms", no Tibetan had served as party secretary of the autonomous region, describing it as "a cruel reminder" of continued "foreign subjugation".

Arya stated that 'The Global Times', an official mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), recently derided the February polls of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), terming it as "elections without a land"  an "institutional illusion" created by separatist groups in exile.

"Although such commentaries are presented as the views of 'Chinese experts', their blindness to democracy and to the Tibetan diaspora's elections and their growing recognition worldwide call their expertise into question," the expert noted.

Arya highlighted that, in 1959, the Dalai Lama, along with around 80,000 people, escaped to India, Nepal, and Bhutan, where they organised themselves in exile to support the refugees. He added that they also rallied support from the international community to address the injustice and repression in their homeland.

"Today, after more than 75 years, under the leadership of the Dalai Lama and the CTA, the Tibetans have come a long way, preserving what is being destroyed in Tibet and establishing a vibrant democratic community admired around the world," Arya stressed.

According to the expert, Tibet has been reduced to a showpiece, like "a beautiful cut flower, without any substance or real roots", while monasteries and nunneries remain under the control of the CCP cadres.

"Children and young people are prohibited from visiting and joining monasteries. All Tibetan schools are closed and replaced with Chinese colonial boarding schools, where around one million children as young as four are forcefully indoctrinated under the regime's assimilative policy," Arya stated.

"The Tibetan language is likewise discouraged. Those promoting the native language are arrested and tortured under false charges. Laws have been enacted to justify the repression and forced assimilation of minority nationalities," he mentioned.

Highlighting the widespread abuses by Chinese authorities, Arya said, "Tibetans, both inside and outside Tibet, and their supporters aspire to the freedom and well-being not only of Tibetans, but also of the Chinese people and other ethnic minorities."
Kolkata, April 25 : Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are "both two sides of the same coin", considering that none of them care about the aspirations of the common people.

"The Prime Minister claims that he is a true nationalist. But he had done nothing for the poor people. He had done everything for the millionaires. Before the Left Front rule, Congress ruled West Bengal. At that time there were several industries in the state," LoP Gandhi said while addressing a campaign rally at Sreerampore in West Bengal's Hooghly district.

The Congress leader added, "Mamata Banerjee, too, like PM Narendra Modi, does not care for employment generation for the youth. Both the Prime Minister and the West Bengal Chief Minister are bothered about themselves. What PM Narendra Modi is doing in India, that is exactly what Mamata Banerjee is doing in West Bengal."

Speaking at the rally, LoP Gandhi said that there is competitive corruption between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level and Trinamool Congress at the state level.

"Top Trinamool Congress leaders were involved in chit fund, coal smuggling and cash-for-job scams. Trinamool Congress had started extortion tax throughout the state. The BJP spreads violence at the national level, while Trinamool Congress spreads violence at the state-level in West Bengal," he added.

He also questioned the fate of five lakh jobs that Mamata Banerjee promised in 2011 immediately after becoming the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

"Has a single person got a job? More than 84 lakh youths in West Bengal have applied for the unemployment allowance. This is the real and pathetic picture of West Bengal now. Mamata Banerjee had done nothing for the people of West Bengal in the last 15 years," LoP Gandhi added.

He also said that Prime Minister Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister had a clandestine arrangement, because of which there had not been a single case filed against her.

"Congress is fighting against the BJP. They have snatched my house. I am on bail. They have snatched my Lok Sabha membership. There are 36 cases against me. Even if I go to Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Bihar, I have to appear in cases every 10 to 15 days. How many cases are there against Mamata Banerjee? How many hours has Mamata Banerjee been questioned? I was questioned for 55 hours and for five days in a row. There is no action against Mamata Banerjee. Why? Because she does not directly fight with the BJP," LoP Gandhi added.
Jaipur, April 25 : Emphasising the growing importance of alternative dispute resolution, CJI Justice Surya Kant on Saturday said mediation offers an effective and expeditious pathway for resolving disputes, and urged citizens to explore mediation centres and Lok Adalats before initiating formal litigation.

Addressing a conference at the Constitution Club, Justice Surya Kant likened elderly members of society to a "stepwell" (baoli) -- a deep reservoir of wisdom capable of offering solutions drawn from experience. Extending the analogy, he described retired judges as "living libraries" whose knowledge continues to guide society.

"A judge remains a judge forever," he remarked, highlighting their ongoing contribution through mediation and legal awareness initiatives.

The conference, organised jointly by the Association of Retired Judges and the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, focused on the theme: "The Bench Beyond Retirement: Role of Retired Judges in Promoting ADR and Legal Awareness."

Justice Surya Kant also appreciated Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's call for prioritising Lok Adalats as a first step in dispute resolution.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, in his address, underscored the judiciary's transformative role in society.

"People look up to judges, and their words often lay the foundation for positive social change," he said.

Citing landmark judgments by the Supreme Court and High Courts, he noted their profound impact on millions of lives. Encouraging citizens to adopt amicable dispute resolution mechanisms, the Chief Minister appealed to the public to visit a mediation centre or Lok Adalat at least once before approaching courts. He also urged youth to draw from the wisdom and experience of elders for nation-building.

The Chief Minister described the judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy and the guardian of the Constitution, ensuring equal rights for all.

From protecting fundamental rights and the environment to advancing women's rights and combating corruption, the judiciary has consistently played a leading role.

He stressed that experienced judges remain an invaluable national resource. Their expertise strengthens legal awareness and helps reduce litigation through mechanisms such as mediation, conciliation, and Lok Adalats.

Disputes resolved amicably not only save time but also promote social harmony while easing the burden on courts.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of accessible and transparent justice, Sharma highlighted ongoing reforms under Digital India and e-Governance to modernise the justice delivery system.

He noted the shift from a punitive approach to a justice-oriented framework with the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, replacing the Indian Penal Code.

The state government, he said, is ensuring effective implementation of the new laws through training for police and prosecution, expansion of courts, and modernisation of judicial infrastructure.

Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, highlighted the role of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority in promoting legal awareness and facilitating dispute resolution through Lok Adalats.

On the occasion, the Rajasthan High Court launched its 'Uniform Registration Number System', released a compilation of articles by former judges, and flagged off multi-utility vehicles aimed at improving access to legal services.

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, members of the Association of Retired Judges, High Court judges, judicial officers, and law students were also present.
New Delhi, April 25 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Saturday said the government has put in place a wholesome system to support Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other weaker sections right from an early age, enabling them to progress through sustained handholding and targeted interventions.

Speaking at the launch of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the Dr. Ambedkar Chamber of Commerce at University of Jammu, Singh stressed the need to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among marginalized communities.

He urged them to move beyond a traditional dependence on government jobs and instead explore opportunities in enterprise and investment, leveraging schemes introduced by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Government has created a wholesome system for weaker sections, including SCs and STs for handholding and supporting them right from the early age," he said.

"The members of marginalised sections should move beyond reliance solely on government employment and actively explore opportunities in entrepreneurship and enterprise development," he stated.

The minister highlighted that several flagship initiatives have been rolled out with a clear focus on socio-economic upliftment.

He cited the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana as a major financial inclusion drive and the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana as a transformative effort to improve access to credit.

He also referred to the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, which aims to preserve traditional skills while creating sustainable livelihoods.

"The statistical evidence reflects the positive impact of these schemes on the socio-economic advancement of Dalits and other marginalised groups," Dr. Singh explained.

According to Dr. Singh, these initiatives have begun to show measurable results, with increased aspirations visible among members of marginalised communities.

"Individuals from humble backgrounds are now performing well in competitive examinations, including civil services, reflecting broader social empowerment," he said.

"The need to expand outreach so that more people can benefit from such opportunities," he stated.
Chandigarh, April 25 : Hundreds of women from across Punjab, led by state BJP working President Ashwani Sharma, on Saturday marched towards the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann here, seeking an explanation from the Aam Aadmi Party for opposing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the bill providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Parliament.

The Chandigarh Police detained several leaders as they attempted to march towards the Chief Minister's residence. Those detained included Parneet Kaur, former Union Minister; Jai Inder Kaur, state President of BJP Mahila Morcha; Mohinder Kaur Josh, and Mona Jaiswal, both Vice Presidents of the state BJP unit; as well as Meenu Sethi, Vandana Sangwan, and Renu Thappar, all State Secretaries, along with Ekta Nagpal.

Raising slogans of "Nari Shakti Zindabad", the women vowed to continue their fight for equal rights and demanded the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill.

Addressing the gathering, Ashwani Sharma said the Narendra Modi-led BJP has consistently stood for women's empowerment.

"While political parties often disagree on various issues, it is surprising that the Congress and AAP have come together in opposing reservation for women," Sharma said, adding, "This reflects sheer political opportunism, with both parties indulging in vote-bank politics and resisting structural reforms that could alter their internal power dynamics".

Mahila Morcha President Jai Inder Kaur termed the blocking of the Women's Reservation Bill a "black day" for democracy. "The Congress and AAP have consistently treated women merely as a vote bank and have failed them when it comes to ensuring rightful representation. The INDI alliance appears threatened by the growing political empowerment of women. Women across India will respond strongly to this insult," she said.

Parneet Kaur said instead of earning goodwill by promoting women's interests, the Opposition has played a negative role in obstructing the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill. She urged all political parties to rise above personal interests and work towards the upliftment of half the country's population.
Kasargod, April 25 : A court-directed police probe has been initiated into an alleged child marriage in Thrikkaripur, Kasaragod, with four persons, including the groom and a local elected representative, booked under relevant laws.a

According to the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court, Hosdurg, the Chandera Police registered the case following a report by the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, who found prima facie evidence that a 16-year-old girl was married to a 28-year-old expatriate on April 13 at a local Juma Masjid in Kasaragod district.a

Those booked include the agrooma, a 28-year-old native of Padanna currently employed in South Korea; the girlas father, who is alleged to have officiated at the ceremony; a local body member; and the mosque's secretary.a

Police said the case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.a

The inquiry was initiated after Childline received information about the incident, and the findings were submitted before the court, which subsequently directed the police to proceed with legal action.a

Meanwhile, relatives of the girl and the groom have denied that a marriage took place, maintaining that the event was only an engagement ceremony.a

Meanwhile, the police are proceeding with the probe to collect documentary and digital evidence, including visuals from the function, to establish the nature of the event.a

Separately, another person has submitted a complaint to the Chief Secretary seeking a comprehensive probe by a higher-level police team.a

Authorities indicated that the groom is believed to have returned to South Korea, but officials said further action would be taken in accordance with the law.a

Officials noted that child marriage is a punishable offence under Indian law and that the ongoing investigation will focus on establishing facts based on verifiable evidence.a

This incident has come at a time when the Kerala Government and the Madhya Pradesh Government are engaged in a legal tangle before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in New Delhi, firmly defending the legality of the marriage involving the viral aKumbh Mela girla.a

While Kerala Police maintain that there has been no procedural lapse and that the marriage is legally valid, asserting that the girl had attained 18 years at the time of the wedding held on March 11 at a temple in Poovar, Thiruvananthapuram, the Madhya Pradesh Police and the girlas family say that she is a minor.a
New Delhi, April 25 : Gobardhan Das, the newly appointed member of NITI Aayog, has outlined an ambitious roadmap for national development and regional revitalisation, emphasising his commitment to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047.

Speaking to IANS following his appointment, Das expressed gratitude to PM Modi for entrusting him with a role at the country's premier policy think tank. He said the appointment was not just an honour for him but for the entire Bengali community, and pledged to work tirelessly to propel the nation forward across sectors.

A significant portion of Das' remarks focused on his home state, West Bengal.

Invoking the legacies of iconic figures such as Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and renowned scientist Meghnad Saha, he said West Bengal is a land of great thinkers and visionaries, often referred to as "Sonar Bangla".

He said his primary objective is to restore the state to its former glory as 'Sonar Bangla'.

He noted with concern that the current state of education and healthcare in West Bengal requires urgent intervention to check migration, with many citizens forced to seek basic services and employment outside the state.

Das said the mandate of NITI Aayog would be utilised to bridge these developmental gaps.

He emphasised that for India to become a truly self-reliant and capable global power, the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' must remain the bedrock of policymaking.

Highlighting the country's response during the Covid-19 pandemic, he cited the indigenous development of vaccines as a testament to India's leadership and scientific capability when focused on a common national goal.

As a member of NITI Aayog, Das said he would focus on revitalising the industrial and manufacturing sectors to generate local employment and ensure that no citizen is left behind in the journey towards prosperity.

He reiterated that the goal is not just economic growth, but a comprehensive transformation that ensures the welfare and security of every Indian.

By fostering collective effort and inclusive policies, Das said the vision of a developed, self-reliant India is within reach, with regional strengths contributing to a stronger national identity.
Rajshahi, April 25 : Hasini Perera played a brilliant knock of 95 runs as Sri Lanka Women completed a strong comeback in the ODI series with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the final match of the series played at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium on Saturday. With this, they have also clinched the series by 2-1.

Coming to bat first after losing the toss, the Bangladesh team scored 213 runs after losing 8 wickets in 50 overs with the help of a brilliant innings from Sobhana Mostary. While Sri Lanka chased a total in just 46.3 overs with the help of an amazing knock by Hasini Perera.

The chase did not begin perfectly for Sri Lanka as captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed early for 10 runs by Marufa Akter. However, Hasini Perera steadied the innings and took control of the chase.

Perera played a calm and composed knock, scoring 95 runs off 131 balls, hitting 13 boundaries. She built a crucial 108-run partnership with Imesha Dulani, who contributed a solid 56 from 79 balls. Their stand laid the foundation for the chase and put Sri Lanka firmly in control.

After Dulani was dismissed, Perera continued her good work and added another important partnership of 78 runs with Harshitha Samarawickrama. Harshitha remained unbeaten on 44 and played a key role in finishing the match.

Perera looked set for a well-deserved century but fell for 95, caught off the bowling of Sobhana Mostary with just nine runs needed. Despite that, Sri Lanka comfortably reached the target, with Hansima Karunaratne supporting Harshitha at the end.

Earlier, Bangladesh Women posted 213 for 8 after being asked to bat first. Their innings started poorly as they lost early wickets, putting them under pressure.

A recovery came through a 65-run partnership between Sobhana Mostary and captain Nigar Sultana. Sobhana was the top scorer with 74 runs off 80 balls, hitting eight fours, while Nigar added 40 runs.

However, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum in the later stages. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, and they could not accelerate as much as they would have liked. Ritu Moni added a useful 20 runs lower down the order, helping the team cross the 200-run mark.

For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari was the standout bowler with three wickets, while Nimasha Meepage picked up two. Malki Madara and Athapaththu also chipped in with one wicket each.

In the chase, Sri Lanka maintained control throughout, especially after the big second-wicket partnership. Bangladesh bowlers tried to fight back, with Marufa Akter picking up two wickets, but they could not break the key partnerships at the right time.

The focus now shifts to the T20I series, which is set to begin on April 28 in Sylhet.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh women 213/ 8 in 50 overs (Sobhana 74, Nigar 40, Dilhari 3-48) lost to Sri Lanka 214/3 in 46.3 overs (Perera 95, Dulani 56, Marufa 2-49) by 7 wickets.
LONDON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday that it had received a report of a hijacking incident about 45 nautical miles northeast of Mareeyo, Somalia.

According to the advisory, military authorities informed the UKMTO on April 21 that unauthorized persons had taken control of a tanker and maneuvered the vessel approximately 77 nautical miles south within Somali territorial waters. The vessel's last known position was at 0856N, 5032E, in waters off southeastern Somalia.

Separately, the UKMTO said on Thursday that it had received a report of a suspicious incident about 83 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia.

The master of a cargo vessel reported that two small craft with armed persons onboard approached the ship. One of the small craft came within 600 meters, during which warning shots were fired and the suspicious craft returned fire. The craft later moved away and kept clear of the reporting vessel. 
Kolkata, April 25 : As soon as the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections was over, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the Trinamool Congress has crossed the 100 mark.a

On Saturday, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the Trinamool Congress will cross the double century after the second and final phase of voting on April 29.a

Abhishek held an election rally in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas district, today, where he said he does not usually make predictions, but when he does, he matches them.a

He said he had made similar claims in 2021 and 2024, and asserted that the Trinamool Congress has crossed the century mark in the voting phase held the day before yesterday.a

Regarding the remaining second phase of voting, Abhishek said that the double century will be crossed on the 29th and added that he does not know where the number will end up.a

According to political circles, most of the seats in South Bengal, which are known as the Trinamool Congressas stronghold, will vote on April 29.a

According to the West Bengal Assembly election schedule, voting is being held in two phases this time.a

Voting was held in 152 seats in the first phase on April 23.a

Voting for the remaining 142 seats will be held on April 29.a

According to Abhishekas calculations, the Trinamool Congress has secured more than 100 seats out of the 152 seats in the first phase.a

Meanwhile, he has challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to remain in Bengal till May 4, the day of vote counting.a

He said that leaders from Delhi came and made big claims, but the people responded.a

He alleged that they wanted to get votes by threatening voters, but the people of Bengal were not afraid.a

He also reminded Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of the scorching heat prevailing in the state and advised them to drink more water.a

a
London, April 25 : The United Kingdom has signalled a possible review of Afghan asylum returns as humanitarian crisis and refugee concerns intensify, Afghan media reported on Saturday. The possibility of returning rejected Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan is not ruled out, Khaama Press reported citing that London is closely monitoring discussions between Taliban authorities and the European Union on potential return arrangements, while internal government talks are ongoing.

Any such move, the report highlighted, would likely attract strong opposition from human rights groups, and would make a significant shift from the current UK policy, given the worsening conditions in Taliban-led Afghanistan.

"The UK currently cannot deport rejected Afghan asylum seekers due to the absence of formal recognition of Taliban authorities, but officials signalled that options remain under consideration. Afghans were the largest group arriving in the UK via small boats in the year ending June 2025, with more than 6,000 arrivals, while asylum approval rates have dropped sharply in recent years," Khaama reported.

It mentioned that, across Europe, several countries are also exploring returns, with reports that more than 20 EU states are considering similar policies despite ongoing legal and humanitarian concerns amid Afghanistan facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread poverty, unemployment, and aid shortages that have left millions dependent on assistance, while women and girls face sweeping restrictions on education, work, and public life.

Earlier this week, Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, raised concerns over reported plans by European officials to host Taliban representatives for talks on deporting Afghan migrants, warning that such returns could violate international law.

aReports of EU hosting Taliban officials to discuss deporting Afghans are seriously concerning. Any returns risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement due to widespread human rights violations including against women, human rights defenders and former public servants," Bennett posted on X.

His comments, reported Afghan media outlet Amu tv, come as European Union officials are reportedly considering holding talks with a Taliban delegation in Brussels on the issue.

"The proposed talks, which have not been formally confirmed, are expected to focus on the logistics of returning Afghan nationals without legal status in the bloc, including flight arrangements and conditions upon arrival in Kabul. The plans have already drawn criticism from some European lawmakers," Amu TV reported.

a"IANS

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New Delhi, April 25 : In a fresh attack amid an upheaval in the AAP, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday attacked AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the wastage of public money on his erstwhile official CM residence or "Sheesh Mahal", calling him "Delhi's Rehman Dakait" - a comparison with an underworld character in Bollywood blockbuster "Dhurandhar".

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) In a fresh attack amid an upheaval in the AAP, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday attacked AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the wastage of public money on his erstwhile official CM residence or "Sheesh Mahal", calling him "Delhi's Rehman Dakait"  a comparison with an underworld character in Bollywood blockbuster "Dhurandhar".

Chief Minister Gupta said on X, "The AAP, which began with the slogan of revolution, is now meeting its end through distrust and alienation. In your party now, there is no common man left; only corrupt men remain."

"Mr Kejriwal, the departure of two-thirds of the Rajya Sabha MPs is a direct blow to your dictatorship. After Delhi, now it is Punjab's turn," she said, indicating an imminent ouster of the ruling AAP in the agrarian state in the Assembly elections next year.

Parvesh Verma dug up the corruption issue by referring to "Sheesh Mahal" and released a video on social media, depicting the lavish facilities created for the then Chief Minister Kejriwal at his official residence.

Calling Kejriwal the "Delhi's Rehman Dakait", he also released a spoof video titled "Dhurandhar PART 3".

In the video, he takes the viewer on a guided tour of the former palatial Chief Minister's residence of Kejriwal in the Civil Lines area that stands sealed at present.

In the video, he shows the bungalow's Rs 1.5 crore kitchen, Rs 95 lakh switches, Rs 88 lakh chandelier, and Rs 28 lakh TV, highlighting that the monthly electricity bill of the bungalow was Rs 5 lakh.

Criticising Kejriwal for his corrupt practices, Parvesh Verma said, "A person who misused photos of Mahatma Gandhi and Shaheed Bhagat Singh and circulated an affidavit swearing that he would never accept an official accommodation spent crores of rupees on silk carpets, bathroom fittings, TV, Vietnam marble floor and automatic curtains"

The Minister said Kejriwal's corruption was tactfully camouflaged by him under his poor, common man profile, which he built by keeping a Rs 2 pen in his shirt pocket and moving around wearing over-sized clothes.

Parvesh Verma, in a video message issued on his social media handle, said, "He used to say that I won't take a bungalow, I won't take a house  today it is clear that what he meant was I won't take an ordinary one. I'll take a palace, but I won't take an ordinary house."

The Chief Minister and her Cabinet Minister's fresh attack on Kejriwal comes at a time when a group of AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, has decided to join the BJP as the "party has stepped away from honest politics".
Seoul, April 25 : The long overdue visit of the South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to India earlier this week signalled a reset in ties, with both nations acknowledging that their earlier engagement was too limited for a world shaped by tariffs, chips, supply-chain shocks and great-power pressure.

According to a report in aOne World Outlook', India and South Korea offer a pragmatic model of cooperation, bringing together a large emerging democracy and an advanced industrial democracy that drives technology, capacity and jobs beyond mere rhetoric.

"The long delay was not an accident. It reflected habit, not hostility. India was busy building ties with the US, managing China, consolidating its Gulf relationships and asserting itself across the Global South. South Korea, meanwhile, spent years focused on North Korea, its security dependence on the United States and the awkward reality of doing business with China while worrying about China. In that crowded diplomatic calendar, Indiaa"Korea ties were important but never urgent enough to force a summit breakthrough," the report detailed.

The report in 'One World Outlook' stressed that the real opportunity lies in technology, with India and South Korea moving beyond automobiles and steel to focus on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, payments, battery supply chains and advanced manufacturing.

aThat shift matters because the next decade will reward countries that can combine market scale with industrial depth. India brings the former; South Korea brings the latter. India has talent, data scale and a booming digital public infrastructure. South Korea has manufacturing discipline, export sophistication and deep experience in high-technology production. Together, they can do more than trade. They can co-build," it mentioned.

aThis is also why the adigital bridge' idea has significance beyond diplomacy-speak. It suggests that the two countries understand the strategic value of shared digital standards, interoperable systems and trusted technology partnerships. In a world where chips, cloud systems and AI models are increasingly tied to national security, a bilateral relationship that moves from software contracts to ecosystem cooperation is something much bigger," it further stated.

The report noted that the bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors offers a way to reduce dependence on a narrow set of suppliers while opening up new industrial corridors.

Highlighting the broader significance of the bilateral cooperation, the report said, "Now the language is clearer: technology, industrial capacity, defence production, maritime resilience and a more serious role in shaping the Global South. If India and South Korea follow through, this visit may be remembered not as a diplomatic courtesy but as the moment two major Asian democracies decided to stop underperforming and start building something that matches the world around them."
New Delhi, April 25 : The government on Saturday said that around 12.65 lakh passengers have travelled from the Gulf and West Asia region to India since February 28.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is closely tracking developments in the region, with a strong focus on the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community.

Indian missions and posts across the Gulf and West Asia are operating round-the-clock helplines and are actively assisting citizens while remaining in constant touch with local governments.

The government has been issuing regular advisories to keep Indian nationals informed about local regulations, travel updates and available consular services.

Missions are also engaging with Indian community groups, companies and professional organisations to ensure timely support reaches those in need.

Flight operations between India and the region are gradually improving, with additional services being introduced.

In the UAE, airlines are operating limited commercial flights based on safety considerations, with around 110 flights expected to operate between the UAE and India on Saturday.

Services are also continuing from Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar Airways has resumed flights after partial reopening of Qataras airspace.

Air connectivity is also picking up in other parts of the region. Kuwait and Bahrain have reopened their airspace, with airlines either resuming or planning limited operations to India.

Iraq is allowing restricted flight services that can be used for onward travel, while Iran has partially opened its airspace for cargo and chartered flights.

The government has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those currently there to exit via land borders, with assistance from the Indian Embassy in Tehran, which has already helped over 2,400 Indians leave the country.

Meanwhile, Israel has resumed limited flight operations, providing additional routes for travel to India through connecting destinations.

On the maritime front, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region.

No incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the past 24 hours, and all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, the centre said.
Bamako, April 25 : The Indian Embassy in Mali has urged all Indian nationals residing in the West African nation to remain highly vigilant following multiple attacks by armed groups across the country on Saturday.

"Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time," read an advisory issued by the Indian Embassy.

It mentioned that the Embassy, in coordination with the Malian authorities, is closely monitoring the evolving situation and will issue further updates, as required.

The advisory further requested all Indian nationals in Mali to stay in touch with the Embassy through its website and the Embassy's official social media accounts on Facebook and X.

Earlier in the day, armed terrorist groups attempted attacks in several cities across the country, Mali's armed forces confirmed while adding that the situation was "under control".

The attackers "immediately suffered heavy setbacks" due to the response of the armed forces, the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces said in a statement issued at around 11 am local time, Xinhua news agency reported.

The sweeping operations were continuing and several terrorists were nuetralised and equipment destroyed, the statement added.

The General staff asked the population to rely exclusively on official channels for reliable information and to remain calm, and not spread videos or messages which might fuel public concern.

"Loud blasts and gunfire were heard in Kati, a garrison town near the country's capital, Bamako," local sources told Xinhua.

The security sources said simultaneous attacks on several sites and barracks were launched by armed terrorist groups in the capital and interior regions.

The Malian army destroyed a training camp located 20 km north of Markala in the Segou region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said at the start of this month. It also mentioned that a large quantity of military equipment, including improvised explosive devices, was found at the site.

IANS

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Patna, April 25 : Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday inaugurated the grand Janaki Mahotsav at Punaura Dham on the occasion of Janaki Navami in Sitamarhi district.a Patna, April 25 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday inaugurated the grand Janaki Mahotsav at Punaura Dham on the occasion of Janaki Navami in Sitamarhi district.

A large gathering of devotees and residents attended this occasion.

On the auspicious occasion, the Chief Minister made several key announcements, the most notable being that the medical college currently under construction in Sitamarhi will be named "Maa Sita Medical College."

The announcement was met with loud applause and enthusiasm from the audience.

Addressing the gathering, Samrat Choudhary expressed deep reverence, stating that he considers his elevation to the post of Chief Minister as a blessing of Goddess Sita.

"On the auspicious occasion of Janaki Navami, I offered prayers and sought the blessings of Goddess Sita at the Punauradham Temple in Sitamarhithe sacred site of her divine manifestation. This holy shrine stands as a symbol of our faith, culture, and glorious heritage," Choudhary said.

Reiterating his government's commitment to regional development, the Chief Minister emphasised that Sitamarhi would be further developed from both religious and tourism perspectives.

"The NDA government is rapidly advancing the construction of a grand and divine temple dedicated to Goddess Sita at Punauradham, alongside the development of a corridor equipped with modern amenities. I held a review meeting regarding these religious development works with senior political leaders and administrative officials. This sacred site is poised to emerge as a major spiritual and tourism hub for devotees from both within the country and abroad," he said.

The city was filled with a festive atmosphere throughout the day, with several religious and cultural programs organised to mark the occasion.

Punaura Dham is widely regarded as the birthplace of Goddess Janaki (Sita), making it a site of immense religious significance.

The Government of India has already announced the ambitious Ram-Janki Ramayan Corridor connecting Ayodhya and Sitamarhi.

Additionally, a 256-km railway doubling project, estimated at Rs 4,563 crore, has been approved, and an expressway is also being developed to improve connectivity between these two prominent religious destinations.

The Bihar government had earlier initiated plans to acquire 50 acres of land to enhance tourist facilities and infrastructure around the Punaura Dham temple.

Since assuming office, the Chief Minister has been actively visiting major religious sites.

Before taking the oath, he visited the Hanuman Temple at Rajvanshi Nagar in Patna, followed by Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib in Patna City.

He also paid visits to Harihar Nath Temple in Saran district and Baidyanath Dham temple in Jharkhand's Deoghar district.

--IANS

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Patna, April 25 : In a major crackdown on illegal arms manufacturing, a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and Munger Police has busted a mini gun factory operating in the Tarapur Diara region across the Ganges River, an official said on Saturday.a

Four accused individuals were arrested during the joint operation.a

The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Mufassil Police Station in the district.a

Acting on a confidential tip-off, the police team carried out a raid at the location on Friday evening.a

To reach the site, officials crossed the Ganges by boat from Maniyarchak Ghat, highlighting the remote and concealed nature of the illegal operation.a

During the raid, four individuals were apprehended. The arrested accused have been identified as Md. Sarfaraz alias Langda and Md. Atiq, both residents of Mirzapur Bardah, along with Prakash Singh alias Prakash Bind and Vikas Kumar, residents of Reta village under the Harinmar police station area of Munger.a

A significant cache of arms and manufacturing equipment was recovered from the spot.a

Seized items include two finished pistols, three semi-finished pistols, seven live cartridges, four base machines, and a hand drill machine, along with other tools used in the illegal production of weapons.a

Mufassil SHO Vipin Kumar Singh confirmed that an FIR has been registered against all four accused. They were produced in the district court on Saturday, and all of them have been sent to judicial custody.a

Police officials stated that further investigation is underway to uncover the broader network behind the illegal arms factory and to trace its supply chain and connections.a

Earlier, on April 16, the district police had busted an illegal mini gun factory within the jurisdiction of the Kasim Bazar police station in Munger.a

A large quantity of semi-finished and finished weapons was recovered from this factory, which was operating inside a house in Koyri Tola, Puranganj, in the district.a

a
Shivpuri, April 25 : In a major push to private sector-led development, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art garment training and production centre in Badarwas town in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh.

The project has been developed in collaboration with the Adani Group, underlining its role in supporting industrial growth and job creation in the region.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the local economy through skill development and increased manufacturing capacity.

Addressing the inaugural event, Scindia said the partnership with the Adani Group represents a strong model of how large-scale corporate investment can accelerate regional development.

"This initiative demonstrates how private enterprises, particularly partners like the Adani Group, can transform local economies by creating jobs and building modern infrastructure," he said.

The Union Minister noted that Badarwas is set to emerge as a major manufacturing hub, with products from the facility expected to reach markets across India and overseas.

Drawing a comparison with Chanderi, he remarked: "Just as Chanderi is known for its traditional legacy, Badarwas will soon be recognised for garment manufacturing, especially jackets."

During his visit, Scindia interacted with women workers engaged in stitching and production activities, emphasising the social dimension of the project. He described the Adani-backed facility as a catalyst for women's empowerment.

"This is not merely a factory; it is a platform for economic independence where women are becoming active contributors to industrial growth," he said.

The centre is expected to generate substantial employment, with women workers earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 per month. The planned expansion to 600 machines in phases will create direct job opportunities for around 1,800 women.

Scindia said such initiatives would help create 'Lakhpati Didis', strengthening household incomes and boosting the local economy.

Spread across 50,000 square feet and currently operating with 160 machines, the Adani Group-backed facility has significantly enhanced production capacity -- from just 10 jackets per day earlier to nearly 2,000.

The use of international-standard technology positions the unit to cater not only to domestic markets like Delhi and Mumbai but also to global destinations including London, Paris and Geneva.

In a notable announcement, Scindia said the long-term vision includes transforming the unit into a company owned by the women working there.

"Our goal is to ensure that these women evolve from workers to stakeholders. Within the next three years, we aim to transfer ownership to them," he said, adding that this model could redefine inclusive industrial participation.

The project, whose foundation stone was laid in January 2025, has been completed within 18 months, reflecting what Scindia described as efficient execution backed by a strong corporate partnership.

He reiterated that such collaborations, particularly with major players like the Adani Group, will continue to play a key role in attracting investment to Shivpuri and the surrounding regions.

Calling the initiative a "landmark step", Scindia said it represents a broader vision of development driven by private investment, skill-building and social empowerment.

"This Adani Group-backed project is not just an industrial unit; it is a model that will give new direction to the local economy and establish Badarwas on the national and global map," he added.
Ahmedabad, April 25 : In a significant push towards women-led economic empowerment, the Adani Foundation on Saturday launched a large-scale livelihood initiative in Madhya Pradesh under its Swabhimaan programme, inspired by the vision of its Chairperson, Dr Priti Adani.

The initiative aims to enable around 1,500 women in Badarwas, Shivpuri district, to earn steady incomes and achieve financial independence through skill-based employment.

The newly inaugurated Adani Vikas Kendra, spread across 48,000 square feet, has been designed as both a training and production facility equipped with 600 modern sewing machines.

The centre is expected to provide structured employment opportunities to women who have traditionally relied on irregular or informal work, helping them transition into stable, market-linked livelihoods.

The initiative is part of the broader Swabhimaan programme, which seeks to connect one million women across India with sustainable income opportunities.

By combining skill development with direct access to markets, the programme focuses on ensuring that women not only learn but also earn consistently.

The facility was inaugurated by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who also represents the Guna constituency in Parliament. Addressing a gathering of over 5,000 women from nearby villages, Scindia highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, describing it as a platform where local skills can find national and even global markets.

"This centre reflects the power of aspiration taking shape," he said, noting that the confidence and determination among women participants signal a shift toward self-reliance and economic participation.

According to the foundation's CEO, Dr Abhishek Lakhtakia, the initiative is rooted in the belief that financial independence is central to empowerment.

He emphasised that Swabhimaan is designed to convert skills into sustained income by linking women directly to real work opportunities and supply chains.

The project is expected to have a wider socio-economic impact in the region by improving household incomes, reducing dependence on seasonal or informal labour, and curbing migration. It also aims to strengthen women's roles in local economies, giving them greater agency within their families and communities.

The initiative also comes as the Adani Foundation prepares to mark its 30th anniversary on August 11, underscoring three decades of work in inclusive development across India.
KIEV, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia carried out a large-scale overnight attack against Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 50 others, Ukrainian authorities said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike involved drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, with casualties reported in four regions.

The city of Dnipro was the main target. Five people were killed and 46 others injured in the attack that lasted for more than 10 hours, according to Dnipropetrovsk Governor Oleksandr Ganzha.

Emergency crews were continuing rescue operations in Dnipro as of Saturday morning.

In the northern city of Nizhyn, two men were killed in the strikes involving drones and a ballistic missile, said the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration.

The Ukrainian Air Force said air defenses intercepted the majority of Russian weapons. However, 13 missiles and 36 drones hit 23 locations, according to preliminary data.

On the same day, Russia's defense ministry said its forces hit military-industrial and energy targets in Ukraine overnight. 
Islamabad/New Delhi, April 25 : The tragic events in Pakistan's Lyallpur during the Partition underscored the immense suffering and persecution endured by the Sikh community, with those scars still lingering as a reminder of the human cost of religious and political divisions.

Despite transforming barren land into flourishing communities in Lyallpur, the prosperous, disciplined Sikh population was forcibly uprooted and subjected to violence, a report in 'Khalsa Vox' mentioned.

aLyallpur, a region that constituted the richest spot for Sikhs in Pakistan, became a heartbreaking scene of harassment and violence against Sikhs by the Muslim population in Pakistan, instigated by their leaders. Lyallpur stood as a testament to Sikh resilience and hard work. Through generations of toil, Sikhs had transformed a sandy wasteland into the granary of Punjab (Pakistan). The Sikhs of Lyallpur were not only economically prosperous but were also known for their discipline, love for independence, and highly developed social conscience," the report detailed.

aAs Pakistan came into being, a determined policy to eject non-Muslims, especially Sikhs, led to immediate harassment and murder. Just days after the establishment of Pakistan, two non-Muslims were stabbed to death near the Clock Tower in Lyallpur, a central location where a crowded peace meeting was being addressed by the Deputy Commissioner. This incident and others like it signalled the ominous direction for Hindus and Sikhs," it mentioned.

According to the report, by the end of August 1947, violence, including killings and arson by Muslims, escalated in Lyallpur, forcing Hindus and Sikhs to take shelter in refugee camps like Khalsa College and the Arya School.

The subsequent evacuation process exposed the dire conditions faced by the non-Muslim communities in Pakistan.

aThe manner in which the Pakistan administration functioned during these times further exacerbated the suffering. Instances of extreme violence, such as the cutting off of a Sikhas hand, went unpunished, with the victim facing arrest instead. During curfew hours, Muslims freely attacked Hindus and Sikhs, with the police failing to maintain order. Even during evacuations, Hindus and Sikhs faced repeated attacks, often resulting in loss of life and property," the report highlighted.

It noted that stories from villages across Pakistan revealed repeated attacks, killings, and lootings of Hindus and Sikhs during evacuations.

aThe survivors sought refuge in places like Chak 272, only to face further attacks and extensive looting. Tragedy struck again near Salooni Jhal, where a large number of Hindus and Sikhs were killed, and their belongings were looted. Even at Balloki Head, the crossing point into India, survivors were robbed of their belongings," the report mentioned.
New Delhi, April 25 : National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Saturday lashed out at opposition parties, saying that since they fail to garner votes during elections, they are now "venting out" their frustration on the Election Commission.

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Saturday lashed out at opposition parties, saying that since they fail to garner votes during elections, they are now "venting out" their frustration on the Election Commission.

The reactions came after 73 Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha submitted a notice of motion to the Secretary-General seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

The motion, addressed to the President of India, alleges "proven misbehaviour" by the CEC through acts and omissions committed since March 15, 2026.

BJP National Spokesperson R.P. Singh said that since people do not vote for opposition parties during elections, they are "venting it out" on the Election Commission.

"They lose elections because of their own actions and are unable to connect with the masses," he said.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel said such "mud-slinging" undermines constitutional institutions.

Referring to past election results where the Opposition defeated the BJP in several states, he said, "AAP had defeated the BJP in Delhi and Punjab. Trinamool Congress had formed the government in West Bengal, Congress in Karnataka, and the Left alliance in Kerala. During all these times, the Opposition did not have any problem with the Election Commission."

Patel asserted that as long as the Opposition is winning, the EC is acceptable to them; otherwise, it is a case of "sour grapes".

Echoing a similar view, former Union Minister and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey said, "Whenever the Opposition loses polls, they start accusing the EC of being biased and unfair."

"Such accusations against the institution are baseless," he added.

BJP leader Rohan Gupta told IANS, "This is the real face of the Opposition."

Questioning the Opposition's intent behind the move, he said, "Do they want violence to occur during the elections? This is the first time that violence did not take place in West Bengal before the polls. Also, it is the first time after Independence that such a high voter turnout has been seen."

Gupta questioned the basis on which the Opposition is attempting to remove the CEC.

"If opposition parties do not count such developments as an achievement, then do they want elections to be conducted without peace? The public will not forgive them if they oppose the conduct of such a successful election process," he said.

JD-U leader Saket Singh said that since the Opposition has run out of options, "they can go to any lengths to remove the Chief Election Commissioner".
Dhaka, April 25 : As many as 97 shrines across Bangladesh have come under attack since the 2024 July protests and through the final phase of the previous Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, with incidents including vandalism, arson, looting, and coordinated assaults.

According to a report in Dhaka Tribune, in the latest case, a spiritual leader, Shamim Reza, was beaten and hacked to death at his shrine in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia district on April 18, following an attack sparked by rumours of religious blasphemy.

Citing data, the report said that despite nearly 100 such incidents, only 12 cases  including the Kushtia incident  have been formally registered, while progress in most of the investigations remains minimal.

The absence of significant arrests or judicial action in the majority of the cases, it said, fuelled concerns over a growing culture of impunity surrounding attacks on shrines.

The report also cited data documenting more than 100 incidents of attacks, vandalism, and looting at shrines across the country from August 2024 to April 11 this year  creating widespread public anxiety and insecurity in affected areas.

Dhaka-based Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reported that at least three people have been killed and over 200 injured, including women, during these incidents across Bangladesh.

The report referred to the Sufism-focused research organisation Makam, which recorded more than 50 shrine attacks across districts in the Dhaka division between August 8, 2024, and December 2025. Narayanganj recorded the highest number of incidents at 11, followed by Dhaka with nine, while several cases were also reported across districts, including Kishoreganj, Manikganj, Tangail, Gazipur, and Rajbari. The incidents resulted in the death of two individuals, while nearly 180 people, including women, were injured.

According to Makam, a total of 27 incidents were recorded in the Chittagong division, including 17 in Cumilla, four in Chittagong, three in Noakhali, two in Brahmanbaria, and one in Cox's Bazar. Several historic shrines in areas such as Sitakunda and Hathazari were also vandalised, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Reports suggest that three shrines in Dhamrai upazila, near Dhaka, were attacked during the tenure of the interim government. Although three cases were registered, no arrests followed, with one shrine resuming activities, while the other two remain closed.

Analysts stated that incidents across Bangladesh stem from a combination of "religious ideological differences, social intolerance, rumour-based mobilisation, political influence, and local power struggles". They observe that the lack of progress in investigations, arrests, and prosecutions has strengthened the perception of impunity.
Patna, April 25 : Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday stirred debate with his remarks on population while addressing the media in Gaya.

He asserted that society should not adopt a narrow-minded approach toward population growth or having children.

His statement came in response to remarks attributed to Dhirendra Krishna Shastri alias Bageshwar Baba, who, during a recent visit to Nagpur, had reportedly urged people to have four children and dedicate one to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

Reacting to the controversy, Jitan Ram Manjhi said he was not fully aware of the exact context of Direndra Krishna Shastri's statement but emphasised a broader perspective on population.

"One should not display a narrow mindset when it comes to increasing the population or having children," he said.

Expanding on his views, the Union MSME Minister remarked, "A person is not born merely with a mouth to feed, but also with hands to work and a brain to think. It is impossible to predict how great an individual a child may become. If employment opportunities are created and governance is carried out effectively, everyone can be supported."

Jitan Ram Manjhi further noted that India's current population stands at around 140 crore and drew a historical analogy, stating that in ancient times, when the population was also vast, India was regarded as a 'Vishwa Guru' (global leader), without strict concerns over population size.

Clarifying his stance, the Union MSME Minister said he was not explicitly advocating unchecked population growth, but stressed that if the population increases, it becomes essential to focus on education, skill development, and entrepreneurship.

Jitan Ram Manjhi's statement has sparked discussion in political circles, with observers suggesting it could intensify the ongoing debate over population policy in Bihar.

The BJP's ideological body, RSS, always promotes a higher birth rate of the Hindu population in India.
Islamabad, April 25 : Pakistan considers proxy warfare as a cost-effective tool to pressurise India with an aim to inflict sustained, low-intensity damage that would drain India's resources, unsettle internal stability, and elevate disputes like Kashmir to the global stage. While conventional war carries the risk of escalation and defeat, proxy conflict offers a way to sustain hostilities without triggering the nuclear threshold that emerged after both countries developed nuclear capabilities, a report said on Saturday.

"For nearly eight decades, the IndiaPakistan conflict has been defined not just by wars, but by something more persistent and less visible: a sustained strategy of proxy warfare. While conventional battles have come and gone, a quieter, more enduring campaign has continued beneath the surface, one that relies on insurgency, terrorism, and hybrid tactics to challenge India without triggering full-scale war. This long-running approach is not accidental or episodic. It reflects a deliberate strategic choice that has evolved, adapted, and persisted across generations of Pakistani leadership," a report in 'India Narrative' detailed.

"The origins of this approach can be traced back to the very birth of the two nations in 1947. The first major confrontation over Jammu and Kashmir did not begin as a formal declaration of war but as a covert operation involving tribal militias and irregular fighters. These forces, supported and guided by elements within Pakistan, were intended to alter the political reality on the ground before India could respond. Even in its earliest phase, the conflict revealed a pattern: the use of deniable actors to achieve strategic objectives while maintaining a degree of plausible deniability," it added.

According to the report, by operating through non-state actors, Pakistan has often been able to evade direct accountability, even when evidence of involvement surfaces. This ambiguity, it said, blurs the line between state and non-state responsibility, complicating international responses. Although global bodies have identified and sanctioned various militant groups operating in Pakistani soil, uneven enforcement has enabled the underlying networks to survive and adapt.

The report noted that continued reliance on the proxy conflict raises broader questions about its effectiveness. Despite imposing costs on India, this strategy by Islamabad has failed to achieve its core strategic objective of altering the status of Kashmir.

Instead, it has deepened hostility, hardened positions, and narrowed the scope for diplomatic engagement. At the same time, the report said, the dependence on militant groups has backfired on Pakistan itself, contributing to domestic instability and the spread of extremism within its own borders.

"Yet the strategy endures. This is partly because it offers a way to maintain pressure without risking outright war and partly because it has become embedded in the institutional thinking of Pakistan's security establishment. Changing such a deeply rooted approach is not simply a matter of policy adjustment; it requires a fundamental shift in strategic culture," it stated.
Los Angeles, April 25 : Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala shot 2-under in alternate shots and were Tied-15th after two rounds at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only team event on the PGA Tour.

Los Angeles, April 25 (IANS) Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala shot 2-under in alternate shots and were Tied-15thA after two rounds at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only team event on the PGA Tour.

They slipped two places from Tied-13th to Tied-15th at 12-under.

Another pairing with an Indian interest was Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Ryan Gerard, who were T-26 after a big jump from T-42. They shot 3-under and moved to 10-under.

Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick combined for a 7-under 65 in alternate-shot play Friday to pull within a stroke of leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer through two rounds. They barely missed a shot as per Matt Fitzpatrick, who has twice won PGA Tour this season.

The Fitzpatricks are playing together a fourth straight year in New Orleans, and the Englishmen have been in form lately. Matt Fitzpatrick has won twice since March, and Alex won his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open last month.

Smalley and Springer, having tied the tournament record with a 58 in Four-ball play in the opening round, had a 70 to get to 16-under 128.

The third round Saturday will tee off with nine teams within two shots of the leaders.

Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked third in the world after edging world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff in the RBC Heritage last weekend, highlighted his round with a chip-in birdie on the par-5 18th.

Alex made four of the tandem's six birdie putts, the longest from more than 17 feet. He credited his older brother, a 2022 U.S. Open winner known for a meticulous green-reading routine that includes dropping into a near-prone position for a ground-level view.

Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka missed the cut by a stroke despite combining for five birdies. They were done in by bogeys on a pair of par 3s: Nos. 3 and 17.

The format switches to better ball in the third round and returns to alternate shots Sunday.

Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat also were tied for second after a second-round 70.

Defending Zurich Classic champs Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak narrowly made the cut at 134.
Quetta, April 25 : Several leading human rights organisations on Saturday strongly condemned the arrest of Baloch activist Fozia Baloch, a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), by Karachi police.

Her arrest comes following the enforced disappearance of her brother, Dadshah Baloch, who was allegedly taken from his home on April 21 by Pakistani security forces.

Since then his whereabouts have remained unknown, while the family's attempt to register a case was reportedly denied by the police.

According to the BYC, Fozia, along with her family members, arrived at the Karachi press club on Saturday to hold a press conference, when she was detained and shifted to an unknown location.

Condemning the arrest, the BYC called on the Pakistani authorities to release Fozia and her brother immediately. It urged international humanitarian organisations to hold Pakistani authorities accountable for violating fundamental human rights laws.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, described the incident as part of a broader pattern of silencing victims' families and obstructing access to justice.

Expressing concern over Fozia's arrest, the Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) said, "Public space for dissent is being reduced at an alarming pace. Families who seek answers face restrictions, intimidation, and denial of basic rights. Peaceful efforts to highlight enforced disappearances are being blocked, which reflects an intent to control the narrative and avoid scrutiny."

Earlier on Thursday, the Baloch Students Organization Azad (BSO-Azad) accused Pakistani authorities of employing various tactics to normalise the enforced disappearance of Baloch women.

According to the group's central spokesperson Sholan Baloch, enforced disappearances have long been routine in Balochistan but are now increasingly targeting women. He alleged that the "sanctity of the veil and the four walls is violated", with women subjected to what he described as collective punishment.

"This year alone, nearly two dozen Baloch women have been forcibly disappeared from various cities and towns in Balochistan, including Quetta, Karachi, Hub, Khuzdar, Kech, Awaran, Greshk, Dalbandin, Tajaban, and other areas, where they are being subjected to extreme inhuman torture in torture cells, while several women are being threatened and subjected to media trials to allow this tyrannical state to weaken the ongoing freedom movement in Balochistan through false narrativesbut this is vocal proof of their defeat," he stated.

Sholan claimed that the daily enforced disappearance of women in Balochistan is part of "conspiracies" to render Baloch society "barren and numb", alleging that by distorting the Baloch social structure and undermining traditions, Pakistan seeks to sustain what he termed an "illegitimate occupation".
New Delhi, April 25 : Celebrating the enduring legacy of "Nari Shakti" (woman power), the Kalamkar Gallery at Bikaner House in Delhi is currently hosting "Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu," -- a renowned Sanskrit hymn honouring the omnipresent Goddess, a contemporary art exhibition that explores the cultural and spiritual power of the Divine Feminine.

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Celebrating the enduring legacy of "Nari Shakti" (woman power), the Kalamkar Gallery at Bikaner House in Delhi is currently hosting "Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu," -- a renowned Sanskrit hymn honouring the omnipresent Goddess, a contemporary art exhibition that explores the cultural and spiritual power of the Divine Feminine.

The exhibition is organised to showcase that this power bridges ancient scriptural wisdom with modern visual storytelling. Running until April 26, the exhibition features a collection of paintings that each depict a distinct manifestation of Shakti, or divine energy.

Behind every work created by artist Shiny Sharma lies a narrative regarding the power of the Goddess.

In a conversation with IANS, Sharma explained that her work is not limited to a single theme. Instead, it serves as an expression of her long-standing perception of "Nari Shakti" and the inherent energy present within every living being. This vision eventually crystallised into the collection titled "Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu."

She emphasised that the Goddess represents more than a single deity; she is "Chit Shakti," the vital energy that permeates all living creatures and without which life would be impossible. Indian philosophy posits that without Shakti, even Lord Shiva remains lifeless. This exhibition is dedicated to that creative and infusing energy, specifically celebrating the strength of women.

While the majority of her works are executed on canvas using acrylic and oil, Sharma also incorporates multimedia elements. She noted that nature itself serves as her canvas, and she often utilises whatever materials the environment provides, such as soil, wood, or traditional rice paste used in Alpana floor art.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Shiny Sharma serves as the President of the Army Wives Welfare Association for the Northern Army Command. Her responsibilities include the welfare of Army women, war widows known as Veer Naris, and their children.

When discussing how she balances art with her daily duties, she remarked that art is her life. She believes that her responsibilities connect her to her creativity in a deeper way, noting that art is not created in solitude but is shaped by society, environment, and the people one meets.

Sharma expressed that she feels fortunate to work on behalf of people who constantly face peril. She draws inspiration from the resilience of Army wives who manage their households with immense strength while their husbands are deployed at the borders.

She specifically highlighted the courage of the Veer Naris, who, despite the loss of their loved ones, move forward into new chapters of life with renewed vigour.

Furthermore, she spoke about the children growing up in challenging circumstances. Through the Sadbhavana schools and hostels operated by the Army, the women of the association work together to provide a nurturing environment for these children. This initiative focuses on holistic development rather than just academics.

Sharma endeavours to introduce these children to art through dedicated clubs in their hostels, viewing music and art as essential channels through which individuals can express their innermost emotions and develop their personalities.
New Delhi, April 25 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday expressed grief over the death of a minor in a road accident in the Shalimar Bagh area, an official said.

She said that had there been no illegal encroachments along the roadside in the area, traffic would have moved smoothly and the chances of such accidents, as well as loss of life and property, could have been reduced.

She noted that about two months ago, a five-year-old girl had also lost her life after being hit by a speeding truck in the same area, reflecting the serious condition of traffic management in the locality.

According to Shalimar Bagh Police, two minors riding a motorcycle were passing through the area on Saturday evening, where illegal encroachments had been made along the drain and the roadside, when a tempo coming from behind hit the motorcycle, resulting in the death of one minor on the spot.

The Chief Minister expressed deep condolences over the death of the minor, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, Haiderpur, and said that the accident could have been avoided in the absence of illegal encroachments along the roadside.

She stated that these encroachments were made on government land during the tenure of the previous government, due to which traffic has remained obstructed for a long time and commuters have faced persistent difficulties.

The Chief Minister said that recently the Delhi High Court issued directions to remove more than 140 illegal units located on Road No. 320 in the area. A major underpass has also been constructed here by the Delhi government, through which traffic coming from Azadpur will pass via this road and underpass and directly reach the Outer Ring Road near Mukarba Chowk.

She said there are two major hospitals, several educational institutions and police establishments in the area, due to which traffic pressure remains high. Owing to the illegal encroachments, not only local residents but also vehicles and pedestrians passing through the area have been facing considerable inconvenience for a long time.

The Chief Minister stated that the Delhi government had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court regarding the issue, on the basis of which the order to remove illegal constructions was passed.

She added that once these encroachments are removed, traffic from North Delhi will move more smoothly and vehicles will be able to directly access the Outer Ring Road from the Ring Road.
Chikkaballapur, April 25 : The controversy over the forceful removal of the sacred thread (janeu) at the Common Entrance Test (CET) examination centre has now spread to Chikkaballapur district, triggering protests and outrage among community groups.a

The controversy over students allegedly being forced to remove their sacred thread (janeu) at a Common Entrance Test (CET) examination centre in Bengaluru intensified on Friday, with a police complaint filed and the Bharatiya Janata Party demanding immediate arrests of those responsible.a

A fresh incident has been reported at the Nagarjuna College examination centre near Doddamarali, where a student, identified as G. Supreeth, was allegedly asked by staff to remove his sacred thread before being allowed to write the exam.a

The allegation has raised serious concerns over interference with religious practices.a

The issue came to light three days after the incident, sparking widespread anger.a

Various organisations have now turned against the college management and examination staff, demanding accountability.a

Members of the Brahmin Mahasabha in Chikkaballapur have approached the Superintendent of Policeas office and are likely to file a formal complaint condemning the incident.a

They have demanded strict action against the college authorities.a

The development has drawn particular attention as the incident occurred in the home district of Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar.a

Parents of the student and community leaders have expressed strong displeasure, alleging that religious sentiments are being hurt in the name of examination regulations.a

It can be recalled that, as the controversy over students being asked to remove their sacred thread (janeu) at a Common Entrance Test (CET) examination centre intensified, three staff members of Krupanidhi College in Madiwala, Bengaluru, were suspended at the direction of the Karnataka Congress government.a

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has written to the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner, seeking an enquiry into the incident and appropriate action.a

Despite clear instructions not to remove the janeu, the incident occurred, and KEA suspects that it may have been a deliberate act to sow discord.a

Meanwhile, three staff members, including two senior women employees of Krupanidhi College, have been suspended in connection with the allegations.a

The Janeu or Yagyopaveet is a sacred thread worn by Hindu males, especially Brahmins, across the left shoulder and under the right arm, marking their initiation into education, spiritual life, and adulthood.a

The 'Janeu row' had resurfaced in Karnataka's Koramangala, following a student writing the Common Entrance Test (CET) being asked to remove the sacred thread before being allowed to enter the examination hall.a
Ma Jiantang, a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also deputy director of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, delivers a keynote speech at a policy briefing jointly held by the China-Britain Business Council and the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, in London, Britain, April 23, 2026. The event drew more than 150 representatives from government, business and academia in Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China's efforts to expand domestic demand and promote high-quality development under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will unleash vast potential for China-Britain cooperation, a senior Chinese official said here Thursday.

Ma Jiantang, a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks in a keynote speech at a policy briefing in London jointly held by the China-Britain Business Council and the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK. The event drew more than 150 representatives from government, business and academia in Britain.

Ma, also deputy director of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, said that the formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans represent key governance experience of China.

China will focus on expanding domestic demand, accelerating technological innovation and promoting industrial upgrading by implementing initiatives such as the "AI Plus" action plan, while further advancing high-level opening-up and creating new opportunities for cooperation with Europe and Britain, said Ma.

He said China will continue to ease market access for foreign companies, particularly in the services sector, creating a vast market for international service providers.

Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang said in his speech that China's economy saw a strong growth in the first quarter of this year, laying a solid foundation for realizing the new five-year plan.

Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism, protectionism and geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East, Zheng called for closer China-Britain and China-Europe cooperation to uphold multilateralism and free trade, and expand two-way investment and trade. 
Funafuti, April 25 : Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, reaffirmed India's commitment to health-sector cooperation with the South Pacific nation of Tuvalu on Saturday.

Funafuti, April 25 (IANS) Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, reaffirmed Indiaas commitment to health-sector cooperation with the South Pacific nation of Tuvalu on Saturday.

He reaffirmed Indiaas commitment to health sector cooperation, including the provision of a dialysis unit and a sea ambulance to the Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific.

The Minister visited Princess Margaret Hospital in Funafuti and interacted with dedicated healthcare professionals delivering essential services to the community.

He also mentioned that together, they aim to enhance healthcare delivery for the people of Tuvalu.

Earlier in the day, he also met Hamoa Holona, Minister of Education and Acting Minister of Health, and discussed ways to further expand India-Tuvalu cooperation in the education and health sectors.

He met Paulson Panapa, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade of Tuvalu, on Friday and discussed strengthening bilateral development cooperation, including in health and in building climate-resilient infrastructure.

He stated in a post on X that India and Tuvalu share a deep partnership rooted in shared values and commitment, adding that India remains a steadfast partner in Tuvaluas development journey.

He met Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, Governor-General of Tuvalu, on Friday and had a productive discussion on further strengthening Indiaa"Tuvalu bilateral cooperation across key sectors, reaffirming their shared commitment to the progress and well-being of their peoples.

He met Tuvaluas Minister for Home, Climate Change, and Environment, Dr Maina Vakafua Talia, on Friday and exchanged views on strengthening cooperation on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, sustainable development, and capacity building.

On Thursday, he met Jotham Napat, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, and discussed strengthening India-Vanuatu bilateral cooperation across key sectors, reaffirming their shared commitment to the well-being and progress of their peoples.

He also met Xavier Emanuel Harry, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and External Trade of Vanuatu, and discussed advancing bilateral development cooperation, particularly in health, capacity building, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

He also discussed cooperation in multilateral fora.

He stated in a post on X that India and Vanuatu share a strong partnership anchored in mutual trust and shared values, adding that India remains a committed and reliable partner in Vanuatuas development journey.

He also visited the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology in Vanuatu, a flagship institution established with Indiaas support to strengthen digital skills and build local youth capacity, on April 22.

He arrived in Port Vila on April 22 for his first official visit to Vanuatu.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the visit to the Republic of Vanuatu and Tuvalu by Shri Pabitra Margherita underscores Indiaas commitment to strengthening political and developmental cooperation ties with Pacific Island countries and is in continuation of the historic third Summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation held in May 2023 in Port Moresby.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Congress on Saturday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Delhi chief Arvind Kejriwal, criticising the AAP supremo of "abandoning" the original principles of the party, which made seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, switch to the BJP. The Congress leaders also accused Chadha of becoming "overly ambitious".

Speaking to IANS, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said he was not surprised by the MPs' exit.

"Raghav Chadha has been speaking in a strange language for some days and perhaps has become overly ambitious. But from what I have heard, there was perhaps a rift between him and Kejriwal in Punjab," he said.

Dikshit mentioned that since AAP does not have any particular ideology, ideological differences cannot be the reason.

Also referring to the exit of AAP's organisational figures like Sandeep Pathak, he said, "Maybe they are unable to see a future for the party, and secondly, they might have been left frustrated due to Kejriwal's actions."

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira called the political development as the "fate" of AAP.

He told IANS, "Arvind Kejriwal had long ago abandoned the original principles of the Aam Aadmi Party. Now, Kejriwal and his party's complete focus is on the politics of money."

Khaira alleged that most of the MPs were wealthy corporate businessmen who had nothing to do with the ideology of the Aam Aadmi Party.

"They had purchased these Rajya Sabha seats from Kejriwal. And now that they have found a better shop, they have sold their MP seats in that shop," he said.

He further accused AAP of having a "business-oriented" governance in Punjab, which, he said, is functioning through the police.

"They have done atrocities on farmers, have looted Punjab's ecology through the mining mafia and have even given free hand to gangsters. That is why this party will be wiped off from India's politics after the 2027 Assembly elections in Punjab," Khaira claimed.

However, Congress leader Husain Dalwai said leaving a party in this manner is "absolutely wrong".

The party that brought you this far should not be abandoned like this. The BJP intimidates, saying they will use the ED and take other actions. Those who are not committed are the ones who leave."

About the possibility of AAP MLAs leaving following the MPs' merger with the BJP, he said, "They will certainly try, but a party does not end like this. If it is a party of ideology, it does not end. The party will remain and continue."
Bhopal, April 25 : Stressing the need for foolproof arrangements, Director General of Police Kailash Makwana on Saturday directed all districts to ensure the peaceful, fair and secure conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026, scheduled for May 3.

Chairing a statewide review meeting via video conference with Superintendents of Police, Makwana said the examination is highly sensitive as it impacts the future of lakhs of students.

"NEET is an extremely important examination linked to the future of students; therefore every process must be error-free, transparent and secure," he said, while instructing officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards any lapse.

He directed that all examination centres, strong rooms and exam halls be physically inspected in advance and that security arrangements be strengthened.

Adequate deployment of police personnel, along with handheld metal detectors (HHMDs), has been mandated to ensure thorough checking of candidates while avoiding inconvenience during entry and exit at centres.

The DGP emphasised strict monitoring of question paper movement. He said police escorts must be provided during transportation between banks, post offices, strong rooms and examination centres, with vehicle tracking ensured through designated routes and dashcams.

Continuous surveillance will also be maintained until OMR sheets and other examination materials are safely returned after the test.

Highlighting potential risks, Makwana ordered heightened vigilance in sensitive areas, including the Chambal region and border districts, to prevent attempts at paper leaks or organised cheating.

Unauthorised entry around examination centres will be strictly prohibited, he added.

He also directed immediate action against misinformation or rumours circulating on social media platforms. Cyber commandos and cyber cells will be deployed to monitor digital platforms and track suspicious activities.

Additional Director General of Police A. Sai Manohar said lessons from the 2024 incidents have been incorporated, with special focus on centre-level security and mandatory CCTV coverage across all 283 centres.

Deputy Inspector General Tarun Nayak said the examination will be conducted in 30 cities with around 1.18 lakh candidates, with Indore having the highest number of centres.

Officials said 38 trained cyber commandos will be deployed for network monitoring, while strict legal action, including FIRs, will be taken against any involvement in paper leaks, impersonation or organised cheating.
Bhopal, April 25 : In a move to bolster grassroots governance and further institutionalise a people-centric administrative framework, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced the first field postings for eight probationary Indian Administrative Service officers of the 2025 batch.a

The General Administration Department issued the formal orders on Saturday, appointing the newly minted officers as Assistant Collectors across the stateas remote tribal belts and developing districts.a

The tactical placement aims to immerse young leadership in the complexities of rural and tribal administration early in their careers.a

According to the official release, the postings are distributed as follows: Ms Ayushi Bansal has been assigned to Jhabua, while Ashi Sharma will serve in Dhar.a

Madhav Agarwal has been posted to Barwani, and Saumya Mishra will join the administration in Singrauli.a

In the eastern and central regions, Shlok Waikar has been appointed to Katni, Shilpa Chauhan to Khandwa, Khote Pushparaj Nanasaheb to Betul, and Shailendra Chaudhary to Mandla district.a

These districts, characterised by their unique geographical challenges and rich social diversity, are viewed as vital learning grounds.a

The state government emphasised that serving in these regions will allow the officers to gain a nuanced understanding of the specific needs of tribal communities and the logistical hurdles of rural development.a

Chief Minister Yadav stated that the initiative is designed to cultivate sensitivity, professional efficiency, and a dedicated spirit of public service from the onset of their tenure.a

He said that by working at the grassroots level, these probationary officers are expected to bridge the gap between policy and implementation, ensuring that government welfare schemes reach the most marginalised populations.a

Administrative experts view this deployment as a significant step towards inclusive growth.a

By sending fresh talent to developing frontiers, the state looks to accelerate the pace of good governance and bring a modern, empathetic approach to long-standing administrative challenges in Madhya Pradeshas interior.a

a
Imphal, April 25 : Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday appealed to the family members of the two children killed in a bomb attack in Bishnupur district to accept their bodies, which have remained in a morgue for the past 19 days.a

A 5-year-old boy and his 6-month-old sister were killed, while their mother sustained serious injuries, when suspected Kuki militants hurled a powerful bomb at their home in Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district on April 7 as the victims were asleep.a

Family members of the victims had earlier stated that they would not accept the bodies until those responsible for the attack were identified, arrested, and punished.a

On Saturday, thousands of people, including many women from across the Imphal Valley, participated in a protest rally organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body representing the Meitei community.a

The rally moved towards the Kangla Fort Western Gate, with participants intermittently facing resistance from security forces.a

Following a meeting with a COCOMI delegation, the Chief Minister said that security agencies are conducting round-the-clock operations to trace and apprehend the perpetrators.a

He said they are in constant touch with the families of the victims and the Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the incident, and added that the state government is deeply distressed that the bodies of the two children are still lying in the morgue.a

He further said that the case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency.a

The Chief Minister, accompanied by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, reiterated that the state government remains open to dialogue with all organisations and is seeking cooperation to restore peace and harmony in Manipur.a

He noted that ongoing agitations, prolonged shutdowns, and unrest have adversely affected all sections of society, particularly daily wage earners, traders, and students.a

Describing the killing of the two children in Bishnupur, along with the recent ambush in Ukhrul district in which two Naga civilians were killed, as inhuman acts, Singh said these incidents have spread fear and anguish among the people.a

Earlier in the day, large numbers of men and women staged protests in Imphal, demanding justice for the slain children, rehabilitation of displaced persons, and the restoration of permanent peace in the state.a

The rally organised by COCOMI attracted participants from across the valley region.a

Protesters attempting to march towards the Chief Ministeras official bungalow were stopped by security forces at multiple points.a

According to a police official, security personnel used tear gas shells after demonstrators attempted to breach barricades.a

Subsequently, a delegation of protesters was allowed to meet the Chief Minister and submit a memorandum outlining their demands.a

Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh stated that the memorandum submitted by COCOMI included seven key issues and demands, and assured that the government is committed to safeguarding indigenous communities.a

He further said that investigations into both the Bishnupur blast and the April 18 Ukhrul ambush have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency.a

A National Investigation Agency team, led by an Inspector General, has already visited the blast site at Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district as part of the ongoing probe.a

a
Kolkata, April 25 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday evening ordered the replacement of the officers-in-charge (OCs) of three police stations in Kolkata, including that of the police station under whose jurisdiction the official residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee falls.

The transfers of these three OCs, all inspector-rank police officers, come less than four days before the Assembly constituencies in the state capital of Kolkata go to the polls in the second phase of the two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal on April 29.

A total of 142 Assembly constituencies will go to the polls in the second phase on April 29, including those in Kolkata.

Of the three OCs under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police whose replacements have been ordered by the ECI on Saturday evening, one is Utpal Ghosh, the OC of Kalighat Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the official residence of the Chief Minister at Harish Chatterjee Street falls.

Ghosh has been replaced by Gautam Das, who was earlier posted as an inspector attached to the Special Branch of Kolkata Police.

The ECI has also ordered the transfer of the additional OC of Kalighat Police Station, Uttam Paik. Apart from this, the Commission has also ordered the change of the OCs of Alipore and Ultadanga Womenas Police Stations. Subrata Pandey has been made the new OC of Alipore Police Station.

The ECI has also changed the OC of Ultadanga Womenas Police Station. Chameli Mukherjee has been brought in charge of that police station. She was the additional OC of Alipore Police Station.

The transfers of both the OC and the additional OC of Kalighat Police Station are significant on two counts. First, the official residence of the Chief Minister falls under the jurisdiction of Kalighat Police Station.

Secondly, Kalighat Police Station is one of the police stations under the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata, which is the most high-profile Assembly constituency in the West Bengal Assembly polls this time, considering that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari are pitted against each other in Bhabanipur.
Jaipur, April 25 : 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi said that a fearless mindset and backing his natural game were key to his stunning century that powered Rajasthan Royals (RR) to 228/6 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 36 of IPL 2026 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

The 15-year-old opener, who smashed 103 off just 37 balls with 12 sixes and five fours, revealed that there was no fixed plan behind his aggressive approach, including hitting a six off the very first ball of the match.

"There wasn't any specific plan to hit the first ball. But we had a discussion before the match. Yash bhaiya said that we should play freely today. If we get the opportunity from the first ball, we should back our game  and that's exactly what happened," Sooryavanshi said to broadcasters after his innings.

He added that his approach in the opening over, where he smashed four sixes, was purely instinctive. "There wasn't much thinking, sir. I just played according to the ball. The wicket felt good, so I backed my game."

Sooryavanshi also revealed that he keeps his preparation simple but focused, relying heavily on visualisation before stepping onto the field.

"Sir, I think about which bowlers are in the opposition, what shots I can play against them, and how big the boundaries are on both sides. I try to visualise all of that," he said.

Speaking about returning to the same venue, he maintained that his focus remained on contributing to the team. "Nothing much, sir. Just that I wanted to give 100% for the team and back my game."

On the pitch conditions, the youngster felt it was a good surface for batting, while also offering some assistance to the bowlers early on. "The wicket is good, sir. The ball was coming nicely onto the bat. With the new ball, there was a bit of movement, and fast bowlers were getting some help too. Overall, it's a good wicket."

With Rajasthan Royals posting a massive total, Sooryavanshi believes the team is well placed to defend it.

"It's a good score, sir. Now we'll look to defend it, bowl with discipline, and execute the plans we've made," he added.

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi pulled off a hamstring while fielding during the second innings and was taken off the ground in the third over.
Mbabane, April 25 : Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, arrived in the South African nation, Eswatini, on Saturday, despite the previous cancellation of the President's visit.

The foreign minister posted that he arrived safely in Eswatini as the special envoy of Taiwan's president, Lai Ching-te.

He said that he is "Grateful to Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu, Minister Manqoba Khumalo, and our overseas community for the warm welcome."

"I look forward to joining the national celebrations and marking 58 years of Taiwan-Eswatini ties," he added.

Taiwan's president, Lai Ching-te's visit to the African nation of Eswatini cancelled, as overflight clearances were revoked for his flight from multiple nations on April 21.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an said on Tuesday that Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar "unexpectedly and without justification rescinded overflight permission" for the chartered plane that Lai, his national security team and the press corps were scheduled to take, reported Central News Agency's Focus Taiwan.

Pan further called the move "unprecedented" and cited China's "economic coercion" for the cancellation.

"China's coercive actions undermine the status quo, once again exposing the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order. Ahead of my visit to Eswatini, several countries along our flight route abruptly revoked overflight clearance under pressure from China," Taiwan President Lai Ching-te posted on X.

The chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party stated that "no amount of threats or coercion" will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world or diminish its contributions to the global community.

"Our determination to build friendships around the world with like-minded partners remains steadfast despite external pressure," he added.

Lai Ching-te was scheduled to visit the African nation from April 24 to 26. According to the office of the President, the visit was to coincide with "the 40th anniversary of His Majesty King Mswati III's accession to the throne" and "his Majesty's 58th birthday."

According to Lai Ching-te's office, King Mswati III had sent a personally-signed letter cordially inviting the President to attend these historic celebrations, and noted that the king had travelled to Taiwan in 2024 to attend the inauguration of the 16th-term president and vice president.

IANS

ksk/uk
New Delhi, April 25 : The recent United States and Israeli strikes on Iran risk creating conditions conducive to long-term terrorist expansion, with consequences likely to extend beyond Iranian territory.a New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) The recent United States and Israeli strikes on Iran risk creating conditions conducive to long-term terrorist expansion, with consequences likely to extend beyond Iranian territory.

The emergence of the terror group Islamic State  Khorasan Province in Iran would have far-reaching regional consequences, a report said on Saturday.

Writing for India Narrative, Peter Knoope, an expert in diplomacy and international cooperation, said that such instability affects not only the country and its population but can also have repercussions across the entire region and globally.

He recalled that the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to the emergence of Daesh, though not directly or immediately, but through intermediate developments.

He noted that Sunni-driven opposition to shifts in internal power relations in Iraq triggered an influx of foreign terrorist fighters from across the globe.

He added that while the aftermath of the so-called Caliphate is now history, its traces still persist across the region and in parts of Africa and Asia.

According to the expert, the key question is whether the current intervention could lead to a resurgence of terror groups such as Daesh and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin.

He outlined several conditions that contribute to the emergence of such groups, including the proliferation of weapons, ungoverned or under-governed spaces, public disenchantment, human rights violations, suppression, and opportunity.

He said that such environments often create a vacuum where extremist elements can recruit and mobilise anger, potentially leading to violence.

Taken together, he said, rising tensions and the emergence of an identity-based "us versus them" dynamic in Iran could open the door to instability, which ISKP leadership may seek to exploit.

He warned that this could result in targeted attacks against Shia communities, institutions, and individuals.

Knoope added that it is difficult to predict the extent to which such sectarian violence might be supported, actively or passively, by other Sunni-dominated forces in the region, though it is not entirely unthinkable.

--IANS

scor/ksk/dan
New Delhi, April 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with a high-level delegation from the Governing Body of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday, marking a historic milestone for one of India's most prestigious educational institutions.

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with a high-level delegation from the Governing Body of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday, marking a historic milestone for one of Indiaas most prestigious educational institutions.

The meeting took place as the college celebrates its centenary year, a century defined by academic excellence and its significant role in shaping the country's economic and leadership landscape.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the institutionas founding, the Prime Minister released a special commemorative postage stamp.

The release of the stamp serves as a formal recognition of SRCCas enduring legacy since its establishment in 1926.

Over the decades, the college has evolved from a small commercial school into a premier center for commerce and economics education, consistently topping national rankings and producing a vast network of influential alumni, including global business leaders, senior civil servants, and prominent policymakers.

Sharing his thoughts on the meeting through a post on X, Prime Minister Modi lauded the institution's journey.

"Met a delegation consisting of the Governing Body of the Shri Ram College of Commerce, one of Indiaas most reputed educational institutions," the Prime Minister stated.

He further noted that the centenary is a significant occasion for the academic community and extended his best wishes for the college's future endeavours in nation-building.

The centenary celebrations, which have been on-going throughout the year, have seen a series of high-profile events, including alumni meets and academic symposiums.

The meeting with the Prime Minister underscores the college's national importance and its contribution to Indiaas human capital.

Members of the Governing Body expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for the gesture of the commemorative stamp, noting that it honors the dedication of the faculty, staff, and students who have been part of the SRCC journey over the last hundred years.

As SRCC enters its second century, the institution aims to continue its tradition of excellence while adapting to the evolving demands of the global economy, further solidifying its position as a cornerstone of Indian higher education.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (R) meets with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Gabala, Azerbaijan, April 25, 2026. (AZERTAC news agency via Xinhua)

BAKU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday he is ready to hold the next stage of negotiations with Russia in Azerbaijan, local media reported on Saturday.

He made the remarks following his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the Azerbaijani city of Gabala, Report news agency said, citing a press statement.

Zelensky noted that Ukraine is prepared to resume a trilateral negotiating format and conduct talks in Azerbaijan in the near future, recalling previous meetings held in Turkiye and Switzerland with U.S. participation. 

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (R) shakes hands with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Gabala, Azerbaijan, April 25, 2026. (AZERTAC news agency via Xinhua)
Patna, April 25 : The upcoming edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' is scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday (April 26), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar has intensified preparations to ensure its wide outreach.

A preparatory meeting was held at the state BJP office in Patna, with Mandal presidents and programme coordinators participating virtually to plan for the 133rd edition of the programme.

Addressing the meeting, state BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said that 'Mann Ki Baat' serves as a monthly platform through which the Prime Minister connects directly with citizens.

He emphasised that arrangements are being made to ensure that the programme is broadcast at every polling booth, enabling maximum public participation and outreach.

"Our objective is to take the Prime Minister's thoughts to every booth through organisational strength and public participation," he said.

Sanjay Saraogi said that one of the key features of 'Mann Ki Baat' is that it highlights and appreciates individuals doing exemplary work across various sectors of society, bringing their contributions to national attention.

State Organisation General Secretary Bhikhu Bhai Dalsaniya also joined the meeting virtually and provided guidance for the programme's execution.

The meeting included detailed discussions on event structure and execution, strengthening organisational coordination, and ensuring wider public participation.

State Vice President and programme coordinator Rajendra Singh, along with the state-level team, outlined strategies to make the event impactful.

'Mann Ki Baat' focuses mainly on national issues and public participation, campaigns like 'Vocal for Local' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and themes such as sanitation, women's empowerment, sports, science, art, and culture.

The programme has evolved into a key medium for direct communication between PM Modi and citizens, promoting the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).

The April 26 broadcast assumes significance as the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is approaching.
Gandhinagar, April 25 : The defection of seven Rajya Sabha members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified scrutiny of party's organisational strength in Gujarat, with rivals and dissenting voices questioning its claim of emerging as a 'third political force' in a state traditionally dominated by bipolar politics.

The MPs, including Sandeep Pathak and Raghav Chadha, joined the BJP on Friday, weakening AAP's presence in the Upper House and dealing a setback to its national leadership.

Pathak's exit is being viewed as particularly significant for Gujarat, where he served as the party's state in-charge and played a central role in building its organisational structure, overseeing candidate selection and grassroots expansion during the 2022 Assembly elections.

AAP secured around 14 per cent of the vote in the 2022 elections and won five seats -- Gopal Italia (Visavadar, later elected in a bypoll), Umesh Makwana (Botad), Hemant Khava (Jamjodhpur), Bhupat Bhayani (Visavadar, currently with the BJP) and Chaitar Vasava (Dediapada) -- marking its first legislative foothold in the state.

However, subsequent resignations and internal dissent have weakened cohesion, and its presence remains limited in the 182-member Assembly dominated by the BJP.

The developments come ahead of the local self-government elections on April 26, which cover multiple tiers including municipal corporations, municipalities and panchayats, with nearly 10,000 seats at stake.

In February this year, former AAP Gujarat farmer cell president Raju Karpada resigned from the party and joined the BJP, stating he wanted to "work more effectively for the welfare of farmers".

Botad MLA Umesh Makwana, who was suspended from AAP last year for "anti-party activities", linked the Rajya Sabha defections to what he described as a broader organisational decline.

"Following yesterday's development where seven Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP, AAP will be finished in Punjab as well as in Gujarat and Goa," he told IANS.

On the party's future in Gujarat, he added, "Regarding Gujarat, the party will be finished within the next couple of months."

He also predicted further defections, claiming that a prominent "poster boy" within the party would leave along with a significant number of leaders to join the BJP, adding that "the same senior figure (referring to Italia) would also take members of the Leuva-Patidar community with him".

Alleging internal sabotage, Makwana said, "Within the state leadership, BJP's men are in control and are sidelining effective leaders. They too will soon join the BJP."

He added, "The party does not get destroyed itself but some people within the party destroy the organisation. AAP does not have the skill of damage control."

Targeting the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, he said, "Arvind Kejriwal does not have the skill of identifying the individuals -- who's bad, who's good within the party. Some people are still in the party who are close to Kejriwal but are doing the work of BJP."

He further said: "Senior-most leaders will leave in the coming months," and rejected claims of electoral gains, stating, "Nothing like BJP will get defeated majorly in local body elections as they claim will happen."

On organisational readiness, Makwana said: "AAP could not even field 3,000 candidates for nearly 10,000 seats for local body elections. Many people shifted, withdrew the forms. AAP does not have the candidates here. How will they form the government?"

Referring to the suspension of AAP's social media accounts, he said, "Nothing happens without any proof. It's all legally taken actions. The broom needs to be used at home first and kick those people who are against the party."

Makwana also said: "My ideology still lies with AAP but I was suspended by the 'BJP men' inside the party. Those three-four people are brainwashing Arvind Kejriwal."

He added: "Arvind Kejriwal and others are thinking that this poster boy is working for the party but he's working to destroy the party," reiterating that the leader would join the BJP before the 2027 Assembly elections.

The BJP also dismissed AAP's claim of a three-cornered contest.

Speaking to IANS, Savarkundla MLA Mahesh Kaswala said: "Two-party politics is present in Gujarat. There's no third front in the state and people have never accepted any such attempt."

He further added, "There has always been BJP and Congress as two parties for decades. Even in the state legislative assembly there are five AAP MLAs, but no one is in their mind."

Congress leaders echoed similar views. Leader of Congress Legislative Party and MLA Tushar Chaudhary said: "In the coming local self-government elections, AAP has 3,000 candidates fighting... which is almost 30 per cent of nearly 10,000 seats. After this, AAP is going to decline immensely and will have no future at all. The party's existence will be diminished in Gujarat."

Congress spokesperson Dr. Manish Doshi said, "Kejriwal and his entire team used to say 'India Against Corruption'  now it's proven empty. Most members of his team were involved in corruption."

He added, "He built Sheesh Mahal and used government institutions for his PR just like BJP. There is no difference between Modi government and Kejriwal government."

Doshi further said, "AAP is the B-team of BJP. Raghav Chadha and others switched to BJP show that our statement and judgement was correct about AAP."

Speaking to IANS about the party's prospects in Gujarat, he said, "There are hardly two or three people left in the party in the state. Senior leaders are joining the BJP here and strengthening it, while Arjun Rathwa, a professor from Chhota Udepur district, has left AAP and joined Congress. Many others have also exited the party to join us here."

Responding to the criticism, AAP state general secretary Sagar Rabari said, "For the last 32 years, BJP is in power. Congress was in opposition. In 2022 Assembly elections, we received 14 per cent votes and five MLAs were elected."

"BJP is working to save their power. In the coming days, we will raise people's issues strongly," he told IANS.

On recent exits, he said, "People will come and go, but the party will fight for people," adding, "Regarding Sandeep Pathak's exit, I believe it's his personal decision. He will only tell what pressure he was under. He used to say things against the BJP with us."

He maintained, "Every leader in our party is proven by ideological that it is anti-BJP."

Despite AAP maintaining that Gujarat is witnessing a three-cornered contest, the combined impact of high-profile defections, internal dissent and mounting criticism has raised questions over its organisational durability.

With local body elections scheduled on Sunday (April 26) and further exits being predicted, the party faces a critical test of whether it can sustain its political relevance in the state.
Mumbai, April 26 : Indian Railway Service officer Sameer Wankhede, who attended a Hindu conference in Mumbai, told the news agency IANS that the programme is very commendable.a

He said that his primary focus has always been on initiatives aimed at de-addiction, and that when society unites on such critical issues, collective efforts, combined with effective law enforcement, can bring about meaningful change.a

Sameer Wankhede stated that he has also made an appeal to the Hindu community.a

He said that he has requested all those present, including attendees and religious leaders, to educate the public through religious scriptures, as the principles of de-addiction are enshrined in both Buddhism and Hinduism.a

He added that he has come to stand in support of the Hindu community and that if people come together, they can put a stop to this menace.a

He said that if 100 per cent implementation of the law and public awareness go hand in hand, they can successfully fight against drug abuse.a

He further remarked that the Hindu community constitutes a vast segment of the nationas population and that if awareness regarding the fight against drugs takes root within this community, drug peddlers will be unable to thrive within society.a

He noted that he has encountered such cases even during his tenure at the Narcotics Control Bureau.a

He added that those who supply narcotics to children must face severe punishment.

It is pertinent to mention that the Bombay High Court recently heard a petition seeking to quash (cancel) a First Information Report filed against Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede.a

This case stems from allegations that Wankhede demanded a bribe from superstar Shah Rukh Khan.a

During the hearing, Sameer Wankhede categorically denied all these allegations.a

He asserted that he had not demanded a bribe from Shah Rukh Khan, or anyone else, in connection with the Cordelia cruise drug case.a

It was in this very case that Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan, was arrested.a

Senior Counsel Abad Ponda represented Wankhede in court.a

He presented brief arguments before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman Shyam.a

Ponda informed the court that his client neither demanded money from anyone nor accepted any sum, as alleged in the Central Bureau of Investigation's First Information Report.a

He stated that no concrete evidence has been presented thus far in this case, which has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.a

a
Business

Wildfire Concerns Intensify Over Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan as Residents Question Evacuation Safety

As plans move forward for the proposed Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan, residents and local advocates are raising increasingly urgent questions about wildfire risk, evacuation safety, and the potential impact on surrounding communities.

Chris Little, President of the Rancho Cucamonga Preservation Society, is calling for greater transparency and public discussion regarding how a large-scale development in a known high fire hazard area would perform during a real-world wildfire event.

Rancho Cucamongas foothill region is no stranger to wildfire. The Etiwanda Fire burned more than 2,000 acres and forced the evacuation of approximately 1,650 homes. Notably, the location of that fire overlaps with the area proposed for the Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan.

That fire wasnt theoreticalit happened, said Little. Families were evacuated, neighborhoods were at risk, and emergency services were pushed to respond quickly. Now were talking about introducing thousands of additional homes into that same environment. Residents deserve clear answers about what happens the next timenot if, but whena wildfire occurs.

City planning documents identify the northern portions of Rancho Cucamonga as a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), where wildfire risk is elevated due to terrain, vegetation, and wind conditions. Recent destructive fires in areas such as Pacific Palisades have demonstrated how quickly fires can overwhelm even well-established communities.

In California, weve seen fires move faster, burn hotter, and impact more homes than ever before, Little added. The question isnt whether development can happenits whether its being planned with real-world wildfire conditions in mind.

Residents have raised concerns about evacuation routes, emergency access, and whether existing road networks could handle a large-scale evacuation involving both new and existing communities.

The Rancho Cucamonga Preservation Society emphasizes that these concerns extend beyond the proposed development footprint.

When you add thousands of homes in a high-risk area, the impact doesnt stop at the project boundary, said Little. It affects surrounding neighborhoods, evacuation timing, and overall public safety.

For informational purposes, Kristine Scott currently represents District 2 on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council, where development decisions and planning considerations continue to be evaluated.

David VanGorden, who is running for the Rancho Cucamonga City Council District 2 seat against incumbent Kristine Scott and candidate DeJonae Shaw, emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns directly.

This is about being honest with residents, said VanGorden. We all understand that growth will happen. The responsibility is making sure were not putting families in a position where they dont have clear, safe options during an emergency. These are questions that should be answered before decisions are finalized, not after.

Residents are encouraged to submit questions, concerns or comments by clicking Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan.
'Solo but Shared' Platform Wins Stevie Award for Innovative Mission to 'End the Solo Tax'

ERIE, Pa., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Roamate has been named a winner in the 24th Annual American Business Awards, earning a Bronze Stevie Award for its "Solo but Shared" travel platform. Recognized as a Startup of the Year in the Consumer Services Industry Category, Roamate is being celebrated for its innovative approach to dismantling the "Solo Tax"the financial penalty solo travelers pay for roaming aloneand for challenging the $1.2 trillion travel industry.

The American Business Awards are the premier business awards program in the United States. While more than 3,600 nominations were submitted across all categories this year, Roamate emerged as a standout for its impact on the travel sector. The awards are nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning crowned. Winners will be celebrated at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 9.

Roamate's nomination was praised by judges as an "excellent solution addressing a real problem with real impact," with the committee noting that the platform represents "necessary infrastructure" for the modern travel market. Judges specifically highlighted Roamate's intersection of human behavior and systems design, calling it a "brilliant consumer travel concept" that provides a solid foundation for long-term industry disruption.

"To have Roamate recognized by an organization that honors the world's largest and most established corporations is a true honor and a significant milestone for us," said Charli Sharp, Founder and CEO of Roamate. "The American Business Awards represent the gold standard of professional excellence, and being named a Startup of the Year validates the importance of our mission to End the Solo Tax. This award recognizes that our Solo but Shared model is the necessary innovation to ensure the right to explore isn't restricted by a tax on human difference."

More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners.

"Organizations across the United States continue to set a high standard for innovation and performance," said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. "The breadth and quality of nominations submitted to the 2026 American Business Awards reflect a dynamic and competitive business environment. We congratulate all of this year's Stevie Award winners and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at our June 9 awards ceremony in New York."

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2026 Stevie winners are available at www.ABA.StevieAwards.com.

About Roamate

Named a 2026 Stevie Award Startup of the Year, Roamate is an award-winning global travel platform redefining the way the world travels solo. Built to End the Solo Tax, Roamate is the first compatibility-based solo travel network designed to help travelers share costs and roam on their own terms. Through features including RoamList, RoamBoard, RoamPlanner, and optional Cleared to Roam verification, Roamate gives travelers greater freedom, flexibility, and control. Roamate is available worldwide on the Apple App Store and Google Play and is pioneering a new category of travel: solo but shared. Learn more at roamateapp.com.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes, as well as the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding workplace performance worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Supporting sponsors of The 2026 American Business Awards include Golden Hour Veterinary Telemedicine, Melissa Sones Consulting, Persistent, and SoftPro.

Media Contact

Roamate PR, Roamate, 1 7576756770, [email protected], roamateapp.com

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Teddy Wayne doesnt usually keep secrets from his wife. But he started to in summer 2024 while writing The Au Pair, a literary thriller about a middle-aged Brooklyn writer who cheats on his spouse with his kids hot Norwegian au pair, whos half his age. Waynes wife, the novelist Kate Greathead, didnt exactly love the books premiseso Wayne kept the plot under wraps as he wrote.

Kate was, as you can imagine, opposed to the project, says Wayne, 47, over Zoom from his apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The bad marriage, the cheatingnone of it appealed to her. We thought, Lets not have you read it until its sold. Because this might be a problem.

The couple, who have two children, ages six and seven, work out of their apartment: Wayne writes in the bedroom, Greathead in the living room. Its cozy, quotes around cozy, he says.

Having his wife in the next room as he wrote The Au Pair was awkward, he admits. But not as awkward as working on the book while he and his family were on a vacation with other relatives and their kids. I recall writing the most explicit scenes as the children were frolicking around, so that was weird. It took some compartmentalization. But prudishness would not have served this book well.

Wayne, a recipient of a Whiting Writers Award, is intrigued by stories of men in declinemen who are socially marginalized or past their prime, driven by lust and insecurity, or steeped in toxic masculinity. His seven books, most of which have been optioned or are in development for film and TV, have been translated into 11 languages and include Kapitoil, his 2010 debut; The Love Song of Jonny Valentine; The Great Man Theory; and The Winner.

The author, who also works as a screenwriter, calls The Au Pair, which will be out in June from Harper, a very self-aware male fantasy book. Part domestic suspense, part procedural and courtroom drama, it takes inspiration from the French film Anatomy of a Fall and offers a nod to Presumed Innocent. It follows Steven, 45, an insecure former-golden-boy literary writer whose last book was a commercial flop, and who cant sell his new one.

Steven is married to Lucy, an investment banker who supports him financially and has no idea he spends his days playing games on his phone instead of working. The couple hire an au pair, the enigmatic Astrid, to care for their two kids, and Steven and Astrid begin an affair. Astrid massages Stevens ego and compliments him on his writingsomething no one else does. The affair comes to a head when the family goes on a trip to the Catskills. Steven realizes he doesnt really know Astrid, and may not know his wife, or himself, all that well either.

I couldnt write a straight-up airport thriller if I tried, Wayne says. This is my compromisesomething grounded in psychology, in character, in prose thats enjoyable to read, but that moves at a thriller-like clip.

Wayne started writing The Au Pair as a short story that his film agents could sell as a piece of IP for him to adapt. Thats a cynical origin tale, he admits, but as soon as he began working on the story, he knew he wanted to turn it into a novelone that was cinematic, but more Nabokov than potboiler.

As I get older, I have less and less patience for a slow, deliberate novel, Wayne admits. I need to be entertained to read, and I dont think theres any shame in that.

Millicent Bennett, Waynes editor, describes him as a dedicated craftsman with great instincts. Im a hands-on, up-to-the-elbows kind of editor, and hes just as happy as I am to look at the impact of every single word, Bennett says. Hes passionate, and incredibly tuned into the zeitgeist.

Born in New York City and raised in Yonkers and the Bronx, Wayne was a sensitive child who sometimes felt like an outsider. I still recall boys in kindergarten being into G.I. Joes and wondering, Why would they be into this? he says.

He graduated from Harvard in 2001 with an English degree, and got his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis in 2007. He wrote a novel in the early 2000s that was never published (It was mediocre, he says)but the book got him an agent.

His debut, which he started in grad school, is about a programmer from Qatar who comes to N.Y.C. for work. It explores themes of isolation and globalization. Alienation and loneliness, Wayne says, remain the states Im most interested in as a writer.

Wayne is adept at getting into his characters heads, and connecting their lives to cultural moments. The Au Pair is in many ways a commentary on the state of publishing: it examines the plight of a literary novelist whos finding it harder to sell books or get noticed.

The position of the writer has been greatly marginalized since the days of Toni Morrison and Philip Roth, in favor of other art forms, but also online influencers and craven politicians, Wayne says. The writer no longer has as loud a megaphone as he or she once did. I, of course, think thats a shame. I find novelists, especially, often have a little bit more moral rectitude than the average wellness influencer on Instagram. Sadly, thats the world Stevens living in.

Jim Rutman, Waynes agent at Sterling Lord Literistic, notes that Waynes books offer a grand tour of male frailty and that nothing escapes his notice. Im always curious to know what weak spots Teddy is going to probe next, Rutman says. What vanities or punctured expectations hes going to be dealing with. Hes relentlessly incisive.

Now that hes in middle age, Wayne has a new set of anxieties to tap into. I play pickleball, and I started, for the first time in my life, getting a sports-related injury, he says. Im becoming the guy I never thought Id becomeone of these guys who have all this apparatus for around their body when they try to play sports.

Wayne is keeping his focus on writing. Late last year, when he finished The Au Pairwhich has since been optioned for filmhe finally showed it to his wife. To both of our great surprise, she loved it, he says. It might be her favorite book of mine.

In 20 years, perhaps his kids will read it, too. Theyll be horrified, he predicts. But hes okay with that.

Ive always wanted to write books that genuinely challenge and disrupt peoples ideas of what life looks like, he says. He makes no exceptions for family.

Elaine Szewczyks writing has appeared in McSweeneys and other publications. Shes the author of the novel Im with Stupid.
The Sudanese Civil War that began on April 15, 2023 always seemed to be in some other conflict's shadow. Early on, Western pundits wrote about which side was pro-Russia and which was pro-Ukraine (Russia actually helped both). Later in 2023 and beyond, the world's worst humanitarian crisis taking place in Sudan was buried by news from Gaza. It is not surprising that the one Sudanese event to break through the world's indifference was the bloody fall, after a long siege, of the North Darfur capital of El Fasher in October 2025. This came during a global lull in conflicts elsewhere  after Gaza but before the current Iran War. The upcoming April 15, 2026, Berlin Conference on humanitarian aid for Sudan is an effort to try to redirect the world's attention back to the conflict.

Land Of Perpetual War

Some of the indifference is, no doubt, due to the place. Africa almost always gets short shrift when it comes to global attention. Sudan is also a country that has been at war for almost its entire 70-year history, war against its own people. The first war  the so-called First Sudanese Civil War  broke out even before independence on January 1, 1956. That war, fought against South Sudanese, lasted from 1955 to 1972.

The Second Sudanese Civil War, also mostly against the South Sudanese but spreading elsewhere, raged from 1983 to 2005. The Darfur War, largely a brutal counter-insurgency, raged from 2003 to 2020. The latest war, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been the most destructive of Sudan's internal wars because much of it has been fought in areas that had avoided the other conflicts.

According to UN agencies, two-thirds of the country's population  33.7 million people  need humanitarian assistance in 2026. That dwarfs anything seen in Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran. Almost 14 million Sudanese have been uprooted by the fighting, becoming either refugees or internally displaced.

The war has raged back and forth with one side and then another making dramatic advances over a large country (15th-largest in the world). Inserted over a map of the Central United States, Sudan ranges from Chicago in the East to Albuquerque in the South West.

In a September 2023 analytical piece for MEMRI, I predicted that SAF, the Sudanese Army, would eventually gain the upper hand and that has seemed to happen slowly. After almost two years of fighting, in March 2025, SAF succeeded in finally expelling RSF from the greater Khartoum area, reclaiming a battered and deeply scarred capital.

Deeply Flawed Adversaries

More than 500 civilians, especially in Darfur and Kordofan, have been killed in drone strikes in early 2026 carried out by both factions. Both SAF and RSF are deeply flawed organizations, both guilty of many human rights abuses going back years. This is not surprising given that the two worked closely together (SAF plus the Janjaweed who form the core of the RSF) for decades, fighting rebels  and abusing locals  in Darfur, Kordofan and other areas. But the reason I thought that SAF would gain the upper hand was that even a bad institution, like the SAF, is better than no institution, i.e., RSF. Tyranny, some sort of order, will almost always trump chaos and the RSF have mostly been agents of chaos.

Often capable fighters, in the end the RSF have been nothing more than ambitious, rapacious raiders. Command and control among the RSF's widely dispersed units, made up of different ethnic groups, has never been fully solved. While Sudan's de facto ruler since 2019 General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has been able to project some sort of statesman-like figure on the global stage, his rival, the RSF commander General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (AKA "Hemedti") has often been invisible. There are plenty of videos of Al-Burhan celebrating with his victorious troops, I know of only one  early on in the war  of Hemedti in the field with his men.

RSF then can be said to have failed twice. First, after April 2023 they failed to present a credible alternative to SAF (or even to SAF-Islamist) rule. One can accept or reject it, but the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) under Dr. John Garang offered a plausible alternative program or worldview to that of Khartoum's Islamist rulers of the day.

That absence of both a real RSF program and an actual, positive lived reality on the ground was  regardless of events on the battlefield  the RSF's "original sin." Looting, slaughter, and depredation are not a program of governance and overwhelm anything that press releases and social media networks can churn out. The Ta'sees political coalition, dating from February 2025, is a late RSF effort  very late in the war  to provide just such an alternative political framework.

But even after this basic political failure, Hemedti could still have built a different persona by being a larger-than-life field commander. All the world loves a bold and victorious general even if his men turned out to be scoundrels. But, if anything, Hemedti's persona  or that which is managed by his handlers  seems to have shrunk. It is no surprise that, despite him appearing in various African capitals over the past years, some Sudanese believed that he was dead.

No Substitute For Military Victory

But what is to happen now in Sudan's fourth year of conflict? SAF wants victory by means of military conquest while RSF  which certainly would have liked the same thing  seeks to survive, to outlast SAF offensives and, at least, carve out a pseudo-state in Western Sudan. For RSF, a peace agreement or a ceasefire is a step toward recognition of a Janjaweed-dominated desert state. For SAF, a ceasefire or humanitarian pause risks depriving them of the fruits of victory they expect to ultimately win on the battlefield. They will never accept a further partition of Sudan.

Amb. Fernandez, who was Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum from 2007 to 2009.

Read the full piece on MEMRI.org here.
HOME > Storage Wars Instagram / Darrell Sheets

'Storage Wars' star Darrell Sheets dead from apparent suicide at 67

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/24/2026



star Darrell Sheets has passed away at age 67.



ADVERTISEMENT "We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our family, Darrell 'The Gambler' Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," a spokesperson for A&E said in a statement



The Lake Havasu City Police Department reportedly said in a press release that Darrell was found dead around 2AM local time on Wednesday, April 22 after officers responded to "a reported deceased individual."



Darrell died from an apparent suicide.



"Upon arrival, officers located a male subject who suffered from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," authorities said in a statement.



"The male was pronounced deceased on scene, and the Lake Havasu City Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene to assume the investigation."



The body was turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's office for further investigation and has since been identified as Darrell.



Darrell's family was therefore notified of his death.



The investigation into the incident is reportedly ongoing, with police asking people with information to come forward and contact the Lake Havasu City Police Department.



Darrell began starring on for Season 1 in 2010.



The show follows professional buyers bidding on unpaid storage lockers at auctions.



Darrell, who starred on with his son Brandon, earned the nickname "The Gambler" on the show. Darrell's catchphrase was, "This is the wow factor!"



Some of Darrell's biggest finds over the years included a large comic book collection, four drawings by Pablo Picasso, and a letter written by

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Darrell publicly spoke about some of his health issues prior to his death.



In 2019, Darrell shared via Instagram that he was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack.



"Well here we go I wasn't going to say anything, but you all have been the greatest friends and fans. 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 lung," he wrote at the time.



Darrell noted that he was going to need surgery and so prayers would be appreciated.



"Thank you for being there for me it's been a great ride #storagewars #Romney has been by my side through all of this she is a good women and I love her," he added of his then-fiance Romney Snyder.



Darrell left in 2023 and, in his retirement, opened an antique shop in Arizona called Havasu Show Me Your Junk.





About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS star Darrell Sheets has passed away at age 67."We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our family, Darrell 'The Gambler' Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," a spokesperson for A&E said in a statement obtained by People.The Lake Havasu City Police Department reportedly said in a press release that Darrell was found dead around 2AM local time on Wednesday, April 22 after officers responded to "a reported deceased individual."Darrell died from an apparent suicide."Upon arrival, officers located a male subject who suffered from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," authorities said in a statement."The male was pronounced deceased on scene, and the Lake Havasu City Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene to assume the investigation."The body was turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's office for further investigation and has since been identified as Darrell.Darrell's family was therefore notified of his death.The investigation into the incident is reportedly ongoing, with police asking people with information to come forward and contact the Lake Havasu City Police Department.Darrell began starring on for Season 1 in 2010.The show follows professional buyers bidding on unpaid storage lockers at auctions.Darrell, who starred on with his son Brandon, earned the nickname "The Gambler" on the show. Darrell's catchphrase was, "This is the wow factor!"Some of Darrell's biggest finds over the years included a large comic book collection, four drawings by Pablo Picasso, and a letter written by Abraham Lincoln that sold for over $15,000.Darrell publicly spoke about some of his health issues prior to his death.In 2019, Darrell shared via Instagram that he was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack."Well here we go I wasn't going to say anything, but you all have been the greatest friends and fans. 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 lung," he wrote at the time.Darrell noted that he was going to need surgery and so prayers would be appreciated."Thank you for being there for me it's been a great ride #storagewars #Romney has been by my side through all of this she is a good women and I love her," he added of his then-fiance Romney Snyder.Darrell left in 2023 and, in his retirement, opened an antique shop in Arizona called Havasu Show Me Your Junk. STORAGE WARS MORE STORAGE WARS NEWS << PRIOR STORY

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by Xinhua writer Shao Haijun

ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Soft spring sunlight filtered through a skylight into an art studio here on Friday afternoon, where visitors gathered for the First Sino-Dutch Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition.

Artists from China and the Netherlands presented their perspectives through diverse works, demonstrating how art can transcend language barriers and foster mutual understanding, particularly at a time of increasing geopolitical divisions.

Jointly organized by the EurAsian Culture Exchange Stichting (EACES) and the Orange Tree Art Project (TOT) Foundation, the exhibition features more than 30 works, including paintings and sculptures, by over 20 artists from China and the Netherlands. It opens to public from April 24 to May 17.

Among the works on display, a landscape painting by Dutch artist Francisca Tollenaar drew particular attention. The piece depicts a vivid scene of radiant sunlight, towering mountains, golden earth, winding paths, and clustered houses-her "impression of China".

"I don't know if it's accurate," she explained, "I have never visited China before". Tollenaar created the work while living in the mountains of France. "I listen to the mountains and feel connected to them, and they carry my imagination of China," she told the visitors.

In contrast to Tollenaar's imagined landscape, Chinese artist Song Jia offers a response rooted in contemporary reality. Her work, Meeting When the World Is Divided, reflects the fragmentation and uncertainty of nowadays' world through bold symbolism. Red and blue represent rationality and emotion, while two figures stand hand in hand against a fractured background. A circular element inspired by a traditional diabolo toy connects them.

"In a divided world, people need to hold hands even more," she said.

"We are interested in how individual experiences can be understood and felt across cultural contexts," said Henk de Bont, chief curator of the exhibition, emphasizing that the exhibition is not intended as a simple comparison of cultures, but as a platform for resonance.

Visitor Cai Jing, who carefully viewed each artwork and volunteered as an interpreter, described the experience as "more like a conversation across culture than a traditional exhibition," adding that "we can understand and inspire each other."

The exhibition also marks a new phase of institutional collaboration. At the opening ceremony, EACES and the TOT Foundation formally established a sister-organization partnership, committing to long-term cooperation in contemporary art and cultural exchange between China and Europe.

According to Anna Ramsair, founder of TOT, the foundation focuses on providing space and opportunities for contemporary artists while fostering connections both within and beyond the art world. EACES, founded in 2022, aims to promote artistic exchange between Asia and Europe, particularly between China and the Netherlands.

"We built mutual trust early on and wanted to continue working together. That's what led to this agreement," Ramsair said, noting that the two organizations had first connected several years ago and previously co-organized an exhibition in Beijing.

"We see this exhibition and cooperation agreement as a starting point for long-term dialogue between Chinese and Dutch artists," said Jan Stap, founder of EACES. "Art allows us to see the world from different perspectives. Through that process, understanding and connection emerge."

Looking ahead, Ramsair outlined plans to expand collaboration through artist residencies and joint exhibitions. "I would love to take a group of artists to China, especially to ceramic centers," she said. "I work with ceramics myself, and Chinese craftsmanship is exceptional--I want to learn from it firsthand. At the same time, we hope to bring Chinese artists here and exhibit their work. It's about creating together, in both places."

Stap also referenced a line written more than a century ago by British author Rudyard Kipling: "East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." At this exhibition in Rotterdam, "artists are offering a different answer through their work-one that suggests that while cultures may differ, understanding remains within reach." he noted. 
The US blockade on Iranian ports is aimed to curb Iranian energy exports, thereby crippling its economy to force Iran back to the negotiating table, points out Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

IMAGE: Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points US navy blockade in Strait of Hormuz targets Iranian oil exports, aiming to weaken Tehran's economy without full-scale war escalation.

Naval blockades involve complex operations including monitoring, interdiction, and enforcement, often facing legal scrutiny under international maritime law.

Iran has responded by asserting control over shipping routes, creating a de facto maritime exclusion zone in the strategic chokepoint.

High traffic density, asymmetric threats, and logistical constraints make enforcement of a blockade in narrow straits extremely challenging.

Global energy supply chains face disruptions, with rising freight costs, insurance premiums, and broader economic uncertainty due to tensions.

The media is abuzz with the blockade implemented by the US navy in the Strait of Hormuz.

There are mixed narratives emanating from the US and Iran projecting contradictory statements with the former highlighting the achievement of blockading Iranian ports and the latter claiming unilateral control over the movement of ships to and from the Strait.

There are also reports about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allowing friendly countries to transit through the Strait after seeking the IRGC's permission and even total closure of the Straits as on April 18.

The truth, however, lies hidden in the fog of war.

What Is A Naval Blockade?

Naval blockades are an act of war and are complex strategic operations that involve significant operational, legal and economic challenges, with the aim to restrict maritime access to target a nation's coast and cripple its economy or military capability.

Modern blockades are rarely total and focus on specific goods, requiring constant monitoring of high traffic areas and creating high risks of escalation.

A blockade works by positioning warships and aircraft/helicopters around an adversary's coast. Submarines also can be deployed in open oceans to achieve the objective.

In the West Asia context, the aim of the US navy is to restrict tankers carrying crude oil leaving Iranian ports and vessels entering the ports to load cargo thus weakening their economy without a full-scale invasion.

Types of Blockades

Close Blockade: This is an operation involving highest risk to the blockading force as they operate continuously at sea near the enemy coast, vulnerable to surface, underwater and air threats from the adversary.

The current US implemented blockade can be classified as a close blockade.

Distant Blockade: A safer approach for the blockader is to implement a blockade at a distance from the objective area.

This operation would be undertaken in open ocean and require many units to implement the intent.

Any blockade that the US navy would attempt at the seaward entrance of the Strait of Hormuz (Gulf of Oman/Oman Sea) would fall in this category.

Loose Blockade: A close blockade that positions behind the horizon to bait the adversary into exiting the port with the aim of intercepting the target using the element of surprise.

Total Blockade: The most severe form designed to completely shut down all entry/exit to a region.

Paper Blockade: A blockade that is announced but not effectively enforced is referred to as a paper blockade which is invalid under international law.

IMAGE: US President Donald John Trump at the White House, April 21, 2026. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/Reuters

How Does A Blockade Work?

Establishment & Monitoring: Naval forces establish patrol zones, deploying ships, aircraft/helicopters using radar and other sensors, satellite imagery and aerial surveillance to identify and monitor vessels in the area.

Interdiction: Blockading forces intercept, board and search incoming/outgoing ships.

Enforcement: Ships deemed to be violating the blockade are either turned back, boarded, or seized.

Strategic Aims Of A Blockade

Economic warfare: Starve the adversary of critical resources (oil, food and essential goods) to paralyse their economy and livelihood.

Military Restriction: Prevent supplies, troops and weapon systems from reaching the adversary.

Psychological Pressure: Demoralise the adversary's population and government by showcasing total isolation.

IMAGE: A view of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska as the USS Spruance conducts its interception in a location given as the north Arabian Sea, in this screen capture from a video released April 19, 2026. Photograph: CENTCOM/Handout via Reuters

Strategic US Aim For A Blockade In Hormuz

The US intent is to sever Iranian oil exports and penalise Tehran for interfering with maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, following failed ceasefire negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz is not controlled by a single entity: It is legally bordered by Iran and Oman, which hold sovereign rights over their coastal waters, but international law guarantees transit passage for global shipping.

Under international law (UNCLOS: United Nations Convention For Law of the Sea) both Iran and Oman control up to 12 nautical miles of sea room from their coastline.

During this conflict, Iran has turned this shared maritime route into a controlled area by attempting to regulate and even charge tolls on vessels passing through the Strait.

Maritime Exclusion Zone is closely linked to a blockade.

As of April 2026, and as a counter to the US blockading Iranian ports, the Strait of Hormuz is experiencing a severe, de facto maritime exclusion zone with Iranian forces restricting or blocking commercial ships from transiting through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US actions.

This action is legally contentious under the UNCLOS and Iran has imposed operational restrictions forcing vessels to follow alternate routes approved by the IRGC.

Comparison Of A Blockade And MEZ

The blockade differs from a MEZ (Military Exclusion Zone) in that the former involves blocking or even confiscating a target vessel carrying prohibited cargo whereas the latter aims to attacking the target vessel.

Blockades are strictly regulated under international law, and it must be effective, declared and impartial.

MEZ is generally not the subject of an explicit treaty and is often treated as a zone of danger.

Also, under international law, a MEZ does not inherently allow the use of force against neutral ships outside territorial waters.

In modern context, a MEZ has largely replaced the physical blockade allowing for larger area coverage and better efficiency.

MEZ can also be declared prior to enforcing a formal blockade.

IMAGE: An F-35B Lightning II prepares for night operations aboard the USS Tripoli in the Arabian Sea, April 13, 2026. Photograph: Kind courtesy US CENTCOM on X

Complexities Of A Naval Blockade In Strait of Hormuz

Naval blockades are complex, high stakes maritime operations that function as a form of economic warfare.

Their execution involves significant logistical, legal and operational challenges often subjected to intense international scrutiny and severe economic impact on global shipping.

Enforcement Challenges: Enforcement of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz implies severe operational, legal and economic complications. It requires huge manpower and resources.

These waterways are crucial for global trade and restricting movement of ships leads to rapid escalation of conflicts, intense logistical challenges for the blockading force and major disruptions to the global energy supply.

The current blockade in the Strait of Hormuz face additional challenges of heavy maritime traffic where it is impossible to board, inspect and redirect every ship in such a manner that smooth movement of trade is not affected.

The sheer volume of commercial traffic makes it nearly impossible to stop every vessel for investigation.

Dark fleet/Ghost ship problem: Non cooperative vessels frequently use GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) spoofing, false port records, false cargo manifest, false vessel registration records and AIS (Automatic Identification System) blackouts to evade detection and identification.

Asymmetry of Naval strength: An effective blockade is only feasible when the blockading power has a vastly superior naval force compared to the opponent.

In the current scenario, the US has a superior force undoubtedly, but this force is vulnerable to mines, unmanned craft attacks, shore based anti-ship missile batteries to name a few.

Narrow straits allow defenders to use swarm tactics with small fast attack crafts which are difficult to counter.

Limited Maneuvering Room: Blockading US force have limited space in the Strait to maneuver increasing the danger of accidents due to the restricted sea room.

Logistics difficulties: Sustenance of ships and crew at sea for long periods far from shore support makes the operation logistically complex.

Mine Warfare: The deployment of naval mines ranging from contact based to advanced magnetic, acoustic, pressure and combinations makes detection difficult and presents severe danger to all ships.

This threat can only be countered by specialised mine countermeasures operations which is slow and time consuming.

International Law & Legal Risks

Legality: A blockade must be formally declared, officially notified and applied with impartiality.

Neutrality Rights: Interdiction of neutral ships can create huge legal risks for ship owners as it leads to conflict with international freedom of navigation principles elaborated in UNCLOS.

Humanitarian Concerns: Blockades that cause severe civilian starvation or violate humanitarian law (blocking food/medical aid are regarded as illegal.

Global Economic impact

Chokepoint sensitivity: Blockades in vital navigational straits such as Hormuz directly impact global energy supplies and disrupt the movement of vital cargo such as fertilizers and essential goods.

Rising Freight Costs: Insurance premiums often spike to prohibitive levels due to war risk insurance and commercial ships are forced to take longer routes thereby increasing fuel consumption resulting in high freight costs.

Supply Chain Disruptions: Even a partial blockade can cause severe port congestion and threaten global food and economic security to the region.

Limitations of Effectiveness of Blockade

Effectiveness: Blockades rarely produce immediate results and are often used as tools for gradual economic pressure rather than swift military victory.

Substitution by alternate modes: Targeted nations find ways to import/export through alternate sources by land routes limiting total isolation the blockade seeks.

Might is Right Scenario: If the enforcing power is not bound by or ignores UNCLOS, the enforcement becomes a geopolitical contest reducing the effectiveness of international law and third-party intervention/mediation.

IMAGE: A map of Strait of Hormuz is seen in this illustration taken April 15, 2026. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters

Other Factors

The US has embarked this conflict with multiple aims and objectives viz destroying Iran's nuclear infrastructure and enrichment capability, seizing uranium stockpile, capping their nuclear programme, destroying missiles/drone stocks and the ability to replenish them and cutting off Iran's support to proxy groups in the region.

Although these facets may not directly impact the effectiveness of the blockade, but indirectly it may determine the duration of the blockade.

Also, execution of multiple aims in a conflict may stretch the availability of resources and logistics that is paramount to achieving an effective blockade.

Effectiveness of a blockade is also indirectly linked to the third front war between Israel and Lebanon, total lack of international support to the US operations and the lack of convergence on the terms/conditions projected by the US and Iran in peace negotiations.

The US blockade on Iranian ports is aimed to curb Iranian energy exports, thereby crippling its economy to force Iran back to the negotiating table.

While the US navy has successfully intercepted vessels and maintained a firm presence, success remains uncertain as the blockade hinges on high stakes with global ramifications which could lead to a long-term war of attrition.

Iran has retaliated by closing the Strait and attempting to maintain its own control over ship traffic.

The current situation involves significant military risks with potential for further escalation unless and until both sides agree to reach a consensus during future peace negotiations.

Commodore Venugopal Menon served in the Indian Navy for 29 years in operational roles, including commands at sea, and training and staff assignments at Naval HQ.

In addition to the staff and war courses in the Indian Navy, he underwent the executive course at the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Honolulu.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
In a major crackdown, Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked 12 drug kingpins under the NDPS Act in Anantnag, signalling a strong stance against drug trafficking.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Jammu and Kashmir Police booked 12 narco kingpins under the NDPS Act in Anantnag.

The crackdown is part of a sustained effort against drug abuse and trafficking in the region.

The individuals detained are repeat offenders involved in drug peddling.

The drug peddlers posed a serious threat to public health and safety in Anantnag.

The crackdown was carried out with approval from the Executive Magistrates.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday has booked 12 narco kingpins under the NDPS Act in Anantnag district, an official said.

Crackdown on Drug Peddlers in Anantnag

In a sustained crackdown against drug abuse and trafficking, the police detained 12 repeat drug peddlers and subsequently lodged them in Subsidiary Jail Kehribal, Anantnag, a police spokesman said.

He said these individuals, identified as habitual offenders involved in drug peddling and related activities, posed a serious threat to public health and safety.

Despite prior actions, they continued to engage in the illicit narcotics trade, prompting strict preventive measures, the spokesman said.

The crackdown was carried out with due approval from the competent Executive Magistrates, the spokesman added.
A senior woman advocate was brutally stabbed in Delhi's Sonia Vihar, leading police to launch a manhunt for her absconding husband as the prime suspect.

Key Points A senior woman advocate was stabbed in Sonia Vihar, Delhi.

Police have identified the victim's husband as the primary suspect in the stabbing.

The accused husband is currently absconding, and police are conducting raids to apprehend him.

The injured advocate is receiving treatment at AIIMS after being initially hospitalised.

An investigation is underway at Khajuri Khas police station to determine the motive and circumstances of the attack.

A 38-year-old senior advocate woman was allegedly stabbed in northeast Delhi's Sonia Vihar area, with police identifying her husband as the accused, who is currently absconding, an official said on Saturday.

Investigation into Delhi Stabbing Incident

The incident was reported late on Wednesday in Sonia Vihar. Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot and found the woman injured, who was initially taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital and later referred to GTB Hospital. She is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS, police said.

Police Efforts to Apprehend Suspect

A case has been registered at Khajuri Khas police station, and an investigation has been initiated. Preliminary findings suggest that the victim's husband is involved in the attack, police said.

Police teams have conducted multiple raids to trace the accused, who remains at large. Efforts are underway to apprehend him. Further investigation into the case is in progress, police said.
The Allahabad High Court has strongly defended the rights of consenting adults by quashing an FIR against a married couple, rebuking police interference in consensual relationships.

Key Points Allahabad High Court quashed an FIR against a married couple, asserting the rights of consenting adults.

The court criticised the police for registering FIRs in consensual marriage cases instead of focusing on other crimes.

The High Court emphasised that adults have the right to choose where to live and whom to marry.

The court directed the Uttar Pradesh DGP to take remedial action in cases involving consensual marriages.

The court issued a mandamus preventing the woman's father from disturbing the couple's matrimonial life.

The Allahabad High Court has quashed an FIR lodged against a married couple observing that the police are doing a great disservice by registering FIRs and chasing young couples who have married of their own free will.

Court Upholds Constitutional Rights

A bench of justices J J Munir and Tarun Saxena also asserted that a message should go out now to every citizen in the country that the age of majority has to be respected and so also the constitutional culture.

Criticism of Police Action

Criticising the police action or trend in registering FIRs and investigating consensual marriages instead of probing other crimes, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh DGP to take remedial action in such cases.

The court observed that no one has the right to tell a major where he or she will stay or with whom he or she will live, marry or spend his or her life.

Details of the Case

In the present matter, the adult couple had moved the high court challenging an FIR lodged by the woman's father against the man under Section 87 Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in Saharanpur.

The woman had married out of her own free will. The section 87 of BNS criminalizes kidnapping, abducting or inducing a woman to compel her marriage or force her into illicit intercourse.

Taking note of the facts of the case, as well as the marriage certificate issued by the Uttarakhand government, the court remarked that for a missing complaint, the police should not have lodged the FIR.

After interacting with the woman, who indicated that she wished to stay with her husband, the court termed the FIR a "serious inroad into personal liberty of both the petitioners".

Court's Stern Message

In a stern message to the father, as well as to the general public, the high court stressed that the Constitution does not permit an adult, whatever the relationship to dominate or rule over the will of another adult who is a major under the law.

Taking exception to the role of the police in similar cases, the court strongly remarked, "Of course, the case of a child, who is not a major is different. The police are doing great dis-service by registering FIRs such as these and more than that, chasing the young couple, sometimes with ulterior motive to forcibly separate them and send back the bride to the parents or her family. These actions are absolutely illegal and some of them are offences."

While directing the DGP to take remedial action in such cases and quashing the FIR, the court in its decision dated April 21 issued a mandamus to the respondents including the girl's father not to enter the matrimonial home of the petitioners or disturb their peaceful matrimonial life in any manner whatsoever.
The Allahabad High Court has strongly defended the rights of consenting adults to marry freely, quashing an FIR and directing police to cease interfering in such unions.

Key Points Allahabad High Court quashed an FIR against a married couple, asserting the right of adults to marry of their own free will.

The court criticised the police for registering FIRs in consensual marriage cases instead of focusing on other crimes.

The High Court emphasised that no one has the right to dictate where an adult stays, whom they marry, or how they live their life.

The court directed the Uttar Pradesh DGP to take remedial action in cases involving consensual marriages.

The High Court issued a mandamus preventing the woman's father from disturbing the couple's matrimonial life.

The Allahabad High Court has quashed an FIR lodged against a married couple observing that the police are doing a great disservice by registering FIRs and chasing young couples who have married of their own free will.

Court Upholds Constitutional Rights

A bench of justices J J Munir and Tarun Saxena also asserted that a message should go out now to every citizen in the country that the age of majority has to be respected and so also the constitutional culture.

Criticism of Police Action

Criticising the police action or trend in registering FIRs and investigating consensual marriages instead of probing other crimes, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh DGP to take remedial action in such cases.

The court observed that no one has the right to tell a major where he or she will stay or with whom he or she will live, marry or spend his or her life.

Details of the Case

In the present matter, the adult couple had moved the high court challenging an FIR lodged by the woman's father against the man under Section 87 Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in Saharanpur.

The woman had married out of her own free will. The section 87 of BNS criminalizes kidnapping, abducting or inducing a woman to compel her marriage or force her into illicit intercourse.

Taking note of the facts of the case, as well as the marriage certificate issued by the Uttarakhand government, the court remarked that for a missing complaint, the police should not have lodged the FIR.

After interacting with the woman, who indicated that she wished to stay with her husband, the court termed the FIR a "serious inroad into personal liberty of both the petitioners".

Court's Stern Message

In a stern message to the father, as well as to the general public, the high court stressed that the Constitution does not permit an adult, whatever the relationship to dominate or rule over the will of another adult who is a major under the law.

Taking exception to the role of the police in similar cases, the court strongly remarked, "Of course, the case of a child, who is not a major is different. The police are doing great dis-service by registering FIRs such as these and more than that, chasing the young couple, sometimes with ulterior motive to forcibly separate them and send back the bride to the parents or her family. These actions are absolutely illegal and some of them are offences."

While directing the DGP to take remedial action in such cases and quashing the FIR, the court in its decision dated April 21 issued a mandamus to the respondents including the girl's father not to enter the matrimonial home of the petitioners or disturb their peaceful matrimonial life in any manner whatsoever.
Despite US envoys visiting Pakistan for Iran-related discussions, Iran's foreign ministry has refuted claims of planned talks with the United States during its delegation's visit to Islamabad.

IMAGE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi meets Pakistans Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 25, 2026. Photograph: Seyed Abbas Araghchi via Telegram/Handout/Reuters

Key Points Iran's Foreign Ministry denies any planned talks with the United States during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Islamabad.

Abbas Araghchi is in Pakistan to discuss regional peace efforts with Pakistani leaders.

The visit occurs amid US envoys' planned trip to Pakistan for discussions related to Iran.

Iran's observations will be conveyed to Pakistan, but no direct meeting with the US is scheduled.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday met Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad, as Islamabad continued its efforts to facilitate engagement between the US and Iran.

The meeting, according to a short video posted by the Iranian embassy on social media, was also attended by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, and ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam.

The Pakistani side included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other officials.

Araghchi calls on Munir, the embassy said in the video caption.

It did not provide further details about the discussions.

Iran's Diplomatic Engagements in Pakistan

Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday for engagements with the Pakistani leadership. He was received by senior officials, including Munir, foreign minister Ishaq Dar and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.

However, there is no clarity on whether direct talks between Washington and Tehran will take place during the visit.

"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," Baqaei said in a social media post on Saturday.

Araghchi, before leaving for Islamabad, said that he was embarking on a timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, and the purpose of his visits is to "closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments".

"Our neighbours are our priority," he said.

Araghchi is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

IMAGE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi talks with Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Photograph: Seyed Abbas Araghchi via Telegram/Handout/Reuters

US Team To Reach Pakistan

As the Iranian team landed in Islamabad, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's adviser Jared Kushner would be leaving for Pakistan on Saturday "to engage in direct talks" with representatives of the Iranian delegation.

However, the US team has not yet arrived.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar, in a social media post, expressed hope for "meaningful engagements" between the two warring parties to promote regional peace and stability.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar spoke late Friday night with Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and discussed efforts being facilitated by Pakistan to launch a new round of negotiations between the US and Iran.

"The two leaders discussed the ongoing diplomatic efforts being facilitated by Pakistan, and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. They emphasised the importance of sustained engagement to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," the Foreign Office said in a social media post on Saturday.

The US-Iran Peace 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.

On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.

The Iran war began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes.
Police in Assam have arrested two individuals following an armed robbery at a doctor's residence in Nagaon, where the doctor and his wife were attacked, prompting a thorough investigation into the crime.

Key Points Two people have been arrested in connection with the armed robbery at a doctor's residence in Nagaon, Assam.

The doctor and his wife were attacked during the robbery, with the wife sustaining critical injuries.

Police are investigating the involvement of five people in the crime and have gathered important leads.

The family alleges a previous theft at the same house and suspects possible political rivalry behind the attack.

Two persons were arrested on Saturday in connection with the armed robbery at a doctor's residence in Assam's Nagaon district, police said.

Investigation Underway After Violent Robbery

Five people are believed to have been involved in the crime, and investigators have gathered important leads, they said.

"A breakthrough will be made soon. We cannot reveal further details at the moment in the interest of the investigation," SSP Partha P Das said.

Details Of The Attack On The Doctor's Family

Doctor Ranjit Saikia and his wife Ruprekha were allegedly attacked with iron rods during the robbery at their residence in the early hours of Friday. Their seven-year-old son was unharmed.

Police said Saikia is in stable condition, while Ruprekha remains critical and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Guwahati.

Police Response And Previous Incidents

Inspector General of Police Shivaprasad Ganjawala visited the crime scene on Friday night, while a forensic team collected evidence earlier in the day.

The family claimed a theft had taken place at the same house a few months ago. Valuables worth around Rs 27 lakh were stolen, and the accused were later arrested.

They also alleged possible political rivalry behind the latest attack, claiming that Saikia had links with the local Congress candidate.
Kerala police have launched an investigation into an alleged child marriage in Kasaragod, booking four individuals including the girl's father and the alleged groom, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat child marriage in India.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Kerala police are investigating an alleged child marriage involving a 16-year-old girl in Kasaragod.

Four individuals have been booked, including the girl's father, a panchayat member, a cleric, and the alleged groom.

The marriage was reportedly solemnised at a mosque, and the groom has since left for South Korea.

Police are examining CCTV footage and will be questioning witnesses as part of the investigation.

A case has been registered against the organisers of an alleged child marriage in this district, police said on Saturday.

Four persons, including the father of a 16-year-old girl, Padna panchayat member P K Thajuddin, a cleric of Azhikkal Juma Masjid, and Sabir (28), who allegedly married the girl, have been booked by Chandera police station, they added.

Police said the case was registered after the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer received a complaint that the minor girl from Valiyaparamba had been married off to Sabir, solemnised at the mosque on April 13. After the wedding, Sabir later left for South Korea, where he is employed, police said.

Investigation Details of the Child Marriage Case

The Child Marriage Prohibition Officer subsequently filed a report in a magistrate's court, which directed police to register a case and conduct an investigation.

Officials said Thajuddin was made an accused as he allegedly took the initiative to solemnise the marriage in his capacity as secretary of the mosque.

Police noted that he also heads a committee formed at the panchayat level to prevent child marriages.

Denials and Further Steps in the Investigation

The girl's parents and the other accused have denied that any such marriage took place, police said.

As part of the investigation, statements from persons suspected of having witnessed the ceremony will be recorded, and CCTV footage from the mosque will be examined.

The accused will be summoned soon for detailed questioning, police added.
BELGRADE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Classroom at the Philological High School in the Serbian capital Belgrade was filled with joy this weekend, as students, teachers and guests gathered to celebrate International Chinese Language Day and the 30th anniversary of the school's Chinese language program.

The students staged a series of performances on Friday afternoon for the celebration, including practicing Tai Chi, reciting favorite passages of The Analects of Confucius and explaining their meanings in Serbian.

The students also sang popular Chinese songs, blending classical dance with modern music, displaying the younger generation's enthusiasm and creativity in learning Chinese.

Tatjana Sukovic who joined the teaching team in 1999 has witnessed the program's growth. "Teaching resources are richer now, and learning Chinese has become much easier," she said.

"Since the first year, students systematically learn about Chinese history and culture," Sukovic said, noting that the team has placed great emphasis on cultural understanding, and many students develop a strong interest in China within just a month.

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming said language education helps strengthen mutual understanding between Serbia and China.

Dragana Cecez-Iljukic, principal of the Philological High School, said the program has consistently attracted high-performing students with a strong interest in Chinese culture. Graduates are now working in embassies, cultural institutions and academia around the world, she said.

With support from the Chinese Embassy and educational institutions, the school has continued to expand its curriculum and teaching resources. The Confucius Classroom, established in 2018, has enabled more students outside the program to access Chinese language courses and cultural activities. 
A clash in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, erupted after alleged casteist remarks were made during a Dalit wedding procession, leading to detentions and a police investigation.

Key Points A clash erupted in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after alleged remarks targeting a Dalit wedding procession.

The incident occurred in Lai Kheda village when a wedding procession from Bareilly arrived at a Dalit household.

Rajpal Yadav allegedly made a disparaging remark about Dalits taking out wedding processions, leading to an argument and scuffle.

Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Rajpal Yadav and his son Sumit have been detained and are being questioned in connection with the incident.

Two persons have been detained after a clash broke out allegedly over remarks targeting a Dalit family's wedding procession in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred in Lai Kheda village under Tilhar police station area, where a wedding procession from Bareilly had arrived at a Dalit household on April 20.

According to SP Saurabh Dixit, when the procession was near the house of Rajpal Yadav, he allegedly made a remark saying "Now, Dalits will also take out wedding processions riding a buggy", leading to an argument. Yadav's side allegedly turned aggressive, escalating the conflict further.

Police Intervention and FIR Details

Police said a scuffle ensued between the two sides. Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and ensured that the procession was conducted peacefully after the incident.

An FIR was registered on Friday against Rajpal Yadav, Sumit, Amit, Surendra, Avdhesh Yadav and five unidentified persons based on a complaint. Rajpal Yadav and his son Sumit have been taken into custody and are being questioned, Dixit said.

Legal Provisions and Ongoing Investigation

The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, police said.

Dixit said preliminary findings suggest that Yadav, too, was hosting a function and processions from both sides had arrived around the same time. A dispute may have initially arisen due to a narrow passage and attempts to move the processions quickly.

Police have registered the case under relevant sections of the BNS and initiated further probe, officials said.
A Delhi confectioner was brutally attacked with an electric grinder after demanding payment for an unpaid wedding bill, leading to arrests and a police investigation.

Key Points A Delhi confectioner was attacked with an electric grinder over a financial dispute.

The dispute stemmed from an unpaid bill of Rs 2 lakh for catering a wedding function.

Police have arrested Ajay Pal and detained two minors in connection with the assault.

The victim, Lokesh Gupta, sustained grievous injuries and is receiving treatment at AIIMS.

The incident occurred in Vijay Enclave under the Dabri police station limits.

A confectioner's hands were lacerated with an electric grinder over a financial dispute, police said on Saturday, adding that a man has been arrested and two minors have been apprehended in the case.

The incident occurred on Friday evening in Vijay Enclave under the Dabri police station limits.

Details Of The Attack

"We got a call at 8:30 pm reporting that a man had been grievously assaulted and his hands had been cut using a grinder. A police team immediately rushed to the spot and found Lokesh Gupta (32), a resident of Vijay Enclave, lying in a severely injured condition, bleeding profusely," a police officer told PTI.

Gupta, who works as a confectioner (halwai) and also provides tent services, had recently catered for a wedding function organised by Ajay Pal. The function, held on April 20, had a total bill of Rs 2.5 lakh, out of which nearly Rs 2 lakh remained unpaid, he said.

The Dispute And Assault

Police said that Gupta had gone to Pal's residence to demand his pending payment when a heated argument broke out.

"During the confrontation, Ajay Pal, along with two to three associates, attacked Gupta. They caught hold of him, took him to the roof of the house and inflicted deep cuts on his hands using a power grinder," the officer said.

Investigation And Arrests

The victim was initially rushed to a nearby private facility, but due to the severity of his injuries, he was referred to AIIMS for advanced treatment.

Doctors confirmed that the injuries were grievous and caused by a sharp-edged weapon.

Police said they have collected evidence from the scene and recorded the victim's statement. A case has been registered, and further investigation was immediately launched.

"Ajay Pal (53) has been arrested in connection with the case, while two juveniles have been detained. Efforts are on to identify and apprehend others who participated in the attack," the officer added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said that the assault stemmed from a financial dispute and assured that strict action would be taken against all those involved.
A Kannur court has denied anticipatory bail to a doctor accused of abetting the suicide of a student at Kannur Dental College, while granting bail to another faculty member implicated in the case.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Kannur court rejects anticipatory bail for Dr. M K Ram, accused of abetting student Nithin Raj's suicide.

Another faculty member, Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar, was granted anticipatory bail in the same case.

The prosecution alleges Dr. Ram instigated a complaint against the student regarding a loan app, leading to the suicide.

The court noted statements describing Dr. Ram as 'harsh, strict and humiliating' towards students.

The court observed no witness stated Dr. Ram used caste slurs against the deceased, impacting the SC/ST Act charges.

A court on Saturday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the main accused doctor in connection with the death of a student at Kannur Dental College, while granting relief to another faculty member.

Kannur District and Principal Sessions Court in-charge Judge Vimal J rejected the anticipatory bail petition of prime accused Dr M K Ram, former head of the Anatomy Department at Kannur Dental College, a private management institution in Anjarakandy.

Another faculty member, Dr Sangeetha Nambiar, was granted anticipatory bail.

First-year BDS student Nithin Raj was found dead on April 10 after falling from a building on the college campus in a suspected suicide.

Though police initially registered a case of unnatural death, they later arraigned Ram and Nambiar on charges of abetment of suicide and under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act after Raj's family alleged that he had been harassed by faculty members on the basis of caste and complexion.

Kannur Cyber Police subsequently registered a separate case after it emerged that Raj had borrowed money through a loan app and that its operators had contacted his teacher, who then complained to college authorities.

Following Raj's death, both Ram and Nambiar went into hiding and approached the court seeking anticipatory bail.

During the hearing, Ram denied harassing Raj on the basis of caste or complexion.

He contended that Raj was "weak in studies" and that he had only advised him to improve, as his internal marks were very low.

Ram further claimed that Raj was under pressure due to harassment by loan app operators and denied any role in the student's death.

Ram also claimed that he belongs to the Bajethri community in support of his contention that provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act could not be invoked against him.

However, the prosecution opposed the claim, contending that the Bajethri community is classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) and alleging that the accused had attempted to mislead the court on his caste status.

Nambiar maintained that she had no involvement in the case and had never harassed Raj in any manner.

The prosecution opposed the bail pleas of both faculty members.

It is submitted that Ram was present in the vicinity of the Principal's room around the relevant time before the student's death.

Relying on CCTV visuals just before the death of Raj, the prosecution alleged that Ram had instigated a teacher named Latha to lodge a complaint against Raj over the loan app matter and that the alleged instigation ultimately drove the student to commit suicide.

Court's Observations on the Kannur Student Suicide Case

The court observed that whether the deceased was driven to commit suicide due to threat, intimidation or harassment was a matter to be ascertained during investigation and that several surrounding circumstances required detailed examination.

Referring to statements of three students recorded during the investigation, the court said Ram was described as "harsh, strict and humiliating" in class.

"It is specifically stated that he had the habit of knocking the heads of students who failed to answer questions in class. He also regularly imposed fines on students for not bringing textbooks and used insulting language against students generally," the court noted.

The court also referred to an altercation on March 13, 2026, after Raj allegedly failed to bring his parents to a PTA meeting.

During the quarrel, Ram allegedly criticised Raj's answer sheet, termed his answers irrelevant, called him "the worst dog", and questioned how he had secured admission, the order said.

According to the court, Raj reacted angrily by saying, "I don't want to study in this college," before leaving the class.

Details of the SC/ST Act Allegations

The court noted that no witness had stated that Ram used caste slurs or casteist remarks against the deceased.

"There is no whisper of a statement from any witness to the effect that the first accused used caste slurs or casteist remarks to attack the deceased," the court observed.

It further observed that the statements suggested Ram did not specifically target Raj and that his alleged behaviour was common towards all students.

"Therefore, there is nothing on record to prima facie indicate that the verbal abuse by the first accused was motivated solely by the fact that the deceased belonged to a Scheduled Caste," the court said.

Similarly, while examining the records against Nambiar, the court observed that there were no allegations against her in the witness statements.

"None of the witnesses has stated that Nambiar used any caste name or slur against any of the students," the court observed.

Court's Decision on Anticipatory Bail

Denying anticipatory bail to Ram, the court said, "Questioning the first accused is absolutely necessary for the effective progress of the investigation."

At the same time, the court noted that there appeared to be some substance in the contention that there had been an excessive media trial in the case.

It reminded the media that it was bound by the law laid down by the Full Bench of the Kerala High Court and could not express definitive opinions regarding the guilt or innocence of any party, directing that reporting should remain fair and measured.

Granting anticipatory bail to Nambiar, the court directed that in the event of her arrest, she be released on bail on executing a bond of Rs 50,000 with two solvent sureties.
Delhi Police are meticulously recreating the crime scene to unravel the sequence of events in the tragic rape and murder of an IRS officer's daughter, as the investigation delves into the accused's psychological state and motives.

IMAGE: Accused Rahul Meena being brought to Amar Colony Police Station in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers daughter murder case in Delhi, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI video grab

Key Points Delhi Police recreate the crime scene in the alleged rape and murder case of an IRS officer's daughter.

The victim's stolen iPhone has been recovered, and a potency test has been conducted as part of the investigation.

The accused, a former domestic help, allegedly used his familiarity with the house to commit the crime.

A psychological assessment of the accused is planned to evaluate his mental state and behavioural patterns.

The accused showed no remorse and stated the murder 'just happened' after the victim refused to give him money.

Crime scene recreation is underway at the southeast Delhi residence where the alleged rape and murder of the 22-year-old daughter of a senior IRS officer took place on April 22.

Police sources on Saturday said that as part of the ongoing probe into the case, the investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events.

The iPhone stolen from the victim has been recovered from a park, while police have also conducted a potency test as part of the rape investigation, said the source.

"Crime and forensic teams have been recreating the sequence of events inside the house for the past two hours and the exercise is still underway to establish how the crime unfolded," the source said.

Access to the house has been cordoned off, and heavy security has been deployed in and around the premises.

Accused Used Familiarity With House

The 22-year-old woman, an engineering graduate and UPSC aspirant, was raped and murdered at her residence in southeast Delhi's Kailash Hills locality on Wednesday morning.

This comes after investigators found that the accused, Rahul Meena, who had been a domestic help at the residence, used his familiarity with the house layout and access points to enter the flat.

He allegedly went to the rooftop study room where the woman was studying, attacked her with a heavy object, raped her and dragged her downstairs to use her fingers to open a biometric locker and steal cash.

The autopsy confirmed strangulation as the cause of death and found multiple injuries, including a nasal bone fracture, indicating a struggle.

Accused Remorseless After Murder

"He fled after changing clothes and slippers, and reached Palam Railway Station to catch a train to Rewari in Haryana. When he failed to catch the train, he booked a hotel in Dwarka, from where he was arrested. More than Rs 1 lakh in cash and stolen jewellery were recovered from his possession," police officer said.

As part of the probe, police took the accused to Palam railway station, where he had first gone after the crime, and will also take him to the Dwarka hotel where he stayed briefly before being arrested, sources said.

Investigations have also revealed that Meena was known for aggressive behaviour in his native village in Rajasthan.

"During the inquiry, we came to know that Meena and his father were known in their village for their aggressive behaviour. Our team is there. They are told that his father is an alcoholic and Meena is addicted to online games," a police source said.

Psychological Assessment Planned

Sources said police are planning a detailed psychological assessment of the accused to evaluate his mental state and behavioural patterns, noting that he has exhibited psychopathic tendencies and a history of violent conduct.

"Police are now planning a detailed psychological assessment of the accused," a source said.

He said Meena was addicted to online betting and card games such as "teen patti" and had lost over Rs 7 lakh in the last few months, which drove him to frequently borrow money to sustain the habit.

Meena, who had been employed as a domestic help at the house, was fired over financial misconduct. He returned to his native village and told his parents that he had left the job, the police source said. "He never told his parents that he was sacked," the source said.

Accused Said Murder 'Just Happened'

A senior police officer who interrogated Meena told PTI that he is remorseless and told investigators that the murder "just happened" in a fit of rage.

He told the police, "agar didi paise de deti to aisa nahi hota" (if sister (the victim) had given the money, this would not have happened), the officer said.

"Chori karne ka afsos nahi par marna nahi chaiye tha, ho gaya" (I don't regret committing the theft, but I shouldn't have killed her. It just happened), Meena told interrogators, according to the officer.

Sources said the accused displayed a strangely calm demeanour after his arrest, showing no remorse.

"During questioning, he was quite casual. He acted as if everything was normal. Usually, when a person commits a heinous murder, they would display some anxiety, anger, restlessness or remorse. Meena was very casual," said a source.

He said the accused did not react much and only repeated that he wanted money to clear his debts. "We asked him if he regrets what he has done. Meena replied that the family was like god to him, but he wanted money," the source said.

The psychological analysis may involve clinical evaluation by experts to assess aggression levels, emotional responses and personality traits, including indicators linked to disorders such as anti-social personality disorder, sources said.

Investigators are probing whether the crime was premeditated, with officials saying Meena's psychological profiling will help understand his mental state and reconstruct events.

A search is underway for his phone, which police said he had pawned for Rs 20,000. An officer said that if the phone is found, it could be a "breakthrough" in tracking his contacts. Police are also examining his two social media profiles and chats.
Delhi police meticulously recreate the crime scene to investigate the rape and murder of an IRS officer's daughter, revealing details about the accused's motives and behaviour.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi police recreated the crime scene to investigate the rape and murder of an IRS officer's daughter.

The accused, Rahul Meena, allegedly committed the crime due to gambling debts and addiction.

An iPhone stolen from the victim was recovered, and a potency test of the accused was conducted.

Rahul Meena displayed a remorseless attitude and claimed the murder 'just happened'.

Investigators are conducting a psychological assessment of the accused to understand his mental state.

Crime scene recreation was carried out by investigators on Saturday at the southeast Delhi residence where the 22-year-old daughter of a senior IRS officer was allegedly raped and murdered on April 22, police sources said.

The investigators are working to piece together the exact sequence of events and have conducted a detailed mapping of the crime scene.

Delhi Murder Investigation: Gathering Evidence

They are also collecting "minute-to-minute" information regarding the accused, starting from Alwar, where he allegedly committed a rape, to the Delhi crime, the police sources said.

An iPhone stolen from the victim in Delhi has been recovered from a park, while a potency test of the accused has been conducted as part of the rape investigation, they said.

"Crime and forensic teams recreated the sequence of events inside the house for over two hours to establish how the crime unfolded. Every single minute detail has been recreated," the source said.

Access to the house was cordoned off, with a heavy police presence in and around the premises during the exercise.

Details of the Crime and Accused

The 22-year-old woman, an engineering graduate and UPSC aspirant, was fatally attacked at her residence in southeast Delhi's Kailash Hills locality on Wednesday morning.

Rahul Meena, who had been a domestic help at the residence but was fired over financial misconduct, used his familiarity with the house layout and access points to enter the flat.

Citing the investigation, sources said Meena was addicted to online betting and card games such as "teen patti" and had lost over Rs 7 lakh in the last few months, which drove him to frequently borrow money to sustain the habit.

He had been spending his money on prostitution and used to watch porn videos on his mobile phone, besides gambling, they said.

He allegedly went to the rooftop study room where the woman was studying, attacked her with a heavy object, raped her and dragged her downstairs to use her fingers to open a biometric locker and steal cash.

The autopsy confirmed strangulation as the cause of death and found multiple injuries, including a nasal bone fracture, indicating a struggle.

Accused's Arrest and Remorseless Behaviour

"He fled after changing clothes and slippers, and reached Palam Railway Station to catch a train to Rewari in Haryana. When he failed to catch the train, he booked a hotel in Dwarka, from where he was arrested. More than Rs 1 lakh in cash and stolen jewellery were recovered from his possession," a police officer said.

As part of the probe, the police took the accused to Palam railway station, where he had first gone after the crime, and will also take him to the Dwarka hotel where he stayed briefly before being arrested, sources said.

Investigations have also revealed that Meena was known for aggressive behaviour in his native village in Rajasthan and

"During the inquiry, we came to know that Meena and his father were known in their village for their aggressive behaviour. Our team is there. They are told that his father is an alcoholic and Meena is addicted to online games," a police source said.

Psychological Assessment and Further Investigation

Sources said a detailed psychological assessment of the accused will be carried out to evaluate his mental state and behavioural patterns, noting that he has exhibited psychopathic tendencies and a history of violent conduct.

He returned to his native village after being sacked and told his parents that he had left the job, the police source said.

"He never told his parents that he was sacked," the source said.

A senior police officer who interrogated Meena told PTI that he is remorseless and told investigators that the murder "just happened" in a fit of rage.

He told the police, "Agar didi paise de deti to aisa nahi hota" (if didi (the victim) had given the money, this would not have happened), the officer said.

"Chori karne ka afsos nahi par marna nahi chaiye tha, ho gaya (I don't regret committing the theft, but I shouldn't have killed her. It just happened)," Meena told interrogators, according to the officer.

The sources said the accused displayed a strangely calm demeanour after his arrest. "During questioning, he was quite casual. He acted as if everything was normal. Usually, when a person commits a heinous murder, they would display some anxiety, anger, restlessness or remorse. Meena was very casual," said a source.

He said the accused did not react much and only repeated that he wanted money to clear his debts. "We asked him if he regrets what he has done. Meena replied that the family was like god to him, but he wanted money," the source said.

The psychological analysis of the accused will involve clinical evaluation by experts to assess aggression levels, emotional responses and personality traits, including indicators linked to disorders such as anti-social personality disorder, sources said.

Investigators are probing whether the crime was premeditated, with officials saying Meena's psychological profiling will help understand his mental state and reconstruct events.

Meanwhile, family members of the accused are now being questioned as part of the investigation to gather further information about his background and movements prior to the crime.

The police said the accused's custody will end on Monday, and he will be produced again before the court.

"We will request the court to extend his police remand by four days as we need to collect minute-to-minute details of the accused, starting from Alwar crime to Delhi crime," a police source said.

The accused had raped a friend's wife in Rajgarh before heading to Delhi, according to investigators.
Delhi Police have arrested a man and his two sons in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old boy in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area, bringing a swift resolution to the violent crime.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police arrested Sheikh Ishak and his two sons for the murder of a 17-year-old in Jahangirpuri.

The victim, Hasmat, was stabbed multiple times on April 5 at Ramlila Ground.

The accused had prior enmity with the deceased and his brother, leading to the fatal attack.

Police tracked and arrested the trio near the Sabhapur underpass in Loni, Uttar Pradesh.

The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his two sons for their alleged involvement in the murder of a 17-year-old boy in northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri area, officials said on Saturday.

The accused have been identified as Sheikh Ishak (52), his sons Dilshad (29) and Irfan (22). They were wanted in a case registered on April 6.

Details of the Jahangirpuri Stabbing Incident

The incident occurred on April 5 when the accused stabbed Hasmat multiple times at the Ramlila Ground, where he was sitting near the rickshaw parking area.

The victim was taken to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital by his brother, where he was declared brought dead.

Police had earlier apprehended a man and a minor in the case.

Investigation and Arrest of the Accused

During the investigation, police found that the accused had some prior enmity with the deceased and his brother.

According to police, the trio had been evading arrest and frequently changing their hideouts between Delhi and Loni in Uttar Pradesh.

Acting on specific inputs and technical surveillance, a team of the crime branch tracked and arrested the accused near the Sabhapur underpass in Loni.

The trio was arrested, and further investigation is underway, police added.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly denied holding a secret meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, dismissing the reports as intentionally spread false news amidst political speculation.

IMAGE: A media house had claimed that Fadnavis and Thackeray met on Wednesday midnight at the chief minister's official residence, 'Varsha', in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Devendra Fadnavis denies reports of a secret meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, calling them false news.

Fadnavis refutes claims about Dheerendra Shastri's comments on a historical meeting between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Samarth Ramdas, stating there is no historical evidence.

Fadnavis addresses Dheerendra Shastri's remarks about dedicating a child to the RSS, interpreting it as supporting the preservation of Hindu culture.

Fadnavis states that preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik are progressing, with a focus on river rejuvenation and water conservation.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday denied meeting Shiv Sena-UBT president Uddhav Thackeray, amid reports that two leaders held discussions at the CM's official residence in Mumbai.

"What's the reason for a secret meeting with Uddhav Thackeray? We do not have any such subjects to discuss secretly. Even if Uddhav Thackeray wants to meet me, we can meet openly. No such meeting has taken place," Fadnavis told reporters after taking darshan of Lord Shiv in Trimbakeshwar.

He said some people are intentionally spreading false news, adding that notices will be sent to such (social media) handles.

"Action will be taken against such fake news accounts," he said.

Earlier, a media house linked to Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi had claimed that Fadnavis and Thackeray met on Wednesday midnight at the chief minister's official residence, 'Varsha', in Mumbai.

Fadnavis on Historical Claims and Controversies

Replying to a query regarding Dheerendra Shastri's comments on a historical meeting between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Samarth Ramdas, the chief minister said, "No such example is there in the history which we have learnt or the books available."

"There is no historical evidence supporting such claims," he added.

Shastri reportedly claimed that during the meeting, Shivaji Maharaj told Samarth Ramdas that he wanted to renounce responsibilities and warfare and offered his crown. In reply, Samarth Ramdas again kept the crown on Shivaji Maharaj's head and told him to look after his kingdom.

Noting that stories about great personalities often evolve differently over time, Fadnavis cited the examples of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, saying various folk versions exist in different regions.

He said people should avoid unnecessary controversy and react responsibly.

"People should understand things properly before reacting. Creating unnecessary chaos is not right," he said.

Samarth Ramdas, a 17th-century saint-poet, launched a spiritual movement to revive religion and spirituality among various sections of society. A section of people believes that he was the spiritual guru of Shivaji Maharaj, a claim refuted by some historians.

Fadnavis Addresses Remarks on RSS and Hindu Culture

Queried about Shastri's reported remarks that people should give birth to four children and dedicate one of them to RSS, Fadnavis said, "Many people express their views, and we should take it in the right context".

"What he (Shastri) meant was since the RSS is working to keep the Hindu culture and Sanatan traditional alive, one son of a house should join the Sangh," Fadnavis said.

Shastri made these purported comments at a foundation stone-laying ceremony in Nagpur a day before.

Kumbh Mela Preparations Underway

Fadnavis also said the state government's ongoing work related to the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik was progressing satisfactorily but needed to be accelerated.

He said the frequency and number of coordination meetings with religious leaders and akharas should be increased, adding that preparations are underway for river rejuvenation and water conservation initiatives linked with cultural awareness.
Delhi University's Dyal Singh Evening College faces staff protests over a proposed name change, prompting the principal to seek a staff council meeting to address the controversy.

Photograph: University of Delhi on Facebook

Key Points Dyal Singh Evening College staff protest proposed renaming to Banda Singh Bahadur College.

The college principal has requested the university vice-chancellor to convene a staff council meeting.

The Staff Association has repeatedly requested a meeting to discuss the governing body's resolution on the name change.

The protest received support from members of the Academic Council, Executive Council, and Delhi University Teachers' Association.

Two days after the Staff Association of Delhi University's Dyal Singh Evening College called for a protest to oppose renaming of the institute, its principal has written to the university vice-chancellor to convene a staff council meeting, it is learnt.

The letter, accessed by PTI, was sent on Friday "seeking directions to convene a Staff Council meeting on the issue of name change of the college."

Controversy Over Dyal Singh College Renaming

In December 2025, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh announced that the evening college will be renamed after Sikh warrior Banda Singh Bahadur. It is currently named after Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a 19th-century philanthropist, educationist, and social reformer.

Undersigned by principal Bhawna Pandey and Staff Council secretary Jnanendra Narayan Singh, the letter mentioned, "The Staff Association of Dyal Singh Evening College has repeatedly given representations for convening the Staff Council meeting to discuss the resolution of the governing body on the issue of name change of the college."

Staff Association Demands Meeting

Referring to the Staff Association's one-day dharna on Thursday, the letter highlighted that the protest has received support from members of the Academic Council, Executive Council and Delhi University Teachers' Association.

"In view of the aforesaid, I request that directions may be issued whether the Staff Council meeting can be convened as per the ordinance of University of Delhi to discuss the issue of the proposed name change," the letter concluded.

Principal Seeks Guidance From Vice-Chancellor

Staff Association president Mithilesh Kumar Singh told PTI that during the dharna, the principal had promised to call a meeting on April 28, one day before the Executive Council meeting.

"But, as of now, the meeting has not been called. The principal has now written to the vice-chancellor on the issue," he said.

The dharna was called in anticipation that the name change proposal might be tabled at the upcoming Executive Council meeting.

However, the Delhi University registrar told PTI that the matter will not be discussed in the current Executive Council meeting.
A tragic car accident in Delhi's Model Town resulted in the death of an e-rickshaw driver and injuries to five others, raising concerns about road safety and negligent driving.

Key Points A speeding car collided with an e-rickshaw in Delhi's Model Town, resulting in one death and five injuries.

The deceased e-rickshaw driver, Nagender Chaurasia, was the sole breadwinner for his family.

The car driver, identified as Dr Sidharth, has been taken into police custody.

Injured passengers, including women and children, are receiving treatment at Vinayak Hospital.

Family members are demanding strict legal action against the car driver for alleged negligence.

A 33-year-old man was killed and five people were injured when a speeding car rammed into an e-rickshaw in northwest Delhi's Model Town area, police said.

Details of the Delhi Accident

The incident took place Friday evening near a hospital on Ring Road around 6 pm.

A PCR call was received regarding the accident, following which local police reached the spot and initiated an inquiry, they said.

According to preliminary findings, the speeding car collided with the e-rickshaw, causing it to overturn.

Victims and Investigation

"The impact left the e-rickshaw driver and multiple passengers seriously injured. All the injured were rushed to Vinayak Hospital by the driver of the car, identified as Dr Sidharth, a resident of Rohini and a senior resident (radiologist) at GB Pant Hospital," police said in a statement.

During treatment, the e-rickshaw driver, Nagender Chaurasia, succumbed to injuries, it said.

The police said Chaurasia was a native of Patna, Bihar, and was living in a rented accommodation in Delhi's Mukundpur. He is survived by his wife and three children, and was the sole breadwinner of the family.

Current Status

"The injured passengers, including women and children, were admitted to the hospital and are undergoing treatment. The condition of the injured was stated to be stable," the statement said.

The offending vehicle was seized and the accused driver taken into custody, it said.

Family members of the deceased have demanded strict legal action against the car driver, alleging negligence and reckless driving.
Former Army chief General Manoj Naravane addresses the controversy surrounding his unpublished memoir while promoting his new book, 'The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries', which explores fascinating stories from the Indian military.

IMAGE: Former Army chief Gen Manoj Naravane. Photograph: @ManojNaravane/X

Key Points Former Army chief Gen Manoj Naravane addresses the controversy surrounding his unpublished memoir, 'Four Stars of Destiny'.

Naravane's new book, 'The Curious and the Classified', explores legends and lore of the Indian armed forces.

The book traces the origins of the military greeting 'Jai Hind' and its adoption by the Indian armed forces.

Naravane delves into the legends of Badluram, a soldier of the Assam Regiment, and Pedongi, a military mule honoured for its bravery.

Former Army chief Gen Manoj Naravane has come out with two books since his unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, caused a controversy earlier this year and looking back, he said it was "not warranted" to unnecessarily quote and drag him into the limelight for the book.

The general, who recently released The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, said that he has moved on since then and has already written two books and a third will soon be released.

"The Ministry of Defence had asked the publisher to put it on hold till it was vetted. As far as I am concerned the matter rested there, and I have moved on, so that is a closed chapter. And unnecessarily quoting me and dragging the unpublished book into the limelight and indirectly me to the limelight was I think not warranted," Naravane told PTI Videos in an interview.

Memoir Controversy In Parliament

In February this year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped from citing excerpts from the memoir in the Lok Sabha, as it had not yet been published.

Naravane's writing career has taken a turn since the episode, as his latest book is "supposed to be an entertaining read and not a serious academic endeavour".

Exploring Military Myths And Mysteries

The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, published by Rupa Publications, explores some of the most riveting nuggets about the legends and lore of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Naravane in the book traces the origins of the ubiquitous military greeting "Jai Hind" from the freedom movement to its adoption by the Indian armed forces.

He said that "Jai Hind" was first used by the Indian Air Force and only later embraced by the Army and Navy, adding that the standard practice of saluting was originally silent, with regiments adding their own greetings like "Sat Sri Akal" or "Ram Ram".

"It was initially the Air Force that started saying 'Jai Hind', and we have now followed that across all three services. With the salute we say 'Jai Hind', and even in lectures we greet with 'Jai Hind'.

"But where does this 'Jai Hind' come from? You realise it has got much deeper roots. And that was a revelation to me also. So it was something even I did not know about, I must have said 'Jai Hind' a million times," Naravane said.

Legends Of Badluram And Pedongi

The former Army chief delves into the legends of Badluram, a soldier of the Assam Regiment, and a military mule, named Pedongi.

Badluram died in the Battle of Kohima in 1944 but rations allotted to him kept arriving after his death, helping the besieged company to survive the war.

The story inspired British Indian Army officer Major M T Proktor to write a foot-tapping song, "Badluram ka Badan", that has become the unofficial regimental anthem of the Assam Regiment and is sung at their functions.

"...the lyrics go 'Badluram ka badan zameen ke neeche hai. Lekin uska ration hum khaate hain' and it became a very famous song. It is a very footstumping song and you can dance to it and it raises your morale. Although people have heard the song, very few know it has got such deep roots in an actual battle which turned the tide of probably the Indian course of history," he said.

On the legendary mule Pedongi, captured by Pakistan in 1971, which escaped and returned to its unit through minefields, Naravane said the animal was honoured with retirement and served 37 years.

"The Pakistanis started using it to carry their loads and at one point of time this particular mule had a machine gun and some ammunition loaded on it and it decided to comeback home. It escaped its captors, negotiated the treacherous terrain and the mine fields, and came back to its unit through sheer homing instinct," the general recalled.

"In a way it was an act of valor, bravery, and loyalty. It was then showered with honours and awards and it was also decided that it would no longer carry any loads unlike any other mules and was put into sort of retirement till it died of natural causes after 37 years at Bareilly," he added.
MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that the country's sovereignty "is not negotiable," rejecting any form of foreign interference, particularly from the United States.

At her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said that cooperation with other countries must strictly comply with Mexico's constitution and national security law.

She said Mexico's relationship with the United States is based on coordination and cooperation, but stressed the need to clarify whether foreign intelligence agents were involved in a recent operation in the northern state of Chihuahua.

She warned that such participation would violate Mexican law.

Two U.S. embassy personnel were killed in a vehicle accident in Chihuahua on Sunday. Local authorities said the victims were instructors participating in routine training exchanges, but The Washington Post reported that they were U.S. Central Intelligence Agency agents involved in an anti-narcotics operation linked to the dismantling of a clandestine drug lab.

Sheinbaum also criticized calls within Mexico for foreign intervention in domestic affairs and said all levels of government and citizens must adhere to national laws.

She added that her administration is sending a letter to state governors to ensure that any cooperation with foreign agencies complies with legal frameworks and is coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and the Security Cabinet. 
Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha faces legal trouble after being named an accused in a BJP protest case concerning alleged police assault on party workers in Vattiyoorkavu.

Key Points Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha has been named an accused in a case related to a BJP protest.

The protest concerned alleged police assault on BJP workers in Vattiyoorkavu.

Sreelekha was seen chanting a derogatory slogan against the police during the protest.

The initial police report faced criticism for not including Sreelekha as an accused.

Deputy Mayor Asha Nath has also been included in the revised accused list.

Kerala's former DGP R Sreelekha has been made an accused in the case related to a BJP protest alleging assault on party workers at Vattiyoorkavu here, police said.

Sreelekha, a BJP councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, had contested from the Vattiyoorkavu constituency in the April 9 Assembly polls.

She had inaugurated the BJP Mahila Morcha protest led by BJP councillors held outside the Vattiyoorkavu police station, alleging police assault on BJP workers at Nettayam.

Controversy Over Slogans

During the protest, Sreelekha was seen chanting the slogan "poda pulle police", which is widely perceived as derogatory.

Though police had initially registered a case against five BJP leaders and 50 unidentified persons, there was sharp criticism over not naming Sreelekha as an accused despite videos showing her inaugurating the protest and chanting slogans.

Revised Accused List

Police officials said a fresh report was filed before the concerned magistrate's court, which arraigned 15 persons, including Sreelekha, as accused in the case.

Deputy Mayor Asha Nath has also been included in the revised accused list submitted before the court.

Criticism and Defence

Sreelekha drew criticism from leaders of various police associations for raising slogans against the department in which she had served.

Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth had also criticised the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner for allegedly giving special consideration to Sreelekha by not initially including her in the case.

However, Sreelekha has maintained that she had always taken a strong stand against wrongdoing within the police department during her service.
A former Maoist was allegedly beaten to death in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and potential motives.

Key Points Former Maoist Ramesh Champia was allegedly killed by suspected CPI (Maoists) members in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand.

Champia was taken from his home and allegedly beaten to death in a nearby forest.

Police recovered Champia's body and have launched an investigation into the murder.

Champia had previously served jail time and was working with a road construction company after distancing himself from the Maoist outfit.

Police suspect Champia may have been targeted for allegedly being a police informer.

A former Maoist was allegedly beaten to death by suspected members of the proscribed outfit in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, police said on Saturday.

Details of the Attack

The victim, identified as Ramesh Champia, was allegedly taken away from his house in Dugunia village in the Goilkera police station area on Friday night by suspected members of CPI (Maoists), they said.

Champia's wife tried to resist, but the assailants threatened her and forcibly took him to a nearby forest area, where he was allegedly beaten to death, they added.

Discovery of the Body and Police Investigation

After the killing, the Maoists dumped the body on the Goilkera-Manoharpur Main Road, police said.

Superintendent of Police Amit Renu said the body was recovered on Saturday morning, and an investigation started.

Victim's Background and Possible Motives

Champia had served jail time in the past and distanced himself from the outfit after his release. He was leading a normal life and working with a road construction company, police said.

Though the exact motive is yet to be confirmed, police suspect he may have been targeted on suspicion of being a police informer.

"We are investigating the case from all possible angles," a police officer said.

The body has been sent to Chakradharpur Sub-divisional Hospital for post-mortem examination, he said.
A devastating fire at a scrap godown in Rajasthan's Kotputli-Behror district claimed the lives of four people, including two minor girls, highlighting the dangers of improper handling of flammable materials.

Key Points Four people, including two minor girls, died in a fire at a scrap godown in Kotputli-Behror district, Rajasthan.

The fire is suspected to have started when a lit bidi ignited spirit from scrap perfume bottles.

The victims were trapped inside the godown and died of suffocation.

Police have detained an associate of the godown owner for questioning, while the owner is absconding.

Four people, including two minor girls, died in a fire at a scrap godown in Kotputli-Behror district of Rajasthan, police said on Saturday.

Cause Of The Rajasthan Godown Fire

The incident occurred in the Neemrana area on Friday night.

Superintendent of Police Satvir Singh said police recovered four charred bodies late at night and sent them for post-mortem.

The victims were identified as Kavita (15), her seven-year-old relative, a driver named Ravindutt Yadav, and Johnny, who worked on a plastic processing machine in the godown.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the driver had come from Haryana to purchase plastic material. At the time, the young girl was sorting scrap perfume bottles and removing their caps.

Investigation Into The Deadly Fire

Police said they suspect that a lit bidi thrown by the driver ignited the spirit from the bottles, triggering the blaze.

As the fire spread, the victims ran towards one side of the godown, but were blocked by a wall. They got trapped inside and died of suffocation, and the fire charred their bodies.

SP Singh said that a woman working at the warehouse managed to escape but sustained a leg injury.

Police have detained an associate of the godown owner for questioning while the owner, Karan Singh, is absconding. A case has been registered.
Punjab Police have successfully apprehended an associate of notorious gangster Arzoo Bishnoi, wanted in connection with a murder case and linked to an inter-state criminal network.

IMAGE: Photograph: Kind courtesy SAS Nagar Police/X

Key Points Punjab Police arrest an associate of gangster Arzoo Bishnoi.

The arrested individual was wanted in a Rajasthan murder case.

A .32 bore pistol and live cartridges were recovered during the arrest.

The Anti-Gangster Task Force Punjab made the arrest.

An investigation is underway to determine the linkages in the case.

Punjab Police on Saturday said they have arrested an associate of gangster Arzoo Bishnoi.

Arrest Details and Weapon Recovery

The accused, whose identity has not yet been disclosed by police, was wanted in a murder case in Rajasthan and carried a bounty on his arrest.

In an X post, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said, "In a major breakthrough, Anti-Gangster Task Force Punjab apprehends an associate of gangster Arzoo Bishnoi (Lawrence gang) linked to an inter-state criminal network, and recovers one .32 bore pistol with 3 live cartridges."

Yadav said an investigation is underway to establish the forward and backward linkages in the case.
In a shocking case of delayed revenge, two men have been arrested in Mumbai for the murder of a 78-year-old man, suspected of informing police about a gangster's death nearly three decades ago.

Key Points A 78-year-old man was murdered in Mumbai, allegedly as revenge for a 1997 police encounter.

The victim was suspected of being a police informant in the death of gangster Sadiq Kalia.

The nephew of the deceased gangster and an associate have been arrested in connection with the killing.

The accused allegedly entered the victim's home and killed him with a chopper.

Nearly three decades after the death of a gangster in the city in a police encounter, his nephew and another person have been arrested for the alleged revenge killing of 78-year-old man whom they suspected to be a police informant.

Sadiq Jawar (29), nephew of deceased gangster Sadiq Kalia, and his associate Naushad Mithani allegedly killed Iqbal Ibrahim Selia in Nagpada area of South Mumbai earlier this week, said an official.

Revenge Motive Behind Mumbai Killing

Jawar -- who would have been a toddler when his uncle died -- suspected that it was Selia who had tipped off the police which led to the encounter 27 years ago, the official said.

Jawar and Mithani allegedly entered Selia's house on the evening of April 20 when his wife and son were away, and hacked him to death with a chopper, according to police.

Arrests Made in Connection to the Crime

A case was registered at Nagpada police station while the unit 3 of the crime branch also started a parallel investigation, the official said.

The two accused were traced to Nagpur and arrested.

The duo admitted to the crime during interrogation and further probe is on, said the official.
Amidst allegations of political pressure, the father of the Ghazipur victim has refused visits from politicians, expressing satisfaction with the police investigation and seeking justice through legal channels.

Key Points Father of Ghazipur victim rejects political visits, citing grief and satisfaction with police action.

Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav allege the father is under duress from the BJP government.

District Magistrate assures the family of a speedy conviction in a fast-track court.

BJP's Sangeeta Balwant requests CM Yogi Adityanath to prevent Akhilesh Yadav from visiting the family.

The father of a teenage girl found dead in the Ganga river in Katariya village said on Saturday that he does not wish any politician to come to his doorstep for political opportunism, even as opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav alleged that he was under duress.

The Samajwadi Party had on Friday announced that its delegation, led by party president Akhilesh Yadav, will visit the village to meet the girl's family on April 29.

The body of the girl, who belongs to the OBC community, was found on April 15, with her family alleging sexual assault and murder.

Political Reactions and Allegations

Clashes had occurred when an SP delegation visited the village to meet her family on April 22, with Yadav alleging that "dominant elements" and the village head attacked his party workers.

The father of the girl told reporters on Saturday that the main accused has been arrested on their complaint and the law was taking its course.

"I am deeply grief-stricken by my daughter's death and do not wish for any politician to come to my doorstep merely to engage in political opportunism," he said, expressing satisfaction over the police action in the case.

Assurances from Authorities

He said that District Magistrate (DM) Anupam Shukla and Superintendent of Police (SP) Iraj Raja have told him that they will ensure the accused, Hariom Pandey, gets the maximum punishment.

DM Shukla, who visited the father, told reporters that no one would be permitted to foment anarchy within the district -- whether by visiting the village in person or by making false statements on social media.

He said the father remains satisfied with the police's handling of the case and efforts would be made to secure a speedy conviction by ensuring robust legal representation in a fast-track court.

He added that strict action would be taken against anyone found disrupting peace and order within the district.

Opposition Demands Inquiry

Sharing a video of the father's statement on 'X', Akhilesh Yadav alleged that a new "disturbing" trend has started under the BJP government where the "ruling class orchestrate atrocities and later exerts pressure on the victims to recant their statements".

"Exploiting the helplessness of a poor person is the most inhuman form of injustice. The BJP's governance and administration are passing through the most deplorable phase," he said.

In the same post, the former UP chief minister demanded, "An inquiry must be conducted to identify these specific BJP people who, under the guise of offering counsel, are actually exerting pressure and doing so in the direct presence of the police."

Calls for High-Level Investigation

Targeting the BJP, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also called for a high-level investigation into the case.

"In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the rape and brutal murder of a daughter from the Vishwakarma community -- and then threats and violence to stop the family from filing an FIR," he said.

"Action must be taken against the guilty police officers, the family must get protection - a high-level investigation must happen, and justice must be delivered immediately," the senior Congress leader said.

BJP's Response

Meanwhile, BJP's Rajya Sabha Sangeeta Balwant wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, requesting that Akhilesh Yadav be prevented from visiting the bereaved family.

She asserted that engaging in politics during such a time of sorrow is inexcusable, noting that the stone-pelting incidents had already occurred in the village.

The Samajwadi Party delegation visiting the victim's family came under stone-pelting in the village, leaving several people, including police personnel, injured. Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi on April 29 to inaugurate the Ganga Expressway.
Opposition leaders are calling for a swift investigation and justice in the Ghazipur teenage girl's death case, alleging administrative apathy and raising concerns about women's safety in Uttar Pradesh.

Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

Key Points Opposition leaders are demanding speedy justice in the alleged rape and murder case of a teenage girl in Ghazipur.

Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures allege administrative apathy and threats to the victim's family.

Police have registered an FIR and arrested the main accused, but controversy persists.

A Samajwadi Party delegation was attacked while visiting the victim's family, escalating tensions.

Police urge against attempts to disturb peace and caution against instigating the family with unrelated facts.

Opposition leaders have demanded speedy justice and alleged administrative apathy over the alleged rape and murder of a teenage girl here, even though police said they have already filed an FIR and have arrested the main accused.

While Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday claimed that the girl, belonging to the Vishwakarma community, was raped and brutally killed and that her family was threatened to prevent the filing of an FIR, the Samajwadi Party had announced that a delegation led by party president Akhilesh Yadav will visit the village and meet the girl's family on April 29.

Ghazipur Teen Death: Family Alleges Sexual Assault

The girl's body was found in Karanda area of Ghazipur district on April 15, with her family alleging sexual assault and murder. While the police said they are investigating the case, relatives and locals have been demanding speedy justice.

The controversy intensified on April 22, when a Samajwadi Party delegation visiting the victim's family was pelted with stones in the village, leaving several people, including police personnel, injured. Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the attack.

Political Reactions and Allegations

Earlier, Yadav had alleged that "power-protected dominant elements" and the village head were behind the assault, calling it an attack on the PDA (Pichhda or Backward, Dalit, Alpsankhyak or Minority).

"In a Ghazipur village, a lethal attack and stone-pelting were carried out by the village head and dominant elements on the Samajwadi Party delegation going to meet the family of a girl who died under suspicious circumstances," Yadav had said, adding, "Under the BJP rule, neither villages nor cities are safe. Uttar Pradesh is passing through its worst phase of anarchy."

Reacting to the incident in a statement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "A daughter of the Vishwakarma community has been raped and brutally murdered in Ghazipur, and the family has been threatened to prevent them from filing an FIR."

Police Investigation and Assurances

"Action should be taken against the guilty police officers, the family should be provided security and a high-level probe should be conducted. Why are daughters so unsafe under the BJP rule? In such circumstances, justice is not asked for, it is snatched," he said.

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned administrative apathy.

"In the case of the murder of a girl in Ghazipur, the reluctance to register a case initially, then threats to the victim's family and chaos created by dominant elements, show that atrocities against women are at their peak in the state. Under the BJP rule, it has become an unwritten law that whenever a woman faces atrocities, the victim is harassed further."

Police Response and Appeal for Peace

Varanasi Additional Director General of Police Piyush Mordia visited the village on Friday and met the family along with senior officials. He said the girl, aged around 17 years, had gone missing on the night of April 14 and her body was found in the Ganga river the next morning about three kilometres away in the Karanda police station area.

"Based on the information given by the family, an FIR was registered and the main accused has been arrested. Further investigation is underway," Mordia said. He added that the family expressed satisfaction with the police action and requested a fast-track trial.

Mordia also cautioned against attempts to disturb peace. "After this incident, some political parties and external elements tried to create unrest in the village and attempted to instigate the family by presenting unrelated facts. I request that this should not be done," he said, adding that strict legal action would be taken against anyone trying to vitiate the atmosphere.

Police have said a murder case has been registered, though the post-mortem report suggested drowning, and initial investigation has indicated a possible suicide angle citing a prior relationship between the deceased and the main accused.
The tragic death of a Dalit girl in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited a fierce political battle, with opposition parties demanding justice and accountability amidst allegations of sexual assault and administrative apathy.

Key Points A Dalit girl's death in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked a political storm.

Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress, are demanding justice and action.

Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to visit the girl's family on the same day as PM Modi's visit to Uttar Pradesh.

Police have registered a murder case and arrested the main accused, but the investigation is ongoing.

Tensions escalated after a Samajwadi Party delegation was attacked while visiting the victim's family.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate the Ganga Expressway on April 29, a political storm triggered by a Dalit girl's death in a village here looms large over the state, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav set to visit the girl's family the same day and other opposition parties also demanding immediate justice and action against erring officials.

Opposition Leaders React To Ghazipur Incident

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday claimed that the victim, belonging to the Vishwakarma community, was raped and brutally killed and that her family was threatened to prevent the filing of an FIR.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remarked that atrocities against women were at their peak in Uttar Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party on Friday announced that a delegation led by party president Akhilesh Yadav will visit the village and meet the girl's family on April 29.

The same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi to inaugurate the Ganga Expressway.

Details Of The Ghazipur Case

A teenage girl's body was found in Karanda area of Ghazipur district on April 15, with her family alleging sexual assault and murder. While the police said they are investigating the case, relatives and locals have been demanding speedy justice.

The controversy intensified on April 22, when a Samajwadi Party delegation visiting the victim's family came under stone-pelting in the village, leaving several people, including police personnel, injured. Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the attack.

Earlier, Yadav had alleged that "power-protected dominant elements" and the village head were behind the assault, calling it an attack on the PDA (Pichhda or Backward, Dalit, Alpsankhyak or Minority).

"In a Ghazipur village, a lethal attack and stone-pelting were carried out by the village head and dominant elements on the Samajwadi Party delegation going to meet the family of a girl who died under suspicious circumstances," Yadav had said, adding, "Under the BJP rule, neither villages nor cities are safe. Uttar Pradesh is passing through its worst phase of anarchy."

Political Reactions And Demands For Justice

Reacting to the incident in a statement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "A daughter of the Vishwakarma community has been raped and brutally murdered in Ghazipur, and the family has been threatened to prevent them from filing an FIR.

"Action should be taken against the guilty police officers, the family should be provided security and a high-level probe should be conducted. Why are daughters so unsafe under the BJP rule? In such circumstances, justice is not asked for, it is snatched," he said.

In an X post, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned administrative apathy.

"In the case of the murder of a girl in Ghazipur, the reluctance to register a case initially, then threats to the victim's family and chaos created by dominant elements, show that atrocities against women are at their peak in the state. Under the BJP rule, it has become an unwritten law that whenever a woman faces atrocities, the victim is harassed further."

Police Investigation And Appeal For Calm

Varanasi Additional Director General of Police Piyush Mordia visited the village on Friday and met the family along with senior officials. He said the girl, aged around 17 years, had gone missing on the night of April 14 and her body was found in the Ganga river the next morning about three kilometres away in the Karanda police station area.

"Based on the information given by the family, an FIR was registered and the main accused has been arrested. Further investigation is underway," Mordia said. He added that the family expressed satisfaction with the police action and requested a fast-track trial.

Mordia also cautioned against attempts to disturb peace. "After this incident, some political parties and external elements tried to create unrest in the village and attempted to instigate the family by presenting unrelated facts. I request that this should not be done," he said, adding that strict legal action would be taken against anyone trying to vitiate the atmosphere.

Police have said a murder case has been registered, though the post-mortem report suggested drowning, and initial investigation has indicated a possible suicide angle citing a prior relationship between the deceased and the main accused.
A violent clash between BJP and Congress supporters in Mehsana, Gujarat, resulted in the death of a BJP candidate's relative, casting a shadow over the upcoming local body elections.

Key Points A BJP candidate's relative was killed in a clash with Congress supporters in Mehsana, Gujarat.

The incident occurred a day before local body elections in Gujarat.

The clash involved stabbing and other weapons, resulting in multiple injuries.

Police have registered a case of murder and criminal conspiracy against four individuals.

The funeral procession for the deceased was held under tight police security.

A day before the local body polls in Gujarat, a relative of a BJP candidate was stabbed to death and two others were injured in a clash between Congress and BJP supporters in Mehsana, police said on Saturday.

Deadly Clash Between Political Supporters

Miten Chaudhary (21), the nephew of the BJP candidate for ward number 4 of Mehsana Municipal Corporation, Mahendra Chaudhary, was attacked past Friday midnight by four persons, said Deputy Superintendent (DySP) of Police Milap Patel.

The alleged attackers include Bharat Chaudhary, the husband of the Congress candidate Neelaben Chaudhary, and their son Dhaval Chaudhary, he said.

The accused, who were carrying a knife, sticks and a pipe, got into an argument with Miten and others in his group "as part of a pre-planned conspiracy" when they were passing through Tavadia crossroad around 12.40 am, the official said. The two groups then clashed.

Investigation and Aftermath of the Violence

Miten, who was stabbed during the fight, later succumbed to his wounds during treatment, the DySP said. Another youth, Dhimant Chaudhary, and Bharat also suffered injuries.

An FIR has been registered against four persons, including Bharat, at the Mehsana A division police station for murder and criminal conspiracy, Patel said, adding that the accused are yet to be arrested.

After the post-mortem, Miten's body was taken to Tawdia village, where his funeral procession was taken out amidst tight police security. A large number of people from the Chaudhary community and local residents joined the procession.

Gujarat Local Body Elections Proceed

Polls will be held on April 26 to elect 9,992 local representatives to 15 civic corporations, including Mehsana, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats, and counting of votes will take place on April 28.
A power struggle within Iran's leadership, with hardliners gaining influence, could significantly impact future negotiations with the United States, potentially leading to a more uncompromising stance.

IMAGE: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for the second phase of peace talks, in a location given as Islamabad, Pakistan, released on April 25, 2026. Photograph: Esmaeil Baqaei via X/Handout via Reuters

Key Points IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi has reportedly blocked attempts to adopt a more flexible negotiating position with the US.

Vahidi's hardline stance is expected to shape Iran's approach to negotiations and the ongoing conflict.

Reports suggest that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may resign due to internal divisions.

The power shift in Iran could lead to renewed conflict with the United States.

Despite public messaging of unity, internal divisions persist within Iran's leadership.

A new assessment by United States-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), has revealed that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his 'inner circle' have 'repeatedly blocked attempts' by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other 'pragmatist' officials to push the Iranian regime toward a 'more flexible negotiating position'.

According to the ISW, Vahidi appears to have 'prevailed in this internal power struggle' and is set to shape the regime's approach toward negotiations and the war with a 'maximalist and uncompromising stance'.

The assessment further suggests that Ghalibaf 'likely lacks the leverage to alter this trajectory in a meaningful way at this time'.

Internal Divisions Within Iranian Leadership

ISW says that reports indicating that Ghalibaf may resign from the negotiating team are 'consistent with ISW-CTP's assessment that Vahidi has emerged as the winner of the intra-regime rivalry'.

Quoting sources to Western media, ISW said that Ghalibaf has 'grown frustrated with internal divisions' and has considered resigning, while some outlets claim he has 'already resigned from the negotiating team due to disagreements over nuclear concessions'.

ISW analysis says, that while 'pragmatist' officials may continue to advocate for flexibility, the ISW notes their efforts are 'unlikely to meaningfully shape regime decision-making in the near term'.

Vahidi's apparent victory is expected to have 'significant implications for potential future US-Iran negotiations', as he has shown a 'greater willingness than 'pragmatist' officials to accept the risk of renewed conflict with the United States'.

Iran's Public Messaging of Unity

The report of a fractured leadership in Tehran follows the Iranian government public messaging of unity on Friday.

Iran's leadership posted a picture of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf, and Head of the Judiciary of Iran, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and said that the nation is united despite the claims made by the US suggesting otherwise.

The man in the eye of the storm MB Ghalibaf also posted a message of unity amongst Iran's top leadership.

"In Iran, there are no radicals or moderates; we are all 'Iranian' and 'revolutionary', and with the iron unity of the nation and government, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions. One God, one leader, one nation, and one path; that path being the path to victory for Iran, dearer than life," he said,

Upcoming US-Iran Discussions

This internal shift comes as Iran and the United States send delegations to meet with Pakistani mediators in Islamabad.

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived on April 24, while US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Islamabad on April 25.

Sources told Axios that a 'trilateral meeting' between Araghchi, Witkoff, and Kushner could take place following separate bilateral discussions.
NEW YORK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that exemptions allowing for the purchase of Russian oil already at sea would not be renewed after the current license expires on May 16.

"I wouldn't imagine that we'd have another extension. I think the Russian oil on the water has been largely sucked up," Bessent said in an interview with the U.S. media.

A renewal of the one-time waiver for Iranian oil at sea is totally off the table, Bessent said. "We have the blockade, and there's no oil coming out," he said.

The United States first issued a 30-day license in March allowing shipments of Russian oil loaded by March 11, aiming to ease global supply shortages stemming from the Middle East conflict. It then extended the license for another 30 days on April 17. 
A primary school headmaster in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly beating a Class 1 student with a stick, raising concerns about school safety and disciplinary actions.

Key Points A headmaster in Sultanpur, UP, has been arrested for allegedly beating a Class 1 student.

The incident occurred after a dispute between the victim and another student.

The headmaster allegedly used a stick to beat the student based on a complaint from a classmate's mother.

Police have registered a case against the headmaster, and legal proceedings are underway.

Police arrested a primary school headmaster on Saturday for allegedly beating a Class 1 student with a stick.

The incident took place on Friday at a primary school in Tikaria Pure Hela village under the Kudwar police station area in Sultanpur, police said.

Details of the Incident

The victim, identified as Shivansh, is a Class 1 student at the school.

According to the student, a dispute arose between him and his classmate Saurabh.

As the argument escalated, Saurabh called his mother to the school. Based on her complaint, the headmaster allegedly beat Shivansh with a stick in the afternoon, the student said.

Legal Proceedings Underway

Shivansh's father, Vikas Sharma, resides in Lucknow, and the child is currently living with his maternal grandparents in Tikaria village for his studies.

Circle Officer (City) Saurabh Samant said police registered a case against the accused headmaster following a complaint. "A case was lodged, and the accused has been arrested. Further legal proceedings are underway," he said.
Three individuals have been arrested in Manipur's Churachandpur district after police seized 5 kg of heroin, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Three individuals arrested in Manipur's Churachandpur district for possession of heroin.

Police seized 5 kg of heroin during the arrests in Bolkot.

The arrested individuals are from Manipur and Haryana.

The drug bust follows a previous seizure of raw opium in Churachandpur district.

Three persons have been arrested with 5 kg of heroin in Manipur's Churachandpur district, police said on Saturday.

Details Of The Arrests

In a statement, police said the arrests were made in Bolkot under the Singngat police station area.

Those arrested have been identified as Nengmuanlal and Ginlamthang Guite of M Buangmun village and Hangkhanlian of Gurgaon in Haryana. Heroin weighing 5.43 kg has been seized from them, the police statement said.

Previous Drug Seizure

On April 20, police arrested a 28-year-old man from his house in Saidan village of Churachandpur district and recovered 11.7 kg of raw opium from him, an official said.
Two individuals have been apprehended in Navi Mumbai for allegedly smuggling Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at Rs 1.25 crore, concealed within a truck, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal liquor distribution.

Key Points Two individuals arrested in Navi Mumbai for alleged liquor smuggling.

Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 1.25 crore seized.

Liquor concealed in a specially fabricated compartment under cement bags.

The seized liquor was manufactured in Goa and meant for sale in Madhya Pradesh.

Case registered under the Prohibition Act.

Two persons have been arrested for allegedly smuggling Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 1.25 crore in a truck in Navi Mumbai, an official said on Saturday.

Maharashtra Excise Department Intercepts Liquor Smuggling Operation

Acting on a tip-off, a flying squad of the Maharashtra Excise Department intercepted the vehicle on Thane-Belapur Road around 5.15 pm on Friday, the official said.

"The truck appeared to be carrying cement bags, but upon thorough inspection, our team discovered that IMFL was concealed under cement sacks," Superintendent of State Excise, Thane-1, Pravin Tambe said.

Details of the Seized Liquor and Legal Action

The liquor was hidden in a specially fabricated compartment inside the vehicle to avoid detection, he said, adding that the seized stock worth Rs 1.25 crore comprised various brands of IMFL manufactured in Goa and meant for sale only in Madhya Pradesh.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Prohibition Act, and two persons, including the driver, have been arrested, the official said.
Amid escalating security concerns and reported attacks in Kati and other regions of Mali, the Indian Embassy in Bamako has issued a critical safety advisory for Indian nationals residing in the country.

Key Points India advises its nationals in Mali to remain highly vigilant due to recent security developments.

The Indian Embassy in Bamako urges Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution and stay indoors.

The embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Malian authorities.

Indian nationals are advised to stay in touch with the embassy for updates and assistance.

India on Saturday advised its nationals in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution and stay indoors due to recent security developments in the West African nation.

Safety Precautions For Indians In Mali

The Indian Embassy in Bamako, in an advisory, said, "Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time."

The embassy added that it was closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with Malian authorities and will issue further updates as required.

It urged Indian nationals to stay in touch with the embassy through its website and the embassy's official social media accounts.

It also advised Indian nationals to contact the Embassy at +223 78486019/94793705 in case of any emergency assistance.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized assets worth Rs 3.5 crore from narcotics smugglers in Srinagar, intensifying their crackdown on drug trafficking under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Jammu and Kashmir Police seized Rs 3.5 crore in assets from narcotics smugglers.

The action is part of the intensified crackdown against drug trafficking in the region.

Two immovable properties linked to accused Shakeel Ahmad Ganie and Farooq Ahmad Mir were attached.

The seized properties include residential houses and land in Noorbagh's Kreshbal area.

The properties were identified as illegally acquired assets generated through drug trafficking proceeds.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday has attached properties valued at Rs 3.5 crores belonging to narcotics smugglers here, officials said.

Crackdown on Drug Trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir

The action follows the police's intensified crackdown against Drug trafficking and under the aegis of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, the spokesperson said.

Details of the Property Seizure

Sangam police station attached two immovable properties linked to the two accused -- Shakeel Ahmad Ganie and Farooq Ahmad Mir, both residents of Noorbagh's Kreshbal area -- under Section 68F of the NDPS Act, the spokesperson said.

The police attached a double-storey residential house along with one kanal of land belonging to Ganie, valued at over Rs 2 crore, he said.

Another double-storey residential house along with one kanal of land belonging to Mir, valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore, was also attached, he added.

The attached properties have been identified as illegally acquired assets generated through proceeds of drug trafficking, he added.
A jeweller in Uttar Pradesh was murdered by a neighbour, leading to a swift police response and the assailant's arrest after an encounter.

Key Points A jeweller in Baberu, Uttar Pradesh, was fatally shot by a neighbour.

Police arrested the 55-year-old suspect within two hours of the shooting.

The arrest followed an encounter where the accused was shot in both legs.

The victim and the shooter were known to each other, and alcohol may have been a factor.

Local traders protested the handling of the body before the arrest was announced.

A 42-year-old jeweller was shot dead in Baberu town by a neighbour, who was, within hours of the attack, nabbed following an encounter by the police, an officer said on Saturday.

Details of the Baberu Shooting Incident

Superintendent of Police Palash Bansal said Tej Pratap Soni alias Pappu, a resident of Dul Thok locality, was shot at around 8.45 pm on Friday. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

The alleged shooter, 55-year-old Aslam, was arrested within two hours of the incident in a confrontation during which he was shot in both legs by the police, the officer said.

He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, he said.

Possible Motive and Community Reaction

The officer said Soni and Aslam knew each other, and the attack might have happened under the influence of alcohol.

Meanwhile, local traders and family members of the deceased protested at the main intersection of the town, alleging that the body was sent for a post-mortem without information.

The protest, which lasted for about 90 minutes, was called off after police informed them about the shooter's arrest.
The Jharkhand Anti-Terrorism Squad successfully apprehended three individuals in Deoghar, seizing a US-made pistol and disrupting an illegal arms operation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Jharkhand ATS arrested three individuals in Deoghar during a raid.

A US-made pistol and seven cartridges were seized from the arrested individuals.

The accused have criminal records and operated in both Bihar and Jharkhand.

Police are investigating the source of the weapons and potential links to other crimes.

Three persons were arrested by the Jharkhand Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Deoghar, and a US-made pistol was seized from them, officials said on Saturday.

The operation was conducted in the Town police station area on Friday, based on a tip-off, they said.

Details of the Arrest and Seizure

"Three persons were nabbed in the raid. Two pistols, including a US-made one, were seized from them, along with seven cartridges," Deoghar SP Praveen Pushkar said.

Criminal Background of the Accused

ATS SP Rajkumar Mehta told PTI that the accused operated in Bihar and Jharkhand.

"Two of them hail from Deoghar town and have criminal antecedents. Several criminal cases are pending against them in Bihar's Munger and Jamui districts, as well as Deoghar and Dumka in Jharkhand," he said.

Investigation and Further Action

A man named Parvez from Munger was supplying weapons to them, he said.

"They were forwarded to judicial custody. Police will later take them on remand for questioning," he added.
Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP of deploying its entire machinery, including Union ministers and NDA Chief Ministers, to defeat her party in the West Bengal assembly elections, alleging false promises and misuse of central forces.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP of deploying its entire machinery, including Union ministers and NDA Chief Ministers, to influence the West Bengal assembly elections.

Banerjee criticises the BJP for allegedly making false promises to migrant workers from West Bengal employed outside the state.

She alleges the misuse of central forces during the election and criticises Amit Shah's remarks about TMC workers.

Banerjee claims the BJP is bringing in outsiders to attend rallies, lacking a genuine support base in West Bengal.

The TMC leader asserts that industries are developing rapidly in Singur and Dankuni, contrary to BJP claims.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the BJP has deployed its entire machinery to defeat her party in the West Bengal assembly elections, as almost the entire Union cabinet and CMs of NDA-ruled states are camping here.

Addressing an election rally at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Banerjee accused the BJP of giving false promises to migrant workers from West Bengal employed outside the state.

Mamata Banerjee's Allegations Against BJP's Campaign Tactics

"The BJP is desperate, with 50 helicopters flying into West Bengal as almost the entire Union cabinet, from the PM to home, railway and defence ministers, as well as CMs of 19 NDA-ruled states camping in a single state: West Bengal," the chief minister said.

Banerjee urged the people to compare this with only three helicopters being used by the TMC to campaign across the state.

All the hype and sound and fury of the BJP will end in a whimper on May 4 when poll results will be out, she said.

"On top of this, we are seeing central forces wherever we are going. They are bringing in armoured vehicles which were not used where those were actually needed," Banerjee said.

Criticism of Amit Shah's Statements

She attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that TMC-aided goons would be hanged upside down after the results.

"As a Union minister and a responsible leader, you cannot utter such words. You are speaking in the language of terror. I know no action will be taken against you. But, I have asked our men to videograph his speech and submit the same to the court," the TMC supremo said.

She said Shah should be in Manipur, where over 260 people lost their lives, and thousands were homeless due to ethnic violence since May 2023, rather than being here.

"But, I am sure that he won't go there out of fear," Banerjee said, apparently referring to the BJP leader's prolonged stay in West Bengal during this election season.

Allegations of Election Interference

Banerjee claimed Shah held a meeting on Saturday morning with "a certain person from the central forces who had been sent to Nandigram to loot votes".

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP is seeking re-election from Nandigram. Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee from there in 2021, is also contesting from her constituency, Bhabanipur in Kolkata, this time.

"He (the same central force person) has been instructed to slow down the voting process at Bhabanipur. I don't care. They can't do anything to me," she said.

Alleging that 400 people were brought from outside to Bhabanipur, she said, "I will ask everyone to keep a tab on every hotel and guest house to identify such people who are helping the BJP."

Banerjee's Claims on BJP's Support Base

Claiming that the BJP has no support base, the TMC supremo asserted that the opposition party hired agencies that are bringing people in trains to attend meetings.

"If 100 local people are present at a rally, there are 900 outsiders," she said.

Banerjee claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has branded Bengalis as Bangladeshis.

"For you, Punjabis are Khalistanis and Muslims are Pakistanis. Who has given you the right to disrespect the people of the country? What is your own identity?" She asked.

"I know who had committed murders there and have been given shelter here. I kept quiet since you requested me. Don't forget that," she said without elaborating.

Other Criticisms and Assertions

In a jibe at the PM, she said he went on a "scripted" boat ride on the Hooghly river in Kolkata on Friday, which was arranged by the Army.

"You said we have been peeved at your eating 'jhalmuri'; but we know you had got it prepared at home and everything was scripted as the camera was put up already at the Jhargram shop," she claimed.

About the return of migrant workers from outside Bengal to cast votes in the first phase polls on Thursday, Banerjee alleged that those were made to place their hands on their holy books according to faiths and asked to promise that they would vote only for the BJP, and then they would get free travel tickets.

"However, they were slapped with a Rs 2000 fine when they reached their destination," she claimed.

Accusing the BJP of only plotting to divide people, she said these self-proclaimed Hindutva proponents filed a case in the court when the Jagannath Dham was being built in Digha.

"Several temples have been demolished in Varanasi. A Kali temple in Delhi has been demolished. They are destroying the Hindu religion and showing fake love. Don't trust them," she said.

The Bengal CM said that contrary to "false propaganda," industries are coming up at a rapid pace at Singur and Dankuni.

"Six industrial corridors are coming up. In the Deucha-Pachami coal project, 1 lakh youths will get employed," she said.

The TMC supremo said that the BJP is talking about implementing the 7th Pay Commission if voted to power, but "We have already implemented it."

She said in the first phase of polls in 152 seats held on April 23, TMC will win 100 seats.

The second leg will be held on April 29.
Police in Jharkhand are investigating the abduction of a man in Palamu district, seeking to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A man was abducted in the Palamu district of Jharkhand.

Police are investigating the abduction and examining CCTV footage.

The victim was involved in land-related trade.

The motive behind the abduction is currently unknown.

A man was abducted by unidentified persons on Saturday evening in Jharkhand's Palamu district, a police officer said.

Police Investigation Underway

Superintendent of Police Kapil Choudhary told PTI that the incident has come to the notice of the police.

The victim's parents are in contact with police, and he was engaged in land-related trade, the SP said.

CCTV footage is being examined, he said.

The motive behind the abduction of the man identified as Vinit Tiwari was yet to be ascertained, the SP added.
A rape accused who escaped from police custody in Prayagraj has been re-arrested in Pratapgarh following a police encounter where he sustained injuries.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Rape accused Jalaluddin, who escaped police custody, was re-arrested in Pratapgarh after a police encounter.

Jalaluddin sustained bullet injuries to both legs during the exchange of fire with police.

The accused was initially arrested for allegedly raping a two-year-old girl and booked under the POCSO Act.

A country-made pistol and cartridges were recovered from Jalaluddin's possession after the encounter.

A rape accused who fled police custody from a Prayagraj hospital was injured during an encounter and arrested by police in Pratapgarh district, an official said on Saturday.

The accused sustained bullet injuries in both legs during the exchange of fire, and an illegal firearm was recovered from his possession, police said.

Details of the Initial Arrest

ASP (West) Brijnandan Rai said the accused, Jalaluddin, a resident of Rahwai village under Kunda Kotwali police station area, had allegedly raped a two-year-old girl at a relative's house on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

A case was registered against him for rape and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and he was arrested, Rai said.

The Escape and Subsequent Encounter

While in police remand on Tuesday, the accused complained of illness and was admitted to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj for treatment. He later escaped after evading constables Madan Sharma and Atul Kumar, who were deployed for his security, the ASP said.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Manikpur SHO Narendra Singh was conducting checking at Karenti Tiraha on Friday night when the accused opened fire at them, the officer said.

Police retaliated, injuring him in both legs before arresting him. A country-made pistol and cartridges were recovered from him, Rai added.

Legal Proceedings Underway

The injured accused has been admitted to a medical college for treatment, and further legal proceedings are underway, police said.
WASHINGTON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media Saturday that he just canceled the trip of U.S. representatives going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranian side.

"Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The U.S. president also claimed that "we have all the cards, they have none," adding that "if they want to talk, all they have to do is call."

Earlier Saturday, Trump told Fox News that he had canceled his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff's planned trip to Pakistan.

In the interview, Trump claimed that it's not worth the U.S. delegation making the 18-hour flight to Pakistan when the U.S. holds all the cards in the conflict with Iran.

"We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,'" Trump said.

Witkoff and Kushner were supposed to travel to Pakistan this weekend for the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has concluded talks with Pakistan's leadership and left Islamabad, a Pakistani source told Xinhua on Saturday.

"Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value," Araghchi said in a post on social media platform X. "Shared Iran's position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran."

"Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy," the foreign minister added.

Islamabad's district administration on Saturday allowed all types of public and goods transport to enter the federal capital after easing heightened security measures imposed earlier this week amid expectations of a second round of Iran-U.S. peace talks. 
A wanted history-sheeter was apprehended by Nuh police after a shootout that left both the criminal and a constable injured, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat crime in Haryana.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Nuh police arrested a wanted history-sheeter, Rahees, after a brief encounter.

The encounter resulted in both the criminal and a police constable sustaining leg injuries.

Rahees was wanted in connection with approximately 20 serious crimes, including robbery and murder.

An illegal pistol and cartridges were recovered from the scene of the encounter.

Nuh police said they nabbed a wanted history-sheeter after a brief encounter near a village here in the early hours on Saturday. The criminal and a constable were shot in the leg during the exchange of fire, police said.

Details of the Police Encounter

Police recovered an illegal pistol and cartridges from the spot. The injured history-sheeter and the constable were admitted to Nalhar Medical College, Nuh for treatment, they said.

According to the police, Rahees was a wanted history-sheeter in nearly 20 cases of serious crimes, including robbery, murder, and dacoity in Haryana and Rajasthan.

Police Statement on the Arrest

Punhana DSP Dinesh Yadav said that around 3:25 am, Rahees saw the police team and opened fire. Constable Gautam was injured when he was hit with a bullet.

He fired again and tried to flee. Later, police shot Rahees in the right leg and nabbed him.

"He is a history-sheeter of the Bichhor police station and absconding for a long time. Currently, he is admitted in the hospital and we will be questioning him after discharged from the hospital," said DSP Yadav.
A Thane man has been arrested for allegedly strangling his wife after a domestic dispute, prompting a police investigation into the tragic incident.

Key Points A 32-year-old man was arrested for allegedly strangling his wife in Thane.

The incident occurred at the couple's residence following a domestic dispute.

Police apprehended the accused in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, within 24 hours of the crime.

A murder case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly strangling his wife over a dispute at their home in Maharashtra's Thane city, police said on Saturday.

Accused Apprehended Swiftly

The accused, Naresh Kamalsingh Khadka, was apprehended at Panvel in Navi Mumbai within 24 hours of the crime, which occurred in the wee hours of Friday, senior inspector Abhay Mahajan of the Naupada police station said.

The accused allegedly strangled his wife, Hima Khadka, at their residence in Agakhanwadi over a domestic discord, he said.

Neighbours Alerted Police

The couple's neighbours alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and sent the body for a postmortem to a government hospital, the official said, adding that Khadka fled the scene after the murder and was tracked down by police teams.

Investigation Underway

A case has been registered under section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigations are underway to ascertain the exact motive behind the killing, Mahajan said.
A man in Rishikesh has been booked by police for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create a fake photograph of himself with the Vice President, highlighting the potential misuse of AI technology.

Key Points A man posing as a seer has been booked for allegedly using AI to create a fake photo with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.

The accused, Rasik Maharaj, allegedly circulated the AI-generated image on Facebook and news platforms.

Police say the accused aimed to falsely demonstrate proximity to high-ranking officials.

A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act.

Rishikesh Police has booked a man posing as a seer for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create a fake photograph of himself with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.

AI-Generated Image Circulated on Social Media

The accused, Rasik Maharaj, allegedly circulated the digitally altered image on Facebook and various news platforms to falsely demonstrate proximity to high-ranking officials, police said.

The accused allegedly carried out the fraud under the guise of the AIIMS Rishikesh convocation ceremony held on April 23, police said.

Police Investigation Underway

The accused's name was not present on the official guest list for the Vice President's event, Rishikesh Kotwali, Inspector-in-Charge, Kailash Chandra Bhatt said.

"The individual committed this fraud to project influential connections. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act," Bhatt added.

The FIR was filed based on a complaint lodged by AIIMS Rishikesh Police Outpost In-charge, Sub-Inspector Devendra Singh.

"Police are investigating all aspects of the forgery committed during the event," Bhatt said.
A Jaisalmer man has been arrested for the murder of his neighbour, allegedly committed during an attempt to steal cumin seeds to settle a debt, sparking a police investigation into the staged robbery.

Key Points A man in Jaisalmer was arrested for allegedly murdering his neighbour during a cumin seed theft.

The accused initially attempted to mislead police by staging a robbery at the victim's home.

The victim was alone when the accused allegedly broke into her house to steal cumin seeds.

Police investigation revealed the accused's presence at the crime scene through technical analysis.

The accused confessed to the crime, citing debt and liquor addiction as motives.

Police on Saturday arrested a man for allegedly shooting dead his 50-year-old neighbour while attempting to steal cumin seeds worth Rs 5 lakh from her house to repay a debt, officials said.

He initially misled investigators by claiming it was a robbery.

Cumin Seed Theft Motive

SP Abhishek Shivhare said the incident occurred in Beere ki Dhani under the Jhinjhinyali Police Station area, about 100 km from Jaisalmer.

According to police, the victim, Hatthu Devi (50), was alone at home on the night of April 21 because her husband had gone to attend a wedding function. Her neighbour, Hem Singh (25), aware of this, allegedly planned to steal around 30 bags of cumin stored in the house, they said.

The accused reached the house with an illegal firearm.

Details Of The Crime

When the woman noticed movement and went into a room, he fired at her through a window from close range, fearing he might be identified, police said. The woman died in the incident. Her husband discovered the body when he returned home the next morning, they said.

Police said the accused panicked after the murder and fled without stealing the cumin, they said.

To give the incident the appearance of a robbery, he allegedly took a tractor parked outside the house and abandoned it about eight kilometres away, police said.

Investigation And Arrest

He later returned to the scene and tried to act as a helper, even offering refreshments to police personnel while attempting to erase footprints and tyre marks with sand, officials said.

During the investigation, police grew suspicious because the valuables in the house were found intact.

Technical analysis, including mobile tower location, placed the accused near the crime scene.

Police then questioned him.

The SP said the accused eventually confessed to the crime, adding that he is addicted to liquor and was under heavy debt.

Police said efforts are underway to recover the weapon used in the crime.
An attack on a police vehicle and ambulance in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has left nine people injured, prompting a security response.

Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points Gunmen attacked a police vehicle in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, injuring five police personnel.

A rescue ambulance arriving to assist was also attacked, injuring the driver and three civilians.

The attack occurred in the Rashkai area of Khar tehsil, Bajaur district.

Security forces have launched a search operation to find the attackers.

Nine people were injured when unknown armed assailants opened fire on a police vehicle and an ambulance in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, local police said.

Police Vehicle Ambush Details

The gunmen ambushed the police vehicle in the Rashkai area of Khar tehsil, Bajaur district, injuring five police personnel, according to a spokesperson for the local police.

Ambulance Targeted In Follow-Up Attack

A rescue ambulance that arrived at the scene to take the injured to hospital also came under fire from the attackers, further escalating the situation.

The ambulance driver and three civilians were also injured in the attack.

Security Response And Investigation

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend those responsible.

The incident has triggered panic and fear among residents in Rashkai and the surrounding localities.
In a tragic turn of events in Odisha, a teenage girl died by suicide shortly after her lover, facing a kidnapping case related to their elopement, also took his own life.

Key Points A 14-year-old girl in Odisha died by suicide after eloping with her 21-year-old lover.

The couple fled to Pune after eloping on April 1st.

The girl's father filed a police complaint, leading to a kidnapping case against the man.

The man died by suicide after learning about the police case.

The girl was found dead at a women's counselling centre where she was temporarily lodged.

A 14-year-old girl, who had eloped with her lover, allegedly hanged herself to death in Odisha's Angul on Saturday morning, a day after the man took the same step in the face of a police case registered by the teenager's family, officials said.

Details of the Tragic Incident

"The girl's body was found hanging inside the bathroom of a women's counselling centre, where she was temporarily lodged," an official of the Angul Town police station said.

According to police, the girl had eloped with the 21-year-old man on April 1, and they fled to Pune.

Police Investigation and Aftermath

A week later, the girl's father lodged a complaint with the Angul Sadar police station on April 8, based on which a case of kidnapping was lodged against the man, the investigating officer of the case said.

Upon receiving the news of the registration of the FIR, the duo returned to the man's home in Dhenkanal district on Friday, he said.

Distressed over the registration of the case, the youth ended his life by hanging himself that very day, police said, adding the girl was lodged at a women's counselling centre in Angul town.

On Saturday, her body was found hanging at the Centre, the official said.

Police cases have been registered in both cases of death, and investigations are underway.
Patna High Court Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo highlighted the critical role of security mock drills in ensuring citizen safety and bolstering public confidence in security agencies.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Patna High Court Chief Justice advocates for mock drills to enhance citizen safety and security.

The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Bihar Police conducted a demonstration at the Patna High Court.

Mock drills are crucial for demonstrating the preparedness of security agencies.

The drill simulated terror-related contingencies and showcased coordinated action by ATS personnel.

The objective was to strengthen operational efficiency and emergency response mechanisms.

Patna High Court Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo on Saturday emphasised the need for instilling a sense of safety and security among citizens through mock drills.

He was speaking at a high-level demonstration and mock drill conducted by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Bihar Police at the Patna High Court premises.

Importance of Security Preparedness

According to a statement issued by Bihar Police, Sahoo said, "Instilling a sense of safety and security among citizens is a constitutional responsibility. Such mock drills are not only symbolic but also crucial in demonstrating the preparedness of security agencies and reinforcing public confidence."

The drill simulated terror-related contingencies and showcased swift and coordinated action by ATS personnel, it stated.

ATS Demonstration and Objectives

"The ATS demonstrated key operational aspects during the drill, including real-time response to simulated terrorist incidents, adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for search, interception, and neutralisation, and effective risk management within a controlled environment," the statement added.

The primary objective of the drill was to strengthen operational efficiency, inter-agency coordination, and emergency response mechanisms of security forces, officials said.

Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, Advocate General Prashant Kumar Shahi, and Additional Director General of Police (ATS) Pankaj Kumar Darad, among others, were also present during the occasion.
An investigation is underway in Maharashtra after a case was filed regarding the alleged misappropriation of Rs 4.24 crore in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) funds, raising concerns about the scheme's implementation.

Key Points Case filed against officials for alleged misappropriation of Rs 4.24 crore under PMAY.

Funds meant for house construction were allegedly transferred to unintended beneficiaries.

The alleged misappropriation occurred between May 2021 and January 2022.

An inquiry committee report led to the registration of the FIR.

A case has been registered against the then chief officer of Kaij Nagar Panchayat in the district and five others for alleged misappropriation of Rs 4.24 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), police said on Saturday.

Details of the Alleged Misappropriation

Between May 20, 2021, and January 31, 2022, funds sanctioned under the scheme for house construction were transferred to the accounts of persons who were not the intended beneficiaries, a police official said.

Investigation and Legal Action

A First Information Report was registered under the Indian Penal Code on Friday for criminal breach of trust, cheating and other relevant offences after an inquiry committee set up by the Beed collector submitted a detailed report.

No arrest has been made in the case and further probe is on, police said.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of allowing the state's institutions to decay through years of neglect and political influence.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Dharmendra Pradhan accuses Mamata Banerjee of weakening West Bengal's institutions through years of neglect.

Pradhan cites a UGC report highlighting serious administrative failures and a lacklustre anti-ragging framework at Jadavpur University.

Banerjee criticises Prime Minister Modi for undermining Jadavpur University and other premier educational institutions.

Modi alleges that the TMC has destroyed West Bengal's identity through corruption and turned Jadavpur University into a symbol of disorder.

Pradhan claims Banerjee is unsettled by the possibility that Bengal is recognising how her politics has corroded respected institutions.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that years of "silence and decay" under her leadership had weakened the state's institutions and that she was rattled by the growing demand for their revival.

The remarks came after Banerjee criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comments on Jadavpur University, saying they undermined a premier institution known for academic excellence.

In a post on X on Friday, Pradhan said Banerjee appeared "more disturbed by the call for revival than by the condition in which those institutions have been left under her government", after Prime Minister Modi spoke the need to restore the "dignity" of West Bengal's most respected institutions and return them to the academic excellence they once symbolised.

UGC Report on Jadavpur University

Citing findings of a UGC expert committee on Jadavpur University, constituted after the death of a first-year student, he said the panel had described the varsity's anti-ragging framework as "feeble and lacklustre" and flagged "serious administrative failures marked by indifference, negligence, and a troubling absence of accountability".

"The committee found that institutional safeguards had weakened, governance had become ineffective, and the system had failed to respond with the seriousness expected of a premier university," he said.

Pradhan added that the findings were "so severe" that the panel recommended a 10 per cent reduction in the university's capital and recurring grants for non-compliance with UGC regulations.

Allegations of Political Influence

He further alleged that the Trinamool Congress government showed "little intent to address the deeper structural failures", claiming that "campuses have too often been viewed through the prism of political influence rather than academic responsibility".

"What has clearly unsettled Mamata Banerjee ji is not criticism, but the possibility that Bengal is beginning to recognise how deeply her politics has corroded institutions that once commanded respect far beyond the state," he said.

"The people of Bengal can see that the real threat to its institutions came from years of silence, decay and a politics that reduced pride to paralysis. What truly worries her is that Bengal is no longer willing to accept decline as destiny, and that the demand for renewal has now become stronger than the politics that tried to suppress it," Pradhan added.

Banerjee's Response to Modi's Comments

At a rally in Howra on Friday, Banerjee said Modi has insulted Jadavpur University (JU) as well as higher educational institutions like Calcutta University (CU), Presidency University and St Xavier's University, which are known for their academic excellence and rich talent pool of students, researchers and academics in the country and abroad for years.

"Before speaking in such a way about JU, he must check the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings of JU and CU currently and in past years. Such comments by the prime minister show his anti-Bengal, undemocratic mindset against free thinking," she said.

Modi's Attack on TMC

Modi launched a blistering attack on the TMC, alleging that the Mamata Banerjee-led party had destroyed the state's identity through corruption and infiltration and turned premier institutions like Jadavpur University into symbols of disorder and political intimidation.

The prime minister also referred to frequent unrest at Jadavpur University, saying the premier institution, once respected globally for its academic legacy, had become a symbol of anarchy under the present dispensation.

"Jadavpur University was once spoken of with great respect. Its foundation was built on strong academic values. But today, people are being threatened, and students are being forced to protest," he said.

Claiming that anti-national slogans were being written on campus walls and students were being pushed into protests instead of studies, Modi said a government that could not protect its own premier educational institutions could not safeguard Bengal's future.

"We do not want anarchy; we want a healthy academic environment. We want dialogue here, not threats," he said.
Notorious Punjab-based gangster Harpreet Singh and his associates have been arrested in Himachal Pradesh, marking a significant development in ongoing crime investigations.

IMAGE: Photograph: Kind courtesy SAS Nagar Police/X

Key Points Notorious gangster Harpreet Singh and seven associates arrested in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.

The arrest was a coordinated effort between Punjab's CIA and Himachal Pradesh Police.

Harpreet Singh is wanted in Punjab for serious criminal cases, including extortion.

The accused were tracked to Manikaran and apprehended near Shilha.

A notorious gangster and seven of his associates were arrested from Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district by Punjab's Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) in coordination with the state police, officials said on Saturday.

Details Of The Arrest

The accused have been identified as Punjab-based gangster Harpreet Singh and his aides Ram Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Satnam alias Sagar, Sikandar, Rajbindar, Komal and Talwinder Kaur, the police officials said.

They said Punjab Police received a tip-off that the accused reached Manikaran on Thursday and were staying in a hotel there. Acting promptly, police tracked their movement and with the help of Kullu police, nabbed them near Shilha while they were returning to Manikaran from Barshaini.

Criminal Charges Against Harpreet Singh

According to police, Harpreet has several serious criminal cases registered against him, with the latest registered on April 20 for allegedly opening fire at a person's house in a bid to extort money.

Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal said this successful operation was the result of coordination between Punjab and local police.

"All the arrested accused are being interrogated," he said.
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter.

The U.S. Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division on Wednesday proposed a new joint employer rule that would return, in part, to a rule issued in 2020 by the first Trump administration and set more stringent criteria for when [a company] can be considered a joint employer, Mark Clark, counsel in Barnes & Thornburgs labor and employment department, told HR Dive.

A federal district court vacated large portions of the 2020 rule within months, finding that the vertical relationship portion, involving staffing companies or subcontractors, was inconsistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Biden administration ultimately rescinded the rule.

But the new proposed rule looks to sidestep the criticisms of the first rule, attorneys told HR Dive. The question is: Does it do enough?

Like its predecessor, the proposed rule would use a four-factor analysis for vertical joint employment. The test would consider whether the company hires or fires the employee; supervises and controls the employees work schedule or conditions of employment to a substantial degree; determines the employees rate and method of payment; and maintains the employees employment records.

However, this time, while additional factors may be relevant to determining vertical joint employment, a unanimous finding on the four factors in either direction would establish a substantial likelihood regarding whether an individual or entity is a joint employer with another, DOL said in its notice of the rule.

The first time they said that you had to show that at least one of those factors was proven and that the joint employer had to show direct control. They just softened that a little bit, saying there could be other factors that are relevant, but they made the point that those are not as probative as those four criteria they really care about the most, Clark said.

On that front, the proposed rule likely has a better chance of surviving legal scrutiny, Clark said. But there are some other wrinkles, he added.

In play also is the U.S. Supreme Courts 2024 landmark decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo that overturned the courts Chevron deference standard, Clark said. That ruling meant that federal courts no longer had to defer to agency regulations for interpretation of ambiguous statutes.
Raghav Chadha asserts that disillusionment, not fear, is driving leaders to leave the Aam Aadmi Party, pointing to controversies like the 'Sheesh Mahal' row as catalysts for their departure.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha meets BJP National President Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Raghav Chadha claims AAP leaders are leaving due to disappointment and disgust, not fear of agencies.

The 'Sheesh Mahal' controversy surrounding Arvind Kejriwal's residence is cited as a reason for AAP's potential electoral defeat.

Chadha alleges a 'Sheesh Mahal Part Two' has emerged, referring to a newly allotted bungalow for Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP accuses BJP of poaching leaders and labels defectors as 'traitors'.

Atishi claims the photographs released by Verma regarding Kejriwal's house are fake.

Leaders quitting the Aam Aadmi Party have not done so out of fear but due to a growing sense of " disappointment, disengagement and disgust" with the organisation, Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha said on Saturday, a day after he joined the BJP along with six other party MPs.

Referring to the 'Sheesh Mahal' row related to the official residence of Kejriwal when he was the Delhi chief minister, Chadha claimed it was one of the main reasons for AAP's defeat in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections.

The 'Sheesh Mahal' Controversy and Its Impact

He said that every true patriot who had nurtured the AAP with their blood and sweat with great hope has either already left the party or is in the process of leaving it.

Chadha claimed every honest and hardworking person now feels that there is "no space left to work in AAP" and that the party is moving on a wrong path with which no one wants to remain associated.

"Because of this, leaders have been leaving the party one after another," Chadha told PTI Videos.

Accusations and Counter-Accusations

The AAP has accused the BJP of engineering the split and using fear of central agencies to poach its leaders. Calling the seven MPs "gaddar" (traitors), the ruling party in Punjab said it will seek their disqualification from the Upper House.

However, Chadha said the MPs are leaving the AAP together because they believe it has gone into "corrupt and compromised hands".

He said those in AAP claiming that leaders left out of fear were wrong, adding that they did not leave due to any fear but because they felt disappointed, disengaged and disgusted with the party.

'Sheesh Mahal Part Two' Allegations

Chadha alleged that "Sheesh Mahal Part Two" has now come up in Delhi and some pictures of it have surfaced, referring to an earlier press conference where Delhi cabinet minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that money was being squandered on a newly allotted bungalow in Lodhi Estate to AAP's national convener Arvind Kejriwal.

Chadha said that when the first "Sheesh Mahal" was built, it had badly damaged the image of AAP. "It was one of the main reasons behind the party's defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections," he claimed.

AAP's Response

Meanwhile, AAP leader Atishi claimed the photographs released by Verma were fake.

In a post on X in Hindi, the former Delhi chief minister said, "All the pictures released by Parvesh Verma are fake. They are not pictures of Kejriwal ji's house."

"To find out whose house is luxurious, (chief minister) Rekha Gupta ji and lieutenant governor sahib should open their own houses, and Kejriwal ji will open his house. The public will decide for itself," she added.

Chadha said not even a year had passed since the Delhi elections ended and "Sheesh Mahal Part Two has already emerged", describing it as a lavish construction.

He said AAP should introspect on these issues and wondered how the remaining party workers would answer people on the streets when questioned about the "Sheesh Mahal".
Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee at a West Bengal rally, accusing them of prioritising the rich and failing to create jobs, as the political landscape heats up ahead of elections.

Key Points Rahul Gandhi accuses Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee of favouring the rich over the poor.

Gandhi claims both Modi and Banerjee have failed to deliver on job creation promises.

He alleges Modi spreads hatred and fear, while the Congress promotes unity.

Gandhi criticises the India-US trade deal, claiming it harms Indian industries and farmers.

He accuses the BJP of stealing votes and undermining democracy in multiple states.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday sought to put Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the same bracket, accusing both of helping the rich instead of the poor, while hankering for power.

Addressing an election rally at Serampore in Hooghly district, Gandhi said that Modi "claims to be a 'deshbhakt' (patriot), but is selling off the country".

"While CM Mamata Banerjee is helping the rich, and not the poor in West Bengal, Modi is doing the same across the country... Both have nothing to do with creating job opportunities. They want power but don't work for people," he said.

Gandhi's Allegations Against Modi

"Wherever the PM goes, he spreads hatred and fear among people," the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha alleged.

He claimed that the country is witnessing a fight between two ideologies.

"It is the Congress' unity and brotherhood against the BJP and RSS' hatred and violence," he added.

He accused the PM of harming small industries in the country through demonetisation and implementing GST in a "wrongful manner".

Criticism of West Bengal's Industrial Decline

"West Bengal used to be the centre of industry in the country, but first the Left Front and then the TMC destroyed everything," he claimed.

Stating that only the Congress can fight the BJP on the basis of ideology, Gandhi, at another public meeting in Kolkata, said, "We cannot compromise with them."

Gandhi said he undertook the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in 2022 to promote brotherhood and love, claiming that "BJP spreads violence across the country and the TMC does the same in West Bengal".

Concerns Over India-US Trade Deal

The Congress leader accused the Narendra Modi government of compromising the country's interests in the India-US trade deal and "selling out the country's agriculture sector, small and medium industries, energy security and also handing over India's data to the US".

Alleging that Modi has done nothing for the welfare of the poorer sections of the society, Gandhi said, "Whatever he does is in the interest of the super-rich."

Accusing the BJP of "specialising in stealing votes and destroying democracy", Gandhi alleged that the saffron party indulged in such activities in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and brought down the Congress government in Karnataka by using illegal means.

Attacks on Mamata Banerjee's Governance

Training his guns on the Mamata Banerjee dispensation, Gandhi accused it of destroying an industry-rich West Bengal and driving entrepreneurs away from the state.

Accusing the Narendra Modi government of harming the interests of India's farmers in the US-India trade deal, he said that the Centre has vowed to buy Rs 9.5 lakh crore worth of goods from the US.

"If India buys Rs 9.5 lakh crore worth goods from America, then our country's small and medium industries will close down," the Congress leader said.

He also accused the Modi government of undertaking to buy oil from the countries which the US would permit.

Gandhi said that while Mamata Banerjee had, before the 2021 assembly elections, promised five lakh jobs in the state, Narendra Modi had assured people of providing two crore jobs in the country.

"Mamata Banerjee is doing in West Bengal what Narendra Modi is doing across India," he said, claiming that the youths have not got employment opportunities as promised by them.
Rahul Gandhi accuses Mamata Banerjee of indirectly supporting the BJP in West Bengal, criticising her government's performance on job creation and corruption.

Key Points Rahul Gandhi claims Mamata Banerjee does not directly fight the BJP, leading to fewer investigations against her.

Gandhi alleges the TMC government has failed to create jobs and has overseen corruption scandals.

He accuses Banerjee of opening the road for the BJP in Bengal due to her lack of focus on people's interests.

Gandhi asserts that only the Congress party can ideologically defeat the BJP and RSS.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the Narendra Modi government has filed several cases against him but not against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, claiming this is because she does not "directly" fight the BJP.

Stating that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him for 55 hours over five consecutive days, the Congress leader asked, "For how many hours was Mamata Banerjee interrogated?"

Gandhi Questions Banerjee's Actions Against BJP

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that there is no probe by the ED or the CBI against the West Bengal chief minister.

"This is because she does not fight the BJP directly," Gandhi said, while addressing a poll rally at Serampore in Hooghly district for the second phase of West Bengal assembly elections.

There is no immediate response from the TMC in this regard.

Noting that he is out on bail at present, Gandhi said, "My house was taken away, my Lok Sabha membership was taken away; there are 36 cases against me."

Allegations of Corruption and Joblessness Under TMC Rule

The former Congress president said that he has to travel to various states like Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar every 10-15 days to fight the cases registered against him.

"I want to ask how many cases have been registered against Mamata Banerjee by Narendra Modi?" he said.

Only the Congress party takes on the BJP on an ideological basis, Gandhi asserted, claiming that Modi attacks him, party president Kharge and others round the clock.

Claiming that the PM attacks the TMC chief only during the elections in the state, he said, "Let the Bengal elections end; Narendra Modi will not speak a word against Mamata Banerjee."

Gandhi said Modi knows only the Congress party can defeat the BJP and RSS and their ideology, not the Trinamool Congress.

He accused the TMC supremo of destroying industry and creating joblessness in West Bengal.

Gandhi Criticises TMC's Governance in West Bengal

"One has to have a relative in the TMC to get a job in Bengal, else he will not get any," he said, accusing the chief minister of working for the interest of goons and workers of her party.

Alleging that Banerjee did not do anything for the welfare and income generation of the people, the Congress leader pointed to the closed Hindustan Motors factory in nearby Hindmotor.

"Bengal used to be the centre of industry in the country, but first the Left Front and then the TMC destroyed everything," he said.

"If Narendra Modi indulges in corruption, then Mamata Banerjee is also not far behind," he claimed.

Gandhi said that it was during the TMC government that the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzy scams involving thousands of crores of rupees took place.

He alleged that coal smuggling and illegal mining take place in the TMC-ruled state and that goonda tax is imposed on every activity in Bengal.

The Rae Bareli MP alleged that the TMC brings down the same atrocities on Congress workers in Bengal as those in other parts of the country by the BJP.

"Mamata Banerjee had promised five lakh jobs in 2021, but has anyone got employment?" he asked, maintaining that 84 lakh youths have applied for unemployment allowance in Bengal.

Claiming that atrocities on women have risen under the TMC rule, the Congress leader pointed to the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in 2024.

"Mamata Banerjee is opening the road for the BJP in Bengal," he said, arguing that had she worked for the people's interests, the BJP would not have been able to make inroads in the state.
A 60-year-old security guard was murdered during a robbery at a Ranchi temple, leading to the arrest of three suspects who confessed to the crime.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 60-year-old security guard at a Ranchi temple was murdered during a robbery attempt.

Police arrested three suspects who confessed to killing the security guard after he recognised them.

The accused stole money from the temple's donation box after killing the guard.

Investigators recovered the stolen cash, the murder weapon, and tools used to break into the donation box.

The suspects have been sent to judicial custody following the filing of an FIR.

A 60-year-old security guard of a temple in Ranchi was bludgeoned to death with a stone during a robbery attempt, police said on Saturday.

The incident happened late on Thursday at the Jagannath Temple in the Dhurwa Smart City area, they said.

Accused Confess To The Crime

"Three persons were arrested on Friday for killing the security guard. They confessed to the crime and told police that the victim had identified them. Therefore, in fear of being caught, they killed him by attacking him with a stone on his head," SSP Rakesh Ranjan said.

"Thereafter, they took money from the donation box and fled the scene. Two of them have criminal antecedents," he added.

Stolen Cash And Weapons Recovered

Ranjan said the investigators recovered Rs 3 lakh in cash that had been robbed, the stone with blood-stained marks, and the iron rod used to break open the lock of the donation box kept there.

An FIR in this regard was lodged at the Dhurwa police station, he said, adding that the accused were sent to judicial custody by a court.
Amid ongoing tensions, Iran has delivered a list of demands for the US and Israel to Pakistani leaders, as Pakistan attempts to facilitate peace talks between the two nations.

IMAGE: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 25, 2026. Photograph: @CMShehbaz/X

Key Points Iran's delegation delivered demands for the US and Israel to Pakistani leaders.

Donald Trump cancelled his envoys' visit to Islamabad amid peace talk efforts.

Pakistan is facilitating Iran-US talks to achieve regional peace and stability.

The first round of US-Iran talks in Pakistan failed to produce a breakthrough.

Islamabad remains under tight security due to anticipated talks between the US and Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday after holding discussions with Pakistan's top leaders and sharing with them Tehran's list of demands to permanently end the war, raising uncertainty over the future of second round of peace talks with the US.

As Araghchi left Pakistan, President Donald Trump announced that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would no longer be going to Islamabad for talks with Iran, contending that Washington held all the cards on the matter.

"I just cancelled the trip of my representatives" to Islamabad to meet with the Iranians, Trump posted on Truth Social.

"Too much time wasted on travelling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their "leadership." Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!" he added.

Iran's Araghchi Meets Munir, Sharif

Araghchi, who arrived in Islamabad late Friday, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and other top officials.

"Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value. Shared Iran's position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy," Araghchi said in a post on X.

In a statement, PM Shehbaz said he had "a most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation. We also discussed matters of mutual interest, including the further strengthening of PakistanIran bilateral relations."

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

Dar said PM Shahbaz emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the region and beyond during the meeting, which lasted around two hours.

Soon after, PM Shehbaz dialled Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the evolving regional situation.

He appreciated Iran's continued engagement and "reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an honest and sincere facilitator - working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region."

"During their warm and cordial conversation that lasted fifty minutes, the two leaders had a detailed exchange of views on the current regional situation and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the region," the prime minister's office said.

While reassuring the Iranian President of Pakistan's firm commitment to regional peace, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan would continue its sincere and honest endeavours to promote regional peace and security.

"Both leaders agreed to continue their close coordination," the PM Office said.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the Foreign Minister presented Tehran's official stance on ending the US-Israeli war and reinforcing regional stability to Pakistan's Army Chief Munir on Saturday.

A senior Pakistani official told PTI that Araghchi met Munir in a "formal huddle and discussed matters concerning peace talks with the US."

Araghchi is now headed to Oman on the second leg of his three-nation tour. From Muscut, he will travel to Russia.

Trump Cancels US Delegation Trip

Meanwhile, Trump told Fox News that it's not worth the US delegation making the 18-hour flight to Pakistan when the US holds all the cards in the conflict with Iran.

He added that the Iranians can call the US at any time they want.

"I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'nope, you're not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing'," Trump told the channel.

Araghchi's visit was expected to be the second round of talks after the first on April 11-12 ended without a deal.

Iran Says No Talks Planned With US

Earlier, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Baqaei said that "no meeting" was planned to take place between Iran and the US during the visit of Araghchi, who will also travel to Oman and Russia.

Foreign Minister Dar on Saturday said that Pakistan is facilitating the Iran-US talks, and it will continue with efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Dar, who held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review the latest developments in the region, underlined that Pakistan's official policy statements on the Iran-US facilitation process are only those issued by official sources, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"Unnamed Pakistani officials or sources, whether quoted in print or social media, do not reflect Pakistan's official position," he added.

Dar also advised print and electronic media to refrain from speculative reporting and focus on official statements only.

In a related development, Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and shared developments regarding Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic efforts.

On Friday night, Dar discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and they emphasised the importance of sustained engagement to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond, the FO said.

Dar has been leading Pakistan's telephone diplomacy and has been regularly talking to the foreign ministers of various countries since the conflict between the US and Iran began.

Iran-US 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.

On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.

Meanwhile, large parts of Pakistan's capital have remained under a tight security lockdown for over a week now.

The war began when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. The retaliation by the Islamic Republic extended the war to the entire Gulf region.
Amit Shah confidently predicts a BJP victory in the West Bengal assembly elections after the first phase of polling, promising to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act for the Matua community.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Amit Shah claims the BJP will win 110 seats in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.

Shah promises swift implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for the Matua community if the BJP wins.

Shah criticises Mamata Banerjee's government for failing to ensure women's safety in West Bengal.

Shah assures the Matua community they will no longer live in fear under a BJP government in West Bengal.

Shah accuses Banerjee of denying citizenship rights to the Matua community.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted the BJP had sealed its victory in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly polls itself, claiming the party would win 110 seats in the polling held on April 23.

Addressing an election rally, he promised swift implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), particularly for the Matua community, once the BJP came to power in the state.

BJP's Victory Claim And CAA Promise

"Voting for the first phase is over. In the very first phase itself, the BJP will win 110 seats, and Didi will be thrown out of power. Instead of TMC, the BJP will form a government here," he said.

Voting was held in 152 of the 294 Assembly constituencies of Bengal on April 23 and recorded a turnout of over 92 per cent. In the second phase, polling will be held in 142 constituencies on April 29.

Targeting Banerjee Over CAA Opposition

Shah targeted Banerjee over her opposition to the CAA and accused her government of denying citizenship rights to members of the Matua community and keeping them in fear.

"Didi does not allow the implementation of the CAA law. You form the government of the lotus (BJP's poll symbol), and after May 5, the BJP government will ensure that every brother and sister of the Matua community receives citizenship," he said.

Assurances For The Matua Community

The former BJP chief said the Matua community, a politically influential refugee population with roots in Bangladesh, would no longer have to live in uncertainty under a BJP government.

"People of the Matua community do not need to live in fear anymore," he added.

Attacks On TMC Over Women's Safety

Shah also launched a sharp attack on the TMC government over women's safety, citing incidents such as the RG Kar case, Sandeshkhali, and alleged crimes at a law college in Kolkata.

"In the last 15 years of TMC rule, it is women who have suffered the most. Be it RG Kar, Sandeshkhali, or South Calcutta Law College, every incident has exposed the complete failure of Didi's government in ensuring women's safety," he said.

The Union minister took exception to Banerjee's reported remarks advising women not to step out after 7 pm, saying such statements reflected the government's failure.

"Didi says women should not step out after 7 pm. But after May 5, when the BJP forms the government, even if a girl decides to go out at 1 am, nobody will dare raise an eye on her," he said.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announces record wheat arrivals in the state, highlighting the success of the government's procurement system and dismissing opposition concerns about farmer hardship.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reports record wheat arrivals in state 'mandis'.

Saini dismisses opposition claims of farmer hardship due to new procurement measures.

Over 81 lakh tonne of wheat has arrived in mandis, with over 70 lakh tonne procured.

The Haryana government claims technology-based initiatives have enhanced transparency in the procurement process.

Farmers in Haryana are receiving payments for their crops within 48 to 72 hours.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said wheat procurement was going on smoothly in the 'mandis' which saw record arrivals.

Saini took on the opposition parties who alleged that the BJP government has put in place new conditions including biometric verification which have caused hardship to farmers.

The chief minister, while addressing a news conference here, said the farmers are satisfied with the transparent system of crop procurement and it is the opposition which has a problem.

Haryana Government's Stance on Wheat Procurement

He said many opposition leaders are visiting mandis these days and asked them to remember the time when their parties ruled the state and the kind of problems the farmers faced then.

"The kind of falsehood they are trying to spread...they should remember their time. People have understood that they speak only lies," Saini said.

He said that during the Rabi marketing season 2026-27 bumper arrivals of crop have been recorded which has broken the record of past four years.

"For this, I congratulate the farmers. This is the result of sweat of our hardworking farmers," he said.

Record Wheat Arrivals in Haryana Mandis

Saini said arrival of over 81 lakh tonne wheat has been recorded in the mandis so far and over 70 lakh tonne has been procured.

On April 11, in a single day, over 7 lakh tonne wheat arrived in the mandis, Saini said.

He said 5.80 lakh farmers have brought their crop to the mandis so far.

"Our farmers are adopting modern techniques and they are expressing confidence in transparent system of crop procurement," he said.

Government Initiatives for Farmers

Saini said before 2024 Haryana Assembly polls Congress used to say that if they come to power they will shut down the portals which the government started to facilitate farmers and other sections.

"There was no system in place during their time, the problems farmers faced during their time everyone knows. Farmers have not forgotten that time. We created a system and change has come. There was no digital system during their time and things were not transparent. Farmers had to wait for payments of their crops for months.

"Now, the opposition leaders are touring mandis, but they should tell farmers what was the condition when they ruled. When farmers were actually facing problems, then these opposition leaders did not visit mandis and neither found solution to their problems. Long queues were seen in mandis when farmers came to sell their crops," he said.

Saini said the BJP government is procuring 24 crops of farmers at Minimum Support Price.

Farmers are receiving payments for their crops within 48 to 72 hours, he said.

Notably, while the opposition claims that some of the new measures have given hassles to farmers, the state government has maintained that these technology-based initiatives have enhanced transparency, accountability and efficiency in the procurement process, directly benefiting farmers.

Recently, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was among the opposition leaders to tour the 'mandis', had claimed that he has been receiving reports from farmers across the state regarding the "chaotic conditions prevailing in the mandis".
A 30-year-old man in Kerala has been arrested for allegedly murdering his mother, surrendering to police after the shocking incident.

Key Points A 30-year-old man in Kannur, Kerala, allegedly murdered his mother at their home.

The accused, Christy, surrendered to the Kelakom police station after the incident.

According to the FIR, Christy stabbed his mother in the neck with a knife.

The alleged motive was hearing people speak ill of the woman.

Police have registered a case of murder and are investigating the incident.

A 30-year-old man allegedly killed his mother at their home near here and surrendered before police, officials said on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Geethamma (53), wife of Thankachan, of Kanichar near Peravoor.

Her son, Christy, surrendered at the Kelakom police station following the incident on Friday night, police said.

Details of the Alleged Murder

According to the FIR, Christy stabbed Geethamma in her neck with a knife at the bedroom of their house between 8 pm and 9 pm on Friday.

The FIR stated that he allegedly committed the crime after hearing people in the locality speaking ill of the woman.

Investigation and Background

Police said Christy had studied at a college in Bengaluru but returned home without completing the course.

Geethamma ran a beauty parlour and was an active BJP Mahila Morcha worker.

The incident occurred when Thankachan was away from the home.

After allegedly attacking his mother, Christy called a friend and rode on a motorcycle to the police station, where he informed officers about the incident, officials said.

Police then reached the house and shifted Geethamma to a hospital, where she was declared dead.

While relatives alleged that Christy abused drugs, police said further investigation is needed to verify the claim.

Kelakom police have registered a case of murder.
A tragic road accident on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway near Muzaffarnagar claimed the lives of three young men after their motorcycle was struck by a speeding vehicle.

Key Points Three men in their 20s died in a road accident near Muzaffarnagar.

The accident occurred on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

A speeding vehicle allegedly hit the motorcycle from behind.

The victims were identified as Raju, Bittu, and Subhash.

Three men, all of them in their 20s, died of injuries here after they were hit from behind while riding a motorcycle by a vehicle which was allegedly speeding, police said on Saturday.

Details Of The Fatal Accident

The accident took place on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway near Bhesani Islampur village on Friday night, they said.

The deceased were identified as Raju, 25, Bittu, 23, and Subhash, 24.

Circle Officer Amardeep Kumar said the three were rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
The Trinamool Congress has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to experience West Bengal's 'Maa Canteen' during his election campaign visit, showcasing the state government's initiative to provide subsidised meals.

Key Points Trinamool Congress invites PM Modi to experience West Bengal's 'Maa Canteen' and its subsidised meals.

TMC criticises Modi's comments on infiltration, pointing to the Home Minister's role in border security.

The 'Maa Canteen' scheme provides subsidised meals at Rs 5 per plate, targeting daily wage workers and the underprivileged.

TMC alleges the Election Commission is working at the behest of the BJP, criticising restrictions on movement ahead of polls.

The ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has enjoyed a boat ride on the Hooghly river and savoured street food 'jhalmuri', to round off his Bengal experience with a Rs 5 meal at the state government's Maa Canteen during his visit for poll campaigning.

Addressing a press conference here, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asserted that every time Modi talks about infiltration in West Bengal, he inadvertently criticises his own Home Minister Amit Shah, whose responsibilities include border security.

The Prime Minister has been campaigning for the BJP candidates, and he should also experience the ground realities of the state under the Mamata Banerjee government, Ghosh said.

Experience Bengal's Subsidised 'Maa Canteen'

"We invite the Prime Minister to take out some time and eat at one of the Maa Canteens. You will get rice, dal and vegetables for Rs 5 at noon. You will get a vegetarian meal there. And if someone accompanies you, two can eat for Rs 10," the former Rajya Sabha MP said.

The Maa Canteen scheme is a West Bengal government initiative launched in 2021 by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that provides subsidised cooked meals at just Rs 5 per plate. Hundreds of Maa Canteens are being run across the state, primarily targeting daily wage workers, the poor and the underprivileged.

TMC Highlights Modi's Bengal Experiences

Ghosh also pointed out that Modi recently had 'jhalmuri, a popular street food of Bengal, from a vendor originally from Bihar who had set up shop in Bengal's Jhargram.

"It was Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration that had helped the vendor," the TMC spokesperson said.

Ghosh also said that the PM could enjoy a boat ride on the Hooghly river here on Friday, as the water is clean.

"He could not have seized a similar photo opportunity on the Yamuna in Delhi. The water was so polluted there," the TMC leader claimed.

Infiltration Allegations and Political Criticism

Ghosh also dismissed the BJP's oft-repeated allegations of infiltration in West Bengal, questioning the leadership in other border states ruled by the saffron party.

"Every time you (the PM) use the word infiltration, you are criticising your own home minister. If even one person enters Bengal and it is the TMC's fault, how are they getting into Tripura? How are they caught in other states? Your Home Minister has failed," he said.

Ghosh rejected Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's claim that no Bengali Hindus are lodged in detention camps for failing to prove their Indian citizenship in his state.

"Lakhs of Bengali Hindu families remain detained there. Those who keep Bengali Hindus locked in detention camps are coming here to show the Assam model. The people of Bengal will not tolerate this," the TMC leader said.

Ghosh alleged that the Election Commission was working at the behest of the BJP, and the Calcutta High Court criticised its directive to restrict the movement of two-wheelers ahead of polls.

He claimed that the saffron party has declared war on the people by harassing the working population at large in the state.
Investing.com -- The conflict against Russia has shifted firmly onto Europes shoulders, as the European Union this week finalized a landmark 90 billion ($105 billion) loan package to sustain Kyivs operations through the end of next year.

The move marks a critical evolution in the wars financing, occurring as the Trump administration narrows its focus toward the Middle East and retreats from its traditional role as Ukraines primary backer.

Europes funding package provides a vital lifeline, but officials in Brussels warn that the reality of the wars financial demands may far outpace their current commitments.

Infrastructure constraints and geopolitical friction

The decision, cleared following the recent electoral defeat of Hungarian leadership, represents a rare display of resolve within the bloc. However, Ukraine continues to face a widening fiscal cliff, with diplomats estimating an additional 19 billion funding gap for next year alone.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the support, yet he remains vocal about the ongoing need for U.S.-sourced capabilities, particularly high-end aerial interceptors and battlefield intelligence, which the EU currently lacks the capacity to replicate.

Concerns are mounting that the EU may be forced back to the negotiating table for further multi-billion euro loans much sooner than anticipated.

As energy price volatility fueled by the Iran war and domestic political pressure from nationalist parties in France and Germany mounts, maintaining a consensus on long-term aid is becoming an increasingly difficult balancing act for Brussels.

Global market outlook and shifting defense strategies

Despite the financial strain, support remains solid among key European members, who view the current conflict as a direct security imperative for the continents borders.

Looking forward, the European defense industry is pivoting toward joint production models with Ukraine, integrating Kyivs recent tactical drone and military experience into the broader alliance architecture.

As the war stretches into its fifth year, questions linger about the sustainability of Europes funding of Ukraines war with Russia.

As national elections in multiple EU countries loom, the ability of European capitals to insulate defense spending from domestic populist fatigue will be the decisive factor in whether the current level of aid can be maintained through 2027 and beyond.

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A Tripura District Forest Officer is under investigation after a large cash seizure involving a relative at Agartala railway station, prompting a raid on his residence and raising corruption concerns.

Photograph: SC website

Key Points Tripura District Forest Officer Gaurav Ravindra Wagh is under investigation following the recovery of a large sum of cash.

A relative of the DFO was found with Rs 59.95 lakh at Agartala railway station.

The relative was arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act after failing to explain the source of the money.

A raid was conducted at the DFO's residence, and documents, CCTV footage, a laptop, and a drone camera were seized.

The DFO has been asked to report to the Forest department headquarters to ensure an impartial probe.

A team of Crime Branch on Saturday carried out a raid in the official residence of District Forest Officer (DFO), South Tripura, Gaurav Ravindra Wagh, in connection with the recovery of Rs 59.95 lakh in cash at Agartala railway station on April 23, an official said.

Police seized some documents, CCTV footage, one laptop and a drone camera from the DFO's residence as part of the investigation.

Cash Recovery at Agartala Railway Station

"During routine checking at Agartala Railway station on April 23, Rajendra Chintaman Kaklij, a Mumbai-based relative of the DFO, was found with Rs 59.94 lakh in cash and was taken to Agartala GRP police station for interrogation," Officer in Charge (OC) of the police station, Raju Bhowmik told PTI.

The OC said that as Rajendra failed to explain the source of the money and intended use of the cash, he was arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act and various sections under BNS and was produced before a court, which granted him police custody for five days.

Investigation and Further Actions

According to Bhowmik, the person who was arrested for carrying the huge amount of cash used the DFO's official vehicle to reach the Agartala railway station from Belonia in South Tripura.

"Sensing the gravity of the crime, the case has been handed over to the Crime Branch for proper investigation (on Saturday). A team conducted a raid in the official residence of the DFO at Belonia and seized some documents, CCTV footage, a laptop and a drone camera as part of the investigation," he said.

DFO Asked to Report to Headquarters

Meanwhile, the DFO has been asked to report to Aryana Bhavan (headquarters of the Forest department) to ensure an impartial probe into the huge cash recovery case.
The US Navy intercepted an Iranian-flagged ship as part of an ongoing maritime blockade, highlighting escalating tensions and the enforcement of sanctions against Iran.

IMAGE: USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) near what the US Central Command said was a vessel attempting to sail to an Iranian port, as it enforces the US blockade on Iranian ports, at an unknown location, released on April 24, 2026. Photograph: US Central Command/Handout via Reuters

Key Points The USS Rafael Peralta intercepted an Iranian-flagged ship attempting to sail to Iran.

The US is enforcing a maritime blockade against Iran, intercepting sanctioned vessels.

The US military is prepared to resume major combat operations if ordered.

US forces have intercepted multiple vessels, including the Tiffany and Majestic X, carrying Iranian oil.

The US Central Command maintains a strict blockade on all ports, tracking vessels of interest.

In a significant maritime development, the United States Central Command has confirmed that the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) successfully intercepted an 'Iranian-flagged ship' during a mission.

American naval authorities monitored the vessel on April 24 as it was 'attempting to sail to a port in Iran' before the destroyer moved to halt its progress.

The intervention was initiated specifically because the vessel was 'attempting to sail to a port in Iran', leading to a boarding and subsequent investigation by the crew.

US Intensifies Maritime Interdiction Operations

This interception coincides with a broader enforcement strategy detailed by the United States on Friday.

During a press briefing at the Department of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine shared an update on interdiction operations, noting that the US will continue to enforce a firm maritime blockade against Iran.

General Caine stated that the US military remains prepared to resume major combat operations if ordered by the President.

He recalled how the blockade was enforced against all commercial vessels going into and out of Iran and their ports at the President's direction and on order of the Secretary.

Seizing Vessels and Enforcing Sanctions

In support of the US Department of Justice, the US military was ordered to conduct maritime interdiction operations against sanctioned and 'dark fleet' vessels globally, a campaign which began on April 8.

General Caine revealed that as of Friday morning, 34 ships have met the US blockade and 'made the wise choice to turn around'.

Providing specific operational details, General Caine recalled the interdiction of the motor vessel Touska.

After several rounds of warnings, the ship was ultimately seized by US Marines following an order from CENTCOM.

"Via helicopters, US Marines manoeuvred quickly to the disabled ship, boarded her from fast ropes via helicopter infiltration methods, and took custody of the ship. The ship and her crew remain safe in US custody today," Gen Caine said.

Expanding Operations in the Indo-Pacific Region

The scope of these operations extends beyond the immediate region into the Indo-Pacific.

On April 20, US forces intercepted the motor tanker Tiffany, a very large crude carrier transporting approximately 2 million barrels of 'sanctioned Iranian oil'.

This was followed by another interdiction on April 22, when a stateless tanker, Majestic X, also known as Ponix, was seized in the Indian Ocean under similar circumstances.

"Both ships, the Tiffany and the Majestic X and their crews remain in US custody, and we will continue to conduct similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans against Iranian ships and vessels of the 'dark fleet'," Gen Caine added.

Maintaining a Strict Blockade

General Caine emphasised that US Central Command continues to maintain a strict blockade on all ports.

He clarified that the US is enforcing the blockade across the board against any ship of any nationality transiting to or from an Iranian port or territory.

"We're closely tracking vessels of interest headed towards Iran and those moving away from Iran that were outside the blockade area when this blockade was ordered... We're prepared and postured to intercept them," he stated.

Reflecting on the historical context of regional tensions, General Caine paid tribute to the victims of the April 18, 1983, bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut.

He described the event as a pivotal moment in attacks against American personnel.

"Today we remember them... and remain grateful for their sacrifice," he said, specifically naming four US service members among those killed.

He noted that military leadership remains 'deeply humbled by the spirit, tenacity, and commitment' of personnel currently involved in these ongoing operations.
After evading authorities for over two decades, the Delhi Police have arrested Salim Khan, a man accused in a 1995 kidnapping and murder case, who had been living under a false identity as a social activist and YouTuber.

IMAGE: The accused, identified as Salim Khan alias Salim Ahmed, also known as Salim Wastik, was apprehended from Loni in Uttar Pradesh by a team of crime branch. Photograph: ANI video grab

Key Points Salim Khan, accused in a 1995 kidnapping and murder case, was arrested after evading authorities for over two decades.

Khan, convicted in 1997 for the kidnapping and murder of a 13-year-old, jumped bail in 2000 and assumed a false identity.

Under the alias Salim Wastik, Khan ran a shop and became a social activist and YouTuber to avoid detection.

Delhi Police apprehended Khan in Loni, Uttar Pradesh, following a tip-off and verification of his identity.

Khan had been attacked earlier this year and was receiving security from Uttar Pradesh Police prior to his arrest.

YouTuber Salim Wastik, who identifies himself as 'Ex-Muslim' on social media, was arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with a 31 years old case of kidnapping and murder of a businessman's teenage son in the national capital, officials said on Saturday.

The development has added a strange twist in the YouTuber's saga as Wastik was provided security by the Uttar Pradesh Police in February after he was allegedly stabbed by two men at his office in Loni.

The two alleged attackers were later killed in an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Salim Wastik, whose original name is Salim Khan alias Salim Ahmed, had managed to evade arrest by assuming a new identity and moving to different locations over the years. He was apprehended from Loni in Uttar Pradesh by a team of crime branch.

Details of the 1995 Kidnapping and Murder

According to police, Khan was convicted in 1997 along with his associate Anil for the kidnapping and murder of the 13-year-old son of a cement businessman in northeast Delhi and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life by a sessions court in Delhi.

At the time of the incident, Salim was working as a martial arts instructor at the victim's school.

The convict had been evading arrest for over two decades after jumping interim bail granted in 2000 during pendency of his appeal, police said.

"The boy was abducted in January 1995 while on his way to school, and a ransom of Rs 30,000 was demanded for his release," a senior police officer said.

The officer further said the victim's father had received a phone call from the kidnappers, who instructed him to deliver the ransom amount at a bus stand near the Loni flyover. The caller also warned him against informing the police.

However, during the investigation, suspicion fell on Salim Khan. A police team questioned him and based on his disclosure, recovered the boy's body from a drain near Mustafabad in Delhi, according to the officer.

The co-accused Anil was later identified and eventually surrendered before a court in February 1995.

Khan's Escape and Re-emergence

Following trial proceedings, both accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court in Delhi. They later challenged the verdict in the Delhi High Court. During the pendency of the appeal, Salim Khan was granted interim bail in November 2000 but failed to surrender thereafter. His conviction was upheld by the high court in 2011.

"After jumping bail, Salim Khan managed to evade law enforcement by frequently changing locations across Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He reportedly worked as an almirah maker in places such as Karnal and Ambala before settling permanently in Loni around 2010," the officer said.

Living Under a False Identity

To avoid arrest, he allegedly declared himself dead in official records and assumed a new identity as Salim Wastik or Salim Ahmed. Under this identity, he ran a shop dealing in women's garments and accessories and also became active on social media platforms, projecting himself as a social activist and YouTuber.

Police said the breakthrough came after a crime branch team received a tip-off, which they then used to verify his identity using old photographs and fingerprint records. A team, with assistance from local police in Loni, carried out the operation and arrested him.

They said after completing legal formalities, the accused has been brought to Delhi and lodged in Tihar Jail.

Recent Attack and Arrest

According to officials, earlier, after the attack on Wastik at his office, an FIR was registered on a complaint lodged by his son Usman against seven named individuals -- two of which were killed in encounter.

Police had formed multiple teams to trace the attackers and were examining angles including personal enmity and ideological differences.

He was treated at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Saket.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had then directed officials to take strict action in the matter, stating that those disturbing law and order would not be spared.
YouTuber Salim Wastik, known as 'Ex-Muslim,' has been arrested by Delhi Police for his involvement in a 1995 kidnapping and murder case, after evading arrest for over two decades.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points YouTuber Salim Wastik, known as 'Ex-Muslim,' was arrested in connection with a 1995 kidnapping and murder case.

Salim Wastik had been evading arrest for over two decades after jumping bail in 2000.

The case involves the kidnapping and murder of a 13-year-old son of a businessman in Delhi.

Wastik assumed a new identity and worked in different locations to avoid capture.

Police used old photographs and fingerprint records to verify his identity and make the arrest.

YouTuber Salim Wastik, who identifies himself as 'Ex-Muslim' on social media, was arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with a 31 years old case of kidnapping and murder of a businessman's teenage son in the national capital, officials said on Saturday.

The development has added a strange twist in the YouTuber's saga as Wastik was provided security by the Uttar Pradesh Police in February after he was allegedly stabbed by two men at his office in Loni.

The two alleged attackers were later killed in an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Details of the Arrest and Past Conviction

Salim Wastik, whose original name is Salim Khan alias Salim Ahmed, had managed to evade arrest by assuming a new identity and moving to different locations over the years. He was apprehended from Loni in Uttar Pradesh by a team of crime branch.

According to police, Khan was convicted in 1997 along with his associate Anil for the kidnapping and murder of the 13-year-old son of a cement businessman in northeast Delhi and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life by a sessions court in Delhi.

At the time of the incident, Salim was working as a martial arts instructor at the victim's school.

The convict had been evading arrest for over two decades after jumping interim bail granted in 2000 during pendency of his appeal, police said.

The 1995 Kidnapping and Murder Case

"The boy was abducted in January 1995 while on his way to school, and a ransom of Rs 30,000 was demanded for his release," a senior police officer said.

The officer further said the victim's father had received a phone call from the kidnappers, who instructed him to deliver the ransom amount at a bus stand near the Loni flyover. The caller also warned him against informing the police.

However, during the investigation, suspicion fell on Salim Khan. A police team questioned him and based on his disclosure, recovered the boy's body from a drain near Mustafabad in Delhi, according to the officer.

The co-accused Anil was later identified and eventually surrendered before a court in February 1995.

Legal Proceedings and Evasion

Following trial proceedings, both accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court in Delhi. They later challenged the verdict in the Delhi High Court. During the pendency of the appeal, Salim Khan was granted interim bail in November 2000 but failed to surrender thereafter. His conviction was upheld by the high court in 2011.

"After jumping bail, Salim Khan managed to evade law enforcement by frequently changing locations across Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He reportedly worked as an almirah maker in places such as Karnal and Ambala before settling permanently in Loni around 2010," the officer said.

Assuming a New Identity

To avoid arrest, he allegedly declared himself dead in official records and assumed a new identity as Salim Wastik or Salim Ahmed. Under this identity, he ran a shop dealing in women's garments and accessories and also became active on social media platforms, projecting himself as a social activist and YouTuber.

Police said the breakthrough came after a crime branch team received a tip-off, which they then used to verify his identity using old photographs and fingerprint records. A team, with assistance from local police in Loni, carried out the operation and arrested him.

They said after completing legal formalities, the accused has been brought to Delhi and lodged in Tihar Jail.

Attack and Security Before Arrest

According to officials, earlier, after the attack on Wastik at his office, an FIR was registered on a complaint lodged by his son Usman against seven named individuals -- two of which were killed in encounter.

Police had formed multiple teams to trace the attackers and were examining angles including personal enmity and ideological differences.

He was treated at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Saket.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had then directed officials to take strict action in the matter, stating that those disturbing law and order would not be spared.
A Boeing 737 of the airline Ryanair takes off from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) "Willy Brandt". Soeren Stache/dpa

Germany's ADV airports association on Saturday expressed concern at the decision by Irish budget carrier Ryanair to shut down its base at Berlin's BER international airport and halve flights to and from the German capital.

"Following the Ryanair announcement, Germany is looking at BER airport, but it is in fact not a decision taken against Berlin, but against the German aviation sector as a whole," ADV chief executive Ralph Beisel said.

Dublin-based Ryanair announced on Friday that by the winter of this year it would cut its flights to and from BER by half, close its base and withdraw the seven aircraft currently kept there, claiming the airport had decided to increase charges by a further 10% between 2027 and 2029.

BER has rejected Ryanair's account and said that the two sides are currently in talks on the charges issue.

Beisel said costs in the German aviation sector were too high. "Excessive taxes and charges are preventing German airports from participating in the dynamic growth of European aviation," he said.

He pointed to aviation taxes, insurance fees and airport charges. While airport charges were lower than the European average, they were only a small part of the total, he said.

The ADV noted that while a flight from Berlin to Palma de Mallorca cost the airline around 7,600 ($8,900) in taxes and charges, compared to around 4,400 for flights from Warsaw to Palma.

Long-haul flights from Germany to New York cost airlines some 23,500 in fees and taxes, compared to 13,900 charged on average at other European airports, according to the industry group.

The association also noted that Germany's neighbours had posted much larger rises in passenger traffic over the past 10 years.
WASHINGTON-- Irans war effort extends beyond the Middle East. By supplying Russia with drones and enabling its long-range strikes in Ukraine, Tehran has already become an active participant in a major war on European soil -- a development that analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, says represents a critical turning point in both Irans confrontation with the West and the broader alignment of authoritarian powers.

In testimony before the Helsinki Commission earlier this week, Taleblu warned that this alignment reflects more than tactical coordination. The commission is an independent congressional agency that monitors human rights and security cooperation across Europe and Eurasia. While countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea differ in ideology and political systems, Taleblu argued they are increasingly bound by shared traits -- repression at home and revisionist ambitions abroad.

In an interview with RFE/RL on April 24, Taleblu outlined how the Russia-Iran partnership has evolved from pragmatic cooperation into what he calls a transformational relationship -- one that is reshaping modern warfare and linking conflicts from Ukraines front lines to instability across the Middle East.

RFE/RL: You have described a burgeoning Axis of Aggressors comprising Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. How coordinated is this grouping in practice, and should it be understood as a formal alliance or a looser alignment?

Behnam Ben Taleblu: I think we in the West are spoiled by the definition of an alliance, particularly after World War II, when allies look alike and talk alike. But the real definition of an ally, or at least a partner -- particularly in the old world and for many thousands of years -- has really just been two countries or two actors shooting in the same direction for a sustained period of time.

That is a partnership, that is an alliance, and that defines the shared interest of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran to work together more. There are lots of things that divide these countries -- from politics to ideology to different systems -- but what unites them is that they are a constellation of anti-American actors who are authoritarian at home and predatory abroad, and they have revisionist intentions.

Increasingly, what we are seeing in the world is that they are more willing to coordinate these days than ever before. And even when they do not coordinate, they intonate -- they learn from one another, and they draw on capabilities different actors have tested in other theaters.

The willingness of at least some of these actors -- Russia and China, Russia and Iran -- to be more directly involved in each others conflicts is a very troubling sign for foreign policy ahead, especially for countries that consider themselves pro-stability and pro-status quo.

RFE/RL: Focusing now specifically on the Russia-Iran dynamic -- given the historically complicated and often uneasy relationship between these two countries -- what makes this current phase, which you describe as transformational, different from earlier periods of cooperation? What has changed?

Taleblu: In my view, in the post-Cold War period, we saw the Islamic republic, after the Iran-Iraq War, turn to Russia to rebuild its conventional military capabilities, as well as to grow its missile and nuclear programs.

But as much as the Islamic republic has looked to evolve from a junior partner to a full partner of Russia and China, they have selectively used the Islamic republic to push back on the Western alliance system.

The turning point came, in my view, sometime after the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal) experience, and much more importantly amid the Syrian civil war and then following that into the Ukraine crisis.

RFE/RL: Speaking of Ukraine, you argue that Iran is effectively participating in the war through its provision of drones and other systems. How significant has that support been on the battlefield?

Taleblu: There is no doubt in my mind that Ukraine is the real turning point. The conscious choice by the Islamic republic to downplay its historical differences with Russia and to emphasize similarities based on shared adversaries is what made this relationship move from transactional to transformational.

That support has enabled Russian long-range strike capabilities -- that is really what Iran has been doing in the Ukrainian theater for some time.

As you know, Russia uses drones in layered attacks to kill not just European civilians but also to strike European critical infrastructure and civilian infrastructure. Drones allow Putin to conserve more expensive and more powerful long-range strike assets like missiles.

It also allows him to maintain cheaper long-range strike options to erode the will of Ukraine -- and the will of the West -- to stay in the fight.

That military relationship, that material support, coupled with sanctions-busting assistance and enabling of the Russian ghost fleet, marks a major shift, in my view, in Iran-Russia relations.

RFE/RL: Beyond sustaining Russias war effort, is Iran also influencing how Russia fights?

Taleblu: Certainly, when it comes to drone production, the Iranians have helped with Russias ability to produce one-way attack drones on Russian territory.

The Russians have copied not just the Shahed-136 but also more advanced variants, marking a shift toward systems with improved navigation, anti-jamming capacity, and even jet propulsion rather than conventional propellers.

This reflects not just assistance, but adaptation -- and that is what makes this relationship more dangerous over time.

RFE/RL: On the other side of the relationship, Russias support for Iran appears more complex and sometimes less visible. What forms of assistance from Moscow are most concerning right now?

Taleblu: Part of the limitation may be about avoiding Western red lines. A big part is also that Russia is unlikely to transfer systems it urgently needs for its own war in Ukraine.

Another factor is that, given the relatively poor military capacity of the Islamic republic compared to powers like Israel or the United States, Russia may not want its hardware to be destroyed quickly in a conflict.

So there is a cocktail of reasons -- including mistrust -- limiting the level of direct military transfers. But in a world where Russia is providing satellite imagery and assistance with targeting, it is still able to support the Islamic republic.

If we look at the broader picture -- cash, gold, captured Western weapons, cyber support, intelligence assistance, and now targeting -- it becomes a powerful and lethal mix of support.

When you combine that with political backing at the United Nations and other international organizations, it is clear why Iran believes the risk of this partnership is worth the reward.

RFE/RL: You mentioned satellite cooperation and missile development. How close does Russian assistance bring Iran to achieving a true intercontinental ballistic missile capability?

Taleblu: That remains an open question. We do not know the full extent of Russias involvement in Irans space program, particularly when it comes to space launch vehicle capabilities.

However, it was significant enough for the US intelligence community to raise concerns in 2023, after just one year of Iranian material support to Russia.

The fact that Russia has helped put multiple Iranian satellites into low Earth orbit also means it is assisting Iran in building a militarily applicable space architecture -- even though Tehran claims these systems are for research or civilian purposes.

RFE/RL: To what extent is Russia learning from Iran -- particularly in areas like sanctions evasion and drone warfare? Is this becoming a two-way exchange that strengthens both sides?

Taleblu: Yes, this is increasingly a two-way exchange.

Iran has long experience with sanctions evasion, including the use of ghost fleets, and Russia is clearly benefiting from that playbook.

At the same time, cooperation in drone production and battlefield tactics shows how both sides are learning from each other and adapting capabilities tested in different conflicts.

RFE/RL: Looking ahead, there is the looming shadow of Tehrans nuclear program. Your testimony suggested Russia may be shifting from acting as Irans lawyer at the UN to playing a more active role in its nuclear ambitions. Do you think Moscow would tolerate --or even assist -- a nuclear-armed Iran?

Taleblu: The choice for Moscow is not as zero-sum as it appears. Turning its back on the West does not automatically mean Russia will enable the Islamic republic of Iran to become a nuclear power.

For many years, that has been a concern of Russia -- to prevent the Islamic republic from becoming too strong and threatening its own interests, whether in the Caucasus, Central Asia, or the Caspian basin.

But the more tension Moscow has with the West, the more likely it may be to turn its back on global nonproliferation norms -- the norms that are increasingly under strain and increasingly in jeopardy.

RFE/RL: If the bond is tightening, the West must look for the seams. Given this trajectory, youve argued that the US should exploit fault lines in the relationship. Where do you see those vulnerabilities, and how could Washington act on them?

Taleblu: Those cracks remain in the mistrust that not just both countries have, but more importantly both polities and populations have of one another.

There is a lot that US-supported international media can do to emphasize that history and highlight those differences in reporting. More importantly, policymakers should put the relationship in a bright light -- exposing cooperation whenever it occurs -- to increase the political cost for both countries.

That may not prevent the relationship, but it can slow-roll it in the end.

RFE/RL: Finally, is this still a marriage of convenience, or are Russia and Iran becoming strategically bound for the long term? What is the single most urgent step Washington should take?

Taleblu: Even marriages of convenience, no matter how long they last, can be important. The question is whether the West can do something to make them less impactful.

For me, the terminology is less important than the practice. An alliance is not just what the West has with itself -- it is two actors willing to shoot in the same direction for a sustained period of time.

Here, it is not just strategy, but values -- these countries are anti-American, authoritarian at home, and predatory abroad. So even if this is temporary, I am worried about the impact that it can have.

In terms of what Washington should do, I would say twofold: continue highlighting the historical mistrust between these countries and consistently expose their cooperation at the highest political levels to raise the costs of that relationship.
PRIPYAT, Ukraine -- Klavdia Omelchenko has never summoned the courage to return to her former home in the town of Pripyat -- hastily abandoned during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 -- until now.

When she left, she thought it would be for a few days. But the 19-year-old had no idea that the biggest nuclear power plant disaster in history would change her life forever: destroying her health, killing her friends, and leaving her childless.

"I'm going to cry," she said, stepping through trees toward the crumbling gray housing block she once called home. She still recalls the address, but it was hard to find among the trees and bushes that have reclaimed the area since it was evacuated.

In 1986, Omelchenko was living a quiet life, working in a textile factory and planning to study in Kyiv. She was completely unaware when a routine safety test at Chernobyl, three kilometers down the road from Pripyat, spiraled out of control.

What Happened At Chernobyl?

One of the power station's four reactors overheated and then exploded, spewing radioactive fallout across the surrounding area and beyond.

The explosion occurred at 1:23 a.m. on April 26. But as the Soviet authorities raced to deal with the emergency, their response was marred by chaos, confusion, and secrecy. The residents of Pripyat were not told what had happened.

It was not until around noon the next day, April 27, that Omelchenko heard an announcement of an evacuation.

"They told us to take the necessary things for a couple of days. Everyone thought we were going to some kind of shelter. No one said anything specific," she recalled. "We saw that they were watering the sidewalks," she added, but nobody explained why.

Omelchenko said she left with a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, her identity documents, and a single bag.

"There were lines of buses by the buildings here," she said. "Yellow, like school buses. I waved and said: 'Goodbye little house, we'll be back soon.' And we left. We left forever. Remembering this, especially [standing] here, is tough. It's tough."

Some 115,000 people were evacuated from a 30-kilometer exclusion zone around Chernobyl that is still almost entirely uninhabited. Pripyat has since become an iconic location: a radioactive ghost town where nature has overgrown the streets.

A Final Homecoming

The buildings are now in such a state of disrepair that it would be dangerous to climb to the eighth floor, where Omelchenko once lived.

But taking shelter from a sudden storm, we ran into the entrance hall. Blue paintwork is peeling from the walls. Rusting mailboxes hang open.

"Box 32 is empty. Nobody has written to me," said Omelchenko with a sad laugh. She was often fighting back tears during the visit. After a moment of silence, she shouted: "My sister wrote this," pointing to graffiti on a broken door.

"We remember you, little house. The Bondarevs," it says. It must have been written when Omelchenko's sister and husband returned to visit Pripyat. She didn't feel able to come at that time.

After the disaster, Omelchenko was rehoused in Izmail, in southwest Ukraine. But her life would continue to be profoundly affected by what had happened.

"My friends died. One died pregnant. Back then, they forced pregnant women to have abortions, but she didn't listen. They buried her with the child, and she never gave birth," she said. "Another friend gave birth to a girl, who was mentally handicapped. And I was also left without children."

Omelchenko explained that her husband in Izmail refused to have children with her, because he was worried they would not be born healthy. "I don't want you to give birth to a mutant," he told her.

She had an abortion and the couple did not stay together, she said, bursting into tears at the memory. This would be both her first and last visit to Pripyat, she added.

Chernobyl: 'My Umbilical Cord'

After seven years in Izmail, Omelchenko managed to exchange her apartment for housing in Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, and shortly afterward got a job at Chernobyl, where the station's remaining three reactors were kept in service until December 2000.

Decommissioning, decontamination, and other work to secure the site has been ongoing ever since, and Omelchenko is still employed in a staff canteen there.

The Chernobyl disaster followed her in other ways. She said she has cancer and survives from operation to operation. But she did not want to dwell on the subject in detail.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the disaster was followed by increased rates of thyroid cancer among those exposed to radiation who were children and adolescents at the time.

For now, Omelchenko said, she is trying to save up for a trip to Turkey for hair-restoration treatment. She said her biggest fear was losing her job. Her apartment, in Chernihiv, is empty.

"It's scary [even] to go on vacation, because you feel that nobody needs you anymore. But there's energy at workamong people," she said.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Chernobyl and the surrounding areas were briefly occupied by Russian forces. Omelchenko chose not to flee.

"Chernobyl is dear to me," she said. "My umbilical cord is buried here. It pulls me back. It's even easier for me to breathe the air here."
The EU has warned Bosnia that designating a private US company as the main investor in a planned gas pipeline, aimed at ending four decades of dependence on Russian gas imports, could undermine the its EU accession and put access to aid from Brussels at risk.

In a letter dated April 13, the EU ambassador to Sarajevo, Luigi Soreca, warned that legislation adopted specifically for the gas pipeline project (lex specialis) could jeopardize Bosnia's access to the European energy market, as well as about 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion) in funding under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The Bosnian Federation, an autonomous region, adopted amendments to the law designating the private, US-based company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy as the investor and developer of the project.

A spokesperson for the EU Delegation told RFE/RL that any energy-sector legislation must remain consistent with Bosnia's accession obligations and should be submitted for review under EU procedures, and that any other interpretation of this letter is wrong and misleading.

The Southern Interconnection is a planned gas pipeline intended to link Bosnia with Croatia's gas network and the liquefied natural gas terminal on the island of Krk.

The terminal is a key EU-backed infrastructure hub aimed at reducing reliance on Russian energy supplies.

Bosnia imports virtually all of its gas from Russia via pipelines running through Serbia and Bulgaria along the TurkStream route.

Annual imports total roughly 225 million cubic meters, according to national statistics, with payments to Gazprom estimated at around 75 million euros ($87.7 million) per year.

The EU has announced plans to end imports of Russian gas by January 2028, increasing pressure on states dependent on Russian supply routes.

Bosnia, although not an EU member, is directly affected because its energy infrastructure is integrated into the EU.

Under the amended legislation, the Southern Interconnection would be implemented through AAFS Infrastructure and Energy d.o.o., a company founded in November 2025, registered in Sarajevo, and wholly owned by the US firm.

According to company and project disclosures, the director of AAFS Infrastructure and Energy is Jesse Binnall, a former member of US President Donald Trump's legal team, while Vice President Joseph Flynn is the brother of former US National-Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Binnall said at a press conference with Bosnian Energy Minister Vedran Lakic on April 2 that the Southern Interconnection was "one of the priority projects for the Trump administration. "

The US Embassy in Sarajevo has publicly supported the project and hosted meetings between Bosnian officials and company representatives.

John Ginkel, the top US diplomat in Bosnia, wrote on X after the first meeting in December that Washington was "ready to act quickly to back the Southern Interconnection" and that the Bosnian legislation "was expected to be adopted by spring 2026 so construction could begin."

He also referenced discussions in November in Athens involving US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who said American efforts were under way to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

On February 24, in Washington, Bosnia joined the American initiative to strengthen the region's energy supply.

Bosnia's foreign minister, Elmedin Konakovic, welcomed US interest in the project, RFE/RL's Balkan Service after the Washington meeting that "it was economically significant for the country."

The EU has raised concerns about governance, market structure, and compliance with internal energy market rules. European legislation argues that the legal framework "must ensure transparency, competition and open access to infrastructure," rather than granting exclusive control to a single operator.

The Energy Community, which extends EU energy market rules to Western Balkan countries, requires liberalized markets, independent system operators, and "nondiscriminatory third-party access to infrastructure."

"To maintain momentum in the EU accession process, it is essential that any legislative developments in the energy sector contribute to fulfilling Bosnia and Herzegovina's obligations," Soreca wrote to Borjana Kristo, chair of the Council of Ministers, and Nermin Niksic, prime minister of Bosnian Federation.

A European Commission spokesman, Guillaume Mercier, told RFE/RL the EU's position is intended to support Bosnia's integration process and ensure compliance with agreed reforms.

"Bosnia has an obligation to submit draft laws to the relevant services of the European Commission, including those in the energy sector," Mercier said.

Bosnia, as a member of the Energy Community, has previously faced sanctions within the framework for failing to meet its obligations, including the suspension of its voting rights.

Neither AAFS nor the Bosnian government has commented on the EU's latest assessment or responded to repeated inquiries from RFE/RL over recent months.

Bosnia was granted EU candidate status in 2022, and accession negotiations were formally opened in March 2024. However, progress remains conditional on judicial, constitutional, and regulatory reforms, including alignment with EU energy and climate policy.

Bosnia operates a single gas entry point and lacks supply diversification. It also relies heavily on coal-fired power plants for roughly 80 percent of electricity generation, many of which are more than four decades old.

The proposed Southern Interconnection would create Bosnia's second gas supply route by linking it to Croatia's network and, through it, to the Krk LNG terminal.

The new law adopted specifically for the project also removed a previous provision assigning state-owned company BH-Gas as project developer.

Government officials have argued that bringing in a foreign investor would accelerate implementation.

Audit reports citing BH-Gas's limited financials have suggested the state-owned company is unable to finance a project estimated at 1 billion euros.

Lakic said in March that the US investor would finance the project, select contractors, and had expressed interest in developing gas-fired power plants and obtaining concessions for airports in Sarajevo and Mostar.

Despite its strategic framing, analysts caution that infrastructure alone does not guarantee supply diversification.

"Countries seeking to reduce dependence on Russian gas must also secure reliable supply contracts," Sophie Corbeau of the Center on Global Energy Policy in Paris told RFE/RL.
Forty years after the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, former residents are still living with its consequences. Klavdia Omelchenko was among those evacuated from Pripyat after the world's worst civilian nuclear accident on April 26, 1986. She returned to the abandoned apartment she once called home, and shared personal memories with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service of her life before and after the disaster.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick isn't ready to offer an olive branch, much less an apology, to Canada for the Trump administration's rhetoric. Testifying Wednesday on international trade and economic growth before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Lutnick did not back down from recent criticisms of Canada's trade strategy.

Asked by Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) how "insulting our closest ally and neighbor" helps companies who have suffered because of the loss of Canadian business and tourism, Lutnick doubled down (1), saying "Canada's economy leans on the incredible $30 trillion economy of America" and complained about Canada not putting U.S. spirits on their shelves.

Must Read

That came just days after Lutnick said "they suck" (2) when asked about Canada's negotiation strategy. The U.S. Department of Commerce later said that comment referred to the trade imbalance between the two countries.

The inflammatory comments, understandably, angered many Canadians. But when it comes to the topic of Canada's economic dependence on the U.S., he's not entirely wrong.

Half of Canada's economy is built on trade with U.S.

When U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney signed a free trade deal in January 1988, it did away with tariffs on goods that crossed the U.S./Canada border. At the time, 75% of Canadian exports went to the U.S. Today, it's 80%  and trade has grown to make up two-thirds (3) of the Canadian economy, with half of that coming from the U.S.

America, meanwhile, sees just 3% of its economy coming from Canada-U.S. trade.

Canada, technically, could export its products to other nations, but right now, the country doesn't have the rail or port capacity to match what it sends to the U.S. American ports handle 2.3 billion (4) tons of freight each year. Canadian ports handle around 351 million (5).

Canada sends 4 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S each day, but doesn't have the infrastructure or pipelines to send them elsewhere.

Supply chains, meanwhile, are intertwined in a manner resembling a Gordian knot. Vehicle parts cross the border multiple times at different stages of construction, making it difficult to reduce Canada's dependency on the U.S. when it comes to the auto industry.
WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump has canceled a planned trip to Pakistan by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for peace talks with Iran.

"I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians," Trump said on April 25 after a US official had confirmed to RFE/RL that the trip had been called off.

"Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.'

Trump was quoted afterwards by Axios as saying in a brief interview that canceling the trip did not automatically mean war with Iran would restart.

"No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet," he told Axios.

The comments come after Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi held what he called a "timely tour" to the Pakistani capital on April 25 to coordinate on "bilateral matters" with Pakistani officials before proceeding to Oman and Russia.

Several media outlets have reported that Araqchi and his delegation had left Islamabad.

Later Iranian media reported that the foreign minister would return to Islamabad following his trip to Oman and before heading on to Russia. One report said that part of Araqchi's delegation had returned to Tehran for instructions and then would rejoin the foreign minister in Pakistan.

Iran has conditioned its return to the negotiating table on the lifting of a US naval blockade of its ports, a demand Trump has so far rejected. Tehran has also dismissed Trump's unilateral extension of the cease-fire as "meaningless" so long as the blockade remains in effect.

Our neighbors are our priority, said Araqchi, who is leading the delegation. Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led the first round of talks with the US in Pakistan on April 11-12, has not traveled to Islamabad.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was more explicit, posting on X that "no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US," and that Tehran's positions would be "conveyed to Pakistan" rather than delivered directly to American negotiators.

Araqchi met with Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and separately with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, though no details of the latter meeting have emerged.

In his talks with Munir, Araqchi conveyed Iran's "views and considerations for ending the war" as well as its reservations about US demands, according to Reuters, which cited an unnamed Pakistani source involved in the talks.

Iranian state media said Araqchi and Munir also discussed the latest cease-fire developments and cooperation to "strengthen peace and stability" in the region. Munir expressed gratitude for Iran's trust in Pakistan and pledged to continue mediation efforts "until a result is achieved."

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have sharpened in recent days, with Iran seizing two vessels and firing on a third after the US captured an Iranian-flagged ship.

The Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which serves as Iran's joint military command, warned on April 25 that it would respond if the United States continued its blockade.

With reporting by Reuters
DNIPRO, Ukraine -- Deadly Russian air strikes pounded Ukraine's eastern city of Dnipro for more than 12 hours overnight on April 25, marking the fourth consecutive day of attacks on the country's key volunteer hub.

Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said at least eight people were killed and nearly five dozen were wounded in the strikes, as local emergency services searched for people under the rubble of a residential building damaged in the attack.

Hanzha added that five children were among the injured and later reported that 12 hours after the start of the attack late on April 24, a new drone strike hit another residential building in the city.

"Russia's tactics remain unchanged -- attack drones, cruise missiles, and a significant number of ballistic missiles," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, as the country's military forces reported that more than 600 drones and 47 missiles were launched on Ukraine overnight.

"Most targets are civilian infrastructure in cities," he said, adding that the strikes also caused casualties in the Chernihiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv regions.

Dnipro has long been one of Ukraine's biggest volunteer and refugee hubs, hosting thousands of internally displaced people from the war-torn Donetsk and Luhansk regions since the beginning of Russian military aggression in 2014.

It has also long been one of the most frequent targets of Russian strikes, as more than four years of full-scale war have brought Russian military forces closer to its regional borders.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service at the scene of the aftermath on April 25, Dnipro resident Olha said the latest explosions in the city overnight were "very loud," adding that she could feel the missiles flying over her house.

Olha said she has been internally displaced twice since 2022, leaving her hometown of Vuhledar -- left largely in ruins and now occupied by Russian forces -- for Zaporizhzhya and then for Dnipro.

"We were fleeing all of this at home. We came to a safer place, as we were told. We were in Zaporizhzhya, and we felt all of this there. We then came to Dnipro, and it is all the same."

Elsewhere, local officials reported Russian overnight strikes damaged critical infrastructure in the Kyiv region and a Panama-flagged ship in Ukraine's major southern port city of Odesa.

On the other side of the border, in Russia's fourth-largest city, Yekaterinburg -- around 1,700 kilometers from the front line -- Governor Denis Pasler reported that a Ukrainian drone hit an apartment building, mostly causing minor injuries.

While there was no immediate comment from Ukrainian military forces, over the past weeks Kyiv has stepped up its attacks deep inside Russia, targeting its oil infrastructure from the Gulf of Finland to the Caspian Sea.

RFE/RL cannot independently verify Pasler's report of a drone attack in Yekaterinburg, but if confirmed, it would be the first time the city has been targeted since Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine in 2022.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continued his international visits, traveling from Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan, where he met President Ilham Aliyev.

A readout of Zelenskyy's visit said that he also met with a group of Ukrainian military experts who had been deployed to Azerbaijan to share air defense expertise.

"We have unique security expertise that can benefit other nations," Zelenskyy's post on X said. "We are already working along three directions: the Middle East and the Gulf region, the European Union, and substantive work with Azerbaijan."

Having previously secured a number of bilateral agreements with European countries, Kyiv has sought to bring its battle-proven technologies and military expertise to countries targeted by Iranian strikes since the beginning of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Separately, during joint comments to the press with Aliyev, Zelenskyy suggested that Azerbaijan could host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine if Moscow is ready to resume the stalled talks.
China's Q1 fiscal spending hits fastest pace in 5 years, revenue up 2.4 pct

Xinhua) 09:22, April 25, 2026

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's fiscal spending expanded 2.6 percent year on year to 7.47 trillion yuan (about 1.09 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2026, with the budget execution pace hitting a five-year high, official data showed Friday.

Central government fiscal expenditure rose 4.9 percent, while local government expenditure increased 2.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Spending in the first quarter accounted for 24.9 percent of the annual budget, the fastest pace of budget execution for the same period in five years, MOF official Wang Jianxun told a press conference on Friday.

Government bond issuance also moved ahead of schedule. In the first quarter, treasury bond issuance exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan, up nearly 10 percent year on year, while newly issued special-purpose local government bonds reached 1.16 trillion yuan, up 20.8 percent.

He Daixin, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the faster pace of spending reflects stepped-up fiscal efforts, which help boost market expectations and confidence.

Spending on key livelihood areas was well ensured, the ministry said. Social security and employment spending rose 9 percent year on year to 1.48 trillion yuan, while health expenditure jumped 12.1 percent to 655.4 billion yuan. Education spending also exceeded 1 trillion yuan in the first quarter.

Local governments have also rolled out concrete livelihood projects. Sichuan Province plans to invest 225.4 billion yuan in 34 livelihood programs, Beijing Municipality plans 102.7 billion yuan for 100 major projects, and Xizang Autonomous Region raised annual preschool education subsidies for farming and pastoral areas to 1,000 yuan per student.

"More financial resources have been tilted toward investing in people and improving people's well-being this year," He said.

Friday's data also showed that fiscal revenue rose 2.4 percent to 6.16 trillion yuan.

The central government collected about 2.5 trillion yuan in fiscal revenue during the period, up 2.7 percent year on year, and local governments collected 3.66 trillion yuan, up 2.1 percent.

Tax revenue during the period totaled 4.85 trillion yuan, up 2.2 percent, while non-tax revenue rose 2.9 percent to 1.31 trillion yuan.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
How would you describe Jay Leno? Your first instinct might be to call him a comedian, especially due to his time hosting NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." But for many of us, "car enthusiast" is likely also on the list of terms we'd use to describe the celebrity.

Leno has a YouTube channel, Jay Leno's Garage (1), with video topics ranging from classic cars to automotive repair projects. He's launched his own line of vehicle care products (2). He even has a famous collection of at least 181 cars and 160 motorcycles in his "Big Dog Garage," located in Burbank, California.

Must Read

So it makes sense that Leno was selected to represent the Hollywood Burbank Airport in a new video about financing its terminal relocation project. And that his love of cars was worked into the video.

In the marketing video, Leno sits at the wheel of a 1930 Duesenberg at the terminal's construction site to inform the public about the project's progress and sell airport revenue bonds to help fund the terminal's completion.

Why Jay Leno and the airport are selling revenue bonds

The Hollywood Burbank Airport is about 33 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and close to many employees of big networks and studios, such as NBCUniversal, Netflix, Nickelodeon, and The Walt Disney Company, says Bloomberg (3).

In the video, Leno describes Burbank as "an oasis" in Los Angeles, calling LA a "crazy city with homelessness and crime and taxes."

The airport is relocating and renovating this terminal to meet present-day Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. It will be 355,000 square feet, have 14 gates, and include up to 6,637 parking spaces (4).

Los Angeles officials expect a lot of travelers to use the terminal in the next few years  the city will host the Super Bowl in 2027 (5) and the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2028 (6). The new terminal is expected to be ready this October.

The project is expected to cost over $1.3 billion (7). According to the City of Burbank government website, "The investment required to pay for the new terminal will be paid for by the FAA, the airlines and airport users (8)."
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on Wednesday proposed a new rule that would create a national standard for what qualifies as joint employer status.

The proposed rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act attempts to resolve significant differences in court opinions across the country about what employers are responsible for in terms of protecting wages and other rights of workers.

The joint employer definition has been a stubborn issue for restaurant chains that franchise. The definition essentially determines what businesses are responsible for compliance with minimum wage, overtime and other labor laws. As a joint employer, for example, a restaurant franchisor could potentially be liable for wage-and-hour violations of franchisees.

What qualifies as a joint employer relationship has shifted over the years amid changing National Labor Relations Board definitions and court challenges, and it now varies by region. Google, for example, reportedly has a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that is expected to decide whether is a joint employer with Accenture Flex.

DOL officials argue the proposed rule will bring clarity and clear guidance to employers.

Keith Sonderling, acting secretary of labor, said in a statement that the proposed rule also strengthens protections for workers.

This proposal helps us deliver on that promise. A clear standard on joint employment would give businesses more confidence to invest in partnerships, help employees understand their rights, and make the departments investigations more efficient, he said.

DOLs proposed rule, which was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, sets up a test to determine different standards that include vertical joint employment, and horizontal joint employment, with specific definitions for those terms.

The multi-part test would consider things like who hires or fires the worker, who supervises or controls the workers' schedule and who determines the rate of pay.

Attorneys say the proposed rule is similar to one finalized in 2020 by the first Trump administration, which would have established that employers must exercise actual control of workers to be considered joint employers.

That rule was struck down by a New York federal court and then rescinded by the Biden administration in 2021.

The International Franchise Association said DOL's new proposed rule would create a commonsense, workable framework for franchises to operate.
April 25, 2026

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 25.04.2026, 13:55

GOVERNMENT Romanias president Nicusor Dan has signed the orders dismissing the Social Democratic Party ministers and appointing interim ones. In a social media post, he announced he will continue to act as a mediator and said he invited the leaders of the four pro-European political parties and the leader of the national minorities group in Parliament to technical talks on Monday regarding major programmes for Romania, such as SAFE and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Dan also said that if, during the consultations, the Liberals or the Social Democrats suggest a minority government backed by the nationalist party Alliance for the Union of Romanians, he will not accept it. On Thursday, the Liberal PM Ilie Bolojan received the resignations of the 7 Social Democratic ministers and submitted replacement proposals to the presidency. The 7 PSD ministers stepped down after the party decided to withdraw its political support for the prime minister.

DRONE The Romanian foreign minister Oana Toiu summoned the Russian ambassador to Bucharest after drone fragments fell on Friday night in the city of Galati, on the Romanian border with Ukraine, following a new raid by Russian forces. The Romanian foreign ministry describes the action as irresponsible and provocative, violating the sovereignty of Romanias airspace and possibly endangering the safety of the public. Intervention teams picked up the fragments with explosive charges and removed them from the area. There were no casualties, only minor damage, but over 200 people were evacuated as a precaution and dozens of homes are being monitored by law enforcement following the incident, regarded by authorities as the most serious of this kind to occur in our country since the start of the war in Ukraine. Also last night, two NATO aircraft urgently took off for surveillance missions, after the Romanian Armys radars detected Russian drones near national airspace. The locals in several villages in Tulcea County received RO-ALERT messages, while explosions were reported near the Ukrainian city of Reni. In a statement, the Romanian defence ministry condemned Russias actions, which it described as a challenge to NATO security and international rules.

SAFE Romania has received from the European Commission the framework agreement for financing under the SAFE programme for army equipment and the development of the national defence industry, confirming its approval at EU level. The announcement was made by the coordinator of SAFE Romania, Mihai Jurca, according to whom the next steps are signing the loan agreement, approval of the programmes by the Romanian Parliament, signing the contracts for Romania by the end of next month and signing the joint procurement contracts by the end of June. Jurca explained that the goal is to have all projects started this autumn and completed by 2030. Of the total amount earmarked to Romania, EUR 16.6 billion, over half is estimated to stay in the country.

CHERNOBYL The risk of a nuclear incident of the magnitude of Chernobyl is zero, said Petre Min, the head of the emergency services at the National Committee for Nuclear Activity Supervision in Romania. He added that since 1986 there has been significant progress in terms of technology, communication and international cooperation. The statement comes ahead of the 40th commemoration of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster on April 26. At that time, a blast occurred at one of the reactors, seding a radioactive cloud across Europe. The effects were devastating, and the impact was felt worldwide. According to the United Nations, the event affected over 3.5 million people and contaminated almost 50,000 square kilometers of land. To this day, the Chernobyl explosion remains the worst nuclear accident in history.

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation says no member state can be expelled or suspended from the alliance, amid reports that the Pentagon is considering the option following Spains denying the US support in the war against Iran. A NATO spokesman emphasised that the founding document only includes a protocol for the accession of members or for a member countrys withdrawal from the alliance. Spains PM Pedro Sanchez said he was not at all concerned by reports that the Trump Administration would try to suspend his country from NATO, and stressed that Madrids commitment to collective defence remains undeniable. According to Reuters, Washington would also like to punish the United Kingdom by withdrawing support for sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The British PM Keir Starmers office responded, however, that the British sovereignty over these islands, claimed by Argentina, is not in question. (AMP)
Ioniq V meets key consumer preferences in China, such as a striking design, connectivity, advanced features and everyday usability

Hyundai has launched its all-electric Ioniq brand in China at Auto China 2026 (Beijing Auto Show). The first model in this range is the Ioniq V, which is derived from the Venus concept revealed recently. Ioniq V is part of Hyundais strong push in the Chinese market, where the carmaker has plans to launch 20 new models over the next five years. These will include BEVs and EREVs (Extended Range Electric Vehicles). Lets check out the details.

Hyundai Ioniq V  Design and features

Ioniq V is based on Hyundais new design language called The Origin. Hyundai has clearly pushed a very clean, geometric design language here. The front is almost minimal to the point of being flat, with a sharp LED strip and hidden headlamp setup. It looks futuristic, but also a bit too plain for something meant to stand out. Compared to something like Ioniq 5, which had strong pixel identity, this feels more generic EV concept than instantly.

The side profile is where this design really shines. That low-slung roofline, long wheelbase and clean surfacing gives it a very premium stance. It almost sits somewhere between a sedan and a crossover, similar to what weve seen with EVs globally. The flush surfaces, minimal creases and aero-focused wheels make it look properly modern. The rear gets a full-width light bar, which is now almost standard in EVs. It looks neat and premium, but again, not very distinctive. It lacks a signature element that immediately tells you this is Ioniq V.

Dimensionally, the Ioniq V is 4,900 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,470 mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. With these numbers, the Ioniq V is comparable to the Ioniq 6 sold globally. Ioniq 9 continues to be the biggest model in this range, measuring 5,060 mm long, 1,980 mm wide and 1,790 mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 3,130 mm.

Interior, equipment

Ioniq V offers spacious interiors and a comfortable cabin environment. It has 1,078 mm of first-row legroom and 1,019 mm of second-row legroom. Shoulder room is also best-in-class at 1,502 mm front and 1,473 mm rear. Tech kit includes a 27-inch ultra-thin 4K panoramic display, which integrates essential driving and infotainment functions in a seamless manner.

Another key feature is a Horizon head-up display (H-HUD), which makes it easier for the driver to access critical information without taking their eyes off the road. Other highlights include ambient lighting and an 8-speaker audio system with Dolby Atmos. Ioniq V has advanced suspension for optimal comfort and stability and dedicated noise reduction systems for a quieter cabin environment.

Performance, safety

Hyundai has not revealed details about the battery pack options, performance and charging. The only thing revealed is that there will be a Standard variant and a long-range variant. Hyundai has stated that the long-range variant of Ioniq V will have a range of over 600 km (CLTC standard). This seems adequate for urban mobility as well as long-distance journeys.

Ioniq V utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset, which ensures fast and highly responsive execution of vehicle functions via voice commands. Users also benefit from a large language model (LLM)-based Smart AI Assistant. Hyundai has partnered with Momenta for the ADAS setup of Ioniq V. Safety kit includes features such as nine airbags, multi-layer occupant protection and reinforced body structure. The EV also has Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist (PMSA).

After the Ioniq V, Hyundai is expected to launch the production version of the Earth concept in China. This is likely in the first half of 2027. Hyundai has ambitious plans for the Chinese market, with an annual sales target at 5 lakh units. This will be driven by renewed domestic demand in China and new export opportunities.
April 24, 2026

The illegal and unconscionable war waged by the US and Israel against the people and state of Iran will not only be remembered for its moral depravity but also for the colossal strategic blunder it has become. Unlike Israel which has long wanted to permanently cripple Iran politically, militarily and territorially, for the US the war never had a clear set of reasons. It began in the wake of another immoral and illegal act: the kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro, then the sitting President of Venezuela, and his wife. This success perhaps led Donald Trump to believe that a military operation in Iran would lead to a swift victory.

It initially began with bold proclamations (on the social media platform Truth Social) calling for regime change and the complete capitulation of the Iranian state, but quickly devolved, within days, into contradictory claims: that the aim of the war was to open the Strait of Hormuzwhich had in fact been open before the waror that the United States did not care whether it remained open, culminating in thinly veiled threats of the use of nuclear weapons.

First, it is important to address a common idea now circulating within progressive left

circles that Israel has dragged the United States into the war, thereby highlighting the

importance of the Israel lobby in the US. It is undeniable that the Israel lobby is incredibly powerful, perhaps more powerful than any other lobby, given its pervasive influence in US society. A prime example is the way the lobby was able to prevail upon the US state to suppress dissent, especially on university campuses, where concerns were being voiced over the genocide in Gaza.

However powerful the Israel lobby may be, it does not by itself prove that Israel controls US foreign policy, as some seem to believe. In fact, it is the United States that has, for about sixty years, funded and armed Israel to serve as its watchdog in West Asia. Benjamin Netanyahu has, by his own admission, sought a war with Iran for about forty years. He has repeatedly attempted to lead the United States into war with Iran and has succeeded only with Donald Trumpprimarily because the Israeli military is incapable of mounting any significant offensive without active US intervention.

Never have the Israelis seemed more dependent on the United Statesmilitarily, for

equipment such as interceptors and the vast sums of money they receive, and politically and diplomatically, as they must be continuously defended in the UN and other international arenas while state leaders, belatedly, are forced to express concern over the perpetration of genocide in response to negative public opinion. More recently, after Israel struck Qatar during ongoing negotiations with Hamas in a bid to assassinate its leadership, killing several people, the White House forced Netanyahu to read a US-scripted apology to the Qatari Prime Minister, an episode captured in a widely circulated photograph.

In the days and months after October 7, 2023, as Israel launched a genocidal campaign against the inhabitants of Gaza, the United States chose to become an active partner in this

indefensible act. In the initial days, it seemed puzzling why the Biden administration would not rein in the Israeli state, especially as the tide of public opinion against Israel appeared to be hurting the Democrats electoral prospects and had effectively ruled out Biden from running for office again. However, as events unfolded, the situation crystallised into a geostrategic strengthening of the United States and Israel in West Asia, however immoral the actions and high the human costs for those at the receiving end.

Hamas, as a military threat, was greatly weakened. The threat, however, can never be fully eliminated, as there is no military solution to a political problem. A brutal occupation of Palestine will always and inevitably elicit resistance, which the Israelis will perceive as a security threat. The strength of Hezbollah in Lebanon appeared to be severely curtailed after several of its key leaders were assassinated, including the charismatic Hassan Nasrallah, who was the ideological face of the organisation. Shortly thereafter, the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad fell, dealing a significant blow to Iran and improving the regional balance in favour of Israel. Thus, whether support for Israel was planned with all these outcomes in mind, the unfolding of events reconfigured the geopolitical alignment in a way that decisively favoured the United States.

The current war on Iran has significantly undone much of the above. The Iranian leadership, now largely killed in decapitation strikes by the United States and Israel, had on multiple occasions sought to avoid direct confrontation with the United States and had favoured a diplomatic resolution. Now their hand has been forced, and relatively more hardliners oversee the direction of Iranian policy.

Iran has demonstrated the incredible leverage it possesses over the global economy through its ability to control the Strait of Hormuz. It has also clearly demonstrated the military vulnerability of the Gulf states and US bases within them, as Iranian missiles and drones cantarget these with relative ease. Unlike the man-made canals of Suez and Panama, the Straits of Hormuz is an international waterway. Irans claim to sovereignty over it and threat to begin charging tolls on ships passing through the strait is illegal and more of a bargaining counter to press for reparations and release of its externally frozen bank assets and above all for substantial lifting of US sanctions which have resulted in long standing economic suffering. Contrary to earlier assumptions, Hezbollah remains less weakened than its adversaries would have liked to believe.

The Gulf states have proven to be especially susceptible to Iranian attacks The targeting of cities such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai strikes at the heart of the economic model on which the Gulf states are structured.

Israel seeks war not only in Iran but also in Lebanon. These goals are quite distinct from those of the United States. The United States would prefer a stable configuration in West Asia in which statesoften undemocraticare pliant and subservient, and in which cooperation with Israel ensures its dominance and control over access to some of the largest oil reserves in the world. Instability and failed states tend to produce organisations such as ISIS, which may pose a problem for the United States in the future.

Israel seeks failed states and fractured borders throughout West Asia. This would enable it to secure additional territory contiguous to Israel and permanently reshape the map of West Asia, which is one of its stated aims. Failed states would imply that its dominance in the region would be complete and unchallenged, enabling it to carry out periodic acts of mass violence against other countries as and when it chooses.

India has had civilizational ties with Iran, and after the 1979 revolution maintained

relatively close diplomatic relations, which in recent weeks have shown signs of strain. After Israel had carried out a genocide for more than two years, the Indian Prime Minister visited Israel in February 2026 and barely mentioned Palestine. In recent negotiations between Iran and the United States, Pakistan has played a dominant diplomatic role, serving as a go- between, and Islamabad has been the venue of choice for these talks. Thus, India finds itself sandwiched between China, a growing superpower and Pakistan, which has positioned itself close to both the United States and Irancountries that will remain dominant players in the politics of West Asia.

It bears repeating that the foregoing analysis primarily focuses on the geopolitical

dimensions and possible rationales of state actors. Marxists who believe that the fate of working people depend on the democratic decision-making and actions of workers themselves, have little faith in states and their rules, whether in the Global South or the North.

Any US attack on a sovereign country is a violation of international law, and the blatant threat of the use of nuclear force is an abomination. However, this may also have breathed new life into the IRGC, which had been quite unpopular among the Iranian people. We unequivocally oppose and condemn the US-Israel war on Iran and call for an enduring peace with lifting of punitive sanctions while standing in solidarity with the struggling people of Iran and assert that only they have the right to determine their own government and destiny.
By Mrinalika Roy and Christy Santhosh

April 23 (Reuters) - Shares of cannabis firms surged on Thursday after the U.S. government moved to reclassify the Food and Drug Administration-approved and state-licensed marijuana as a less-dangerous drug.

Cronos Group, Aurora Cannabis, Canopy Growth, Tilray Brands jumped between 6% and 13% following the announcement, which many in the industry see as "most consequential federal cannabis policy development in decades".

In a post on X, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Department of Justice was "immediately rescheduling FDA-approved marijuana and state-licensed marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III." The department is also initiating an expedited hearing to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana.

Industry executives applauded the decision.

"Rescheduling has the potential to accelerate clinical research, broaden access and elevate the quality, consistency, and safety standards that establish medical cannabis as a legitimate pillar of modern healthcare," Tilray CEO Irwin Simon said in a statement.

Cannabis firms will also no longer be subject to Section 280E, a provision of the U.S. federal tax that prevents businesses dealing in Schedule I- and II-controlled substances from claiming tax credits and deductions for business expenses.

Verano CEO George Archos had said, "We've previously quantified rescheduling would save Verano an estimated $80 million in annual 280E expenses that we could invest back into our operations, putting us on a level-playing field with any other legal business."

The decision could also ease access to funding as federal restrictions have long kept most banks and institutional investors on the sidelines, forcing cannabis producers to rely on costly loans or alternative lenders.

(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy and Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
A dozen small trucking and logistics companies across the U.S. have filed for bankruptcy protection in mid to late-April, highlighting continued financial pressure on carriers and brokers navigating choppy freight demand, tight margins and elevated operating costs.

Leading the latest filings is Bound Logistics LLC, a New Jersey-based carrier operating 57 trucks with 57 drivers, according to federal safety data. The company filed for Chapter 11 protection in the District of New Jersey on Thursday, court records show.

Also among the largest fleets in the group is Stron Logistics Inc., an Illinois-based carrier with 9 trucks and roughly 10 drivers. The company filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in the Northern District of Illinois on April 15.

Cluster of small carriers, brokers filing across U.S.

The filings span multiple states, with a heavy concentration in Illinois  a major trucking hub  and include both asset-based carriers and logistics providers.

Among the companies filing:

Allbound Carrier Inc. (Bolingbrook, Illinois) filed for Chapter 11 protection.

Allstar Trailer Sales LLC (Stone Mountain, Georgia), a small carrier/dealer with two trucks and two drivers, filed for Chapter 7.

D.A.R. Carrier Inc. (Oak Lawn, Illinois) filed for Chapter 11 as a small business debtor.

Freight Sherpas Inc. (Chicago) filed for Chapter 11 under Subchapter V.

Honey Bee Freight Group LLC (Norcross, Georgia) filed for Chapter 7 protection.

K&L Trucking LLC (Temple Hills, Maryland) filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.

MLG Freight LLC (Niles, Illinois) filed for Chapter 7.

Rivera On-Point Logistics LLC (Chicago) filed for Chapter 7.

Timex Freight Inc. (Waukegan, Illinois) filed for Chapter 7.

ZD Sand LLC (Voca, Texas), a trucking-related operation, filed for Chapter 11 in the Southern District of Texas.

Asset-light and small fleets most exposed

The filings show a clear pattern: most companies are small fleets or asset-light logistics providers, many operating fewer than 10 trucks or functioning primarily as brokers.

Even larger operators in the group  such as Bound Logistics  remain relatively small by industry standards, underscoring how vulnerable smaller carriers are to prolonged freight recessions.

Many of the Chapter 11 filings are proceeding under Subchapter V, a streamlined restructuring path designed for small businesses with limited debt loads, suggesting these firms are attempting to reorganize rather than immediately liquidate.

Illinois emerges as bankruptcy hotspot

Illinois accounted for a significant share of the filings, including:
In the lightless depths of the Gulf of Alaska, approximately 3,251 m (two miles) below the surface, a softball-sized golden object clinging to a rock left marine scientists and the general public equally baffled. Was it an egg? A sponge? Something altogether unknown? New research led by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History suggests a far more intriguing answer: the golden orb is the remains of a rarely seen species of anemone.

The golden orb was collected on August 30, 2023, by the remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer, launched from the U.S. exploration vessel Okeanos Explorer.

Around 10 cm (4 inches) across, the mysterious object was found among small glass sponges on the seafloor southwest of Walker Seamount in the Gulf of Alaska.

Its smooth, metallic sheen and torn opening quickly sparked speculation about its origin.

Initial examination of the gross morphology revealed the specimen to have no indication of typical animal anatomy (mouth, gut, muscle tissues, etc.), but rather to consist of a loose aggregation of fibrous material covered by a smooth, layered surface, said study first author Dr. Steven Auscavitch and colleagues.

Further examination under light microscopy revealed that the surface was packed with specialized stinging structures unique to Hexacorallia, a group of cnidarians that includes sea anemones and stony corals.

The researchers also examined a similar specimen collected in 2021 during an expedition on Schmidt Ocean Institutes Research Vessel Falkor and found similar stinging structures.

Genetic analysis confirmed the connection: DNA recovered from the golden orb matched Relicanthus daphneae, an enigmatic deep-sea anemone species known for its large size and long, flowing tentacles.

Together, the evidence pointed to a surprising conclusion: the golden orb was not a living organism but a biological remnant that formed at the base of the anemone.

The specimen was the part of a Relicanthus daphneae individual that attached to the rock substrate.

The specimen represents a novel microhabitat consisting of a remnant cuticle originally secreted by Relicanthus daphneae, itself a rarely encountered and recently described species, which occurs between 1,200 and 4,000 m (0.75-2.5 miles), and microbial community living on and beneath its cuticle and tissue, the scientists said.

These significant discoveries enabled by collection would have been unlikely were it not for its unusual golden color and the specimens mysterious egg-like appearance.

Though seldom collected, Relicanthus daphneae is thought to be globally distributed.

Individual polyps can reach about 30 cm (12 inches) across, with long, sinuous tentacles that may stretch twice that width.

Observations suggest the animals perch on rocks or sponges, extending their tentacles into passing currents to capture prey.

They may also move across the seafloor, potentially leaving behind trails of the same golden cuticle.

Exactly why they shed this material remains uncertain. One possibility is a form of asexual reproduction known as pedal laceration.

Our findings underscore the extent to which the biodiversity and organismal biology of obscure deep sea fauna broadly remain unresolved and highlight the value of whole-specimen collections and rigorous taxonomic follow-up in telepresence-enabled ocean exploration, the authors concluded.

Their paper was published online April 21, 2026 on the bioRxiv preprint server.

_____

Steven R. Auscavitch et al. The Curious Case of the Golden Orb  Relict of Relicanthus daphneae (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Hexacorallia), a deep sea anemone. bioRxiv, published online April 21, 2026; doi: 10.64898/2026.04.17.719276
Spirit Airlines (OTCMKTS: FLYYQ) could soon get a $500 million government lifeline. This would be a rare move to prop up a single struggling carrier.

The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a loan in exchange for a potential ownership stake (1), as the ultra-low-cost airline battles rising fuel costs, heavy debt and ongoing financial instability. The airline has filed for bankruptcy twice in recent years and faces mounting pressure as fuel prices surge.

Must Read

Government support for airlines isn't new. But historically, those interventions have been reserved for moments when the entire industry was at risk.

A rescue of Spirit may signal something different.

What history shows about airline bailouts

When Washington has stepped in to support airlines, it has typically done so during periods of widespread disruption.

After the September 11 attacks, Congress passed the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, which provided nearly $7 billion in grants and loan guarantees to airlines (2). The goal was to keep the nation's air travel system functioning after demand collapsed overnight.

Even with that support, several airlines still restructured or filed for bankruptcy in the years that followed.

A similar pattern played out during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government approved more than $50 billion in payroll support and loans for passenger airlines through the CARES Act and subsequent relief packages (3). Major carriers like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines all participated.

In exchange, airlines issued warrants to the government, giving taxpayers a potential upside if the companies recovered. The support helped prevent mass layoffs and kept flights operating during a near-total collapse in travel demand.

These instances of government aid were designed to keep planes in the air nationwide, not to preserve any one airline's business model. That's what makes the current situation stand out.

Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Start investing with just $10

Why a Spirit bailout would mark a different kind of government intervention

A potential rescue of Spirit Airlines would be unusual not just because of the airline's financial struggles, but because of how targeted the support could be. Rather than stepping in during a full-scale industry crisis, the government would be backing a single carrier and potentially taking a direct ownership stake in the process. (4)
Starbucks may be pouring its next big investment far from home, and it's not just oat milk that's leaving Seattle. (1)

Just five months after Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson publicly urged a boycott of Starbucks at a workers rally (2)  telling the crowd, "I am not buying Starbucks, and you should not, too"  the company announced it will invest $100 million in a new Southeast headquarters in Nashville, bringing up to 2,000 jobs with it (3).

Must Read

The company, however, is framing the move as a strategic expansion. In a statement, chief partner officer Sara Kelly said the move is driven by practical advantages.

"Our new office in Nashville reflects three key advantages: proximity to key suppliers; access to a deep and growing talent pool in the region, notably in technology; and alignment with where we expect future coffeehouse growth," she wrote. (4)

Seattle worries about what comes next

As Starbucks expands into Nashville, questions are already surfacing for the roughly 3,000 corporate employees based in Seattle's SoDo headquarters. (5)

The company said it would offer relocation opportunities to some Seattle staff, but Tuesday's announcement provided few details beyond plans to build a workforce of up to 2,000 in Nashville and potentially shift additional "teams and roles" over time.

For many, Starbucks remains deeply tied to Seattle's identity, from its global headquarters to the original Pike Place Market location that draws tourists year-round (6). But the expansion comes as the company recently laid off 69 Seattle-based employees, including baristas and shift supervisors, and announced additional store closures in the city, raising fresh concerns about its long-term footprint at home (7).

"They are the rock here of Seattle," Edward Bunker, chef and owner of Lingon restaurant, told KOMO News (1). "We really need businesses to stay in Seattle."

While that uncertainty is building in Seattle, leaders in Tennessee are embracing the move as a clear economic win. At a press conference, Gov. Bill Lee said the investment would bring new opportunity to the region's workforce, calling it "an announcement that they'll all be envious of." (8)
Spirit airlines is engaged with the Trump administration about a potential bailout after being warned it may be in default with its creditors and could have only days left to operate. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

April 24 (UPI) -- The Trump administration is working on a bailout of Spirit Airlines, which is in bankruptcy for the second time in a year, to keep it from shutting down.

President Donald Trump said several times this week that the government may get involved in the situation -- specifically highlighting his concerns about jobs and the airline industry -- after increases in jet fuel cost made the airline's situation even worse, CNBC and USA Today reported.

Spirit has not commented on the bailout negotiations, which would have to be approved by its creditors, but the administration has offered Spirit a $500 million loan, with the government receiving the right to own 90% of the company when it exits bankruptcy, CBS News reported.

"We're thinking about doing it, helping them out, meaning bailing them out, or buying it," Trump said on Thursday.

"I'd love to be able to save those jobs," he said. "I'd love to be able to save an airline. I like having a lot of airlines so it's competitive."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has argued it is necessary for the government to step in and save Spirit because if it is shut down and liquidated during bankruptcy, at least 7,500 jobs will be lost.

The White House may use the Defense Production Act, which gives the government the ability to compel private companies to prioritize its contracts in the event of an emergency and to loan money to those companies, to give Spirit a loan.

The loan would make the government Spirit's main debtor and, while the company is working its way through bankruptcy, the Department of Defense would use extra seats for transporting troops or moving other military cargo.

The union that represents Spirit's ramp service employees, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, urged the administration to prioritize employees at the airline, The Hill reported.

"IAM Union members at Spirit, and all frontline aviation workers, did not cause this crisis," the union said in a statement.

"They should not be the ones forced to pay the price. Any federal assistance must prioritize protecting jobs, preserving pay and benefits, and maintaining the affordable air service that millions of Americans rely on," the union statement said.

Spirit filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024 after a judge blocked its proposed $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue Airlines in March of that year, and filed for bankruptcy again in 2025.

Spirit's current bankruptcy plan includes the cost of jet fuel, which has roughly doubled for the company since the United States and Israel launched the war in Iran. The cost of fuel has also tanked their current business model, according to reports.
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BusinessSmall businessCommercial real estate Laundy snares another pub in Woy Woy; Glasshouse and Arthouse for sale Carolyn Cummins April 24, 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

Capital Gain Billionaire pub baron Arthur Laundy is expanding his regional hotel footprint, outlaying $41 million for the Woy Woy Hotel on NSWs Central Coast, as investors vie for hotels with stable income and underlying land value growth. The Woy Woy was sold by hospitality investment manager and operator Harvest Hospitality, which bought it in December 2021 for $32 million. Known as The Old Pub, its on Woy Woys main street at 33 The Boulevard. Pub baron Arthur Laundy paid $41 million for the Woy Woy Hotel. Laundy also owns The Bayview, which he bought in 2021 for $32 million, in the same town. English comedian Spike Milligan once called Woy Woy: The worlds largest above-ground cemetery. His parents, Leo and Florence, settled there in the 1950s, prompting many visits (and jokes) from him.

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JLL Hotels Ben McDonald and Kate MacDonald managed the sale. In Sydney, former policeman and pub expert Bob Tate, together with other syndicate investors, are selling the Glasshouse hotel in Maroubra. Tates syndicate has held the pub for 25 years. Part of the ground floor area has been closed since COVID. Tate also owns the Clovelly Hotel. The Glasshouse generates average weekly revenue above $100,000, with the gaming operations alone turning over $1.3 million a week. The sale includes the hotel licence that has 3am trading hours and 24 gaming machines. No price guide was offered by the agents given it has both leasehold and freehold titles. JLL Hotels Kate MacDonald, Ben McDonald, and Mike Wheatley Hotels, are the sales agents. Owner, hotelier Ben McBeath, wants to sell the Arthouse Hotel for around $6.5 million.

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The leasehold for the Arthouse Hotel in the city is also on the market. The owner, hotelier Ben McBeath, has price expectations around $6.5 million. The lease is being offered for sale after several informal and unsolicited approaches from hoteliers keen to secure a presence in the CBD. The Arthouse is on Pitt Street in The Galleries retail precinct surrounded by large office towers. It generates annual revenue of around $8 million from its bar, food, gaming and wagering. McBeaths portfolio includes the Great Northern and Treehouse Hotel in North Sydney. HTL Propertys Dan Dragicevich and Sam Handy are advising on the sale. Island site Private investment syndicate Nedosu has put its freehold island site at 70-72 Commonwealth Street in Surry Hills up for sale.

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With price expectations above $25 million, it comes with approval for a 121-room hotel plus zoning flexibility for co-living or student accommodation and is near three major universities. 70-72 Commonwealth Street in Surry Hills up for sale. The Commonwealth Street property also has frontages to Brisbane Street and Goulburn Lane and houses a two-storey office building with secure car parking. Nearby, private investor Phil Wolanskis Denwol group paid $32.6 million for 79 Commonwealth Street last November. JLLs Willem Watson and Harry Borger are selling No.70-72. Whats Tatt?

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The Barracks, part of the City Tattersalls Club at 5-7 Barrack Street, is on the market with a price tag of more than $15 million. The four-storey, 341.5 square metre freehold site has basement and ground floor hospitality space and has long been occupied by the RSL. The Combined Services RSL Club was established on the site in 1945. During WWII, the basement served as Stage Door Canteen for servicemen and women. The building currently operates as a licensed hospitality venue under the City Tattersalls Club umbrella. Planning controls allow for a broad range of uses, including retail, office, hotel, build-to-rent and other mixed-use outcomes. Colliers James Cowan and Jack McGregor are the agents on the deal. Waldorfs here

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The Waldorf Astoria sign is up on Andrew and Nicola Forrests building that overlooks Circular Quay as the hotel moves towards its opening next year. Hotel management behemoth, Hilton, which will operate the Forrests property, is also set to launch Australias first LXR Hotel & Resort at the former Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast next year, marking a significant double investment in Australias luxury market. Hilton hotels are expanding in Australia at the luxury end  with Waldorf Astoria  and in the lifestyle market with brands like Motto by Hilton in York Street. Paul Hutton, head of Asia Pacific at Hilton, said many hotel guests are locals opting to stay at home rather than navigate the expense and stress of overseas travel. We are seeing a lot of our guests looking for lifestyle and luxury vacations within Australia and we are looking to fill the gap with a wide range of hotel brands, Hutton told Capital Gain.

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carolynannecummins@gmail.com The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.
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CultureMoviesUS politics Opinion Watching this Watergate classic makes me yearn for pre-Trump America Bill Wyman Contributor April 25, 2026  9:30am

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At a moment when a great country on the cusp of its 250th birthday is feeling the foundations beneath it shake, its worth thinking about a more recent but still potent American anniversary. Its been 50 years since the release of All the Presidents Men. That was the classic 1976 film adaptation of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernsteins book, which detailed how their dogged reporting for The Washington Post on the Watergate break-in ultimately brought down a US president. Dustin Hoffman (left) as Carl Bernstein and Robert Redford as Bob Woodward in All the Presidents Men. AP Woodward and Bernstein were young staffers on the local beat for the Post. They werent among the papers coterie of prestigious political reporters. Almost by chance, they ended up covering what seemed, as we Americans might say today, a nothingburger of a story: the arrest, late one night in 1972, of a group of men in an office building in the Watergate complex, a sprawling residential and commercial development on the west end of downtown Washington. The Watergate burglars were, in fact, placing surveillance bugs in the offices of the Democratic campaign committee  the people trying to defeat Republican president Richard Nixon that November. Woodward and Bernstein slowly, painstakingly, and not without mistakes, uncovered the dark forces behind the break-in. Despite the attempts since by Nixons acolytes, and by Nixon himself, to minimise the scandal, scores of officials in his administration, and most of his top aides, went to jail for what seemed a spectacular panorama of crimes. And yet, by todays standards of fathomless corruption in the Trump administration, Watergates echo is more like a blip from a relatively innocent era. Now, with frightening regularity, we learn of one or another of US President Donald Trumps executive departments embarking on crimes of far greater magnitude: the US military summarily executing people in boats; domestic enforcement agencies filmed killing American citizens with no apparent provocation; civil rights violations on an industrial scale.

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The early 1970s recall a happier time for journalism. Back then, The Washington Post could send two local reporters to cover a break-in. Would it have the resources to do that today? It has just sacked a third of its staff; it is haemorrhaging revenue; and it suffered an exodus of at least 250,000 subscribers after proprietor Jeff Bezos overrode his editorial boards plan to endorse Democrat candidate Kamala Harris against Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Photo: Illustration: Matt Davidson So we have compelling reasons to celebrate those two young reporters. Their book recounting the adventure, All the Presidents Men, would become a bestseller. Its not well known that Robert Redford, before it was even written, came to them with a vision of making a movie about their work. It wasnt easy getting it made. Its the same thing over and over, screenwriter William Goldman would say later. They go knock on your door. Hello, were Woodward and Bernstein. Can we talk to you? A lot of people say no. No major studio wants to make this kind of movie. Redford persevered, and ended up with a very profitable hit and a best picture nomination. Redford took on the role of the upright Woodward; Dustin Hoffman played the scruffier Bernstein. Some scenes became landmarks, especially the spooky late-night meetings in a parking garage between Woodward and his now-legendary source, Deep Throat. These are not bright guys, Deep Throat says, referring to Nixons myrmidons. And things got out of hand. A subtle sense of menace set in. To paraphrase an old horror movie trope, the killer is inside the house. Make that the White House. Goldman would win an Oscar for his screenplay. Now, as in 1972, all the presidents men, from the vice president down, deny and obfuscate. (There are more women these days.) Nixons men went on television, rattling off made-up numbers as distractions. Behind the scenes, they threatened staff and used intimidating tactics to prevent the real story from coming out. In public, they stayed on message, attacking the media as partisan and anti-American. Sound familiar?

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The most poignant thing about watching All the Presidents Men in 2026 is the sad state of The Washington Post. Its position is much more dire than most people realise. Bezos, the Amazon centibillionaire, bought the paper in 2013 and promised to revitalise it. His intentions took a sharp turn in 2024, when he halted the papers upcoming endorsement of Harris, saying the masthead would no longer make endorsements in the presidential race. Related Article Opinion

Vale Robert Redford and me: One suburban girls life-long love affair Lisa Johnson School teacher The suburbs around Washington, DC, are among the richest and most sophisticated in the country. A huge percentage of the professional workforce is part of the government or part of the industries that depend on it. When thugs inflamed by Trump invaded the US Capitol and savaged its protectors, to Washingtonians it was an assault on democracy and on a building that was at the centre of the work they did every day. Then came Trumps Department of Government Efficiency and its attacks on the federal bureaucracy. Folks in Washington know that the people inside the bureaucracy are for the most part underpaid and underappreciated; proud to do the peoples business; and that they work under severe ethical and professional constraints. The senselessness and cruelty of the redundancies and department cuts appalled professionals, whether Democrat or Republican. In the meantime, Bezos has been cosying up to the Trump administration, posting gushing posts on X and slipping the first lady $US40 million ($56 million) via Prime Video for a tedious piece of filmic hagiography. All of those lost subscriptions have created a financial crisis at the paper, which produced the devastating 300 redundancies in February. That created a new dip in subscriptions. The Post alienated its core constituency; and then it vaporised what for many would be the last remaining reason to subscribe.

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Does this sound like a business plan to you? What is happening at the Post is not a repositioning. Its the slow-motion dismantling of another important part of the countrys checks and balances. The institution we see in All the Presidents Men is unrecognisable today. A friend of mine at the paper, a Pulitzer Prize winner, wrote to me recently. The Post as we know it is dead, she said. Bill Wyman is a former assistant managing editor of National Public Radio in Washington. He teaches at the University of Sydney. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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The whale on the rocks at Era beach in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. Surf Life Saving NSW

Several beaches south of Sydney have been closed after a dead whale washed up onto the shore, posing a shark risk.

The whale washed up on rocks at Era in Sydneys Royal National Park, with Anzac Day beachgoers told to stay out of the water.

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All beaches in the area are closed, including Garie, Wattamolla, Era and Burning Palms.
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Exclusive NationalNSWPregnancy Best of both worlds: Maternity shake-up at Sydney hospital Kate Aubusson April 26, 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

Pregnant women can get free pregnancy and postpartum care with a private endorsed midwife and give birth at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital under a new model dubbed the best of both worlds. The NSW-first program is designed to give women the benefits of having the same private-practising, endorsed midwife throughout their pregnancy and for eight weeks postpartum, as well as access to the facilities of a major public birthing hospital. Expectant mother Elena (left) and private endorsed midwife Beth Newman are among the first pairs taking part in the program. Steven Siewert Simone Payn, Sydney Local Health Districts principal midwifery manager, said public hospitals had been fielding an increasing number of requests from women who wanted the continuity of care of a private endorsed midwife, but also wanted to give birth in hospital, rather than have a home birth. This is about giving them that choice, Payn said. We wanted to create a model in which, at no stage, the women miss out on anything.

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Pregnancy With Amar by her side, Hamna found a safe place to have her baby The model, a collaboration with Annandales Birth Time Village, is similar to GP-led or shared care: the endorsed midwife does not attend a womans labour and birth in hospital. Payn said the model aimed for a seamless transfer of care from the endorsed midwife to the hospital for her delivery, then back to the endorsed midwife for postpartum care. Private midwives have historically been prohibitively expensive, but Australia has a growing workforce of endorsed midwives trained and accredited to provide Medicare-covered antenatal care, including routine screening. Elena, 33, is one of nine women who have so far enrolled in the privately endorsed midwives maternity antenatal postnatal service (MAPS).

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You get the best of both worlds, the expectant mother said. You have the safety in the hospital, and you have this one person you trust to care for you and who knows you as a whole person. Private midwife Beth Newman runs routine appointments from her Annandale clinic. Steven Siewert Elenas first pregnancy with her daughter (now three) was marred by fragmented, costly, mechanical care. I didnt feel supported, she said. Every person I saw had different opinions  I felt they were just ticking boxes. Beth Newman, a private endorsed midwife with Birth Time, said: This is what were trying to remedy.

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We can be that bridge with the hospital, Newman said, so women know that we have those interpersonal relationships within the place theyre going to be birthing. Elena said the models continuity of care aligned with her wishes, and she felt empowered to ask questions. The NSW Birth Trauma inquiry identified continuity of care with a known midwife as the gold standard, but demand for Midwifery Group Practice care far exceeds its availability. Continuity of care is the answer to birth trauma, Jo Hunter, co-founder of Birth Time, said. My feeling is that this sort of care is the way of the future. Under the collaborative model, pregnant women meet with their endorsed midwife at least six times during their pregnancy at Birth Time Village for physical checks and emotional check-ins.

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Related Article IVF Suzanne froze her eggs  then a calculator gave her a reality check Newman, said the 45- to 90-minute bookings allow women to discuss concerns or questions they have, including birth planning, and involve partners in preparations. Women also have three to four scheduled appointments at RPAs birth centre or obstetric clinic (at 12-14, 28-30, 36 and 41 weeks), as well as ultrasound and pathology referrals, vaccinations and anti-D injections. Care is very individualised, Payn said. If a woman needs to see an obstetrician, she can also do that through the hospital. These appointments were also an opportunity for women to meet RPAs small team of midwives, one of whom would be at their birth.

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Women would then receive eight to 10 bulk-billed endorsed midwife visits up to eight weeks after birth, when women are at greatest risk of postpartum complications, anxiety and depression. Associate Professor Serena Yu at the University of Technology Sydneys Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation questioned whether this model offered continuity of care, given that the midwife could not attend the birth. As the Birth Trauma Inquiry heard, a lot of the time what a woman is unhappy with happens at the birth, Yu said. Vanessa Scarff, associate professor in midwifery at UTS, said the model was truly fantastic despite not enabling the endorsed midwife to be at the birth. Its not perfect, but its getting pretty close, Scarf said of the model that would enable women to benefit from their endorsed midwifes comprehensive understanding of the physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth.

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If they detect any deviation from normal, the woman is booked into the hospital to manage any complication in collaboration with her midwife, Scarf said. NSW Nurses and Midwives Association general secretary Michael Whaites was optimistic that the model would work, as it did for private obstetricians, and hoped it would eventually be offered at other NSW hospitals. Start the day with the most important stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our morning newsletter.
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NationalNSWCrime Opinion The fraud triangle crushing our trust, from gangs to the NDIS Parnell Palme McGuinness Columnist and communications adviser April 26, 2026  5:00am

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On Thursday morning, readers of The Sydney Morning Herald woke up to front-page fraud. The three top stories were an overhaul of the NDIS to clear out shonky providers, announced the day before by Health and Disability Minister Mark Butler; millions of dollars being laundered through poker machines by people whose occupations could not justify the possession of such large sums; and the alleged pilfering of $1.5 million in cash and purchases from billionaire Judith Neilson by her private secretary. Side by side, each story exhibits the three points of the fraud triangle  a model explained to me by Paul Curby, founding partner of Curby McLintock, a boutique professional services firm specialising in fraud and corruption risk. Experts use the triangle to explain fraud risk within an organisation. The three points of the triangle are motivation, opportunity and rationalisation. Illustration by Simon Letch The sheer scale of the fraud represented by this front page is staggering. In his National Press Club address, Butler referred to a lack of integrity in the NDIS system that has opened the door to the worst parts of organised crime. He cited information provided by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission that criminals are paying cash kickbacks to participants and their families, and sometimes resorting to intimidation and threats of violence towards vulnerable people. He described the NDIS as having become an ATM for shonks, grifters, fraudsters and crooks, in which large cash withdrawals, asset purchases and fraudulent financial transactions are common. Its appalling enough that there are people defrauding a scheme designed to help disabled Australians. But it gets worse. Butler described reports of NDIS participants falling out of wheelchairs while a support worker was scrolling on their phone. Its possible to imagine fraudsters could dehumanise an organisation created by the government to the point that they dont even think about the hardworking taxpayers who pay for it or the people it is supposed to assist. Its horrific to realise that they dont care, even when the vulnerable they are defrauding are physically present and in need of immediate help.

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Pushing scads of cash through poker machines, described in the second story, somehow seems moral by way of comparison. But the money comes from organised crime, which peddles in many forms of human misery. Increasingly, as the Australian Federal Police has warned, these crime syndicates arent just drug dealers serving human frailty, but international operations importing the agendas of hostile foreign regimes into Australia. The AFP linked some of the antisemitic graffiti and arson attacks carried out in Australia over the past couple of years to Irans security agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, ratcheting up the temperature in Australia around foreign conflicts. When theyre not terrorising suburbs with high Jewish populations at the behest of the IRGC, these gangs are making life uncomfortable and unsafe in the suburbs they dominate. Related Article Letters NDIS model has built profit into every service Those suburbs are in what Ive come to think of as shutterlands. They are areas that seem to have a notably higher number of solid pull-down security shutters on residential windows. Suburbs where crime gangs conduct increasingly brazen wars with each other, including home invasions and shooting at houses. Where its reasonable to fear a stray bullet flying into the familys front room. Mounties, the club named in Thursdays report as a major money-laundering factory, is at Mount Pritchard in south-west Sydney. The Australian Financial Review recently reported on suburbs in which NDIS providers outnumber patients. Liverpool and adjoining suburbs, which include Mount Pritchard, have the highest number. The fraud triangle articulates whats going on. There is motivation in the form of big pots of money. There is opportunity in the poor controls put in place to make it harder to fraudulently obtain or illegally launder the loot. And rationalisation: were constantly told that were being ripped off by faceless companies and the rich (anyone wealthier than you hope to be), who are making out like bandits. Why not be a bandit, too?

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That eats away at interpersonal trust  the idea that we do right by strangers  which is fundamental to the viability of a generously redistributive social democracy. Related Article Updated

Crime Sydney rappers bodyguard snatched from family home in alleged late-night abduction Well-meaning commentators who havent been exposed to the soul-crushing consequences of entrenched welfare culture are prone to the belief that concerns about welfare abuse are just a way to demonise those who receive it. But those who have become trapped by welfare dependence are, as polling I recently conducted found, more sceptical. They are more likely than others to disagree with the proposition that most welfare spending ends up helping people who genuinely need it, as well as more likely to agree that welfare does more harm than good by making people too dependent on assistance. That may seem counterintuitive, but these are the people who suffer when rip-offs, which start as seemingly victimless crimes, hurt people who depend on support. The overlap of crime and fraud in suburbs with high numbers of providers suggests that NDIS fraud hurts communities where youll see the most I heart NDIS stickers when walking down the main street. As the third story in the Heralds Thursday of fraud illustrates, while there may be hotspots, fraud can transcend suburb boundaries and class barriers. Judith Neilsons private secretary had no material need to defraud her employer, but allegedly did so anyway. Since that story was first published, the private secretary has been criminally charged. She is yet to enter a plea. Some may see the allegation, yet to be tested in court, that she took a small fraction of the billionaires fortune as hardly even immoral. The attitude of perpetrators that fraud expert Paul Curby often comes across is that if youre too stupid to put controls around it, you dont deserve to keep the money.

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Fraud is the symptom, but the bigger issue is whats happening to trust  something Mark Butler knows all too well. Hes now battling to save the NDIS, but the bigger challenge is restoring mutual trust in a society that thought it didnt need controls. Related Article Courts Overwhelming case: Billionaires ex-secretary refused bail over alleged $1.6m fraud Parnell Palme McGuinness is an insights and advocacy strategist. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens and is a senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Three homes in Sydneys west were hit by gunfire overnight in what investigators believe is yet another escalation in the citys gang conflict.

Detectives say that a home on Merrylands Clarence Street was shot about 10.45 on Friday night, followed swiftly by a shooting at a home on nearby Lockwood Street in the same suburb.

NSW Polices anti-gang taskforce, Strike Force Falcon, will investigate the shootings. NSW Police

By 11pm, another home had been targeted on Wentworthvilles Monash Street.

Police say nobody was injured in the shootings, but detectives have been told that an unknown vehicle was seen outside each of the homes before the occupants of the vehicle fired several rounds into the properties.
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NationalQueenslandAnzac Day Familys bid to upgrade Queensland war hero to Victoria Cross Davina Smith April 25, 2026  7:20pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

If you asked Stanley Walsh where he got his Distinguished Conduct Medal  our nations second-highest military honour behind the Victoria Cross  he would have told you he found it in a cornflakes box. The story is far more spine-tingling than that. Less luck. Much more pluck. Stan Walshs World War II medals, including his DCM on the far left. In his defence, perhaps Walsh was a little blase about the much-lauded military prize because DCMs were nothing new in his household.

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Stans father, Richard, was also a recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, making them the only father-and-son pair in Australian history to both receive the honour. Stan Walsh in his army days. Now, the descendants of the Walsh heroes are on a mission  to elevate Stans medal to a Victoria Cross while also trying to locate the original DCM awarded to Richard that went missing decades ago during the division of his estate. Warrant Officer Stanley Walsh was a legendary Rat of Tobruk. On the first of September 1942, the 24-year-old from Stanthorpe was stationed near Tel el Eisa, the critical railway ridge north-west of El Alamein in Egypt.

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Under extreme shell fire, behind enemy lines, he spotted an Aussie runner from another company wounded, trapped and surely about to die. Related Article Perspective

Anzac Day He died at the moment the war ended: The young Australian who helped the Czech partisans With no regard for his own safety, Walsh ran to him, dressed his wounds and carried him half a kilometre to safety as rockets and machine guns rumbled around them, skirting their flesh. Decades later, Walsh would be walking down Queen Street Mall in Brisbane when a stranger broke down in front of him. It was the man he saved.

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I was gobsmacked this guy had just got a DCM, said military historian John Telfer who helped submit a formal request for Stan Walshs Victoria Cross upgrade. Military history writer and researcher John Telfer. A Current Affair He epitomised the typical Anzac ... it was all there  courage, perseverance, resourcefulness, most of all, mateship, Telfer said. Humble humility also seems to go hand-in-hand with heroes  and that was certainly the case for Walsh. Years after the war, he would go on to serve as mayor of Warwick in south-east Queensland.

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But even those who knew him best in that role, knew very few details about his past life and courage. Stans son, John Walsh, remembered how his fathers medals, including the DCM, would roll around loose in a tin at home. Stans son John Walsh with his fathers original Rat of Tobruk jacket, still in perfect condition. A Current Affair He used to pin them [his medals] on for Anzac Day occasionally with a safety pin, John recalled to A Current Affair. I got them all put on a bar ... he was mayor then, so I guess he had to have them straightened up instead of all over the place, John said.

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John also sorted through many of his fathers photos from the war  a treasure trove of black-and-white images that would rival any collection inside the Australian War Memorial. Related Article Anzac Day Damp streets and deep silence: Brisbane remembers in the pre-dawn darkness The photos were taken on camera thought to originally belong to a German solider, with some of the old film capturing pictures of enemy weapons and training camps. Somebody in the RSL used to always talk about the war and he would say the war finished 70 years ago, and he left it at that, he never talked about what hed done, John said. Dad was never one for medals. He was never one for the show. He was a person who worked.

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Together with Telfer, Stans granddaughters Alana Hurse and Larissa Mack have put together a formal application to Defence and the Australian government for Walsh, who died in 1998, to be considered for the Victoria Cross. I think thats the ultimate thing isnt it? Knowing that you possibly would not come back from what youre doing, Larissa reflected. We dont mind if its rejected and hes not awarded [the VC] because I think in our hearts we know hes worthy, and we know what acts of bravery he did, added Alana. Stans granddaughters Larissa Mack and Alana Hurse. A Current Affair Stans father, Richard Walsh, received his Distinguished Conduct Medal during his service in the Boer War.

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As far as were aware, theyre the only father and son in Australian history to both be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Larissa said. Yeah DNA comes into play, but its also how youre raised ... that dedication to help, Alana said. Richard Walshs medals side by side with the paperwork underneath. The one on the left is the DCM - its only a replica because the original is missing. The original missing DCM would have Richards name engraved along the edge, and may still be attached to the iconic dark crimson and navy-blue ribbon. Anyone with information about the location of the medal is asked to contact A Current Affair. 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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PoliticsFederalIslamic State Australian IS brides make new bid for freedom from Syria Brittany Busch Updated April 25, 2026  4:13pm ,first published 12:33pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A group of women and children linked to Islamic State have left their Syrian detention camp and are attempting to return to Australia in a renewed bid for freedom. Four women and nine children  all Australian citizens  have departed al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria after seven years of detention following the fall of the so-called caliphate. Members of Australian families at al-Roj Camp in eastern Syria prepare to leave for Damascus as part of a second repatriation effort. Baderkhan Ahmad (AP) The four families travelled to Damascus and were expected to be deported under security procedures within 72 hours, said Lana Hussein, an official with the womens protection unit of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which manages the camps security. It is the second attempt by the group to return to Australia since February, when they, as part of a larger cohort of 11 families comprising 34 women and children, left the camp but were turned back 50 kilometres down the road.

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Related Article Islamic State Who are the IS brides trying to get home? A political stoush erupted in Australia over their potential return, just months after the allegedly IS-inspired massacre at Bondi. The Australian citizens have been held in Syrian camps since the fall of Islamic State in the country and the death or capture of their IS fighter husbands and fathers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted in February that the government was not assisting the cohort and he had nothing but contempt for these people who left Australia to join IS. If you make your bed, you lie in it, Albanese said.

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Australian girls in al-Roj camp in Syria. AP Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told Sky News on Saturday: The Australian government is not repatriating those people from Syria. A government spokesperson said in a statement that security agencies continued to monitor the situation to ensure they were prepared for any Australians seeking to return. People in this cohort need to know that if they have committed a crime and if they return to Australia they will be met with the full force of the law. The safety of Australians and the protection of Australias national interests remain the overriding priority, the spokesperson said. Al-Roj camp director Hakamia Ibrahim said in February that the cohort had planned to travel to Beirut in Lebanon from Damascus, from where they would fly home.

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We can confirm that today the co-ordination was perfect, Ibrahim told the ABC on Friday. She added that there were no immediate plans for any Australians remaining at the camp to follow. One woman was issued a temporary exclusion order after Februarys aborted attempt, which bars her from returning to Australia. The home affairs minister can issue such an order to protect Australians from national security risks. On Saturday, opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam questioned whether the cohort had been properly vetted and called on the government to urgently intervene. He said it was not acceptable that only one temporary exclusion order had been issued. Until the government can provide assurances that these people, whoever they are in this cohort, dont pose a risk to our community  to our national security  then my belief is that efforts should be made to prevent them from coming back, Duniam told reporters. A soldier stands guard as vehicles arrive at al-Roj Camp in eastern Syria to transport Australian families to Damascus as part of a second repatriation effort. AP

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They should not be getting on a plane. They should not have been issued a passport to come back here. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations I saw houses for the first time: Australias Syrian children tell us about their lives The Coalition attacked the government over the handling of the families after it was revealed they had been issued new passports, which they are entitled to as citizens. In the furore over the first return attempt, new Opposition Leader Angus Taylor proposed making it illegal for charities to go to Syria and help the women and children escape camps. Mothers distressed at the February failure said they would willingly go to prison in Australia for terrorism offences if it meant getting their children out of Syria. Save the Children, a charity that has maintained an interest in the welfare of the cohort, said it was not involved in the repatriation effort but called on the government to protect the children remaining in the camp by bringing them home.

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Every child deserves the chance to go to school and grow up in safety, no matter their familys circumstances, chief executive Mat Tinkler said. A number of Australians have been repatriated since the fall of the so-called caliphate. In 2019, the Morrison government brought back eight orphans and one newborn baby. Then, early in Albaneses first term, in 2022, the repatriation of four Australian women and their 13 children to Sydney prompted a minor backlash. Sydney doctor Jamal Rifi, who flew to the Middle East to help facilitate the first return attempt, has said the children are innocent victims of their fathers. He argued in this masthead that Australia would be safer if the families could make an orderly return, so the children received support and the mothers faced any appropriate legal consequences.

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Children should not suffer the consequences of a parents evil deeds, he said. Rifi did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday. With AP
An alleged gunman charged at a security entry to the White House Correspondents Associations annual dinner at the Washington Hilton on Sunday AEST.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed from the venue by Secret Service officers, along with Vice President JD Vance, FBI director Kash Patel and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Heres what we know so far:
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter.

Few business leaders identified workforce training as a top priority, and FedEx will pay three workers to settle a complaint filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Heres a closer look at those numbers and some of the others making headlines in the HR world.

By the numbers

4

The number of factors the U.S. Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division would primarily use to determine joint-employer status under a proposed rule, DOL said in its notice of the rule.

5

The number of groups that make up a coalition that filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging the presidents March 26 executive order targeting DEI activities among federal contractors violated plaintiffs free speech, free association and due process rights, according to court documents.

Less than 10%

The share of business leaders who told KPMG that developing stronger workforce training programs was a top objective, research showed.

20%

The percentage of recent graduates who said they were overqualified for their positions, per research from ZipRecruiter.

$280,000

The amount FedEx will pay to settle a disability discrimination complaint filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to a consent decree.
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao:--- Sustainability, resilience, and innovation took center stage as Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten hosted the fourth edition of the UoC SustainaBUL Awards 2026, an initiative designed to empower students to solve real-world sustainability challenges.

Delivering the opening remarks, Richard Doornbosch welcomed guests, students, board members, and partners, emphasizing the importance of youth-driven solutions in addressing the pressing environmental and economic issues facing small island states.

The SustainaBUL Awards focus on accelerating the sustainable transition of the economy, government, and wider society. According to Doornbosch, the program offers a double-edged sword of benefits: students gain unforgettable learning experiences while organizations receive innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges.

This years competition placed special attention on the construction and tourism sectorstwo pillars of Curacaos economy that are also highly exposed to climate risks. Their vulnerability, combined with their economic importance, made the initiative especially relevant for the central banks own climate-related priorities.

Doornbosch explained why a central bank has a growing interest in sustainability and climate resilience. In recent years, the global economy has faced a series of shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, surging food and energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and cyber incidents. He noted that these events underscore the need for resilienceand warned that climate-related shocks could be just as disruptive for small island economies.

As the institution responsible for safeguarding financial stability, the central bank is increasingly focused on understanding how climate risks can affect financial institutions, markets, and national resilience. This includes monitoring systemic risks, conducting research, and developing policies that strengthen preparedness.

Doornbosch also highlighted the importance of partnerships. The bank works with organizations such as the Curacao Meteorological Services to obtain reliable climate data and collaborates regionally with other central banks on initiatives such as green taxonomies and supervisory guidance for responsible finance.

He praised University of Curacao for its leadership in sustainability education, citing past events like Green Week and its continued commitment to fostering young talent through the SustainaBUL program.

Looking ahead, Doornbosch said collaboration between institutions, academia, and society is essential to building a stronger future. He expressed confidence that initiatives like SustainaBUL can help shape a more robust national adaptation strategy for Curacao while strengthening the islands long-term resilience.

Closing his remarks, he turned to the student participants with encouragement and optimism: he looked forward to their pitches and wished every team success in contributing to a more sustainable Curacao.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Oil mixed, stocks at record highs -



Oil prices had a mixed day, with Brent oil futures edging higher to again finish above $100 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.5 percent to $94.40 a barrel.

Major Wall Street indices closed at fresh records as US and Iranian officials headed to Pakistan for expected peace talks.



- US freezes $344 mn in cryptocurrency -



The United States has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency assets over ties to Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says, as Washington seeks to raise pressure on Tehran amid energy supply disruptions due to the war.



- Iran top diplomat arrives in Islamabad -



Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan's foreign ministry says, ahead of planned Iran-US peace negotiations.

Araghchi "will hold meetings with Pakistan's senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability", Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, without referencing talks with Washington emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.



- Israel kills six -



The Israeli military said it had killed six Hezbollah fighters in a southern Lebanese town "during an exchange of fire... between the terrorists and the soldiers".



- Netanyahu 'sabotage' claim -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of trying to "sabotage" efforts to reach a "historic" peace deal with Lebanon.



- Hormuz 'must reopen' -



The Strait of Hormuz must reopen immediately "without restrictions and without tolling", European Council President Antonio Costa said after talks with leaders from Lebanon and Syria.



- Hezbollah downs drone -



The Israeli military confirmed a claim by Iran-backed Hezbollah that it had used a missile to shoot down an Israeli drone in south Lebanon.



- US build-up -



The US military noted that it now has three aircraft carriers in the Middle East for the first time since it waged the 2003 Iraq war.

The three battle groups comprise "over 200 aircraft and 15,000 Sailors and Marines", US Central Command said on X.



- Tehran airport to reopen -



International flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport will resume on Saturday, the ISNA news agency reported, days after Iran reopened its airspace. The first flights will be to Istanbul and Muscat, the announcement said.



- 'Tight' gas markets -



The market for liquefied natural gas (LNG), which has been strained by the war, will remain "tight" through 2026 and 2027", the International Energy Agency said.



- Deaths in Lebanon -



An Israeli strike killed two people in Lebanon, in the southern area of Touline, the Lebanese health ministry reported, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was extended by three weeks.



- UAE distrustful of Iran -



Rebuilding trust between Abu Dhabi and Tehran will take "ages and ages", UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said, after Iran targeted the United Arab Emirates during the Middle East conflict.



- Condom prices up -



Malaysia-based Karex, which supplies condoms for brands like Trojan and Durex, said it had been forced to increase prices by up to 30 percent because of supply chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East war.



- Everyone needs 'stability' -



"It is in everyone's interest for stability to return as soon as possible and for the world's economies to be reassured," French President Emmanuel Macron said as he attended an EU summit in Nicosia, where talks with Middle East leaders were also scheduled.



- Peacekeeper dies -

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, announced that an Indonesian blue helmet died in hospital of wounds suffered on March 29 in an attack on his base.



burs-jxb/giv/md
US hopes for progress, but Iran says not direct talks



Islamabad, Pakistan, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2026



Iran's foreign minister arrived in Islamabad on Friday and US envoys headed to the Pakistani capital in a bid to kickstart a new round of peace negotiations amid a fragile ceasefire.

The White House said emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage in an "in-person conversation" with Iranian representatives, but Iranian state media said that direct talks were not in the cards.

Despite President Donald Trump's announcement on Thursday of a three-week ceasefire extension in Lebanon, Israeli strikes in the south of the country killed six people on Friday, the Lebanese health ministry said.

While Trump expressed confidence at the prospect of a lasting peace in Lebanon, sealing a deal to end the wider Middle East war is a thornier proposition, even as urgency mounts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and Kushner would head to Pakistan on Saturday "to engage in talks...with representatives from the Iranian delegation."

"The Iranians reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation," Leavitt said, adding that the talks would "hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal."

Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance, who led a first round of negotiations in Islamabad two weeks ago that concluded without a deal, would not be joining for the time being, but was on "standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary."

It remained unclear late Friday whether the Iranian side would meet directly with the US envoys.

Iranian state television said Araghchi has no plans to meet with the Americans and Islamabad would serve as a bridge to "convey" Iranian proposals to end the conflict.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad to discuss "ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability" with Pakistani officials, without directly referencing talks with Witkoff and Kushner.

An Iranian spokesman said Araghchi would visit Oman and Russia after the Pakistan stop to discuss efforts to end the war launched against the Islamic Republic by Israel and the United States on February 28.



- EU says opening Hormuz 'vital' -



Since the last round of talks, efforts to bring the two sides back to the table have hit an impasse, with Iran refusing to participate as long as a US naval blockade on its ports remained in place.

Iran has imposed a de facto blockade of its own on the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only a trickle of ships to pass through the vital waterway, throwing global energy markets into turmoil.

Oil prices slid on Friday amid hopes that fresh peace talks would see an end to Tehran's disruption of trade through the strait.

European Council President Antonio Costa said Friday that the strait "must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling."

"This is vital for the entire world," Costa said.

Major Wall Street indices closed at fresh records on Friday as markets cheered the latest batch of earnings reports and US and Iranian officials headed to Pakistan.

The United States continued meanwhile to build up its forces in the Middle East with the arrival of its third aircraft carrier in the region, the USS George H.W. Bush.



- 'Destroyed' -



Trump spoke in glowing terms on Thursday of peace prospects for Lebanon after meeting with Israeli and Lebanese envoys, voicing hope for a three-way meeting with the Lebanese and Israeli leaders.

The two countries have been officially at war for decades and until last week had not met so directly since 1993.

Mohammed Raad, the head of the Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, urged the Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks with Israel and warned that a lasting peace deal of the kind sought by Trump "will in no way enjoy Lebanese national consensus."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to destroy the Iran-backed movement, said: "We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it's clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this."

In south Lebanon's Tyre, Mohamad Ali Hijazi was searching a mountain of rubble for mementos of family members killed in an Israeli airstrike minutes before the ceasefire took hold.

"I'm trying to find my mother's hairbrush...and a bottle of perfume that she loves," said Hijazi, 48 -- some of the last things he sent her from France, where he has long lived with his wife and two daughters.

"My life has been destroyed. I haven't slept for five days," he told AFP, repeatedly fighting back tears.

burs/cl/jgc
Israeli strikes kill six in Lebanon Friday: health ministry



Beirut, Lebanon, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2026



Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed six people Friday, the Lebanese health ministry said, despite an ongoing ceasefire in the more than six-week war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"The Israeli enemy's airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, April 24, resulted in the martyrdom of six citizens and the injury of two others," the ministry said in a statement.

Two people were killed in Wadi al-Hujair, two were killed in Touline, and one each in Srifa and Yater, all in southern Lebanon, the ministry said.

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, also announced on Friday that an Indonesian blue helmet died in hospital of wounds suffered on March 29 in an attack on his base.

UNIFIL said at the time of the March 29 attack that one Indonesian soldier was killed and another wounded.

A preliminary investigation by the UN found that the soldier was killed by an Israeli tank shell.

Earlier Friday, the Israeli army said it had killed six people in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which saw intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah for days leading up to the April 17 ceasefire.

The Israeli army said all six people killed in Bint Jbeil were fighters with pro-Iran armed group Hezbollah.

It was not clear whether the deaths announced by the Lebanese health ministry were related to those claimed by Israel.

Israeli attacks have killed 2,491 people in Lebanon since the start of the war on March 2, according to Lebanon's health ministry.
US-Kuwaiti journalist released after war coverage detention



Washington, United States, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been released after being held for weeks in Kuwait during a crackdown on sharing footage of the US-Iran war, a US State Department official said Friday.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.

A US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Friday that Shihab-Eldin "has safely departed Kuwait."

"While in detention, the State Department was in contact with Mr Shihab-Eldin and provided consular assistance," the official added.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday that Shihab-Eldin had been cleared of all the charges against him after 52 days in detention.

One of Shihab-Eldin's last social media posts before his arrest included a geolocated video, verified by CNN, that showed a US fighter jet crash near a US air base in Kuwait, according to the CPJ.

Hundreds of people have been arrested across the Gulf for sharing images of attacks and the resulting damage.

The strikes occurred almost daily from the start of the Middle East conflict on February 28 until a ceasefire came into effect on April 8.

sct-vla/llb/jgc/md
US envoys heading to Pakistan for uncertain Iran talks



Islamabad, Pakistan, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



US envoys headed to the Pakistani capital Saturday in a bid to kickstart a new round of peace negotiations with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, though the prospect of direct talks remained uncertain.

The White House said emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage in an "in-person conversation" with Iranian representatives, but Iranian state media said that direct negotiations were not in the cards.

Iran's foreign minister arrived in Islamabad on Friday.

Despite President Donald Trump's announcement on Thursday of a three-week ceasefire extension in Lebanon, Israeli strikes in the south of the country killed six people on Friday, the Lebanese health ministry said.

While Trump expressed confidence at the prospect of a lasting peace in Lebanon, sealing a deal to end the wider Middle East war is a thornier proposition, even as urgency mounts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and Kushner would head to Pakistan on Saturday "to engage in talks... with representatives from the Iranian delegation".

"The Iranians reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation," Leavitt said, adding that the talks would "hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal".

Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance, who led a first round of negotiations in Islamabad two weeks ago that concluded without a deal, would not be joining for the time being, but was on "standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary".

It remained unclear late Friday whether the Iranian side would meet directly with the US envoys.

Iranian state television said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has no plans to meet with the Americans, and Islamabad would serve as a bridge to "convey" Iranian proposals to end the conflict.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad to discuss "ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability" with Pakistani officials, without directly referencing talks with Witkoff and Kushner.

An Iranian spokesman said Araghchi would visit Oman and Russia after the Pakistan stop to discuss efforts to end the war launched against the Islamic Republic by Israel and the United States on February 28.



- EU says opening Hormuz 'vital' -



Since the last round of talks, efforts to bring the two sides back to the table have hit an impasse, with Iran refusing to participate as long as a US naval blockade on its ports remained in place.

Iran has imposed a de facto blockade of its own on the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only a trickle of ships to pass through the vital waterway, throwing global energy markets into turmoil.

Oil prices slid on Friday amid hopes that fresh peace talks would see an end to Tehran's disruption of trade through the strait.

European Council President Antonio Costa said Friday that the strait "must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling".

"This is vital for the entire world," Costa said.

Major Wall Street indices closed at fresh records on Friday as markets cheered the latest batch of earnings reports and US and Iranian officials headed to Pakistan.

The United States continued meanwhile to build up its forces in the Middle East with the arrival of its third aircraft carrier in the region, the USS George H.W. Bush.



- 'Destroyed' -



Trump spoke in glowing terms on Thursday of peace prospects for Lebanon after meeting with Israeli and Lebanese envoys, voicing hope for a three-way meeting with the Lebanese and Israeli leaders.

The two countries have been officially at war for decades and until last week had not met so directly since 1993.

Mohammed Raad, the head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, urged the Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks with Israel and warned that a lasting peace deal of the kind sought by Trump "will in no way enjoy Lebanese national consensus".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to destroy the Iran-backed movement, said: "We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it's clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this."

In south Lebanon's Tyre, Mohamad Ali Hijazi was searching a mountain of rubble for mementos of family members killed in an Israeli airstrike minutes before the ceasefire took hold.

"I'm trying to find my mother's hairbrush...and a bottle of perfume that she loves," said Hijazi, 48 -- some of the last things he sent her from France, where he has long lived with his wife and two daughters.

"My life has been destroyed. I haven't slept for five days," he told AFP, repeatedly fighting back tears.

burs/cl/jgc/lga/tc
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- US envoys head to Islamabad -



US envoys headed to the Pakistani capital Saturday in a bid to kickstart a new round of peace negotiations with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, though the prospect of direct talks remained uncertain.

The White House said emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage in an "in-person conversation" with Iranian representatives, but Iranian state media said that direct negotiations were not in the cards.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in Islamabad.



- Spain 'reliable' NATO member -



Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stressed Spain was a "reliable member" of NATO, after a report the United States was considering trying to suspend it over its refusal to support military operations against Iran.

The Reuters news agency cited an anonymous US official as telling it that the Pentagon had outlined the suspension option in an email looking at ways to punish NATO allies that steered clear of the US-Israeli war against Iran.



- Kuwait frees journalist -



An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been released after being held for weeks in Kuwait during a crackdown on sharing footage of the US-Iran war, a US State Department official said.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.



- US freezes $344 mn in cryptocurrency -



The United States has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency assets over ties to Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says, as Washington seeks to raise pressure on Tehran amid energy supply disruptions due to the war.



- Six killed in Lebanon -



Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed six people Friday, the Lebanese health ministry said, despite an ongoing ceasefire in the more than six-week war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"The Israeli enemy's airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, April 24, resulted in the martyrdom of six citizens and the injury of two others," the ministry said in a statement.

burs-ach/mtp
Iran executes man over 'mission' for Israel's spy agency



Tehran, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Iran on Saturday executed a man for carrying out a "mission" on behalf of Israel's spy agency during mass protests in January, the judiciary reported.

It is the latest in a string of executions since war broke out with Israel and the United States.

Erfan Kiani was hanged after his sentence was upheld by the country's Supreme Court, the judiciary's Mizan Online website said.

It described Kiani as one of the "main operatives" in a "mission assigned by Mossad" during unrest in the central Iranian province of Isfahan.

The judiciary accused him of "destruction of public and private property, arson, possession and use of Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon, blocking vehicle routes, attacking officers, and creating fear and panic among citizens".

His execution follows the hanging on Thursday of another man in Iran who was convicted of membership in a banned opposition group.

Iran has in recent weeks ramped up executions during its war with Israel and the United States that began on February 28.

Authorities say January's protests were instigated by Israel, the US and opposition groups, including the banned People's Mujahedin.

Since March 19, Iranian authorities have executed nine men on charges linked to the protests.

Iran is the world's second most prolific user of the death penalty after China, according to rights groups including Amnesty International.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- US 'quagmire' -



The United States "is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in", a spokesman for Iran's defence ministry said.

The comment, reported by Iran's ISNA media outlet, came as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner headed to Pakistan, where Iran's foreign minister was.

The White House said the two would have "talks" with Iranian representatives. But Iranian state media said that direct negotiations were not in the cards.



- Iran execution -



Iran extended its long series of executions carried out during the war with the capital punishment of a man its judiciary said had carried out a "mission" on behalf of Israel's spy agency during mass protests in January.



- Kuwait frees journalist -



An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been released after being held for weeks in Kuwait during a crackdown on sharing footage of the US-Iran war, a US State Department official said.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.



- US freezes crypto -



The United States has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency assets over ties to Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says, as Washington seeks to raise pressure on Tehran amid energy supply disruptions due to the war.



- Six killed in Lebanon -



Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed six people Friday, the Lebanese health ministry said, despite an ongoing ceasefire in the more than six-week war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"The Israeli enemy's airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, April 24, resulted in the martyrdom of six citizens and the injury of two others," the ministry said in a statement.



burs-rmb/ach
Blackstone (BX) president Jon Gray said on Thursday he still expects the firm to have a major year taking companies public, and the main driver is coming from artificial intelligence.

Once this war resolves, I do think well see an acceleration, said Gray, who is Blackstones No. 2 executive and the eventual successor of longtime CEO Stephen Schwarzman.

We think we'll be able to get a number of IPOs done, he added.

Despite a volatile start to 2026, which included the outbreak of the US-Israeli war in Iran, global IPO proceeds rose more than 50% in the first quarter compared to the first three months of 2025, according to Dealogic data.

All told, nine of Blackstones portfolio companies across the US, Europe, and Asia have submitted regulatory documents for new listings, according to Bloomberg.

Blackstone COO Jonathan Gray is interviewed on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Two notable Blackstone-backed companies shared plans to go public earlier this month: sandwich chain Jersey Mikes and Liftoff, a mobile ad tech company that refiled this week after withdrawing its initial public filing two months ago.

Blackstones private equity fund, BXPE, also holds shares in private companies OpenAI (OPAI.PVT), Anthropic (ANTH.PVT), and SpaceX (SPAX.PVT), which are expected to be this years biggest headliners.

Where there will be less [IPO] activity, will be in the professional services, information, services, software  the white collar world, Gray said, adding that Blackstones roster of companies may be a little more favorable to others in this IPO regard.

Blackstones Gray brushes off private credit concerns

Blackstone kicked off first quarter earnings for a group of big money managers that found themselves under increased pressure during the years start amid broad worries that some major private credit and equity players have portfolios filled with exposure to software companies at risk of AI disruption.

Blackstones stock fell more than 7% on Thursday despite a strong earnings report from the firm.

Blackstones total distributable earnings climbed 25% to $1.8 billion compared to the first quarter of last year. However, within the firms credit and insurance division, the same figure fell 26% to $373 million. Returns from the private credit business fell to 0.6% from 2.7% in the year-ago quarter.

Blackstones flagship non-traded private credit fund, Bcred, faced heightened redemption requests amid a broader investor exodus. The event did not stop Blackstone from seeing higher investment inflows into its credit and insurance business, which makes up roughly a third of its managed assets.
British fighters scramble after drone crashes in Romania



Bucharest, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Two British fighter jets scrambled and Romanian authorities on Saturday evacuated more than 200 people from a zone where a drone crashed after Russian strikes in neighbouring Ukraine, authorities said.

Romania, a NATO member, has repeatedly seen its airspace violated and drone fragments fall on its territory since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

But President Nicusor Dan said: "This is the first incident where Romanian property has actually been damaged, a threshold we take very seriously."

Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned the Russian ambassador, a statement said.

Romania's defence ministry said in a statement the incident happened that after "Russian forces resumed drone attacks against civilian and infrastructure targets" in Ukraine.

"A drone crashed in a populated area," with a "possible explosive charge," emergency services said in a separate statement.

No casualties were reported, but an electricity pole and a house outbuilding were damaged, authorities said, adding that gas supplies had been cut as a precautionary measure.

Two British Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets based at Borcea in Romania as part of a NATO force scrambled after the incident, the defence ministry said.

Britain's defence ministry denied reports, however, that the planes shot down Russian drones.

In 2025, Romania adopted a law authorising it to shoot down drones that violate its airspace, but no such action has been taken so far.
Iran hajj pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia: report



Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Iranian hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh-based broadcaster Al Arabiya reported Saturday, despite a deterioration in ties between the Gulf kingdom and the Islamic republic during the Middle East war.

Saudi Arabia's hajj ministry informed Al Arabiya that the first Iranians had arrived this year by air for the annual holy Muslim pilgrimage, the channel reported in a post on X.

Iran bombarded its Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, with missiles and drones for over a month in response to US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic republic beginning on February 28.

Tehran's aerial campaign halted earlier this month when the US and Iran announced a fragile ceasefire.

The admission of Iranians for hajj has been a barometer for relations between Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia after no Iranian pilgrims were allowed into Mecca for seven years from 2016 to 2023.

In 2016 Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran when its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests after Saudi Arabia executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The two countries resumed diplomatic ties in March 2023 under a surprise China-brokered deal.

On April 9, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, in the first official contact between the countries since the start of the war.

On March 1, Riyadh's foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia in protest over the attacks on the Gulf kingdom and its neighbours.

The hajj is due to begin during the last week of May, and pilgrims from across the globe have already begun pouring into Saudi Arabia.
Iran FM leaves Pakistan ahead of planned visit by US envoys



Islamabad, Pakistan, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Iran's foreign minister wrapped up a diplomatic visit to Islamabad on Saturday before the planned arrival of US negotiators, as Pakistani mediators pushed for new talks to end the Middle East war.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief and a key figure in the mediation effort, as well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Araghchi, according to an Iranian statement, thanked Pakistan for its efforts but "explained our country's principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran".

Pakistan's Dar posted on social media that the meeting with the Iranian delegation lasted around two hours and Pakistan emphasised "the importance of dialogue and diplomacy".

Iranian state media later reported that Araghchi had left Islamabad.

On Friday -- as urgency mounted to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) -- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday.

"The Iranians reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation," she said, adding the talks would "hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal".

Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance, who led a first round of negotiations in Islamabad two weeks ago, would not be joining for the time being, but was on "standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary".

Iranian state television had said before Araghchi's departure that he had no plans to meet with the Americans, and that Islamabad would serve as a bridge to "convey" Iranian proposals.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said Araghchi was in Islamabad to discuss "ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability" with Pakistani officials, without directly referencing talks with Witkoff and Kushner.

An Iranian spokesman said Araghchi would travel to Oman and Russia to discuss efforts to end the war, which was launched against Iran by Israel and the United States on February 28.



- Opening Hormuz 'vital' -



Iran's military, meanwhile, remained defiant.

In a statement carried by state media, the military's central command said that if "the invading US military continues blockading, banditry, and piracy in the region, they should be certain that they will face a response from Iran's powerful armed forces".

Since the last round of talks, efforts to bring the two sides back to the table have hit an impasse, with Iran refusing to participate as long as a US naval blockade on its ports remains in place.

Iran has imposed a de facto blockade of its own on the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only a trickle of ships to pass through the vital waterway, throwing global energy markets into turmoil.

Oil prices slid on Friday amid hopes that fresh peace talks would see an end to Tehran's disruption of trade through the strait.

European Council President Antonio Costa said the strait "must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling".

"This is vital for the entire world," Costa said.



- 'Historic peace' -



On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced a three-week ceasefire extension in Lebanon and spoke in glowing terms of peace prospects for the country after meeting with Israeli and Lebanese envoys. He voiced hope for a three-way meeting with Lebanon and Israel's leaders.

The two countries have been officially at war for decades, and until last week officials had not met directly since 1993.

But Mohammed Raad, the head of the parliamentary bloc for Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, urged the Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks with Israel and warned that a lasting peace deal of the kind sought by Trump "will in no way enjoy Lebanese national consensus".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to destroy Hezbollah, said: "We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it's clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this."

Despite the ceasefire, Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes on Saturday in the Nabatieh district of the south of the country had killed four people.

In the coastal city of Sidon, Ahmad Shumar and his family were preparing to head back to their hometown in the south this week, after giving up on a previous attempt due to fears of Israeli attacks.

"We are going home now, not knowing whether there will be war or peace -- we will see," the 74-year-old said, surrounded by bags and mattresses.

While Shumar said he hoped the ceasefire became permanent, he rejected any direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

"Direct negotiations mean recognising the enemy," which he said he could not abide.

burs/dc/smw
Trumps cancels envoys' trip to Iran talks in Pakistan



Washington, United States, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had ordered his envoys not to travel to Pakistan to continue talks with Iranian officials on ending the war.

Trump made the announcement in individual phone calls with reporters, and later in a post on social media, shortly after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Islamabad.

Trump told the digital news outlet Axios that cancelling the proposed trip of his top advisors -- his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff -- did not mean the United States would resume fighting with Iran that began on February 28.

"I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is (sic) Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!" he wrote on his Truth Social media platform.

"Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them," he continued.

However Trump left the door open to further negotiations, saying if the Iranians "want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!

Witkoff and Kushner had been scheduled to leave for Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, on Saturday for a second round of peace talks with Iran.

Asked by Axios whether the cancellation meant he would resume the war, Trump said: "No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

Iran's state television said Tehran's envoys had no immediate plans to hold face-to-face talks with the Americans, and that Pakistan would serve as a bridge to convey Iranian proposals.
Six killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon: ministry



Beirut, Lebanon, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes on Saturday in the country's south killed six people, despite a ceasefire that was extended this week in the war between Israel and militant group Hezbollah.

"Two Israeli enemy strikes, on a truck and a motorbike, in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqeef in the Nabatieh district killed four people," a ministry statement said.

It later reported that an "Israeli enemy airstrike on the town of Safad al-Battikh, in the Bint Jbeil district, resulted in two fatalities and 17 injuries".

Israel's military said it "eliminated" three Hezbollah operatives on Saturday who were driving "a vehicle loaded with weapons", as well as another one riding a motorcycle, and two more armed members of the group elsewhere.

It also said it identified two projectiles launched from Lebanon, decrying "a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings" by Hezbollah, and later intercepted another "suspicious aerial target".

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it targeted an Israeli army vehicle in south Lebanon in retaliation for the attack on Yohmor al-Shaqeef.

Israel says it reserves the right to respond militarily to imminent threats under the terms of the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump had announced on Thursday that a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon that began on April 17 had been extended for three weeks.

Tehran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli artillery shelling on several south Lebanon locations on Saturday.

It also reported a "violent explosion" in Khiam, a strategic town along the east of Lebanon's border with Israel where the agency has previously said the Israeli army has been "systematically" destroying houses and other buildings.

An AFP correspondent saw a huge cloud of smoke billowing over the town.

Israel's military on Saturday reissued a warning to residents not to return to dozens of south Lebanon locations within the so-called "yellow line", which demarcates a ribbon of Lebanese territory around 10 kilometres (six miles) wide running along the length of the border.

Israeli attacks have killed at least 2,496 people in Lebanon since March 2, according to authorities.

On Friday, Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayad said the group maintained the right to respond to any Israeli aggression, adding that extending the ceasefire "makes no sense" in light of the continued "hostile acts".
Russia pounds Ukraine's Dnipro for 20 hours straight, killing eight



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Russian barrages of drones and missiles pounded Ukraine's central-eastern city of Dnipro for 20 hours straight, killing eight people and wounding dozens, local authorities said on Saturday.

The attack -- the largest ever on the city -- began overnight and lasted well into the afternoon, coming in waves that hit homes, businesses and energy infrastructure.

"20 hours... For more than 20 awful hours, the Russians attacked Dnipro in waves. They struck with missiles and drones," said mayor Borys Filatov, describing it as "the largest-scale attack on Dnipro".

Rescuers spent hours sifting through debris despite the ongoing strikes, clearing out the rubble of bombed apartment buildings and searching for survivors and bodies, photos from the Ukrainian emergency service showed. One apartment building was struck twice at different times, authorities said.

The attack killed eight people and wounded 49, including two children. Among the wounded was the mayor's deputy, who was "nearly killed", Filatov said. Another ten people were wounded in the wider Dnipropetrovsk region.

Strikes also hit the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia region, killing one person and wounding four in a civilian minibus, said regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov.

Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, adding that most of them had been repelled.

Russia has recently shifted from largely nighttime air raids to longer, periodic strikes that begin overnight and stretch well into the day.



- 'Massive strike' -



Russia's defence ministry said it had "launched a massive strike" on Ukrainian military targets over the past 24 hours. Moscow denies having targeted civilians throughout the four-year war.

Following the barrage, a drone crashed in Romania, a NATO and EU country bordering Ukraine, local authorities said. More than 200 people were evacuated as a precaution, and British fighter jets stationed in Romania were scrambled.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on a visit to Azerbaijan, called for a stronger international response to Russia's attacks.

"It is important that the world does not remain silent about what is happening and that this Russian war in Europe is not overshadowed by the war in Iran," he said on social media.

"We count on the timely implementation of each of our political agreements to strengthen air defence," he added.

The industrial hub of Dnipropetrovsk lies more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the front line, which snakes through eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russian troops have captured a sliver of territory in the wider Dnipropetrovsk region, which is not one of the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claimed to have annexed after its invasion.



- Attacks on Russia -



In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up its own retaliatory attacks on Russia, hitting civilians and energy infrastructure among other targets.

Ukrainian drone attacks over the past 24 hours wounded one person in Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, governor Alexander Khinshtein announced Saturday on Russia's state-sponsored messenger app Max.

The governor for Russia's neighbouring Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a woman had been killed and a man seriously wounded in a drone attack on a car, and a man driving a tractor wounded in another strike.

A rare Ukrainian drone strike hit an apartment high-rise in Yekaterinburg, a large industrial city in Russia's heartland more than a thousand miles away from Ukraine, said local governor Denis Pasler. No one was seriously hurt in the attack, he added.

Three people were killed after Ukrainian drones struck a village in the Russian-occupied Lugansk region, said Moscow-installed governor Leonid Pasechnik.

On the front line in Ukraine, the Russian army claimed to have captured the village of Bochkove in the Kharkiv region.

Diplomatic efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II are at a standstill with US mediation efforts diverted by the outbreak of the Middle East war in February.
Israel PM orders attacks on Hezbollah after army alleges truce violations



Jerusalem, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday ordered the military to strike Lebanon's Hezbollah hard after what the army said was a string of ceasefire violations.

According to a brief statement from his office, the premier "ordered the IDF to forcefully attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon", after the military said the Iran-backed group had violated a ceasefire that was extended earlier this week.

Several hours earlier, in several separate statements, the military said it had "eliminated more than 15 terrorists in southern Lebanon", including three who were driving a vehicle "loaded with weapons".

It also accused the militants of "launching explosive drones toward IDF soldiers" in the Qantara area that "detonated" near the troops but caused no injuries.

Troops had also found "an anti-tank missile cache in a Hezbollah weapons storage facility" and an underground shaft containing Kalashnikov rifles, it said.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Pakistan 'committed' to role -

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had spoken by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad were called off.

"Pakistan remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator - working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region," Sharif wrote on X.



- Israel orders attacks on Hezbollah -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to strike Lebanon's Hezbollah hard after what the army said was a string of ceasefire violations.



- US 'truly serious'? -

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that it remained to be seen whether the United States was "truly serious about diplomacy", after a visit to Pakistan where he met with senior officials.



- Trump cancels envoys' Pakistan trip -

US President Donald Trump told Fox News he had ordered his envoys not to travel to Pakistan to continue talks with Iranian officials on ending the war.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said: "There is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them."

Trump said the move did not mean a restart of the war.



- Six killed in Lebanon -

Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes had killed six people in the country's south, despite a ceasefire that was extended this week in the war between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.



- German minesweeper -

Germany will soon send a minesweeper to the Mediterranean for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the US-Iran war, a defence ministry spokeswoman told AFP.



- US 'quagmire' -

The United States "is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in", a spokesman for Iran's defence ministry said.

Iran's military also warned it would respond if the US maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, calling it "banditry".



- Iran execution -

Iran extended its long series of executions carried out during the war with the capital punishment of a man its judiciary said had carried out a "mission" on behalf of Israel's spy agency during mass protests in January.



- Kuwait frees journalist -

An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been released after being held for weeks in Kuwait during a crackdown on sharing footage of the US-Iran war, a US State Department official said.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.

burs/yad/jj
CORRECTED: Russia pounds Ukraine's Dnipro for 20 hours straight, killing eight



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Russian barrages of drones and missiles pounded Ukraine's central-eastern city of Dnipro for 20 hours straight, killing eight people and wounding dozens, local authorities said on Saturday.

The attack -- the largest ever on the city -- began overnight and lasted well into the afternoon, coming in waves that hit homes, businesses and energy infrastructure.

"20 hours... For more than 20 awful hours, the Russians attacked Dnipro in waves. They struck with missiles and drones," said military governor of the wider Dnipropetrovsk region, Oleksandr Ganzha.

Dnipro's mayor Borys Filatov described the barrage as "the largest-scale attack on Dnipro."

Rescuers spent hours sifting through debris despite the ongoing strikes, clearing out the rubble of bombed apartment buildings and searching for survivors and bodies, photos from the Ukrainian emergency service showed. One apartment building was struck twice at different times, authorities said.

The attack killed eight people and wounded 49, including two children. Among the wounded was the mayor's deputy, who was "nearly killed", Filatov said. Another ten people were wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Strikes also hit the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia region, killing one person and wounding four in a civilian minibus, said regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov.

Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, adding that most of them had been repelled.

Russia has recently shifted from largely nighttime air raids to longer, periodic strikes that begin overnight and stretch well into the day.



- 'Massive strike' -



Russia's defence ministry said it had "launched a massive strike" on Ukrainian military targets over the past 24 hours. Moscow denies having targeted civilians throughout the four-year war.

Following the barrage, a drone crashed in Romania, a NATO and EU country bordering Ukraine, local authorities said. More than 200 people were evacuated as a precaution, and British fighter jets stationed in Romania were scrambled.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on a visit to Azerbaijan, called for a stronger international response to Russia's attacks.

"It is important that the world does not remain silent about what is happening and that this Russian war in Europe is not overshadowed by the war in Iran," he said on social media.

"We count on the timely implementation of each of our political agreements to strengthen air defence," he added.

The industrial hub of Dnipropetrovsk lies more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the front line, which snakes through eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russian troops have captured a sliver of territory in the wider Dnipropetrovsk region, which is not one of the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claimed to have annexed after its invasion.



- Attacks on Russia -



In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up its own retaliatory attacks on Russia, hitting civilians and energy infrastructure among other targets.

Ukrainian drone attacks over the past 24 hours wounded one person in Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, governor Alexander Khinshtein announced Saturday on Russia's state-sponsored messenger app Max.

The governor for Russia's neighbouring Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a woman had been killed and a man seriously wounded in a drone attack on a car, and a man driving a tractor wounded in another strike.

A rare Ukrainian drone strike hit an apartment high-rise in Yekaterinburg, a large industrial city in Russia's heartland more than a thousand miles away from Ukraine, said local governor Denis Pasler. No one was seriously hurt in the attack, he added.

Three people were killed after Ukrainian drones struck a village in the Russian-occupied Lugansk region, said Moscow-installed governor Leonid Pasechnik.

On the front line in Ukraine, the Russian army claimed to have captured the village of Bochkove in the Kharkiv region.

Diplomatic efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II are at a standstill with US mediation efforts diverted by the outbreak of the Middle East war in February.
Trump says cancelled envoys' Pakistan trip, but war not resuming



Islamabad, Pakistan, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



US President Donald Trump announced he had cancelled his envoys' planned trip to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on Saturday, but said that did not mean an immediate resumption of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.

Shortly before the announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrapped up his own diplomatic visit to Islamabad after meeting with Pakistani military chief Asim Munir, a key figure in the mediation effort, as well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The White House had previously said Trump emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were heading to the Pakistani capital for an "in-person conversation" with the Iranians that would "hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal".

But Trump told Fox News on Saturday that he had nixed the trip.

"We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing," the president said he had told his team.

Asked by US media outlet Axios whether that meant a resumption of hostilities, Trump said: "No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

Iran's foreign ministry said Araghchi had left Islamabad and arrived in Muscat on Saturday for meetings with Omani officials. He is also expected to travel on to Russia to discuss efforts to end the war, which the United States and Israel began against Iran on February 28.

Araghchi described his Pakistan trip as "very fruitful" in a post on X, adding he had shared Iran's position on a "workable framework to permanently end the war".

"Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy," he said.

Even before Trump's announcement, the prospect of new talks had been uncertain, with Iranian state television saying Araghchi had no plans to meet with the Americans, and that Islamabad would serve as a bridge to "convey" Iranian proposals.

Pakistani premier Sharif said he had spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian by phone on Saturday, and assured him that Islamabad "remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator -- working tirelessly to advance durable peace".



- Opening Hormuz 'vital' -



The urgency of striking a deal to permanently end the war has mounted as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for the world's oil and gas supplies, has remained closed.

But Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that they had no intention of ending their effective blockade of the waterway, which has thrown energy markets into turmoil.

"Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House's supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran," the Guards said on their official Telegram channel.

The US has imposed a blockade of its own on Iranian ports in retaliation.

In a defiant statement carried by state media, the Iranian military's central command said that if "the invading US military continues blockading, banditry, and piracy in the region, they should be certain that they will face a response".

Since the first and only round of US-Iran talks, also hosted by Pakistan, efforts to bring the two sides back to the table have hit an impasse, with Iran refusing to participate as long as the US naval blockade remains in place.

Iran, meanwhile, has allowed only a trickle of ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

European Council President Antonio Costa said the waterway "must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling".

"This is vital for the entire world," Costa said.



- Netanyahu orders attacks -



On the war's Lebanese front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military "to forcefully attack Hezbollah targets", after the armed forces accused the Iran-backed group of violating a ceasefire that was extended earlier this week.

Prior to the statement, Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes on Saturday in the southern Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil districts had killed six people.

Trump had announced the three-week truce extension on Thursday and spoke in glowing terms of peace prospects after meeting with Israeli and Lebanese envoys.

But Mohammed Raad, the head of the parliamentary bloc for Hezbollah, urged the Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks with Israel and warned that a lasting peace deal of the kind sought by Trump "will in no way enjoy Lebanese national consensus".

Netanyahu has accused the group of "trying to sabotage" the peace process.

In the coastal city of Sidon, Ahmad Shumar and his family were preparing to head back to their hometown in the south this week, after giving up on a previous attempt due to fears of Israeli attacks.

"We are going home now, not knowing whether there will be war or peace -- we will see," the 74-year-old said, surrounded by bags and mattresses.

burs/smw/dcp
Corn futures closed the Thursday session with most contracts  to 2  cents higher. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price as up 1 3/4 cents at $4.20.

Export Sales data from Thursday were tallied at 1.316 MMT in the week of 4/16, a 3-week low but still 14.2% above the same week last year. South Korea was the top buyer of 345,700 MT, with 324,200 MT sold to Japan and 233,600 MT to unknown destinations. New crop sales were at 440,110 MT in that week, the second largest for the marketing year. All sales for 2026/27 were to Mexico.

More News from Barchart

South Korean importers purchased a total of 134,000 MT of corn in a private deal overnight.

International Grains Council data world corn production down 3 MMT from last month, with ending stocks for 2026/27 dropping 2 MMT to 292 MMT.

May 26 Corn closed at $4.55 1/2, up 1 1/4 cents,

Nearby Cash was $4.20, up 1 3/4 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.63 3/4, up 1 cent,

Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.83 1/2, up 1 1/4 cents,

New Crop Cash was $4.41 3/4, up 1 1/2 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
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This sense of London being hollowed out is not a new phenomenon. In affluent neighbourhoods like Knightsbridge and Mayfair, long associated with darkened windows and absent owners, the pattern has been visible for years. What feels newer is how far it has spread  into the glass towers of Nine Elms and the riverside developments of Bankside, postcodes once industrial and long associated with working London. So what does this mean for the city? As the capital becomes ever more desirable, do parts of it risk becoming places to invest in and pass through, rather than places to actually live?
Argentinas foreign minister Pablo Quirno posted on X: The Argentine Republic once again expresses its willingness to resume bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom that will allow for finding a peaceful and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute and bring an end to the special and particular colonial situation in which they are immersed.
After Quinns conviction, Assistant Chief Constable of GMP, Steph Parker, said: I am absolutely confident  and the IOPC (Independent Office of Police Conduct) will tell you themselves  that they are determined to find answers for what went on in 2003, and equally we are supporting them with that, and we will learn from whatever findings arise from their investigation.
One of the signatories is Peter Hallward, professor of modern European philosophy, at Kingston University, who said: This absurd and contradictory situation clearly cannot last much longer. And if enough people are prepared to defy such an incoherent and unjustifiable law, then we may be able to persuade the government that its neither legitimate nor enforceable.
Relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine have developed steadily over the years, grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. While political and economic ties remain important, recent developments highlight a growing emphasis on the humanitarian dimension of bilateral cooperation.

Azerbaijan has increasingly focused on strengthening humanitarian cooperation with Ukraine, reflecting its broader foreign policy approach. Having experienced the long-term consequences of conflict itself, Azerbaijan demonstrates a consistent commitment to supporting regions and populations affected by war.

One of the most visible forms of this support is the rehabilitation of Ukrainian children impacted by the ongoing conflict. Azerbaijan regularly hosts rehabilitation programs aimed at addressing the psychological trauma that war imposes - especially on younger generations. Plans are also underway to extend similar initiatives to Ukrainian students, further broadening the scope of humanitarian engagement.

In addition, Azerbaijan has responded to the destruction of Ukraines energy infrastructure by providing essential assistance, including the delivery of electricity generators. These efforts have been particularly critical for civilians and medical institutions facing severe disruptions.

Humanitarian ties are reinforced by strong people-to-people connections. A significant Azerbaijani diaspora resides in Ukraine, playing a vital role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two societies. These human links contribute to the resilience and depth of bilateral relations.

Azerbaijan is a country with a unique experience in the field of restoration and construction in the world. In the future, Azerbaijan can share its experience with Ukraine in the implementation of restoration and construction projects.

Ukraine was one of the few nations to consistently support Azerbaijans territorial integrity during the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

Azerbaijans foreign policy is guided by national interests and adherence to international law. It consistently supports the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity - values it regards as essential for global stability and peaceful coexistence.

In the context of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Azerbaijan maintains a balanced and neutral stance. It does not participate in the conflict and avoids any military involvement. Instead, Azerbaijan advocates for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Positioning itself as a regional diplomatic hub, Azerbaijan could potentially offer a neutral platform for future peace discussions.

Economic ties between Azerbaijan and Ukraine also hold significant potential, particularly in the energy sector. Azerbaijans state energy company, SOCAR, operates fuel stations in Ukraine, contributing to local markets and strengthening business relations.
Corn price action so far on Friday is 1 to 2 cents higher. Futures closed the Thursday session with most contracts  to 2  cents higher. Preliminary open interest suggested a rotation of ownership, up just 783 contracts. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price as up 1 3/4 cents at $4.20.

Export Sales data from Thursday were tallied at 1.316 MMT in the week of 4/16, a 3-week low but still 14.2% above the same week last year. South Korea was the top buyer of 345,700 MT, with 324,200 MT sold to Japan and 233,600 MT to unknown destinations. New crop sales were at 440,110 MT in that week, the second largest for the marketing year. All sales for 2026/27 were to Mexico.

More News from Barchart

A South Korean importer purchased a total of 67,000 MT of corn in a private deal overnight, following the 134,000 MT purchase by a separate importer in Thursday.

International Grains Council data world corn production down 3 MMT from last month, with ending stocks for 2026/27 dropping 2 MMT to 292 MMT.

May 26 Corn closed at $4.55 1/2, up 1 1/4 cents, currently up 1 cent

Nearby Cash was $4.20, up 1 3/4 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.63 3/4, up 1 cent, currently up 1 3/4 cents

Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.83 1/2, up 1 1/4 cents, currently up 1 3/4 cents

New Crop Cash was $4.41 3/4, up 1 1/2 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
We were strong enough to take them on and we forced the first cracks in this Government, but we need to keep the pressure on because we need to get them out.
Investment in new lithium supply is threatening to tip the global market for the battery metal into a deficit, beginning as early as this year. The warning comes from Canaccord, which noted that the supply of lithium has tightened considerably, even as demand for electric vehicles has weakened. Whats more, the deficit may last for quite a while, until 2035.

More from Yahoo Scout What impact did Zimbabwe's export ban have? How did lithium price crashes affect mining investment? Why hasn't EV demand growth boosted lithium investment? Why is lithium facing a potential supply deficit?

Lithium is a rather abundant element, but deposits are concentrated in a handful of locations, commonly referred to as the Lithium Triangle locked between Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. There are lithium deposits in other parts of the world as well, notably in the United States, but the triangle features the most abundant ones.

Because of this abundance, analysts for years predicted a comfortable supply, which, however, needed fresh investment in more production. This investment, those analysts said, was going to be motivated by the wider and faster adoption of electric vehicles and battery storage devices. Often referred to as the EV revolution, this wider and faster adoption only materialized in China and to a lesser extent in Europe, and it failed to lead to a surge in lithium investment.

This failure had a lot to do with lithium prices over the last couple of years. Despite all the predictions of surging demand, prices appeared to reflect a well-supplied market, going on oversupplied. Lithium prices crashed by 80% in the 12 months to mid-2025, further sapping appetite for investment in new supply. Lithium miners saw profits and margins shrink and projects curtailed or deferred until market conditions improve. Australian miners halted production at several projects. In China, CATL also suspended lithium production at one of the biggest deposits in the country last year to tackle overcapacity.

Related: Phillips 66 First To Take Advantage of Jones Act Waiver for US Crude

Lithium prices had hit an all-time high in 2022 before shedding as much as 90% as the combination of subsidies and pending EV mandates across some key markets, such as Europe, failed to spur mass adoption of electric vehicles. This forced lithium miners to revise their expansion plans and cut spending. It now appears that they are in no rush to reverse these plans.

Meanwhile, earlier this year Zimbabwe issued a ban on raw lithium exports in a bid to build local refining and boost its revenues from its natural resource. The African country is the largest producer of lithium on the continent, having some of the largest proven reserves of the battery metal in the world. The ban took the industry by surprise, prompting a last-second bust in mining activity. Yet it failed to lead to consistent expansion in production globally despite its disruptive potential and implications for supply.
Track your investments for FREE with Simply Wall St, the portfolio command center trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.

Rio Tinto Group (LSE:RIO) has committed significant funding to disaster relief following Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, supporting communities across multiple Australian regions.

The company has reported operational milestones at its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, progress on the Resolution Copper land exchange in the United States, and the first high grade iron ore shipment from Simandou to China.

Together, these developments highlight Rio Tinto's recent community support efforts and key steps in its copper and iron ore projects.

For investors watching large diversified miners, Rio Tinto Group, ticker LSE:RIO, sits at the intersection of iron ore, copper and other key commodities. The combination of disaster relief commitments and project progress provides a snapshot of how the company is positioning itself across both community engagement and long lead time resource assets. These updates are being reported at a time when copper and iron ore are central to themes such as electrification and infrastructure spending.

Looking ahead, attention is on execution at Oyu Tolgoi, Resolution Copper and Simandou, alongside how Rio Tinto manages relationships with host communities and governments. These projects can influence the mix of Rio Tinto's production profile and exposure to different regions, which are factors many investors watch closely when assessing risk and opportunity.

Stay updated on the most important news stories for Rio Tinto Group by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Rio Tinto Group.

LSE:RIO Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Apr 2026

 Beyond the headline: 1 risk and 3 things going right for Rio Tinto Group that every investor should see.

For Rio Tinto, the combination of A$1.5 million in disaster relief, cyclone related operational disruption in Pilbara, and progress at Oyu Tolgoi and Resolution Copper all feed into how resilient the business model looks across cycles. First quarter 2026 production shows why: 78.8 Mt of Pilbara iron ore on a 100% basis, 229 kt of copper, and early Simandou volumes sit alongside bauxite, alumina, aluminium and lithium output. Reaffirmed 2026 guidance for iron ore, copper, bauxite and lithium indicates that, at this stage, management sees cyclone impacts as manageable within its existing plans. For you as an investor, the bigger picture is that copper growth from Oyu Tolgoi and the path cleared at Resolution Copper continue to increase Rio Tinto's exposure to electrification themes, while Simandou starts to diversify iron ore supply beyond Pilbara.
(Matt Millham/Stars and Stripes)



Fouleng, Belgium, April 2014: Troy Hollar, center, speaks with an American airman moments before he is granted honorary citizenship in the village of Silly (Fouleng), Belgium, where his B-17 bomber crashed in World War II.

Hollar and three others survived, bailing out before the plane hit the ground. One was captured by the Germans; three were rescued by local residents.

Seven decades later, the town of Fouleng was still celebrating that day as if it were a holiday. It was the villagers first brush with the forces that would, five months later, liberate Belgium.

Richard Arsenault, assistant superintendent of the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, explains the markings on the headstone of Calvin Anthes to Anthes daughter, Lois O'Keefe, who was born a day after her father died. Anthes and five other airmen died April 13, 1944, after their B-17 bomber was hit by German flak guns and crashed in Fouleng, Belgium. (Matt Millham/Stars and Stripes)

Ernest Schrasser, who cares for the grave of Staff Sgt. Raymond Marz at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, shows a picture of his parents undertaking the same task. Schrassers father adopted the grave in 1946, and the job of caring for it has been in the family ever since. All 8,301 American World War II graves at the cemetery have been similarly adopted by Dutch families. (Matt Millham/Stars and Stripes)

Troy Hollar, seated center, poses for photos with Belgian officials and the relatives of some of his former crew mates from World War II in Fouleng, Belgium, on Sunday, April 13, 2014. The village, along with U.S. forces from nearby Chievres Air Base, held a memorial ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of a B-17 bomber crash here in which Hollar was involved. Hollar and three other crew members bailed out before the plane, hit by German flak, crashed in a field. (Matt Millham/Stars and Stripes)

Albert Brady, whose father Lloyd Brady was killed in a plane crash during World War II, shakes hands with Troy Hollar, who managed with four other men to bail out. Hollar, Brady and about two dozen other family members of the crew went to Fouleng, Belgium, on Sunday, April 13, 2014, for a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the crash. (Matt Millham/Stars and Stripes)

Richard Arsenault, assistant superintendent of the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, talks with relatives of World War II veterans who came to visit the graves of the six men who died when their plane was shot down over Belgium on April 13, 1944. (Matt Millham/Stars and Stripes)



The reason we are here in Fouleng is that we all have a duty to remember, Mayor Christian Leclercq said in a ceremony Sunday, marking 70 years to the day that the Flying Fortress crashed there.

The commemoration drew at least 100 people  the best-at-tended event marking the crash since a church service in 1944. Those numbers were driven largely by the return of Troy Hollar, 94, the sole surviving member of that ill-fated flight, and of more than 20 family members of the crew.

Read more from the original article on the event here.
Soybeans saw weakness for much of the Thursday session, with contracts down 1 to 4  cents. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was down 4 cents at $10.97 1/4. Soymeal futures were mixed, with contracts 20 cents higher to 80 cents lower. Soy Oil futures reverted from midday losses to close mostly 5 to 34 points higher, as May was down 2 points.

USDAs weekly Export Sales report from Thursday showed 364,633 MT of old crop bean sales in the week of April 16, a 4-week high and 72.64% above the same week last year. Egypt was the top buyer of 93,600 MT, with 78,700 MT sold to Japan. Sales for 2025/26 were just 5,000 MT, all to Malaysia.

More News from Barchart

Meal sales were tallied at 162,339 MT, which was on the lower side of the expected 150,000 to 500,000 MT. Bean oil sales were tallied at 1,526 MT, which was within the estimated net reductions of 10,000 MT to sales of 14,000 MT.

International Grains Council data indicated world soybean production down 1 MMT for 2026/27, with use up 2 MMT and ending stocks estimated at 79 MMT, down 4 MMT.

May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.59 3/4, down 4 3/4 cents,

Nearby Cash was $10.97 1/4, down 4 cents,

Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.74 3/4, down 4 3/4 cents,

Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $11.55, down 1 cent,

New Crop Cash was $10.93 1/1, down 1 cent,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Hundreds of firefighters battle Japan forest blazes



Otsuchi, Japan, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Hundreds of firefighters were battling wildfires in the forests of northern Japan on Saturday, as authorities urged more than 3,200 people to evacuate from their homes, government officials said.

As of Saturday morning, blazes in the mountainous areas of Iwate region had burned about 700 hectares (1,730 acres) since breaking out three days ago, local government officials said in a statement.

A large column of smoke, which could be smelled 30 kilometres (20 miles) away, was seen rising up the valley near the town of Otsuchi as two helicopters dropped water on the burning forest.

In Otsuchi, fire engines were spraying the forest near homes close to the fire.

About a dozen helicopters and more than 1,300 firefighters as well as Japan Self-Defense Forces troops would be mobilised on Saturday to battle the fires, the statement said.

At least eight buildings had been burnt but all the residents had evacuated, it said.

"We're making efforts to extinguish (the fires) ... and will update the information" later in the day, an Iwate official told AFP.

"Ultimately, I do hope it'll rain," a man in Otsuchi told public broadcaster NHK.

Increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires. A blaze that broke out in the Iwate city of Ofunato early last year was Japan's worst in more than half a century.

Scientists have long warned that climate change caused by mankind's burning of fossil fuels will make periods of drought more intense and longer-lasting, creating the ideal conditions for wildfires.
From radiation to invasion: a Chernobyl worker's two wars



Slavutych, Ukraine, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Nikolay Solovyov was on shift the night of April 26, 1986 when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded. Instead of fleeing, he chose to fight his "first war" against radiation.

Four decades later, a second war -- Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- has taken his son.

Solovyov, 67, a hard rock fan, still wears his hair long, though it has turned grey.

On the night of the world's worst nuclear accident, he was working as a turbine mechanic in unit number two, a few hundred metres from reactor number four, which exploded during a safety test.

"It felt like an earthquake. I didn't hear the explosion -- the turbines were still running, with a very loud noise," he recalled, his voice quiet and gentle.

The alarms went off. As he rushed towards the exploded reactor, he saw one colleague badly irradiated and vomiting, another being carried out on a stretcher. The third one was slumped in his chair, head in his arms. All of them died soon after.

Only then did the full extent of the disaster become clear. Through the massive hole ripped open by the explosion, he could see "the sky." In the corridors, torrents of water poured from broken pipes.

Firefighters quickly began hosing down the smoking reactor -- "they didn't let the fire spread," Solovyov said. Almost all those firefighters later died from radiation exposure.

At dawn, he and his colleagues discussed how long they had left to live. "We'll last two weeks," said one of them.

After hearing this, Solovyov, who quit smoking five months earlier, lit up a cigarette. "Well, if I'm going to die, at least I'll die young and handsome," he recounted his thought in the moment.



- Seeking praise -



His night shift ended in the morning. The day team took over and the bus drove him back to Pripyat, the workers' town three kilometres (two miles) from the plant.

It was all quiet and business as usual, except for the roaring trucks that were spraying foamy "detergent" on the pavement. Once home, he told his wife to seal the windows.

For days, Soviet authorities hid the catastrophe from the world -- a disaster that further weakened the already crumbling USSR, which collapsed in 1991.

Solovyov stayed at the plant throughout the "liquidation" -- a massive clean-up operation in the aftermath. He later helped build the first sarcophagus covering the reactor, as well as the second one, which was damaged by a Russian drone strike in 2025.

The plant continued producing electricity until 2000 and teams still work there to ensure its safety.

Among the reasons for his decision to stay, Solovyov lists good pay, "generous holidays" and an "interesting" nature of work.

The man, who later became an engineer, believes that the "dangerous" 1986 test was pushed ahead by the plant managers for the sake of winning praise from Soviet leadership.

Hundreds of thousands of people were involved in the massive liquidation operation, which saw hundreds of thousands more evacuated from neighbouring settlements. "Only the USSR" had the resources to carry out such an effort, Solovyov believes.

Dozens of his acquaintances later died of cancer. Of the 22 men on his night shift, only four are still alive.

A 2005 UN report put the number of confirmed and projected deaths at 4,000 in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Greenpeace in 2006 estimated that the disaster had caused close to 100,000 deaths.



- 'The other war' -



Solovyov, who received high doses of radiation and has undergone countless medical checks, attributes his longevity to good health, regular sport, a calm temperament and genetics.

"I have to thank God and my parents for giving me good genes," he said.

He now lives in a country house near Slavutych, a town 120 kilometres (70 miles) north of Kyiv, built in 1986 to house people displaced by the disaster.

In the local Chernobyl museum, wreckage from downed Russian drones is displayed in the main hall. "That's the other war," Solovyov said quietly.

Standing on the windswept central square of Slavutych, he said that his first, "nuclear" war was against an invisible, odourless poison.

"When people here say 'before the war' or 'after the war,' they mean April 26, 1986," he said. "And now, as people put it, this is already the second war of our generation."

On the night of February 23-24, 2022, Solovyov set out for the plant as usual. But he never reached it: the two bridges leading there had been destroyed. Russian forces seized Chernobyl and occupied the site for a month.

His youngest son joined the Ukrainian army. In September 2023 he was reported missing in action.

Devastated, Solovyov could no longer find the strength to work and took early retirement.
U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs products recorded a tenth consecutive day of net inflows on April 22, 2026, extending what is now the longest unbroken inflow streak since the funds launched in July 2024, with BlackRocks iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) leading that session at $53.6 million and Fidelitys Wise Origin Ethereum Fund (FETH) contributing an additional $40.6 million, according to data tracked by SoSoValue.

The sustained bid from institutional investors is functioning as a mechanical price floor, absorbing sell-side pressure that has periodically suppressed ETH price throughout the first quarter of 2025.

EXPLORE: Best Meme Coins to Buy in 2026

Spot Ethereum ETFs Inflow Data: What Ten Consecutive Days of Net Buying Actually Represents

The mechanism functions as follows: every dollar of net inflow into a spot Ethereum ETFs obligates the issuing fund to acquire physical ETH on open markets, reducing the liquid float available to sellers and tightening the supply-demand balance at prevailing price levels.

On April 21 alone, day nine of the streak, total net inflows reached $43.36 million, per SoSoValue. BlackRocks ETHA contributed $37 million, and its ETHB vehicle added $15.46 million; Grayscales Ether Mini Trust captured $3.93 million, and Bitwises ETHW logged $1.99 million.

Against those inflows, Grayscales legacy Ethereum Trust (ETHE) saw $12.14 million in exits, and Fidelitys FETH posted $1.99 million in outflows, a pattern that mirrors the rotation dynamic observed in Bitcoin ETFs, where investors shifted capital from higher-fee legacy products to lower-cost alternatives from BlackRock and Fidelity.

Day ten extended that pattern. ETHAs $53.6 million and FETHs $40.6 million were partially offset by a $9.2 million outflow from ETHE, consistent with the structural migration away from Grayscales original trust product.

Total net assets across the spot Ethereum ETF complex stood at approximately $13.66 billion as of April 21, with combined trading volume at $648.88 million  figures that reflect a product set still building liquidity depth but clearly past its post-launch outflow phase. For context, Bitcoin ETFs logged only $11.84 million in net inflows on April 21, led by BlackRocks IBIT at $39.34 million, making ETHs ten-day run the more notable flow event across the two asset classes during that period.

DISCOVER: Next Crypto to Explode in 2026

Can ETH Price Break Resistance or Does Persistent Sell Pressure Become the Binding Constraint?

ETH is stuck in a contested zone, and $2,400$2,200 is where the real battle is happening, because that is the range where demand needs to overpower supply to trigger a clean move.
Chinese panda pair headed to US zoo



Beijing, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2026



Two giant pandas from China are headed to Atlanta on a new 10-year conservation deal.

Pandas Ping Ping, a male, and Fu Shuang, a female, will live at Zoo Atlanta, China Wildlife Conservation Association said in a statement Friday.

The organization signed the research agreement with the United States zoo last year, it said, noting the deal continues "the 'panda bond' shared by the people of both nations for more than 20 years".

The panda pair come from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwestern Sichuan province, according to the statement.

"Zoo Atlanta is delighted and honored to yet again be trusted as stewards of this treasured species," the zoo's president Raymond B. King said in a statement.

"We can't wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang."

The zoo welcomed its first giant pandas Yang Yang and Lun Lun when they arrived in 1999.

That pair produced seven cubs over a 25-year agreement before returning to China with their two youngest in 2024, when that deal expired.

The US side has prepared for Ping Ping and Fu Shuang's arrival by renovating their habitat to make it "more comfortable and more safe", the Chinese association said.

The panda news comes as US President Donald Trump is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing next month.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday the new deal "will contribute to the well-being of giant pandas... and the friendship between the people of China and the US".
Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Despite film critics reacting to it with all the horror of finding a ball of hair in their soup, the Michael Jackson biopic is a hit. And not just financially, though the $217m (160m) it made worldwide this weekend will certainly be making investors happy. Whats really significant is that people like it, with audiences polled in recent days at US cinema screenings giving it an overall A- grade. Over on the review-collating site Rotten Tomatoes, the veritable online battleground du jour that plays host to unbothered critics and furious fanboys, Michael currently sits at 40 per cent rotten when professional reviews have been totalled, but 96 per cent fresh per the Jackson acolytes voting with their clicks. Never has the gulf between the supposed critical elite and the men and women on the ground been quite so stark.

Michael has been framed as a bit of a referendum on Jacksons public image, a reputation thats been distorted and dented over the years, if not fatally. It feels a bit unfair: Michael is squeaky clean by design, charting Jacksons childhood in the suburbs of Gary, Indiana, his difficult relationship with his father and manager, Joe, and his ascent to superstardom. We meet Bubbles, Jacksons primate bestie, and watch as he buys himself board games, comforts sick children, makes the Thriller video, and wows Wembley. He is practically saintly; a lovely albeit lonely man who blessed us with the gift of his music and did absolutely nothing else, your honour. And because the film ends in 1988, with Jackson on top of the world, all the weirdness of Jacksons later life  from the child sex abuse allegations first made against him in 1993, to his bizarre marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, to the increasing surreality of his augmented face  is left off-screen. A sequel has been threatened. God knows how thatll work.

But the cold truth is that it might not matter. Jackson is our most uncancellable artist, living or dead, and proof that as long as you can waggle something shiny and expensive (and ideally brilliant) in the faces of the masses, everything else is met with a shrug.

People dont care that he was a child molester, said documentary filmmaker Dan Reed this week. Literally, people just dont care  I think a lot of people just love his music and turn a deaf ear. And short of having actual video evidence of Michael Jackson engaged in sexual intercourse with a seven-year-old child, I dont know what would be sufficient to change these peoples minds.

Reed is the director of Leaving Neverland, the 2019 docuseries based around interviews with Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who alleged childhood grooming and rape by Jackson. Leaving Neverland, released a decade after Jacksons death in 2009, made shockwaves, but not to an extent that his image was permanently wounded overall. The series is also impossible to legally see in the US anymore, with the Jackson estate having taken advantage of a non-disparagement clause in an early-Nineties contract between Jackson and its broadcaster HBO for an unrelated concert film. HBO pulled the series from its streaming platforms as a result, chalking up a win for an estate determined more than ever to keep the Jackson brand as spotless as possible.

open image in gallery Michael Jackson leaves a courtroom in 2005 ( Getty Images )

Jackson devotees are understandably protective of their idol, but the success of Michael suggests that even those outside the more voracious cult of his fandom are willing to overlook the King of Pops darker contours. Its arguable that Jacksons music makes him just too good to phase out of public life entirely, that the bombastic genius of Thriller and the influential razzle-dazzle of his live performances overpower the ickiness of his private life. Time has also been an asset: younger generations probably wont remember the headlines about Jacksons baby-dangling balcony theatrics, or the Nineties and Noughties comedy series that reiterated the idea of Jackson as a creepy boogeyman. Nor Martin Bashirs once inescapable 2003 sit down with Jackson, which  leaving aside Bashirs ultimately shady investigative practices, as exemplified by the revelations about his famous Princess Diana interview  saw Jackson admitting to and defending sharing his bed with young boys.

This week, Jacksons nephew Taj  the son of Jacksons brother Tito  suggested that all of the above was a malicious media confection, cannily using the Trump playbook that has become the default of modern image-laundering. Sorry media, u dont get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was, he wrote on X. The public gets to watch this movie they will decide for themselves. And you cant handle that.

open image in gallery Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in the new biopic Michael ( Lionsgate )

What is frustrating about this is that Jackson shouldnt really be cancelled, or his music exiled from public life. Instead, a smart response to disgraced or at least questionable artists from the past should be to place them in context  celebrate the art, while also acknowledging the horror, alleged or otherwise. Last year, the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft staged an exhibition of works by the artist Eric Gill, a figure of significant contention since 1989, when a biography revealed that he had sexually abused his daughters. The show was curated by real survivors of sexual abuse, who selected the art to display and determined how it should be presented. If you dont show his work, youre not telling the story of this man, Vivien Almond, one of the shows curators, told The Guardian. My view is it needs to be seen, but included alongside it needs to be the story of what this man did.

Michael had an opportunity to reflect the complexity of the Jackson story, and our collective relationship to artists accused of doing very bad things. Instead it has leant into crude absolutes: Jackson as virtuous angel; his accusers as money-grabbing frauds not worthy of consideration. Lost is the potential of a teaching moment about the messy realities of humanity, and the emotional hold that great art has on us. And if you thought a sequel might do just that, think again. Filmed for Michael, but left on the cutting room floor at the behest of lawyers, was an entire segment dramatising the 1993 sex abuse allegations by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, which led to a raid on Jacksons home and a lawsuit. (Jackson settled for $23m, and the investigation was closed.) Director Antoine Fuqua told The New Yorker this week that he intended for the scenes to exonerate Jackson, adding: Sometimes people do some nasty things for some money.

Oh well.
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Its been a short stay at The White Lotus for Helena Bonham Carter, with the actors role set to be recast just over a week into filming.

The Bafta-winning actor, best known for her roles in A Room with a View, The Kings Speech and the Harry Potter franchise, was due to star in the hit dramas upcoming fourth series alongside Steve Coogan, Chris Messina and Alexander Ludwig.

However, HBO has confirmed that Bonham Carter will no longer feature in the project  and another star to be cast in her place.

With filming just underway on Season 4 of The White Lotus, it had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set, an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline on Friday (24 April).

open image in gallery Helena Bonham Carter is checking out of The White Lotus ( PA Wire )

The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will be recast in the coming weeks. HBO, the producers and Mike White are saddened that they wont get to work with her, but remain ardent fans and very much hope to work with the legendary actress on another project soon.

According to the publication, after Bonham Carter shot her scenes, director and writer Mike White felt that her character was not what it should be. Filming will reportedly continue, with the schedule being changed to accommodate rewrites and recasting.

The Independent has reached out to Bonham Carter and HBO for comment.

The news comes just over a week after production began on The White Lotus on the French Riviera, with the series following a new group of wealthy hotel guests during the Cannes Film Festival.

Filming is taking place in Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco, while five-star hotel Airelles Chateau de la Messardiere becoming the White Lotus du Cap.

open image in gallery Writer and director Mike White is saddened that he wont get to work with Bonham Carter ( Getty )

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Bonham Carter was one of the first stars to be confirmed in the White Lotus cast for series four alongside Sharp Objects Messina and newcomer Marissa Long back in January.

While the Harry Potter star wont feature in the new series, Caleb Jonte Edwards, Vincent Cassel, Dylan Ennis, Corentin Fila, Ari Graynor, AJ Michalka, Kumail Nanjiani and Nadia Tereszkiewicz are making up the rest of the cast.

Others include Rosie Perez, Heather Graham, Max Greenfield, Chloe Bennet as well as Sandra Bernhard, Frida Gustavsson, Charlie Hall, Jarrad Paul, Ben Schnetzer and Laura Smet.

Bonham Carters exit isnt the first time someone has dramatically left The White Lotus; last year, the shows composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer quit over long-standing friction with White.
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My mother gave me the best gift imaginable  three sensational sisters. Sisters possess a psychological shorthand; instinctively understanding each other. When one of us is going through a rough time, the other three rally with offers of chicken soup and/or internal organs. If under attack, the wagons circle. Although wagons? Who am I kidding? Having three formidable sisters on your side is like having a bombproof, flame-retardant armoured vehicle on hand for quick getaways.

Of course, its not the same for all sisters. In fact, some sisters have enough chips on their shoulders to open a casino. Olivia de Havilland and her sister Joan Fontaine spent their lives circling each other like Cold War spies. When Fontaine was awarded the Oscar that de Havilland expected to win, it was no-talkies for a decade.

I was lucky enough to be friends with one of the worlds most famous sisters, Jessica Mitford. When her sibling, novelist Nancy, commented that Sisters are a defence against lifes cruel circumstances, Jessica retorted, Sisters are lifes cruel circumstances. But then again, Jessica, a communist, had to deal with Diana, a fascist, and Unity, who adored Hitler, and Debs, who became a duchess. I suspect it would have been safer to fly an American jet into Iranian airspace than attend a Mitford family gathering.

open image in gallery Kathy (second left) with her mother Val and sisters, Elizabeth, Jenny and Carolyn ( Supplied )

Thankfully, my sisters and I are not as disparate as the Mitfords. In fact, its our contrasting characters that make us stronger. Together, our various fortes combine to make up one pretty formidable person and I know how lucky I am.

But for those who are not lucky enough to have biological sisters, there is, of course, the sisterhood, and, in many ways, friends are just as important. My best girlfriends are like Orions Belt; always there, lined up alongside each other. Whenever I feel lost and cant find my place in life, my girlfriends are my bookmark. Loving, loyal girlfriends  and you know who you are  lift you two octaves up on the happiness scale without even realising theyre doing so. On a girls night out, I sometimes feel like Ill have to be hospitalised from hilarity. Laughter effervesces up in us like champagne as we quaff and quip and dance to female torch songs until the wee hours. Nor do we care that our over-exuberant mum manoeuvres, circa 1982, often leave us with a bad case of ARDI (Abba Related Dance Injuries).

Female friendships can be as fulfilling, intense and nourishing as any romance. Even more so. Which is why its so painful when they fall apart. A breakup with a best girlfriend shatters your equilibrium. Once that familiar foundation is knocked out from under you, its impossible to keep your balance. In fact, Ive suffered worse heartbreak over the loss of a good girlfriend than a lover.

My first intensely emotional relationship was with a girlfriend. We were inseparable from 13 to 20. I would have taken a bullet for her. And not just a light graze either, but a full-on Peaky Blinders-type machine-gun body strafe. And so when she suddenly, inexplicably dropped me, I cried for months. I think I actually suffered a bit of a mini breakdown. I was savaged by nightmares for years.

open image in gallery Kathy with some of her most loyal and loving girlfriends, whose friendships she treasures ( Supplied )

Aged 22, I fell out with another close girlfriend after she slept with my boyfriend. The woman I so admired turned out to be a vampire on a day pass. Id been happily floating about on the love boat, which shed totally Titanic-ed. When confronted, she apologised. I dont blame you for hating me.

Hate you? Oh no. Not really sometimes whole seconds elapse where I forget that you destroyed my life. Her treachery hurt every time I thought about it, like a nerve exposed to air.

In my thirties, a close girlfriend went behind my back to secure a job Id told her about. The scar tissue of those earlier breakups immediately tore open. The pain rushed back in one big, anguishing blast. There was no way we could stay friends. Her betrayal was like a shadow on the X-ray of my spirit  nagging at my confidence.

All of these experiences have probably gone on to inform my latest novel, in which two sisters, Izzy and Verity, have gone five years of radio silence after one stole the others husband. But when their mum goes missing, they have no choice but to join forces to find her. Theres anger, recriminations and much funny, bitchy banter, but eventually Izzy admits, My husband ran away with my sister  and I miss her. Verity also confesses, Shes not just my sister, shes my best friend. For example, shell swear that Im a natural redhead and I tell everyone that shes too skinny.

open image in gallery The Sisterhood Rules explores the special bond between women  and its tribulations ( Aria )

I felt sure I could never forgive the female friends who betrayed me, not even if we were marooned on an island with no other castaways. But now in my sixties, I find that my anger has receded, like a tide on a beach. All thats left is the emotional driftwood. I suddenly cant understand the weight and importance Ive given to the cargo Ive carried for so long.

Maybe that is why my novel is about reconciliation. Clearly, theres so little harmony in the world right now; its imperative we try to find unity in our own lives. Especially with our female friends. Why? Well, the world is not getting better for women. A woman born in America now has fewer rights than her grandmother. Abortion bans in America; the erasing of women in Afghanistan. And what about Iran? In our own society, women have to deal with the gender pay gap, upskirting, Andrew Tate, incels, the manosphere, revenge porn, trolling, date-rape, grooming and stealthing. The conviction rate for rape is limbo-low, and domestic violence figures sky-high; one in four women will be sexually assaulted or raped in her lifetime.

But the sisterhood is powerful. The #MeToo movement was a global solidarity movement among women that went on to bring down Harvey Weinstein. Although, of course, only one person is in jail over the Epstein scandal  a woman. Yes, Ghislaine Maxwell was jailed for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors on Epsteins private island, but what about the paedophiles who flew there on the Lolita Express? Why arent they named and shamed?

We clearly need the sisterhood now more than ever. But there are rules. Women no longer want a mans seat on the bus; they want his seat on the board. Tell her if shes being cheated on. Always take her side in a breakup. Be her wingwoman  stick to her like a nylon dress in a heat wave. And most important of all  be loyal. Husbands come and go, but your girlfriends last forever, so we should never let a penis come between us.

There is nothing more life-affirming than a strong female friendship. So raise your fist in feminist solidarity and shout it loud enough to raise the roof, shattering the glass ceiling simultaneously. The sisterhood rules!

Kathy Lettes latest novel, The Sisterhood Rules, published by Head of Zeus, is out now
My mother, Xia De-hong, died in Chengdu, China, on 15 April 2026, aged 94. I was unable to be with her at her deathbed. The books I had written, including Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China and especially Mao: The Unknown Story, had mortally offended the Beijing regime.

The perils of writing those books that declined to toe the party line were known to my mother and me. But she never asked me to steer away from danger, or to pull my punches. She wanted me to write freely and truthfully. When I agonised about the troubles my books might bring her, who lived in China, she invariably reassured me, and told me to banish all concerns.

My mother was nothing if not brave. When I was a child, I witnessed her courage in the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). She was under tremendous pressure to disown my father, who was speaking up against Maos violent purge, and was, as a result, arrested, tortured, sent to a camp, and eventually died of abuse. Although my mother had argued with him against what he did, calling it pointless and suicidal, she admired him and loved him and stood by him. The price she paid was years of detention, hard labour and horrific denunciations meetings, at one of which she was forced to kneel on broken glass. I remember well helping my grandma pick out the sharp fragments from her knees.

open image in gallery She wanted me to write truthfully: Jung Changs mother pictured in a labour camp ( Harper Collins )

She was not only courageous but also endlessly resourceful, as she protected her husband and five children in those dark days. In 1967, when my father was arrested for opposing Mao, my mother travelled to Beijing to petition Premier Zhou Enlai, a moderate, for my fathers release. Through her ingenuity and fearlessness, she managed to obtain from Zhou a note that enabled my father to get out of prison. Then, foreseeing that the note would be useful for her children in the future, she and my grandma hid it in a padded cotton shoe that my grandma had made for her own bound feet.

Eleven years later, my mother handed the note to the post-Mao reformist authorities and persuaded them to give my father a full and unreserved rehabilitation, a goal she had been fighting for tirelessly. I had just passed the national exams with distinction and was qualified for a scholarship to go abroad, but without Fathers full clearance, I would not be allowed to leave China in 1978. My mother had secured my freedom in Britain.

Ten years later, she came to visit me. Every day she talked to me about the lives of my grandma, my father, and herself, and by the time she left London, she had made 60 hours of recordings. It was her stories that inspired me to write Wild Swans. I owe my happy and fulfilled life as a writer to my mother.

open image in gallery Chang and her mother stand next to a portrait of her late father ( Harper Collins )

The last time I saw her was at her home in Chengdu in 2018. For some years before, I had been fighting hard and managed to get into China to see her. But that year, a new law was introduced that promised to send to prison anyone who had damaged the reputation of the regimes heroes. As a biographer of Beijings biggest hero, Mao, I had documented his misrule and faced the certainty of imprisonment once I set foot in China. My mother was anxious that I must not take any risks, and emphatically told me once when she was on deaths door, Dont come back for this,  meaning for her death.

open image in gallery ( Harper Collins )

We had been seeing each other on the screens of our mobiles. She never said anything about missing me  she never allowed herself to say it. Only once did she explode in anguish and cry out that she longed to hold me in her arms. But the next day she asked me to ignore what she had said, even apologising for her momentary lapse. Her carer told me that she often muttered about yearning to have me by her bedside when she fell into a semi-conscious state.

14 April 2026 was the last time I saw my mother on the screen of my mobile. She was under a ventilator and was unable to speak, and her eyes were closed. I kissed her cheek through the screen of the phone, and I stroked her face as if the plastic barrier did not exist. I asked her, Mama, do you feel that I am here with you, kissing you and touching you? Would you open your eyes a little if you do? My mothers eyelids quivered, clearly struggling to open.

I stayed with her for over 20 minutes, and each time I asked whether she could feel me, her eyelids moved  until they confirmed that she was tired and wanted to rest. When I switched off the phone, a sensation of calm swept over me, and in my mind, the image of my mothers serene face.

She died some hours later. I had been imagining with fear that the moment of goodbye on two opposite sides of the globe would be heart-wrenching and fraught with regret. In the event, my mother gave me the ultimate gift of enveloping me with a profound sense of peace.
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The FBI has joined an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a Southern California grandfather, which his family believes could be tied to their success in the cryptocurrency business.

Federal authorities recently became involved in the probe for missing Rancho Cucamonga resident Naiping Hou, 74, who is the father of noted hedge fund and cryptocurrency investor Wen Hou. The son serves as the chief investment officer at Coincident Capital. In 2022, Wen Hou and his wife, who live in Las Vegas, contributed $1.1 million in cryptocurrency to the USC Keck School of Medicine to help fund research on heart disease.

Naiping Hou was last seen in his hometown on March 18, 2025. He was officially reported missing on May 4, 2025, after which detectives determined someone impersonated him using his cellphone for over a month.

"Possible foul play is suspected, as his bank accounts were depleted prior to law enforcement being notified about his disappearance," the FBI officials said in a news release.

His loved ones previously told KABC that the kidnapping could be tied to the family's success in crypto.

open image in gallery The FBI has joined local California investigators in the ongoing probe into the disappearance of 74-year-old Naiping Hou (pictured in both images), the father of hedge fund and cryptocurrency investor Wen Hou ( FBI )

"I miss him a lot," Wen Hou said about his father in July 2025. "He's sort of a guide to my life."

In a previous LA Times interview, Wen Hou said he became concerned about his father in April 2025 when his text messages in the family group chat began to feel robotic. Naiping Hou became increasingly withdrawn through the messages, less communicative and refused to visit his grandchildren, he claimed.

Wen Hous concerns escalated around his fathers May 3 birthday when he began to suspect that someone else may have been controlling his phone. He said his father declined to travel to Las Vegas to see family and did not respond to calls. Instead of reacting warmly to a gift of handmade Chinese noodles sent to his Rancho Cucamonga home, a text from Naiping Hous phone simply read, Yes I received it.

The out-of-state son asked family friends to check on his father the following day. Upon arrival, they reportedly found the unopened noodle package left on the doorstep. Inside the home, they discovered that the residence appeared to have been largely cleared out, with all furniture removed and a poorly done interior paint job.

Investigators determined that someone had been using Naiping Hous phone to impersonate him and carry out extensive fraudulent bank transactions, including purchasing gold bars online. Wen Hou said that was unusual since his father was not tech-savvy and had never bought gold before.

A tip website Wen Hou created to find his missing father remains active, offering a $250,000 reward.

Anyone with information on Naiping Hous case is asked to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
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A tip sent to law enforcement uncovered an alleged plan by a North Carolina teenager to carry out a mass-casualty attack at a synagogue in Houston, according to the FBI's Charlotte field office.

Angelina Hicks, 18, of Lexington, was arrested in Davidson County on April 22 and faces felony conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury and conspiracy to commit murder.

Agents received information on Tuesday that Hicks was believed to be targeting members of the Jewish Community for a potential act of violence, according to a Davidson County Sheriffs Office news release.

Evidence recovered from her Lexington home pointed to a plan that involved Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, the FBI said. Details of what was found was not revealed.

The attack was allegedly planned for April 21, 2028, according to a court order obtained by The Houston Chronicle that stated, The conspiracy is to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation at a synagogue.

open image in gallery Angelina Hicks was arrested in Davidson County on April 22, and is being held on a $10 million bond ( Davidson County Sheriff's Office )

An unnamed 16-year-old in Harris County, Texas, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder, according to the Houston Police Department.

Investigators say Hicks allegedly conspired with two individuals referred to as Teegan and Angel, whose last names are currently unknown, to commit murder against members of the synagogue, according to warrants obtained by FOX 8 News.

But the alleged plan was foiled when authorities received the tip earlier this week.

This is an exceptional example of when you see something concerning, you say something to law enforcement, the FBI said, noting the importance of public reporting.

Hicks parents dispute the allegations, saying their daughter lacked both the means and intent to carry out such an attack. They described her online activity as role-play and fantasy  not a plan for murder.

Its ludicrous. Its a fantasy game, her father, Dannie Hicks, said in an interview with WFMY. And thats the way she looked at it as a fantasy game online.

It wasnt no doggone terror attacks, Dannie Hicks continued. How in the world would you pull something like that off? She dont drive. She aint got a car. She dont have guns. She dont know how to use a gun. She never shot a gun. Hows she gonna get to Texas? Its nuts what theyve done to her.

Hicks parents described the teen as a well-liked student who was weeks away from graduating from Valley Regional Academy while enrolled in a dual-enrollment community college program.

She was supposed to graduate in two weeks, her father said.

Hicks is being held on a $10 million bond. She is set to appear in Davidson County District Court on May 13.
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A serial killer handyman has pleaded guilty to the murders of three elderly women who lived in his New York apartment building.

Kevin Gavin, a 71-year-old from Brownsville, Brooklyn, would gain the trust of these elderly neighbors to help with repairs and errands and then brutally murder them in their own homes, according to prosecutors.

This defendant exploited elderly women who trusted him, gained access to their homes, and murdered them in a series of brutal attacks that shocked the conscience, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a press release.

Gonzalez said Gavin acted as a serial killer inside his own apartment building. He added, These victims were vulnerable neighbors who deserved safety and dignity, and instead had their lives stolen by someone they believed was there to help.

Gavin pleaded guilty Friday to one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in exchange for a promised sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

Todays guilty plea ensures that he will be held accountable for all three killings and spend the rest of his life in prison, Gonzalez said.

A serial killer handyman has pleaded guilty to killing three elderly women who lived in his New York apartment building ( Google Earth )

The first murder Gavin admitted to happened in November 2015, when he fatally stabbed 82-year-old Myrtle McKinney in the neck with a knife.

At the time of McKinneys murder, the two were inside her apartment in a public housing complex for seniors known as the New York City Housing Authoritys Carter G. Woodson Houses.

Gavin would go on to kill two more residents in the building over the course of several years.

More than three years went by until Gavin murdered his second victim. He killed Jacolia James, 83, in April 2019 by stomping on her neck and chest. In January 2021, he strangled his last victim, 78-year-old Juanita Caballero, to death by wrapping a phone cord around her neck.

Gavin also robbed Caballero during the murder and he was later caught on surveillance video using her debit card. A week after the 78-year-olds murder, Gavin was arrested, and he later confessed to all three killings.

My thoughts remain with the victims families who have endured unimaginable loss, and I hope that this outcome brings them a measure of solace, Gonzalez said. Gavin will be sentenced on May 20.
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A former University of South Florida student has been charged with murder in the deaths of two missing doctoral students after one of them was found dead this week.

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limons friend, Nahida Bristy, both 27, who were reported missing shortly after they were last seen on April 16.

Limons body was discovered Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge, which spans Old Tampa Bay between Tampa and St. Petersburg, about 20 miles from his off-campus home near the university, according to Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer.

Bristy remains missing, and marine and dive teams have been searching the waters near the bridge.

open image in gallery Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his roommate Zamil Limon and Limons friend, Nahida Bristy ( Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office )

Abugharbieh was taken into custody on Friday after deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a home less than a mile and a half from where Limon was last seen.

This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Friday.

When deputies arrived, Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside and refused to come out, Maurer said. A SWAT team, bomb disposal unit and crisis negotiators were called in, and he surrendered around 10:30 a.m.

Abugharbieh was initially arrested on charges including battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death and unlawfully moving a dead body.

The sheriffs office said the first-degree murder charges were filed Saturday after investigators presented evidence to the Florida State Attorneys Office. Authorities have not disclosed a motive.

Investigators told Bristys family that, based on the volume of blood discovered at Abugharbieh's residence, which he shared with Limon, she is also likely dead, CBS News reported.

Police told us she is no longer with us, Bristy's brother, Zahid Prato, told CBS News, adding that they were told that she may have been dismembered and that her body may never be found.

open image in gallery Zamil Limon, pictured, and his friend, Nahida Bristy, were reported missing last week. Limon's remains were found Friday. Now, his roommate is charged with murder ( University of South Florida Police Department )

open image in gallery Nahida Bristy, a doctoral student in chemical engineering who lived on campus, vanished within an hour of her friend Limon. Her body has not been found ( University of South Florida Police Department )

Limon and Bristy, both from Bangladesh, went missing within about an hour of each other on April 16. Limon, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen around 9 a.m. at his apartment a few blocks from campus.

Bristy, a doctoral student in chemical engineering who lived on campus, was last seen about an hour later at the universitys Natural and Environmental Sciences Building.

A family friend reported them missing the next day after being unable to reach either student, prompting a multi-agency search.

Investigators said Abugharbieh, who studied business management at the university from 2021 to 2023 but is not currently enrolled, was identified as a person of interest during the investigation.

Abugharbieh had several previous arrests, which included being charged with battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023, and with battery that May, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

Court records show Abugharbieh entered into a diversion program for first-time offenders charged with misdemeanors. He completed the program in 2024 and the charges were discontinued. Hillsborough County Court records also showed two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023. A judge granted an injunction in one case and denied the other petition. He also was accused of traffic violations.

open image in gallery Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh was arrested by SWAT officers following a standoff on Friday. He is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of missing USF students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy ( HCSO )

Limon's cause of death will be determined by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office.

Authorities continue to search for Bristy and are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

While the discovery of Zamil Limons remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth, Sheriff Chronister added.

We will continue to follow every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to hold those responsible fully accountable. Our thoughts remain with the families of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy during this time.

In a statement released Saturday, USF described Bristy as a talented and promising student.

Her sudden passing has deeply saddened all of us, Vice Chancellor Mohammad Ismail said. The university family pays deep respect to her memory. At the same time, we demand punishment for those involved in her death and compensation for the victims family.
By Elisa Martinuzzi and Elizabeth Howcroft

PARIS, April 24 (Reuters) - The chief of Europes securities regulator said the risks from and potential speed of cyberattacks are growing, joining a chorus of warnings from financial supervisors on the threats posed by artificial intelligence models that are evolving quickly.

More from Yahoo Scout How will EU crypto licensing requirements be enforced? What supervisory changes is ESMA considering for oversight? What are ESMA's concerns about current market valuations? How is AI increasing cybersecurity risks for financial entities?

Geopolitical tensions have increased cybersecurity risks and the regulator has been contacting financial entities it supervises to assess their cybersecurity defences in light of recent developments in AI, Verena Ross, chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority, said in an interview in Paris.

"We are closely watching how bringing AI models into this could increase the potential speed with which such attacks could happen," she said, declining to comment on individual providers.

The financial sector has been rattled this month by reports that a new AI model, Mythos, made by U.S. AI company Anthropic, can find and exploit previously undiscovered cybersecurity vulnerabilities in IT systems. Regulators too are grappling with the challenges of keeping pace with the changes, according to Ross.

"We collectively between the national and the EU level need to up our game to try to ensure that we have the capability to properly look at what financial entities are doing in this space and that we also build up our expertise so that we can oversee the critical third party providers," Ross said.

ESMA, with two other European Union regulators, in November named 19 technology companies considered critical third-party providers to the bloc's finance industry, as part of new regulation to improve tech resilience. Ross declined to comment on whether AI providers could be added to the group of critical providers at a later date.

RICH VALUATIONS, SUSPECT TRADES

Cyber risk is one underlying vulnerability that could coincide with a reassessment of valuations of financial assets, Ross said.

Big price swings, including a spike in the oil price following the outbreak of the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran, have rattled investors. Stock markets in the U.S. and elsewhere are near all-time highs, boosted by large tech companies.

"We are still looking very carefully at how the markets are reacting in terms of the overall valuations, which are still very, very high, so there's a question of what type of events might turn that general positive feeling in the market around and might lead to quite some selloff," said Ross.

The 58-year-old executive, who will be standing down from her post on October 31, said big swings in markets typically draw supervisory scrutiny for possible insider trading. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is examining a series of trades in oil derivatives, media including Reuters have reported.
Theres a huge amount of attention right now that somebody has to do something, said Andrew Verstein, a law professor at UCLA who testified on the issue last week at a congressional hearing on fraud and exploitation in capital markets. Polymarket saw that this story was not going to go away, and the DOJ saw that this story was worth doing and was not going to go away.

Trumps willingness to voice skepticism of the industry is the most visible sign of a fresh reckoning with the legal problems presented by prediction markets, which have exploded in popularity over the last year by making it possible to bet on almost anything, from movie awards ceremonies to geopolitical events. Democrats in Congress  and state lawmakers  have recently proposed several pieces of legislation aimed at cracking down on the industry.

The comments marked a shift for an administration that had largely taken a supportive approach to the nascent industry. As recently as a few weeks ago, Trump spoke glowingly about the exchanges and their forecasts of his 2024 election win, saying that they were more reliable than fake polls. His son Donald Trump Jr. advises both Polymarket and Kalshi, while the presidents media company has announced plans to enter the industry.

President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, right after Van Dykes criminal charges were announced, that he didnt like prediction markets conceptually and was not happy with them, calling the world somewhat of a casino.

The indictment came not long after French authorities said that they were probing whether someone had tampered with a weather station that was used to settle prediction market bets on the temperature in Paris. Those bets, and the Venezuela trades both happened on Polymarket, the largest international prediction market. Earlier in the week, Polymarkets main rival, Kalshi Inc., said that it suspended and fined three congressional candidates for betting on their own races.

The most significant development came on Thursday afternoon, when prosecutors announced charges against Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a US soldier who allegedly took advantage of classified intelligence to win more than $400,000 betting on the capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

(Bloomberg) -- Prediction markets have quickly grown from a niche corner of finance to a multibillion-dollar industry with big Wall Street investment, but a growing list of insider trading allegations is bringing concerns about the platforms all the way to the White House.

Story Continues

Prediction market companies have emphasized they are cooperating with authorities in their efforts to root out wrongdoing.

After the soldiers arrest, Polymarkets founder, Shayne Coplan, said on social media that his company had gone to the Department of Justice immediately after spotting Van Dykes suspicious trades. The indictment says that Van Dyke asked Polymarket to delete his account after taking out his profits.

Noise aside, the reality is we work proactively with all relevant authorities on any suspicious activity on our marketplace, Coplan said. This happens constantly behind the scenes, despite what many are led to believe.

When asked for comment on Friday, a Polymarket spokesperson pointed to Coplans post.

A few weeks before the indictment, Polymarket updated its rules to prohibit trading on the exchange based on stolen confidential information and illegal tips, or wagers by those in a position to influence outcomes. But Coplan has faced criticism because he has suggested, in the past, that people trading based on private information on prediction markets could be socially useful in helping to surface information to the public more quickly.

Whats cool about Polymarket is that it creates this financial incentive for people to go and divulge the information to the market and the market to change, Coplan said in a public event with Axios last fall.

Polymarket has come under particular scrutiny, in part because of Coplans previous comments, and in part because its main business operates offshore, outside the oversight of US regulators. In 2022, the firm settled with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over allegations that it illegally operated an unregistered derivatives exchange. It agreed to pay a $1.4 million penalty and to stop accepting business from traders in the US.

By 2024, the CFTC and Justice Department attorneys were investigating whether the firm violated that agreement and allowed US customers to place trades, probes that were dropped last year after Trump took office.

The new indictment says that Van Dyke was able to access Polymarket in the US by using a virtual private network that made it look as though he was logging in from a foreign country.

Polymarket operates on a blockchain-based platform that allows customers to register without the identity checks required on US financial exchanges. The company has said that its blockchain records make it easier for investigators to track down wrongdoing. But the growing list of suspicious trades  many of them placed right before big market-moving announcements from Trump  has put significant pressure on both the company and on the Trump administration to do more.

The amount of insider trading thats been obviously and publicly occurring in connection with these event markets has been a black eye for this administration and their claims that they are actually policing anything, said Joe Konizeski, a former chief trial attorney at the CFTC.

No evidence has emerged that White House staff have profited off insider trading. But officials recently sent a staff-wide email warning employees against using confidential information to place trades.

All federal employees are subject to government ethics guidelines that prohibit the use of nonpublic information for financial benefit, Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday. However, any implication that administration officials are engaged in such activity without evidence is baseless and irresponsible reporting. The CFTC will always uphold its duty to monitor fraud, manipulation, and illicit activity daily.

Polymarkets main rival, Kalshi, does come under CFTC oversight and it has looked to differentiate itself by publicly announcing that it has suspended traders who have broken the platforms rules against trading on non-public information.

One of the political candidates it suspended this week had bet on his own candidacy on Kalshi right before announcing his campaign. Earlier this year, Kalshi suspended another political candidate, as well as an employee of the popular YouTube streamer MrBeast, who allegedly made trades tied to what would happen on MrBeast videos.

Industry supporters argue recent events show prediction markets growing into a regulated business, with the kind of enforcement and self-policing that mark the maturation of any new financial instrument. The CFTC also appears to be stepping up its oversight.

When the Maduro trades on Polymarket first received attention back in January, a CFTC spokesperson said the agency had limited jurisdiction over the trades because they were made on an offshore platform. Under Chairman Michael Selig, the agency has been broadly deferential to the platforms and supported them in their legal battles with states.

But on Thursday, the CFTC filed its own civil case against Van Dyke  the first insider trading case the agency has brought in connection with prediction markets. The complaint said that while Polymarkets international exchange is legally domiciled in Panama, activity on the exchange came under the CFTCs jurisdiction because the companys headquarters and many of its employees are in New York.

I have been crystal clear that anyone who engages in fraud, manipulation, or insider trading in any of our markets will face the full force of the law, Selig said after the case was filed.

Legal experts say that even if there are many unanswered questions about how the platforms will be governed, the Van Dyke indictment makes it clear that the authorities are taking the problem seriously, and likely to bring more cases.

I cant imagine how many people insider trading on these markets are panicking this morning, Jeff Le Riche, a partner at Husch Blackwell and a former attorney at the CFTC, said on Friday. Theres a really detailed tracking of everything that happened, that, to me, provides a very clear playbook for future prosecutions.

--With assistance from Emily Nicolle, Lydia Beyoud and Megan Howard.

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LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life It was a year of being yelled at: How much of The Devil Wears Prada really happened? Megan Agnew April 26, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This story is part of the April 26 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories .

Lauren Weisberger was everywhere. It was April 2003 and her debut novel, The Devil Wears Prada, a roman a clef of her time working as Anna Wintours assistant at American Vogue, had just been published. In the US it was an instant bestseller. But in Manhattan it was a scandal. On the citys media scene, Weisberger was seen as an ungrateful grad who hadnt earned the right to launch such a precise attack on one of its titans. She was taken down with glee. The New York Times called it a mean-spirited Gotcha! of a book and later vampiric, second-order cruelty. The Wall Street Journal said it could have been written by a window washer. And Conde Nast, the publisher of Vogue and other magazines, did not even acknowledge its existence. I am looking forward to reading the book, Anna Nuclear Wintour said in her only statement at the time. Lauren Weisberger sold her unfinished manuscript to a publisher and quit her job to complete it. Sarah Tahon/The Sunday Times Style Magazine/News Licensing At the centre of it all was then 26-year-old Weisberger. I hadnt been expecting any response because I hadnt been expecting anyone to buy the book, she says now, laughing incredulously. She has now sold 13 million copies of her books worldwide. When I read through Weisbergers interviews in the years after, she sounded defensive and anxious, at some points refusing to acknowledge that the book was about Wintour at all. It is only recently  Weisberger is now 49, the author of eight novels, living in Connecticut with her husband and two children  that she seems to have softened. Prada changed my life, almost wholly for the positive, she says. So that blip, which I felt was bordering on trauma, was short-lived in the grand scheme of it. It has been such a gift.

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In 2006 the book was turned into a movie, a chick-flick cult classic, revered by Millennial women with a passion for fashion and a type-A, masochistic desire to get whooped in the workplace by their very own Miranda Priestly. Two decades after its release, we are here to talk about The Devil Wears Prada 2, which hits Australian cinemas on April 30. The lead cast is the same: Anne Hathaway as Andrea Andy Sachs, Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, Stanley Tucci as Nigel and Emily Blunt as Emily. Truthfully, I just never thought a second movie would happen; its surprising in the best way possible, Weisberger says. She was sent the script by its writer, Aline Brosh McKenna, to which she was allowed to contribute, though she does not have a direct role in its making. (The original characters were effectively purchased by 20th Century Fox.) I went to the set a bunch of times and it felt like stepping back 20 years, she says. Of course, I was the only one who actually aged. Everyone else just looks better. Its very annoying! Weisberger and Hathaway met in a research capacity the first time around. Today its more friendly catching up, she says. She has young children, so we chat about that. In many ways, continues Weisberger, I still feel like Andy. It was a really formative part of my life, working at Vogue. It was a mere year, but obviously everything that came of it changed the direction of everything.

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The film went on to make more than $US326 million worldwide. Wintour herself attended the premiere, wearing, obviously, Prada. It had a lot of humour to it, it had a lot of wit, Wintour, now chief content officer for Conde Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, said last year. I found it highly enjoyable and very funny In the end I thought it was a fair shot. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) in The Devil Wears Prada 2. The movie is so adored, I say. I knooow, Weisberger responds, her voice rich with sentimentality. They did an amazing job with it. Its become a cultural institution. In 2024 it was made into a West End musical, for which Elton John wrote the music. The second movie was filmed last summer in Manhattan, Long Island and Milan. She [Wintour] was on set this time, Weisberger says. Though I was not there that night. The plot is different from the second Devil Wears Prada novel, with Andy returning to Runway as a features editor, having spent years as a reporter. Emily is now the head of a luxury brand, whose cash the magazine needs to survive. Weisberger grew up in Pennsylvania, her mother a teacher, her father a mortgage broker. At 22, in 1999, fresh out of Cornell University, she decided she wanted to work in magazines. She got the Vogue job exactly as it was in the book. Conde Nast called me in for an interview, they didnt tell me which magazine or which position. I interviewed first with the HR woman and she told me the position was at Vogue. I was like, Well, thats nice, but maybe not what Im looking for. And she was like, Were not really interested in what youre looking for. Proceed!

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After two further interviews that day, Weisberger was told she would meet Anna. I remember having no thoughts about that, which in hindsight is crazy, she says. I did not know what I was walking into and that probably had something to do with why I ended up getting the job. I didnt know enough to be tongue-tied and terrified. She was extremely composed and very intimidating, in hindsight, and her office was beautiful, but I didnt have time to take in the whole scene at that point. It really wasnt until I actually started that I thought, Where the hell am I?  When she started work she was sent to the hairdresser to have a cut and colour. Anna was like, Fix it. Immediately. There were deep feelings of inadequacy, continues Weisberger. And being thin? It was a very, very prominent feature of the culture and the feeling of working there, definitely. I dont remember anyone working there who wasnt tall, extremely thin and attractive. That was the Vogue girl. Back then it had a little bit of finishing-school vibes, where some of the girls were from the right schools and the right families and were very well connected in society. And the other ones really wanted to be a part of that. I do wonder what preserving your boundaries looks like at the current-day Vogue. LAUREN WEISBERGER Weisberger felt like an alien. She and another assistant had to man the desk at all times (We took turns), sequestered in Wintours office, all day and a lot of the night. It was a year of being yelled at, she says. Has she read Amy Odells biography of Wintour? No, no, Weisberger says. She hasnt seen the various documentaries, either. I compartmentalise, she says. It was a very, very different world.

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I ask her how she would feel if one of her children, who are 13 and 15, had similar experiences in a workplace. Part of me very much loves and respects and supports this Gen Z idea of protecting their time and creating their boundaries, and theyre probably going to end up happier and healthier for it, she says. But the other part of me, which is the way I was raised and I cant help it, is like, Shut up and get to work. Its what we were told from day one, not just me and not just by Anna. This is the way of the world. Pay your dues. Work hard. All that can be done without cruelty and mistreatment. She pauses. I do wonder what preserving your boundaries looks like at the current-day Vogue. Related Article Sunday Life From The Devil Wears Prada, Emily Blunt found fame and a famous brother-in-law Weisberger left the magazine after 10 months, moving to Departures, an American Express publication, and enrolling in a writing class, where at 23 she began to write a fun romp about her wild time in fashion. She sold it to a publisher as an unfinished manuscript and quit her job to complete it. Truly, it sounds unbelievable now, but I had no idea [how successful it would be], I was blindsided, she says. The media rounds, as well as the reviews, felt relentless. Some of it got really nasty, very personal. And it made me very anxious because I felt like I had done something wrong ... I probably became very paranoid. She was very nervous about writing her second book. Now Ive accepted [Prada] was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime thing, but its crazy when that once-in-a-lifetime thing happens the first time, when youre that young.

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Today she writes from her home office every morning until mid-afternoon, spending the evening with her family. Suburban Connecticut, it turns out, has been the perfect inspiration for the dramas and satires of her commercial fiction. She loves shopping, ideally in malls or department stores (I grew up that way), but not necessarily fashion. Rereading Prada, I say, you can feel the near-on disdain for the fashion industry. Does she feel differently now? You did probably sense disdain and I probably did feel that way at the time. Maybe because it was a world that didnt include me or that I didnt know anything about, that didnt interest me. I certainly dont feel disdain for it now. She has not seen her former boss since she left her job at Vogue, more than 20 years ago. Would she like to see her again? Nope! she says, clipped and cheerful. Im good! Just fine! The Sunday Times Style Magazine/News Licensing. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.
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MoneyPlanning & budgetingFinancial literacy Opinion Women are better at investing. So why is finance still made for men? Victoria Devine Money columnist April 26, 2026  5:01am

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Whether she meant to or not, actor and producer Reese Witherspoon sparked a major online debate with just one Instagram post this week. In the video, Witherspoon said that when she was at a recent book club with 10 women, she asked how many of them used artificial intelligence. Apparently, only three said they did and of those three, only one said they were confident they knew what they were doing and that they were using AI the right way. The adoption of financial habits isnt all that far off what Reese Witherspoon is talking about with AI adoption. AP That means 70 per cent of that group is not keeping up, Witherspoon said. In a caption accompanying the post, she wrote: The AI revolution has begun, and I need to learn as much as I possibly can about AI. Also, FYI: the jobs women hold are 3x more likely to be automated by AI, yet women are using AI at a rate 25 per cent lower than men on average.

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Much of the ensuing online drama centred around Witherspoon then calling on other women to learn with her, the ethics of someone within the creative industry promoting AI, and whether the A-list celebrity was paid to promote AI or is an investor in the sector and therefore stands to financially benefit from more people embracing the technology. While all of those questions deserve their own discussion, whats stuck with me since all this kicked off is how it relates to another example of what happens when women dont participate equally in what are historically male-dominated areas  specifically, finance. What makes this especially mind-blowing is that studies consistently show that women are better investors than men. Because basic financial freedoms like the ability to earn our own money are now so normal, it can be easy to forget that in the grand scheme of things, being able to get a credit card or buy a property without a husband or father are still relatively new for women. But when we look past those basic rights, the statistics show us that actually, the adoption of financial habits isnt all that far off what Witherspoon is talking about with AI adoption.

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According to a 2020 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, Australian women have the second-highest financial literacy gap out of all G20 nations. Editor's pick Opinion

Electric vehicles Why are low-income workers paying for rich peoples EVs? Victoria Devine Money columnist Add to that the findings of a YouGov poll from 2025 that only 55 per cent of Australian women are actively engaged in creating and maintaining a household budget, while only 44 per cent are saving for their retirement and/or for general savings and just 38 per cent are focused on managing debt and saving for large purchases. From there, things only get worse. Fewer than one in four women (23 per cent) are making decisions about real estate despite us all owning or renting properties, and just one in five are making investment decisions (19 per cent). When asked what was influencing women when it came to their ability  or rather inability  to make financial decisions, the most common answers included fear or anxiety about making mistakes (30 per cent), or getting support from family or partners (24 per cent). But you know what the single most common reason was among 38 per cent of female participants? A lack of confidence around knowledge of financial topics.

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While the medium Witherspoon was discussing is different in important ways, the common factor is that women are consistently in a cycle of not having the confidence to learn, and therefore either learning much later than their male peers or not at all, and ultimately falling behind. While its yet to be seen exactly how this might play out when it comes to AI, we know exactly how it ends in finances. Women are still paid less than their male counterparts, retiring with less superannuation and less likely to own property. On the stock market in particular, women are likely to invest at half the rate of men (30 per cent of men compared to 15 per cent of women), and theyre also investing less (an average of $11,934 for women compared with $31,100 for men). What makes this especially mind-blowing is that studies consistently show that women are better investors than men by as much as 40 basis points. On paper, that might only look like 0.4 per cent  a nominal amount. But lets say you invest a lump sum of $10,000 into shares with an annual rate of return of 9 per cent, and add $5000 a year for the next 20 years.

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After two decades, a male investors portfolio will be worth almost $312,000, $200,000 of which is interest. A female investor, though, with an annual rate of return of 9.4 per cent thanks to her investing nous, will find herself with just over $328,000, of which $218,000 is interest. One of the most obvious and glaring reasons women arent drawn to investing is that the stock market was never designed with us in mind. It was made by men, for men and to capture the attention of men. The stock market was made by men, for men and to capture the attention of men. AP Two of the markets core operational elements are volatility and unpredictability  things women generally dont love, but that the adrenalin-seeking male species have more of a taste for. While Im not suggesting the market was designed specifically to keep women out, thats ultimately what has happened and, to a large extent, is still happening.

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It bears a striking similarity to artificial intelligence  a sector dominated by men. The worlds top AI companies have been founded by men, designed by men and are run by men. Again, Im not suggesting this is intentional. But because it hasnt been designed by men and women equally, for men and women equally, women are less likely to engage with it. And as Witherspoon astutely pointed out in her social media video: The thing Ive learned about technology is if you dont get a little bit of understanding from the very beginning, it just speeds past you. That sounds an awful lot like learning about long-term investing and financial planning, wouldnt you say? Victoria Devine is an award-winning retired financial adviser, a bestselling author and host of Australias No.1 finance podcast, Shes on the Money. She is also founder and director of Zella Money.

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Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Financial literacy

Opinion Victoria Devine is an award-winning retired financial adviser, best-selling author, and host of Australias number one finance podcast, Shes on the Money. Victoria is also the founder and managing director of Zella Money.
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Inside Mary Wade Correctional Centre in Sydneys western suburbs sits a small, high-ceilinged room lined with desks and computers where inmates learn tools that could unlock a second chance at life on the outside. The classroom in the minimum-security prison is normally occupied five days a week by prisoners, from early in the morning until about 3.30 in the afternoon, who follow schedules not dissimilar to those observed by students in universities and schools nationwide. It houses an education program called Take2 that equips inmates with coding and software skills to help them find employment post-release. The group is reserved, but inmates take turns displaying projects that theyre working on. One is developing a fitness and meal preparation app, inspired by his work as a personal trainer; another is mapping out a website that will collate resources about the impact of climate change on Australias environment. The Take2 classroom in Mary Wade Correctional Centre, Lidcombe. Take2 Take2 founder and chief executive Cameron Smith rolled out the program in two correctional centres in Auckland before bringing it to Australia.

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Growing up with a single mother in a low-income household, Smith knew hardship intimately. Though he has never been in the system himself, he says that coming from a disadvantaged background has shaped his view of education as a ticket out to something different, something better. That was the genesis of Take2. Josh, an inmate whose full name has been withheld for privacy reasons, says the program has changed his life. The 37-year-old has already faced extraordinary obstacles, losing both parents at an early age. Mum died  [when I was 19], Dad at 20, he tells the Herald. Josh, with another inmate, during a coding lesson. CSNSW Left untethered and vulnerable in a formative period of his life, and looking for something to fill the void created by the death of his parents, Josh turned to drugs, triggering what would be a decades-long battle with addiction  and an even longer one with the justice system. Josh was 19 when first jailed. Repeatedly, he would be released only to reoffend and wind up back in jail. The cycle lasted 18 years. I lived a life of addiction. Just didnt have any prospects, goals. There was nothing I wanted to do with my life, you know, Josh says. So Id get out of jail, go back to the same area, no employment, straight back on the drugs, straight back around the same people  Just a cycle. You know, both my brothers, same thing.

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Having encountered a life that would harden most people, the softly spoken inmate chokes up when talking about the Take2 program and its impact on his life and view of himself. For the first time, Josh says, he can envision a future  something that was beyond the bounds of his imagination before he became a student in the course. This is a passion  and Ive never really had a passion or anything that Ive enjoyed doing before now, he says. The one thing that I really lacked before coming here was self-esteem and self-worth. I never found anything that I thought I was good at. The cycle of reoffending in NSW In Australia, the story of recidivism is common. Between 42 and 43 per cent of ex-prisoners in NSW will return to jail within two years of release, according to data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). In 2024, 49.3 per cent of Australians released from sentenced custody reoffended within 12 months.

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A spike in reoffending rates since 2014 is partly due to increased police proactivity in responding to domestic violence offenders, says BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald, but other factors are at play. It is a big jump over time ... One of the drivers behind this in NSW is that the prisoner cohort is becoming a more risky cohort, so we are seeing that the custodial population are moving towards a kind of increasing severity. Among young people aged 18-24, recidivism is higher. In 2024, 62.5 per cent of young people released from sentenced custody reoffended in the following 12 months. Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research executive director Jackie Fitzgerald. Nick Moir Young people offend more often and at a higher frequency than older people, Fitzgerald says, highlighting the need for earlier intervention. We call it the age crime curve  It is a difficult group, and its a difficult group to intervene with, and behaviour change is hard. Fitzgerald says that research conducted by BOCSAR demonstrates a correlation between inmates who undertake vocational traineeships and a lower risk of reoffending. I think that traineeships, and the employability of people post-custody is being found to be really effective, so its a really great focus for programs in Corrective Services, she says. Strategies that look at the reasons why people are reoffending and try to address those are really welcome. Dr Mindy Sotiri, executive director at Justice Reform Initiative, says rates of recidivism prove the prison systems failure.

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What we can see really clearly from recidivism rates all around Australia is that the more time that you spend in prison, the more likely you are to go back to prison. So your risk of return increases the more contact that you have with the criminal justice system, Sotiri tells the Herald. Mindy Sotiri, executive director of Justice Reform Initiative. Janie Barrett Theres lots of reasons for that, including the institutionalisation process that happens when people go to prison, the disconnection from employment, disconnection from education, disconnection from family, but also the dehumanising environment inside prisons. Not only is the system failing its prisoners, Sotiri says, but it is hitting the pocket of Australian taxpayers too. Australians spend about $7 billion a year locking up adult prisoners, and an additional $1 billion a year locking up minors. The burden on prison systems is only intensifying too. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, overall prisoner rates have increased year-on-year since 2023. Education programs can prevent recidivism, data shows If even a fraction of Australias investment in prisons was used to fund alternative education programs, Sotiri says, we would see better outcomes for inmates as well as a more efficient investment of taxpayer dollars.

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Cash App teen accounts prioritize spending over investing and miss the opportunity to teach teens wealth-building habits, whereas accounts like Fidelity Youth Account emphasize investing from an early age to build long-term wealth through compound growth.

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A mom named Sandy from Michigan called into The Clark Howard Podcast this week with a parenting question. "My 12-year-old asked me about getting a Cash App teen account to learn more about finances," she said. "I think her favorite part is that she gets to design her own debit card. Priorities, right?"

Host Clark Howard told Sandy why the Cash App account isn't the best choice. "The program is basically a spending program," he explained. "They do have a little bit there about how you can have a savings account as a teen, but it's really about having a way to spend. My problem with any bank program geared towards teens is it's all about making them spenders and borrowers. Not investors."

A teen account should teach them what money is for. Pick a tool that celebrates tap-to-pay, and the lesson is that money is for spending. Pick a tool that lets a teenager buy their first share of an index fund, and the lesson is that money is for owning things that grow.

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Howard suggested Sandy instead look into a product like the Fidelity Youth Account. He said the account is "awesome because its emphasis is allowing access to funds like your 12-year-old wants, but it's all about teaching investing. ... [It creates] a mindset early about the purpose of building wealth for the future, whatever reason they're building that wealth."

He emphasized the long-term advantage of starting investing early. "As soon as a teen has a job, building the habit at their first jobs at 14, 15, or 16, that they're putting money into a Roth IRA, getting 50 years approximately of growth on that money. Creating time creates so much wealth, and building habits creates so much wealth."

Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars, every dollar of growth compounds tax-free, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. A teenager in the 10% or 12% bracket is effectively buying tax-free retirement income at a discount no adult will ever see again.
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NationalQueenslandCinema Martin scored the lead role in a movie. There was just one problem Nick Dent April 26, 2026  8:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A year after moving to Los Angeles in 2013, former Home and Away actor Martin Dingle Wall landed what looked like his big film break. He was cast as the lead in a Russian rom-com titled All That Jam. It wasnt until the first table read that he realised there had been a serious miscommunication. His part did not have just a few lines in Russian. It was all in Russian. So I had a meltdown, Dingle Wall says. His fee had already been spent. There was no backing out. Larry Cedar (Josiah Ballard) and Martin Dingle Wall (Ned Campbell) in This Bloody Country, with Maggie Gwin and Rainey Qualley. I had that moment where you look yourself in the mirror and go: Mate, the whole world is bilingual. Australians, Americans, British  were the only ones that dont speak at least two languages. The brain has this capacity.

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With the help of his director, he soldiered through. And f--- me dead, eight weeks later, there now exists a film which is me in the romantic lead speaking full Russian. That fish-out-of-water feeling came back to haunt the Bondi-raised, Gold Coast-based performer when he was cast as an Australian frontiersman in the American West in This Bloody Country. The low-budget film became the most popular western on Amazon Prime for five weeks when it dropped in the US last year. Now its having its big-screen premiere at the Gold Coast Film Festival on April 29, with Dingle Wall in attendance. In This Bloody Country, a Mormon preacher, Josiah Ballard (Larry Cedar), his three wives (Maggie Gwin, Rainey Qualley and Cameron Meyer) and multiple children leave Salt Lake City to cross the Arizona badlands to reach a frontier settlement in 1869.

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Ballard trusts in the good book rather than the Winchester, but the family hires an Australian gunslinger, Ned Campbell (Dingle Wall) to protect them  bandits and Paiute traditional owners stand in their way. When you think of antipodean characters in American westerns, it can be both strangely right (Zoe Bell in The Hateful Eight) and utterly cringe (Paul Hogan in Lightning Jack). Dingle Wall in his pin-up days. Courtesy Martin Dingle Wall Happily, Dingle Wall is a revelation in a role that the one-time soapie heartthrob has aged into like a confident blend of Clint Eastwood and Gary Cooper. His Campbell is a classic loner, haunted by conscience but willing to do what a mans gotta do.

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Its not courage, Jack, Campbell tells the preachers younger brother, Nathaniel (Jacob Ward). You just pull the trigger. Or you dont. Dingle Wall says the battle for his character is against blind faith and the resistance to anything logical. True blue grit: Martin Dingle Wall plays an Australian in the Wild West in This Bloody Country. As portrayed by Cedar, who played the opium addict Leon Stalsworth in Deadwood, the Mormon patriarch is small-minded and sanctimonious, scornful of his wives ability to do anything but cook, rear children and perform their conjugal duties. When Campbell proposes teaching the women to shoot, Ballard thinks hes out of his mind. Its an inconvenient truth, Dingle Wall says, that Mormon wives were largely cutting the western trails.

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That doesnt suit the narrow Hollywood narrative, but they were the actual pioneers  In the world of open lies that were now living in, give us a movie that speaks a bit of truth to power, you know? The films American writer and director, Craig Packard, believes Dingle Wall is a movie star in the old Steve McQueen model. He has all the swagger and confidence, yet at the same time, hes an actor with a capital A, Packard wrote in an email. Packard says he wrote the part of Campbell to be Australian, inspired by his Seattle-based Australian actor friend Paul Eenhoorn, who died in 2022.

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Id never seen an Aussie in the Old West, and it struck me as interesting because it implies quite a journey to get there, as well as some history to get familiar enough with the territory to serve as a guide. Dingle Wall came to acting while backpacking around Europe in his early 20s. Late at night in a small Italian town, he stumbled across a person he thought was being bullied. It turned out to be street theatre. It was the women, really, that were cutting the trails. Dingle Wall and Maggie Gwin (Lilith Ballard). Affected, he attended drop-in improv classes, was rejected by NIDA, and landed an agent anyway. I eventually started to get into audition rooms, which is where you really learn. Thats where you fail spectacularly and constantly, where the rubber hits the road, he says.

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I think some casting agents were just quite patient with me because they could sense my enthusiasm. Landing Home and Aways young doctor, Flynn Saunders, thrust him into another universe and scored him a Logie nomination, but he left after two years. Roles in Underbelly, Satisfaction, Cops: L.A.C., and the Nicole Kidman film Strangerland followed. In Hollywood, where he lived for eight years, he quickly realised a fondness for beer was holding him back, and the part in All That Jam came five weeks after he got sober. That led to the lead in an Egyptian-American spy series, Cypher. He was also in The Dry and Upper Middle Bogan. Its all a conga line of insanity, he laughs. He goes where the work is, but joint custody of his 11-year-old son anchors him in Currumbin. On reading Packards This Bloody Country script Dingle Wall couldnt quite believe his luck that they were looking for an Australian to star in it.

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And to everyones absolute delight, we shot to number one and stayed there for a month, he says. Related Article Good Weekend Forty years on, Paul Hogans Crocodile Dundee is still our biggest film. Heres why it could have been a disaster It could have been a question of, How dare they put an Australian frontiersman in what is clearly an American role. The writer had dug around and gone, No mate, there were Australians there. It was filmed on the vast Deer Springs Ranch in Utah, where the terrain didnt allow for trailers; the cast slept in cabins without running water or electricity. Flash floods crashed the set, making it into the film. The filmmaking experience mirrored the characters gruelling cross-country crawl. Dingle Wall wrote a 10-page backstory for his character, but otherwise, his preparation for the role was simply a love of the genre.

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I had, by default, been preparing my entire life. Gold Coast Film Festival runs until May 3. This Bloody Country streams on Prime later in 2026. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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Faith NationalVictoriaReligion Trump takes language back to the Stone Age Warwick McFadyen April 26, 2026  5:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Fire and brimstone, the end of days, the apocalypse, armageddon. The preachers of old, whether they be of religious faith or secular dominion, exhorted and roared for the gods of wrath to pass judgment on mere mortals and their failings. In essence, it was self-styled power-hungry and power-fuelled men, always men, trying to bend others to their will. Their river of lava-like invective, in essence, was an oratory to subjugate. It has ebbed and flowed through history. US President Donald Trump: a new day, a new target of his invective. Bloomberg George Orwell, in his essay Politics and the English Language, written in the last year of World War II, believed that what politicians said publicly was, in the main, a defence of that which was indefensible. Things like the continuance of British rule in India, the Russian purges and deportations, the dropping of the atom bombs on Japan, can indeed be defended, but only by arguments which are too brutal for most people to face, and which do not square with the professed aims of political parties. Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness. Defenceless villages are bombarded from the air, the inhabitants driven out into the countryside, the cattle machine-gunned, the huts set on fire with incendiary bullets: this is called pacification. The deployment of euphemism made palatable the barbaric reality of what men really did to each other. But as Bob Dylan has sung, things have changed.

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If only Orwell were alive now to witness the Trump days. Euphemism is dead in the water. No matter the longevity of the thought wrapped in the Trump expression (each day truly is a new day for him), now it is the simplistic phrasing, the unadorned message that issues forth from his lips and social media account Truth Social (Orwell would love that title). This being the meme age, Trumps one of himself as Jesus tending the sick fits in well with the process (Trump deleted it, but still had a war of words with Pope Leo). Trump is sound and fury signifying nothing, and yet in such a world turned inside out, it also means everything. Every action is upper case. Indeed, every moment is upper case. It is as if doing so creates a citadel of righteousness. Its quite possible if Orwell were alive today, he might have considered a sequel to Animal Farm, based on Trump. He could even use Trumps own words: A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. Clearly Trump is not speaking to anyone familiar with the worlds history. If euphemism is dead then so is diplomacy, despite appearances of shuttle planes here and there: We have a plan  because of the power of our military  where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 oclock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again. And just to reinforce the point, Open the F---in Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell. (And now Trump has threatened to close the strait.)

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Religion In the Bible, God can hear you scream Barney Zwartz Contributor Orwell might wonder, is this a man driven by an impervious faith in his own power? It is a misplaced faith. Undoubtedly, despite the evidence to the contrary of the force of his will, and that being so, the world can hear in his voice echoes of the contorted voices of the maniacal preachers and politicians of the past. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. Were going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong. One wouldnt be surprised to hear him declaring at some stage to somebody or country, We shall smite you to dust! You and your minions shall be SMOTE!

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From a mote to a smote indeed. These are not the words of a peacemaker, this is the language of one who has lost, or perhaps never had, faith in anyone but himself. Warwick McFadyen is a desk editor at The Age.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Religion

Opinion Warwick McFadyen is a desk editor at The Age.
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Exclusive PoliticsNSWProperty development Missed opportunity: Sale of 48 state-owned sites leads to just five DAs Max Maddison April 26, 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

Only a handful of sites sold by the state government in its divestment endeavours over the past year are the subject of development applications, raising the spectre of land banking by developers and private buyers, and calling into question the effectiveness of NSW Labors land audit. Forty-eight sites, including lots in Seaforth, Frenchs Forest, Arncliffe and Stanmore, have been divested by the Labor government since April 2025, netting more than $90 million in revenue. The sites, more than half of which are vacant land, were identified as surplus land  unused or underutilised  by departments and agencies through the governments property framework. However, an analysis of property records by the Herald has identified only five development applications lodged on these sites. Nine of the 48 properties were sold over a year ago, while nearly half have been sold since mid-June. Six were sold in the past week, too recently to have a DA lodged.

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The lack of development applications has prompted questions about the effectiveness of selling public land to deliver housing, and whether the governments policy settings have undermined the capacity of Landcom and Homes NSW to deliver affordable, public and social homes. University of Sydney professor Laurence Troy decried the sale of public land to private buyers as nonsensical given the development could have been undertaken by Landcom, the state developer. Why are they selling off to the private sector? Its a completely missed opportunity, Troy said. While the original intent of the land audit policy, announced in 2023, was for 30 per cent of the homes to be affordable, Premier Chris Minns redefined the proposal after announcing a $6.6 billion investment in public and social housing in 2024, instead committing to delivering 30,000 homes. While the government claimed 21,000 affordable and market dwellings would be delivered from sites identified by the audit, there is no longer a requirement for developments to have an affordable housing component. Nor do sites sold at public auction need to have a development application submitted within a defined period.

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Sites considered suitable for housing are offered first to state developers Homes NSW and Landcom, before being sold on the private market. Related Article Development They wanted a hospital upgrade. A 62-storey apartment tower is proposed instead Seven properties identified by the audit were acquired by Homes NSW or Landcom. A further 15 were earmarked for transfer to the state developers through the audit and were undergoing assessment, representing the majority of homes identified through the land audit. However, sites earmarked for transfer are rarely being taken up by state developers. In August, the government told The Guardian that about 18 of the 55 land audit sites identified have been transferred to or are currently undergoing due diligence by Homes NSW or Landcom. Only two more sites were acquired by Landcom in the intervening eight months.

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Landcom declined to proceed with a number of land audit sites because the number of homes that could be delivered was too small, said chief executive Alexander Wendler. The largest number of sites where we say no is because of size, he said. The state developer has acquired four land audit properties, and was looking for projects with the potential to build hundreds or thousands of dwellings, Wendler said. Twenty low-density residential properties identified as being suitable for housing have been sold in public auctions. Another five high-yield sites owned by the state government are subject to an expressions-of-interest process. This includes vacant land in St Leonards adjacent to Royal North Shore Hospital. The site is perfectly positioned to provide high-quality housing and key worker housing in a high-amenity area and with excellent public transport connections, said Property and Development NSW, the agency leading the audit.

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Landcom and Homes NSW turned down the site before it was opened to private buyers last May. It is now under offer. Related Article Exclusive

NSW State Parliament The government warned homes on this floodplain would put lives at risk. Then, it approved 960 of them A lot on Cardigan Street in Stanmore, formerly held by Transport for NSW, was snapped up for $5.8 million by Clarence Street Properties, a company owned by restaurateurs Basil and Liane Kalkanas. In Seaforth, seven adjoining lots with ocean views were sold at public auction for between $2.15 million and $2.6 million across April and August last year. A $2.7 million development application submitted by MD Living for one property includes a five-bedroom residence and construction of a swimming pool. Sites sold by private treaty are contractually required to submit a development application usually within nine months and have achieved substantial commencement within two years. Only two sites on the Property and Development list were acquired by private treaty.

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A spokesman for the NSW government said it had made the largest investment in social and affordable housing in the states history, while pointing to 3500 homes delivered by Homes NSW in this term of government. In Seaforth, seven adjoining lots with ocean views were sold at auction for between $2.15 million and $2.6 million. The land audit has so far announced sites capable of delivering approximately 11,400 homes, this includes 1500 homes in Chatswood, more than 2000 in Rydalmere and 500 in North Eveleigh, he said. Through the land audit we are identifying sites that have no current or potential future use for government and unlocking these sites for the delivery of housing. Greens housing spokeswoman Jenny Leong said the land audit had flipped from a way of building more public housing, instead becoming a highly efficient system for finding public land to sell for a quick buck.

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Make no mistake: this is shameless privatisation, made all the more grotesque because its happening under the guise of addressing the housing crisis, she said. If theyre as desperate to solve the housing crisis as they claim to be, why arent they building houses on the ample vacant land or housing people in the many existing homes they already own? 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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PropertyNewsProperty downsizing Holiday of a lifetime: Maria is going on a golden gap year Sue Williams April 26, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

When 65-year-old Maria Buzzo sold her big family house to downsize into an off-the-plan apartment, she knew shed have about 12 months to wait before the new home was ready. She could rent somewhere for the interim, she thought. But instead she decided to put everything into storage and buy a plane ticket to take a golden gap year. Why not? she asks, bags packed for her May 13 solo departure to Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. Maria Buzzo has sold her home and bought an apartment. Wolter Peeters I thought that this is a great opportunity to go away and travel, Buzzo says. I couldnt do that before, when I had a big house and pool and lawns to look after. But now this move has given me the freedom to do exactly as I like before coming back to settle into my new place. Buzzo sold her old home in the north-western Sydney suburb of Castle Hill and bought into a house-and-apartment development called Highforest, by Mirvac, in West Pennant Hills. She is part of a trend of downsizers taking the holiday of a lifetime between their old lives and new.

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Were now seeing this happening a lot in both Sydney and Melbourne, says Warwick Bible, Mirvacs general manager of residential development in NSW. Its such a great thing. Theres a gap between exchange and settlement, and these buyers are seeing a wonderful chance to get away in the interim. Related Article Interior design Room service: Why you should steal these hotel design ideas Travel is so much part of the attraction of apartments for downsizers, so they can lock up and leave, but now theyre getting into it early and going on a wonderful holiday rather than waiting around for their apartment to be finished. Its marvellous to see downsizers setting off on these adventures, both international and domestic. At another downsizer-focused development  Wahroonga Estate on Sydneys upper north shore  a number of property buyers are indulging their wanderlust after selling their old homes, and taking off for excellent adventures. One couple put everything into storage, bought a camper trailer and set off on a 12-month tour around Australia. The construction period of new apartments tends to be two years and, rather than rent somewhere or move in with family, they decided to take advantage of that downtime, says developer Capital Corporations managing director, Jim Hunter.

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Then a lot of the downsizers plan to carry on travelling once theyve moved into their new homes, Hunter says. Thats the beauty of apartment living; they wont have a lot of maintenance or looking after houses and lawns and pools to worry about. But this travelling for a golden gap year is a great idea, and its really picking up momentum. Research from insurance company Australian Seniors, on how Australians aged 50 and over are spending their money, found that older empty-nesters are keen to travel and are taking every opportunity to do so. An artists impression of the Highforest development. Mirvac Nearly two in five, or 39 per cent, had their last big holiday in the past year  a jump from 18 per cent in 2022  while 64 per cent feel comfortable about using their retirement savings for travel. At the same time, 43 per cent of the 1200 people surveyed believe creating travel memories is more important than leaving a financial inheritance. Thats absolutely true, says Murray Wood, director of Belle Property International, which is selling a number of projects to downsizers, including the Sydney CBD building 111 Castlereagh, Cbus Propertys 98-unit tower on top of the old David Jones mens store.

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I know of a couple just off-hand, Wood says. One man and woman sold their business and their family home, ready to downsize into another of our projects  The Collective in Crows Nest  and, while theyre waiting for completion, have gone off touring the world. Theyll be back just before theyre due to move in, in October or November this year. Related Article Interior design Welcome to the world of Tom Dixon, where restlessness is a virtue Wood says that the hardest part of downsizing for anyone is navigating the sale of their house and the purchase of a new apartment, and trying to match dates. Instead, agents at regular downsizer seminars recommend selling their house and then waiting  as thats far simpler and more stress-free. But, even better, were seeing so many of them now taking that golden gap year and travelling, Wood says. Its really taking off, in both senses. Certainly, Buzzo cant wait. I was going to rent for a while, and then my eldest daughter said I could stay with her, she says. But going off overseas on the trip Ive been dreaming about all my life is the much more perfect solution.

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InspirationAdventure holidays Ten days to build, still standing 118 years later: Inside a heros remote shack Jenny Hewett April 25, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This article is part of Travellers guide to The Ends of the Earth. See all stories .

Seven Wonders of Shackletons Hut, East Antarctica Constructed in 1908 to support Sir Ernest Shackletons Nimrod Expedition of 1907-1909, this well-preserved time capsule at Cape Royds on Ross Island is a remarkable window into the Heroic Age of Antarctic polar exploration. 1 Admire the view of Mount Erebus Mount Erebus viewed from Cape Royds. AHT/Diana McCormack The prefabricated timber hut was manufactured in London, took 10 days to construct and housed 15 men over 14 months. Its one of five heroic-era huts in the Ross Sea region thats cared for by the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust (see nzaht.org). The gravitas of its existence in this harsh, remote environment is only emphasised by whats around it. Strombolian Mount Erebus, the worlds southernmost active volcano, puffs away gently in the background, while members of the worlds southernmost Adelie penguin colony congregate on a low clearing overlooking McMurdo Sound and the Trans-Antarctic Mountains.

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2 Peek inside Shackletons room Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. The hut and surrounds at Cape Royds. While the rest of the party slept in wooden bunks in the main room, a small cubicle with a canvas divide served as the polar explorers private quarters. It was likely here he pondered his later unsuccessful attempt to be the first to reach the geographic South Pole. Shackletons handwriting is evident in various places throughout the hut  his signature is etched on a bedhead and the name of each man is written in Shackletons hand on the walls to designate their bunk. Shackletons signature on timber repurposed during his expedition to create a headboard for a bunk. AHT/Nicola Stewart 3 See Heroic Age artefacts

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Provisions in the hut  now artefacts of the Heroic Age. AHT/Nicola Stewart Among the 6109 conserved pieces are rusted canned tins of food, including pea soup, and bottled preserves. There are two copies of The Illustrated London News newspaper published more than 100 years ago and black and white portraits of then British monarchs King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. In 2010, the conservation team found three crates of Mackinlays Rare Old Highland Malt whisky buried in ice under the hut. The whisky was flown back to Scotland on a private jet, scientifically tested and a replica Shackleton blended whisky is now sold by the brands owner Whyte & Mackay. 4 Look up Sleds stored in the huts ceiling space. AHT/Ciaran Lavelle Overhead in the roof space are two original Norwegian-style sledges crafted from ash and hickory and used throughout the expedition, which wasnt without its successes. Shackleton and his team were the first to ascend Mount Erebus and to locate the South Magnetic Pole. They also reached further south in latitude than anyone had at the time. Notice the mens socks hanging throughout the hut.

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5 Check out Mrs Sams Stove Mrs Sams stove. Matty Jordan This coal-powered cooking stove, named Mrs Sams by the team was a centre point of the hut and would have served as both a physical and psychological lifeline. It could burn for 24 hours, creating a warm zone of 16 to 21 degrees around it, while outside temperatures dropped to minus 50 degrees. Bread was baked daily and less than a quarter of a tonne of coal was burned every week. 6 Get a snap of the dark room A corner of the hut that served as the darkroom. AHT/Conor Tulloch

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Among the 15-man team was Douglas Mawson, then a 26-year-old geologist on his first trip to Antarctica, British expedition artist and sketcher George Marston, British army doctor Eric Marshall and geologist Leo Arthur Cotton, who may have taken many of the photos. A tiny space in the north-west corner of the hut functioned as the processing room and still contains shelves housing jars of chemicals, canisters and other supplies. 7 See where the animals lived Kennels outside the hut. AHT/Anna Clare Among the expedition party were nine sled dogs and 10 Manchurian ponies. Venesta wooden crates used to carry the food supplies were organised to form the walls to create the stables, and can still be seen stacked outside. Next to it is a garage that was constructed to house a four-cylinder Arrol-Johnston motorcar, the first car in Antarctica. Dont miss the wooden dog kennels behind the garage and the basic wooden toilet at the front of the stables that just might be the worlds best loo-with-a-view. The writer travelled as a guest of Aurora Expeditions. See aurora-expeditions.com
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WorldEuropeFalkland Islands King Charles faces another challenge ahead of visit to meet Trump David Crowe April 26, 2026  8:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Britain is standing firm against US President Donald Trump over a Pentagon plan to change its stance on European colonies such as the Falkland Islands, more than four decades after the UK went to war with Argentina to assert its claim to the remote territory. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asserted the British sovereignty of the islands in the South Atlantic after a leaked Pentagon memo raised the idea of punishing European countries that the US claimed were not doing enough to help in its war with Iran. Relations are poor between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. Getty, AP The dispute adds another challenge for King Charles during his imminent state visit to see Trump in Washington DC, including meetings on Monday and a banquet at the White House on Tuesday. The aggressive approach outlined in the Pentagon memo, authored by top policy adviser Elbridge Colby, also raises the idea of suspending Spain from the NATO alliance because it is not supporting the Iran war.

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A key part of the memo, obtained by Reuters and revealed on Friday, says the US could reassess its diplomatic support for the imperial possessions claimed by major European nations. While the leak has triggered headlines about the Falklands, the approach set out in the Pentagon proposal could be used against several European countries given their longstanding ties to former colonies. King Charles hosted Donald Trump for a state visit at Windsor Castle late last year. The King will be in Washington this week. AP The memo calls for a tougher diplomatic stance against NATO allies that have not delivered the support Trump sought for the war, especially in their decisions to deny US forces the ability to use European bases. Starmers office said the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands was not in question despite the US proposal.

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The government of the Falkland Islands, which is structured as a British territory with an elected ministry and a governor who represents King Charles, has also dismissed the US proposal. The Falkland Islands has complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination, it said in a statement. The people of the Falklands voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the UK in a 2013 referendum. The Falkland Islands are about 500 kilometres east of Argentina and have been the subject of rival claims by Argentina and Britain for at least two centuries, but their residents have long favoured self-government as a British territory, endorsed most recently in a 2013 referendum. When Argentina launched an invasion of the islands in 1982, during a period of military rule in Buenos Aires, the UK responded by sending a naval force that sank Argentine vessels and landed troops on the islands to reclaim the territory.

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While the Pentagon proposal is not official policy and canvasses options that might be used against European nations, the suggestion about the Falkland Islands has hit a nerve in Britain and sparked headlines about the backlash against Trump and his administration on the issue. Related Article Royal family Australian flag in mix-up as Washington prepares to welcome Charles Colby, the author of the memo, is the under-secretary for policy at the Department of War and has made other provocative moves over the past year, including a decision last July to launch a review of the AUKUS pact with Australia and the UK. The Colby review questioned whether AUKUS met the America first policy of the Trump administration, and it required a major diplomatic effort by the UK and Australia to ensure the pact went ahead. Trump confirmed his support for AUKUS in October, but Colbys move led to months of doubt over the vast submarine project. Argentina has kept up its claims to the Falklands for decades after the 1982 war, calling them Las Islas Malvinas.

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Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno seized on the US proposal to post a message on social media calling for talks with the UK on a peaceful and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute. Related Article Analysis

Middle East at war Trump is in no rush for an Iran deal, but he cant wait forever One source of concern for the British government is the close friendship between Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei, a philosophical ally of the MAGA movement. In its official statements, the US has emphasised its neutrality on the sovereignty question and acknowledged the competing claims of the UK and Argentina. A US State Department spokesperson told Agence France-Presse that the US recognises de facto United Kingdom administration of the territory without taking sides.

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The Colby memo centres on American doubts about the support from NATO at a time when European leaders are criticising the war with Iran, declining to send forces to assist the US in the Persian Gulf and, in some cases, calling the war illegal. American forces continue to have practical support in Europe. US bombers are using the Royal Air Force base at Fairford in the UK to mount some of their strikes. Germany hosts a mammoth logistics hub, hospital and airfield at Ramstein. France is hosting US refuellers at the Istres-Le Tube air base near Marseille, while Italy has done the same thing at Aviano, north of Venice. After initially refusing to allow the use of UK bases, Starmer has approved the use of bases, including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for defensive operations that can include strikes on Iranian military assets. European criticism has mounted, however, as the Iran war has dragged on. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called the war a breach of international law and blocked US forces from using any bases in Spain for the attacks on Iran. Sanchez has maintained his objections to the Iran war despite the leaked memo, and he has argued that Spain is fulfilling all its NATO responsibilities.

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From my point of view, this war is illegal, Sanchez told reporters. Its a big mistake. 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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WorldEuropeAnzac Day Princess Catherine joins veterans at Anzac Day ceremony in London David Crowe April 26, 2026  4:38am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Princess Catherine has marked Anzac Day by laying a wreath for Australians and New Zealanders who lost their lives in war, as hundreds of people gathered for the ceremony in central London. The Princess of Wales led the wreath-laying at the Cenotaph before joining a commemoration at Westminster Abbey, where she spoke briefly to some of the children attending the service. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the wreath laying and parade service as part of the Anzac Day commemorations at Cenotaph. AP Earlier on Saturday in London, Princess Anne laid a wreath at the customary dawn service at the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. The ceremonies in Britain followed those at Gallipoli, where an estimated 1600 people gathered for the dawn service at the scene of the landings in 1915, with many people sleeping near the site overnight to ensure they could attend.

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While the dawn services in Sydney and Melbourne were disrupted by booing during the Welcome to Country, those in Europe went smoothly. In London, hundreds of people stopped on Whitehall to watch the Princess walk to the Cenotaph after the Royal Marines Portsmouth Road Band marched to the main thoroughfare near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Loading Tourists joined Australians and New Zealanders in the crowd to watch the ceremony at 11am (8pm, AEST) and mark the minutes silence for those who died. The service began with a Maori welcome spoken by Reverend Dr Lyndon Drake, a college chaplain at Oxford University and previously the Maori Anglican Archdeacon of Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand.

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In a longstanding practice, Australia and New Zealand alternate the management of the service, and this year was the turn of the New Zealand High Commission. Related Article Perspective

Anzac Day He died at the moment the war ended: The young Australian who helped the Czech partisans The high commissioners for Australia and New Zealand, Jay Weatherill and Hamish Cooper, walked together to the Cenotaph to lay wreaths. While the ceremony was held to honour Australians and New Zealanders who lost their lives in conflict and recognise all who served their countries, it included many from the United Kingdom. The Royal Marines band played the national anthems of all three countries. Australian troops landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, as part of a combined force that numbered hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The military campaign failed, and the forces withdrew in December that year, at which point the operation had led to 26,111 Australian casualties, including 8,141 deaths.

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While records vary, the Gallipoli campaign led to the deaths of an estimated 2779 soldiers from New Zealand, 21,255 from Great Britain and Ireland, about 10,000 from France and 1,358 from India, among other nations. The Turks and the Ottoman Empire suffered 251,000 casualties, including 86,692 dead. The Princess of Wales laid a wreath with a handwritten message from the Prince of Wales and herself, signed by Catherine and William. It said: In memory of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. A crowd gathered along Whitehall to watch the wreath-laying ceremony. AP The Princess of Wales attended the service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. AP The wreath was laid on behalf of King Charles, who is due to arrive in America on Monday for a four-day visit that includes meetings with US President Donald Trump and a state dinner at the White House.

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Following the ceremony and parade on Whitehall, veterans and official guests walked to Westminster Abbey for a service that included prayers read by children from each country and a Maori song performed by Ngati Ranana. Princess Anne, also known as the Princess Royal, attended the dawn service where the Last Post and Reveille were played. The Princess Royal lays a wreath at a dawn service commemorating Anzac Day at the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, London. AP The dawn service included a reading of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, a poem written for those who fell on the Western Front during the First World War. At the Cenotaph hours later, Reverend Drake read from For The Fallen, by Laurence Binyon: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

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Anzac Day services have been held in London since King George V attended the first at Westminster Abbey in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the landings. 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.


HYDERABAD, India, April 24, 2026 -- According to the latest report by Mordor Intelligence, the automotive LiDAR market size is expanding rapidly, growing from USD 1.23 billion in 2025 to USD 1.63 billion in 2026, and expected to reach USD 6.54 billion by 2031, at a 32.09% CAGR. This growth is driven by rising adoption of Level 3+ autonomous driving, lower sensor costs, and stricter safety requirements. Chinese OEMs are leading deployments, while advances like FMCW LiDAR enabling up to 400-meter range are pushing wider integration across vehicle segments.

Automotive LiDAR Market Trends and Drivers

Emerging Innovations in FMCW Sensor Capabilities

FMCW LiDAR uses continuous light signals to capture both distance and motion, improving accuracy in real-world driving. It reduces signal interference in crowded traffic and performs better under strong sunlight, making it more reliable across conditions. With automakers planning integration in upcoming premium models and production already scaling, this technology is expected to play a major role in future LiDAR adoption.

Falling Sensor Costs Driving Adoption in Mid-Range Vehicles

Prices for solid-state LiDAR have dropped sharply in recent years, making these sensors far more accessible beyond luxury vehicles. Improvements in manufacturing, including silicon-based designs and automated testing, are helping scale production efficiently. As a result, LiDAR is now finding its way into more affordable car segments, with growing adoption further pushing costs down over time.

Automotive LiDAR Market Share by Region

Asia-Pacific leads the automotive LiDAR space, with China at the center of large-scale adoption. Government support and incentives are encouraging wider use in electric vehicles, while strong local supply chains help reduce costs and speed up production. Other countries in the region are also investing in smart mobility projects, further boosting demand.

Growth in North America is supported by autonomous trucking routes and rising interest in hands-free driving features, along with strong local manufacturing that reduces dependence on imports. Canada also contributes through testing in extreme weather conditions. In Europe, stricter regulations slow mass adoption, but premium automakers continue to lead in advanced LiDAR integration. Meanwhile, regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are seeing steady traction, driven by smart city projects, mining automation, and fleet upgrades.

Phani Kumar, Senior Research Manager, Mordor Intelligence, says, "The automotive LiDAR market reflects steadily evolving adoption patterns shaped by regulatory direction and autonomous driving progress. Mordor Intelligence's structured validation approach and consistent triangulation of industry inputs provide a more dependable basis for strategic decisions than fragmented or assumption-led analyses."

Automotive LiDAR Industry Segmentation

By Application

Robotic Vehicles

ADAS

By Technology Type

Mechanical / Spinning

Solid-State

FMCW

By Vehicle Type

Passenger Cars

Commercial Vehicles

By Range

Short / Mid-Range (Up to 150 m)

Long-Range (Above 150 m)

By Installation Position

Roof-Mounted

Grille / Bumper

Headlamp-Integrated

For a full breakdown of market size, segmentation data, and competitive intelligence, access the details of the Mordor Intelligence report -

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/automotive-lidar-market?utm_source=prnewswire

Automotive LiDAR Companies

Hesai Technology (Hesai Group)

RoboSense Technology Co., Ltd.

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Valeo SA

Luminar Technologies Inc.

Continental AG

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Innoviz Technologies Ltd.

Ouster Inc.

Velodyne LiDAR Inc.

Aeva Inc.

AEye Inc.

LeddarTech Holdings Inc.

Seyond

LIVOX

Blickfeld GmbH

SiLC Technologies Inc.

Insight LiDAR

Industry Related Reports by Mordor Intelligence

Used Truck Market: The used truck market is projected to grow from USD 55.38 billion in 2026 to USD 70.74 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.02%, driven by increasing demand for cost-efficient commercial vehicles, expansion of logistics and e-commerce sectors, and growing preference for refurbished and pre-owned trucks among fleet operators.

Electric Vehicle Battery Swapping Market: The electric vehicle battery swapping market is projected to grow from USD 2.08 billion in 2026 to USD 7.33 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 28.61%, driven by rising EV adoption, growing need to reduce charging time, expansion of swapping infrastructure, and increasing partnerships between OEMs and energy providers to improve operational efficiency and user convenience.

Get More Information: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/electric-vehicle-battery-swapping-market?utm_source=prnewswire

Automotive Software Market: The automotive software market is projected to grow from USD 21.08 billion in 2026 to USD 32.93 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 9.33%, driven by the rise of software-defined vehicles, increasing integration of ADAS and connected features, and growing demand for over-the-air updates and advanced vehicle functionalities.

About Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals.

With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics.

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SOURCE Mordor Intelligence Private Limited
Large-cap stocks are known for their staying power and ability to weather market storms better than smaller competitors. However, their sheer size makes it more challenging to maintain high growth rates as theyve already captured significant portions of their markets.

These trade-offs can cause headaches for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find high-quality companies that can grow their earnings no matter what. That said, here is one large-cap stock whose competitive advantages creates flywheel effects and two whose existing offerings may be tapped out.

More from Yahoo Scout Why is TransDigm considered a worthwhile large-cap investment? What makes Illinois Tool Works a risky investment? Why should investors be cautious about PNC Financial? How do large-cap stocks balance stability versus growth?

Two Large-Cap Stocks to Sell:

Illinois Tool Works (ITW)

Market Cap: $78.68 billion

Founded by Byron Smith, an investor who held over 100 patents, Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) manufactures engineered components and specialized equipment for numerous industries.

Why Are We Wary of ITW?

Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth Anticipated sales growth of 3.2% for the next year implies demand will be shaky Earnings growth over the last two years fell short of the peer group average as its EPS only increased by 3.8% annually

Illinois Tool Workss stock price of $271.68 implies a valuation ratio of 23.8x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ITW doesnt pass our bar.

PNC Financial Services Group (PNC)

Market Cap: $90.5 billion

Tracing its roots back to 1852 when Pittsburgh's industrial boom demanded stronger financial institutions, PNC (NYSE:PNC) is a diversified financial institution that provides retail banking, corporate banking, and asset management services through a coast-to-coast branch network.

Why Does PNC Worry Us?

Scale is a double-edged sword because it limits the firms growth potential compared to its smaller competitors, as reflected in its below-average annual net interest income increases of 8.8% for the last five years Inferior net interest margin of 2.8% means it must compensate for lower profitability through increased loan originations Tangible book value per share is projected to decrease by 5.2% over the next 12 months as capital generation weakens

PNC Financial Services Group is trading at $222.54 per share, or 1.5x forward P/B. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including PNC in your portfolio, its free.

One Large-Cap Stock to Buy:

TransDigm (TDG)

Market Cap: $65.83 billion

Supplying parts for nearly all aircraft currently in service, TransDigm (NYSE:TDG) develops and manufactures components and systems for military and commercial aviation.
The easiest stocks to own are the ones that pay you growing dividends every year. Dividend income lets you sit back and appreciate a steady cash stream coming to your portfolio, regardless of where a stock trades in the interim.

Growing dividend payouts are the best stocks to own with this strategy for those with a longer time horizon, even if their current dividend yields aren't high.

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 

But how do you determine what stocks have the best dividend growth potential? It all comes down to earnings growth. Here are two dividend stocks worth buying more of, even at today's prices.

Image source: Getty Images.

Betting on new age nicotine

Tobacco use is declining worldwide. But nicotine usage is not. Non-tobacco nicotine products are growing faster than the decline of traditional cigarettes, with new products like electronic vaping and pouches bringing the category back to growth.

No company has benefited more from this transition than Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM). The tobacco giant generated $16.9 billion in revenue from its smoke-free business in 2025, up 15% year over year, and now accounts for more than 40% of overall sales. Brands such as Zyn in nicotine pouches and Iqos in heat-not-burn smoking devices are growing quickly around the globe in wealthier markets like the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Right now, Philip Morris stock is down 18.5% from all-time highs, sporting a starting dividend yield of 3.8%. As the company's new-age nicotine products continue to grow, its record-high operating income of $14.4 billion last year will keep rising. This will fuel dividend growth, as the stock's dividend has risen 44% cumulatively over the last 10 years. Philip Morris International is a great dividend growth stock at today's prices.

An incoming profit inflection

Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) is undergoing an even larger business transition compared to Philip Morris International. It is currently transitioning its player base to its new Nintendo gaming hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2, which was released less than a year ago. The device is projected to have sold 19 million units through the end of Nintendo's fiscal year, which ended in March.

The stock's current dividend yield is 2.1%, which is below the desired level. However, investors can use management's 60% dividend payout policy as a barometer for where dividends might grow in the years ahead.
GM SECR conducts comprehensive & intensive safety inspection in Nagpur Division





Business Reporter :

Tarun Prakash, General Manager of South East Central Railway (SECR), conducted a comprehensive and intensive safety inspection of the Chhindwara - Seoni - Nainpur - Gwarighat (Jabalpur) rail section under the Nagpur Division on Friday. The inspection, aimed at evaluating operational efficiency and safety standards, commenced at Chhindwara station and concluded at Gwarighat station, covering various intermediate stations, track structures, bridges,

and signaling systems. At Chhindwara station, the General Manager reviewed the progress of development works under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. On the occasion, the General Manager inaugurated the newly constructed Railway Institute and an RPF Post and performed digital launch of a new rest house booking app.

In addition to this, during the visit, a high-level meeting was also held with MP Bunty Vivek Sahu and members of the station consultative committee. Discussions focused on regional rail development, expansion of passenger amenities, and the strengthening of safety protocols were also held. At Chaurai station, the General Manager performed a technical evaluation of - curves, points, and crossings. Prakash issued strict directives to further enhance the quality of track maintenance and ensure zero-compromise on safety parameters. At Seoni Station, the inspection team assessed passenger amenities and cleanliness. The General Manager inaugurated a newly built Electric Substation and a Subsidiary Track Machine Rest House.

He also met with MP Bharti Pardhi to discuss regional requirements and the expansion of train services. In the Kevalari and Nainpur sections, a strategic meeting was held with Sampatiya Uikey, Minister of Public Health and Engineering, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The inspection was attended by Divisional Railway Manager Deepak Kumar Gupta, and other senior officers.
India, US make positive progress in trade talks





NEW DELHI :

INDIA and the US made positive progress during three-day trade talks in Washington this week, with both sides agreeing to remain engaged to sustain the momentum going forward, the Government said on Friday. About a dozen officers from India were in Washington during April 20-22 to hold discussions with the US authorities on finalising the details of the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The talks deliberated on issues including market access, non-tariff measures, technical barriers to trade, customs and trade facilitation, investment promotion, economic security alignment and digital trade, statement. The meetings were conducted in a constructive and positive spirit, with meaningful and forward-looking discussions enabling progress on key matters. Both sides agreed to remain engaged to maintain this momentum as they move forward, it said.

As the tariff landscape has changed in the US, both sides are relooking at the framework of the agreement, the text of which was released on February 7. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said India is a tough nut to crack. Following the decision of the US Supreme Court against the sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on a number of countries, the Trump administration imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all countries from February 24 for 150 days. According to that framework, the US had agreed to reduce tariffs on India to 18 per cent, from 50 per cent. It had removed the 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods for buying Russian oil and was to cut the remaining 25 per cent to 18 per cent under the pact. But on February 20, the US Supreme Court ruled against Trumps reciprocal tariffs which were imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). After that, the President announced the imposition of 10 per cent tariffs on all countries for 150 days, starting February 24.

Under the agreed framework, India proposed to eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products. India had also expressed its intentions to purchase USD 500 billion of US energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal over the next five years. The meeting was also important as when India finalised the deal, it enjoyed a comparative advantage over its competitor countries. Now, with all US trading partners facing a uniform 10 per cent tariff, the pact requires recalibration.

So the agreement will have to be recalibrated, and redrafted, a Government source had said. As the circumstances have changed, every country is engaging with the US to see what is going to be the nature of their trade agreements with America. Further, the US Trade Representative (USTR) in March had launched two unilateral investigations against a number or countries including India. India has strongly rejected allegations made by the US Trade Representative in those two investigations under its Section 301 of trade law and has requested to terminate the probes as the initiation notice has failed to provide cogent rationale to substantiate the claims.
Israel-Hezbollah truce extended by 3 weeks





WASHINGTON :

PRESIDENT Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group by three weeks after talks at the White House on Thursday. Trump said the meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States, the second in the past week, went very well, but during an Oval Office gathering he acknowledged that they do have Hezbollah to think about. The Iranian-backed group has opposed the talks, and since the initial ceasefire went into effect last Friday, there have been multiple violations by both sides. Despite that, these were the first direct diplomatic talks in decades between Israel and Lebanon and represented a major step for neighboring countries that officially have been at war since Israels inception in 1948. The initial 10-day ceasefire had been due to expire Monday.

The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah, Trump said in a social media post. He added later in the Oval Office that he expects to meet in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the next couple of weeks. Trump told reporters, while surrounded by the ambassadors as well as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that Israel has a right to defend itself if theyre shot at, and they will. We hope that together, under your leadership, we can formalise peace between Israel and Lebanon in the very near future, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad thanked Trump for all your effort to help and to support Lebanon. She referenced his Make America Great Again slogan when she said, And I think with your help, with your support, we can make Lebanon great again.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Turkiye could contribute to clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz if a peace agreement is reached between Iran and the United States, AzerNEWS reports.

Fidan made the remarks after completing a two-day visit to the United Kingdom, where he spoke to Turkish media representatives about regional security developments, including tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. He said Turkiye maintains regular contact with all sides and closely follows ongoing diplomatic efforts.

He welcomed a recent two-week ceasefire, noting that it has helped reduce tensions in the region. According to Fidan, only a few unresolved issues remain and these could still be overcome through negotiations.

"There are one or two stuck issues, and we believe they can be resolved," he said, expressing cautious optimism about the possibility of reaching a broader agreement.

Fidan emphasized that if a comprehensive agreement is reached between Iran and the United States, the removal of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz could become a key priority. He noted that such an operation would be humanitarian and technical in nature rather than a military alignment with any side.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.
The past six months have been a windfall for SM Energys shareholders. The companys stock price has jumped 40.9%, hitting $29.29 per share. This run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.

Is now still a good time to buy SM? Or is this a case of a company fueled by heightened investor enthusiasm? Find out in our full research report, its free.

More from Yahoo Scout Is SM Energy's current valuation still attractive? What drove SM Energy's 40.9% stock surge? How does SM Energy's gross margin compare? What makes SM Energy's cash flow generation exceptional?

Why Are We Positive On SM?

Operating across three key regions with over 328,000 net acres under its control, SM Energy (NYSE:SM) explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids primarily from shale formations in Texas and Utah.

1. Skyrocketing Revenue Shows Strong Momentum

A companys long-term performance can give signals about its business quality. Even a bad business, especially in a cyclical industry, can shine for a year or so, but a top-tier one should exhibit resilience through cycles. Over the last five years, SM Energy grew its sales at an exceptional 22.9% compounded annual growth rate. Its growth surpassed the average energy upstream and integrated energy company and shows its offerings resonate with customers.

SM Energy Quarterly Revenue

2. Elite Gross Margin Powers Best-In-Class Business Model

In a single quarter or year, gross margins in the sector can swing wildly due to commodity prices, hedging, or changes in labor costs. Over a multi-year period across different points in the cycle, gross margin differences can signal whether a company is a structurally-advantaged producer (rock quality, takeaway, operating costs) or not.

SM Energy, which averaged 88.3% gross margin over the last five years, exhibits enviable unit economics in the sector. It means the company will remain profitable at lower commodity prices than peers with inferior gross margins and serves as an advantaged starting point for ultimate operating profits and free cash flow generation.

SM Energy Trailing 12-Month Gross Margin

3. Excellent Free Cash Flow Margin Boosts Reinvestment Potential

If youve followed StockStory for a while, you know we emphasize free cash flow. Why, you ask? We believe that in the end, cash is king, and you cant use accounting profits to pay the bills.

SM Energy has shown terrific cash profitability, driven by its lucrative business model that enables it to reinvest, return capital to investors, and stay ahead of the competition. The companys free cash flow margin was among the best in the energy upstream and integrated energy sector, averaging 20% over the last five years.

SM Energy Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin

Final Judgment

These are just a few reasons why SM Energy ranks near the top of our list, and with the recent surge, the stock trades at 4.3 forward P/E (or $29.29 per share). Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, its free.
Oppn moves fresh notice in RS for removal of CECGyanesh Kumar





Delhi Bureau & Agencies :

NEW DELHI :

, Apr 24 OPPOSITION parties on Friday submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking to move a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, sources said. The Oppositions fresh charges on Kumars proved misbehaviour include continued partisan asymmetry in the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, including the poll panels failure to act on complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the nation on April 18. According to sources, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC leader Sagarika Ghose submitted the notice to the Rajya Sabha In the Rajya Sabha, 73 Opposition MPs have just submitted a new notice of motion to their Secretary General to present an addressed resolution to the President of India, urging the removal from office of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Ramesh said on X.

This demand is based on proven misconduct arising from his actions and errors committed on March 15, 2026 and thereafter, which falls under Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India when read with Article 124(4), as well as Section 11(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, he said. The Congress leader said there are now nine specific charges against the CEC, which have been recorded in extreme detail and which cannot be denied or suppressed. His continued hold on the position is an assault on the Constitution. It is utterly shameful that this individual remains in office, so that he can continue to act on the directions of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, Ramesh said.

The notice calls for an address to the President for Kumars removal, invoking provisions of the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. The MPs have cited a series of alleged actions and omissions by the CEC, which they claim cumulatively amount to misconduct of a grave character. These include alleged partisan enforcement of the model code of conduct, public remarks and social media communication targeting a political party, administrative lapses, and conduct deemed unbecoming of a constitutional authority. Among the key allegations are claims of inaction over complaints related to a televised address by the Prime Minister on April 18, as the Model Code of Conduct was in force ahead of elections in some states. Referring to complaints by political parties and concerned citizens, it said,

As on the date of this notice, Gyanesh Kumar has issued no show-cause notice, no advisory, and no public response to any of the said complaints. It said this is in stark contrast to the alacrity of action in respect of analogous complaints filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party against opposition leaders. The notice mentions the poll panels post on microblogging platform X on April 8 following a meeting with a delegation of TMC leaders, where it claimed it gave a straight talk to the party. The notice says it was the first occasion in the constitutional history of India when an official communication channel of a constitutional body publicly named and denigrated a recognised political party engaged in an ongoing electoral contest. Mentioning the TMCs charge that Kumar asked them to get lost when the party delegation had gone to meet the full bench of the Election Commission, the notice alleges that the CECs conduct is unbecoming of a constitutional functionary. The charges also include a reported incident involving the use of the BJP state units seal on an official document in Kerala.

It further raises serious concerns over the handling of electoral roll revisions, especially in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, alleging large-scale deletion of voters and the use of questionable criteria, calling it mass disenfranchisement. Additionally, the MPs have raised concerns over the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in poll-bound states, alleging that these actions exceeded the constitutional mandate of the Election Commission. Members of Opposition parties such as the Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, Left parties, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), RJD, IUML and like -minded parties have signed the notice, sources said. The move comes days after similar notices submitted by Opposition MPs in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were rejected by the respective presiding officers. It was the first time that a notice seeking the removal of a CEC was submitted in Parliament.

In its earlier notices, the Opposition had accused CEC Kumar of failure to maintain independence and constitutional fidelity and of acting under the thumb of the executive. However, in almost similar responses, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan had rejected the notices, holding that even if the allegations were assumed to be true, they did not meet the high constitutional threshold of misbehaviour required for his removal. The Opposition urged the Rajya Sabha chairman to admit the notice and constitute a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the charges against Kumar. It further sought Kumars recusal from election-related duties pending the outcome of the inquiry. If admitted and subsequently approved by both Houses of Parliament with the required special majority, the motion could lead to Kumars removal from the post of CEC.
Stand-off intensifies after Trumps shoot & kill order





DUBAI :

TENSIONS in the stand-off between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz intensified on Friday after US President Donald Trump said he ordered the US military to shoot and kill Iranian small boats in the Strait, while Iran pushed back on Trumps claim there was a leadership rift in the Islamic Republic. In Iran, there are no hard-liners or moderates. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries, Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote in almost identical social media statements. Since the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the first strike of the war on February 28, it has been unclear who in Iran wields ultimate authority over its collection of civilian figures and powerful generals who appear to be in charge.

On Friday, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press that Irans top diplomat is expected to travel to Pakistan by this weekend for talks. Pakistan has been trying to restart ceasefire negotiations between Iran and the United States, but details have been scant so far. The stand-off between the US and Iran has effectively choked off nearly all exports through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 per cent of the worlds traded oil passes in peacetime, with no end in sight. The UN peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon, or UNIFIL, says Corporal Rico Pramudia, 31, died at a Beirut hospital after he was critically wounded following a projectile explosion in his base in Adchit al-Qusayr, southern Lebanon, on March 29. The attack in Adchit al-Qusayr also killed an Indonesian peacekeeper. Two other Indonesian peacekeepers were also killed in southern Lebanon shortly after.

Kuwait says, explosive drones launched from Iraq have struck two sites on the northern land border on Friday morning. The Kuwait army said on X that the drones caused material damage, but that there were no reports of casualties. Some residents in Beirut believe South Lebanon should be included in a ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. They said a deal will not be sustainable without a lasting truce between Iran and the United States. It is not related to Hezbollah and Israel, but to Iran and the US. If they reach an agreement, the whole of the Middle East will be calm, but if not, there will be escalation in Lebanon and the rest of the world, Joe Ghafari said.
A February 2025 file photo of Connecticut Foodshare truck backed up to one of the loading bays at the non-profits distribution center on Research Parkway in Wallingford, Conn. The facility will undergo a 50,000 square foot expansion that will begin later this summer. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media An exterior view of the Connecticut Foodshare distribution center, in Wallingford, Conn. from February 2025. The facility on Research Parkway will undergo a 50,000 square foot expansion that will begin later this summer. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

Hunger fighting non-profit Connecticut Foodshare has sold its Bloomfield warehouse as part of an effort to save money, even as it prepares to expand its Wallingford warehouse.

The $3.5 million sale of the Bloomfield warehouse to a Windsor-based container maker, All Crate Inc., closed late last month. Jason Jakubowski, Foodshare's president and chief executive officer, said the sale of the 51,880 -square foot warehouse at 450 Woodland Ave. in Bloomfield will reduce the non-profit's operating expenses substantially.

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"It was costing us $300,000 just to keep the lights on and keep our cold storage freezers operating," Jakubowski said. "These are difficult times for us because we're seeing less money coming in and less food coming in. We're very pleased with what we sold it for."

The plan to sell the Bloomfield warehouse "has been in the works for about five years," he said, ever since Foodshare merged with the state's other large food pantry. Foodshare merged with the Connecticut Food Bank in January 2021.

"The Wallingford warehouse is about 10 years old, whereas the Bloomfield warehouse is more than 20 years old," Jakubowski said. "Logistically, the Wallingford warehouse made more sense because its right off of Interstate 91. The Bloomfield warehouse was three or four miles from the highway."

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With the sale of the Bloomfield warehouse now complete, Foodshare officials are focusing their attention on a 50,000 square foot expansion of the Wallingford warehouse, which is currently about 81,000 square feet. Jakubowski said Foodshare officials are currently procuring steel for the project and selecting a general contractor to do the work.

"We're hoping to break ground in July or August and it will take about a year to complete," he said. "The expansion will allow us to double our freezer space, which is important there are certain times of the year when we are not able to take in as much food as we need because there just isn't any room for it. We're also adding some space to the main warehouse and increasing our volunteer space."

About 6,700 volunteers per year help Foodshare fulfill its mission, Jakubowski said. Foodshare has about 125 paid employees, he said.

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The expansion project in Wallingford will be paid for in part with a $2 million federal grant, he said. The project will also result in Foodshare getting a second entrance.

The main entrance to the Wallingford warehouse is off Research Parkway. Jakubowski said a new truck entrance will be added off of Joseph Carini Road, which connects Research Parkway and Thorpe Avenue.

The sale of the Bloomfield warehouse leaves Foodshare with only one other storage facility besides the Wallingford location. Jakubowski said the food bank has a small satellite warehouse in Bridgeport to serve constituents in Fairfield County.

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A container ship is seen in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. Asghar Besharati/AP From left, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad, listen to President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, right, speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad, listen during a meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP Mourners carry the coffin of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike, during her funeral procession in the village of Baysariyeh in southern Lebanon on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Mohammed Zaatari/AP Zainab, the sister of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike, hugs her helmet as she mourns over her coffin in the village of Baysariyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, April 23, 2026. Mohammed Zaatari/AP

President Donald Trump says he told top U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press.

Trump said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House. The meeting was the second high-level negotiation between the two countries since last week. The initial 10-day ceasefire, which took effect last Friday, had been due to expire Monday.

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The Trump administration is placing economic sanctions on a major China-based oil refinery and roughly 40 shipping companies and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil. The move, announced Friday, actualizes the administrations threat to impose secondary sanctions on entities that do business with Iran, an effort to cut off Irans key source of revenue  its oil exports.

Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices. Heres what to know if your flight is canceled.

Here is the latest:

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Irans foreign minister will visit Pakistan again

Thats according to a report by Irans state-run IRNA news agency.

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It says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will return to Pakistan after his current visit to Oman on his way to visiting Russia.

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The report said he was expected to be back in Islamabad on Sunday and would join other members of his delegation who had gone to Tehran for consultations and instructions on the topics related to the end of the war.

US says its hunting for explosive mines in latest push to open the Strait of Hormuz

Trump says the U.S. Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The vital sea route for Persian Gulf oil is closed to most ships, and thats a strain on the global economy.

Experts say sweeping for underwater explosives could take months despite a tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

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Any future claims that the U.S. cleared the waterway where 20% of the worlds oil typically passes might fail to convince commercial freighters and their insurers that its finally safe.

Theres only so much the U.S. can do to give that confidence back to commercial shipping, said Emma Salisbury, a scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institutes National Security Program.

Seeking out mines is among the latest tactics announced by the Trump administration to get traffic moving again through the strait as rising energy prices and wider economic effects pose a political risk.

 Read more

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Trump says Iran presented new offers 10 minutes after he canceled US teams trip

Amid the stalled negotiations with Iran, the president said the Iranians sent over a new peace proposal, but that it could have been better, and rejected it.

They gave us a paper that could have been better, and interestingly, immediately when I canceled it, within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better, Trump said to reporters on Saturday before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington from Florida.

The President wouldnt offer specifics about what was in the latest proposal other than saying they offered a lot. But he stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

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Trump said he canceled the latest rounds of negotiations with Iran because it was a lot of traveling and because his negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, werent meeting with the leader of the country.

Trump said the U.S. will deal by telephone and they can call us anytime they want before adding that we have all the cards.

Israeli fire kills one Palestinian in Gaza, health officials say

The drone strike near a school in northern Gaza City wounded at least two others, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.

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The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel continues to carry out near-daily strikes across Gaza, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed despite a ceasefire with Hamas since October, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Pakistan PM, Iran president hold warm talks on regional situation

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone on Saturday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, holding what he described as a warm and constructive discussion on the evolving regional situation.

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In a post on the social platform X, Sharif said he appreciated Irans continued engagement, including the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

He added that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an honest and sincere facilitator to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.

Netanyahu orders vigorous strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

The statement by the prime ministers office follows a string of rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel and on Israeli ground troops in southern Lebanon on Saturday. There were no injuries.

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Also on Saturday, Israel launched multiple airstrikes in southern Lebanon while a fragile temporary ceasefire was in effect, killing at least six people it said were Hezbollah militants.

Netanyahu has instructed the army to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the statement said, without providing further detail.

Irans top diplomat arrives in Oman

Abbas Araghchi has arrived in the capital, Muscat. Hes expected to meet about regional developments. Oman was a mediator for indirect talks before the war.

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Iran says continued US naval blockade will trigger powerful response

Irans joint military command warned in a statement Saturday that if the U.S. continues its naval blockades, banditry, and piracy in the region, it will provoke a decisive military response from Iran.

The statement, carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, added that if the U.S. and Israel renewed their aggression, they would face more losses.

It remains unclear whether Iran and the U.S. will resume negotiations soon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan, the key mediator in the negotiations between the two countries, a few hours ago, with no immediate word on possible resumption of talks. Shortly after, Trump said in a social media post that he called off sending U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations.

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Pakistan eases Islamabad restrictions after Iran delegation leaves

Pakistani authorities on Saturday evening began easing restrictions following the departure of an Iranian delegation and a U.S. decision not to send its delegation to Islamabad for potential talks, offering relief to hundreds of thousands of residents after nearly a week of near-lockdown conditions.

The developments signal a setback to Pakistans efforts to host a second round of talks.

The Islamabad administration said in a post on the social platform X that entry of all types of public and goods transport has been allowed. It added that bus terminals across the capital have reopened, except for a key terminal on the citys outskirts, which will remain closed until further notice.

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The move is expected to improve the supply of fruit, vegetables and other essential items in the capital.

Trump says he called off dispatching top U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran

The president said in a social media post, I just canceled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad.

That came shortly after Trump told Fox News that hed instructed U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to go.

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He wrote in the subsequent post, Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!

The president also repeated his past suggestions that the leadership of Iran remains unsettled, writing, Nobody knows who is in charge.

Trumps post followed two Pakistani officials saying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Pakistan without meeting U.S. officials.

Trump tells Fox News hes no longer sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks

Trump says he told top U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want.

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In a brief phone interview, Trump told Fox News that he told U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Youre not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.

Trump also said of the U.S. side, We have all the cards.

His comments on Saturday came after the White House said Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would be heading to Pakistan for another round of negotiations with Iran.

Lebanons top Sunni religious authority backs the presidents right to hold talks to end war with Israel

The Supreme Islamic Sharia Council, headed by Lebanons Sunni Muslim Grand Mufti Abdul-Latif Derian, said that the constitutional right of President Joseph Aoun to pursue diplomatic negotiations to end the war with the Zionist entity should be respected.

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The council blasted Israel, saying it launched a devastating and relentless war on Lebanon and committed the most heinous and dangerous crimes.

Lebanon and Israels ambassadors to Washington held two rounds of talks this month, the first official meetings between the two countries in decades.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group is opposed to direct negotiations with Israel and has blasted the meetings held in Washington.

Trump said this week that Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in Washington in the coming weeks.

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There has been no official confirmation from Lebanon that Aoun will attend such a meeting with Netanyahu.

Lebanons Health Ministry raises death toll to 2,496

The ministry added in figures released Saturday that 7,725 people were wounded in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out on March 2.

The war started after Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel two days after the U.S. and Israel attacked its main backer, Iran.

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A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on April 17. The ceasefire was extended by three weeks on Thursday.

Despite Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli strikes kill suspected militants and Hezbollah fires on Israel

The Israeli military said that in multiple strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, it killed six people that it said were militants. And several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon, the army said, causing no injuries.

A 10-day ceasefire, in effect since April 17, has been repeatedly violated by both sides. On Thursday, Trump said Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend it by three weeks. Hezbollah has not been part of the ceasefire talks.

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One strike, in the village of Yohmor, killed three people driving a truck that the army said was loaded with weapons. A second strike in that area killed a person on a motorcycle. A third strike, in the Litani area, killed two people that the army said posed a threat to Israeli ground forces.

Irans foreign minister leaves Islamabad without meeting US envoys, Pakistan officials say

Two Pakistani officials say Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Pakistan without meeting U.S. officials.

Senior Pakistani officials were at an airport near Islamabad to see him off. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

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Araghchi had met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials about matters including Irans red lines in negotiations.

 Cara Anna

Israeli airstrikes kill 4 people in southern Lebanese village

Lebanons Health Ministry said that Israeli airstrikes on the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon targeted a pickup truck and a motorcycle, killing four people.

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Saturdays airstrikes came despite a 10-day ceasefire in place since April 17.

Since the truce went into effect, it has been repeatedly violated by both sides.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks.

Pakistans prime minister meets with Irans foreign minister

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday at the prime ministers office in the capital, Islamabad.

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Sharifs office issued a statement saying the meeting was ongoing.

It said Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir were also present.

No further details were immediately available, and the statement only said the current regional situation will be discussed.

Irans top diplomat meets with Pakistan army chief

Irans top diplomat and Pakistans army chief have discussed efforts to launch a new round of talks with the United States.

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Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Telegram that he met with Pakistans Field Marshal Asim Munir Saturday morning in Islamabad, Pakistans capital, and explained Irans views on ending the war between the Islamic Republic and the U.S.

Araghchi didnt offer further details, but said Tehran will continue engaging in the Pakistani-led mediation efforts until a result is achieved.

Irans president calls on people to save electricity

Irans president has urged people to reduce their use of electricity after American and Israeli strikes damaged the countys energy infrastructure, state media reported.

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President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government aims to control consumption of electricity, according to the Iranian state television.

Instead of turning on 10 lights at home, turn on two lights. What is wrong with that? he said.

He said the U.S. and Israel destroyed our infrastructure, and noted that the U.S. imposed a blockade on Irans ports.

Commercial flights resume at Tehrans airport

Commercial flights resumed Saturday at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran for the first time since the war with the United States and Israel started about two months ago.

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Irans state-run television reported the airport has flights to Istanbul in Turkey, Omans capital, Muscat, and the Saudi city of Medina.

Flightradar24, a flight tracking platform, showed at least three Istanbul-bound flights departed Saturday morning.

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month during a ceasefire with the U.S.

Germany to deploy minesweeper ships

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country plans to deploy minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean, which later could be transferred to the Strait of Hormuz.

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We will deploy a minesweeper to the Mediterranean and provide it with a command and supply ship, Pistorius told the Rheinische Post newspaper Saturday.

He did not say exactly when the ships are scheduled to depart.

After an end to hostilities between the U.S., Israel and Iran, the German minesweepers could be deployed in the Strait of Hormuz, though such a mission would need to be approved by Germanys parliament.

To save time, we have decided to deploy part of the German units to the Mediterranean early on so that  once the mandate is approved  we do not lose any further time, Pistorius said.

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Islamabad locked down before talks

Pakistans capital Islamabad appeared to be in a near-lockdown Saturday morning, hours after Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived on a closely watched visit as Pakistan attempts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.

The weeklong security restrictions have disrupted daily life, with hundreds of thousands of residents struggling to commute even short distances. Checkpoints, road closures and diversions have become routine sights, particularly around sensitive zones.

The usually busy arteries leading to the airport and the heavily fortified Red Zone were largely deserted early Saturday, with movement tightly restricted. Soldiers and police were at key intersections while helicopters circled overhead.

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The measures were reinforced over the past 24 hours on the citys outskirts with additional forces stationed along key airport access routes. Soldiers were visible on rooftops overlooking major approach roads, particularly near the airport where the Iranian delegation arrived late Friday.

Iran executes another man over alleged ties to Mossad

Iran hanged a man Saturday over alleged ties to Israels Mossad intelligence agency and his participation in anti-government protests in January.

Erfan Kiani was the latest in a series of executions in Iran following the war and nationwide protests.

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The Mizan news agency of Irans judiciary announced Kiani was convicted of charges including attacks on security forces in the city of Asfahn in January.

The agency claimed he was on a mission for Mossad without offering evidence.

Human rights activists long have said Iran convicts people in closed-door trials without allowing defendants to properly defend themselves.

There recently have been multiple executions of alleged spies, as well as protesters and those affiliated with an Iranian exiled opposition group.

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Pakistan president will travel to China

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to travel to Beijing on Saturday to begin a weeklong visit at the invitation of the Chinese government.

Discussions will include economic and trade cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

China has played a role in facilitating Pakistan as a host for ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. Zardari is expected to discuss his countrys efforts to host a second round.

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The visit is part of a longstanding tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and holds special significance as they mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said.

It reflects the deep commitment of both countries to further strengthening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, the ministry said.

Iran's foreign minister arrives in Pakistan

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met late Friday with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir shortly after arriving in Pakistans capital Islamabad, officials said.

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On Saturday morning Araghchi met with Munir and Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, officials said.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the Iranian delegation will hold talks with Pakistans senior leadership on the latest regional developments and efforts to promote peace and stability.

The visit comes as Pakistan is also preparing to receive U.S. envoys, although officials have not specified when Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due in Islamabad.

Egyptian and Pakistani officials discuss the Iran war

Egyptian and Pakistani foreign ministers late Friday discussed efforts to launch a new round of talks between the United States and Iran.

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Badr Abdelatty of Egypt spoke by phone with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Miss Indian World Dania Wahwasuck is introduced to the crowd during the last Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, April 24, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP Dancers pause under the arena lights during the grand entry at the last Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, April 24, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP Hundreds of dancers enter the arena during the opening grand entry at the last Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, April 24, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP This photo provided by Andrew Steven Hansen shows Miss Indian World Shayai Lucero, front left, at the Stanford University Powwow in 1997, in Stanford, Calif. (Andrew Steven Hansen via AP) Andrew Steven Hansen/AP Miss Indian World Dania Wahwasuck greets morning commuters on the Rail Runner Express train after departing Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Susan Montoya Bryan/AP

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Codi High Elk was a shy teenager most comfortable caring for horses on her family's ranch on the Cheyenne River Reservation when she threw away an application to compete in a new pageant for Indigenous women  an application her brother fished out of the trash, sending her on a path to becoming the first Miss Indian World.

That was in 1984, when High Elk remembers letting her six older siblings do most of the talking and wanting no part in a competition that required public speaking. But the event that transformed her from shy teen to an ambassador for her people has come to an end.

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From the day I got my crown, my life changed, said High Elk, who credits her time as Miss Indian World with giving her the confidence to pursue two degrees and a career expanding credit access for Lakota people. I want that same opportunity for my granddaughters.

The pageant has been a headlining event at Gathering of Nations, a massive and at times controversial event that bills itself as the largest powwow in North America, for more than four decades. The competition shaped the lives of young women from across the U.S. and Canada eager to share cultural knowledge and compete for the prestigious title and iconic, intricately beaded crown.

But this year will be the last for the powwow, with the final Miss Indian World named in 2025. Organizers have said the time has come for the events to end, but gave no other details.

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The pageants rotating collection of beaded crowns are set to be retired when the two-day gathering culminates Saturday. In time they may be offered to a museum for display, said Melonie Matthews, daughter of the Gathering of Nations founder.

Stiff competition

Dania Wahwasuck, of the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Pyramid Lake Paiute tribes, won her title before a roaring crowd last year. Her pastel-colored crown and sash featuring a star quilt motif and another set that sparkles with rhinestones and shades of pink will be among those retired Saturday.

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The pageant invited Indigenous women, aged 18 to 25, to compete. Contestants had to be single, with no children and pledge to maintain specific moral standards.

Contestants described an intense five-day process with interviews, public speaking and a highly anticipated traditional talent showcase.

Tori McConnell, who won the title in 2023, sought advice from Karuk and Yurok elders while developing her performance. She showcased traditional basketry, explaining first in Karuk and then in English how she weaved using materials gathered from her ancestral homelands in northwest California.

To have our art recognized on that level was so validating, McConnell said. Not just for me but for my community.

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A cultural ambassador

The Miss Indian World crown has traveled around the world, from a Maori Haka competition in New Zealand to the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan and the Oceti Sakowin camp at the height of protests at Standing Rock against an oil pipeline.

In the summer of 1984, High Elk recalls scouring a Paris grocery store for ingredients to make fry bread and Lakota tripe soup for the university students who had invited her there.

You become an ambassador not just for your own culture but for all Indigenous peoples, said Shayai Lucero, who was crowned Miss Indian World in 1997.

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Lucero, who comes from Acoma and Laguna pueblos in New Mexico, did not grow up in a powwow culture. But at the 1997 Stanford University Powwow, she was embraced by a community of pueblo people who had been in the Bay Area for decades due to a federal program that sought to relocate Native Americans off reservations and into cities.

All these people showed up who knew my family, knew our language and traditions, said Lucero. Suddenly, I felt at home.

During their tenure, winners have advocated for causes ranging from Indigenous language revitalization to domestic violence prevention.

Cheyenne Kippenberger, Miss Indian World 2019, focused on mental health as COVID-19 forced ceremonies, cultural events and community gatherings to shut down. As the only two-year titleholder, she hosted online events and encouraged Native people to get vaccinated.

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I remember thinking, everybodys feeling really lonely and confined. We need to find a way to connect people, said Kippenberger, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Florida.

The end of an era

There are no plans for the Miss Indian World pageant to continue, the organization said. The title is trademarked by the Gathering of Nations, Ltd., the nonprofit that operates the powwow and pageant.

Over the years, Gathering of Nations has been criticized and called overly commercial. Founder Derek Mathews, who at times has claimed distant Cherokee ancestry but is not a tribal citizen, has made few public comments in response.

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Melonie Matthews, who is Santa Clara Pueblo on her mother's side, said the organization did not consider transferring the Miss Indian World trademark to any other group.

The Miss Indian World pageant goes hand in hand with the powwow. It was never a stand-alone event, she said in an emailed statement.

Several former titleholders, however, have been exploring the creation of a new national pageant for Indigenous women.

A lot of us were saying Miss Indian World is bigger than one powwow," Lucero said. We don't need the powwow to continue her legacy.

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Many tribal nations and powwows crown royalty. But young women who dream of representing their communities on a national, Native-focused pageant stage won't have that avenue. Five years ago, Miss Native American USA crowned its last winner. The Miss Indian Nations and Miss Indian America titles also are defunct.

Many past Miss Indian World titleholders who went on to become lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, language and culture bearers and sisters to one another say the crown empowered them as leaders.

It's a bittersweet feeling, said Kippenberger, who now heads a tribal consulting firm. "But I feel full confidence and optimism that something positive will fill in the gap.
The Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside a warehouse at 3080 Main St. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media The Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside a warehouse at 3080 Main St. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media An industrial property at 3080 Main St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside the Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. Joseph Villanova/Hears Connecticut Media An industrial property at 3080 Main St. in Hartford, pictured on April 14, 2026, has been listed for sale alongside the Express Kitchens showroom at 231 Weston St. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  The Hartford showroom of a kitchen fixture supplier Express Kitchens has been listed for sale, marketed alongside another nearby warehouse it used to occupy.

Real estate agency NAI James E. Hanson has listed for sale a 5.39-acre property at 230 Weston St. in Hartford, currently home to a 120,295 square-foot warehouse and showroom occupied by Express Kitchens. The Weston Street property has been marketed alongside 3080 Main St., a 1.7-acre site with a 50,758 square-foot warehouse located around the corner that formerly served as an Express Kitchens showroom.

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Express Kitchens, a venture of businessman and Hartford Chamber chairman emeritus Max Kothari, offers cabinets, countertops, sinks, and other fixtures, as well as remodeling consultations. The company has other showrooms in Bristol, Brookfield, New London, Newington, Orange, and Stamford, as well as "Factory Outlet" stores in both Bristol and Hartford.

Brochures for the two buildings state that the properties will be "delivered 100% vacant at closing," providing an opportunity for investment within Hartford's industrial market.

"Strategically positioned in Hartfords Northeast neighborhood, just north of downtown along the Connecticut River, the assets offer exceptional regional connectivity with direct access to Interstate 291, Interstate 91, Interstate 84, and Interstate 384," NAI Hanson said. "This central location provides efficient access to the greater Hartford market as well as key Northeast distribution corridors between New York and Boston."

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The brochures further state that 231 Weston St. is in Hartford's ID-1 industrial zone, which allows for a variety of industrial and warehousing uses, and 3080 Main St. is a preexisting nonconforming industrial use within the city's NX-2 zone.

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The property listings and related documents do not include a list price, instead inviting interested parties to request pricing.

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Tous Les Jours, a French-Asian bakery chain, in New Haven. The second location recently opened in New Britain, just south of the West Farms Mall. File photo Tours Les Jours, a French-Asian chain bakery, has opened a second location in Connecticut in New Britain. Courtesy Tours Les Jours

NEW BRITAIN  Tous Les Jours, a new French-Asian fusion chain bakery at 585 Hartford Road is giving customers with an American palate, a taste for matcha, taro and red bean flavored pastries and baked goods, its owner says.

Especially the matcha flavor croissants and the taro buns, said owner Wei Lin. Those are really new to a lot of people, especially when, when most people don't even know what taro is. Taro is a starchy tuber vegetable, often ground into a powder.

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Tous Les Jours taro cream buns are made of bread dough infused with taro and filled with taro-flavored buttercream, with taro almond cream used as secondary filling or topping, according to the Tous Les Jours website.

Korean cloud cakes are also a hit with patrons, said Lin. These chiffon sponge cakes are filled with light fluffy buttercream and come in many flavors, from classic strawberry, chocolate to green tea and strawberry lychee, according to the Tous Les Jours website. Other French-Asian fusion treats are baked goods made from red beans, including breads and pastries filled with sweetened adzuki bean paste, and range from soft, pillowy buns to crispy, sugar-coated donuts, the website reads.

Honey cheese mochi pancakes, made from a rice flour and filled with a cream cheese mixture and glazed with honey is also a crowd-pleaser, Lin said.

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At the New Britain location, signature drinks such as matcha latte and tiramisu latte are popular.

Those are going out pretty well, Lin said, adding they are introducing a new drink called ube latte. Ube is a purple starchy root vegetable, he said. It looks similar to a sweet potato and is sweet like one, too, he added.

Lin, originally from West Hartford, moved to New York where he worked in the restaurant business for more than 10 years. He returned to Connecticut but his family would often drive to the city just for Asian pastries.

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Now he owns his own bakery. It's stressful, but also interesting because we're trying to figure out everything from scratch and, a lot of these issues are really new to us, he said.

The cafe-bakerys location in the Brittany West Plaza situated between Costco and Westfarms Mall is a big plus, Lin said, as the store gets a lot of traffic.

Lin said he plans to eventually open three more Tous Les Jours in the state: We're looking for new locations to expand, just that we haven't found the right place yet. The growing Asian population in the state led him to open this bakery, he said, adding there are not many places that serve Asian pastries in the state.

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The Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday night to appoint Jules Douge to the role. Douge has served as acting principal of the elementary school since January, when Silvermines former leader Yesenia Parades vacated the position.

Douge previously served as the assistant principal of West Rocks Middle School before going to Silvermine. Before that, he was a social worker at the magnet elementary program Kendall College & Career Academy.

It was there that current School Superintendent Alexandra Estrella first met Douge, an encounter she shared during the Board of Education meeting Thursday night. Estrella said Douge caught her attention during a visit to the school as he was helping a student calm down.

The love, care, compassion, empathy that he exhibited that day made me go into the principals office and say, 'Whos that person? ' Estrella said. He was doing such an incredible job of supporting this little young person.

Douge, who speaks Spanish, thanked the board for appointing him to the position.

To my students, you are the center of my work, he said, in a brief speech. I will fight tirelessly to ensure that you are heard and seen no matter the circumstance.

A press release from Norwalk Public Schools described Douge as having a calm presence and a student-centered approach.

Entering the position mid-year, Douge took the time to connect with the Silvermine community, making it a priority to listen and learn, the press release said. He committed to meeting with staff, families and students to better understand what is working well and where additional support was needed. Douge holds a masters degree in social work from Hunter College, as well as a masters in health administration from the University of New Haven. He received his sixth-year degree administrator certification from Sacred Heart University.

As of Tuesday, Paredes was still an employee of Norwalk Public Schools, according to district spokesperson Emily Morgan. She did not provide any more information related to Paredes' employment.

About a dozen parents from the school spoke during a Board of Education meeting on March 31 and claimed that the overall quality of bilingual instruction at the school had declined under Paredes, who had been the principal there since 2022.

Two parents spoke Thursday night, thanking the Board of Education for appointing Douge to lead the school.

As a Silvermine community, we are rebuilding and we are ecstatic with what is to come for our community, parent Jessica Hopkins said.
HARTFORD  Sarah Keitt, a second term member of the General Assembly, isnt happy.

Its 10 p.m. on a spring Thursday. The debate on legislation that would require annual registration of parents who teach their kids at home is only about two-thirds through. Another Republican member of the House of Representatives is offering extended opposition arguments identical to those raised during the previous four hours.

But after the final 96-53 vote is tallied at 11:46 p.m., Keitt, who appreciates the gorgeous Gothic architecture of the 1878 State Capitol building, must confront a series of makeshift wooden ramps, lifts and elevator rides to start her early morning journey back home to Fairfield.

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Keitt, 56, has multiple sclerosis and must plot her arrivals and departures with care to confront as few staircases as possible. The historic building, a monument to the American Civil War, has only three elevators, plus a couple of shorter, mechanical lifts she can use after wheeling around half the circumference of the 151-seat House chamber.

When the General Assembly breaks next month for election season, Keitt said she expects to focus on making the historic site more compliant under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Second-term state Rep. Sarah Keitt, D-Fairfield, in the historic hall of the House of Representatives, in the State Capitol. Keitt, who has multiple sclerosis, says it can be challenging to get around the Capitol. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

Keitt, a Democrat with a masters degree in public health, says she loves the work on her four committees, including Public Health, Human Services, Children, and Commerce, of which she is vice chair. But just getting around makes her public service a little harder.

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In 2022, she ran for the seat representing the Greenfield Hill neighborhood left vacant when Republican Laura Devlin left the legislature to become the lieutenant governor running mate to Bob Stefanowski, who was defeated in the governors for a second time by Ned Lamont.

We couldnt find anybody who was interested in running, so I said why not me? says Keitt, whose surname is pronounced Kit. Her seat is in the top row of the 102 Democratic desks that make up two-thirds of the semicircle of tiers and that is accessible only by steps. The job of state representative is both rewarding and frustrating on its own, without the added logistics, she says.

I love it when I can help constituents, says the mother of a college graduate and undergraduate. I love it when we pass meaningful legislation. I get frustrated with incremental changes when we have some really big problems that need big ideas.

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In the end, she says, Its an amazing opportunity and an honor and I get to give voice to people who dont otherwise have a voice.

MS symptoms begin

Keitt started noticing symptoms of the autoimmune disease in 2000, when she was living in Washington, D.C., and working for a nonprofit health research organization.after earning a masters degree in public health from Georgetown University.

It started insidiously, she says. I used to walk to work, one-and-a-half, two miles a day to and from work every day.

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And I found myself not being able to get home. I had to stop and rest. Normal work days I couldnt make it through without becoming weak and tired and dizzy.

Doctors first said it was in her head and maybe she was depressed, she says. But months went by and she developed numbness in both her legs.

Then I started losing the vision in one of my eyes, she says. Finally, a neurologist nailed the diagnosis, which triggered a series of tests, hospital visits and treatment for multiple sclerosis, which attacks the covering of nerve fibers.

Once I got on the right medications and things settled down, it became manageable and almost unimportant, she recalls. After 26 years, I am just starting to have some accumulation of disability. I dont know if this is a flare-up or its my new normal.

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A few feet behind Keitt, against the back wall, is the four-wheeled walker with the hand brakes and storage area that can double as a wheelchair.

Getting around this building is difficult, but its a lot easier than worrying about tripping and falling, Keitt says. Before she got the walker, she says it had been six months since she went on a neighborhood stroll with her husband.

This building is not very ADA friendly and its something I want to work on, she says as the House debate drones on in the background. We handle disabilities in this country horrifically. For example, my insurance does not cover my mobility device.

She calls MS an invisible disease that has been the subject of much misinformation, forcing some people to hide their diagnosis.

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Its really expensive to have a disease like this, she says. I really want to destigmatize MS for those who are suffering from it and for family members. A diagnosis of MS can be devastating, but it does not mean that your life is over. We just have to incorporate the disease in your life, to make the most of it and not be afraid to say, hey, I need a mobility device. I need accommodations at work. "

Journey through the Capitol

For Keitt to get to the second-floor Democratic caucus room, she takes the walker around the outside of the top tier of seats and into a lift down a few feet and then changes to another lift to get down to the second floor. There are still two steps to get into the caucus room, but she says she can navigate them, for now.

The caucus room is on the east side of the Capitol, but the womens restroom is on the west side, so Keitt has to get in an elevator, take it down to the first floor and walk around the rotunda to the west side.

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Its an historic building and I understand that, she says. We need to make this building accessible for everybody. This is the peoples house  and if people cant get into it, its not the peoples house.

Connecticuts peoples house is not alone in 19th century design that creates barriers.

State capitols across the country, they dont have the best accessibility standards, said Laura Hoch, vice president of state advocacy and policy for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It essentially makes it harder to get older buildings updated. Some people with MS cant access these buildings at all, the public as well.

The possible remedies are legal changes, laws from legislatures or informally persuading building supervisors to cobble accommodations, Hoch said.

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On the Capitols west side on the second floor, in front of an entrance to the House chamber, is an unpainted wooden ramp with two-by-four handrails that can get wheeled devices and wheelchairs up a couple steps. But people are still confronted with granite steps into the historic Hall of the House.

The Connecticut State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark where little can be changed without scrutiny. The State Capitol Preservation and Restoration Commission, an advisory board of 12 appointees, works in cooperation with the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Management in reviewing any planned changes, including a massive upcoming rehabilitation of the exterior that will add a new layer of gold on the 257-foot exterior dome.

Weve done some things, but not enough, said state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, chair of the commission and co-chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. Its not just the Capitol side. We have been looking at the (Legislative Office Building) side, trying to make sure that in particular, people who are in wheelchairs or who use wheeled devices can get into meeting rooms.

Osten noted that some of the bigger meeting rooms in the LOB have recently had rows of seats removed so wheelchairs can better maneuver. In recent years, Osten said she has inserted funding for translators, but the sound system requires more-flexible microphones for people testifying from wheelchairs.

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Osten said the work will continue after the legislative session, and she looks forward to collaborating with Keitt.

Shes right. Its very hard to get around, Osten said. People in wheelchairs who travel between the Capitol and the LOB often take an elevator to the basement, where historic brick floors can make wheeled equipment wobble.

If you have thin tires you can get stuck in the bricks, Osten said, adding that the historic status of the Capitol prohibits major changes. Can you poly over the bricks, keeping the bricks, as a workaround? We want to make sure we are doing what we can to make a better experience for people to come to our meetings.

Back in the House chamber, Keitt says shes optimistic and is running for a third term this fall.

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We need to do a lot more in this state and in this country to help people with disabilities stay vibrant, productive members of communities, she says. I would like to do a lot more about allowing people to have higher incomes while theyre on disability, but still receive benefits.
Darren Iozia is editor of the Big Rapids Pioneer, Lake County Star and Herald Review. He previously served as associate editor of the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, he moved to the U.S. and attended high school in Orlando, Florida, where his passion for photography and the arts eventually led him to pursue a career in journalism in college. He has experience in magazines and newspaper writing, photography and design for publications in Florida, Illinois and Michigan.
Marvell Technology (MRVL) is a fabless semiconductor giant with a broad product portfolio. It spans computing, including custom AI chips, optics, networking, storage, and security.

The companys major source of revenue is data centers, and in Q4, 74% of revenues came from that market. The rest of the revenue comes from end markets classified by the company as "communications" and "other."

Unsurprisingly, the key driver of the stock is artificial intelligence. Marvell's most important products are its custom AI accelerators, XPUs, and data center interconnect (DCI) modules.

The company reported its Q4 earnings on March 5. The stock closed 18.35% higher at $89.57 on the next day, according to Yahoo Finance.

The earnings were strong, and Goldman Sachs reset its Marvell price target.

The stock is up about 95% year to date, at the time of writing, Thursday morning, April 23, according to Yahoo Finance. Meanwhile, the SPDR S&P 500 index (SPY) is up about 4% in the same period.

The stock has outpaced the S&P 500, thanks to several key business deals and a rumor.

Key news for Marvell stock

On March 31, Nvidia and Marvell entered into a strategic partnership. The companies plan to connect Marvell to the Nvidia AI factory and artificial intelligence  radio access network (AI-RAN) ecosystem via Nvidia NVLink Fusion.

As part of the deal, Nvidia invested $2 billion in Marvell.

On April 20, Amazon expanded its partnership with Anthropic.

Amazon said it will invest $5 billion in Anthropic and up to an additional $20 billion in the future. Anthropic will secure up to 5 gigawatts of current and future generations of Amazons Trainium chips to train and power its AI models.

More Tech Stocks:

This means Anthropic has committed to spending more than $100 billion over the next 10 years on AWS technologies. A key part of this news are Trainium chips, which Amazon designs in partnership with Marvell. It's why this deal is excellent news for Marvell investors.

Marvell added roughly $5 billion in market cap on a rumored partnership with Google.

The source of the rumor was The Information. The Informations rumors may not always be reliable, as its previous one claimed that Microsoft was considering leaving Marvell for Broadcom (AVGO). This was refuted by Marvell CEO and Chairman Matt Murphy and completely debunked on the company's last earnings report.

The rumor that Google is looking to replace Broadcom with Marvell also carries little weight, since the two companies just revealed that they are expanding their partnership.

On April 22, Marvell confirmed the acquisition of Polariton Technologies, a developer of high-speed, low-power plasmonics-based silicon photonics devices.

As previously mentioned, DCI modules are a very important product. Polaritons plasmonics will improve it, thanks to its advantages over traditional silicon photonics, enabling higher density, massively parallel optical links with ultra-low energy per bit.

Marvell will acquire Polariton Technologies.Shutterstock

RBC Capital Markets raises Marvell price target

RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Srini Pajjuri updated his opinion on Marvell stock following Amazon and Anthropic's extension of their partnership.

The analyst said the agreement includes nearly 1GW of Trainium capacity this year, which he estimates would amount to approximately 1.5 million Trainium2 and Trainium3 chips.

Pajjuri believes the deal is a material positive for AWSs suppliers, Marvell and Astera Labs (ALAB), adding that the agreement gives him greater conviction in his 2027 estimates and longer-term growth expectations for both suppliers.

Related: Goldman Sachs resets Broadcom stock forecast

He estimates that each GW amounts to $2.5 billion to $3 billion in the XPU serviceable available market, of which he expects Marvell to account for at least half. He estimates approximately $1.6 billion in custom silicon revenues from AWS, representing 17% growth. Analyst noted that he expects upside to be somewhat constrained due to tight 3nm wafer supply.

In a research note shared with me, Pajjuri reiterated an outperform (buy) rating for Marvell stock and raised the price target to $170 from $115, based on a 31 multiple of his $5.51 EPS 2027 estimate.

This price target is based on the assumption that Marvell stock will trade slightly above its five-year average over the next 12 months, given 30% to 40% growth potential, share gains, and 35% or more expansion of the total addressable market for AI accelerators.

Pajjuri noted risks to Marvell rating and price target:

Hyperscaler capex slowdown

Stronger-than-expected ASIC competition

Linear Pluggable Optics displacing Digital Signal Processor demand

Related: Morgan Stanley resets Intel stock price target ahead of earnings

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Apr 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
CPSC warns shoppers to stop using recalled Costco heated socks. James Leynse/Getty Images

Consumers should check their closets. More than 200,000 heated socks sold at Costco stores nationwide have been recalled over a burn hazard.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall April 23, impacting about 207,806 32 Degrees heated socks.

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The issue stems from use during high-intensity activities. When heat, excessive friction, moisture and pressure combine, the socks can pose an injury risk including burns.

The heated socks were sold at Costco stores nationwide and online at Costco.com from August 2025 through March 2026 for $30 and $46.

Recalled 32 Degrees Heated Socks with rechargeable battery pack, user manual and packaging. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

The recall (No. 26-435) involves black heated socks sold in medium, large, and extra-large sizes. They are marked with 32 HEAT on the battery pack, packaging, user manual, and outer box.

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The socks were imported by David Peyser Sportswear, doing business as 32 Degrees, of New York, and manufactured in China.

So far, 14 incidents have been reported, including 13 cases of first- or second-degree burns.

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Consumers should stop using the socks immediately and return them to Costco for a full refund, according to the CPSC.
Despite Madison County remaining abnormally dry, flooding is still possible as water from upstream rainfall moves through area rivers, weather expert Alan Black says. sarayut Thaneerat/Getty Images Alan Black SIUE photo

Despite Madison County remaining abnormally dry, flooding is still possible as water from upstream rainfall moves through area rivers.

According to SIUE weather expert Alan Black, minor flooding is occurring along both the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Near their confluence at Grafton, water levels are above normal for this time of year.

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Black said the Mississippi River at Alton is not expected to reach flood stage, though it is currently at action stage.

The river is expected to gradually fall over the next week, but that depends on additional rainfall here and upstream, Black said.

He noted that residents in low-lying areas  particularly near the river or outside levee protection  should remain alert.

This doesnt look like a major flooding event locally, but the river is elevated, Black said.

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High river levels can also impact smaller waterways.

When the river is high, it can slow drainage from local creeks like Cahokia Creek and Judy Creek, Black said. That can cause water levels in those streams to stay higher than normal.

Black said the current conditions are driven largely by rainfall outside the region, not local precipitation.

Most of Madison County is still abnormally dry, he said. The flooding were seeing is largely due to water coming downstream from heavy rain upstream.

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According to drought.gov, about 73.3 percent of Madison County  particularly areas north of Interstate 70  is classified as abnormally dry.

Its possible to have flooding and still be in a drought, Black said. The drought depends on local rainfall soaking into the ground, while river flooding can come from rain that fell anywhere upstream in the basin.

With spring typically the wettest time of year, Black said conditions can change quickly, especially with additional rainfall in the forecast.

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Weather.com is calling for Edwardsvilles best chance of rain April 27, with below-average chances over the next seven days.
AJ French serves as CEO for Gift of Voice, a mental health training and technical assistance center. Courtesy AJ French

As parents, we want the best for our children. When they make mistakes, we want them to learn and do better next time. As Illinoisans, we want the best for our state. When our state makes mistakes, we want to learn and do better next time. When people have harmed us, we want them to pay for their crime.

If youve ever lost a loved one to murder, or if you or your loved one has ever been violated, there are no words that can bring back what was stolen. Nothing  not even the maximum sentence allowed by law  can restore innocence. Pastor Nelson Vargas knows this full well. Pastor Nelsons son was murdered.

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Nelson was at church praying when his wife arrived and gave him the news that shattered him into a million pieces. He wasnt a pastor back then. In fact, he had only been a Christian for about three months when his newfound faith was tested in this unfathomable way. He would never hold his son again.

When Carlos was sentenced, the Judge said I want you to feel remorse for what you did. He had little remorse then, but over time, he continued thinking about what the Judge had said. Ten years into his sentence, Carlos got saved. Ten years later, he was released from the rightful conviction of murdering Nelsons son.

Article One, Section Eleven of the Illinois Constitution mandates criminal penalties according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship. In other words, the punishment must come to an end and the person must be restored.

With April being Second Chance Month, lets focus on the latter. What is necessary to restore people to useful citizenship? As a community, what can we learn so we do better next time? This question is perhaps best answered by people who have been restored to useful citizenship.

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Employment. Employment. Employment.

People with felony convictions have the same basic needs as people without felony convictions. We all need love. We all need a place to live. We all need food, clothing and healthcare. Most of us need some means of transportation, and at some point, we all need a second chance.

Restoration responsibility extends beyond the Illinois Department of Corrections to countless employers who are hiring. Hope for a second chance is where justice and mercy are first introduced. Justice can be measured by the terms of a prison sentence, whereas mercy can be measured by conditions for useful citizenship.

Offering a second chance requires us to not judge someones very worst day against our very best day. Hiring managers are trusted to exercise wisdom and discernment when interviewing and making hiring decisions. Hiring compassion for a qualified candidate often results in tremendous employee loyalty.

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Today, Carlos  who once killed another mans son  is a family man with a son of his own. On Saturday he and his wife bought paint for their home. He works full time and is advancing in his profession. Whats the difference between Carlos and over sixty percent of the prison population who return within three years?

When Carlos was saved, he was embraced by his faith community as a full-fledged member. When he was hired, he was given a chance to be restored to useful citizenship. It was another kind of salvation for Carlos, his wife and his young son when employment brought forth the place where justice and mercy kiss.
Is AMD a good stock to buy? We came across a bullish thesis on Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. on Joe Gannons Substack by Gannon Capital. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on AMD. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.'s share was trading at $303.46 as of April 22nd. AMDs trailing and forward P/E were 109.00 and 42.37 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is a semiconductor company that has evolved from an underdog PC chipmaker into a central pillar of the global artificial intelligence infrastructure race. Under Dr. Lisa Su, the company pivoted toward high-performance computing, leveraging its chiplet architecture and TSMC manufacturing strategy to structurally close the gap with Intel while directly challenging Nvidia in AI accelerators.

Read More: 15 AI Stocks That Are Quietly Making Investors Rich

Read More: Undervalued AI Stock Poised For Massive Gains: 10000% Upside Potential

Its Data Center segment, led by EPYC CPUs and the MI300 Instinct GPUs, has become the core growth engine, capturing significant share in cloud workloads across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud as hyperscalers seek alternatives to Nvidias pricing power. Strategic acquisitions such as Xilinx, Pensando, and ZT Systems have transformed AMD into a full-stack infrastructure provider spanning CPUs, GPUs, networking, and embedded systems, reducing cyclicality and improving margin quality.

Meanwhile, partnerships with OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, and Sony validate AMDs positioning as the critical second source to Nvidia in AI compute, as demand for diversified supply chains intensifies globally. Despite execution risks around software (ROCm) and supply constraints, AMDs improving free cash flow, rising data center mix, and structural share gains in servers position it for a multi-year rerating as AI infrastructure spending expands.

Overall, AMD represents one of the most compelling structural growth stories in semiconductors, transitioning from a survival-driven challenger to a strategic enabler of AI workloads, with upside driven by accelerating GPU adoption, enterprise CPU share gains, and expanding hyperscaler dependence on a credible alternative to Nvidias ecosystem dominance in the long-term global infrastructure cycle ahead today.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) by StockOpine in May 2025, which highlighted strong data center growth, AI-driven demand, and expanding EPYC and Instinct adoption. AMD's stock price has appreciated by approximately 163.90% since our coverage. Joe Gannon shares a similar view but emphasizes on AMDs evolution into a full-stack AI infrastructure provider and its positioning as a strategic alternative to Nvidia.
Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the ten research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $256.8333.

AIZ has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Assurant from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Assurant from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Assurant in a research report on Monday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on Assurant from $255.00 to $246.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Assurant from $248.00 to $240.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 6th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Assurant

Insider Transactions at Assurant

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Assurant

In other news, EVP Subhashish Sengupta sold 1,880 shares of Assurant stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.53, for a total value of $395,796.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,895 shares of the companys stock, valued at $609,484.35. This trade represents a 39.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, CAO Dimitry Dirienzo sold 750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.98, for a total transaction of $158,235.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 4,741 shares in the company, valued at $1,000,256.18. This represents a 13.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . In the last three months, insiders sold 2,650 shares of company stock valued at $558,331. Insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its stake in shares of Assurant by 37.9% during the third quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 37,148 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,046,000 after purchasing an additional 10,200 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Assurant by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 124,993 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,076,000 after purchasing an additional 16,388 shares during the period. GW&K Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Assurant by 25.6% in the 3rd quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 274,862 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $59,537,000 after purchasing an additional 56,009 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Assurant by 1,823.1% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 45,386 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $9,871,000 after buying an additional 43,026 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Assurant by 23.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,010,373 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,085,247,000 after buying an additional 959,259 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.65% of the companys stock.

Assurant Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of AIZ stock opened at $229.69 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $221.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $225.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Assurant has a 1 year low of $183.39 and a 1 year high of $246.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.53 and a beta of 0.56.

Assurant (NYSE:AIZ  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The financial services provider reported $5.61 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.55 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $3.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.28 billion. Assurant had a net margin of 6.81% and a return on equity of 18.65%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.79 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Assurant will post 20.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Assurant Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were paid a $0.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Assurants dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.74%.

Assurant Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Assurant, Inc is a global provider of risk management products and services, specializing in the housing and lifestyle markets. The company offers insurance and related products designed to help consumers protect their homes, personal belongings, and electronic devices. Its core offerings include renters insurance, manufactured housing finance, flood insurance, mobile device protection plans, and extended service contracts for appliances and electronics.

Within its Global Housing segment, Assurant partners with mortgage lenders, financial institutions and government agencies to deliver specialty insurance and risk mitigation services.

Read More

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Crawford & Company (NYSE:CRD.A  Get Free Report) is one of 58 public companies in the BUSINESS SVCS industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Crawford & Company to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations and risk.

Dividends

Crawford & Company pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Crawford & Company pays out 76.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, BUSINESS SVCS companies pay a dividend yield of 1.4% and pay out -58.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Profitability

This table compares Crawford & Company and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Crawford & Company 1.50% 26.21% 5.74% Crawford & Company Competitors 4.66% 45.30% 6.92%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Volatility and Risk

22.5% of Crawford & Company shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 63.3% of shares of all BUSINESS SVCS companies are held by institutional investors. 55.3% of Crawford & Company shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 14.9% of shares of all BUSINESS SVCS companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Crawford & Company has a beta of 0.82, suggesting that its share price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Crawford & Companys rivals have a beta of 3.13, suggesting that their average share price is 213% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Crawford & Company and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Crawford & Company $1.31 billion $19.63 million 27.76 Crawford & Company Competitors $4.44 billion $156.10 million -8.50

Crawford & Companys rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Crawford & Company. Crawford & Company is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for Crawford & Company and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Crawford & Company 0 0 1 0 3.00 Crawford & Company Competitors 311 1289 1998 107 2.51

Crawford & Company currently has a consensus target price of $14.00, suggesting a potential upside of 29.32%. As a group, BUSINESS SVCS companies have a potential upside of 22.26%. Given Crawford & Companys stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Crawford & Company is more favorable than its rivals.

Summary

Crawford & Company rivals beat Crawford & Company on 9 of the 15 factors compared.

Crawford & Company Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Crawford & Company provides claims management and outsourcing solutions to the risk management and insurance industry, and self-insured entities. The company's Crawford Claims Solutions segment offers claims management services related to property, casualty, and catastrophe losses caused by physical damage to commercial and residential real properties, and personal properties, as well as marine losses. It also offers services in the areas of field investigation, catastrophe, evaluation, and resolution of property and casualty insurance claims; and various on-demand inspection, verification, and other task specific field services for businesses and consumers through a mobile platform. Its Crawford TPA Solutions segment provides claims and risk management services; desktop claim adjusting and claims evaluation services; initial loss reporting services for claimants; loss mitigation services, such as medical bill review and case management, and vocational rehabilitation services; and risk management information services, as well as administers trust funds established to pay claims. It offers services for workers' compensation, auto and liability, disability absence and medical management, and accident and health markets. The company's Crawford Specialty Solutions segment offers claims management services related to large and complex losses in various industries, such as commercial property, aviation, forensic accounting, marine and transportation, retail, building and construction, cyber, and energy. It also provides a customer-centric solution for various loss types comprising high-frequency and low-complexity claims, and large complex repairs; and outsourced contractor management services to personal and commercial insurance carriers, and consumer markets. The company operates in the United States, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, Canada, Australia, and internationally. Crawford & Company was founded in 1941 and is based in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

Receive News & Ratings for Crawford & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crawford & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Gorman-Rupp Company (The) (NYSE:GRC  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $75.03 and last traded at $74.4170, with a volume of 232338 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $66.21.

The industrial products company reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $176.59 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $170.61 million. Gorman-Rupp had a return on equity of 15.27% and a net margin of 8.45%.

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Gorman-Rupp Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Gorman-Rupps payout ratio is presently 34.08%.

Key Stories Impacting Gorman-Rupp

Positive Sentiment: Q1 results topped expectations  GormanRupp reported record net income of $17.8M, GAAP EPS of $0.68 vs. consensus $0.49, and revenue of $176.6M (up 7.7% year-over-year); incoming orders rose ~5.5%, supporting near-term demand visibility. Gorman-Rupp Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Q1 results topped expectations  GormanRupp reported record net income of $17.8M, GAAP EPS of $0.68 vs. consensus $0.49, and revenue of $176.6M (up 7.7% year-over-year); incoming orders rose ~5.5%, supporting near-term demand visibility. Positive Sentiment: Thirdparty coverage confirms the beat  Zacks and Yahoo Finance highlighted the EPS and revenue outperformance, which tends to attract shortterm buying and updates sellside models. Gorman-Rupp (GRC) Q1 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates

Thirdparty coverage confirms the beat  Zacks and Yahoo Finance highlighted the EPS and revenue outperformance, which tends to attract shortterm buying and updates sellside models. Positive Sentiment: Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19/share (payable June 10; record date May 15)  this marks the 305th consecutive quarterly dividend, reinforcing a strong shareholderreturn track record that can support investor confidence. Gorman-Rupp Company Declares Cash Dividend

Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19/share (payable June 10; record date May 15)  this marks the 305th consecutive quarterly dividend, reinforcing a strong shareholderreturn track record that can support investor confidence. Neutral Sentiment: Dividend yield is modest (~1.0%)  while the payout continuity is positive, the yield is low relative to income names, so the announcement is more sentimentsupportive than a major return boost for income investors. Gorman-Rupp Company Declares Cash Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Here are the key news stories impacting Gorman-Rupp this week:

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Gorman-Rupp in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on GRC

Institutional Trading of Gorman-Rupp

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Huntington National Bank bought a new stake in Gorman-Rupp in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Gorman-Rupp by 130.7% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 669 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in Gorman-Rupp by 125.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,690 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 939 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new stake in Gorman-Rupp in the 3rd quarter valued at $65,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its stake in Gorman-Rupp by 47.0% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,452 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 464 shares during the period. 59.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Gorman-Rupp Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $64.56 and a 200-day moving average of $54.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

About Gorman-Rupp

(Get Free Report)

Gorman-Rupp Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in the design, production and distribution of pumps and pumping systems. Its product lineup includes centrifugal self-priming pumps, submersible pumps, vacuum priming pumps and engineered pumps for applications such as water and wastewater management, sewage handling, dewatering, industrial processing and agricultural irrigation. The company supports both standard pump requirements and custom engineered solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and municipal clients.

Headquartered in Mansfield, Ohio, Gorman-Rupp has built a reputation for rugged, reliable equipment and aftermarket support services.

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Hypermarcas (OTCMKTS:HYPMY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 16 shares, a decline of 99.5% from the March 31st total of 3,024 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 46,208 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Hypermarcas Stock Performance

HYPMY stock traded down $0.16 on Friday, reaching $4.43. 1,826 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,350. Hypermarcas has a 12 month low of $3.62 and a 12 month high of $5.50. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $4.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.12 billion, a PE ratio of 13.03 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

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Hypermarcas (OTCMKTS:HYPMY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 12th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Hypermarcas had a net margin of 15.71% and a return on equity of 10.27%. The business had revenue of $414.22 million for the quarter.

About Hypermarcas

Hypermarcas SA is a Brazil-based consumer health and pharmaceutical company whose shares trade over the counter in the United States under the symbol HYPMY. Founded in the early 2000s and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, the company operates as a holding group for a broad portfolio of branded products in the healthcare and personal care sectors.

Through its various subsidiaries, Hypermarcas develops, manufactures and markets prescription and over-the-counter medications, alongside personal care, baby care, home care and nutritional supplement products.

Further Reading

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NS Solutions (OTCMKTS:NSSXF  Get Free Report) will likely be issuing its resultson Monday, April 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.3073 per share and revenue of $678.27 million for the quarter.

NS Solutions Stock Performance

OTCMKTS NSSXF opened at $14.11 on Friday. NS Solutions has a one year low of $24.85 and a one year high of $28.21. The businesss fifty day moving average is $13.82 and its 200-day moving average is $9.65.

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About NS Solutions

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NS Solutions Corp. is a Japanese information and communications technology (ICT) services provider specializing in systems integration, network solutions and managed IT services. As a subsidiary of the Nippon Steel Group, the company designs, implements and maintains end-to-end technology environments for enterprise customers across a range of industries. Its core mission is to help organizations modernize legacy systems, enhance operational efficiency and accelerate digital transformation through tailored technology strategies.

The companys service portfolio includes consulting and system design, application development, cloud migration and management, cybersecurity solutions and infrastructure outsourcing.

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Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) has launched its "Scatter Seeds of Kindness" platform to support children dealing with health challenges, including cancer.

The company has been recognized as the American Cancer Society's 2025 Corporate Partner of the Year for its long running involvement in cancer awareness and support programs.

Aflac, trading at $114.62, is pairing its insurance brand with a growing footprint in health related community programs. The stock has returned 6.9% over the past 30 days, 4.0% year to date, and 8.5% over the past year, with very large gains over the past 5 years. For investors tracking NYSE:AFL, this mix of financial track record and social impact activity provides additional context around the companys profile.

These new initiatives around childhood cancer support and the American Cancer Society partnership may influence how customers, employees, and communities view Aflac over time. For shareholders, it is another data point to consider when evaluating the companys brand strength, stakeholder relationships, and potential resilience across different market conditions.

Stay updated on the most important news stories for Aflac by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Aflac.

NYSE:AFL Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Apr 2026

 Beyond the headline: 1 risk and 2 things going right for Aflac that every investor should see.

Investor Checklist

Quick Assessment

 Price vs Analyst Target : At $114.62, Aflac trades roughly 2.5% above the US$111.86 analyst price target, with a wide target range between $97 and $130.

 Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading about 35.5% below an estimated fair value, suggesting upside according to that model.

 Recent Momentum: The stock has returned about 6.9% over the past 30 days, indicating recent positive price momentum.

There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold Aflac. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of Aflac's Fair Value.

Key Considerations
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GSSC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,798 shares, a drop of 92.3% from the March 31st total of 36,327 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 30,731 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of GSSC. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF by 850.0% in the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 399 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 357 shares during the last quarter. Optima Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Montag A & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $63,000. Worth Financial Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $201,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA increased its position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF by 368.1% during the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 2,804 shares of the companys stock worth $210,000 after purchasing an additional 2,205 shares in the last quarter.

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Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF Stock Performance

Shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF stock traded up $0.48 during trading on Friday, reaching $82.80. 23,169 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 51,986. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF has a 1-year low of $60.53 and a 1-year high of $83.69. The company has a market cap of $952.20 million, a P/E ratio of 15.78 and a beta of 1.04. The firms 50-day moving average price is $77.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $76.87.

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF Company Profile

The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks an index of US small-cap stocks. The index equally weights four factor-based sub-indices: value, momentum, quality, and low volatility. GSSC was launched on Jun 28, 2017 and is managed by Goldman Sachs.

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Shares of Unitil Corporation (NYSE:UTL  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $50.39 and traded as high as $52.23. Unitil shares last traded at $51.6350, with a volume of 79,462 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Unitil in a report on Friday, April 10th. They set a sector perform rating and a $57.00 price objective on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Unitil to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Unitil from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Unitil in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Unitil presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.00.

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Read Our Latest Report on UTL

Unitil Stock Down 0.1%

The company has a market cap of $950.05 million, a PE ratio of 17.60 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $52.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.45.

Unitil (NYSE:UTL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.10. Unitil had a net margin of 9.37% and a return on equity of 9.38%. The company had revenue of $161.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $144.45 million. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Unitil Corporation will post 3.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unitil Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th were issued a $0.475 dividend. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. This is a boost from Unitils previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 12th. Unitils payout ratio is currently 63.33%.

Institutional Trading of Unitil

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Unitil by 37.0% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 12,083 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $697,000 after buying an additional 3,263 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of Unitil by 4.3% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,478 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $547,000 after buying an additional 391 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in shares of Unitil by 64.6% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 86,678 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,000,000 after buying an additional 34,017 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its position in shares of Unitil by 18.6% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 67,293 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,882,000 after buying an additional 10,572 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in shares of Unitil by 63.3% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 33,529 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,934,000 after buying an additional 13,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.76% of the companys stock.

Unitil Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Unitil Corporation (NYSE: UTL) is a publicly traded energy delivery company that provides regulated electric and natural gas distribution services. The company delivers energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers through a network of distribution systems, offering safe and reliable service across its service areas. Unitils operations include system maintenance, emergency response, meter reading and customer support functions, all governed by state regulatory commissions.

Headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire, Unitil serves communities in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine.

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Management completed a comprehensive credit reassessment, shifting from projection-based lending to prioritizing borrowers with proven stable operating histories and core-market collateral.

Performance was driven by aggressive efficiency gains, with expense management efforts projected to represent approximately $30 million in cost savings for 2026, including $3.3 million saved this quarter through vendor contract renegotiations.

The bank is strategically pivoting toward international deposit growth, specifically targeting the reactivating Venezuelan economy where it leverages deep historical relationships and market expertise.

Operational focus has shifted to granularity, reducing single-borrower exposure and lowering allowable policy exception thresholds to ensure sustainable, predictable financial results.

International deposit growth of $188 million in Q1 was fueled by the easing of sanctions and increased flow of funds within Venezuela, providing a low-cost funding source with sub-1% incremental costs.
Garcia Moreno also pointed to operating leverage, noting consolidated EBITDA margin reached 40%, one of our highest margins that weve seen. He described mobile service revenue growth as resilient, with mobile service revenue up 6.4% year over year, postpaid revenue up 7.3%, and prepaid revenue up 5%.

EBITDA increased 3.8% in peso terms, outpacing revenue growth. Garcia Moreno said the figures reflected the appreciation of the Mexican peso versus other currencies in the companys operating regions compared with the prior year period. On a constant exchange rate basis, he said revenue rose 6.1%with service revenue up 4.6% and equipment revenue up 11.3%and EBITDA expanded 8%. Adjusting for the extraordinary proceeds tied to the Chile legal ruling, he said EBITDA rose 7.0%.

First-quarter revenue rose 2.1% in Mexican peso terms to MXN 237 billion. Garcia Moreno broke out performance as service revenue up 0.6%, equipment revenue up 7.4%, and other revenue up 108%, which he said included proceeds from a favorable ruling in Chile on account of a dispute around certain TV rights.

CFO Carlos Garcia Moreno said the company continued to see an acceleration of both postpaid subscriber growth and that of broadband accesses, with the postpaid base up 8.8% year over year and broadband accesses up 6% versus the year-ago quarter.

America Movil (NYSE:AMX) executives highlighted accelerating postpaid and broadband growth, higher profitability, and a continued focus on disciplined capital allocation during the companys first-quarter 2026 earnings call. Management also addressed currency volatility, handset supply considerations, and potential acquisition opportunities across Latin America and Eastern Europe.

CapEx and execution risks: 2026 CapEx is guided at about $7 billion , with country-by-country review due to FX exposure, while Argentina fiber deployment challenges and rising handset supply costs have prompted higher inventory and handset-financing working capital.

Capital allocation and M&A focus: Management is boosting its buyback fund, targeting net debt around 1.3x EBITDA , and actively pursuing acquisition opportunities across Latin America and Eastern Europe while weighing fiber, spectrum, and network deals.

Operational beat: Postpaid subscribers rose 8.8% and broadband accesses 6%, revenue grew 2.1% in pesos (6.1% constant FX) and EBITDA expanded faster than revenue, delivering a 40% consolidated EBITDA margin and net income up 25% to MXN 23.4 billion.

Story Continues

Profit, balance sheet, and cash flow

Operating profit totaled MXN 50.5 billion, up 12% year over year, Garcia Moreno said. Comprehensive financing cost declined 9.9%, which he attributed to lower net interest expenses. Net income increased 25% to MXN 23.4 billion, equivalent to MXN 0.39 per share and $0.44 per ADR.

 Amazon Stock Up 30%: Is AMZN Still a Buy Before Earnings?

Financial debt ended March at MXN 537 billion, up MXN 2.5 billion versus December, while net debt stood at MXN 437 billion. Garcia Moreno said net debt was equivalent to 1.41x EBITDA after leases.

He added that first-quarter cash flow covered:

MXN 21.6 billion in CapEx

MXN 1.4 billion in share buybacks

MXN 1.5 billion in labor obligations

He said the company also reduced net debt by MXN 1 billion during the quarter.

Capital allocation, buybacks, and M&A priorities

During Q&A, CEO Daniel Hajj said the company is seeking some space to pursue opportunities in Latin America and Eastern Europe, describing both regions as in very good shape. He cited recent deals including the closing of the network of Azteca in Colombia and Desktop, and said management expects additional opportunities.

Hajj emphasized balancing buybacks, leverage, and investment opportunities. He said the company is targeting net debt to reach more or less 1.3x (in the context of the net debt to EBITDA metric discussed on the call). He also said the company is increasing the fund MXN 10,000 more to have MXN 21,000 on the fund, adding, We want to buy back more, we want to take the opportunities.

Asked whether the company remains focused on fiber opportunities, Hajj said America Movil is considering everything, including fiber companies, spectrum, and network complementarity. He referenced spectrum purchases in Puerto Rico last year and said the companys recent actionssuch as Desktop and the backbone project with Azteca Colombiaillustrate the types of opportunities under review.

CapEx outlook, Argentina challenges, and handset inventory

Hajj said the company is reviewing CapEx plans country by country given exchange rate movements and the mix of spending in dollars and local currency. He said overall CapEx for 2026 is expected to be $7 billion, around $7 billion, with potential variability depending on exchange rates. He added the company expects a similar level in subsequent years and said additional detail will be provided at an Investor Day in May.

On Argentina, Hajj said the company is doing very good putting fiber and growing broadband and pay TV as part of a quad play strategy, but cited particular difficulty deploying fiber in Buenos Aires. He said challenges include being unable to rent telephone poles and difficulties deploying underground. He also said Buenos Aires could become more competitive given that Telecom buying Telefonica could result in high market share for a competitor.

On working capital, Garcia Moreno said the company increased inventory to be cautious about availability of supplies, noting strong equipment sales across several markets. He also said handset financing is contributing to working capital needs, pointing to Mexico where the company basically [is] leasing the handsets. Hajj added that memory chip prices have been rising and handset prices are increasing, prompting the company to ensure adequate inventory in case of shortages.

Mexico and Brazil: growth drivers, competition, and pricing

Executives fielded multiple questions on Mexico. Hajj attributed improving Mexico mobile trends to a stronger economy and wage increases, saying prepaid performance is closely tied to economic conditions. He also said postpaid growth has been strong over several quarters, supported by promotions, higher ARPU, and customers migrating to better plans and consuming more.

On Mexicos subscriber line registry requirements, Hajj said the registration process could reduce activations and increase base clean[ing] as unregistered lines face cancellation by July 1. He said he is focused less on headline line counts and more on good subscribers reflected in ARPU and revenues.

On fixed broadband, Hajj said he does not expect net adds to slow, noting the ongoing migration from copper to fiber and saying 93% of the base is now on fiber. He also cited a recent speed increase of roughly one-third at the same price. COO Oscar Von Hauske Solis added that the company is positioning its broadband offer for small businesses by bundling connectivity with cloud services, cybersecurity, and productivity tools, supported by a dedicated team.

In Brazil, Hajj said the company does not currently have plans to increase prices in mobile, broadband, or TV this year. He also said the company has been gaining in number portability for several years and that NuCel has helped expand portability gains, attributing performance to 5G quality, customer care, bundled offers, and promotions.

The company also addressed the possibility of working with Starlink on direct-to-cell services. Hajj said he believes large-scale direct-to-cell service would be tied to new satellites expected around 2027, but emphasized that the company is already in discussions and is open to partnerships that make sense. He added that direct-to-cell requires spectrum and said he was not sure about Starlinks spectrum position in Latin America.

America Movils next Investor Day will be held May 27 in New York City, Head of Investor Relations Daniela Lecuona said.

About America Movil (NYSE:AMX)

America Movil is a Mexican telecommunications company headquartered in Mexico City that provides a broad range of communications services. Established in the early 2000s out of the expansion of the Slim family's telecommunications holdings, the company is a major provider of mobile and fixed-line telephony, broadband internet and pay-television services in the region. Its operations span retail consumer services as well as wholesale and enterprise solutions, positioning it as an integrated communications provider across multiple customer segments.

The company markets services under several regional brandsmost notably Telcel in Mexico and Claro across many Latin American marketsand offers both prepaid and postpaid mobile plans, fixed and mobile broadband, fiber-to-the-home where available, and video/broadcast distribution services.

The article "America Movil Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Ideas & Opinions  Don Frazer: Lifting the Fog  What is wrong with this picture?
This rendering of a proposed AT&T telecommunication facility camouflaged inside of a traditional-design clock tower within the parking lot of the Gold Miners Inn in downtown Grass Valley is on the agenda for review by the DRC on Tuesday, April 28 at 9 a.m. at city hall.
Bernard Zimmerman is a local historian and a member of the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission and can be reached at berniezimmerman@me.com.
Shane Trigg: Thanks, Lori, and welcome to everyone joining us today. AppFolio, Inc. is off to a strong start in 2026. First quarter revenue reached $262 million, a 20% year-over-year increase and up from the 16% year-over-year increase we delivered in Q1 2025. Non-GAAP operating income grew 36% and was 27.3% of revenue, and GAAP operating income increased 50% and was 19.4% of revenue. We had the best first quarter in company history for residential new business unit acquisition, and units on platform grew to 9.5 million in line with our expectations and typical seasonality. This is an exciting time for our business and our industry.

For greater detail about risks and uncertainties, please see our SEC filings, including our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 12/31/2025, which was filed with the SEC on 02/05/2026. In addition, this call includes non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in our first quarter earnings release posted on the Investor Relations section of our website. With that, I will turn the call over to Shane Trigg. Shane, please go ahead.

Comments made during this conference call and webcast contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any statement that refers to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events, financial projections, future market conditions, business performance, or future product enhancements or development, is a forward-looking statement. AppFolio, Inc.'s actual future results could differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements for any reason, including those listed in our SEC filings. AppFolio, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Lori Barker: Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, everyone. I am Lori Barker, Investor Relations for AppFolio, Inc. I would like to thank you for joining us today as we report AppFolio, Inc.'s First Quarter 2026 Financial Results. With me on the call today are Shane Trigg, AppFolio, Inc.'s President and CEO, and Timothy Eaton, AppFolio, Inc.'s CFO. This call is simultaneously being webcast on the Investor section of our website at ffolioinc.com. Additionally, an audio replay of the call and a transcript of the prepared comments will be posted to the website. Before we get started, I would like to remind everyone about AppFolio, Inc.'s safe harbor policy.

Story Continues

AI is powerful, and we are putting it to work across every dimension of our business, accelerating performance for our customers while driving greater efficiencies across our own operations. At our annual FUTURE conference last year, we introduced Real Estate Performance Management, what we call RPM, a new way of thinking about value creation in real estate. RPM represents a fundamental shift from reactive, task-oriented property management to a holistic practice of delivering value across the entire real estate ecosystem: residents that love where they live, investors that see consistent strong returns, property management businesses that grow, serving communities that thrive.

Achieving that requires a performance platform that provides the harness for intelligent AI orchestration in real estate, with an AI-native architecture of three interconnected systems: a system of record, a system of action, and a system of growth, all accessible through one unified experience. There is a unique advantage in operating a mission-critical platform in a vertical market, sitting at the center of how our customers operate their business. Compliance is embedded in how our platform works, not layered on after the fact, and the domain knowledge we have encoded across residential real estate is sharpened by tens of thousands of customers.

Our RealmX Performers are fully operational AI agents built directly into the platform, taking ownership of entire workflows and doing the work with and for our customers. And by reimagining the resident experience with the services renters demand, we turn AppFolio, Inc. from a cost center into a growth driverone whose value deepens with every customer we serve. The RPM discipline we have introduced and the performance platform we have built are redefining what it means to win in real estate. It is gratifying to see the market embracing RPM and our customers turning it into daily practice. Dan Rubenstein puts it well.

He is the CEO of Hampton Management Associates, a 3,000-unit Bay Area property management company that this quarter signed a three-year renewal on our Max plan. I quote, AppFolio, Inc. is attacking the friction in our business by consolidating our tech stack into a single platform. By integrating Realmex performers to automate core workflows, we have transitioned our team from manual administrative tasks to high-value resident engagement. Partnering with AppFolio, Inc. allows us to spend less time on system maintenance and compliance and reallocate resources towards scaling. It provides one source of truth where everything is simplified, so we can stop reinventing the wheel and get back to the business of bettering our properties. End quote.

Dans experience reflects the type of customer outcomes we pursue through the pillars of our company strategy. Our first strategic pillar is differentiate to win. Starting with our system of action, our AI strategy is producing measurable commercial outcomes at scale. More than 99% of our nearly 23,000 customers are now using some form of our AI-powered Realm suite. AI actions are up 7x year over year, and Performer adoption has grown almost 500% quarter over quarter. The Business Intelligence Group has recognized this momentum, naming AppFolio, Inc. a 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award winner in the agentic AI category. Maintenance Performer is a good example, since it tackles a workflow that is universal in property management.

Resident issues do not stop at 5 PM and neither does AppFolio, Inc. Over half of all work orders are submitted after hours, and RealmX Maintenance Performer is there to respond to residents in an average of six seconds, triaging and troubleshooting the issue and automatically creating a work order when needed. This quarter, we enhanced the Maintenance Performer with new vendor follow-up capabilities. It now proactively contacts vendors, monitors open work orders, confirms completion, and logs every interaction automatically. Turning to our system of record, AppFolio, Inc. Stack is deepening what customers can do directly within AppFolio, Inc. while continuously expanding the categories it covers, most recently adding cloud communications through SimpleVoIP.

We have surpassed 5 million units connected on Stack, creating a powerful network whose value grows with every connection. The depth of these integrations is what sets them apart. Through our partnership with AvidXchange, Plus and Max customers can now manage their entire accounts payable life cyclebill payment, real-time status tracking, reconciliation, and fraud protectiondirectly within AppFolio, Inc. This is not just a data handoff between systems; it is the full workflow inside our platform. In our system of growth, we start with one conviction: the resident is at the center of the real estate ecosystem. When they thrive, so does everyone in the industry. And the data is clear on what that means for business performance.

Our national study of more than 3,000 renters confirms that a modern resident experience is a strong driver of satisfaction. The research shows satisfied residents are 72% more likely to renew and 34% less likely to plan a move, directly impacting NOI and property performance. But we are measuring something deeper than satisfactionthe impact on the daily lives of renters. Residents on our platform with access to resident services score 14% higher on the Cantril ladder for life satisfaction. The highest-leverage moment to deliver that value is at move-in. It sets the tone for the entire resident journey. It is where offering easy access to the right services becomes a differentiator for property managers. Resident Onboarding Lift transforms that moment.

Rather than a checklist of manual tasks, move-in becomes a streamlined, transparent, digital experience covering renters insurance, utility setup, and other essential services. The result is a 95% attach rate at move-in compared to 64% without it, and more renters with insurance coverage that protects their personal property. Our recent addition of group-rate Internet to Resident Onboarding Lift gives residents convenient, affordable connectivity from the moment they move in. And in the same rental research I mentioned a moment ago, 97% of group-rate Internet users say it saves them money and improves their financial well-being.

Brad Randall, the President of Welsh Randall and a nearly 6,000-unit AppFolio, Inc. customer headquartered in Ogden, Utah, explains it this way, and I quote, Residents complete the entire move-in on their phone. It walks them through each step clearly so they understand exactly what they are signing up for and why. The result is faster lease execution, fewer questions, and residents who feel confident and set up for success from day one. End quote. Our second strategic pillar is deliver performance efficiently. Let us start with how we are delivering for our customers. As the industry shifts towards RPM, ambitious operators are choosing AppFolio, Inc. to drive increased performance.

Mandy Management, a New Haven, Connecticut-based operator managing more than 3,000 units, is one of our newest customers. They selected AppFolio, Inc. to consolidate their disparate systems into one unified platform. By replacing clunky interfaces and manual accounting with integrated AI workflows and real-time reporting, they are streamlining everything from maintenance coordination to resident communications to accelerate performance. New customer momentum is one measure of our success. Equally important is the retention and growth we are driving within our own customer base. Since 2017, West Des Moines, Iowa-based Newbury Living has grown its portfolio to 2,300 units on AppFolio, Inc. They continue to consolidate new acquisitions under our platform, driven by our high-performance AI tools.

Rich Overhaull, Technology Implementation Coordinator at Newbury Living, explained, and I quote, We evaluated a specialized AI leasing solution alongside RealmX Leasing Performer and chose AppFolio, Inc. What won us over was how much AppFolio, Inc. already understood about how we operate. Other solutions required us to bring all that context to them. With AppFolio, Inc., it was already there. Since deploying Leasing Performer, our inquiry-to-completed-showing conversion rate has increased 20%, and Leasing Performer is now driving 57% of all completed showings, freeing our on-site team to stay focused on closing high-intent tours. End quote.

We are successfully attaching AI products when customers sign, expand, or renew with us, reflecting the growing value they see in our platform and continuing to drive growth for AppFolio, Inc. That value is rooted in how AppFolio, Inc. is built. A unified platform that tightly connects the system of record and the system of action provides the harness for intelligent AI orchestration. Our AI agents operate directly on governed real-time data and transaction workflows, reducing latency, avoiding connector fragility, and improving accuracy and security. AppFolio, Inc.'s AI data architecture gives agentic capabilities native access to the underlying data model and execution layer, enabling more reliable automation, better orchestration, and faster results.

The same discipline we bring to our customers performance we apply to our own. AI-native engineering is changing how we build. We are compressing the time from concept to deployment, enabling our teams to design, code, test, and refine products with greater speed and precision. That means more value in the hands of our customers faster. This shift is freeing our engineers to pursue the work that compounds long-term platform value, including market and customer opportunities that otherwise may have taken us longer to address. Our growing efficiency is reflected in our financial performance as we reduced R&D as a percentage of revenue year over year, which Tim will speak to shortly.

Our third strategic pillar is great people and culture. I am consistently inspired by our teams ability to innovate at an exceptional pace and make a real difference for our customers. It is their dedication that makes our vision to power the future of real estate a reality. I am pleased to share that AppFolio, Inc. has been recertified as a Great Place to Work for 2026. That recognition is a reflection of the people at the heart of this company, AppFolians who exemplify our values, live the AppFolio, Inc. way, and deeply care about our customers. On that note, I am delighted to announce that Kyle Triplett has been promoted to Chief Product Officer.

Many of you know Kyle from his leadership across our product organization, where he has been instrumental in delivering the AppFolio, Inc. performance platform and our RealmX AI capabilities. In this expanded role, Kyle will continue to lead our product strategy and design, advancing AppFolio, Inc.'s innovation leadership and ensuring our platform continues to set the standard for our industry. The RPM discipline we have introduced and the platform we have built are turning property managers into performance managers. And when they win, everyone in the real estate ecosystem does as well. With that, I will hand it over to Tim to share more about AppFolio, Inc.'s Q1 financial results.

Timothy Eaton: Thank you, Shane. I am pleased with our first quarter results and strong start to 2026, which demonstrate how our performance platform continues to deliver outcomes for our customers, and that customer value is increasingly visible in our financial results. In the first quarter, we delivered revenue of $262 million, growing 20% year over year, compared to $218 million in Q1 2025. Subscription services revenue, previously called core revenue, grew 18% year over year to $58 million, compared to $49.5 million in Q1 2025. This growth was driven by winning new customers, growth in total units under management, and an increasing number of customers upgrading to our Plus and Max premium tiers.

This tier-upgrade trend reflects the growing value customers are finding in RealmX Flows, our AI-powered workflow automation engine currently available in premium tiers, our expanding Stack partner ecosystem, and mixed product, mixed portfolio capabilities, such as student and affordable housing. First quarter revenue from value-added services grew 22% year over year, to $201 million, driven by increased adoption of our FolioGuard risk mitigation services, FolioScreen offerings, and online payments, as well as growth in units under management. Resident Onboarding Lift and Realmex Performerscomprising our Leasing, Maintenance, and Resident Messenger AI agentsare also increasing their contribution to value-added services revenue. We continue to be pleased with our acquisition and retention of customers and units.

At the end of the quarter, we managed approximately 9.5 million units, compared to 8.8 million units a year ago, representing an 8% increase. Customers grew to 22,520 from 21,105, a growth rate of 7%. Customer and unit retention continues to be strong and in line with historical averages. In summary, first quarter revenue of $262 million, growing 20% year over year, reflects our continued strength in winning new business and driving adoption of our products and services. Turning to margin, in the first quarter, GAAP operating income, which includes stock-based compensation expense, grew 50% year over year to $51 million, or 19.4% of revenue, compared to $34 million, or 15.5% of revenue, last year.

Non-GAAP operating income grew 35% to $72 million, or 27.3% of revenue, compared to $53 million, or 24.3% of revenue, in 2025. Continuing with non-GAAP measures, cost of revenue exclusive of depreciation and amortization was flat year over year at 36% of revenue. Efficiencies in our operations were offset by our payments product mix and additional data center spend to support our customers growing usage of our AI product capabilities. As a percent of revenue in the first quarter, sales and marketing was consistent with 2025 at 13%, as we continue to invest in additional sales capacity and go-to-market initiatives to drive new unit acquisition, premium-tier upgrades, and value-added services adoption.

R&D spending declined as a percentage of revenue to 16% from 17% in the prior year. The use of AI tools and systems is increasing the velocity of our innovation and the productivity of our engineering teams, particularly in areas such as the resident experience and AI product capabilities. G&A expense declined to 7% from 8% as a percentage of revenue, reflecting the benefits of scale and continued operational efficiencies. We exited the quarter with 1,721 employees, an increase of 4% from 2025, primarily reflecting growth in sales capacity, as we continue to invest to win new business, drive premium-tier upgrades, and increase adoption of value-added services such as Resident Onboarding Lift and Performers.

In the first quarter, we deployed $125 million to repurchase 702,500 shares. Our opportunistic share repurchase strategy is one component of how we are driving long-term shareholder value. In 2025 and 2026 to date, we have repurchased nearly 1.4 million shares and have another $125 million remaining of our existing share repurchase program. Our balance sheet remains healthy, providing financial flexibility as we continue on our mission to build the platform where real estate comes to do business. Now turning to our 2026 financial outlook.

We are raising our guidance for annual revenue to a range of $1.11 billion to $1.125 billion, for a full-year midpoint growth rate of 17.5%, fueled by adoption of our premium-tier offerings, growth in new business units, and increasing adoption of our products and services, including agentic AI Performers and new resident services. We continue to anticipate 2026 revenue seasonality to be mostly consistent with 2025. We are also raising our guidance for non-GAAP operating margin and expect to deliver between 26% and 28%, compared to 2025 at 24.7%. Cost of revenue exclusive of depreciation and amortization is expected to be relatively flat as a percentage of revenue compared to 2025.

While we expect to continue hiring in areas including sales, operating expenses as a percent of revenue are projected to decline modestly as we scale and leverage AI to drive efficiency across our internal operations. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding is now anticipated to be approximately 36 million for the full year. To close, Q1 reflects continued long-term shareholder value creation through revenue growth, margin expansion, and disciplined capital allocation. Together, these priorities are designed to grow operating cash flow over time, manage dilution, and drive durable customer performance. We are pleased with our results and remain focused on executing on our vision to power the future of real estate.

Thanks to all of you for your support and interest in AppFolio, Inc. Operator, this concludes todays call.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes todays conference call. You may now disconnect. Goodbye.

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It was a long time coming, but on Friday, April 24, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India delivered the final verdict on Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL). Its banking licence has been cancelled, effective from the close of business that same day.

The RBI invoked Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the provision that empowers the central bank to cancel a licence when the conditions for holding one are no longer met.

The regulator found that PPBL's affairs were being conducted in a manner detrimental to its own depositors, that its management was prejudicial to public interest, and that it had failed to comply with the specific conditions attached to its Payments Bank licence.

With no prospect of course correction, the RBI concluded that no useful public purpose would be served by allowing PPBL to continue.

The regulator has now said it will move the High Court for the winding up of PPBL. But what happens to your money parked in PPBL savings accounts or wallets?

According to the RBI note and reports, the message for customers who still have money parked in PPBL savings accounts or wallets is that your deposits are completely safe.

The RBI stressed that Paytm Payments Bank has sufficient liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability in the course of the winding-up process. Most PPBL customers won't feel the pinch anyway. Since January 31, 2024, PPBL account holders have been unable to top up their wallets or make fresh deposits since the RBI placed a restriction. Most customers have had over two years to draw down their balances. Paytm's wallet had already been converted into a non-reloadable instrument since early 2024.

Paytm app is not Paytm Payments Bank

Another important point to note is that the Paytm app that many of us use for UPI payments, QR transactions is entirely unaffected. These services are operated by One 97 Communications Limited, PPBL's parent company's listed entity. One 97 has no banking exposure to PPBL, after it already wrote off its investment in the bank as of March 31, 2024.

"Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) and its services, which have been operating without interruption, will continue to operate uninterrupted. These include the Paytm app, Paytm UPI, Paytm Gold and all other services offered by its subsidiaries and associated companies, such as Paytm QR, Paytm Soundbox, Paytm card machines, and Paytm Payment Gateway, Paytm Money, among others. We would point out to all stakeholders that this matter is related to PPBL, a separate entity, and any reference to this matter should be made solely in the context of PPBL, and not attributed to the Company," One 97 said in a regulatory note.
The fourth aircraft carrier that China is currently building is speculated to be a nuclear-powered one.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently has three aircraft carriersLiaoning, Shandong, and Fujianall of which are conventionally powered. While China has not officially confirmed or denied that a new carrier is being built, a latest video released by PLAN has sparked speculations that its fourth aircraft carrier will be a nuclear-powered one.

Currently, only two countriesthe United States and Francehave nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The video film 'Into The Deep' was released on Wednesday to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PLAN.

The video depicted a compass being passed down across generations of naval officers. But what really grabbed attention were the names of these officers Liao Ning, Shan Dong, and Fu Jian, named after the three aircraft carriers that are currently operational.

ALSO READ: India-made BrahMos missiles step into Indo-Pacific power play with 'Exercise Balikatan' as China watches

And there was a fourth character named 'He Jian'. According to a report in South China Morning Post, the name is possibly suggesting that the fourth aircraft carrier will be a nuclear-powered one, as 'He' sounds like the Chinese word for 'nuclear' and 'Jian' is the word for a 'ship'.

What gives more credence to the speculation is the fact that the three aircraft carriers are named after Chinese provinces, but there is no province named 'Hejian' in the country.

While China remains tight-lipped about the aircraft carrier being built, satellite images taken over the past few years indicate that a large vessel is under construction at a shipyard in Dalian. The images suggest the ship is of a similar size to America's nuclear-powered Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, fuelling speculations that the ship will have a similar propulsion method.

According to SCMP, the photos of the ship being built also showed structures that looked like nuclear reactor containment vessels.
Two major armoured platforms designed and developed by the DRDO to meet the emerging operational requirements of the armed forces were unveiled on Saturday. The Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked and Wheeled), designed and developed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, were unveiled by DRDO chief Samir V. Kamat.

"The platforms have been developed to meet the emerging operational requirements of the defence forces," the defence ministry said in a statement.

Both the platforms have been integrated with an indigenously designed and developed 30 mm crewless turret, with advanced features to meet the mobility, firepower, and protection requirements.

The 30 mm crewless turret, along with the 7.62 mm PKT gun, is configured to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles as well. The base design has the capability to be configured for multiple roles. The indigenous content is to the tune of 65 per cent, with plans to increase it to 90 per cent.

The statement further said, "Integrated with a high-power engine and automatic transmission, these platforms possess a high power-to-weight ratio, higher speed capabilities, gradient- and obstacle-negotiating capabilities, STANAG (a measure of the level of protection) level 4 and 5 protection, with modular blast and ballistic protection all around."

Amphibious capability, with improved water obstacle crossing enabled by incorporating hydro jets, provides operational flexibility to the platforms, it said.

"It's indeed a very significant day. It's a reflection of the partnership between DRDO and large industries, which have partnered with us in developing this platform in three years since the project began. This milestone will lead to the subsequent development trials and user trials. We hope to get this platform inducted into our army in the next three years," news agency ANI quoted Kamat as saying.

"...From design to realisation, we've completed it within three years. We've developed it using an integrated approach, combining the design and manufacturing capabilities of our development partners, DRDO's design and industry partners, and synergising them. This is a major step towards self-reliance," noted Prateek Kishore, Director General of Armament & Combat Engineering Systems (ACE) under DRDO.
Former Army chief General Manoj Naravane has said it was "not warranted" to unnecessarily quote and drag him into the limelight over his unpublished book, "Four Stars of Destiny". However, the controversy is behind him and he has moved on, re-channelling his energy into other books, he added.

"The Ministry of Defence had asked the publisher to put it on hold until it was vetted. As far as I am concerned, the matter rested there, and I have moved on; so that is a closed chapter. And unnecessarily quoting me and dragging the unpublished book into the limelightand indirectly me into the limelightwas, I think, not warranted," Naravane reportedly told PTI Videos in an interview.

In February this year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped from citing excerpts from the memoir in the Lok Sabha, as it had not yet been published. "Four Stars of Destiny" stirred a controversy when one of the chapters in the book about the 2020 IndiaChina conflict seemed to suggest that the political leadership left the decision to counter the Chinese aggression completely to the armed forces.

The account of the standoff suggests Naravane urgently sought clear orders from the top leadership, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Ajit Doval, as Chinese forces advanced in eastern Ladakh. Despite the deteriorating situation and the readiness of the Indian Army to respond with artillery, he claims he did not receive explicit approval to open fire.

FULL STORY | Excerpts from MM Naravanes unpublished memoir divides LS after Rahul Gandhi quotes it from magazine

According to the article, the Defence Minister promised to call back after Naravane's third call to him. Singh called back after speaking to the Prime Minister, whose instruction was merely Jo uchit samjho, woh karo (Do what you deem appropriate), leaving the decision to the military. This was to be purely a military decision, according to the article.

More books from the ex-Army chief

General Manoj Naravane, meanwhile, said he has already written two books and a third will soon be released. "The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries", his latest, published by Rupa Publications, explores some of the most riveting nuggets about the legends and lore of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

ALSO READ | 'Four Stars of Destiny' row: Naravane breaks silence; endorses publisher's statement

In the book, Naravane traces the origins of the ubiquitous military greeting "Jai Hind" from the freedom movement to its adoption by the Indian armed forces. He said that "Jai Hind" was first used by the Indian Air Force and only later embraced by the Army and Navy, adding that the standard practice of saluting was originally silent, with regiments adding their own greetings like "Sat Sri Akal" or "Ram Ram".

"It was initially the Air Force that started saying 'Jai Hind', and we have now followed that across all three services. With the salute we say 'Jai Hind', and even in lectures, we greet with 'Jai Hind'. But where does this 'Jai Hind' come from? You realise it has got much deeper roots. And that was a revelation to me also. So it was something even I did not know about; I must have said 'Jai Hind' a million times," Naravane said.

The former Army chief delves into the legends of Badluram, a soldier of the Assam Regiment, and a military mule named Pedongi. Badluram died in the Battle of Kohima in 1944, but rations allotted to him kept arriving after his death, helping the besieged company to survive the war. The story inspired British Indian Army officer Major M.T. Proktor to write a foot-tapping song, "Badluram ka Badan", which has become the unofficial regimental anthem of the Assam Regiment and is sung at their functions.

"...the lyrics go 'Badluram ka badan zameen ke neeche hai. Lekin uska ration hum khaate hain' and it became a very famous song. It is a very foot-stumping song and you can dance to it and it raises your morale. Although people have heard the song, very few know it has got such deep roots in an actual battle which turned the tide of probably the Indian course of history," he said.
Indias naval response under Operation Urja Suraksha  the deployment of a handful of destroyers and frigates for escort duties in the Gulf of Oman  is a foolish and futile gesture. At best, it can deter pirates or opportunistic mischief by the Pakistan Navy. It cannot, and was never intended to, challenge a determined US Navy/CENTCOM blockade.

CENTCOM brings carrier strike groups, layered air dominance, overwhelming ISR, and the political will to enforce interdiction. Any Indian escort attempting to force passage would face a mismatch of catastrophic proportions. Claiming otherwise is pure wishful thinking and unadulterated bravado.

Worse, the entire Indian naval effort risks coming across as a misplaced attempt to demonstrate relevance. In a theatre dominated by US naval power and Iranian geography, a few Indian warships steaming nearby serve more as diplomatic signalling than as any genuine operational game-changer. They reassure domestic audiences and nervous shippers that something is being done, yet they do little to alter the underlying geometry of power. At the same time, they expose our fleet to the risk of becoming collateral damage from a stray mine or missile.

Tehran grants clearances; Washington decides enforcement. Indian naval escorts find themselves awkwardly caught in the middle  visible enough to claim presence, yet powerless to enforce passage against American will. This is theatre, not strategy.

India now confronts a chokepoint crisis in its near neighbourhood, where the real contest is between Washington and Tehran  not between Indian naval hardware and US forces. The situation in Hormuz does not prove that naval strategy cannot stand alone. Rather, it demonstrates that when superpowers impose blockades, even professional regional navies operate at the margins.

It is equally vain to portray this evident lack of capability as a justification for urgently rushing into Theatre Commands. What is required is a genuine whole-of-nation approach to this serious challenge. Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) are military constructs designed for joint land-air-sea campaigns, primarily against continental threats. They hold no authority over diplomats, intelligence chiefs, or political leadership. Pretending that they can resolve Hormuz-style crises is institutional self-delusion. This problem demands coordinated action from the MOD, MEA, NSA, PMO, and other elements of the civilian apparatus.

New military organisational charts and structures cannot magically resolve whole-of-government dilemmas.

What the crisis truly demands is far more difficult: the development of national power sufficient to deter or mitigate great-power coercion. This requires large economic strides, ruthless energy diversification, strategic reserves, an accelerated naval build-up with genuine reach (submarines, standoff weapons, and robust logistics), and the political will to make uncomfortable choices  rather than merely signalling presence. Strategic autonomy initially delivered access; US interdiction has now turned it into a liability. Re-drawing command structures in Delhi does nothing to change that fundamental equation.

Indias long-term interest lies in building the heft required to protect its interests when rules yield to raw power. The Hormuz crisis is a stark reminder of dependence and limitations  not evidence that Integrated Theatre Commands would have enabled Indian escorts to stare down CENTCOM. The Navys professional crews and escorts deserve credit for what they can realistically achieve, and not for what they manifestly cannot. They should not be cast as the solution to a problem that demands economic strength, diplomatic resolve, and credible hard power  none of which can be conjured overnight through organisational tinkering.

India needs strategic seriousness, not misplaced relevance.

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.)
The filming of Shah Rukh Khan's "King" is nearing completion. The makers are in the process of prepping the climactic action sequences.

After a slight complication due to the ongoing turbulent situation in the Middle East, it was decided to cancel filming plans in Dubai and move instead to Mumbai and South Africa. These locations are said to host the team to pull off a crucial setpiece.

According to a source quoted by Variety India, director Siddharth Anand and Shah Rukh Khan will move to South Africa to shoot what is expected to take around 18 days, split into two schedules  a week in South Africa, and 10 days in Mumbai. Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan will be joining SRK and Suhana for these sequences.

Siddharth Anand has planned highly stylised and elaborate action set pieces for the climax," said the source. "The South Africa schedule is ready to roll, while another team is already preparing for the Mumbai schedule. SRK, Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan will all be part of these sequences.

The film sees SRK and Deepika  one of the most celebrated onscreen pairings in Bollywood  reuniting once again after blockbuster outings "Pathaan" and "Jawaan". She made her acting debut opposite the superstar in "Om Shanti Om".

The climax is expected to finish shooting by mid-May, with additional filming expected to be done by September. The "King" has once again confirmed that they are bringing it out on Christmas 2026.

"King" has the advantage of a lavish budget. The makers want to ensure a glorious theatrical experience. Bollywood Hungama had earlier mentioned a budget of Rs 350 crores, excluding the sum for marketing and other additional expenses.

"What takes millions of dollars for the West to execute, Siddharth Anand is aiming to do the same at 1/5th the cost. The initial budget was Rs. 150 crores only, but the script had scope to go bigger and better," the source had told Bollywood Hungama. "When Siddharth Anand came into the picture, he sat down with SRK to make the film on a grand scale, by designing action sequences on a never-before scale. SRK is a producer who loves to spend and treat audiences with the richest spectacle. He gave Sid a free hand, and the director came back with a budget of Rs. 350 crores."

The report also described "King" as a "global film made in India" with around six major action set pieces.
"Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" is currently the third highest-grossing Hindi film globally, with an overseas gross of approximately Rs 423 crore, when excluding the China market. In terms of worldwide gross, it is trailing only "Dangal" and "Baahubali 2".

Though it has already surpassed Shah Rukh Khan's "Jawan" and "Pathaan" in overseas collection, it is yet to cross the lifetime overseas milestone of Salman Khan's "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" (Rs 482.54).

"Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" now needs approximately Rs 59.54 crore more to attain this figure  a difficult target considering the declining collection for the Ranveer Singh movie as it nears its 40-day theatrical run. The film's daily overseas collections have dropped significantly, earning roughly Rs 0.50 crore on Day 37. Besides, the arrival of fresh releases like "Bhooth Bangla" and other regional titles is reducing its available screen count internationally.

While the earlier record-breakers "Dangal" and "Secret Superstar" relied heavily on China for their massive totals, "Dhurandhar 2" managed to achieve its global milestone through dominance in traditional markets like North America and the UK.

What's most impressive about "Dhurandhar 2" is that unlike "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", it has achieved its overseas total without a release in the Gulf countries or China, where films like "Pathaan" and "Jawan", and other big-ticket Bollywood releases, earn significantly more.

While it may fall short of the "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" overseas record, "Dhurandhar 2" is on the verge of becoming the 2nd highest-grossing Indian film of all time worldwide, as it needs around Rs 46 crore more to surpass the Rs 1,810.60 crore lifetime total of "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion".

North America (USA and Canada) is the international region that has brought in the most revenue for "Dhurandhar 2", contributing over Rs 215 crore ($30 million+) to its total overseas gross. Its international success is driven primarily by its historic performance in North America, followed by the UK and Australia.

It became the first Indian film to cross $30 million in North America, surpassing the long-standing record of "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion".

Out of this, Canada contributed a record-breaking $10.14 million (Rs 85 crore), making it the highest-grossing Indian film ever in that country.

In the United Kingdom, it brought in around Rs 55.50 crore (4.39 million). It has already surpassed "Pathaan" to become the highest-grossing Indian film in the UK.

It also currently holds the record for the highest-grossing Indian film in Australia, surpassing its own predecessor, "Dhurandhar", with a Rs 46.22 crore (A$8.255 million) gross.

In New Zealand, it fetched Rs 6.62 crore (NZ$1.295 million). There too, it achieved a milestone by becoming the first Indian film to cross the NZ$1 million mark.
At THE WEEK Salon, sponsored by Bandhan Bank on Wednesday evening, filmmaker Karan Johar, who produced "Raazi" and "Gunjan Saxena", discusses the prevailing male-hero-centric narrative in Bollywood and the industry's glorification of toxic masculinity.

As a filmmaker who made his mark with movies such as "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum", Karan now connects the pattern by which Bollywood recycles male gaze-driven films. Having changed his style from the past, hes now backing films with strong women protagonists, as in "Raazi" and "Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl".

He sharply critiques the films in Bollywood for being hyper-masculine and says, Cinema has now gone big alphamassive testosterone, hyper alpha energy.

Arguing that Bollywood cinema narratives are recurrent and how all of them are crafted from a mans point of view, he laughs as he says, "If one film works in a certain zone, there will be 10 more. So you will see 10 more high octave testosterone movies where men are just walking in slow motion for no reason and going nowhere in particular, but they will be walking in that way, and they'll all have beards and they will all smoke. Apparently, that's what women like to watch, is what the men think."

Explaining his unconventional thought process behind "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani", he mentions the backlash he faced in changing the narrative. Johar says, "When I made Rocky Aur Rani, and I made a man do a classical dance, I had a whole barrage of so-called mainstream audiences who said, 'How can you depict a man like that?

Talking to Priyanka Khanna, he further says that the stories he believes in also have to be crafted and not just specific narratives made for a particular audience, "If I'm going to really, really only focus my attention on a certain audience and not really have a certain sense of conviction in my own DNA, then why am I here? I have to tell the stories that I also believe in. I'm a born feminist, I will always tell a feminist story because I was raised by a strong woman and women around me. So I will always, always, always tell stories that I personally believe in as well."
Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) is one of the 8 Best Holding Company Stocks to Invest In Now.

On April 6, 2026, B. Riley analyst Timothy DAgostino raised the price target on Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) to $10.50 from $8 and maintained a Neutral rating, calling the sale of the Sterno subsidiary positive while noting the firm is waiting on additional potential divestitures.

On March 29, 2026, Compass Diversified agreed to sell the foodservice business of its majority-owned subsidiary, SternoCandleLamp Holdings, to Archer Foodservice Partners for an enterprise value of $292.5M, subject to working capital and other adjustments. The business generated approximately $30.3M in adjusted EBITDA in 2025, including shared overhead that will remain post-transaction. The company plans to use net proceeds to repay outstanding debt and expects its senior secured net leverage ratio to fall below 1.0x following closing. Compass Diversified also expects to avoid fees tied to excess leverage beyond June 30. After the sale, the company will retain Sternos home fragrance segment, which will continue operating as Rimports, a Provo, Utah-based manufacturer and distributor of branded and private-label home fragrance products. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in May 2026.

B. Riley Raises its Price Target on Compass Diversified (CODI) to $10.50

Earlier in March, Raymond James re-initiated coverage of Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) with a Market Perform rating and no price target following a restatement tied to accounting unreliability at the Lugano subsidiary. The firm said there remains much work to be done as the company proceeds with divestitures and works to return to compliance with its credit agreements.

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In the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, Congress leader Brijendra Singh contested from the Uchana Kalan constituency but lost narrowly to the BJP by just 32 votes. His defeat, however, was widely attributed to infighting within the party.

Voices within the Congress suggested that the three first-time independent candidates, who contested from the same seat, may have been strategically fielded by former chief minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda, drawing nearly 52,000 votes that could otherwise have gone to Brijendra.

While Hooda may have succeeded in preventing Brijendras victory, he too faced a setback as leader of the Congresss Haryana unit, marking a third consecutive electoral defeat for the party under his watch. A year later, Brijendra took to the streets on October 5, 2025, with the Sadbhav Yatra, positioning it as an offshoot of the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi. Covering more than 80 of the states 90 assembly constituencies, the yatra is set to conclude its public outreach on May 5.

At 53, Brijendra is seen as relatively young in state politics, and his attempt to assert himself four years ahead of the next elections reflects a long-term strategy to build grassroots connect. While there is a tilt among sections of the public towards him, sections of the party cadre have, however, remained hesitant to fully align with his campaign, according to a senior Congress leader.

A key highlight of the yatra has been the backing from the central leadership. Brijendra met Rahul Gandhi on March 12 and invited him to join the yatra. Gandhi had indicated that he would try to participate during its final phase. At the same time, Rahul Gandhis endorsement of Brijendra may also create unease for Hooda, who has led the Haryana Congress for the past two decades and contained the rise of potential rivals within the state to continue his dominance. But the party has made consistent efforts in the past to move from Hoodas.

It took the Congress nearly a year after the assembly elections to appoint the Leader of Opposition; the party had to finally reappoint Bhupendra Hooda as Leader of Opposition in the state. The general point of view of Congressmen is that he would only make way for his son Deependra Hooda to carry forward his legacy. As a result, Brijendra may continue to face challenges in crossing a certain political threshold in the state.

Yet political observers believe Rahul Gandhis endorsement could provide political oxygen to Brijendra, strengthening his standing within the Haryana Congress and signalling his emergence as a serious contender for a larger role.

Senior leaders point out that the party high command has, in recent years, backed several leaders, such as Ashok Tanwar, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Kumari Selja, in an attempt to move beyond Hoodas dominance. However, none have been able to build sufficient confidence among the rank and file or match Hoodas mass appeal, leaving the party still reliant on his leadership.

For Brijendra, a Jat leader, a real breakthrough will depend on whether his outreach translates into tangible political gains, either through wider public acceptance or cadre mobilisation, after which the party could depend on him for major electoral responsibilities. His social identity also matters, given that Jats constitute over 30 per cent of Haryanas population, making him a potentially important figure for the partys caste arithmetic.

Within the party, there is a growing view that Hoodas continued dominance is becoming counterproductive. Despite his grip over the organisation, Hooda has failed to bring the Congress back to power in three consecutive assembly elections. Factionalism has further weakened the party, particularly at the grassroots level, where local leaders aligned with different camps often try to undercut each other.

Brijendra says that factionalism has not just affected individuals within the party but has weakened the entire organisation. One of the key reasons, he argues, why favourable public sentiment failed to translate into votes in the 2024 assembly elections was the absence of a strong organisational structure. He points to the past 12 years, during which there was no proper setup at the district or block level.

Political commentator Ajay Jha suggests the party is not in a hurry to alter the status quo in Haryana, given that elections are still over four years away. Rahul is pushing him now because, over the years, he has promoted several leaders, but none could match Hoodas mass appeal. In the coming time, he can be one of the big leaders in Haryana if he stays in the Congress. For now, he needs to increase his mass appeal.

Brijendra points to certain positives, highlighting that around 12 district presidents actively led the yatra in their respective districts. Why did some district presidents join him and others didn't?

The 32 district presidents appointed last year may have had to choose between the established leadership of Hooda, their own free will, and the central leaderships message of backing the yatra, which may have influenced some to align with it.

He also observes that a large section of committed Congress workers, who had become inactive due to a lack of organisational space, are now returning through the yatra.

He views factionalism as a byproduct of this organisational vacuum. In the absence of a structured chain of command, communication from the All India Congress Committee failed to reach the grassroots and instead flowed through ticket aspirants and their networks, Brijendra says. With organisational appointments made since August, the situation is beginning to stabilise, though it will take time to undo habits formed over more than a decade.

On the timing of the yatra, he takes a different view from critics, saying that after a defeat that could have been converted into a victory, there was a clear message from both the people and the cadre to reconnect, rebuild, and restart. The yatra is part of a broader corrective process rather than merely an electoral exercise.

Brijendra underlines that politics cannot be episodic and requires consistent engagement, both ideologically and organisationally, especially in countering the BJP. Though not an MP or MLA, he says he drew inspiration from the Bharat Jodo Yatra and felt a similar effort was needed at the state level.

Describing the initiative as an honest effort, he suggests that had it been undertaken closer to elections, it might have been seen as vote seeking. Instead, he frames it as an outreach centred on brotherhood and local issues, without directly seeking votes. He also acknowledges that while political ambition exists, his immediate focus remains on organisational work, leaving future decisions to the party.

He adds that the yatra will continue till May 5, after which the next step will be to reconnect with people, including old Congress workers, new supporters, and recent participants, and to build on the momentum created.

Brijendra, a former IAS officer and later a Member of Parliament from the BJP who crossed over to the Congress just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has a rich political background. He is the son of former Union Minister Birender Singh and the great-grandson of the iconic farmer leader Sir Chhotu Ram. Interestingly, Birender Singh is Bhupendra Singh Hoodas first cousin. Yet, despite being family, they have been long-standing political rivals. Whether there will be a shift in power within the extended family or Hooda will continue to hold his ground remains to be seen.
The weekend ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections saw a flurry of activity, with national leaders reaching out to voters across various constituencies. Of the 142 seats going to polls in this phase, 11 are urban constituencies that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is targeting to wrest from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and Nitin Nabin held two public meetings and two roadshows, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will public meetings and roadshows on Sunday.

Amit Shah slammed CM Mamata Banerjee for using rebel MLA Humayun Kabir to build Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district. "Now, Mamata didi wants to construct a Babri Masjid with her aide Humayun Kabir. Didi, remember that till one BJP worker is alive in Bengal, we will not allow construction of Babri Masjid here .

The BJP has been emphasising issues such as minority appeasement, womens safety, corruption, and unemployment, aiming to position itself as an alternative to the TMC in the minds of urban voters. The roadshows in Howrah and Ranikuthi saw large crowds lining the streets to watch Amit Shah woo the public with saffron might.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked both the TMC and BJP in Kolkata. Mamata paved the way for BJP in Bengal. If Mamata had worked properly for Bengal, had not indulged in corruption, had the RG Kar case had not happened, they (BJP) would not have been here," Gandhi said at a public meeting at Shahid Minar.

The Congress leader also said he was questioned for 55 hours for five consecutive days by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and for how many hours Mamata has been interrogated? This is because she does not fight the BJP directly, added Gandhi.

The Congress hopes to secure 2-3 seats in Murshidabad and Malda districts with star candidates Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mausam Noor. Winning urban constituencies remains a significant challenge for the party, which is contesting alone in 294 seats in the state for the first time in three decades.

The TMC faces intense pressure to counter BJPs high-profile campaign in Kolkata and maintain a strong local connection. Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee have held extensive rallies across the state, with the TMC supremo organising three public meetings and two roadshows in her Bhabanipur constituency, and her nephew too had three public meetings and two road shows. The TMC aims to reinforce the perception that it protects the state from external forces.

Mamata also targeted the Prime Minister during her public meetings. Know this, your slyness has been caught. When results are out on May 4, you will burn and flare up like luchi (puri), she said. She also criticized his recent boat ride in the Ganga. He went to roam around the Ganga. He loves to click pictures. He has even made a cinema, she remarked, suggesting he do the same in the Yamuna.

Many urban voters may have already made up their minds, but the presence of key leaders in various constituencies is aimed at influencing voter perception ahead of the polls. This intense contest makes the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections a high-stakes battle of perception vs reality.
K. Kavitha, daughter of former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, launched a new political party called the Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS) on Saturday. Telangana Jagruthi president Kavitha announced her party's name at an event held on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Kavitha had said that her party would give a voice to the voiceless and provide opportunities to the youth.

Kavitha was suspended from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in September 2025 after she accused her cousins and party leaders, T. Harish Rao and J. Santosh Kumar, of "tarnishing" her father and party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao's image over the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project built during the BRS regime.

Since her suspension, she has been focusing on public issues under the banner of Telangana Jagruthi, a cultural organisation.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) became the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in 2022 as part of K. Chandrasekhar Rao's grand plan to become a national player.

Taking a swipe at the BRS for allegedly ignoring key issues, Telangana Jagruthi president K. Kavitha on Tuesday said the regional party would not change its ways "even after 1,000 years".

Both the BRS and the ruling Congress organised public meetings on April 20 at a time when many public issues, including a strike by state-run RTC employees, water scarcity, and farmers' problems, need to be addressed. "I understood only one thing. The BRS party would not change even after 1,000 years. There is no mention of the welfare of those who fought for Telangana statehood. The Congress government is deceiving Telangana agitationists. But it was not taken up," she had said.

The BRS, at its public meeting at Jagtial, where it inducted former Congress leader T. Jeevan Reddy into its fold, did not talk about crucial issues, including women's reservation, delimitation, and the welfare of those who fought for Telangana statehood, she said.
Thousands of people on Saturday took to the streets of Manipur and clashed with police forces en route to Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh's residence.

The agitators, organised under the aegis of the Meitei organisation COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity), demanded permanent peace in the northeastern state torn by ethnic conflict.

However, a group of agitators were later allowed to meet with the CM, and handed over a memorandum demanding long-term peace.

#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur: A large number of people, under the aegis of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), held a massive rally and submitted a memorandum to the Manipur government raising seven critical questions. The rally headed towards the CM's bungalow pic.twitter.com/XpXrxQNXMX  ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2026

Still, additional security forces and barricades have been deployed at all four routes leading to CM Singh's residence in the Babupara area. This includes Keisampat junction, Kangla Gate, Konung Mamang and Moirangkhom in the heart of Imphal, officials told PTI.

At Khurai Lamlong in the Imphal East districtabout 2km from the CM's bungalowsecurity forces also fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters that tried to break through the barricades.

#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) protest rally today turned violent. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowds. The site was cleared, and protesters were sent back.



COCOMI today organised a mass rally across Imphal and pic.twitter.com/krN2ubhsP3  ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2026

The COCOMI protesters raised placards and chanted slogans demanding justice for two children killed in an April 7 bomb blast in Tronglaobi.

They have also urged the state government to rehabilitate those internally displaced by the ethnic conflict, which has tormented the state since May 2023.

#WATCH | Imphal East, Manipur: Nahakpam Shanta, Spokesperson for the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) says, "The protest started from different areas of Sekmai, the major one coming from Keikol, and right now we are stationed at Koirengei. So this process is a pic.twitter.com/n0cxfALGYV  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2026

The protest march comes just a day after tensions flared up in the Naga-dominated region of Ukhrul, which saw at least three killed in a gunfight between the Naga and Kuki tribes.

Specifically, the gunfight took place at the Mullam and Shongphal Kuki villages, which have seen a number of instances of violence since the Nagas were drawn into the Meitei-Kuki clashes earlier this year.

At least 17 houses have been burnt, in addition to a number of people injured.

Why were the Nagas pulled into the conflict?

While the violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023 was primarily between the Meitei and Kuki tribes, the Naga tribewhich had been a neutral spectator in the conflict since 2023was pulled into the conflict earlier this year, when it felt its territorial neutrality was being violated.

A key trigger behind this was the kidnapping of 20 Naga civilians by suspected Kuki militants in the Shangkai village of the Ukhrul district. Though they were later returned, incidents such as this one fuelled the outrage that later fuelled violence.

The situation escalated into violence after a BSF trooper was killed in April this year by a stray bullet during a gunfight between Naga villagers and Kuki-Zo militants in the Litan area.

The deaths of two Tangkhul Naga civilians (including a retired Indian Army soldier)which also took place in April this year in an ambush at T.M. Kasomare said to have further sparked the violence that Ukhrul sees now.
A man has been arrested for allegedly asking for nude photographs from the minor daughter of a Bollywood actor during online gaming. The Maharashtra Nodal Cyber Cell made the arrest following allegations that the minor was asked to send explicit images while connected virtually.

According to officials, the actor's 13-year-old daughter was playing an online game when an unidentified person initiated a conversation with her. After initial small talk, the accused allegedly began engaging in obscene behaviour and demanded nude photographs from the minor.

When the child narrated the episode to her family, a complaint was filed after the actor approached cyber officials. Taking serious note of the matter, the Cyber Cell launched an immediate investigation and the accused was arrested, said Yashaswi Yadav, Head of the Maharashtra Cyber Department.

Notably, during a cyber awareness programme in October last year, the actor revealed that an individual had sent inappropriate messages to his daughter while she was playing an online game, TV9 Marathi said in a report.

How the accused was nabbed

The accused was identified and arrested through technical analysis and digital tracking. Following the arrest, he is currently being interrogated to determine if he has engaged in similar misconduct with other children, TV9 Marathi said.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would "fence the borders" of West Bengal if it rose to power there.

When asked about West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's opposition against the BJP closing off the state's borders, he reiterated that the saffron party would win in the state, and that it would acquire land to erect the fences.

"When I was the Home Minister, I personally asked for land to complete the border fencing. At that time, she was not ready to provide it. The land must be provided for national security," he said.

This comes after the end of the first phase of elections in the state came to an end on April 23, with the state seeing a record voter turnout of 92.35 per cent for the 3.6-crore electoratetouted as the highest in the state since independence.

Speaking to News18 at a rally at Sonarpur Uttar in the South 24 Parganas district, he reiterated the BJP's claims of the TMC being on its way out in the state, and said that the saffron party would win 110 seats of the 152 seats that had gone to the polls on April 23.

#WATCH | South 24 Parganas, West Bengal: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "Even in 2011, when 84% voter turnout was recorded, the long-standing Left government was ousted and the TMC government came to power. Similarly, this time, the nearly 93% voter turnout here clearly pic.twitter.com/TkgAxFAA98  ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2026

Suvendu Adhikari, one of the BJP's main contenders in the state, has estimated that the party would win as many as 125 seats out of 152. Adhikari has contested from not only his stronghold of Nandigram, but also CM Banerjee's bastion, Bhabanipur.

The defence minister has also promised swift implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), particularly for the Matua community, which he alleged was being denied citizenship by CM Banerjee, as a result of which he claimed they were living in fear.

"You form the government of the lotus, and after May 5, the BJP government will ensure that every brother and sister of the Matua community receives citizenship," he said about the politically influential refugee community with roots in Bangladesh, as per a PTI report.

He also attacked Mamata Banerjee over the failure of the TMC government to prevent crimes against women, citing the RG Kar case, among others, assuring that women would be able to roam freely, even at night, under the BJP rule.
The 83.7 per cent turnout figure splashed across headlines in Chennai on April 23 seems to be a mathematical smoke screen. On the surface, it may paint a picture of a city gripped by a fever of democratic participation, a historic surge that shatters previous records. But a look beneath the percentage reveals a far more sobering reality. In absolute terms, participation hasnt exploded; it has contracted. Fewer people actually cast ballots in 2026 than in the previous two election cycles.

A look at the raw numbers reveals the deception. The Chennai city recorded 23,69,493, which is 83.7 per cent. This percentage sounds impressive. But it actually represents a net loss of 47,322 voters compared to the 24,16,815 voters who turned out in 2021.

This is not a one-time surprise, but a deepening trend. Between 2016 and 2021, absolute voter participation had already seen a marginal dip of 17,100. By 2026, the cumulative decline over a decade has become impossible to ignore. This time it is a record-high turnout percentage coexisting with a decade-long decline in actual human engagement at the booths. The 2021 figures included 15,000 postal ballots which actually is missing from the 2026 tally, as of now. The postal ballots number will come into account only during the day of counting. Without the postal ballots, the actual surge is even more statistically hollow than it appears.

This paradox is explained by the SIR revision, which effectively pruned the total electorate size from over 40 lakh in 2021 to just 28.3 lakh in 2026. This smaller denominator mathematically inflated the turnout percentage while the actual volume of the pool shrank. While the city saw an overall decline in absolute votes, individual constituencies reacted differently to the 2026 political climate, reflecting a patchwork of engagement across Chennai's 16 seats which is considered to be DMKs bastion.

Certain constituencies bucked the downward trend. Thiru Vi Ka Nagar saw a significant increase of 7,000 voters, followed by Kolathur with an increase of 5,000 votes and Velachery 2000 votes. Conversely, RK Nagar, on of the star constituencies in north Chennai, where deceased Dalit leader K. Armstrongs wife Porkodi Armstrong is contesting for the AIADMK alliance, experienced a sharp decline of 10,000 fewer voters compared to 2021. Meanwhile Villivakkam, yet another star constituency saw a decrease of 7,000. Perambur, the seat from where Vijay had made his electoral debut remained largely stagnant, recording almost the same turnout as the previous cycle. Chepauk and Royapuram saw marginal increases of 1,000 and 3,000 voters, respectively.

In a multicorner contest, localised fluctuations play an important role. But when the victory margin is narrow, a shift of a few thousand voters in a specific constituency can fundamentally alter the final tally. The available data underscores the volatility of these outcomes. While the AIADMK won 14 of 16 seats in 2011 with large margins, the landscape shifted dramatically in 2016 and 2021. Critically, in 2016, seven constituencies were decided by narrow margins, and in 2021, two seats remained razor-thin. This history of narrow margins suggests that even with a shrinking voter base, the split factor introduced by a third player like Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) could lead to unexpected results. Ultimately, the true driver of the 2026 election outcome will not be the volume of turnout, but the precision of the vote split across a more realistic and refined electorate.
In a fresh twist after the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that she would be filing a "legal case" against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his "violent remarks".

"As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments," she said in a rally at Hooghly, targeting Shah over his warnings to TMC workers after the first phase of polling in the state.

In a speech at Arambagh, Shah had issued a stern warning to the TMC's "goons", declaring that they would be hung upside down if they caused trouble on April 29.

"I'm warning Didi's goons not to step out of their homes on the 29th. If the people of Arambagh are troubled on the 29th, after (May 5), we'll hang them upside down and straighten them out," Shah said.

 Home Minister Amit Shah issues a STRONG WARNING: Didis goons should not step out on the 29th.



If people of Arambagh are troubled, they will be hung upside down and set straight after the 5th. pic.twitter.com/me23B8m9uG  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) April 23, 2026

CM Banerjee hit out at Shah for these comments, claiming that such a "forceful approach" would never win them the elections.

"What kind of language is the Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable," she said.

Notably, despite the record voter turnout of 92.35 per cent in the first phase, instances of violence were also observed in certain pockets across the state.

While Naoda in the Murshidabad district saw Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabirs car vandalised during stone pelting between TMC and AJUP workers, Domkal saw CPI(M) supporters allegedly threatened with firearms by the TMC.

In Dakshin Dinajpur, the BJP's Kumargunj candidate Suvendu Sarkar was allegedly manhandled by TMC supportersdespite the presence of one security officerand was seen running through fields to protect himself.
With the arrival of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad late last night, yet another fragile diplomatic opening has re-emerged around a war that has now dragged into its eighth week. His visit, described by Tehran as a timely tour, signals a renewed attempt to test pathways towards de-escalation, even as the conflict continues to harden on multiple fronts.

Yet expectations remain understandably tempered. Iranian officials have made it clear that there will be no direct engagement with American representatives. Instead, Araghchis mission relies on a mediated channel: Pakistans leadership will receive Tehrans proposals and observations before relaying them to Washington. It is a familiar diplomatic workaround, but one that underscores the depth of mistrust between the two sides.

Notably absent from this round is Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Irans negotiating team in earlier talks. His absence has fuelled speculation about internal recalibrations within Tehrans power structure, though officials have publicly dismissed rumours of his resignation. Araghchis itinerary extends beyond Islamabad, with planned stops in Omanwhere discussions will centre on the governance of the Strait of Hormuzand Russia, where the groundwork for broader peace negotiations may be explored.

Washington, for its part, has responded with cautious openness. President Donald Trump has announced that he is sending his Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Islamabad to assess Irans position. At the moment, they are likely to leave the US tomorrow. The choice of envoys reflects a deliberate strategy: exploratory, deniable and short of high-level political commitment. Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the initial round of talks, remains in Washington on standby, signalling that any substantive breakthrough would quickly escalate to senior-level engagement.

Analysts believe the process aims to test intentions without overcommitting political capital, in what they call a graded diplomatic process. However, it only creates space for negotiations, without doing much to resolve the underlying tensions. And those tensions remain stark. The US continues to insist on verifiable guarantees that Iran will abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions entirely. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said yesterday that Tehran still had an opportunity to secure a good deal, but only if it relinquishes its nuclear programme in full.

Tehran, however, is reframing the conversation. According to foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the central issue is no longer narrowly nuclear but fundamentally about ending the war itself. Irans demands are sweeping: a permanent cessation of hostilities by both the US and Israel, formal non-aggression commitments, compensation for damages and the lifting of sanctions and naval blockades.

Bridging this gap will not be easy, though a novel proposal has begun to circulate. Under this framework, Iran would divide its roughly 400kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium into smaller parcels and gradually dilute them, with each step matched by targeted sanctions relief from Washington.

Russia may play a role in this arrangement. During Araghchis expected visit to Moscow, the Kremlin is likely to revive an earlier offer to take custody of part of Irans uranium stockpile, thereby reducing proliferation risks. At the same time, Tehran is exploring whether China could act as a guarantor for any eventual agreement, adding another layer to an already complex diplomatic matrix.

While diplomats manoeuvre, the conflicts most volatile expression remains the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway has effectively become the epicentre of a dangerous naval confrontation, with both sides enforcing rival blockades. The United States has significantly escalated its presence, with Hegseth announcing that operations have gone global and now involve multiple carrier groups. No vessel, he warned, can transit the strait without US approval.

Washington claims to have turned back dozens of ships and has issued stark warnings against any Iranian attempt to deploy naval mines. Hegseth has gone further, accusing Iranian forces of behaving like pirates with flags, a characterisation that reflects the increasingly confrontational tone of the standoff.

Iranian forces have attacked several vessels and seized others, showing that the country still has the ability to disrupt maritime traffic even with the US dominating the waters. Senior Iranian figures, including Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian, have made clear that reopening the strait is out of the question under present conditions, particularly while US naval pressure continues and Israeli operations press on.

Despite the tough talk, some traffic through the strait has continued, though the risks are considerably higher than before. But the situation remains tenuous, with both sides ready to escalate at short notice.

The US has also stepped up its economic warfare. Latest measures include sanctions against a Chinese refinery processing Iranian hydrocarbons and dozens of other entities. The Treasury department has also frozen crypto assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars to stifle alternative financial channels.

On the regional diplomatic front, the continuing conflict is intensifying realignments. Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE have indicated that Iran has done lasting damage to its ties with neighbouring states, which could speed up a realignment that has been quietly building for years. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi could still consider closer coordination with Israel, marking a fundamental reshaping of the Middle East's strategic order, even as diplomats in Islamabad work to find a way to end the fighting.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday cancelled a visit by his negotiators to Pakistan for what would have been a potential second round of talks between the US and Iran to discuss a ceasefire for the war in the Gulf, which nears two months.

"Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!" he wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday, referring to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's meetings with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir.

Munir had also spoken with several other members of the Iranian delegation, such as Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, and ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam.

However, the key highlight of the Araghchi-led meetings in Islamabad was the FM delivering Iran's demands and grievances about the progress of the talks to Pakistani officials, as per a Reuters report, citing officials.

Baqaei explained that this was because no direct meeting was planned to take place between Iran and the US. Tehran is next scheduled to discuss the Gulf situation further with Oman and Russia.

Notably, this contradicts White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's statement that Trump's Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday "to engage in direct talks" with the Iranian side.

She had also said that Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the previous round of the Islamabad talks that failed, would be sitting this one out.

The vice president remains deeply involved in this entire process, and hell be standing by here in the United States, along with the president and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the entire national security team for updates, she had said.

The vice president remains deeply involved in this entire process and hell be standing by here in the US  Leavitt on Vances role in Pakistan talks



Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary https://t.co/qFx7aSACz2 pic.twitter.com/i311hyK3Vu  RT (@RT_com) April 24, 2026

In cancelling the envoys' journey to Islamabad for potential talks, Trump has now placed the onus of the talks on the Iranian side, which has repeatedly flagged the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a ceasefire violation.

"We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing," he said, as per a Fox News report.
Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors.

Blackstone, Wall Streets poster child for private equity, has effectively become a $300 billion power and data infrastructure play.

Blackstone reported impressive first-quarter earnings Thursday, with net income rising 5.6% from a year earlier to $649.7 million. Distributable earnings, a key metric that represents cash generated by the business thats available to shareholders, jumped 25% to $1.76 billion, beating analysts expectations. It was one of the firms best quarters ever for private credit institutional fundraising, and an illustration of how Blackstone is an all-weather firm, its president and chief operating officer, Jon Gray, told CNBC. But the key, he added, was the firms decision to lean into AI infrastructure.

That is driving the returns across so many of our vehicles, Gray said, adding that eight of the 10 best-performing investments were in AI infrastructure-related areas like data centers and battery storage. He said the AI buildout is what will really drive our firm going forward.

Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium analysis on all your favorite stocks.

READ ALSO: OpenAI Ties Up Loose Ends as Wall Street Awaits IPO and Joby Air Taxis Fly from JFK to Manhattan in Pursuit of FAA Certification

About Private Credit 

Now that stocks seem to be focusing less on the war with Iran, AI companies can get back to public market listings. As a result, this should be probably our best year ever for IPOs as a firm, Gray told Bloomberg.

But the AI investing frenzy that has buoyed one part of the worlds largest alternative asset management business has been a thorn in the side for another. Concerns that AI will disrupt software companies are one of the reasons investors have been yanking money from private credit funds, including Blackstones BCRED, in recent months. Distributable earnings in the private credit and insurance part of the business fell 26% from the first quarter of 2025. Thats perhaps why the stock ended the trading day down nearly 6% on Thursday.

Blackstones leaders dont seem too concerned:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed from Islamabad amid uncertainties about the potential second round of talks with the United States.

He is expected to arrive in Muscat to discuss the situation in Strait of Hormuz and later visit Moscow to coordinate regarding defence and strategic ties. Araghchi said he will "closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments."

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

Araghchi on Saturday met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in separate meetings. A video posted by the Iranian embassy on social media showed Asim Munir speaking with Araghchi as well as Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, and ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam.

Earlier, sources quoted by Reuters revealed that Araghchi delivered Tehran's negotiating demands and its reservations about Washington's demands to Pakistani officials.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Baqaei said "Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," adding that no meeting was planned to take place between Tehran and Washington.

This contradicts White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's statement that US Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's adviser Jared Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday "to engage in direct talks" with the Iranian delegation. However, the US team were yet to arrive in Islamabad when this article was published.

Reports have suggested that the US delegation expected to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday will respond to the demands put forth by the Iranian leadership. "Theyre making an offer and well have to see," Trump said in a phone interview with Reuters.

The US expects Iran to give up its enriched uranium and call off the blockade on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Something big has just happened above the clouds. China has chosen two Pakistanis to train as astronauts for its Tiangong space station. This is the first time a foreign astronaut will fly on a Chinese mission. The news, shared by Xinhua News Agency, has set off lively chatter across Asia about countries joining hands far beyond our planet.

The two selected men are Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, both seasoned pilots from the Pakistan Air Force. The China Manned Space Agency recently made the announcement. Soon, they will fly to China for months of tough training. One of them will then board the Tiangong space station as a payload specialistthe person who handles delicate equipment and runs scientific experiments in space. Picture floating weightless hundreds of kilometres above Earth, mixing chemicals or watching plants grow in zero gravity. For these men and their nation, it is truly a dream taking shape.

"This moment did not arrive overnight. It is the result of an agreement signed between China and Pakistan in February 2025 in Islamabad. After that came three difficult rounds of screening to pick the very best two candidates. Beijing has called this a proud chapter in its space story. Officials declared that the 'all-weather strategic partnership' between the two neighbours," explained space analyst Girish Linganna.

Why is this special? It helps to know how Tiangong differs from the famous International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a true global house, built and run jointly by America, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe. It is huge16 modules, nearly 420 tonnes, holding seven astronauts. China was kept out of the ISS by an American law, so Beijing decided to build its own.

"Tiangong, meaning 'Heavenly Palace', is younger and much smallerthree modules, about 70 tonnes, home to three astronauts (six during crew change-overs). Both float at nearly the same height above Earth. But while the ageing ISS will retire by 2030, Tiangong is designed to keep flying till 2035 or beyond," added Linganna.

This also means space is no longer a private club for superpowers. Smaller countries, with the right friends, can reach the heavens too. China has opened Tiangong's doors to other nations for joint experiments, technology trials, and astronaut training.

For India, currently, the road ahead is even more thrilling. India's Gaganyaan programme will send our own astronauts into space using a fully Indian-made rocket and spacecraft. This will place India in a tiny, elite club of nations doing human spaceflight on its own steam. Clear plans are also in place to build our very own space station by 2035. These missions are not just about reaching the heavensthey bring fresh technology to our factories, better jobs for our youth, stronger science classrooms, and quiet pride in every Indian home.

So as China and Pakistan prepare for their joint leap, India keeps glowing with its independent flame.
In a daring plot, a family of nine successfully escaped North Korea by sea after 10 years of preparation. The plan was first conceived by the familys patriarch, who believed that there was a vast world out beyond North Korea and said that the ocean was their only escape route.

On May 6, 2023, the Kim family, consisting of two brothers, Kim Il-hyeok and Kim Yi-hyeok, their mother, Il-hyeoks wife, who was five months pregnant, Yi-hyeoks wife and two children, aged 4 and 6 and his mother-in-law and brother-in-law, all climbed onto a boat in the North Korean shores to cross the Yellow Sea.

To make the escape happen, the younger son had relocated to the coast of North Korea and spent years learning maritime skills and boat repair. He also tracked patrol patterns near the Northern Limit Line, understanding the gaps in the government's surveillance of the area.

According to Il-hyeok, who spoke to CNN, their family was considered well off in the country where more than half of the population is said to live in poverty.

The two brothers father used to trade antiques, gold, and even sold coal transported by train.

The family also had exposure to South Korean media after they obtained a second television smuggled in through China.

Their father, however, died before the escape plane was realised. He left the money to his children.

Il-hyoek, meanwhile, grew his savings by selling household appliances.

In May 2023, the visibility over the seas dropped due to storms, creating a perfect opportunity.

Il-hyeok, however, had to convince his wife, who was in her second trimester, to escape. She was initially hesitant but agreed later when he said that it was for the sake of the child.

Since women in North Korea don't usually go out to the sea, all the women had to make it to the boat by crossing a minefield to avoid being detected by patrols and coming under suspicion.

Since the family lived close to the sea, they used their connections to bribe the guards and assembled at an unknown coastal point.

The two children were hidden in burlap sacks to avoid detection. They also carried the ashes of their father.

The brothers also modified the engine of the boat by muffling the noise. They set off slowly without making noise. After two hours of silent sailing, the family crossed into South Korean waters.

Near South Koreas Yeonpyeong island, Kim Il-hyeok turned on a searchlight, and a navy ship sailed towards them. The navy asked them if their engine had broken down, to which the family replied they were North Korean fishermen here to defect to South Korea.

Four months later, Il-hyeoks daughter Yeri was born, Tragedy however, followed a year later, and his brother Yi-hyeok died in a scuba diving accident just two months after Yeris first birthday.

Despite the losses, the family continues to rebuild their lives. Ilhyeok is training to be a chef and learning to operate a forklift, and he even welcomed a second daughter who was born this year. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, he said.
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has canceled the planned trip to Pakistan by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Iran talks.

I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians, he wrote on Truth Social. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their leadership. Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards; they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!

Earlier, Trump told Fox News: Ive told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, Nope, youre not making an 18-hour flight to go there.

We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but youre not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening without holding talks with US officials.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) is one of the

8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now.

On April 21, 2026, CIBC analyst Anita Soni lowered the price target on Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) to $176 from $177 previously and maintained an Outperformer rating on the shares. The update comes as part of a Q1 preview across the gold and base metals group. Anita Soni said the roughly 20% selloff in gold from its January high, along with the flip-flop in Federal Reserve funds expectations, could support a bounce in the assets price, adding that current levels present a more attractive entry point. CIBC also adopted a more constructive stance on base metal equities, pointing to supply constraints as a source of ongoing tailwinds.

Meanwhile, National Bank downgraded Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) to Sector Perform from Outperform with a price target of $130, down from $140 previously. The firm cited rising costs from higher diesel prices, a new tax framework in Ghana, and an operations pause at the Cadia mine. It also expects Q1 EBITDA to be affected by lower production at Boddington due to bushfires, scheduled downtime at Nevada Gold Mines, and higher operating costs in Ghana.

CIBC Maintains Outperformer Rating on Newmont (NEM)

Photo by Gold-bar-jingming-pan on Unsplash

Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) operates as a gold producer and also explores for copper, silver, lead, zinc, and other metals.

While we acknowledge the potential of NEM 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.
A progressive group gains social media traction with this op/ed post . . .

"Governor Kelly made clear that she does not oppose civics education. In fact, she affirmed its importance. The issue, instead, was who gets to decide how that education is delivered. Allowing lawmakers to impose curriculum requirements risks politicizing classrooms and undermining the carefully designed balance of authority in Kansas education governance.



"Moreover, the State Board of Education already has standards in place that include instruction on various political and economic systems, including communism and socialism, as contrasted with various forms of democracy. The bill was therefore not addressing an education gap, but rather attempting to impose a specific framing and additional testing requirement from outside the established process.



"In this light, the veto was not a rejection of civic literacy but a defense of institutional roles . . ."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Care2 On FB: "Kansas Gov. Laura Kellys veto of House Bill 2412 underscores a central constitutional principle in the state: decisions about curriculum belong to the Kansas State Board of Education, not the Legislature."
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Azerbaijan for a working visit, Trend reports.

On April 25, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held one-on-one and expanded meetings with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Gabala.

During the conversation, the presidents fondly recalled their previous meetings. Confidence was expressed that the Ukrainian Presidents visit to Azerbaijan would provide a good opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation. The sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in many areas, including energy, discussed agricultural cooperation, and touched upon the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijans humanitarian support to Ukraine, as well as the attention and care shown by the Azerbaijani state to Ukrainian children. It was emphasized that a group of Ukrainian students is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan soon for rehabilitation purposes and to become acquainted with Azerbaijani culture and art.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. I remember my visit to Kyiv in January 2022. The exchange of views we had with you (Volodymyr Zelenskyy  ed.) and our subsequent contacts have consistently raised Ukraine-Azerbaijan relations to a high level. Our cooperation has a very strong political foundation, President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trend reports.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Honorable Mr. President, distinguished guests.

I once again sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. Welcome to Azerbaijan.

Our meetings have a regular character. This is our seventh meeting over the last four years. Our recent meetings took place on the sidelines of international organization events. However, I recall that you first visited Azerbaijan as President in 2019. Our personal relationship also began at that time and continues successfully today. I also remember my visit to Kyiv in January 2022. The exchange of views we held and our subsequent contacts have elevated UkraineAzerbaijan relations to a higher level.

Our cooperation has a very strong political foundation. In 2008 in Kyiv and in 2011 in Baku, two documents on strategic partnership were signed, and these are very important political documents. These documents reflect mutual respect for our countries territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan and Ukraine supportand will continue to supporteach others sovereignty and territorial integrity in all international organizations.

Two important events took place last year: consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission were held in Baku. During our conversation today, we also exchanged views on holding these events in Ukraine in the coming period. In short, we are successfully cooperating in many areas today, and this cooperation was reaffirmed once again.

Among the issues discussed, in addition to political dialogue, I would especially like to mention cooperation in the field of energy. There are both existing achievementsSOCAR has been operating successfully in Ukraine for many yearsand, at the same time, excellent prospects and joint projects. Joint initiatives, including investment-related matters, were discussed in detail today. Naturally, the issue of further increasing trade turnover is also at the center of the agenda. Our trade turnover has exceeded half a billion dollars; however, I hope this figure will grow further in the coming years, as there are strong opportunities for that.

An exchange of views was also held regarding military-technical cooperation, and there are significant prospects in this area as well. The military-industrial complex is developing in both Azerbaijan and Ukraine, and there are excellent opportunities for joint production, as well as for joint production in the industrial sector as a whole. This was also discussed in detail today, and we aim to further deepen our cooperation in all other fields.

As I mentioned, the holding of seven meetings at the presidential level over the past four yearsthe last meeting being two months ago in Munichis a clear indicator. This speaks to how dynamic our relations are. Today, we speak of mutual respect and the safeguarding of mutual interests. I am confident that todays visit will make another important contribution to the development of AzerbaijanUkraine friendly relations.

Once again, I sincerely welcome you and all our Ukrainian guests.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Regarding supplies in the energy sector, we have received 11 aid packages during such a very difficult period. We express our gratitude to Azerbaijan for this assistance, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press statement with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

Expressing his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the help provided to Ukrainian children as well, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: You are helping our children. Our children, our sons and daughters, come from frontline regions. They have faced hardships and suffered from the war. More than five hundred Ukrainian children are here, and we are grateful to you for this support, the President of Ukraine emphasized.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Regarding the defense industry, security is a field where we can establish very deep cooperation. We must work very hard to achieve this goal, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press statement with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

We have held talks in trilateral and other formats. Some of them took place in Turkiye, and later we met with our American partners in Geneva. If the Russian side also chooses this diplomacy, we would also like to conduct our negotiations in Azerbaijan, the President of Ukraine emphasized.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has condemned the statement of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide," Trend reports.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press secretary Aykhan Hajizade in a statement on his X account emphasized that, public figures should act responsibly, refrain from spreading misinformation, and contribute to reconciliation rather than deepening division through politically motivated and historically false statements.

"We reject your inflammatory statement. Such remarks demonstrate a lack of understanding of history and realities of the region, and distort facts for political narratives.

In 2020 Azerbaijan acted within its internationally recognized sovereign territory, in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The counter-terror measures of 2023 resulted in restoration of Azerbaijans constitutional order following three decades of illegal occupation. Claims of expulsion ignore the fact that Armenian residents were offered reintegration, full equal rights, and security guarantees.

It is particularly troubling that an elected official promotes one-sided narratives while ignoring ethnic cleansing and massacres against hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis during the occupation period, as well as destruction of cultural and religious heritage," Hajizade wrote.

The official added that such reckless statements are unacceptable and should be removed without delay.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. As part of the working visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Azerbaijan donated five electric buses to the city of Irpen, Trend reports.

The buses were donated as humanitarian aid.

The Ukrainian side regarded this step as an embodiment of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha in Gabala within the framework of the visit of the President of Ukraine to Azerbaijan, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The Ministers discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of deepening cooperation across political, economic, energy, and humanitarian spheres. They also explored opportunities to enhance trade, connectivity, as well as collaboration within international organizations.

The sides exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming mutual support for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the importance of continued high-level dialogue and partnership between Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

Ministers also co-signed an Agreement between Azerbaijan and Ukraine on Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, which will further strengthen the legal framework underpinning bilateral relations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The volume of trade transactions between Azerbaijan and Iran rose from January through March 2026.

Data obtained by Trend from the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee indicates that this figure amounted to $12.4 million, reflecting a growth of $12.4 million, or 7.9%, compared to the same period in 2025.

In the first quarter of this year, Azerbaijan exported products worth $2.8 million to Iran, marking a decrease of $2.1 million, or about 1.7 times, compared to the first quarter of last year.

During the reporting period, Azerbaijan imported products worth $166.7 million from Iran, representing a year-on-year increase of $14.4 million, or 9.5%.

Azerbaijans foreign trade turnover amounted to $9.4 billion from January through March 2026, marking a decrease of $2.64 billion or 21.9% compared to the same period last year.

The exports accounted for $5.4 billion of total trade, while imports stood at $4 billion. Over the past year, exports declined by $984 million or 15.4%, while imports fell by $1.65 billion or 29.3%

Consequently, the country recorded a trade surplus of $1.39 billion, which is $675 million, or 1.9 times, higher than the same period last year.
A group of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has sent an open letter to New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, responding to his recent statements on the social media platform X, AzerNEWS reports.





In the open letter, the organizations stressed that statements made by a high-ranking public official should not be based on one-sided interpretations of events and must take into account historical and political realities.





The authors of the letter also emphasized the need for a more balanced and measured approach when assessing sensitive historical and regional issues.





"We - a group of civil society representatives from Azerbaijan - consider your statements on the X platform regarding the so-called Armenian genocide of 1915, as well as Azerbaijans efforts to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty in 20202023, which are far from reality, to be unacceptable. Unfortunately, in line with the spirit of the Biden-Blinken era, you have hurt the feelings of millions of people with this political statement, which is incompatible with your mandate as the Mayor of New York City," the letter said.





Earlier the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Aykhan Hajizade has condemned the statement of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide".




Several analysts asked whether strength continued into April. Tobin told Bank of Americas Andrew Obin that April bookings were so far, so good, and he also told Bairds Mike Halloran that the pace of orders sustained through the quarter and through April.

On a trailing 12-month basis, Tobin said bookings are up 12% and book-to-bill is now above one. He also emphasized that some of the bookings growth reflects customers placing orders further in advance to secure capacity, rather than any pre-buying related to tariffs or geopolitical events. Responding to Wolfe Researchs Nigel Coe, Tobin said, We dont see any kind of pre-buy, adding that customers are ordering for later delivery periods because demand is outstripping supply.

A key focus of the call was order activity. Tobin said first-quarter bookings totaled $2.5 billion, up 24% year over year, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2. He added that each of Dovers five segments posted a book-to-bill above one, improving forecast visibility.

Dover (NYSE:DOV) opened 2026 with what President and CEO Richard J. Tobin described as a good start, highlighted by double-digit revenue growth, a sharp increase in bookings, and adjusted earnings per share growth of 11% year over year. Management pointed to strength in secular growth end markets, acquired company performance, and constructive demand conditions across the portfolio, while reiterating a full-year outlook that targets double-digit adjusted EPS growth.

Growth is being driven by AI/datacenter liquid cooling, power infrastructure, Clean Energy & Fueling (+11% organic) and Climate & Sustainability (+15% organic); management expects >$1 billion in 2026 revenue from AI and power applications and anticipates margin improvement in H2 as capacity projects and mix normalize.

Dover reported adjusted EPS of $2.28 (+11% YoY) and Q1 free cash flow of $131 million, while reaffirming fullyear guidance targeting doubledigit adjusted EPS growth and maintaining capex guidance of $190210 million and FCF guidance of 1416% of revenue.

Bookings jumped 24% yearoveryear to $2.5 billion with a booktobill of 1.2 and all five segments above one, which management says reflects genuine demand (customers ordering further out as demand outstrips supply) and continued strength into April, improving revenue visibility.

Story Continues

Q1 results and segment performance

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Tobin reported adjusted EPS of $2.28 per share, up 11% year over year. He said Dover continued capital returns through opportunistic share repurchases while investing in capacity expansions and productivity projects. Tobin also said the acquisition pipeline remains active as industrial M&A begins to pick up, though he noted later that multiples remain frustratingly high.

Management highlighted the following segment trends in the quarter:

Engineered Products: Revenue increased modestly, with strong demand and bookings in aerospace and defense components and industrial winches, plus improving trends in the global vehicle aftermarket.

Clean Energy & Fueling: Organic growth of 11%, led by clean energy components, fluid transport, and retail fueling. Tobin said North American national retailers are in the early innings of a multiyear growth cycle, with improvement also showing in Europe. He cited volume leverage and operational execution supporting margins, with recent pricing actions expected to help the rest of the year.

Imaging & Identification: Stable performance across marking and coding equipment, consumables, and serialization software. Tobin said segment margins were strong but faced foreign currency translation headwinds that should abate as the year progresses. In Q&A, Tobin characterized the quarters margin pressure as FX, calling it a rounding error.

Pumps & Process Solutions: Revenue declined modestly as the segment lapped a tough comp in biopharma, though Tobin cited solid performance tied to artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure components, and industrial pumps. He said margins expanded on favorable mix and strong productivity execution, and later told Citigroups Andrew Kaplowitz the segments margin performance was exemplary.

Climate & Sustainability Technologies: Organic growth of 15% driven by heat exchangersespecially in North Americaon growth in liquid cooling applications and data centers. Food Retail also grew, supported by double-digit growth in CO2 refrigeration systems and a recovery in refrigerated door cases and services. Tobin said the order book already supports bookings into the second half.

Cash flow and capital deployment

 Amazon Stock Up 30%: Is AMZN Still a Buy Before Earnings?

Senior Vice President and CFO Chris Woenker said first-quarter free cash flow was $131 million, representing 6% of revenue and up $22 million from the prior-year quarter. He attributed the improvement to higher earnings, partially offset by higher capital expenditures related to growth and productivity investments.

Woenker reaffirmed Dovers full-year capital expenditure estimate of $190 million to $210 million, and he reiterated the companys free cash flow guidance of 14% to 16% of revenue. He also noted that Q1 is typically Dovers lowest cash flow quarter due to inventory investments ahead of seasonally stronger quarters in Q2 and Q3.

End-market themes: AI, power infrastructure, CO2 refrigeration, and more

Management spent significant time describing growth platforms tied to data centers, electrification, and energy infrastructure. Tobin said Dover expects to generate over $1 billion in revenue in 2026 from applications tied to artificial intelligence and power generation infrastructure. He cited increasing thermal density in data centers driving a shift to liquid cooling, benefiting Dovers connector and heat exchanger businesses.

Tobin also discussed Dovers Sakura acquisitions, closed in June 2025, which he said expand exposure to electricity infrastructure through measurement and inspection control solutions for high-voltage polymer coated wires and cables. He said Sakura is performing well ahead of its acquisition underwriting case, and Dover is working to expand its geographic reach using Dovers global channels.

In energy, Tobin said demand for steam and gas turbine components remains robust, reflecting OEM lead times that now extend multiple years. He added that while Dover has not seen a corresponding acceleration in midstream investment, early indications suggest a pickup in shorter-cycle midstream compression orders beginning in the second half of 2026 into early 2027. He also said Clean Energy & Fueling is seeing solid growth in valves and vacuum-jacketed piping used in LNG liquefaction infrastructure, including export terminals. Tobin noted the company recently booked its single largest order ever for space launch infrastructure.

In CO2 refrigeration, Tobin said Dover maintains a market leadership position in the U.S., supported by a platformed portfolio produced from a retrofitted plant in Conyers, Georgia. He said North America remains in early adoption of natural refrigerants, with penetration still below 10%, and argued the shift has moved from being regulatory-driven to performance-driven based on early installs.

Guidance reaffirmed; margin improvement expected later in year

Tobin said Dover reaffirmed full-year guidance for the time being, while noting the company is driving to the top end of the range based on order rates and will revisit guidance next quarter. In response to Obins questions about the relationship between bookings strength and organic growth guidance, Tobin said if bookings trends remain consistent through the second quarter, its clear that were going to have to revisit top-line expectations.

On margins, Tobin indicated some of the operating leverage is expected to improve later in the year, particularly in Climate & Sustainability Technologies. He told Vertical Researchs Jeff Sprague that Dovers refrigeration business is balancing unusually strong demand against a facility consolidation, and the company has been delayed in getting that project done because we had so many orders, which cost us margin dollars. Tobin said the company is on track to complete the work probably by mid-year, and he expects incremental margin in the segment to be robust in H2.

He also told Barclays Julian Mitchell that retail fueling should inflect sequentially positive throughout the year on volume leverage and product mix, adding that seasonality typically supports higher profits in Q2 and Q3.

On tariffs, Tobin said Dover has assessed tens of thousands of line items and concluded the net impact is relatively neutral, noting Dover is mostly a build in the region to ship into the region kind of company. While he said the company hopes to see competitive advantages from changes such as Section 232, he cautioned it may take months for tariff impacts to work through due to channel inventory dynamics.

About Dover (NYSE:DOV)

Dover Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer of industrial products, components and specialty systems that serve a wide range of commercial and industrial end markets. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, the company has built a portfolio of operating businesses that design, manufacture and distribute engineered equipment, aftermarket parts and related services for customers around the world.

Dover's activities span several product and solution categories, including fluid-handling and pumping systems, material handling and processing equipment, refrigeration and foodservice technologies, product identification and printing systems, precision components and automation and sensing solutions.

The article "Dover Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 25. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will allocate $14 million in grant funding to support the development of Uzbekistans IT education ecosystem, Trend reports via the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan.

According to the ministry, KOICA is implementing a comprehensive project titled Enhancing Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship through Improving the IT Education Ecosystem in Uzbekistan.

The initiative aims to strengthen skills and expand opportunities for young people in high-demand digital fields over the next four years. As part of the program, participants will receive systematic training in areas such as artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, programming, the Internet of Things, and online marketing.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 24. Turkmenistan has approved financing measures aimed at supporting agricultural producers and investment projects in the sector, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The decision was introduced by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Khojamyrat Geldymyradov and endorsed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during a Cabinet of Ministers meeting held via digital system.

According to Geldymyradov, the financing will be directed toward investment projects in livestock and poultry farming, as well as the production and processing of agricultural products and related services.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize agriculture, develop regional economies, and improve living standards in both rural and urban areas. The president approved the proposal to stimulate agricultural producers and instructed relevant authorities to proceed with its implementation.

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of Turkmenistans economy, employing a significant share of the population and playing an important role in ensuring food security and providing raw materials for the domestic industry. The sector focuses primarily on the cultivation of strategic crops such as cotton and wheat, as well as vegetables, fruits, and melons.

The government places strong emphasis on modernizing farming practices, improving irrigation systems, and increasing productivity through state support programs. Large state entities, including Turkmenpagta State Concern and Turkmengallaonumleri State Association, coordinate cotton and grain production, respectively, while livestock breeding and food processing are managed by specialized state associations.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 25. Turkmenistan is set to launch a new production facility for wool yarn at the textile complex in Bayramaly district of Mary region, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The directive was issued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during a Cabinet meeting, following a report by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Nokerguly Atagulyev on the modernization of the textile industry.

According to the report, the new production will focus on high-quality wool yarn produced from local raw materials, which is in demand on foreign markets. The project is intended to meet domestic demand and enhance export potential.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize Turkmenistans textile sector and expand value-added production.

The Bayramaly Textile Complex is a key enterprise in the countrys textile industry and began operations in 2002. Located in Mary Province, it comprises four main production unitsspinning, weaving, dyeing, and sewingequipped with modern machinery.

The complex processes locally sourced cotton raw materials, producing yarn, fabrics, and finished goods, including clothing and home textiles. Its production capacity reaches approximately 67 tons of fabric per day, with products supplied to both the domestic market and for export, including to Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and other countries.

The enterprise employs over 750 people, making it one of the major industrial employers in the region.
Photo: The press service of the Turkmen Government.

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 25. Turkmenistan and Tajikistan have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The talks took place during a meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Cabinet Guvanch Agajanov and Tajikistans Ambassador to Turkmenistan Niyatbekzoda Vafo.

The sides reviewed prospects for joint projects, expansion of cooperation in upstream and downstream segments, and exchange of experience in oil and gas production and processing.

Particular attention was given to diversification of energy supply routes, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen regional energy connectivity.
Photo: The Embassy of Turkmenistan in the U.S.

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 25. Turkmenistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed prospects for strengthening strategic cooperation and enhancing coordination with national financial institutions, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The issues were addressed during a meeting between Turkmenistans Ambassador to the United States Esen Aydogdyev and IMF Executive Director Patrick Lajoevsky in Washington D.C.

According to the discussions, strengthening such coordination is expected to support more integrated and effective implementation of joint objectives aimed at enhancing macroeconomic stability and advancing ongoing economic reforms in Turkmenistan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint-Stock Company has finalized important accords for the Middle Corridor progress, the company told Trend.

The Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, Rovshan Rustamov, took part in the next meeting of the Board of the Legal Entities Association of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route International Association (TITR) during his working visit to Kazakhstan.

"The meeting noted that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has gained a significant position among global cargo transportation corridors in recent years, with steadily increasing volumes of cargo transported along the East-West-East direction. This trend highlights the growing importance of improving operational efficiency and expanding the use of digital solutions. The work carried out over the past two years by the executive body of the Legal Entities Association of the TITR International Association was reviewed during the meeting. Participants emphasized the need to further improve the existing cargo transportation plan and to develop container transport toward Europe via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway," the statement said.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 25. Turkmenistan held the first meeting of the National Steering Group on the implementation of the eleventh phase of the Border Management Program in Central Asia (BOMCA 11), Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The meeting took place with the participation of representatives of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan and international experts in the field of border management.

The agenda focused on practical implementation of the regional program aimed at strengthening border security and facilitating legitimate cross-border flows. Participants reviewed ongoing activities and outlined priority areas for further cooperation, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to border control and migration management.

The discussions highlighted the role of regular international consultations in expanding cooperation with relevant organizations and adopting best international practices in border governance.

BOMCA (Border Management Program in Central Asia) is a European Union-funded regional initiative launched in 2003 to support Central Asian countries in modernizing border management systems. The program is currently implemented under its 11th phase (BOMCA 11), which covers the period 2024-2027 and focuses on strengthening integrated border management, improving risk analysis, and facilitating secure trade and transit.

Turkmenistan has been participating in BOMCA as part of its cooperation with EU technical assistance programs in the field of border security and migration management. Within the framework of BOMCA 11, the country engages in training programs for the State Migration Service and other border agencies, capacity-building activities, and the introduction of modern border control tools, including risk-based inspection methods and procedural harmonization with international standards.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 25. Participants of the 34th meeting of the Coordination Committee on the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China (TUKC) gas pipeline discussed key issues related to technical operation, safety, and advance coordinated plans for the projects future expansion, Trend reports via Uzbneftegaz.

The meeting was held on April 21-23 in Zhuhai, China, with the participation of leading energy companies from the four countries, including a delegation from Uzbekistans Uzbneftegaz.

During the discussions, particular attention was paid to ensuring the stable and secure operation of the pipeline system, as well as enhancing coordination mechanisms among participating parties to support its sustainable development.

Participants emphasized that the gas pipeline remains a crucial pillar of regional energy security and serves as a successful example of cross-border cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China pipeline delivers natural gas from Central Asia to China and is regarded as one of the regions largest and most significant energy infrastructure projects.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The European Union has removed three Tajik financial institutions, Spitamen Bank CJSC, Dushanbe City Bank CJSC, and Commercebank Tajikistan CJSC, from its sanctions list, as part of the 20th package of restrictive measures adopted by the European Commission on April 23, 2026.

This decision effectively rescinds the restrictions previously imposed under the EUs 19th sanctions package in 2025, when these three banks, along with eight other banks from CIS countries, were targeted. The earlier measures included prohibitions on certain transactions and limitations on interactions with a number of international financial institutions, directly affecting cross-border operations and external settlements in the banking sector.

According to the National Bank of Tajikistan, the reassessment of the banks status resulted from sustained engagement with European institutions. Between 2025 and 2026, multiple working meetings were conducted, a dedicated delegation was dispatched, and a specific EU representative was appointed to coordinate matters related to the sanctions regime and compliance.

A key factor contributing to the lifting of restrictions was the enhancement of financial oversight and the adoption of international standards aimed at combating money laundering and the financing of illicit activities. According to the regulator, the Tajik banking sector strengthened its internal compliance mechanisms and aligned its regulatory framework with globally recognized requirements.

The regulator further emphasized that, throughout the sanctions period, the banks continued to operate normally within the domestic market, providing uninterrupted services for accounts, cards, ATMs, and digital platforms. The imposed limitations primarily affected international transfers, which were subject to additional verification and adjusted transaction procedures.

The removal of these restrictions is expected to facilitate further development of the banking sector and broaden access to international financial services. The National Bank reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, financial stability, and conformity with global regulatory standards.

The EUs decision also aligns with the broader context of Tajikistans economic engagement, given the countrys significant reliance on external financial inflows. According to the Global Findex Database 2025, 44.8% of the adult population receives remittances from relatives working abroad, with this proportion rising to 50.6% in rural areas, compared to 30.8% in urban centers.

Cross-border remittance flows remain a critical component of household financial stability, highlighting the importance of robust banking channels and secure access to international payment systems.

Within this context, the easing of the sanctions regime can be interpreted as part of a broader trajectory of EUTajikistan engagement, complementing ongoing initiatives in financial inclusion, sustainable development, and infrastructure modernization.

The future course of cooperation will largely depend on the durability of banking sector reforms, adherence to international standards, and the continuation of the gradual normalization of financial relations between Tajikistan and the European Union.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A delegation led by Javid Gurbanov, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, took part in the International Transport Forum Kyrgyzstan  A Regional Hub: Connecting Continents in Bishkek, Trend reports via the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MDT).

In addition, it was noted that the 9th meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) took place within the framework of the forum. The event discussed changes in international logistics chains, the growing importance of alternative transport routes, as well as issues related to expanding cooperation along the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor). It was noted that the Middle Corridor plays an important role in ensuring sustainable and diversified transport links between regions. At the same time, the importance of simplifying administrative procedures, harmonizing requirements, and removing existing infrastructure barriers to enhance the corridors efficiency and competitiveness was emphasized.

The visit also included a bilateral meeting with Durmus Unuvar, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkiye, during which views were exchanged on issues of mutual cooperation.
Verizon Communications Inc. will release earnings for its first quarter before the opening bell on Monday, April 27.

Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share. Thats up from $1.19 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Verizon's quarterly revenue is $34.86 billion (it reported $33.48 billion last year), according to Benzinga Pro.

Ahead of quarterly earnings, Barclays analyst Kannan Venkateshwar, on March 31, maintained Verizon with an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $43 to $47.

With the recent buzz around Verizon, some investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends too. As of now, Verizon has an annual dividend yield of 5.99%, which is a quarterly dividend amount of 70.75 cents per share ($2.83 a year).

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To figure out how to earn $500 monthly from Verizon, we start with the yearly target of $6,000 ($500 x 12 months).

Next, we take this amount and divide it by Verizon's $2.83 dividend: $6,000 / $2.83 = 2,120 shares.

So, an investor would need to own approximately $100,106 worth of Verizon, or 2,120 shares to generate a monthly dividend income of $500.

Assuming a more conservative goal of $100 monthly ($1,200 annually), we do the same calculation: $1,200 / $2.83 = 424 shares, or $20,021 to generate a monthly dividend income of $100.

Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as the dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time.

The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the current stock price. As the stock price changes, the dividend yield will also change.

For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and its current price is $50, its dividend yield would be 4%. However, if the stock price increases to $60, the dividend yield would decrease to 3.33% ($2/$60).

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Conversely, if the stock price decreases to $40, the dividend yield would increase to 5% ($2/$40).

Further, the dividend payment itself can also change over time, which can also impact the dividend yield. If a company increases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will increase even if the stock price remains the same. Similarly, if a company decreases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will decrease.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 25. An investment project for the construction and operation of the Energy Astana eco-park has been launched in Kazakhstan's Astana, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

An investment contract was signed between Gabidulla Ospankulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and Qiuanyuan Peng, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAST HOPE LLP.

The document provides for the implementation of a project to build and operate an eco-park in the capital. Ospankulov emphasized the importance of implementing large-scale projects that meet modern technological and environmental standards.

The project is expected to be launched in the second half of 2029. At the initial stage, the eco-park will be capable of processing around 1,500 tons of waste per day, generating 50 MW of electricity. Its implementation is expected to create 250 temporary and 125 permanent jobs.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 25. Kazakhstans Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation signed three memoranda and one cooperation roadmap with foreign partners following the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, Trend reports via the ministry.

A memorandum of understanding was concluded with the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including modernization of water infrastructure, efficient use of water resources, joint training of qualified personnel, and exchange of expertise in monitoring hydraulic structures, as well as flood and drought management.

Another memorandum was signed with the International Water Management Institute, providing for implementation of joint projects and exchange of experience, information, and best practices in research, monitoring, and management of surface and groundwater resources, including transboundary waters.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Germanys Independent Institute for Environmental Issues, aimed at developing joint projects and conducting scientific research.

Moreover, a roadmap for international cooperation was signed with French Hydroplus. The document provides for implementation of pilot projects in Kazakhstan and measures to enhance the qualifications of water sector specialists.

Overall, representatives of the ministry participated in 21 plenary sessions and roundtables during the summit, including discussions on improving water efficiency in Central Asia amid climate change and high-level consultations on establishing an international water organization.

The summit also hosted a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the founding countries of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, chaired by Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. A number of key documents were adopted, including a decision to declare March 26 as the International Day of the Aral Sea, as well as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 25. Kazakhstan and Greece have identified key directions for expanding cooperation and launching new investment projects following a working visit by Alibek Kuantyrov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, to Greece, Trend reports via the Kazakh MFA.

During his visit, Kuantyrov held a series of meetings with representatives of Greek government bodies and business circles, focusing on deepening trade and economic ties and advancing practical joint initiatives.

In talks with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theoharis, the sides discussed preparations for the next meeting of the Kazakhstan-Greece Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Technological Cooperation, as well as broader bilateral issues. The Greek side noted Kazakhstans importance as a key partner, particularly in energy, while also highlighting strong potential for cooperation in agriculture, logistics, and other sectors.

Kuantyrov, in turn, reaffirmed Kazakhstans readiness to deepen engagement and move toward the practical implementation of joint initiatives, particularly in industry, energy, and infrastructure.

Special attention was given to financial and institutional cooperation. In meetings with Georgios Pitsilis, Governor of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue of Greece, the parties discussed tax administration reform, digitalization of public services, and prospects for an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.

Further discussions were held with Serhat Koksal, President of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, and Panagiotis Stampoulidis, Deputy CEO of Growthfund, Greeces sovereign asset fund, on expanding investment cooperation, including participation in infrastructure and financial projects in Kazakhstan.

Kuantyrov also met with representatives of major Greek companies, including METLEN Energy & Metals, Desserta Hellas, and CCC, to explore concrete financing mechanisms and potential joint projects in metallurgy, energy, petrochemicals, agriculture, and industrial infrastructure development.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A meeting between the Iranian and U.S. delegations during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Pakistan is not planned, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei wrote on his page on X, Trend reports.

He clarified that Irans top diplomat Abbas Araghchi will hold meetings only with senior Pakistani officials.

No meeting between Iran and the United States is planned, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Islamabad, Trend reports, citing the Iranian MFA.

The meeting included an exchange of views on the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., the cessation of military airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, as well as the strengthening of peace and stability in West Asia.

Araghchi welcomed the valuable efforts of the Pakistani state, especially the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to restore the ceasefire and end the war, and expressed Iran's position in this regard.

During the meeting, Munir also expressed his gratitude to the Iranian side for trusting Pakistan in advancing the diplomatic process and noted the country's readiness to continue its mediation efforts until the achievement of a result.

xxx

10:10

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Islamabad, Trend reports, citing the Iranian MFA.

According to information, the meeting included an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached

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 25. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Islamabad, Trend reports, citing the Iranian MFA.

The meeting included an exchange of views on the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., the cessation of military airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, as well as the strengthening of peace and stability in West Asia.

Araghchi welcomed the valuable efforts of the Pakistani state, especially the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to restore the ceasefire and end the war, and expressed Iran's position in this regard.

During the meeting, Munir also expressed his gratitude to the Iranian side for trusting Pakistan in advancing the diplomatic process and noted the country's readiness to continue its mediation efforts until the achievement of a result.

xxx

10:10

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Islamabad, Trend reports, citing the Iranian MFA.

According to information, the meeting included an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached

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.

Will be updated
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Iran is not yet fully confident that the United States is truly ready to rely solely on diplomatic means of conflict resolution, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value.

Shared Iran's position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy," he wrote.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 26. The US received a new proposal from Iran after the cancellation of the negotiators' trip to Pakistan, US President Donald Trump told reporters before flying to Washington, Trend reports.

According to him, Iran's proposal to the American side during the negotiations "should have been better."

"What's interesting is that immediately after I canceled the trip (of the negotiators), within 10 minutes we had new documents, and they were better," Trump said.
aprilia tuareg experience in moab

ACEM data reveals strong Q1 2026 growth led by Germany, Spain, and Italy as pent-up demand is released.

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) has just released its Q1 2026 registration data, and on the surface, it looks like Europes motorcycle market is suddenly on fire. Across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, registrations hit 250,762 units, up 21.1% from last year. Thats a big swing in a short time, especially for a mature market.

But once you start peeling things back, it becomes clear this isnt a sudden boom. Its more like the market finally catching its breath after a pretty weird 2025.

Last years slowdown wasnt about demand falling off a cliff. It was largely tied to the transition to the Euro 5+ emissions standard, which forced manufacturers and dealers to adjust inventory, production timing, and homologation schedules. That created a temporary dip in registrations that made the market look weaker than it actually was. Now that the transition is done, bikes are flowing again, and the numbers are bouncing back in a way that looks dramatic, but is really just a normalization.

BMW F 900 R Frozen Grey

Germany is the clearest example of that reset in action. Registrations there jumped to 45,549 units, up a massive 44.5% year over year, which sounds like explosive growth until you realize a lot of that volume was likely delayed from the previous year. Spain also posted a strong 26.8% increase to 58,027 units, while Italy held onto its position as the largest market with 82,049 units, up 14.3%. France and the UK followed with more modest but still healthy gains, showing that the recovery isnt isolated to one or two markets.

What makes this rebound more convincing is that every major country is up at the same time. That kind of consistency usually points to real demand rather than a statistical anomaly. It suggests that riders didnt disappear in 2025, they just waited. Once supply stabilized and new models aligned with updated regulations, those buyers came back into the market almost immediately. Its less about new demand being created and more about existing demand finally being fulfilled.

2026 Ducati DesertX V2 - Hero

If we dive in even deeper, the kind of bikes driving this growth might surprise a lot of enthusiasts. Its not big horsepower machines or premium halo bikes pushing volume. Europe continues to run on 125cc commuters and middleweight motorcycles, which dominate sales thanks to licensing structures, insurance costs, and practical use cases. These are bikes built for everyday riding, not weekend bragging rights, and they form the backbone of the entire market.
The Great Indian Turncoat Bazaar



Raghav Chadhas exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is neither shocking nor exceptional, it is entirely in keeping with the grammar of our times.

This is not politics in motion; this is conviction in decay  stage-managed, monetised, and performed without shame.

Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram (literally Ram has come, Ram has gone) is a famous Hindi expression that originated in 1967 to describe turncoats  politicians who make opportunistic switches in party allegiances. This phrase became the defining symbol of the rampant political instability and unprincipled defection that plagued Indian legislatures during the late 1960s.

The phrase originated in the newly formed state of Haryana in 1967, involving Gaya Lal, an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Hassanpur constituency. After winning as an independent, Gaya Lal joined the Indian National Congress. Within a fortnight, he defected to the United Front coalition, then back to the Congress, and then back again to the United Front  all within a span of nine hours by some accounts.

When Gaya Lal was brought back to the Congress party, then-leader Rao Birender Singh brought him to a press conference in Chandigarh and famously announced: Gaya Ram was now Aaya Ram.

This incident was one of many that led to the collapse of the B.D. Sharma government and eventually the dissolution of the assembly and the imposition of Presidents Rule in Haryana in 1967.

The late 1960s was a period of significant political churn. Following the 1967 general elections, the Indian National Congress lost its absolute majority in several state legislatures, leading to a rise in coalition governments. Between February 1967 and March 1968, there were 438 reported defections in India, with over 50% of legislators changing parties by March 1971. This behaviour caused chronic government instability, as elected officials switched sides frequently for rewards or ministerial berths, breaking the trust of voters.

The phenomenon in the 1960s was so severe that it created a national outcry against unethical politics. To curb this, the Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram trend led to the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, which introduced the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) to the Indian Constitution.Despite the 1985 law, the term Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram is still frequently used to describe flip-flopping loyalties in modern Indian politics. Gaya Lal himself continued to change parties throughout his career until his death in 2009, having joined the Congress, United Front, Arya Sabha, Bharatiya Lok Dal, and the Janata Party.

Cut to April 2425, 2026. Raghav Chadha resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His departure, accompanied by reports of other MPs and a statement claiming he was the right man in the wrong party, sparked significant political controversy and criticism regarding his shift in loyalties.

Raghav Chadha, a prominent AAP Rajya Sabha MP, reportedly switched sides in what has been described as a coordinated political move. Many social media users and commentators described this move as a sudden change, calling it opportunism and arguing that he had shown his true colours. A video of him previously criticising the BJP went viral shortly after the move, triggering debate about his past stance.

The move followed alleged growing internal differences and a public fallout with the Aam Aadmi Party leadership. The development is a major blow to the AAP, with critics questioning his ideological consistency. He had none. His best qualification may have been his gift of the gab, pinches of elitism in the way he carried himself, and someone who carried little conviction when he addressed Parliament.

The Politics of Defection

The Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), enacted in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment, disqualifies members who leave their party or vote against party whips, with decisions made by the Speaker. Conveniently, Parliamentarians left behind exceptions to the ruleand these have been used to the hilt.

A party can merge with another if at least two-thirds of its legislators approve, which protects members from disqualification. While aimed at ensuring stability, it can limit freedom of speech and reduce accountability.

Cut back to Goa 2017

The Goa election of 2017 remains a defining example.

In the 40-member House, the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 17 seats, while the BJP was reduced to 13a sharp drop from 21 in 2012. Anti-incumbency was evident, with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar losing his own seat. The BJP had been politically thrashed.

And yet, from Delhi, Amit Shah announced that the BJP would form the government. It was treated as a joke  until it wasnt.

Shah arrived with a team in tow and, according to widely reported accounts, suitcases that were not light. Despite not being the single largest party, the BJP moved swiftly to assemble a coalition. Manohar Parrikar was brought back from his role as Union Defence Minister to lead the effort. Overnight the best political engineers created news spaces and a new political architecture.

Parrikar formed a government with the support of BJP MLAs, the Goa Forward Party, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, and independents  reaching the majority mark. The loaves of office were distributed. The biggest rewards went to the biggest players.

Politicians like to believe they are smart and people are fools. The people may be helpless against brute power and remain unorganised  but we are not blind. Not foolish.

The Congress argued that the Governor acted in a partisan manner by not inviting them first. Critics called it a blatant breach of the peoples verdict  a case where a rejected party used manoeuvring to seize power.

My cat would tell you that this was a fact. Not the defectors. So, one must askis my cat more intelligent than the defector? Parrikar maintained that his government was a coalition born of necessity. But what fractured was not the mandate  it was principle. An unwillingness to accept defeat, combined with a hunger for power, replaced democratic humility.

The government secured a trust vote on 16 March 2017. Institutions followed procedure. Democracy did not. The Governor  too often reduced to a postmanand the Speaker -frequently a chowkidarsurrendered democratic principles and handed victory to power. That era of Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram never ended. It simply evolved  adding incentives, scale, and sophistication.

One MLA who had campaigned viciously against Parrikar later pledged allegiance to him, declaring: He is a changed man (Or words to that effect). The public had asked for a vote  not a character certificate. The public watched. It laughed. It remembered. It still laughs. One MLA threatened the Businessmen in the anti-CAA Movement with disruption to their business opportunities.

The role of the Speaker in disqualification cases remains deeply controversial, often inviting judicial intervention, as seen in states like Maharashtra. Proposals to shift this authority to an independent body like the Election Commission have been madebut institutional credibility itself now raises concerns.

The law has reduced small defectionsbut enabled large ones.

Political defection today reflects power-hungry behaviour, where elected representatives abandon ideology for personal gain, protection, or proximity to authority. It represents a shift toward showroom politics, where loyalty is displayed, traded, and upgraded.

Defectors treat parties as ATMs or protection walls. Ideology is invoked only when convenientand abandoned when profitability changes.

The drivers are clear: office, money, survival, and alignment with power.

Some attempt to justify defections as acts of conscience or protest. These explanations have become predictableand unconvincing. This claim is utter rubbish.

Defections are often highly lucrative. Ministerial posts, institutional positions, contracts, and financial inducements form part of the exchange. Horse-trading is not an allegationit is a pattern. It is the rare legislator who resigns, topple governments, recontest under new banners, and return to power cleansed and rewarded.

The Tenth schedule stumbles

The Tenth Schedule was meant to stop this. Instead, it has been outmanoeuvred. What we are witnessing is not political realignment - it is political commerce. When defections become profitable and principles disposable, democracy is no longer a system of representation  it is a marketplace of transactions. The voter casts a ballot, but power rewrites the outcome. Until betrayal carries consequence and conviction regains value, this turncoat bazaar will continue to thrive  louder, richer, and more brazen with each passing election. And somewhere in that noise, the very idea of political integrity will not just fade  it will be systematically buried.

Raghav Chadhas exit, therefore, is neither shocking nor exceptional. It is entirely in keeping with the grammar of our times. Draped in polish, fluent in rhetoric, and cushioned by a certain elitism that mistakes articulation for integrity, his defection feels less like a rupture and more like a delayed inevitability. This was always going to happen. When politics becomes a ladder rather than a commitment, the climb matters more than the cause. His betrayal is not just of a party, but of the very idea that public life demands conviction. And in that sense, he is not an outlierhe is a perfect product of the very bazaar we pretend to condemn.

This trend is often viewed as a for-profit decision by lawmakers, which can lead to political instability and the undermining of democratic principles. While these actions are financially beneficial to the individual defector, they often severely damage democratic stability by disregarding the mandate given by the voters.

[The writer, Ranjan Solomon, has worked in social justice movements since he was 19 years of age. After an accumulated period of 58 years working with oppressed and marginalized groups locally, nationally, and internationally, he has now turned author- researcher-freelance writer focussed on questions of global and local/national justice., Ranjan Solomon has stayed in close solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom from Israeli occupation, and the cruel apartheid system since 1987. Ranjan Solomon can be contacted at ranjan.solomon@gmail.com.]

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Boasting a market cap of $113 billion, Intuit Inc. (INTU) is a prominent provider of cloud-based financial software designed for individuals, small businesses, and accounting professionals. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company is best known for its flagship products, TurboTax, QuickBooks, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp, which together create an integrated ecosystem supporting tax preparation, accounting, personal finance, and marketing needs.

It is expected to announce its third-quarter earnings soon. Ahead of this event, analysts expect this company to report a profit of $11.13 per share, up 6.6 from $10.44 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has a promising trajectory of consistently beating Wall Streets bottom-line estimates in each of the last four quarters.

More News from Barchart

For fiscal 2026, analysts expect INTU to report a profit of $17.44 per share, representing a 13.5% increase from $15.37 per share in fiscal 2025. Moreover, its EPS is expected to grow 16% year over year to $20.23 in fiscal 2027.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Intuit have declined 35.7% over the past 52 weeks, considerably underperforming both the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 32.2% return and the Technology Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLK) 57.4% uptick over the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

On Apr. 15, shares of Intuit rose 6.5% in afternoon trading as broader markets rallied on improved risk appetite driven by easing geopolitical tensions and potential U.S-Iran peace negotiations. The shift toward a risk-on environment prompted investors to rotate back into high-quality growth stocks, particularly those with scalable, high-margin subscription models and clear opportunities to integrate generative AI-factors that continue to support Intuits long-term investment appeal.

Wall Street analysts are very optimistic about INTU, with an overall Strong Buy rating. Among the 31 analysts covering the stock, 23 recommend Strong Buy, three indicate Moderate Buy, and five suggest Hold. The mean price target for INTU is $622.77, implying a solid 62.5% potential upside from the current price levels.

On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah 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
On the question of large-deal mix, Seaton told Barclays that energy was the biggest asset class among the quarters mega deals, followed by industrial and data centers, with some multifamily and retail also included. He added that several large transactions had already closed early in the second quarter and that the pipeline is looking very good.

Seaton said National Commercial Services posted broad-based strength with nine of 11 asset classes higher year-over-year. He pointed to data centers as a meaningful tailwind, with revenue tied to that sector up 76% from last year, and said the energy group grew 250% and ranked as a top five asset class during the quarter.

Commercial revenue increased 48% to $271 million, which Seaton called a record for a Q1. Seaton highlighted 20 orders that generated more than $1 million in premium, double the number from the prior year. Wajner added that closed commercial orders rose 9% year-over-year, while average revenue per order increased 36%.

In the title segment, Wajner said adjusted revenue was $1.7 billion, up 17% from the same period of 2025. The quarters growth was driven by commercial and refinance activity, partially offset by continued softness in residential purchase volume.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Seaton said the company generated adjusted earnings per share of $1.33 in the quarter, up 58% from the prior year. On a GAAP basis, Chief Financial Officer Matthew Wajner reported earnings of $1.21 per diluted share.

First American Financial (NYSE:FAF) reported first-quarter 2026 results that management said reflected continued momentum, led by strength in commercial title and growing investment income from its bank subsidiary, while residential purchase activity remained weak.

Investment income and bank deposit growth bolstered results despite Fed cuts, with investment income up 12% to $154 million and First American Trust deposits rising 19% to $6.8 billion, including growing non-captive deposit sources.

Adjusted EPS of $1.33 (up 58% YoY) was driven by a record Q1 in commercial title  commercial revenue rose 48% to $271 million with several mega-deals and strong pipelines in data centers and energy.

Story Continues

Purchase revenue lags; refinance gets a temporary lift

 3M Stock Pulls Back, But Catalysts Point to New Highs

Residential purchase revenue declined 4% year-over-year, matching Seatons more cautious view of the market versus most public forecasts. Wajner said the decline was driven by a 6% drop in closed orders, partially offset by a 3% increase in average revenue per order.

Refinance revenue rose 76% from last year, driven by a 57% increase in closed orders and a 13% increase in average revenue per order, according to Wajner. Seaton said refinance benefited modestly during the quarter when mortgage rates dipped into the low 6% range, but activity has since softened as rates moved higher again. Wajner noted refinance accounted for 8% of direct revenue, underscoring how subdued the market remains versus historical levels.

In the agency business, revenue increased 16% to $759 million, reflecting an approximately one-quarter reporting lag in agent remittances, Wajner said. Information and other revenues increased 14% to $269 million, driven by growth in subservicing, demand for non-insured information products and services, and refinance activity in Canadian operations.

On Canada, Wajner said the market differs from the U.S. because it lacks the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage; instead, mortgages typically reset every three to five years, requiring refinancing. He said the company is coming to a refi wave or a refi wall that began last year and is expected to persist through this year and into next year.

Bank deposits and investment income grow despite Fed cuts

Seaton and Wajner emphasized investment income and bank deposit growth as key earnings drivers. Wajner reported investment income of $154 million, up 12% year-over-year, despite three Federal Reserve rate cuts. The increase was attributed to higher average balances driven by commercial activity, 1031 exchange deposits, subservicing, and warehouse lending activity, as well as a shift in the bank subsidiarys asset mix toward fixed income securities that earn higher yields and are less sensitive to changes in short-term rates.

Seaton said First American Trust posted average deposits of $6.8 billion, up 19% from last year, driven by commercial deposits and deposits from outside of the companys captive title business. He said 29% of deposits came from non-captive sources, including $1.4 billion from ServiceMac and $300 million from 1031 exchange deposits. Seaton also said the companys agent banking strategy is gaining traction, with 284 agents banking with First American Trust, up 26% from last year.

Asked about room to utilize more escrow deposits at the bank, Wajner said the company has capacity to grow deposits and capital available at the bank, adding the company keeps some escrow deposits at its own bank and some at third-party banks while focusing on growing deposits outside the captive title business.

AI, Endpoint, and Sequoia: automation and rollout plans

Seaton said First Americans primary strategic focus is leveraging AI to amplify the talents of our team and strengthen operational capabilities. He described an enterprise AI platform launched over the past year to help teams develop, govern, and deploy secure and compliant AI systems.

Seaton outlined several operational applications discussed during the call:

In the agency division, AI-driven tools that expand quality control capacity by more than sixfold.

AI-assisted examination capabilities that reduce order processing time by roughly 30 minutes per file.

Extending AI-driven tools into AgentNet, the companys title agent-facing platform.

Training progress in software development, with 25% of engineers trained in agentic AI development, moving from concept to production in weeks rather than months.

On Endpoint, Seaton reiterated a plan to scale the platform across First American Titles local branch network by the end of 2027. Endpoint is live in Seattle, where Seaton said the company has opened about 310 orders and closed 150 orders on the system, with roughly 30% of tasks automated in the pilot. Seaton said the pilot will expand this quarter to escrow officers across Washington state, and he expects about 80% to 85% of the local branch network to be on Endpoint by the end of next year. In response to an analyst question, Seaton said automation could ultimately reach 80%-90% over a few years.

For Sequoia, the companys AI-powered title decisioning platform, Seaton said it is live for refinance transactions in eight counties across California and Arizona in the direct division, with title decisioning fully automated 35% of the time. He also said the company launched Sequoia for purchase transactions last month, with three counties currently automating title decisioning for 13% of purchase transactions at order open. Over time, Seaton said the company believes it can deliver instant title decisioning for 70% of purchase and 80% of refinance orders in markets where it has title plants. He said the company plans to expand Sequoia across California and Florida by the end of this year, with a national rollout plan for 2027.

Margins, expenses, capital returns, and outlook

Wajner reported title segment pre-tax margin of 9.6%, or 10.4% on an adjusted basis. He also said personnel costs increased 13% to $546 million, driven mainly by incentive compensation from improved performance and higher salary expense, while other operating expenses rose 13% to $277 million due to higher production expense from volumes and increased software expense. The success ratio was 58%, in line with the companys target of 60%, Wajner said.

The provision for policy losses and other claims was $40 million, or 3.0% of title premiums and escrow fees, unchanged from the prior year. Interest expense increased 34% to $27 million, due to higher interest expense in warehouse lending and on deposit balances at the bank subsidiary. The effective tax rate was 22.9%, slightly below the companys normalized 24% rate, Wajner said.

In home warranty, Wajner reported revenue of $110 million, up 2%, with a loss ratio of 36% compared with 37% a year ago. Pre-tax margin was 23.5%, or 23.8% adjusted. He told KBW that the company typically targets mid-teens margins for home warranty over the year, with Q1 and Q4 seasonally stronger and Q2 and Q3 seeing higher claims.

On capital management, Wajner said the company repurchased 556,000 shares in the first quarter for $33 million at an average price of $60.21, and repurchased an additional 296,000 shares in April for $18 million at an average price of $61.61. He said $248 million remained under the repurchase program after those purchases. Seaton said the company has taken advantage of the stock pullback to buy shares as earnings and outlook strengthened, while maintaining a disciplined approach to acquisitions.

Looking ahead, Seaton said the company expects commercial strength to continue, citing a sizable pipeline and reiterating the view that 2026 will be a record year for its commercial business. For the first three weeks of April, opened commercial orders were down 4% year-over-year, but Seaton emphasized that fee per file has been more important than order count in the current commercial environment. For residential purchase, Seaton said open purchase orders were down 3% so far in April and reiterated his cautious stance as the sluggish home sale trend continues.

On the competitive landscape, Seaton said the company is all in on AI and believes it needs to win in our industry with AI. He argued First American has advantages that are difficult to replicate, including distribution through thousands of local relationships and an 800-office footprint, title plant data, the companys balance sheet backing underwriting decisions, and technology capabilities. Seaton said First American has title plants in 1,850 counties, representing roughly 82% of real estate transactions, and described additional expansion as incremental rather than a big wave.

Regarding regulation, Seaton said the state environment is fairly benign, and noted that the federal title waiver pilot has been extended to November 2027, which he characterized as not new and immaterial.

About First American Financial (NYSE:FAF)

First American Financial Corporation is a leading provider of title insurance, settlement services and diversified real estate-related data and analytics. Headquartered in Santa Ana, California, the company serves customers throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Its business is built on the underwriting capabilities of its title insurance operations combined with comprehensive closing and escrow services for homebuyers, sellers, mortgage lenders and real estate professionals.

The company's title insurance segment issues policies that protect property owners and mortgage lenders against defects in titles, liens or encumbrances that can arise during real property transactions.

The article "First American Financial Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
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
Single Parent Scholarship Fund officials say they have reached 55% of a major challenge grant goal that will help more single moms and dads pay for college in the coming year.

Latest Fundraising Milestone

The nonprofit has raised $835,659 toward a $1.8 million target linked to a challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The organization must meet this amount by May 20 to unlock an additional $1 million gift from the foundation. Leaders say the new money will be used to expand scholarships and support services for single parents working toward college degrees.

The challenge grant is part of a larger $7.4 million campaign to strengthen facilities and programs that serve single-parent families. As of late March, the group had already raised $5.38 million toward that broader goal, placing it ahead of schedule but still short of the total needed to fully expand services, according to Talk Business.

How the Fund Helps Single Parents

The Single Parent Scholarship Fund model focuses on low-income single mothers and fathers who are the heads of their households and are enrolled in college or technical programs.

Scholarships typically cover part of tuition and also help with basic needs such as childcare, transportation, and school supplies, which often block single parents from finishing their degrees.

In Arkansas, for example, the Single Parent Scholarship Fund has helped recipients with awards ranging from a few hundred dollars to $2,500 per semester as the program has grown, SPSF reported.

One former recipient described using the scholarship to stay in school while paying weekly childcare costs that nearly matched her entire paycheck, showing how even modest awards can change a family's trajectory.

Wider Demand for Aid

Demand for scholarships for single parents remains high nationwide, with multiple programs now targeting this group. A Rhode Island fund offers between $500 and $2,000 to support single parents returning to school, and national programs such as Generation Hope provide up to $2,400 per year plus mentoring for student parents.

Other regional efforts, like the Oklahoma Single Parent Scholarship Program, have distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of students each semester, as per Yahoo News. Philanthropic groups such as ECMC Foundation are also building grant strategies aimed at removing barriers for single mothers and more than doubling their associate degree completion rates.

What Happens If the Goal Is Met

If the Single Parent Scholarship Fund secures the remaining 45% of its $1.8 million challenge by the May deadline, it will receive the full $1 million Mabee Foundation grant.

That would push the long-term campaign much closer to the $7.4 million mark, allowing the nonprofit to offer more scholarships, increase award amounts, and invest in wraparound services that help single parents persist through graduation.

Originally published on parentherald.com
In-service occupancy was 94.3% at quarter end, which management said was in line with expectations.

Within First Industrials portfolio, Baccile said touring activity has increased for available space, and decision-making has accelerated for spaces under 200,000 square feet within the companys development portfolio. He also said management has not seen any discernible impact to leasing activity from potential economic and demand consequences tied to conflict in the Middle East, while noting it remains a risk to monitor.

President and CEO Peter Baccile said industrial fundamentals continued to steady during the quarter. Citing CBRE data, Baccile noted national vacancy was stable at 6.7% at quarter end, with net absorption of 43 million square feet compared to 55 million square feet of new deliveries. He added that new supply remained disciplined, with muted starts of 39 million square feet and a national construction pipeline of 237 million square feet that is 39% pre-leased.

First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE:FR) reported first-quarter 2026 Nareit funds from operations (FFO) of $0.68 per fully diluted share, unchanged from the same period a year earlier, as the industrial REIT highlighted continued progress on lease rollovers, development leasing activity, and a pending land sale in Phoenix that management said will generate meaningful value.

First Industrial expects a previously announced Phoenix land sale to close in June  a 100acre parcel purchased for $131 million (about $30 per land sq ft, ~three times local market values) with a disclosed cap rate of ~ 5.3% ; proceeds are slated to pay down the companys line of credit and slightly dilute guidance.

Management said it has addressed 61% of 2026 lease rollovers by square footage and achieved an overall cash rental rate increase of 41% on new and renewal leases, highlighted by a renewal of a 556,000sqft Southern California building that exceeded guidance, while inservice occupancy was about 94.3% and development leasing totaled 383,000 sq ft in the quarter.

First Industrial reported Q1 Nareit FFO of $0.68 per share ( $0.72 excluding $0.04 of advisory costs from a Land & Buildings proxy contest) and updated 2026 FFO guidance to $3.05$3.15 per share, reflecting that incremental advisory expense.

Story Continues

Leasing: rollover progress and development wins

 Amazon Stock Up 30%: Is AMZN Still a Buy Before Earnings?

The Hottest Markets to Watch After the Feds 25 Bps Rate Cut

First Industrial reported further progress addressing 2026 lease expirations. Baccile said the company has now taken care of 61% of 2026 rollovers by square footage, and that overall cash rental rate increases for new and renewal leasing were 41%.

A key highlight was a renewal of the companys largest remaining 2026 expiration, a 556,000-square-foot building in Southern California. Baccile said the cash rental rate change on that renewal significantly exceeded the top end of the companys annual guidance range of 40%. Chief Investment Officer Jojo Yap declined to provide detailed lease economics on the call but characterized it as a long-term renewal and confirmed the cash rent change was up more than 40%.

 3M Stock Pulls Back, But Catalysts Point to New Highs

On development leasing, management said it signed 383,000 square feet across multiple markets, including a full-building lease at the 155,000-square-foot First Wilson II project in the Inland Empire. The company also executed several leases under 100,000 square feet in Chicago, South Florida, Central Florida, and Central Pennsylvania. In the Lehigh Valley, First Industrial leased a 54,000-square-foot space at the recently completed first phase of First Park 33.

During the question-and-answer session, Baccile told Citis Craig Mailman that improved activity appears to be driven primarily by broader industrial demand, with 3PLs remaining active and manufacturing picking up, including data center, tech, aerospace, etc. Management said data center-related activity has helped on the margin by increasing the cost of waiting for tenants, but Baccile said it has not created a wave of new lease signings. Yap added that tenants supporting data center infrastructuresuch as switchgear, semiconductors, and electrical supplycan drive incremental warehouse demand, though she said those users were not among the top tenant categories in the first quarter.

Financial results: FFO impacted by advisory and G&A items

Chief Financial Officer Scott Musil said first-quarter 2026 Nareit FFO was $0.68 per share, and that results were negatively impacted by $0.04 per share of advisory costs related to a contested proxy campaign initiated by Land & Buildings. Excluding those costs, Musil said FFO was $0.72 per share.

Musil also pointed to higher general and administrative expenses tied to accelerated expense related to an accounting rule requiring the company to fully expense the value of granted equity-based compensation for certain tenured employees.

Cash same-store NOI growth for the quarter, excluding termination fees, was 8.7%. Musil said the increase was driven primarily by higher rental rates on new and renewal leases, lower free rent, and contractual rent escalations, partially offset by lower average occupancy.

During the quarter, approximately 2.4 million square feet of leases commenced, including 300,000 square feet of new leases, 2.0 million square feet of renewals, and 100,000 square feet tied to developments and acquisitions with lease-up, Musil said.

Guidance update and Phoenix land sale

Musil said full-year 2026 Nareit FFO guidance is now $3.05 to $3.15 per share, reflecting $0.04 per share of incremental advisory costs related to the Land & Buildings proxy contest. He added that the companys 2026 FFO guidance range absent the advisory costs$3.09 to $3.19 per sharewas unchanged from the prior update.

Managements other major operating assumptions included:

Average quarter-end in-service occupancy: 94% to 95%, reflecting approximately 1.3 million square feet of incremental development leasing and the 708,000-square-foot Central Pennsylvania vacancy expected to occur in the second half of the year.

Cash same-store NOI growth (before termination fees): 5% to 6%.

Capitalized interest: approximately $0.08 per share for the full year.

G&A expense: $42 million to $43 million, excluding $5.6 million of incremental advisory costs related to the proxy contest.

Musil said guidance assumes a previously announced Phoenix land sale will close in June. Baccile provided additional detail, stating the ground lessee of 100 acres in the 303 corridor exercised an option to purchase the site for $131 million. Baccile said the proceeds equate to about $30 per land square foot, which he described as more than three times industrial land values in that market.

Asked about the economics, Musil said the parcel is on the companys balance sheet and that the company disclosed a cap rate of about 5.3% in its supplemental materials. He described the rent as a great rent when the land was leased back a couple of years ago. Musil also said the land sale creates slight dilution in guidance because it is a leased parcel and the company assumes proceeds will be used to pay down its line of credit.

On the broader land bank, Baccile said management has reviewed all assets and narrowed potential value-enhancement opportunities to about a handful, noting efforts are underway to secure power, which he described as a lengthy process that could add value above industrial use if successful.

Tenant updates, development pipeline commentary, and capital allocation

Musil updated investors on a 3PL tenant on the companys credit watch list, saying First Industrial reached an agreement that required a lump-sum payment of approximately 60% of the balance owed as of Dec. 31, 2025, which was received in March. The agreement also includes scheduled payments to pay off remaining past-due rent by the end of 2026. Musil said the situation had no impact to FFO or same store because the company believed the rent was collectible and did not reserve it in 2025.

On another tenant topic, Musil said Boohoo remained current on rent, paying right at the end of the month every month. Executive Vice President Peter Schultz added that Boohoo continues to market its building for sublease, and he pointed to a declining number of available million-square-foot-plus buildings in Pennsylvania. Schultz said activity for large space remains strong, adding that Amazon is about to ink two more million square foot plus buildings in Pennsylvania as of the day of the call.

Regarding market-by-market conditions, Schultz said Pennsylvania is among the companys most active markets across a range of tenant sizes, while Denver has seen slower decision-making from larger users despite limited competitive supply; mid-size tenant activity in Denver remains active, he said. Schultz also cited good activity in South Florida and said Nashville activity is a little less than prior years but supply remains tight. Yap said Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix have shown significant gross leasing since the second half of 2025, and that gross leasing in the Inland Empire has been positive quarter-over-quarter, though she noted abundant availability in the 200,000- to 400,000-square-foot range.

Management said it continues to evaluate new development starts but is mindful of market conditions and concentration. Baccile said the company is focused on markets including Dallas, Delaware (which he described as a South Philadelphia submarket), the Lehigh Valley, South Florida, and other markets where it has been active, while indicating Southern California is not a near-term development start market due to available space there.

On capital allocation, Baccile said speculative development remains the primary driver of growth, with the company also pursuing acquisitions of cash-flowing buildings. He said historically the majority of capital has gone to development, with roughly 20% to 25% into cash-flowing buildings. Baccile also discussed the companys share repurchase authorization, saying management believes dislocations that pressure the share price below long-term fundamentals can create value-enhancing opportunities to buy back stock, citing periods such as COVID and April 2022 when Amazon announced a pullback.

First Industrial also reminded investors of upcoming property tours: an Inland Empire portfolio tour on May 12 and a Central New Jersey tour on June 4.

About First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE:FR)

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: FR) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on the ownership, operation and development of industrial real estate assets. The company specializes in light industrial, warehouse and distribution facilities that serve a broad range of end markets, including manufacturing, transportation and e-commerce. Through both acquisitions and ground-up developments, First Industrial seeks to assemble a diversified portfolio of strategically located properties that support its tenants' supply-chain needs.

Core services provided by First Industrial include property leasing, asset management, redevelopment of obsolescent buildings and build-to-suit development for creditworthy users.

The article "First Industrial Realty Trust Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
As part of a broader set of immigration-related policies at the state and federal level, Florida lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal that would block undocumented immigrants and others without legal status from enrolling in the state's public colleges.

The measure, spearheaded by the Florida Department of Education, would require boards of trustees within the Florida College System to confirm that every admitted student is either a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the country, according to the Miami Herald.

It would also expand admissions standards by allowing colleges to take an applicant's disciplinary history into account, broadening review criteria beyond academic performance.

If adopted, the rule would significantly limit access to public higher education for students without legal immigration status and would apply across Florida's 28 state colleges, including Miami-Dade College and Broward College. The state's 12 public universities, including the University of Florida, would not be affected.

Students would be required to "provide clear and convincing documentation that he or she is a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States," with documentation also needing to be "credible, precise, and compelling," according to the proposal.

According to 2025 data from the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, about 510,000 undocumented students are enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, including an estimated 144,150 who are eligible for or currently hold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The organization notes that while more than 70% of undocumented students are not DACA-eligible, more than half arrived in the United States before age 17.

Similar efforts to make higher education less accessible to undocumented individuals have emerged in other states, though approaches have been different.

In Texas, lawmakers have taken a less direct but still restrictive approach, rolling back in-state tuition benefits for undocumented students after recent court rulings. The change has pushed many students into higher out-of-state tuition rates, sharply raising costs and making college less affordable.

Following Texas' footsteps, Florida lawmakers have pushed for similar measures in recent months. As reported by the Miami Herald, the state last year ended in-state tuition eligibility for about 6,500 students who were brought to the country as children without legal status, increasing costs by as much as 300% and prompting some to leave college.

During the most recent legislative session, Republican lawmakers introduced several proposals aimed at tightening admissions rules for undocumented and nonresident students.

For instance, State Rep. Jennifer Kincart-Johnson sponsored a bill that initially included a 5% cap on nonresident undergraduate enrollment. Similarly, State Rep. Berny Jacques sought to restrict enrollment for foreign nationals and nonpermanent residents but did not receive a floor vote.

In another case, State Sen. Erin Grall filed legislation that would have barred public colleges from admitting students without legal immigration status, but the bill did not receive a committee hearing.

A public hearing on the proposed rule is scheduled for May 14 at Miami Dade College.

Originally published on Latin Times
Two years after pro-Palestinian encampments swept more than 100 American college campuses, a comprehensive new study and a candid assessment from one of higher education's most prominent Jewish student support organizations paint a picture that is neither reassuring nor simple: antisemitism at American universities has not improved in any meaningful sense. It has adapted.

The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University published a report this month titled "Antisemitism and Prejudice on Campus," based on a survey of nearly 4,000 undergraduate students at 303 four-year colleges and universities conducted between October 2025 and January 2026  the first academically rigorous national survey to assess campus antisemitism and prejudice against other minority groups simultaneously. The findings are sobering, nuanced, and in several ways challenge the political frameworks that have dominated the debate.

What the Brandeis Study Found

Nearly half of Jewish students  47%  reported experiencing some form of prejudice on campus because of their Jewish identity. According to the report's authors, much of this figure came from Jewish students' higher reported rate of exposure to graffiti and posters with offensive content.

But Jewish students are not alone. In addition to 47% of Jewish students, 34% of Muslim students, 31% of Black students, and 22% of Asian students reported experiencing at least one form of prejudice on campus because of their identity.

The study found that a substantial minority of students, across ideological, racial, ethnic, and religious identity lines, hold views that are likely to be seen as prejudicial by members of minority groups. Researchers found 17% of students were likely to hold views expressing anti-Black resentment, 9% held hostile views about Jews, 15% held views about Israel that most Jews find antisemitic, and 4% held hostile views toward multiple religious and racial minority groups including Jews.

The report makes clear that campus antisemitism is not a single phenomenon with a single source. Jewish students on campus expressed concerns about antisemitism from both the political right and the political left, about antisemitism related to Israel, and about antisemitism expressed as traditional anti-Jewish stereotypes.

The political dimension of these findings is particularly significant given the current moment. The Trump administration's investigations into campus antisemitism have resulted in time-consuming litigation for colleges, but the report suggests that Jewish students don't feel more protected by one side of the political spectrum than the other  22% said they were very concerned about antisemitism coming from the political left and 25% were very concerned about it coming from the right.

One of the report's most counterintuitive findings concerns the relationship between anti-Israel views and antisemitism. The report found that strident hostility toward Israel  opposing Israel's right to exist and avoiding peers who support a Jewish state  did not neatly correlate to holding antisemitic views. Half of "extremely liberal" students agreed with those statements about Israel, but overall the very liberal population was least likely to express a pattern of hostility toward Jewish students. Very few moderate or conservative students expressed those negative views about Israel, but both groups were more likely to agree with anti-Jewish statements.

Muslim, Black, and Hispanic students, and those who identified as liberal or moderate, were the most likely to agree with negative statements about Jews, while white, Muslim and conservative students were most likely to agree with anti-Black views.

Leonard Saxe, director of the Cohen Center who co-authored the report, described the overall climate this way: "Everybody is walking around with a chip on their shoulder. Addressing prejudice toward protected groups is perhaps seen as a zero-sum game: 'If we pay attention to Black students that's taking away from what we can do for Jewish students, but paying attention to Jewish students means not paying attention to Muslim students.'"

The Hillel View: Antisemitism Has Migrated, Not Disappeared

Writing this week in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Jonathan Falk  senior vice president for campus solutions at Hillel International  offered one of the most frank assessments yet of what the two years since the encampments have taught the Jewish student support community.

"Some things have improved. Some campuses are less visibly chaotic. Some interventions have worked. But the encampments were never the whole story. They were one highly visible expression of a deeper problem  a problem that did not leave when the tents did," Falk wrote.

Falk described how antisemitism on campus has shifted in form: "The hatred did not disappear after the encampments  it migrated. More than half of what Jewish students experience now shows up online: in posts, anonymous messages, group chats, and the steady churn of conspiracy and incitement. A campus can look calmer and still be deeply unhealthy."

He also identified two specific developments he argues have accelerated the problem. The first is what he calls the normalization of Holocaust inversion  the framing of Jews or the Jewish state as the new Nazis, which he describes as "a way of weaponizing Jewish memory against Jews, draining the Holocaust of its meaning while recasting Jewish identity as uniquely suspect." The second is the campus dynamics around the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement. Falk argues that when BDS campaigns come to campus, antisemitism reliably increases not only at the final vote, but throughout the campaign itself, which he says "stigmatizes Jewish students and isolates Jewish voices long before any resolution passes."

His central argument is that the encampments revealed a climate problem, not merely a conduct-management problem: "If a school removes tents while leaving the ideas and norms that enabled them untouched, then that is not a solution, it is a surface repair."

What Actually Works  and the Limits of Federal Intervention

Both the Brandeis study and Falk's analysis converge on similar conclusions about what interventions do and don't work.

Clear rules, consistently enforced, matter  but they are not sufficient. Falk describes a shift in the nature of requests his team now receives from Hillel professionals on campuses: fewer urgent alerts about immediate chaos, more questions about "the quieter, more entrenched problems: the hostile syllabus, the student group that got excluded from a coalition, the administrator who didn't know how to respond and didn't ask."

The Brandeis report recommends that antisemitism interventions be targeted to specific groups rather than deployed as one-size-fits-all programs, because the distinct forms of antisemitism that appear in the data  Israel-related hostility, traditional stereotypes, and ideologically driven hostility  come from different student populations with different underlying motivations and respond to different educational approaches. The report explicitly challenges "contemporary discourse" that suggests "fighting antisemitism requires cracking down on pro-Palestinian protesters and proponents of DEI" or that "protecting Muslim and Black students from prejudice requires standing up to the 'weaponization' of antisemitism." Instead, the report calls for "an effort that promotes empathy and civic discourse" as a more productive approach.

The Trump administration's approach  federal funding threats, Title VI investigations, and the March 2026 DOJ lawsuit against Harvard  has produced contested legal battles but has not yet produced measurable improvement in the campus climate for Jewish students. The Brandeis data, collected from October 2025 through January 2026, reflects a period after more than a year of Trump administration enforcement pressure; the persistence of the 47% figure suggests that enforcement pressure alone has not changed the underlying campus environment.

What This Means for Students

For Jewish students on campus right now: the Brandeis data confirms what many have described anecdotally  that antisemitism is real, widespread, comes from multiple directions on the political spectrum, and often goes unrecognized by non-Jewish peers. As Saxe told Jewish Insider: "Many Jewish students experience hostility that, by and large, is not recognized by non-Jews. Notably, the pattern is similar for members of other ethno-religious and racial groups."

Students experiencing antisemitic harassment or discrimination on campus can report incidents to their institution's bias response team, file a complaint with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or contact Hillel International or the Anti-Defamation League's Campus Affairs division for support and documentation guidance.

For students from other minority groups  Muslim, Black, Asian, or Hispanic  the Brandeis study's finding that significant proportions of those communities are also experiencing campus hostility points to a shared interest in the kind of campus climate work that addresses prejudice as a systemic problem rather than a competition between groups for institutional attention.

For university administrators, faculty, and board members, the combined weight of the Brandeis data and the Hillel analysis presents a clear challenge: the visible confrontations of spring 2024 have subsided, but the underlying climate that produced them has not. The path forward, as both sources suggest, runs through education, consistently enforced community standards, and genuine investment in what makes students of all backgrounds feel they belong.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI civil rights investigation into the New York City Department of Education on April 23, 2026, over allegations that a group of public school employees organized teaching seminars that created a hostile environment for Jewish students  the latest in a series of federal civil rights probes into the nation's largest school district stretching across two presidential administrations.

The investigation, announced in a press release from the Department of Education, centers on a group called "NYC Educators for Palestine," which the Department says organized a series of teaching seminars focused on "Palestine, Zionism, and Resistance." The Department says complaints received by the OCR allege that the group taught children as young as five about "contemporary and historical Palestinian resistance," characterized Zionists as "genocidal white supremacists," and encouraged students to support Hamas  which the federal government designates as a terrorist organization  and its "martyrs."

The New York City Department of Education responded quickly and firmly: a spokesperson told K-12 Dive and The New York Times that the group "is not connected to New York City Public Schools" and that the district was reviewing the notice of investigation.

What Is NYC Educators for Palestine?

NYC Educators for Palestine describes itself on social media as "public school educators committed to fighting for Palestinian liberation in our school system, and society at large" by working with community organizations and mobilizing educators. The group created a five-day lesson plan on Palestinian history and culture last year in collaboration with the organization Teaching While Muslim, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The group has called on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to require the city's schools to include teaching about what it describes as the "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians and "war crimes" committed by the Israeli government. Mayor Mamdani, who has expressed support for Palestinian rights, has also publicly condemned both antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The NYCDOE's position  that the group is not affiliated with or connected to city schools  is a central factual question the investigation will need to resolve. OCR investigations typically proceed by collecting documents, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing institutional records to determine whether a covered entity (in this case, the school district) has violated federal civil rights law. Opening an investigation does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing.

What Title VI Covers  and What an Investigation Means

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The Department of Education applies Title VI to protect students from discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics  a legal framework that has been used to investigate antisemitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination against other ethnic and national-origin groups in schools.

Jewish students are protected under Title VI through this shared ancestry framework, which the Trump administration  following a January 29, 2025 executive order titled "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism"  has invoked aggressively across both K-12 districts and universities.

As the Department's own guidance makes clear, being listed on OCR's public docket means an investigation has been opened, not that a violation has been found. From there, OCR collects documents and interviews witnesses, and typically seeks voluntary resolution agreements when it identifies violations. If OCR concludes the NYCDOE violated Title VI, the district could face corrective measures, formal policy changes, or required staff training. Previous OCR investigations of this type have often stretched over many months.

The History of Federal Civil Rights Probes Into NYC Schools

This is not the first time the New York City Department of Education has been the subject of a federal Title VI investigation related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to K-12 Dive, this marks at least the second such investigation  across two presidential administrations  triggered by reactions to the conflict. Beginning in November 2023, the Department of Education under the Biden administration initiated multiple civil rights investigations into school districts and colleges in response to reports of increased antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. One of the first of those Biden-era investigations was also into New York City Public Schools, over allegations of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination.

The Trump administration has retained and in some cases expanded OCR's capacity to pursue antisemitism investigations even as it reduced the overall staffing and budget of the Department of Education. These probes can result in districts and universities agreeing  or being ordered  to make institutional changes, though the outcomes vary considerably.

The Broader Context

The investigation arrives at a politically charged moment. The Trump administration has pursued an aggressive civil rights enforcement posture around campus and school antisemitism, filing a DOJ Title VI lawsuit against Harvard University in March 2026 seeking billions in federal funding, and opening OCR investigations across dozens of universities. At the same time, the administration has moved to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at federally funded institutions  a move that critics, including some Jewish civil rights groups, say targets communities that Jewish students themselves frequently belong to or support.

Critics of the administration's approach  including some Jewish advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations  have argued that the federal government frequently conflates criticism of Israeli government policy or advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism, and that aggressive federal enforcement threatens academic freedom and First Amendment expression. A Jerusalem Post report on the investigation noted that "activists, including some Jewish groups, say Trump wrongly conflates criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism."

The key legal and factual question in this particular investigation is a narrower one: whether the NYCDOE, as a recipient of federal funds, permitted or facilitated conduct by its employees that created a hostile environment for Jewish students in violation of Title VI  and whether the NYC Educators for Palestine group operated with any institutional connection to or sanction from city schools, despite the district's denial.

What New York City Students, Families, and Educators Should Know

For families of Jewish students in New York City public schools who believe their children have experienced antisemitic harassment or discrimination: complaints can be filed directly with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or with the NYCDOE's own Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management.

For educators in New York City public schools: the investigation does not, at this stage, constitute any finding or directive. The NYCDOE is reviewing the notice; the OCR will proceed with its own document review and inquiry process. No immediate changes to school programming have been announced.

For students and families across the country monitoring the broader pattern of Title VI enforcement: this investigation, alongside the Harvard lawsuit and dozens of university-level probes, represents the Trump administration's most sustained use of federal civil rights law as an instrument of policy in the post-October 7 environment. Whether that enforcement produces meaningful reductions in antisemitic harassment  as the Brandeis University study released this week suggests remains a serious and persistent problem  or primarily functions as a political pressure tool will be among the most consequential higher education and K-12 education policy questions of the next several years.
Italy rejects Swiss demands to pay medical bills for victims of Crans-Montana fire.

A diplomatic row has erupted between Italy and Switzerland over who should bear the cost of medical treatment provided to Italian nationals injured in the deadly New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

Switzerland's mutual insurance body has sought reimbursement of 100,000 Swiss francs (around 108,000) from Italy, representing medical costs incurred by the hospital in Sion for the brief hospitalisation of three Italian youths injured in the blaze.

The development emerged following a meeting between Italy's ambassador to Bern, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, and Mathias Reynard, president of the canton of Valais, who indicated he had no regulatory scope to absorb the costs.

Italy's response

Prime minister Giorgia Meloni slammed the demand to reimburse the "exorbitant medical expenses", writing on social media: "Should this ignoble request be formalised, I announce as of now that Italy will reject it back to the sender and will give it no further consideration. I trust in the sense of responsibility of the Swiss authorities and I hope that the news will prove to be completely unfounded."

Foreign minister Antonio Tajani was equally dismissive. "It seems to me that it is obvious that we do not pay," he told reporters, adding that responsibility lay solely with those who managed the venue and those who failed to carry out the necessary safety inspections. "There is no Italian responsibility," Tajani stated.

Rome's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, set out Italy's case on grounds of reciprocity. He noted that Italy had provided weeks of care for two Swiss citizens at Milan's Niguarda Hospital, and that the Valle d'Aosta civil protection service had dispatched a helicopter to assist in rescue efforts during the initial hours of the tragedy.

He added that the bills sent by the hospital in Sion for more than 100,000 francs for a single day of hospitalisation on 1 January were "absolutely exorbitant" and should be covered either by the Swiss mutual insurance body or by the canton of Valais - but under no circumstances by the families or the Italian state.

Reimbursement

Under Swiss procedure, the reimbursement request will be handled through the joint institution LaMal, which will determine which insurance body bears which costs, with the involvement of Italian insurance counterparts.

Switzerland will therefore not directly reimburse the bills, while any residual amount could only be covered at cantonal level.

Lawyers representing civil parties for the injured expressed dismay at the development, with one attorney, Domenico Radice, describing the move as not only morally reprehensible but strategically short-sighted, noting that placing costs on Italy would strengthen the Italian government's standing as a civil party in the Swiss criminal proceedings and its ability to seek compensation for expenses incurred.

New Year fire

The fire at Le Constellation on 31 December 2025 killed 41 people - including six Italians - and injured dozens, among them Italian tourists

One victim, 15-year-old Elsa from Biella, was discharged from the intensive care burns unit at Turin's CTO hospital this week - after 58 days - and transferred to the nearby Regina Margherita children's hospital.

Investigations in Switzerland are ongoing, with both the bar's management and local authorities facing scrutiny over safety failings.

Photo credit: Jeewa A / Shutterstock.com
Tobler added that the company recognized a small loss from unconsolidated entities of $145,000, largely because we did not have any sales at the Great Park Venture. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $14.7 million, in line with $14.8 million in the prior-year quarter, and the company recorded a tax benefit of $900,000.

Chief Financial Officer Kim Tobler broke down the quarters results further, stating that the $5 million loss included $13 million of management services revenue. Of that amount, $6.9 million was associated with management of the Great Park Venture, including $3.5 million of incentive compensation, and $6.1 million was associated with Hearthstone. Management services costs and expenses were $6.9 million, Tobler said.

President and CEO Dan Hedigan said the quarters loss was driven primarily by the timing of land sales, noting that Five Point did not have any meaningful residential land closings in the period. Revenue totaled $13.6 million, which Hedigan said was generated primarily from management services associated with our Great Park and Hearthstone segments.

Five Point (NYSE:FPH) opened 2026 with a relatively quiet first quarter for land sales, reporting a consolidated net loss of $5 million as it recorded no significant residential land closings during the period. Management emphasized that results typically fluctuate based on the timing of land transactions and said it expects earnings to be weighted toward the second half of the year as land sales close and fee-based income from its Hearthstone platform grows.

Hearthstone expanded its fee-based platform by closing two funds with $600 million of new equity commitments, bringing Five Points AUM to about $3.4 billion ($2.8 billion fee-paying after builder deposits) and strengthening recurring management-fee revenue.

Five Point finished the quarter with total liquidity of $550.1 million (including $332 million cash) and the board authorized an opportunistic up-to- $40 million share repurchase while expecting to maintain more than $300 million in cash after buybacks.

$5 million Q1 consolidated net loss was driven primarily by the timing of land sales, with revenue of $13.6 million from management services; management reiterated a 2026 outlook of about $100 million in consolidated net income and said earnings will be weighted to the second half of the year.

Story Continues

Liquidity and capital allocation: $40 million share repurchase authorized

 GE Vernova Beats Earnings by 790% as Data Center Demand Explodes

Hedigan said Five Point ended the quarter with total liquidity of $550.1 million, including $332 million of cash and cash equivalents, describing the balance sheet as providing substantial flexibility to manage through market cycles and pursue strategic opportunities.

During the call, the company discussed a new share repurchase authorization. Hedigan said the board approved a share repurchase of up to $40 million, which he described as an opportunistic use of capital given that shares were currently trading at a significant discount to book value. He added that the repurchase was structured to preserve flexibility and that the company expects to maintain substantial liquidity after executing buybacks.

 3M Stock Pulls Back, But Catalysts Point to New Highs

Tobler said that while the company is not predicting the time period over which the repurchase will occur, management expects to finish the year with more than $300 million in cash and total liquidity above $500 million even after taking repurchases into account.

Tobler also provided leverage metrics, stating that at quarter-end Five Point had $332.6 million in cash and $217.5 million of availability under a revolving credit facility. The debt-to-total-capitalization ratio was 16.3%, and net debt was $117.4 million.

In addition, Tobler noted that during the quarter the company paid down $40.1 million of principal and $6.2 million of accrued and current interest related to a related-party EB-5 reimbursement obligation, leaving approximately $18.5 million outstanding.

Market backdrop: uncertainty weighs on demand, but California supply constraints remain

Hedigan described the current market as unsettled, citing geopolitical uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, increased financial market volatility, and mortgage rates that have risen again recently after trending down briefly. He said these factors have made consumers more hesitant to make large purchase decisions and have contributed to slower absorption rates and a more cautious stance by builders when committing to new land purchases.

Still, Hedigan said the companys California communities remain in chronically undersupplied markets, and he said Five Point continues to see demand for its homesites. He added that the companys liquidity allows it to adjust pacing and land-sale structures in order to protect long-term value.

Community updates: Great Park, Valencia, and Candlestick

Operationally, Hedigan said activity remained steady across communities. At the Great Park, builders sold 82 homes in the quarter, and Valencia saw 90 home sales.

At Great Park, Hedigan said Five Point has 12 actively selling programs and expects seven additional programs to open later this year. He also said the company completed a bidding process and selected builders for five new residential programs totaling approximately 28.5 acres. Those builders are in due diligence, and Hedigan said the company expects to close those land sales by year-end, with pricing anticipated to be consistent with the most recent land sales.

In Valencia, Hedigan said the community is still in the early stages of a long development timeline and currently has 11 builder programs open and actively selling, with six new programs expected to open during 2026. He said the company is in discussions with builders about potential residential land sales in 2026, which may include a rolling option land sale structure intended to enhance land values by reducing builders carry costs.

Hedigan also referenced entitlement approvals secured in 2025 for Entrada South and Valencia Commerce Center, which he said enhanced the long-term value and development potential of the asset. He reiterated the companys expectations for those projects:

Entrada South: approximately 120 net acres of residential land, more than 1,300 market-rate homesites, and about 40 net acres of commercial land.

Valencia Commerce Center: approximately 110 net acres, expected to cater to industrial and light manufacturing-focused uses.

He said the company is working on infrastructure plans and ministerial permits and expects to start development of the two villages in the first half of 2027, with first land sales projected to occur in 2028. He added that the company is advancing approvals for three additional villages and said that, upon approval, those villages combined with existing entitlements would bring the total to more than 10,000 entitled homesites.

In San Francisco, Hedigan said Five Point is waiting for final permits to initiate the next phase of land development at Candlestick and expects initial work to begin shortly. He said the development is beginning as residential rents and home prices in San Francisco are rising, and that demand from AI and other tech companies seem to be growing quarter after quarter in the commercial space. Hedigan said the company intends to engage potential large users to serve as an anchor for Candlesticks redevelopment.

Hearthstone platform expands with new fund commitments

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer Mike Alvarado provided an update on Hearthstone, which offers management services to residential land banking funds. He said Hearthstone closed two new funds during the first quarter totaling $600 million in new equity commitments, which he said provides the ability to deploy approximately $1 billion in capital with leverage.

Alvarado said Hearthstone has approximately $3.4 billion in assets under management and controls more than 30,000 homesites with 13 homebuilders across 16 states.

Tobler added detail on the fee base, noting that Five Point does not earn fees on a portion of AUM attributable to builder deposits. As of March 31, Tobler said builder deposits were approximately $600 million, implying $2.8 billion of fee-paying AUM. She also said Hearthstones asset management fees include a monthly base fee plus a deferred performance fee, which can create volatility due to changes in performance-fee estimates and true-ups when funds or tranches are completed.

During the Q&A, Tobler described the typical land banking structure, saying the land banks use a contract with a monthly option payment and that the builder has the right to buy the land at the cost the fund purchased it at, plus any improvements made during the contract term. Asked about changes in builder appetite, Tobler said: No, very consistent. Were still seeing reasonable interest and progress.

Separately, Hedigan said the company is exploring additional growth opportunities in its core land development business using outside capital partners in joint ventures to generate recurring management feesan approach he said has been used successfully at the Great Park.

Looking ahead, Hedigan said the company is reaffirming its outlook and continues to expect consolidated net income in 2026 to be approximately $100 million, with earnings weighted to the second half of the year. He said Five Point remains well-positioned due to its balance sheet, liquidity, and land inventory in supply-constrained markets, while noting management will continue monitoring market conditions and adapt as needed.

About Five Point (NYSE:FPH)

Five Point Holdings, L.P. (NYSE:FPH) is a Californiabased master planned community developer specializing in residential, commercial and mixeduse projects. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the company focuses on acquiring and entitling raw land, designing infrastructure and delivering fully integrated neighborhoods that include singlefamily homes, multifamily housing, retail centers, office space and community amenities.

Since its formation in 2014, Five Point has concentrated its land development efforts in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin, targeting key growth corridors with largescale, long-term projects.

The article "Five Point Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
The Chairperson of ICMSAs Livestock Committee, Michael OConnell has described as downright disturbing detailed figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine showing that over 40,000 tonnes of beef was imported into Ireland last year, the equivalent of 118,000 steers based on average carcass weight.

Mr OConnell said that given that Ireland produced seven times more beef than it consumed, legitimate questions had to be asked about why anyone would need to import beef in any notable quantities and he said that those questions would only multiply as people realised that the largest single source of this beef being imported into Ireland was Great Britain, which was also the single biggest export market for Irish beef.

Mr OConnell said something about this data did not add up and farmers  and anyone else with an interest in the sector  were entitled to ask where these 40,000 tonnes were going, how it was being sold and consumed and who was bringing it in?

The Department has again confirmed that there were 40,910 tonnes of beef imported in 2025: the equivalent to 118,000 of Irish steers based on the average carcass weight for steers in 2025 of 346kg. That would equate to an extra 2,300 cattle per week that processors would have needed to purchase and slaughter. The very first question that arises is why youd need to import so much beef into a country that exports over 90% of what it produces? That produces multiples of what it consumes?

"The second question is who is responsible for the importation of this product, and we better not be fobbed off with this latest nonsense that this is commercially sensitive information or that phrases new variant, that this is part of a contingency plan.

"There have always been rumblings of imported beef, but the figures are startling and disturbing in equal measure. 2025 was the best year on record for a long time for beef farmers but  by the looks of it  it could have been better if not for the monstrous volume of imported beef brought into Ireland, said Mr OConnell.

The ICMSA Livestock Chairperson said that an even bigger mystery was the fact that the largest exporter of beef to Ireland is our closest neighbours in Great Britain.

Explain to me how this makes sense? Britain is our largest destination for beef exports, while, also, bizarrely, being the source of the biggest volume of beef imports into Ireland. This is mind-boggling and we need to find out whats going on there?

"As a nation, based on 2024 CSO figures, Ireland was 700% self-sufficient in terms of beef production, why would we need to import beef at all? The answer is simple: it is a means of controlling cattle prices, its a means of controlling price paid to farmers and, therefore, from a processor point of view, ultimately, its a way of controlling farmers.

"All of this has to be explored against the background of the Commission forcing through the Mercosur agreement. In the face of determined opposition by ICMSA and others, just 300 tons of beef was imported from Brazil and Argentina. It may be miniscule in the grand scheme of the agreement, but how long has it been coming into Ireland? What customs checks are carried out? What Food Safety Authority checks are carried out? Can it be guaranteed it is hormone-free and can it be traced to both who sold it and who consumed this beef? he continued.

Even after the controversy at the start of this year, there were 33 tons of Brazil beef already imported in January of this year. Do these private businesses or processors care about the health of the Irish people or the livelihoods of Irish farmers or  as usual  is their profit-line the only consideration? Spring 2026 has been one to forget for finishers between the colossal drop in price from last autumn to the hassle and annoyance of long waiting lists to get cattle slaughtered. We are beginning to understand why: there has been 3,705 tonnes of beef imported in the month of January 2026, which is the equivalent of 10,708 steers based on 2025 average carcass weight. Put very simply, in the four full weeks in January, this would have been the equivalent of circa an extra 2,700 cattle that needed to be killed per week to match the quantity of most likely sub-standard beef. That explains why farmers were not being given slots in the factories and were finding it hard to get cattle slaughtered.

"It also begins to explain the complete hammering factories have given beef farmers on price this year, said Mr OConnell.

We are asking Minister Heydon directly to come forward with an explanation for these beef imports. If theres a rational explanation for this, then ICMSA and Irish beef farmers will be waiting impatiently to hear it, he concluded.
The Dail debate on health of April 21 last between David Cullinane and Minister Mary Butler should be read by everyone in Waterford. Mr Cullinane pressed for an update on various local health projects and especially on the long-promised new adult Mental Health Unit (AMHU) at UHW, saying there was much frustration locally and that he had been criticised in the local press (presumably meaning here) on the matter.

Its been on the go for nearly a decade. The reply from Ms Butler was an exercise in weasel words.

The frustration that many people feel, I have felt as well. When it was announced initially in 2020 or 2021, we were in the middle of COVID. It was then held up for three years by the clinicians.

Twice, Ms Butler blamed consultants and clinicians at UHW for project delay. It is my clear understanding that neither group is involved and are barely consulted on capital projects, nor are they members of the project or design teams. That being so, it is outrageous that Ms Butler blames a group of people who are normally prohibited from public comment for her own patent inability to get vital Waterford and UHW projects across the line. David Cullinane should have gone for broke and called out Ms Butler in the Dail. And, before anyone mentions the new UHW surgical hub, it is again my clear understanding that this was an initiative of top management at the Department of Health who deliberately bypassed HSE procedures and political interference. It is instructive that Ms Butler was at the sod turning ceremony for the project when it was actually underway.

Minister Butler confirmed: The AMHU design team will be appointed very shortly and well finally make progress. The funding has been provided. I have allocated over 40 million for capital projects this year, including for the next stages for the AMHU at Waterford.

Details from the 2026 HSE Capital Plan show that a paltry 140,350 has been allocated towards a building reputedly costing 50 million (Ms Butlers estimate). With architects project fees alone costing 15%, how far will that money stretch? It wont buy pencils and drafting paper. No time-line or commencement date has been provided.

Minister Butler announced 100,000 funding in 2020 and 2021 for this project. It went nowhere. In the Dail debate Minister Butler states that COVID delayed the project. It didnt stop a 100 million 10-storey building at The Mater hospital or a huge extension at St Lukes Kilkenny, both built under a COVID derogation from planning. But then, a tent was acceptable outside UHW ED until word got to Dublin. Perhaps Ms Butler could, for clarity, list all the Model 4 hospital EDs which had tents during COVID?

A proposed new Vertical Overhang Out Patients Department, as the minister called it, has been kicked to touch by government. Ms Butler now blames clinicians for the delay. The absurdity of suggesting that the new consultants' contract has anything to do with this is risible. We are entering Donald Trump territory. It was ready to go in February 2022 when local Oireachtas members were told it was being priced by a contractor on site. Instead, planning permission was sought in July 2022 and Minister Butler announced it in July 2024 as a vital project for UHW. It even got into the 2025 HSE Capital Plan, but then disappeared. UHW got two tin, modular prefabs instead.

The minister has given no time-line for the completion of this facility, nor indeed said if it will go ahead at all. Now you see it, now you dont!

24/7 cardiology is apparently commencing in July 2026. I now believe that this long overdue service is being put in place because our Taoiseach, a cute Cork man, was fortuitously captured in that famous photo outside UHW, promising it. His term as Taoiseach will end next year, but he is the kind of man who would not want this left hanging. He publicly promised, so it will happen.

The big worry is that Ms Butler has also publicly stated (23rd March 2026) that she cannot reveal the staff complement - I dont have permission to say (staff numbers) at the moment - that will deliver the service. Its a secret if you dont mind! You can be sure, though, if the service is threatened or closed for any reason, as it was in Beaumont, that Ms Butler will be quick to point the finger.

When pressed further by David Cullinane on a promised new bed block and new multi-storey car park at UHW. Ms Butler replied: The question the Deputy asked was about the HSE capital plan for Waterford and the south east in relation to mental health and mental health beds. I can speak to that. In relation to the other issues the Deputy mentioned, I do not have the relevant information but I discussed it when I had the meeting with HSE estates. On the two-storey vertical extension, the vertical overhang as it is called, my understanding is that the management at the hospital has made a different decision in relation to that and thinks that it should be a stand-alone building on the hospital grounds. I understand the new consultant-only contract is the reason for that.

Its managements fault, blaming people who cannot publicly defend themselves.

I do not have the relevant information... this is a Waterford TD replying to another Waterford TD on Waterford issues but I discussed the matter with HSE estates. Orwellian doublethink. The vital new bed block was ready to go with all essential design and engineering work completed. It has been blatantly shunted by a Fine Gael minister into an uncertain future.

The need for a new multi-storey car park is so obvious as to defy comment. A self-financing project and even that cant be delivered. We now have no time lines for either the bed block or the car park. A bitter blow to UHW!

There is currently no planning permission or tender pending for any Waterford project in the vital FDI/IDA, port, airport, health, third-level education, road or rail sectors. Does Minister Butler understand the huge economic ramification of this for the local economy? Would someone in the moribund local Fianna Fail organisation ask?
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BusinessCompaniesAviation Irans airspace is reopening, but its still risky to fly via the Middle East Chris Zappone April 25, 2026  7:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Iran partially reopened its eastern airspace this month, offering a positive sign for a region roiled by war. The corridor had been shuttered since late February after US and Israeli airstrikes began a war in which Iran has attacked the airports of Persian Gulf neighbours the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The business class cabin of an Emirates aircraft. Bloomberg Uncertainty over the ceasefire extended by US President Donald Trump now hangs over commercial aviation. And it is shaping the thinking of people who may fly through the Middle East. The OpsGroup website, which collates information on airspace, said: In practice very few international operators are using this airspace so far  most major airlines are still avoiding Iran entirely.

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None of this prevents people from booking flights that use corridors in other parts of the region. Gulf carriers Qatar and Etihad have continued to fly to and from their hubs. So does Qantas partner Emirates. Booking such a ticket through Qantas triggers a pop-up window reminding passengers that the Australian government advises against such travel. But its only a reminder to check the governments guidance; it doesnt prevent people from booking. Qatar Airways has been running a limited service, with much of its airspace affected by the Middle East conflict. Bloomberg Travel futurist Carolyn Childs of MyTravelResearch.com said that both the airlines and some passengers were simply looking through the official warnings. Airlines have got to do something. They need cash coming in, and they want to have a forward plan, Childs said. At the same time, some consumers are thinking the only downside risk to booking is that an airline cancels the flight.

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Related Article Aviation Qantas, Virgin launch domestic ticket deals to fill cash coffers in Iran crisis Emirates now operates a reduced schedule to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Etihad serves Sydney and Melbourne. Qatar Airways flies from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, but its wet-lease partnership with Virgin is paused until June. While the airlines and passengers adjust to the war, there is a divergence between perceived safety and risk potential. Complicating things, the airlines own risk assessments vary. Khaled AlMezaini, associate dean of Abu Dhabis Zayed University, said the situation in the UAE has improved significantly compared with last month. The immediate sense of risk has eased, and there have been no recent incidents directly affecting the UAE.

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Qantas pop up box warning about booking trips abroad. For Australians, travel decisions are still being shaped by perceptions of regional stability rather than conditions inside the UAE itself, he said. Although most major carriers have largely resumed normal operations, albeit with some continued rerouting to avoid high-risk areas  the situation is not fully normalised, AlMezaini said. Airlines are still operating with a heightened level of caution, and risk calculations remain dynamic. This week, Emirates chief executive Tim Clark told a Berlin audience that the airline was operating at 65 per cent capacity and 13 per cent of airports in its network were still unusable. Once this is over, it wont take much for Emirates to get back in the saddle, he said.

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Full resumption of services will mark a dramatic change. From the start of the conflict on February 28 to April 1, Iran alone launched an estimated 6770 drones and missiles at targets through the Persian Gulf, Turkish media reported, including airports in the United Arab Emirates. If the risk calculus is shifting for airlines based in the Middle East, its also shifting for global travellers. Childs said that in past periods of geopolitical uncertainty, people would book 30 days out from travel, but that window is being extended. Now people will book much further out on the bet that hostilities wind down. Customers are thinking they will put money on a cheap flight, and if the airline cancels it, they get their money back and spend it on another flight, she said. Trump has extended the ceasefire between the US and Iran, but the war could go on for some time without a full resolution. Linus Benjamin Bauer, of Dubai-based BAA & Partners, said the nature of risk for airlines had changed in recent years.

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Related Article Aviation Some European flights are cheap again, but are they safe to book? Todays conflicts are more fragmented, less predictable and increasingly shaped by asymmetric threats  from drones and portable air defence systems to electronic interference, he said. That means airspace can remain legally open while being operationally unsafe. The information airlines have remains incomplete, fragmented and often delayed. Crucially, Bauer writes, decision-making has shifted from regulators to airlines themselves.

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The proliferation of drones and GPS jamming and spoofing adds to the haze of uncertainty facing airline operations and flight crew. Other factors arising from war come into play for travel, too. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning travellers about the potential for fuel shocks linked to Iranian attacks on oil infrastructure in the Gulf to affect trips. There are global fuel supply challenges, with many countries introducing fuel restrictions and local measures to preserve fuel supplies, DFATs Smartraveller website says. If you travel overseas, your plans may be impacted. 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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PoliticsFederalBills Changing ground rules: Fury over bill change that could burst the battery boom Mike Foley and Nick Toscano April 25, 2026  2:26am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Australias battery boom has expanded so far it accounts for one in every 10 units of new capacity installed around the world, but industry leaders say proposed power bill changes would lead to thousands of dollars of losses for households that have invested in government schemes. The Australian Energy Market Commission on Thursday released a proposal, which it is aiming to finalise by June, to change the way customers are charged for the costs of maintaining the poles and wires network. Household battery owners are worried they will be disadvantaged by proposed bill changes. Bloomberg While the commission is promising savings for most electricity customers, Energy Minister Chris Bowen is sceptical of the change. But clean energy groups said the commissions proposal would change the ground rules laid out in years of campaigns and financial incentives from state and federal governments encouraging home owners to invest in batteries.

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Jackie Trad, chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, which represents major renewable developers, said sudden increases in fixed network charges could undermine Australias green energy transition. Related Article Bills Battery owners face thousands of dollars in losses under new scheme The Clean Energy Council has cautioned against sudden increases in fixed network charges as part of the proposed rule changes, said Trad. The more of an electricity bill that is made up of fixed charges, the less of an incentive there is for households to generate or save energy. Electricity costs paid by households are largely made up of two parts: the cost per hour of electricity used, and a network charge for maintaining the grid that provides power to homes.

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The energy market commission is scrambling to find ways to pay for the grid upkeep as the surging uptake in solar power  4.3 million solar-powered homes and 500,000 residential batteries  dramatically cuts household electricity use. Currently, network costs are levied via variable charges, calculated on the amount of electricity used from the grid. The commission warned that as the number of households with batteries grows, the amount of network electricity will decrease, leading to a shift to a higher, fixed network charge, which it said would create more equitable sharing of costs in maintaining the grid. The commissions modelling suggests a household battery owner would be $3312 worse off over 10 years under its changes. It said new forms of compensation to benefit battery owners should be developed alongside its reforms. However, lobby group Solar Citizens, which represents solar and battery owners, said the commissions scheme would short-change home owners who were encouraged by state and federal governments to buy batteries. Our concerns include changing the ground rules for Australian home owners who have or are considering making an investment in solar and batteries, undermining government incentives for home batteries and solar, said chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas.

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Victoria has provided financial incentives for batteries since 2018. Victoria is the home of batteries, which soak up cheap renewable energy during the day to drive down bills for Victorian families, Victorian Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio said in March last year. NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said in July last year that her government wants to be world-leading in battery installations. Bowen last year announced changes to the popular home battery scheme, which delivers a 30 per cent rebate on new installations, so that smaller, cheaper models reap the greatest benefit. Record levels of large, grid-scale and household batteries are being installed, Bowen said on Thursday.

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Were not 10 per cent of the worlds economy. Were not 10 per cent of the worlds population, but we are 10 per cent of the new battery capacity thats being installed, he said. Related Article Renewables Battery surge a cheap, green saviour as war fuels price spikes Bowen also said bill changes must balance the interests of those whove invested in solar and batteries, and those who havent. The Australian Energy Market Commission expects the changes to take effect from 2030. Experts have calculated that adopting fixed charges could lower costs for wealthy, large, energy-hungry families, who may benefit by as much as $1400 a year. But it could also leave low-income households $200 a year worse off, and those with solar panels and batteries $700 out of pocket.

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We dont want people who have invested in solar batteries to be disadvantaged by this reform, said commission chair Anna Collyer. We think theres a way it can be implemented to deliver benefits to everyone through reduced network charges to make sure we look after customers who cant invest in [batteries] so they are paying a fair share of network costs without impacting the value of investments people have already made. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaRoyal family Australian flag in mix-up as Washington prepares to welcome Charles Kanishka Singh April 25, 2026  1:17pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: Several Australian flags instead of British flags were mistakenly placed near the White House ahead of King Charles US visit, with a District of Columbia (DC) Department of Transportation official saying the error was quickly fixed. Fifteen Australian flags were briefly included among more than 230 flags put on display to welcome the British king when he arrives in the US capital on Monday (US time). They were later replaced with the British flag, the official said. Donald Trump (right) meets King Charles at Windsor Castle during his British state visit last year. AP King Charles is also the head of state for Australia, but his role is largely ceremonial. His state visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence from British rule, is widely seen as the most high-profile trip of his reign so far. The visit is the Kings first as monarch to the US, with events during the trip to include an address to Congress. The monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, will also later visit New York, where they will meet families of victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001.

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The royal couple will also attend a banquet at the White House on April 28 to commemorate the founding of the United States in 1776. The couple last visited the US on an official tour in 2005 as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The US leg of their tour ends with a visit to Virginia, before the king heads off to Bermuda, a British overseas territory where he is the head of state. The trip will aim to shore up the two allies special relationship, which has sunk to its lowest point in 70 years amid strains surrounding the Iran war. The Southern Cross was eventually taken down and replaced with the Union Jack. x.com@PenguinSix The US president has repeatedly taken aim at the British government for its purported lack of support of US war efforts against Iran.

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Nigel Sheinwald, Britains ambassador to Washington from 2007 to 2012, said the visit could not, and was not designed to, heal any current acrimony between governments, but it would demonstrate ties that went far deeper than any individuals. The Australian flag is seen at full mast after the Proclamation of King Charles III, on the forecourt of Parliament House, in Canberra. AAP POOL Pretty much more than any other visit, this is about the long term. This is about the fundamentals of the relationship between our peoples, our countries, Sheinwald told Reuters. Its not about whats going on today. The royal visit to the US is not a hit with the British public, with recent polling by YouGov showing that 49 per cent of voters opposed the trip. Another 33 per cent said it should go ahead, with others unsure.

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The other two main political parties in Britain  the Greens and the Liberal Democrats  have also opposed the visit. With 62 per cent of UK Labour voters also against the visit, the only party supportive of the trip is populist leader Nigel Farages Reform UK. Reuters, with staff reporter 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.
Quirk highlighted the contribution from the companys U.S. operations, saying its U.S. mining business generated 2.5x more operating income than in the first quarter of last year, with strong conversion to the bottom line. She added that U.S. production was higher than the year-ago quarter, though a bit lower sequentially compared with the Q4 of 2025 and our expectations, and said the company expects U.S. copper production to increase over the course of the year as higher mining rates translate into output.

Chief Executive Officer Kathleen L. Quirk said first-quarter sales of copper and gold, as well as unit costs, were better than our forecast, and that higher metals prices helped drive growth in revenue, EBITDA and cash flow versus the prior-year quarter, despite our Indonesia operations operating at reduced capacity.

Vice President of Investor Relations David Joynt said the company reported its first-quarter operating and financial results earlier in the morning, with supplemental schedules and slides posted to the companys website.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) executives said first-quarter results came in better than their internal forecasts for sales volumes and unit costs, aided by strong copper prices, while the company updated investors on a revised ramp-up profile at its Grasberg operation in Indonesia due to wet ore-related material handling constraints.

Management raised the 2026 net unit cost outlook to $1.95 per pound (from $1.75) driven by lower Grasberg contribution and volatile diesel costs (March spike ~ $500 million annualized); capex guidance remains ~ $4.34.5 billion for 202627 and each $0.10/lb move in copper implies about $400 million in annual EBITDA sensitivity.

The Grasberg rampup was revised after wetter ore created chute/haulage bottlenecks, cutting PB2/PB3 throughput to about 60,000 tons/day in H2 2026 (vs. 100,000 prior) with recovery to ~ 90,000 tons/day by mid2027, reducing Grasbergs fiveyear copper and gold output by roughly 9% and 7% respectively and adding roughly $6070 million of chuterelated capex.

Story Continues

Copper market backdrop and demand signals

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Freeport-McMoRan's Rally Is OverBut the Bull Case Isn't

Chairman Richard C. Adkerson framed the call with a positive long-term view of copper, telling listeners that electricity equals copper and describing what he called a new era of growth about copper driven by rising electricity needs.

Quirk said copper prices averaged over $5.80 per pound year to date and reached an all-time high exceeding $6 per pound in the first quarter. She also pointed to rising demand associated with AI data centers and related energy infrastructure in the U.S., which she said has more than offset weakness in private construction and in the auto sector. In China, she cited a significant resurgence of demand, including power grid spending and inventory draws on Chinese exchange stocks.

Grasberg ramp-up revised due to wet ore handling bottleneck

 3M Stock Pulls Back, But Catalysts Point to New Highs

Management spent much of the Q&A addressing the companys revised outlook for production at the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC). Quirk said Freeport completed remediation needed to restart mining in production blocks 2 and 3 (PB2 and PB3) and began limited mining in March. The company had suspended PB2 and PB3 in September 2025 while it installed concrete plugs to isolate production block 1C (PB1C) panels, completed cleanup, restored service-level infrastructure, and strengthened cave management plans.

After regaining access, the company inspected and sampled more than 600 drop points and determined that ore conditions within the cave had become wetter during the period of inactivity. Quirk said active mining typically helps manage accumulated water within the cave, and emphasized that the company can safely extract wet material using autonomous remote loaders. The current challenge, she said, is downstream: loading ore through chutes onto automated trains at the haulage level.

Historically, Freeport blended wet and dry material to meet the requirements of existing chute designs. With a higher proportion of wet material, the company plans to install specialized equipment to regulate ore flow for train loading. Quirk said the company understand[s] the engineered solution, but the modifications will take time, limiting production to what existing chute designs can handle until the upgrades are in place.

The revised ramp-up assumptions include:

PB2 and PB3 throughput in the second half of 2026: approximately 60,000 tons per day, down from the prior target of 100,000 tons per day.

Mid-2027 expectation: increasing to the 90,000 tons per day range as ore-loading infrastructure modifications are completed.

Timing of bottleneck improvements: Quirk said the majority of these bottlenecks can be addressed by mid-2027.

Five-year forecast impact: an approximate 9% reduction in copper and 7% reduction in gold for the Grasberg district over five years, with the largest impacts in 2026 and 2027.

Quirk said the issue is a timing issue with a designed engineering solution, not a significant cost issue and not expected to change ultimate resource recovery. She also said the company is continuing de-risking initiatives related to surface drainage and cave monitoring, including new imaging technology.

In response to questions about how the issue was identified, Quirk said monitoring did not detect anything of significant concern before access was regained, and that its just a matter of getting access to each of these drawpoints. Mark Johnson, President and COO of Freeport-McMoRan Indonesia, explained that rainfall onto broken rock in the subsidence zone percolates through the cave, and that its only a couple of % difference in moisture content that can change handling requirements.

Johnson said the company has already installed a re-engineered version of flow-regulating equipmentreferred to on the call as spillmanatorsand that testing was set to begin over the weekend. Quirk said risks to the ramp-up are largely tied to construction and delivery schedules for the chute equipment, noting some equipment is already on site and more is on order.

On capital spending, Quirk told UBS the chute-related modifications add on the order of $60 million-$70 million in capital expenditure, with other timing variances offsetting the increase such that it did not result in a major change to capital guidance.

Cost pressures, updated unit cost outlook, and capital allocation

Chief Financial Officer Maree Robertson said the companys three-year sales volume outlook incorporates the adjusted Grasberg ramp-up and expects higher volumes in 2027 and 2028 as Grasberg returns to full recovery. She added that second-half 2026 volumes are expected to be about 30% higher for copper and about 50% higher for gold than the first half.

Robertson also flagged renewed cost pressures tied to diesel fuel since late February, calling prices volatile and saying the most significant impacts have been in Indonesia. She said the sharp rise in diesel prices in March equates to an approximate $500 million cost increase on an annualized basis. She also noted spot sulfuric acid prices have more than doubled, though she said Freeport has limited spot exposure and is insulated through a natural hedge from its smelters.

With updated diesel assumptions and revised production, Robertson said Freeport now expects net unit costs to average $1.95 per pound of copper for the year, versus a prior estimate of $1.75 per pound, with the primary driver being the lower contribution from Grasberg volumes.

For longer-term sensitivities, Robertson presented modeled 20272028 results showing annual EBITDA ranging from approximately $14 billion to $21 billion at $5 to $7 copper, and operating cash flow ranging from approximately $10 billion to $16 billion. She said each $0.10 per pound move in copper equates to about $400 million in annual EBITDA, and each $100 per ounce change in gold equates to about $110 million in annual EBITDA.

On capital spending, Robertson said forecast capital expenditures are expected to approximate $4.3 billion in 2026 and $4.5 billion in 2027, similar to prior estimates. She said discretionary projects are expected to total about $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion per year in 2026 and 2027, with roughly half tied to the Kucing Liar development and an LNG project at Grasberg.

Quirk said Freeport returned approximately $300 million to shareholders in the first quarter through dividends and the repurchase of 1.7 million shares. Robertson added that the company maintains investment-grade ratings, has no significant debt maturities during 2026, and has flexibility for 2027 maturities. She said that since adopting its financial policy in 2021, Freeport has distributed $6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share purchases.

Americas growth initiatives: leaching, Bagdad, and El Abra

Quirk reiterated the companys emphasis on organic, largely brownfield growth, including a plan to scale innovative leaching technologies in the U.S. and advance expansion projects. In the U.S., she said Freeport has begun deploying its first internally developed leach additive and is testing heated leaching solutions at Morenci to increase stockpile temperatures and enhance recoveries. Quirk said the company remains encouraged by its ability to scale the leach initiative to 300 million to 400 million pounds per year in the 20262027 timeframe and to define a path to 800 million pounds per year by as soon as 2030.

In response to Goldman Sachs, Quirk said current leach improvements could support a 250300 million pound range through operational initiatives, while reaching 800 million pounds would rely on the combination of additives and heat. President and COO Cory Stevens said Freeport is using a pilot to calibrate heap models at Morenci and is also advancing a larger heating project at El Abra, with additional concepts including chemical heat.

Quirk said the company is progressing toward a potential investment decision later this year on a brownfield expansion at the Bagdad mine in Arizona, noting there are no permitting hurdles and that prior planning could support completion within a three- to four-year timeframe. In Chile, she said Freeport submitted an environmental impact statement in March for a major expansion project at El Abra in partnership with Codelco, which she said would transform it into a larger contributor in the portfolio.

Adkerson closed the call by emphasizing transparency around the Grasberg ramp-up, saying, I can assure you were going to be transparent in all things that go on with this ramp-up.

About Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

The article "Freeport-McMoRan Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  The latest ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran appeared to fail Saturday before they began, as Tehran's top diplomat left Pakistan and President Donald Trump soon afterward said he had told envoys not to travel to Islamabad.

The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the U.S., led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the U.S. after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Iran's war grip on the Strait of Hormuz waterway.

If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!! Trump said on social media, adding: Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! The White House on Friday said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to Islamabad.

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Shared Irans position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy, Araghchi later said on social media.

Another ceasefire, between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, was shaken Saturday as each side fired at the other and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon."

Iran had said any talks would be indirect

Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. It has paused most fighting, but the economic fallout is growing two months into the war as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies are disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Both sides have continued to make military threats. Irans joint military command on Saturday warned that if the U.S. continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy it will face a strong response."

Even before Saturdays developments, Irans foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and that Pakistani officials would convey messages. In Pakistan, Araghchi met with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Irans red lines for negotiations.

Araghchi went on to Oman, a mediator in talks before the war and the country on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign minister will visit Pakistan again on Sunday before visiting Russia, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Trump later told journalists that within 10 minutes of him canceling the envoys' trip to Pakistan, Iran sent a much better" proposal, with no details. He stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

Contentious points in talks include Irans enriched uranium and the standoff on the Strait of Hormuz as well as concerns about Irans missile program and its support for armed proxies in the region.

Tehran has noted that indirect talks with the U.S. last year and early this year over its nuclear program, the issue long at the center of tensions, ended with Iran being attacked by the U.S. and Israel, adding to its wariness.

The standoff around the strait continues

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is nearly 50% higher than when the war began because of Iran's grip on the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

Iran attacked three ships this week, while the U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines.

Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country was sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the strait once hostilities end.

Also Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehrans international airport for the first time since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. Flights were scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Omans capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina, according to state-run television.

A growing toll even as ceasefires hold

Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,496 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.

But Israel struck southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing at least six people it aid were Hezbollah militants, and several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region and six members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Ahmed reported from Islamabad and Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Bassem Mroue in Beirut; and Will Weissert in Washington contributed.
A 50-year-old man who broke into a cafe truck in Ballina has been in and out of prison since he was 13, a court has heard.

Stephen Wilson, of no fixed abode, appeared before Castlebar District Court via video link from Cloverhill Prison in Dublin where he is currently serving a sentence. He entered a plea of guilty to a charge of theft and attempting to commit burglary.

The court heard he has amassed 97 previous convictions, including burglary, possession of drugs for sale or supply, possession of stolen goods, car theft, assault, as well numerous public order offences.

Garda Inspector Thomasina McHale said the latest charges related to a break-in at Tuffys Cafe Truck on the Foxford Road in Ballina on the afternoon of November 29, 2024, where the defendant stole 275 from the till. He also attempted to break into Tuffys Gala premises but was prevented from doing so. The two incidents were captured on CCTV.

Patrick OSullivan BL said his client has had a tough life and has effectively been in and out of prison since he was aged 13 with some of his previous convictions going back to 1989. A serious drug addiction problem, including addiction to heroin, had also been a major factor in Wilson spending a large part of his life in jail.

The defendant then addressed Judge Sandra Murphy and claimed nothing had been done to help him in his rehabilitation efforts. He has been engaging with various courses run at the prison.

Judge Murphy said rehabilitation is something she would address when deciding on what sanctions she imposes. She adjourned the case to May 19 to see if the injured party wishes to make a victim impact statement while she also sought an up-to-date probation report in relation to the defendants extensive list of previous convictions and what progress, if any, he is making.
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GE Aerospace, part of General Electric (NYSE:GE), reached a US$36 million administrative settlement with the U.S. Department of State over 116 alleged ITAR export control violations.

The case involves unauthorized exports of sensitive defense technical data and issues related to multiple countries, with the resolution including financial penalties and remedial actions.

The settlement terms include the appointment of an external Special Compliance Officer to monitor GE Aerospace's export control practices and ongoing compliance measures.

For you as an investor, this development sits at the intersection of GE Aerospace's role in defense markets and the tight regulatory framework that applies to sensitive technologies. The company's government relationships and defense ambitions mean export controls are not just a legal issue; they can influence contract eligibility, internal processes, and risk perceptions around NYSE:GE.

Looking ahead, the settlement points to a period in which compliance systems, internal controls, and oversight may attract more scrutiny from both regulators and customers. How GE Aerospace embeds these remedial measures, and how effectively it responds to monitoring by the Special Compliance Officer, could shape future discussions around regulatory risk and operational resilience for the business.

Stay updated on the most important news stories for General Electric by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on General Electric.

NYSE:GE 1-Year Stock Price Chart

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Quick Assessment

 Price vs Analyst Target : At US$284.60, GE trades about 19% below the US$350.95 analyst price target.

 Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are trading 11.3% above the platform's estimated fair value.

 Recent Momentum: The 30 day return is about 4.0% lower, indicating recent price weakness.

To decide whether to buy, sell or hold General Electric, you can review more detailed analysis. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest assessment of General Electric's fair value.

Key Considerations
At the heart of the John Wick story is a retired hitman, played by Keanu Reeves, hollowed out by grief after the death of his wife. She leaves him a puppy, his last fragile connection to love, to tenderness, to something resembling a normal life. When that dog is killed, he doesnt just mourn it; he unleashes a campaign of ruthless, almost operatic violence (over this film and its extremely successful sequels).

At one point in the third movie, Anjelica Hustons character asks him:

All of this for what? Because of a puppy?

Wick slowly but definitely replies:

It wasnt just a puppy...

And heres the thing: nobody questions it. The audience understands. Instinctively. John Wick doesnt say he prefers his dog to people. He doesnt need to. The audience accepts, without hesitation, that a man might burn the world down for a dog, but might hesitate to do the same for a neighbour. But perhaps thats where we are now, living in a culture where the emotional weight once reserved for spouses and children is quietly being transferred to cats and dogs.

According to a recent Harris Poll, 43% of Americans say they would prefer to have a pet as their child rather than a human one. As the fertility rate dropped to a record low in 2024, some Americans say concerns about finances are shaping long-term life plans. Commentators point to economic instability as one factor influencing decisions around parenthood and this preference for pets over kids.

Los Angeles truly loves its pets. But I do find it a weird kind of love. Too often I have met people who have openly introduced their pets as if they were theyre kids. Giving their names, ages and health condition while their child is just standing there. Dogs wearing clothes, being transported in prams and strollers. Cats in hats on leashes. Meanwhile, social media is now is full of talking AI pets as if there were not enough animal clips shared on platforms from YouTube to Telegram.

I once met an actor who told me she had to quit her day job because her dog was having anxiety over her being away for too long from the house. Our Trader Joes grocery store in Glendale has a sign that says 'No Pets Allowed' except service animals, which is routinely flouted when people bring cats, dogs, and even on one occasion what looked like a ferret with ADHD, into the shop. One Sunday, I won a bet with my wife on our walk to the Americana shopping mall on the amount of buggies being pushed along which contained dogs and not babies. No joke... it was 100%.

These animals are being carted around like infants: wrapped, pampered, and insulated from the very instincts that make them animals in the first place. It feels a little unmoored from reality, excessive, even self-indulgent. The affection is real, no doubt, but it carries with it the uneasy sense that something else has been quietly displaced.

Recently, we spent time in Alanya in Turkiye (yes, that is how it should be spelled now!), where the relationship between people and animals presents an altogether different picture. The streets are full of cats - hundreds of them - but they belong to no-one and to everyone. Bowls of water and food are left outside doorways, small shelters appear at the edges of streets, and in parks one finds little feeding stations dedicated to cats, where locals quietly tend to them.

What is striking is the distance maintained. People stop to stroke a cat, yes, but the cat decides. It approaches or it doesnt. It stays or it wanders off. These are not pets in any conventional sense; they are creatures very much of their own world, coexisting with humans rather than depending on them. And yet, there is warmth in that relationship, arguably a healthier kind. The animals are lean, alert, fully themselves.

Compare that to the dogs of Los Angeles, some of which appear so overfed and over-handled that walking seems cruel. Pushed in buggies, shielded from exertion, they become less like animals and more like projections, extensions of their owners emotional lives.

To be fair, the attachment people feel to animals is not something to dismiss lightly. I have seen, how deep that bond can run. A friend of mine, after a breakup, lost not only his partner but the dog they had shared. Though it was technically hers, he had formed the deeper connection. By all accounts, the dog felt the loss as well. He was genuinely heartbroken, and it would take a cold person not to understand that.

Which brings us back to John Wick. When Wick says, That dog was a gift from my wife... to help me grieve, I understand exactly what he means. The dog is not just a dog, it is the last remaining thread tying him to love, to memory, to something human. His reaction, extreme as it is, feels emotionally coherent.

But there is a long road between that kind of grief and the everyday spectacle of pushing a perfectly healthy if obese dog through the streets in a pram.

There is, however, another version of this relationship I have witnessed, one shaped not by comfort, but by hardship.

We have close friends in Poltava in Ukraine, where the war has altered even the lives of animals. Our friend Vova, a lawyer, remains there, continuing his work while much of the country is mobilised. He has a particular fondness for cats, and like many Ukrainians, he has found himself caring not only for his own, but for strays, animals left behind as families flee, or simply lost in the chaos of war.

There are more of them now. In some cases, their owners are gone; in others, they have drifted into a kind of half-wild existence, surviving as best they can. Vova feeds them when he can, pays for treatment when they are sick, and does so quietly, out of whatever money he has to spare, which is not much. It is not ownership. It is not indulgence. It is care stripped of vanity.

Recently, there was footage shared widely across Ukraine of an army drone lifting a cat and a dog from the front lines to safety, two small lives carried out of danger in the middle of a brutal war. It struck a chord, not because it was sentimental, but because it felt instinctively right. Even there, amid destruction, the impulse to protect animals endures.

Here, the relationship feels different again. It is not the curated, almost performative affection one sometimes sees in Los Angeles, nor the easy, communal coexistence of the cats of Alanya. It is something more elemental, a recognition of vulnerability, perhaps, or a refusal to abandon what cannot fend for itself.

Somewhere between the wild cats of Turkiye and the rescued strays of Ukraine, we might begin to see not just how we treat animals, but each other.

And with the pampered poodles of Los Angeles, we could question what are we asking them to replace.
Apple is heading into its April 30 earnings report, with investors focused on iPhone demand, outlooks, and whats next for its AI strategy under its upcoming new CEO.

The iPhone maker's stock has lagged this year, down about 0.64% year to date compared with a 4.67% gain for the S&P 500 index, Yahoo Finance data shows.

Concerns about rising memory costs and the potential hit to smartphone margins have weighed on sentiment, even as the company continues to post rosy growth in its business.

In its last earnings report, Apple announced excessively strong sales of the iPhone, particularly in China. Quarterly revenue from iPhone surged 23% year over year to $85.27 billion, driven by strong sales of the iPhone 17 models. iPhone sales account for nearly 60% of Apples total revenue.

Next week's report will also be the first since Apples recent leadership transition announcement. Investors will look for signs of stability and direction.

Beyond earnings, the company has a busy calendar, with its Worldwide Developers Conference in June expected to bring updates on AI features, followed by a major new iPhone release later in the year.

Goldman Sachs is rethinking its outlook for Apple stock. Heres what the firm sees:

Apple investors are "overly pessimistic," Goldman says

Goldman Sachs reiterated a $330 price target with a buy rating on the shares, arguing that recent concerns around margins and demand may be overstated, according to a recent research note sent to TheStreet.

Goldman expects iPhone revenue to reach about $56.6 billion for the fiscal second quarter, up 21% from a year earlier and ahead of consensus estimates.Getty Images

The bank pointed to a sharp rise in memory prices as a key source of investor anxiety.

With DRAM (Dynamic random-access memory) prices experiencing a massive surge since Fall 2025 driven by an AI-induced supply shortage, concerns around smartphone gross margin pressures and pricing-driven demand destruction and component shortages have driven underperformance, the firm wrote.

In the January earnings call, Apple's current CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the rising chip prices will have a bit more of an impact on the companys Q2 gross margin. Still, Apple forecast a gross margin of 48% to 49% for the quarter to be reported.

Related: Morgan Stanley resets Apple stock forecast before earnings

Goldman said Apple is better positioned to manage those pressures. We believe concerns for Apple are overly pessimistic given its much stronger relative position, the analysts added.

The firm pointed to Apples outperformance in high-end smartphones (highlighted in TSMCs latest earnings call and iPhone share gains in China), and reports that the company is "securing as much mobile DRAM on the market while keeping pricing competitive."

Goldman expects iPhone revenue to reach about $56.6 billion for the quarter, up 21% from a year earlier and ahead of consensus estimates.

The firm expects Apple to report revenue of $110.3 billion, up 16% from a year earlier and at the high end of the companys guidance, along with earnings per share of $2.00, above the $1.93 consensus estimate.

Apple's AI updates in focus

Beyond hardware, Apples services business remains a key piece of the story.

Goldman expects services revenue to grow about 14% year over year, supported by subscriptions such as iCloud+ and AppleCare+, along with pricing increases and advertising expansion.

Results should also be flattered by favorable forex (foreign exchange), as well as strong underlying Services revenue growth, the firm said.

Related: Fidelity sends blunt message on S&P 500 after sudden rebound

Even with slower App Store growth, Goldman sees other areas picking up the slack. We believe product-related Services drivers such as iCloud+ and AppleCare+, along with prior price increases on AppleTV+ and solid advertising performance, should support another quarter of teens Services revenue growth, the analysts said.

Looking ahead, investors are focused on future catalysts for Apple stock.

Apples Worldwide Developers Conference in June is expected to bring more details on its AI plans, including updates to Siri. The company has been slower than some peers to roll out generative AI features, and any progress could help shift sentiment.

Later in the year, Apple is expected to launch a new iPhone lineup, which Goldman described as the "most innovative" in years, with the introduction of a foldable model. That could drive a new upgrade cycle, especially as older devices struggle to support newer AI features.

However, risks remain, including potential weaker consumer demand, supply chain disruptions, and competition across both devices and services.

"Apple generated ~50% of its revenue from iPhones (F2025), which is highly dependent on purchases driven by upgrades," the analysts warned.

Apple stock closed at $271.06 on April 24.

Related: Cathie Wood buys $900,000 of surging megacap stock

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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.
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.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Saturday that top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Pakistani capital, and no direct engagement with the US is planned, AzerNEWS reports.

"No meeting between Iran and the United States is planned," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson wrote on social media X.

He clarified that Irans top diplomat Abbas Araghchi will hold meetings only with senior Pakistani officials.

Earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to hold talks with Iranian representatives.

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.

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.

Image: Iran MFA
With Moby , you can get advice from expert former hedge fund analysts, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. In four years, across almost 400 stock picks, Moby's recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average.

When you learn to balance both data and investment philosophy, youll be well on your way to becoming a savvy market player. In short, where you get your stock market info from matters.

Buffetts approach favors analysis based on understanding the companies youre investing in, their industry, and the forces impacting their potential for growth. However, technical analysis  focusing on the numbers  also has a place for the modern investor.

Buffett once famously said that he reads 500 pages a day (2). While this might not be what every investor needs to do, you should think about spending more time with news and analysis from reputable sources.

This philosophy has worked for Buffett, but not everyone has time to read 500 pages of financial analysis a day. Here are three ways to level up your investing depending on how much time you have.

I realized that I was doing it exactly the wrong way, Buffett said. I rejiggered my mind when I read the book.

Instead of charting stocks or "stock picking," Graham advocated for the valuation of underlying companies. He theorized that stock prices eventually follow a companys financial performance. This simple philosophy shifted Buffetts view on investing forever.

I had the whole wrong idea, Buffett said in a 2022 interview with journalist Charlie Rose. I thought the important thing was to predict what a stock would do and predict the stock market. But when Buffett was 19 or 20 years old, he read a book that would change his perspective forever: The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham.

The IRS usually taxes gold as a collectible  but this little-known strategy lets you hold physical bullion tax-free. Get your free guide from Priority Gold

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres how to fix it ASAP

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

Buffett claims he bought his first stock at age 11, then spent eight years focusing on stock price movements instead of studying the underlying companies.

Warren Buffett is one of the most renowned investors of our time. So, its easy to forget that he was once a beginner too.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

Story Continues

Mobys team spends hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts and can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

Plus, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

Trust the experts

Aside from doing your own research, it can pay to invest in professional advice.

Even Buffett surrounded himself with knowledgeable advisors at Berkshire Hathaway. Everyone has areas of expertise, but no one knows everything.

With this in mind, an expert advisor can help you raise your game. As Buffett once said, Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and youll drift in that direction.

In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you.

With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how youre doing so far and make sure you've got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.

Vanguards hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals, and Vanguards advisers will help you set a tailored plan, and stick to it.

Once youre set, you can sit back as Vanguards advisors manage your portfolio. Because theyre fiduciaries, they dont earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice youre getting is unbiased.

Read More: Robert Kiyosaki warned of a 'Greater Depression'  with millions of Americans going poor. Was he right?

A set it and forget it approach

While keen investors may be willing to spend the time to learn the markets, many investors can be better off with a passive approach.

"In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund, Buffett once said.

"The trick is not to pick the right company. The trick is to essentially buy all the big companies through the S&P 500 and to do it consistently and to do it in a very, very low-cost way (3).

A passive approach might not produce spectacular wins, but it can be a low-risk option for the investor who is simply looking to build a reliable nest egg for retirement.

If youre totally new to investing and are looking for a simple way to get into the market you may not realize you can get started for pennies on the dollar.

One option is Acorns, an automated saving platform that can smooth out your investment process.

How it works is simple: Sign up and link your bank account then Acorns will automatically round up each of your purchases to the nearest dollar, depositing the difference in a smart investment portfolio.

That morning coffee for $4.50? With Acorns youve just squirreled away 50 cents for your portfolio. Over a year these contributions can add up, especially if combined with more conscious investing.

Plus, if you sign up today, you can get a $20 bonus.

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(1) Charlie Rose; (2) Omaha World Herald; (3) CNBC

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) is one of the

10 Best Slow Growth Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On April 23, 2026, Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) reported Q4 EPS of 23c, above the 21c consensus, and revenue of $5.04B compared to $4.73B last year. Salil Parekh said the company delivered a resilient performance in FY26 with 3.1% growth and large deal wins totaling $14.9B, citing traction in its AI services strategy and enterprise AI value proposition, supported by ecosystem partnerships and its Topaz Fabric platform.

The company expects FY27 revenue growth of 1.5% to 3.5% in constant currency and operating margins of 20% to 22%. After the earnings report, Stifel analyst David Grossman lowered the price target on Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) to $15 from $17 and maintained a Hold rating following largely in-line Q1 results. David Grossman said pricing pressure is typical when discretionary spending is weak, but noted that an AI-related overhang could weigh on sentiment until growth improves, adding that offshore players may face higher risk of AI-driven disruption, though the reaction may be overdone.

Infosys (INFY) Reports Q4 EPS Beat

A day earlier, Infosys announced a strategic collaboration with OpenAI to support enterprise software development and modernization using AI models such as Codex, combining OpenAIs technology with Infosys Topaz Fabric. Salil Parekh said generative and agentic AI will redefine how enterprises operate and grow, with the partnership aimed at helping clients scale AI adoption.

Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and digital services globally.

While we acknowledge the potential of INFY 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.
Weather Alert

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 162 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ALEXANDER GALLATIN HARDIN JOHNSON MASSAC POPE PULASKI SALINE UNION WILLIAMSON IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 19 COUNTIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY BALLARD CALDWELL CALLOWAY CARLISLE CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN FULTON GRAVES HICKMAN HOPKINS LIVINGSTON LYON MARSHALL MCCRACKEN MCLEAN MUHLENBERG TODD TRIGG WEBSTER IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BOLLINGER BUTLER CAPE GIRARDEAU CARTER MISSISSIPPI NEW MADRID RIPLEY SCOTT STODDARD WAYNE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BARDWELL, BENTON, BLOOMFIELD, CADIZ, CAIRO, CALHOUN, CAPE GIRARDEAU, CHARLESTON, CLINTON, DIXON, DONIPHAN, EDDYVILLE, ELIZABETHTOWN, ELKTON, GOLCONDA, GREENVILLE, HARRISBURG, HERRIN, HICKMAN, HOPKINSVILLE, JACKSON, JONESBORO, MADISONVILLE, MARBLE HILL, MARION, MAYFIELD, METROPOLIS, MOUND CITY, MURRAY, NEW MADRID, PADUCAH, PIEDMONT, POPLAR BLUFF, PRINCETON, SHAWNEETOWN, SIKESTON, SMITHLAND, VAN BUREN, VIENNA, AND WICKLIFFE.
The April 22 Oval Office meeting between Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and President Donald Trump has been hailed as a pragmatic effort to secure relief for victims of the January 2025 wildfires. In fact, it is a stark demonstration of the unity of the political establishment in defense of corporate interests.

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, President Donald Trump and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, April 22, 2026. [Photo: Kathryn Barger]

Bass and Barger appealed for $34 billion in federal aid, citing the scale of devastation and the insufficiency of existing funds. They urged pressure on major insurers, including State Farm, to pay outstanding claims in areas such as the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. They also called on banks to grant relief to residents paying mortgages on destroyed homes while struggling to afford rent elsewhere.

Trumps response exposed the fraud at the center of the entire exercise. He announced that Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin would conduct an audit of insurance companies, producing a public list distinguishing those that have paid claims from those that have not.

Such an audit without enforcement powers imposes no obligation on corporations. It replaces law with publicity, allowing the administration to posture as an opponent of insurance abuses while guaranteeing that no meaningful action is taken.

Supervisor Barger played a central role as a Republican intermediary, presenting the crisis as a nonpartisan humanitarian issue. She emphasized that delays in rebuilding stem not from local permitting regulations but from a lack of liquid capital due to unpaid insurance claims and insufficient federal support.

On the surface, these demands appear reasonable. Millions of residents have indeed been left in dire conditions, and the refusal of insurance corporations to pay claims has compounded the disaster.

The joint appearance of Bass, who has cultivated a progressive image, alongside Barger and Trump, is being celebrated as bipartisan cooperation. In reality, it lays bare the essential class unity of Democrats and Republicans. When confronted with a crisis that threatens social stability, all factions of the ruling elite close ranks.

Karen Basss administration in Los Angeles has been defined by austerity, expanded policing and support for real estate developers. Her 202526 budget has intensified opposition amid overwork, stagnant wages and declining services, while wildfire response failures followed cuts to fire funding.

Basss appearance beside Trump was entirely consistent with her role only days earlier in shutting down the threatened strike by 77,000 Los Angeles educators and school workers. At 2:30 a.m. on April 14, hours before the walkout was set to begin, SEIU Local 99 announced a last-minute deal with LAUSD, abruptly canceling what would have been the first district-wide strike of classified workers, teachers and administrators in LAUSD history.

Bass had intervened directly in the late-night talks, appearing the next morning alongside union officials who praised her for stepping in and serving as the closer, while they made clear they would rather be here today than on the picket line. In that case, as in the wildfire talks, Bass functioned as an enforcer for the corporate and Democratic Party establishment, blocking a broader mobilization of workers and subordinating urgent social needs to the dictates of the ruling class.

She has boosted LAPD spending, aligned with federal raids and advanced punitive homelessness policies benefiting private contractors. Facing reelection and a $1 billion shortfall, Bass declared a fiscal emergency, proposing the elimination of 1,647 city jobs to impose sweeping social cuts.

The supposed pressure on insurers is a preemptive maneuver to contain mounting public anger. Insurance corporations are not aberrantly failing. They are functioning exactly as the system requires, maximizing profit by denying or delaying payouts. The refusal to impose binding regulation reflects the political intent by both big business parties.

Trumps administration has systematically dismantled regulatory structures, including through the 10-for-1 executive order mandating the elimination of ten regulations for every new one introduced. Oversight has been gutted across industries. The same government now pretends that a public audit will discipline corporations it has deliberately freed from constraint.

The assignment given to Zeldin underscores this reality. There are no fines, mandates or structural changes under consideration. The administration relies entirely on voluntary compliance, that is, on the goodwill of corporations whose profits depend on doing the opposite.

Equally damning is the role of Bass and the Democratic Party. Bass has not opposed this agenda but integrated herself into it, presenting collaboration with the Trump administration as a necessity. The claim that wildfires have no political affiliation is a conscious falsification. It denies the class character of both the disaster and the response.

This mirrors the actions of figures such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has openly forged a partnership with Trump despite employing left-wing rhetoric during his electoral campaign for mayor.

Basss participation in this meeting further exposes the hollowness of her progressive credentials. Her alignment with Trump not only provides political cover for a pro-corporate agenda, it is being consciously deployed as part of her mayoral re-election campaign, in which bipartisanship serves as a marketing tool for policies that defend corporate interests. The claim that wildfires have no political affiliation serves to obscure the class interests at stake.

Wildfires, like all disasters, are shaped by social conditions. Their scale and impact reflect decades of deregulation, environmental destruction and the subordination of infrastructure to private profit. By reducing the crisis to a logistical problem, officials conceal its origins in policy and class relations.

The situation in California makes this explicit. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, a Democrat, has functioned as a key facilitator of insurance industry interests, approving major premium hikes while advancing a sustainable insurance strategy that legitimized deregulation. He accepted industry donations, intervened to benefit contributing firms and helped create conditions allowing insurers to raise rates, withdraw coverage and shift costs onto homeowners, effectively transforming the regulatory apparatus into a mechanism for protecting corporate profits rather than consumers.

The role of California Governor Gavin Newsom cannot be ignored either. He has suspended key environmental protections, including the California Environmental Quality Act, to fast-track rebuilding for utility companies. Under the guise of recovery, his policies grant firms like Southern California Edison broad freedom to operate without oversight, prioritizing profit over environmental and public safety concerns while mirroring federal deregulatory practices and reinforcing the subordination of state policy to corporate demands

State Farm has no doubt played a central role in deepening the wildfire crisis by delaying and disputing claims, while simultaneously seeking major premium increases and reducing coverage in high-risk areas. Homeowners have faced prolonged waits for payouts and, in many cases, loss of coverage altogether, reflecting a profit-driven strategy that shifts the financial burden of disasters onto policyholders rather than absorbing losses.

However, the focus on individual firms such as State Farm can be used as a diversion. The problem is not a handful of bad actors but the structure of the entire industry. Insurance companies operate according to profit calculations, not social need. Without coercive regulation, they will continue to deny claims and raise rates.

The same applies to the appeals directed at banks. Calls for voluntary relief are empty gestures. Financial institutions will not act against their own interests absent compulsion. The refusal to impose such compulsion defines the policy of both parties.

The April 22 meeting exposes the real character of American politics: whatever differences exist between Democrats and Republicans, they collapse when corporate interests are at stake. In times of crisis, the political system operates as a unified mechanism for defending capitalist rule. The alignment of Bass, Barger and Trump exposes how the ruling class manages social catastrophe: empty rhetoric with policies that leave the underlying system untouched.
(Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp. has been one of the hottest stocks in the market over the past 12 months, soaring 230% to the highest price since the dot-com bubble. But the rally is facing a potential roadblock in the companys first-quarter earnings report due after the close Thursday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The shares have been on a roll since last year, spurred by the US governments $8.9 billion investment in return for a stake in the once-struggling chipmaker. Since then, it has also paid $14 billion to buy back half of a plant in Ireland that it had previously sold to Apollo Global Management, joined Elon Musks semiconductor manufacturing project Terafab and received a commitment from Alphabet Inc.s Google to use its processors.

These developments have offered investors encouraging signs about Intels turnaround under Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan. As a result, the stock is among the 20 best performers in the S&P 500 Index in the last year, soaring 63% since March 30 alone. Last week, it closed at $68.50, its highest level since September 2000. With the rally continuing Thursday, sending the stock up as much as 4.6%, the companys market capitalization stands at around $340 billion  a year ago it was just $90 billion.

But the first-quarter earnings report could halt that momentum. Wall Street analysts expect Intel to post adjusted earnings per share of 1 cent, a 92% drop from a year ago, and a slight decline in revenue to $12.4 billion. Gross margins are projected to fall to less than 35% from 39% in the first quarter of 2025.

I think financial strength may still take time, said Hendi Susanto, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which holds Intel stock. I still expect some volatility, including some potential pullback in the shares.

One challenge for the investors seeking more gains from here is the rally has made Intel the most expensive chip stock in the market. Its trading at about 94 times earnings expected over the next 12 months, the highest multiple in the Philadelphia semiconductor index. The next closest is Arm Holdings Plc at 93 times estimated earnings, while Nvidia Corp. is priced at around 22 times.

Consensus is actually saying that these shares are expensive and that based on the current valuation, theyre expecting downside, said Melissa Otto, head of technology, media and telecommunications research at Visible Alpha. The company needs to come out with guidance and earnings that are meaningfully higher in order to essentially move beyond the current expectations of what is priced in.
The struggle by Doruk Mining workers to demand their unpaid wages and other benefitscentred on a march which began in Eskisehir and has now reached the capital, Ankaracontinues with a hunger strike under police siege.

Doruk Mining workers continue their struggle at Kurtulus Park in Ankara, April 23, 2026. (Photo: umutsen.org)

The miners arrival in Ankara brought the class struggle to the forefront of the national agenda. While the people of Ankara showed their support for the miners, statements of solidarity with the workers were issued in factories and public squares across the country. Dozens of actors, musicians, poets, academics, writers, and journalistsincluding Husnu Arkan, Ilyas Salman, Vedat Yldrm, Orhan Alkaya, Menderes Samanclar, Ataol Behramoglu, Mujdat Gezen, Suavi, Tulin Ozel, and Fusun Demirelreleased solidarity videos.

The class struggle in Ankara is unfolding in the midst of an imperialist war of aggression against Iran, waged by the Trump administrationan ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans governmentin collaboration with Israel. Despite the governments calls for a ceasefire and peace, it is effectively siding with the US and condemning Irans right to self-defense, while over 90 percent of the population opposes the US-Israel war against Iran.

Under these conditions, the workers entry onto the political stage and their potential to block the implementation of the capitalist oligarchys agenda are deemed unacceptable by the government. Numerous independent workers leaders have been arrested in recent months. The Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi  Dorduncu Enternasyonal (Socialist Equality Party  Fourth International) has called for the demand for the release of prisoners of the class struggle to be one of the main demands of the upcoming May Day.

That the struggle of just a hundred miners for their unpaid wages and other social rights has resonated so widely highlights the decisive nature of the class struggle that has been suppressed for decades, not only by state repression but also by the union apparatus and identity politics. The miners demonstrate the social power that must be mobilized for the social and democratic rights of the overwhelming majority of the people and against imperialist war.

On Friday morning, the miners attempted to march from Kurtulus Park to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources; however, they again encountered a police blockade. Surrounded on all sides by police, the miners were met with a pepper spray attack when they attempted to cross the police barricade to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. During the initial intervention, six miners fell ill, and three were taken to hospital. The workers, under blockade, are continuing their protest by removing their shirts and banging their hard hats on the ground.

Basaran Aksu, the organizing specialist for the Bagmsz Maden-Is (Independent Miners Union), which is leading the workers struggle, said in his speech, Theyre afraid of the miners, and theyre right to be! When the miners march, the feet of the holding companies and the centers of power tremble. Thats the reason for this blockade. They know the misery, poverty, and hunger theyve created. Theyre engineering this so the people dont revolt, but remain subservient.

Bagmsz Maden-Is announced that they had been surrounded by approximately 1,000 police officers, called on the people of Ankara for support, and issued calls for protests nationwide, stating, We call on all factories, offices, and campuses to be the voice of Doruk Mining workers. At the Elastron Kimya factory in Kocaeli, workers who are members of Petrol-Is Union released a video statement announcing that they would support the Doruk Mining workers from their factories.

Miners demands include payment of months of unpaid wages, severance and notice pay for dismissed workers, an end to the imposition of unpaid leave, safe working conditions, reinstatement of workers dismissed for union membership, and the nationalisation of the mine to guarantee job security.

Mining workers who set out from Eskisehir on April 13 to seek a response to their demands arrived in Ankara on Monday after a nine-day march covering approximately 190 kilometers. The arbitrary arrest of union leader Aksu just before the march began signaled what kind of response President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government was preparing to give.

On Monday, police attacked workers with pepper spray at the entrance to Ankara, detaining 30 peopleincluding Aksu and the unions General President, Gokay Cakrlater releasing them. On Tuesday, 110 miners who had begun a hunger strike in an attempt to stage a peaceful protest in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources were detained by police. Faced with growing public outrage over the unlawfully of detentions and the governments oppression of workers, the miners were released after 14 hours. However, neither were their demands met nor did the threat of severe state repression subside.

On Wednesday, the workers visited political parties in parliament to seek their support. On Thursday, the workers again faced police obstruction when they attempted to hold a protest in front of the headquarters of Yldzlar SSS Holding, the owner of Doruk Mining.

The union president, Gokay Cakr, pointed out that when it comes to the rights and struggles of the working class, the law is often ignored: [For the front of the holding company building] They say its private property. Yes, theyre sacred. This guy [the holding] has brazenly trampled on workers rights; for 15 years he hasnt paid workers severance or wages; hes ignored notice periods and severance; he holds 6,000 [mining] permits. Seventy percent of the mining sector is in this guys hands Weve got 10 police officers per worker. What a shame! Is this law passed just for this guy? Are we slaves? Pass a slave law so we can act accordingly! What does it mean to get paid twice a year?

These remarks exposed the mechanisms through which the government and state apparatus serve as tools for the interests of the capitalist oligarchy.

Later, the workers gathered at Kurtulus Park with their spouses and children who said, Weve come to claim whats rightfully ours, in celebration of National Sovereignty and Childrens Day on April 23. As representatives from numerous political parties and mass organizations visited the miners, the event turned into a rally.

Republican Peoples Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel visited the workers, saying, You are a good example for workers, but the regime considers this a bad example. Because the regime has positioned itself on the side of capital and against the workers. He added: In the future, when this government changes and a true peoples government [CHP] comes to power the Turkish working class will organize, and everyone will fight tooth and nail for their rights. No one will exploit the workers labour.

Ozels pro-working class rhetoric is a sham. Just this week, workers in the municipalities of Bayrakl, Konak, Karsyaka, and Bayrakl in Izmirall governed by the CHPstaged protests to demand their rights under collective bargaining agreements. The CHPs claim to put an end to the exploitation of laboras a representative of the same capitalist oligarchy as the Erdogan governmentis baseless.

The urgent task of putting an end to capitalist exploitation and private propertythe root causes of social problemsrequires the working class to take power into its own hands. This is the most important question raised by the struggle of Doruk Mining workers: Who controls society and the economy? The problems faced by Doruk Mining workers are, at their core, part of the broader problems of the working class in Turkiye and around the world. A fundamental solution requires the economy to be restructured on a socialist basis in the interests of society, rather than in the hands of a handful of capitalist oligarchs.

The numerous parties that visited the miners on Thursday are representatives of the same capitalist order and ruling class that the Erdogan government is striving to protect by suppressing workers struggles through force. Some of them, such as the CHP and the Kurdish nationalist Peoples Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party), are attempting to control the social opposition developing within the working class through illusions of social reform and democratization.

DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullar visited the miners and stated, We stand with the resistance of the Doruk Maden workers. While the DEM Party criticizes the governments repression of social opposition and the working class, it simultaneously promotes the illusion that the government could expand democratic rights within the framework of the negotiations being conducted between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

On Thursday, a representative of the Islamist New Welfare Party visited the workers. The day before, Senol Sunat, a far-right deputy from the Good Party, expressed his support for the miners in a speech in parliament. In addition, many union representatives visited the miners and expressed their support.

None of these establishment partiesincluding the CHP and the DEM Partyor the union bureaucrats have done anything to mobilize the masses in defense of the miners. The truth is, they are just as reluctant as Erdogan to see a mass working-class movement erupt across the country.

The government and the company are now trying to pacify the miners by deploying not only police pressure, but also the corrupt trade union apparatus. While the workers march to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was blocked by police force, the ministrys doors were opened to the Turkiye Maden-Is Sendikas (Turkish Miners Union), affiliated with the Turk-Is confederationan organization that has been absent for years and complicit in the companys attacks on workers. On Wednesday, Minister Alparslan Bayraktar met with Nurettin Akcul, the General President of the Turkiye Maden-Is Sendikas.

Minister Bayraktar cynically said, Although we, as the state, provide significant incentives to support our sector, the prerequisite for the sector to benefit from this support is the protection of workers rights and the payment of debts owed to employees. We will ensure that our fellow workers wages are paid and that an employment environment is created where they can receive their rights on time.

Aksu, an organizing specialist with the Bagmsz Maden-Is, reacted by stating, Only the holding companies are being protected in this country. We cannot reach a solution without putting an end to this. Even if wages are paid, workers will continue to be exploited. The ministry is summoning the yellow unionwhich is responsible for this injusticefor talks.

Yldzlar SSS Holdings Human Resources department also stated in a post on X on Thursday that the unpaid leave and the difficulties faced by workers stemmed from market conditions, and admitted that it had been in constant communication with the Turkiye Maden-Is union, which holds the necessary authority under the law, during these attacks.

The strikes by Polyak miners and Migros warehouse workers demonstrated the potential spread of a militant workers movement that the union bureaucracy could not control. Now, in the run-up to May Day, the international day of unity, struggle, and solidarity of the working class, the Doruk miners are following the map of the same class struggle. This is, at its core, an international struggle, and it requires workers to develop a counteroffensive against the capitalist system with an international strategy and organization.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), one of the sponsors of this years 13th International Online May Day Rally, is fighting to put an end to the way union bureaucracies everywhere divide the working class along national lines for the interest of corporations and their power, and to unite the growing workers struggles across borders. We call on all workers to establish rank-and-file committees linked to the IWA-RFC in their workplaces, to show organized solidarity with the workers of Doruk Mining and other workers struggles, and to participate in the International May Day Rally.
On Saturday afternoon, a flight carrying Hayam El Gamal and her five children from Willow Run Airport in Michigan to New Jersey was diverted midair and ordered back to Michigan. The family was then placed on a return flight to Colorado, in compliance with an order from US District Judge Fred Biery.

The return followed a day in which the Trump administration sought to deport the family in defiance of a court order. Their attorneys responded with a series of emergency filings seeking to block the illegal maneuver.

The El Gamal family had been released from Dilley detention center on Thursday, after a ruling from Judge Biery. However, on Saturday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) re-detained the family during what was supposed to be a check-in, escalating the Trump administrations campaign of collective punishment against a family that has never been charged with any crime.

One of the familys attorneys, Eric Lee, warned in an urgent post: THE EL GAMAL FAMILY WAS REDETAINED BY ICE MOMENTS AGO. ICE SAYS DEPORTATION IS IMMINENT. PLEASE ACTIVATE YOUR CONTACTS TO STOP THIS TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE FROM TAKING PLACE.

The attorneys issued a subsequent statement declaring, The Trump administration has kidnapped the El Gamal family in violation of a federal court order for the Western District of Texas. It referred to an order by Judge Biery issued Thursday directing ICE not to detain or remove the family from the United States.

After the family arrived home in Colorado this morning, the attorneys reported, Hours later, ICE arrested them all and has put them on a plane headed for Detroits Willow Run Airport, and then outside the United States on an unknown location.

The statement noted that Counsel for the El Gamal family have filed emergency motions in the Western District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit, as well as a new petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the District of Colorado, and warned that the rights of the entire population and the most basic constitutional principles of separation of powers are at stake.

The attorneys issued an urgent appeal: The attempt to remove the El Gamal family is in violation of a federal court order and must be halted immediately The legal team urges the population to exercise its free speech rights to stop this unlawful deportation from taking place.

Judge Biery responded by granting an emergency ex parte motion Saturday afternoon, ordering that the familys removal from the United States and from the District of Colorado was stayed.

Lee warned that the plane carrying Hayam El Gamal and her five children was expected to land in Michigan and constitutionally cannot be allowed to take off.

The plane nevertheless took off from Michigan before being diverted and returned. After a delay at Willow Run airport, the family was flown back to Colorado Saturday night.

The Trump administration responded to the court order with a fascistic denunciation of the family and the judge. In a statement sent to the media, Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis branded Mohammed Soliman a terrorist responsible for an anti-Semitic firebombing in Boulder, and falsely presented the punishment of his wife and children as due process. Bis declared: Despite receiving full due process, this activist judge appointed by Bill Clinton is releasing this terrorists family onto American streets AGAIN.

Statement from DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis denouncing the court-ordered release of Hayam El Gamal and her five children.

She added, Under President Trump, DHS will continue to fight for the removal of those who have no right to be in our countryespecially terrorists and their associates. We are confident the courts will ultimately vindicate us.

The statement underscores the governments position that the family members of an accused individual can be treated as associates and collectively punished, including through prolonged detention and attempted deportation, despite not being charged with any crime. It is also an open attack on the court for ordering the release of a mother and five children after months of imprisonment in the Dilley family detention center.

Also Saturday, US District Judge Nina Y. Wang (District of Colorado) issued an order that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE shall not remove any of the family from the District of Colorado or from the United States unless and until the order is vacated by the district court or the Tenth Circuit.

Bierys previous order on Thursday was the product of months of legal struggle in which federal judges rejected the governments effort to hold and deport the family based on guilt by association with the alleged actions of Hayam El Gamals estranged husband. The family had already endured nearly ten months of imprisonment and repeated violations of basic medical care and humane treatment while in federal custody.

By seizing the family again, ICE effectively sought to nullify the authority of the federal judiciary and the specific release order that was supposed to protect the family from precisely this sort of retaliatory action.

This action is consistent with the administrations broader strategy: to establish a precedent that the state can punish relatives, terrorize children, and carry out collective reprisals to intimidate the population as a whole. The El Gamal family has been treated as a political trophyfrom the White Houses earlier public threats to deport Mohameds Wife and Five Kids, to the sustained effort to portray children as national security threats.
The Pentagon building in Washington DC [Photo: US DOD]

Pentagon officials recently met with executives from General Motors and Ford, marking a turn by the Trump administration toward the development of a war economy.

According to press reports, unnamed senior defense officials have held meetings with executives of major corporations about building military equipment, including Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, and Jim Farley, CEO of Ford. The Pentagon is reportedly seeking to replenish critical munitions and weapons systems that have been depleted due to the ongoing Ukraine proxy war against Russia, the Gaza genocide, and the war against Iran.

According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, By some estimates, it could take five years or more to replenish the munitions that have been used in the last 40 days of the war against Iran. It quoted John Ferrari, a retired Army major general who now works for the American Enterprise Institute, a right wing Washington, DC think tank, who warned, We are on borrowed time. The Russians, the Chinese, the Iranianseverybody knows that we dont have enough munitions.

For their part, auto executives, with profits lagging as a result of low electric vehicle sales, are eyeing Trumps proposed $1.5 trillion military budget.

A defense official stated, The Department of War is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.

The meeting with top auto executives follows the announcement earlier this year of the launch of the so-called Arsenal of Freedom project, aimed at putting US industryand all of societyon a war footing. This has involved tours by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military officials of weapons plants.

Hegseth is calling for the rebuilding of the US military-industrial base and moving away from what he calls a peacetime science fair toward a wartime arms race, aiming to out-innovate competitors.

The enlistment of the auto industry into the US war drive recalls the role that carmakers played during World War II, when all domestic auto production was suspended and plants were repurposed for military production, turning Detroit into what was branded by the Roosevelt administration as the Arsenal of Democracy.

In reality, American capitalism was fighting not for democracy but for world hegemony. Critical components of the home front included the internment of Japanese-Americans, the jailing of anti-war socialists and a de facto ban on strikes. This last part was imposed by the trade union bureaucracy, who exchanged a no strike pledge for automatic dues check-offs and other measures aimed at shoring up the position of the apparatus.

In June 1941, on the eve of US entry into the war, the Roosevelt administration crushed a strike by 12,000 North American Aviation workers in Inglewood, California. US troops occupied the plant, the local union charter was revoked, and workers were threatened with being drafted into the military if they resisted.

However, what is taking place today would be better termed the Arsenal of Genocide. Trumps threats to annihilate Iranian civilization are only the latest sign of an American ruling elite resorting to open criminality in a desperate bid to shore up its world position.

While not included in the recent talks with automakers, the United Auto Workers leadership has offered its services for the role of wartime enforcer of labor discipline on behalf of US imperialism. While occasionally verbally distancing itself from the Gaza genocide, the UAW has embraced the imperialist war drive against the global rivals of US capitalism, primarily China and Russia.

In response to the moves by the Trump administration to enlist the auto companies in the drive to war, Mack Trucks worker Will Lehman, who is running for UAW president, said:

This is what fueled the student protests against the genocide in Gaza. Universities were associated with war development and war technologies, and students and university workers did not want any part of it. War is being presented to workers as something that will bring jobs, but the reality is that workers will pay in blood. They are gearing up to send workers and the children of workers to fight these wars, to die for the profits of those who are exploiting workers. The wars in the Middle East have led to debacles. They have left scars on the working class that will not soon be forgotten. Trump talks about destroying an entire civilization, but it is not just Trump talkingit is US imperialism that is driving this. The only way we are going to stop that is through our collective action. The UAW bureaucracy is fine with workers going off to fight wars as long as they collect dues. They are not going to be fighting these wars. The UAW usually lines up behind the Democrats, but they are fully backing the Trump administration by promoting war production. Fain wears a shirt with a bomber on it. Anti-genocide protesters in Michigan were thrown out of a UAW rally. This is part of the bureaucracys policy that everything must be subordinated to nationalism and the war effort. Nationalism is a poison being fed to the working class, and workers must oppose this. Workers face a choice. It is not all said and donewe still have an opportunity to stop it. The power of the working class is real. Workers need to understand their class strength and act. But the UAW bureaucracy is not going to lead that fight. If they remain in charge, we are going to lose. This means workers need to assert their own power by building rank-and-file committees to organize and coordinate struggles based on the interests of workers, not the UAW bureaucracy.

Will Lehman speaking at the IWA-RFC investigation into the death of Ronald Adams, Sr., July 27, 2025

Fain and the UAW apparatus have given vital political support to the Trump administration by embracing Trumps global tariff war. Through these actions, Fain and the bureaucracy seek to divide the working class along national lines, scapegoating foreign workers and tying workers to the war program of the US ruling class.

UAW President Shawn Fain has often spoken nostalgically of the Arsenal of Democracy and has promoted converting auto plants for defense industry use. In 2024, then-president Joe Biden, for whom Fain was a top ally, described the unions as his domestic NATO.

Last month, the UAW bureaucracy shut down a strike after 5 days by General Dynamics shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works in Maine. Workers at the facility make the same guided missile destroyers being deployed against Iran.

In a visit to the facility only weeks before the strike, Hegseth delivered a speech in which he stated, [America and Americans first] means we protect your jobs, your security, and your familys future before we even think about any foreign country or globalist peacekeeping project. We invest in factories in Colorado, not China. The local UAW leadership reportedly responded by leading chants of USA, USA.

Shawn Fain wearing a sweatshirt with a bomber logo in a recent livestream. [Photo: UAW]

The UAW has shut down other defense strikes, including Eaton Aerospace workers in Jackson, Michigan, and GE Aerospace workers outside Cincinnati.

A worker at parts supplier American Axle & Manufacturing in Three Rivers, Michigan, where workers are in the midst of an ongoing contract struggle, told the WSWS in response to the meetings:

This was just the start of something larger, and that something larger is now emerging. Trump said he is ready to go to war and that Iran will cease to exist. Fain, as well as the leadership beneath him, are all pawns in this.

We are repeating history. Detroit was the epicenter of the war effort in 1940it was the base for mass production of military equipment. The auto industry supplied weapons, equipment, planes and vehicles.

I knew they might try to weaponize one of the largest manufacturing industriesthe auto industry. And since AAM is global, for all we know, those plants overseas could already be producing for them.

This is why we are building warehouses [instead of production facilities]. AAM is required to maintain a 30-day bank of parts for GM, and if production shifts to military supply, they will need that buffer to avoid disruption.

A worker at the Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson summed up his attitude to the conversion of auto plants for world war, saying, We dont want to make bombs.
A section of the defendants, April 20 [Photo: Salvadoran Prosecutor's Office]

Prosecutors in El Salvador have opened a mass trial of 486 alleged members of the MS-13 gang on charges ranging from homicide to extortion and arms trafficking. In what will be the largest criminal proceeding in the countrys history, the defendants are accused of involvement in more than 47,000 crimes committed between 2012 and 2022, including an estimated 29,000 homicides.

Authorities claim they are targeting the highest ranks of the gangs leadership and insist they possess overwhelming evidence, pledging to seek the maximum sentences available under Salvadoran law.

The trial is taking place under a regime enacted through sweeping legal changes enacted during the ongoing state of emergency imposed by President Nayib Bukele, who has ruled under extraordinary powers for four years. These measures permit mass hearings, often conducted virtually, denying defendants basic rights.

A recent legal reform will soon allow life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of terrorism, murder or rape. International observers have sharply criticized these draconian measures. Mass hearings and trialsoften conducted virtuallyundermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees, a United Nations panel of experts warned.

Bukele, who has referred to himself as the coolest dictator in the world, has been embraced by Donald Trump as an incredible ally. The American would-be dictator has applauded his crackdown on gangs, amounting to martial law, and the construction of vast prison complexes. He has described El Salvadors prison system as humane and effective, while highlighting cooperation on immigration enforcement, including deportation agreements targeting alleged gang members.

The reality behind this rhetoric is the consolidation of an authoritarian regime. The state of emergency has suspended fundamental democratic rights and enabled mass detentions on an unprecedented scale. Human rights organizations estimate that El Salvadors prison population has surged to approximately 118,000 detaineesmore than double the systems capacity. At one point, 1.9 percent of the countrys population was incarcerated, one of the highest rates globally. Bukeles government has threatened life sentences and even starvation for detainees, invoking a so-called war on gangs to justify these measures.

This state of authoritarian terror strips away the thin democratic facade established after the end of military rule in 1979 and the conclusion of the civil war in 1992. That facade was constructed with the complicity of the petty-bourgeois nationalist and Stalinist leadership of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), which transformed itself from a guerrilla movement into a bourgeois political party. Bukele himself emerged from the section of the business elite that aligned itself with the FMLN.

The repressive apparatus now in place has extended beyond El Salvadors borders, intersecting with US immigration policy in alarming ways. The Trump administration designated MS-13 a terrorist organization and pursued agreements with El Salvador to exchange prisoners. These policies have led to the deportation of migrantsincluding Venezuelansunder conditions that evoke the forced disappearances of Latin Americas military dictatorships in the 1970s and 1980s.

CECOT concentration camp: torture and extrajudicial killings

Invoking the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act, the US government has justified mass deportations by claiming an invasion by criminal groups. Hundreds of migrants have been detained without due process, often seized by plainclothes agents and transported to undisclosed locations. Lawyers and relatives frequently cannot determine their whereabouts, as records are altered or erased. Some detainees last year later reappeared in El Salvadors notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), effectively functioning as a concentration camp overseen by security forces with a documented history of torture and extrajudicial killings.

The historical parallels are unmistakable. Under the US-backed dictatorship that ruled El Salvador during the countrys civil rule (1979-1992), approximately 71,000 peoplebetween 1 and 2 percent of the populationwere killed or disappeared.

CECOT itself has become a symbol of repression. Human rights groups estimate that at least 238 to over 250 individuals, including Salvadorans and Venezuelans, were transferred from the US in early 2025 without charges. As many as 36 Salvadorans deported from the US remain there incommunicado.

Testimonies describe a pattern of brutality: beatings, humiliation and sexual assault. Prisoners are held in windowless cells under constant artificial light, deprived of sleep and basic necessities. Access to water is severely limited, with reports of contamination by worms and mosquitoes. Hunger strikes have been met with violent reprisals, including prisoners being beaten and dragged away half dead. In desperation, some detainees resorted to a blood strike, cutting their wristsonly to be ignored by guards and medical staff.

Internal intelligence documents further reveal that 36 percent of those detained during the state of exception had no prior criminal profile. Yet they remain imprisoned without contact with the outside world and without any meaningful opportunity to defend themselves.

The NGO Socorro Juridico Humanitario (SJH) has compiled a database showing 517 deaths of prisoners under Bukele's state of exception, with nine out of ten of them never having been convicted of any crime. About a third of the deaths were caused by violence or torture, another third by medical negligence, and for the rest the cause of death remains unknown.

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia illustrates the arbitrary nature of these policies. Deported unlawfully from the United States, he became one of hundreds sent to CECOT without trial. Although later returned to the US and released by court order, his case highlights the broader system of extrajudicial detention. Bukele himself publicly refused to return him during a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, underscoring the political alliance underpinning these actions.

The broader implications extend across the region. Bukeles modelcombining mass incarceration, suspension of rights and militarized policingis being promoted by right-wing governments in Ecuador, Honduras and Costa Rica. Trumps support reinforces this trend, normalizing a doctrine that the state may detain or even kill individuals based on suspicion alone, without due process.

Bukele has placed the country under a permanent state of exception, criminalizing civil society organizations and journalists as fronts for gangs.

As is typical of the US corporate media, little attention has been paid to the deeper roots of violence in El Salvador. These lie in a long history of extreme inequality and state repression, driven by the interests of local elites and US imperialism. The rise of gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18 cannot be understood outside this context.

Their consolidation was a byproduct of US policies in the 1990s, particularly under the Clinton administration. Mass deportations of young immigrantsmany of whom had formed small groups for protection in US citiestransplanted gang structures to Central America. One deportee recalled: Eventually it became a gang, but initially it was just to protect each other These kids were being treated like trash.

The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), enacted under the Democratic Clinton administration, marked a turning point, dramatically expanding deportations and undermining due process. Combined with severe social inequality in El Salvador, these policies created fertile conditions for gang proliferation.

That inequality is itself rooted in decades of US-backed economic and military intervention. During the civil war, Washington provided more than $4 billion in aid to the Salvadoran government, supporting a regime that employed death squads, torture and mass killings. Economic policies tied to US interests deepened poverty, promoting export-led growth while increasing dependence on imports and undermining domestic employment.

Privatization, austerity and dollarizationunder both the fascistic Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA) party and the FMLNfurther eroded living standards. By the early 2000s, a tiny elite controlled nearly half of the countrys wealth. Subsequent FMLN governments, despite their leftist rhetoric, continued these policies, expanding military spending and imposing austerity measures.

Conditions have worsened under Bukele, who came to power exploiting mass anger against the ARENA party and the FMLN. Poverty increased from 22.8 percent in 2019 to 25.8 percent in 2024, driven by a 24 percent rise in the cost of living that outpaced wage increases. Social programs were slashed, with 31 out of 40 eliminated. Meanwhile, public debt ballooned from $19.8 billion to $32.1 billion.

These conditions will continue to push youth toward migration or involvement in criminal networks, perpetuating the cycle of violence that the government claims to combat. The current mass trial, far from addressing these root causes, represents a further escalation of repression aimed ultimately against the working class.
The United States is expanding its naval blockade of Iran into a global operation against shipping in any ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday. Hours earlier the Treasury Department sanctioned a major Chinese oil refinery and 40 shipping companies for buying Iranian crude.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth takes question from members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Washington. At left, is Adm. Brad Cooper. [AP Photo/Kevin Wolf]

Our blockade is growing and going global, Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon briefing on April 24. No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy. He said 34 ships had been turned back since the blockade began this month and the U.S. Navy had seized two Iranian ships in the Indian Ocean this week. The escalation comes during a nominal ceasefire between the United States and Iran that took effect April 8 and was extended indefinitely Tuesday by US President Donald Trump.

The blockade and the sanctions are aimed at China. The U.S. Navy this week seized the M/T Tifani, a tanker carrying about 2 million barrels of Iranian crude bound for Chinese refineries, in the Bay of Bengal between Sri Lanka and the Strait of Malacca. China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil and depends on Iran for more than 10 percent of its crude supply.

The Treasury Department imposed secondary sanctions Friday on Hengli Petrochemical, a private refinery at the Chinese port of Dalian with a processing capacity of roughly 400,000 barrels per day, accusing it of buying Iranian oil. The Treasury also sanctioned 40 shipping companies and ships and froze $344 million in cryptocurrency wallets used by Iranian intermediaries.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said Friday that the sanctions undermine international trade order and rules and infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals. The action came on the eve of a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, appearing with Hegseth, addressed ship operators worldwide: If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force. US forces, Caine added, remain postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moments notice.

The threats came on the day the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, accompanied by three guided-missile destroyers and 5,000 sailors, entered the Middle East war zone. It is the third aircraft carrier moved into the region by the Trump administration. The three carrier strike groups now hold more than 200 combat aircraft and 15,000 sailors and Marines. Another 4,200 Marines will arrive with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group by the months end. The Financial Times reported it is the largest US naval buildup in the Middle East since 2003.

At the same Pentagon briefing Hegseth demanded that European governments join the war, telling them to start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat.

A Pentagon memo, authored by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and leaked to Politico on April 24, proposes to formally punish NATO members who refuse to send warships to enforce the blockade. The memo recommends throwing Spain out of NATO planning meetings, putting the British claim to the Falkland Islands back into question, cutting French access to US intelligence and canceling joint exercises with the German military. The targets are treaty allies. The United States launched the war on Iran without consulting NATO or gaining authorization from the United Nations Security Council.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel is preparing to renew its bombing of Iran. We are awaiting a green light from the United States, first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty, Katz said, and additionally to return Iran to the Dark Age and the Stone Age by destroying key energy and electricity facilities and dismantling its national economic infrastructure. When the attack resumes, Katz added, it will be different and lethal, adding devastating blows at the most sensitive points.

The cumulative death toll inside Iran since the war began on February 28 has reached 3,375, including 376 children and 496 women, with more than 26,500 wounded, according to the Al Jazeera live tracker for April 25. The Iranian Red Crescent reports more than 125,000 civilian buildings damaged or destroyed. The Iranian Workers House Secretary-General Alireza Mahjoub said 700,000 jobs have been destroyed.

In Lebanon, the Health Ministry reports 2,294 killed and 7,554 wounded since the wars second front opened in March, including at least 177 children and more than 100 medical workers killed. CNN, citing satellite imagery analysis, reported 523 buildings destroyed across 22 communities in southern Lebanon during the first 10 days of Israels March offensive. Israeli officials, in reports by Al Jazeera and Haaretz, describe the policy as Gazafication.

The escalation comes as the Pentagons missile stockpiles fall below half their prewar level. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported this week that the US has burned through as many as 1,430 of its 2,330 prewar Patriot interceptorsover 60 percent of the stockeach priced at nearly $4 million. A war against a capable peer competitor like China will consume munitions at greater rates than in this war, the report said. Prewar inventories were already insufficient; the levels today will constrain US operations should a future conflict arise.

The economic costs of the war are being paid by working people around the world. Brent crude oil closed Friday near $105 a barrel, more than 50 percent above prewar levels. Gold reached a record $4,723 an ounce. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called the disruption to global energy markets the worst energy crisis in history and executed its largest coordinated reserve release ever, 400 million barrels. JPMorgan projects Brent at $150 a barrel if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed into mid-May.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the Associated Press that Iran in the next two, three days ... theyre going to have to start shuttering production, which will be very bad for their wells. Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, in a Newsmax interview Wednesday, said of the embargo: Were literally starving them, both financially, and they cant feed themselves either.

In the same interview Marshall endorsed nuclear escalation. Asked whether the US will have to go in and finish this job if negotiations fail, he replied: I think thats right. Previous presidents have had the same issues on what to do. Think about President Trumans decision on dropping the bomb, and D-Day for President Eisenhower. Truman ordered the nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to workers and youth protesting the genocide in Gaza last weekend, under conditions where those war crimes are being extended into Lebanon and Iran.

The demonstrations, attended by several thousand people across the country, took place in an atmosphere of repression and intimidation. In Brisbane, 22 protesters were arrested under the state Liberal-National Party governments draconian hate speech legislation, which bans the anti-genocide phrases from the river to the sea and globalise the intifada.

This followed police raids in recent weeks in Sydney and Melbourne, arresting people who had taken part in previous protests. While the New South Wales anti-protest laws that were the ostensible basis for the Sydney arrests have now been ruled unconstitutional and struck down, the state Labor government still plans to go ahead with the charges.

Official speakers at the demonstrations, including representatives of the Greens and the pseudo-left, sought to downplay and minimise discussion of the US-led assault on Iran and the role of the federal Labor government, which is totally committed to the war of aggression, having already dispatched troops, an aircraft and other materiel to the region.
Protesters march along a highway to the South Texas Family Residential Center detention facility where Liam Ramos and his father are being detained in Dilley, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

Breaking News: On the morning of April 25, Hayam El Gamal and her children were re-detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a check-in. According to their attorney, Eric Lee, ICE is processing them for immediate deportation today.

A federal court order releasing Hayam El Gamal and her five children from the Dilley family detention center in South Texas is a significant victory for democratic rights and a defeat for the Trump administrations campaign of collective family punishment.

But it is a victory in a single battle. The war on immigrants, and through them on the democratic rights of the entire working class, continues and is escalating, and the El Gamal family, including four minor children, remains under threat.

The child writes about missing school, friends and home before ending the letter with the words I hate CoreCivic, followed by a hand-drawn sad face.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery of the Western District of Texas ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release the family after nearly 10 months of imprisonment and seven months after a judge earlier ordered them released on bond. Hayam El Gamal and her 18-year-old daughter Habiba were ordered to wear electronic monitors.

The order followed an emergency hearing Thursday argued by Christopher Godshall-Bennett, an attorney for the family. Attorneys Eric Lee, Rebecca Webber and Niels Frenzen were among those who submitted the filings and argued for the familys release. Following the ruling, Godshall-Bennett wrote on social media, Heading home from Texas after the triumph of our family over the admin. The Dilley concentration camp remains full of children living in shipping containers. Release every single one and close that hell hole immediately.

The Texas Tribune reported that the family was believed to have suffered the longest detention in the history of the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, the only federal immigration facility authorized to hold parents with their children.

The family had been held since June 2025, after ICE thugs seized them two days after the June 1, 2025 Boulder, Colorado, firebombing attack for which Hayams estranged husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was arrested. None of the six family members has been charged with any crime, and El Gamal has divorced Soliman and condemned the attack. The FBI confirmed that none of the family members had advanced knowledge of the attack.

The familys innocence did not stop Stephen Miller and the Trump administration from punishing them. The El Gamal case was intended to establish the principle of collective punishment: that relatives of those the state labels enemies can be seized, imprisoned and deported without charge or trial.

At the outset of the case, Eric Lee, one of the familys attorneys, told the World Socialist Web Site: The Trump administrations vindictive attack on this young family echoes the methods of Nazi Germany, where authorities used kin punishmentSippenhaftto intimidate the population.

The release order has not ended the administrations campaign against the family. Attorney Niels Frenzen of the USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic warned after the ruling: This release order is long overdue. But the Administrations efforts to deport the family continue, so their ordeal is not over yet.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the ruling by denouncing Judge Biery as an activist judge. Lauren Bis, a DHS spokesperson, accused Biery of releasing this terrorists family onto American streets, publicly branding four children, ages five to 16, as terrorists. Bis added that DHS will continue to fight for the removal of those who have no right to be in our country, especially national security threats.

The conditions the El Gamal family endured at Dilley are part of a wider atrocity. Human Rights First and RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) reported this month that more than 5,600 people, including parents, children, toddlers and newborn babies, were imprisoned at Dilley between April 2025 and February 2026. The report found pervasive and systemic abuse and that families are routinely threatened with or subjected to separation to coerce them into abandoning asylum claims.

The report documented inhumane conditions, due process violations and lasting physical and psychological harm to families and children, including inadequate access to food, water, hygiene and basic medical care. Families reported foul-smelling and unclean water, dirty water barrels and mold. Parents also reported undercooked meat, hair, worms, bugs, dead flies and foreign objects in meals. The concentration camp was the site of a measles outbreak earlier this year.

El Gamal was rushed to the ER this month after her urgent requests for medical care were ignored. A CT scan revealed an unexplained chest lump and fluid around her heart, but ICE then denied the doctor-recommended ultrasound for follow-up. Her 16-year-old son also suffered acute appendicitis after detention staff refused treatment beyond Tylenol.

In heartbreaking letters, El Gamals children described their imprisonment in writing as slowly killing us on the inside. The younger children drew pictures pining to go home and to school.

The El Gamal familys targeting was driven from the White House. On May 21, 2025, 11 days before the Boulder attack, Miller summoned senior ICE officials and demanded a sharp escalation of arrests and deportations under threat of dismissal. The administration has pushed quotas of 3,000 arrests per day, while DHS social media has floated deporting 100 million people.

What is being tested on immigrants is being prepared for the entire population. Federal troops have been deployed against peaceful protesters in American cities. Immigration Gestapo have killed US citizens, including Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Administrative subpoenas are being used to compile dossiers on students, healthcare workers and social media users who speak out against the raids.

The New York Times reported Thursday that the Justice Department has identified 384 foreign-born US citizens whose citizenship it wants to revoke, part of a broader push to accelerate denaturalization cases through dozens of US attorneys offices. A top Justice Department official described the 384 people as the first wave of cases in a White House initiative.

The conspiracy for dictatorship is unfolding in real time. The defense of immigrants is inseparable from the defense of democratic rights for the entire working class. Immigrant workers are not a separate population. They are part of the international working class confronting the same program of austerity, war and authoritarianism.

The Democratic Party will not defend the rights of immigrants or oppose the broader assault on democratic rights. The Dilley facility was opened under Obama. In response to mass protests and calls for a general strike in Minnesota following the murders of Good and Pretti, the Democrats deepened their coordination with the ICE and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) through local and state police. Their response to the imprisonment of five children and ongoing daily injustices committed by ICE has consisted chiefly of press statements.

The Democrats have ceased fighting ICE deployments at airports, a test run for deploying immigration police at polling stations. By agreeing to DHS funding in March, they have paved the way for the current Republican reconciliation package, which would entrench ICE and CBP funding and expansion through Trumps presidency.

The El Gamal familys freedom was won through sustained legal and public struggle, including by the family itself, whose letters and public statements from detention, combined with the efforts of their attorneys and supporters, mobilized broader support. Protests were held outside the Dilley facility and in Colorado demanding the familys return home and the closure of the concentration camp.

The Socialist Equality Party calls on workers to demand the immediate end to all proceedings against Hayam El Gamal and her children, the removal of the electronic monitoring imposed on Hayam and Habiba, and a guarantee that the family will not be re-detained or deported. The Dilley detention center must be closed, and every child and parent still imprisoned must be released, along with an end to family separations, mass raids and the use of detention and deportation as instruments of political terror.

The defense of immigrants is inseparable from the defense of democratic rights for the entire working classagainst political surveillance, denaturalization, and the normalization of armed immigration forces in cities, workplaces and airports. What is required is the independent political mobilization of workers, native-born and immigrant alike, against both parties and the capitalist system they defenda system that imprisons children, wages illegal wars abroad and diverts the wealth produced by society into repression and destruction.
On Thursday afternoon, April 16, five workers at an old tannery in central Hesse were found lifeless in a pit. Two were able to be resuscitated, but for the other three, help came too late. A fourth worker died in hospital a week later, on April 22.

The workplace accident deprives the old tannery of almost its entire workforce. The Beuleke leather factory and fur tannery has been in existence for 200 years. It is a family business with only half a dozen employees, located just outside the small town of Runkel (Limburg-Weilburg) on the river Lahn. The company website states: Closed due to bereavement! and all flags in the town are flying at half-mast.

Fur dressers at the skiving machine, Udo Meinert & Sons, Rotha. [Photo by Matthias Geuther / CC BY 3.0

The autopsy results were announced Thursday, determining that the men were the victims of hydrogen sulphide poisoning, an extremely toxic gas that can cause death very quickly. It is denser than air and accumulates on the ground and in pits. The treacherous nature of the gas is such that the characteristic warning smell of rotten eggs may not be noticed, as hydrogen sulphide has the property of numbing the olfactory receptors at higher concentrations.

It is suspected that one or more men climbed into the pit while working and fainted, and the others tried to come to their aid. The fifth seriously injured worker was a fitter from a pipe cleaning company who just happened to be present.

Public sympathy is enormous. A fundraiser was set up for the bereaved family of one victim, 35-year-old Yuri, who leaves behind a wife and a five-year-old daughter. On the initiative of a mother at the local nursery, 37,000 was raised for this family in just a few days. The mayor has now encouraged further fundraising campaigns.

The emergency services, who were called to the tannery quickly, detected a high concentration of poison in the pit and reacted accordingly. They carefully recovered the victims, had them flown by helicopter to several hospitals, and ensured the decontamination of everyone involved on site. The emergency responders are volunteer firefighters from the town who also knew the victims personally, as one of the deceased was himself a member of the local fire brigade.

Tanning, the processing of animal hides into leather and fur, is a very old, complex craft that involves numerous special steps. The greatest dangers to humans and the environment, however, do not stem from the production process itself, but from the waste products.

Waste residues of animal hides that are temporarily stored in septic tanks can form highly toxic substances such as carbon monoxide, digester gases and hydrogen sulphide during the fermentation and rotting process. The most toxic, hydrogen sulphide, which can paralyse the sense of smell, is the most common cause of fatal accidents in such production worldwide.

On its website, the Beuleke tannery emphasises that while it places great value on tradition (and partly works with machines over 100 years old), nevertheless: [It] has always been important to us to include ecological aspects in our work as well. We therefore dispense with questionable tanning processes and manufacture with our own sewage treatment and neutralisation plant for our production wastewater. The sewage treatment plant has been pumped out and emptied since the accident. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the gruesome workplace accident is still ongoing.

For many years, the central Hesse region was world renowned for its tanneries, to which the Leather Museum in Offenbach still bears witness today. With globalisation, however, the profession of tanner has almost died out in Germany. At the same time, the processing of animal hides has developed into an industrial process worldwide. Large tanning operations have emerged in North and South America, China and India.

As Human Rights Watch notes critically, in parts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the profession of a tanner goes hand in hand with enormous occupational risks. In a suburb of Dhaka, 11-year-old boys have fallen ill because they were exposed to dangerous chemicals during tanning. Leather production for expensive luxury goods is associated with exploitation, environmental pollution and the risk of workplace accidents and poisoning.

In Germany today, only about 10 large tanneries are left, alongside 20 medium-sized and 40-50 very small businesses; in total, around 2,000 employees still work in this profession. They have mostly specialised in niches, produce a particular quality, or produce for the high-end market. The business in Runkel specialised in the production of animal pelts as rugs and for decoration, and processed animal hides from shepherds and hunters from the region.

Theoretically, every tannery is subject to strict environmental and occupational health and safety conditions. There are legal regulations, accident prevention rules, and supervisory authorities. In practice, however, these rules are systematically eroded and undermined. Hardly any authority, municipality, city or region still has the capacity to effectively monitor compliance with the rules.

The political attitude towards this is exemplified by the handling of the supply chain laws in Berlin and Brussels. The attempt to make corporations liable for occupational health and safety and environmental protection in supplier companies and countries as well, was watered down and torpedoed in the EU at the end of last year. The supply chain law is now only supposed to apply to a few large corporations and will only come into force across Europe from 2028. Since then, the Merz government has also been working to abolish the same law in Germany.

Corporations and governments increasingly have their sights set exclusively on two issues: rearmament for a war against Russia and profit maximisation for shareholders and the super-rich. Issues like occupational health and safety and accident prevention inevitably fall by the wayside. The consequence of this is more and more fatal accidents and increasing danger in the workplace.
Shane Jones, a member of the right-wing nationalist New Zealand First Party and minister for Regional Development in the National Party-led coalition government, sparked controversy over the past week with racist comments targeting Indian immigrants.

New Zealand Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones [Photo: Facebook/Shane Jones]

Speaking with the far-right Reality Check Radio on April 20, Jones denounced a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, falsely claiming that it would lead to unfettered immigration. In fact, the deal only provides for up to 5,000 extra temporary work visas at any one time.

With the coalition divided on the FTA, the National Party is relying on the opposition Labour Partys supportwhich was confirmed on April 23to pass it into law.

Jones ranted that immigration will drive down the value of wages, it will clog up our roads, it will completely overwhelm our health and other frontline services. And I dont care how much criticism we get, Im just never going to agree with a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand.

Such statements are part of NZ Firsts positioning ahead of the November election. They are a crude attempt to scapegoat immigrants for the social crisis created by decades of brutal austerity measures, the transfer of wealth to the rich, and the diversion of billions of dollars to the military, under successive governments in which NZ First has played a significant role.

The coalition government is insisting that the working class must suffer a further decline in its living standards as the economic crisis worsens and prices soar due to the illegal US-Israeli war against Iranwhich the government supports.

Joness comments follow months of racist agitation against Indians, who make up more than 5 percent of the NZ population (292,000 people). The fundamentalist Destiny Church has held provocative demonstrations in Auckland, with slogans including This is New Zealand, not India, Kiwis first and the Trumpian Make New Zealand Great Again.

Recently, graffiti saying Kill all Indians has appeared in the Auckland suburbs of Royal Oak and Papatoetoe, including at a school. According to police, people of South Asian descent are the most common targets of racially-motivated attacks, with 4,767 hate incidents reported involving South Asian victims between January 2022 and October 2025.

National Party Prime Minister Christopher Luxon criticised Joness comments as alarmist and scaremongering. Opposition Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins told the New Zealand Herald the NZ First minister was promoting outright racism, and our migrant community should not have to put up with that.

These statements are utterly hypocritical. NZ First was founded in 1993 in a split from the National Party, based on a platform opposing Asian immigration. The partys frequent racist outbursts against Chinese, Indians and Muslims did not prevent it from being part of successive coalition governments led by National and Labourincluding the 20172020 Labour government led by Jacinda Ardern.

It is not accidental that Jones began his political career in the Labour Party and served as a senior Labour MP from 2005 to 2014. He joined NZ First in 2017.

For most of the twentieth century, Labour upheld a racist white New Zealand immigration policy. More recently, it has echoed NZ Firsts anti-Chinese rhetoricincluding scapegoating Chinese immigrants for high house prices in 2015while pushing for New Zealands integration into US-led war preparations against China.

This xenophobic anti-China campaign played a major part in the 2017 election and was amplified by the pro-Labour Daily Blog. Middle class pseudo-left groups like Socialist Aotearoa and the International Socialist Organisation also celebrated the Labour-NZ First coalition.

The Ardern government, which also included the Green Party, supported NZ Firsts demands to significantly restrict immigration, and made the partys leader Winston Peters deputy prime minister and foreign ministerthe same positions he has in the current government.

In the months following the Christchurch massacre of 51 Muslims by the fascist Brenton Tarrant in March 2019, Jones, then a minister in Arderns cabinet, railed against Indian immigrants in terms that echoed the Great Replacement conspiracy theory.

Labour and the Greens have so far refused to rule out forming another coalition government with NZ First, which could be in a position after the election to decide which of the major parties leads the next government.

Another ally of Labour, the Maori nationalist Te Pati Maori (TPM), has joined in the stoking of anti-Asian xenophobia. Last year its then-MP Takuta Ferris attacked Labour for having a multi-ethnic campaign team for a by-election in Auckland.

Last weekend Che Wilson, who was the president of TPM from 2018 to 2022, performed a haka that contained anti-Indian slurs and gestures directed at Parmjeet Parmar, an MP of Indian descent in the right-wing libertarian ACT Party. TPM MP Oriini Kaipara was forced to denounce Wilsons performance as racist in an attempt to distance the party from him.

Anti-migrant xenophobia, however, is inseparable from the racialist identity politics espoused by TPM, whose leader Rawiri Waititi has asserted that the Maori genetic makeup is stronger than others.

The prominent role played by NZ First in the Luxon and Ardern governments does not reflect widespread support for its chauvinist policies: the party received just 6 percent of the votes in the 2023 election.

Rather, the partys elevation points to the lurch to the right by the entire political establishment and the union bureaucracy, sections of which have also supported NZ First. The aim is to divide workers, prevent a unified movement against austerity, and prepare the population to take part in the developing imperialist world war. In addition to demonising immigrants and LGBT people, NZ First frequently denounces Marxism and socialism, as well as protesters against the genocide in Gaza.

NZ First is serving the same essential function as far-right parties such as One Nation in Australia, Reform UK, the Alternative for Germany and Trumps Republicans. In the US, brutal and fascistic methods are being used to detain, deport and imprison migrantsthe spearhead of a far-reaching assault on democratic rights.

Workers must reject anti-immigrant poison and all forms of nationalism, which is promoted by the ruling class to obscure the real source of the deepening social crisis: the capitalist system, which subordinates every aspect of life to profit and is plunging billions of people into poverty, war and fascist barbarism.

The working class is an international social force whose strength lies in its unity across national and ethnic divisions. The essential task is to break workers from all capitalist parties and to build a conscious, unified movement against austerity, racism and imperialist war, based on the fight for socialism.
The well-known American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, long associated with the San Francisco Symphony, died on Wednesday at his home in that city.

MTT, as he was known almost universally to musicians and also to music lovers in the US and elsewhere, had led the San Francisco Symphony from 1995 to 2020, when he became music director laureate. It was the longest tenure of any conductor since the symphonys founding in 1911. Under Tilson Thomas, the SF Symphony had become one of the most prominent and critically praised orchestras in the US.

Michael Tilson Thomas

MTT announced in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer, later identified as glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of the disease. He was nevertheless able to continue his work for a number of years, not only with his own San Francisco Symphony, but also with the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and many other ensembles. In April 2025, almost exactly a year ago, he announced that a scheduled performance with the San Francisco Symphony would be his final one. He survived for almost five years before his death at the age of 81.

Tilson Thomas was known above all for his role in San Francisco, but his career had started almost 30 years earlier. Born in Los Angeles, he soon showed signs of musical precocity, and went on to study piano, composition and conducting at the University of Southern California. His conducting career in the 1970s and 80s took him to Boston, Buffalo, New York and Los Angeles. It was with the Boston Symphony that he first attracted international attention, when he took over for an ailing conductor in the middle of a concert that the orchestra was performing in New York.

That experience, when Tilson Thomas was only 24 years old, is reminiscent of the even more famous moment when Leonard Bernstein, then 25, took over for Bruno Walter at the New York Philharmonic in 1943. Bernstein, one of the most famous musical personalities of the 20th century and a generation older than MTT, later became the most important mentor of his young colleague. Their collaboration lasted from the time they met in 1968, at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony, until Bernsteins death 22 years later.

Tilson Thomas and Bernstein shared much more than the similar circumstances under which they first achieved prominence. MTT was often compared to Bernstein because of his ability to communicate with and attract a broad audience without oversimplifying the content and form of the music itself. This talent was manifested in Tilson Thomass work on the Young Peoples Concerts with the New York Philharmonic. These had been pioneered by Bernstein in 1958, and helped to shape the musical taste and musical knowledge of a significant number of the young generation. Tilson Thomas continued these concerts in New York from 1971 to 1977. Like Bernsteins, they were broadcast on the CBS television network. It has been decades since any similar programs on the major broadcast networksa sharp illustration of the decline of musical culture over the last 50 years.

In his later career, in San Francisco and elsewhere, MTT continued to focus attention on young people and younger listeners. In 1987, he founded the New World Symphony, a classical music academy that is also a performing ensemble for gifted musicians at the beginning of their careers. The New World Symphony moved into a new hall in Miami Beach, designed by architect Frank Gehry, in 2011.

Throughout his life, Tilson Thomas sought to use the medium of television to reach a broader audience. He inaugurated the Keeping Score series of programs on public television in the US about 20 years ago, introducing the music of such figures as Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Gustav Mahler, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Copland and Charles Ives. These programs, nine in all, highlighted some of Tilson Thomass interests: his devotion to the great classics like the work of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky; his enthusiasm for work of the late 19th and the 20th century, including Mahler, Stravinsky and Shostakovich; and his advocacy for American composers like Aaron Copland and Charles Ives. These treasures of education and of musical performance can be viewed today on YouTube.

Another American composer with whom Tilson Thomas was closely identified was George Gershwin, the composer of such classics as Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, the Piano Concerto in F, the Cuban Overture and Porgy and Bess. MTTs recordings of Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris were among his best. Gershwin Live!, an award-winning performance with Sarah Vaughan and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, included some of Gershwins most famous songs.

Thomas conducting the New York Philharmonic Young Peoples Concert, 1977

Tilson Thomas also shared with Leonard Bernstein a particular enthusiasm for the work of Gustav Mahler. It was Bernstein who, in the middle of the 20th century, did much to popularize the work of the Viennese master who had died at the young age of 50 in 1911, and whose work was not yet widely programmed. Mahler composed nine symphonies, plus an uncompleted 10th, between 1888 and his death. Every single one of his symphonies is performed frequently today. Both Bernstein and Tilson Thomas recorded the complete Mahler cycle, Bernstein more than once.

It should be noted as well that Tilson Thomas was also an active composer. The titles of some of his compositionsFrom the Diary of Anne Frank (1990); Showa/Shoah (1995), composed to mark the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima; and Whitman Songs (1999)indicate an interest in social issues and history that he shared with Bernstein.

In Tilson Thomass programming, both in San Francisco and elsewhere, he was able to combine the standard repertory with new music in a fresh and lively way. He worked closely with contemporary composers, including John Adams, Steve Reich, Meredith Monk and others.

Tilson Thomas was the grandson of Boris and Bessie Thomashevsky, famous for their pioneering work on the Yiddish theater, centered in New York City during the decades of the peak immigration of East European Jews to the United States. Boris Thomashevsky was among those who inaugurated the Yiddish theater in 1882, when he was still a teenager. He was later involved in Yiddish-language adaptations of an amazingly wide variety of classics, including Shakespeares Hamlet, Harriet Beecher Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin and Wagners Parsifal.

Tilson Thomas probably inherited a predisposition for music and performance from his grandparents, and his family upbringing (his father was a Broadway stage manager) undoubtedly played a part in his later career. He created the Thomashevsky Project as a way of preserving materials from the Yiddish theater. In 2005 he conducted a program at Carnegie Hall entitled The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in the Yiddish Theater, intended both as a tribute to his own grandparents and also to the Yiddish theater as a whole. In 2011, Tilson Thomas presented this concert stage show on public television.

Tilson Thomass partner of some 50 years, Joshua Robison, to whom he was married in 2014, died in February of this year.
In 2025, Intel Corp CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the company could exit its chip manufacturing business if it failed to secure external customers. Today, the company's shares surged as Elon Musk's Tesla Inc. signaled plans for a deal.

Musk Partnership Sparks Intel Rally

The rally followed Intel's strong first-quarter earnings and comments from CEO Tan, who highlighted a deepening collaboration with Musk's companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and xAI.

"I can think of no better partner than Elon Musk," Tan said on Thursday during Intel's earnings call. "We are excited to explore innovative ways to refactor silicon process technology."

Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Tesla plans to use Intel's next-generation 14A manufacturing process for its TeraFab AI project, marking a potential breakthrough moment for Intel's struggling foundry ambitions.

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Musk earlier said Tesla plans to use Intel's 14A process for its TeraFab AI chip complex in Austin, a project aimed at powering robotics, autonomous systems and data center workloads.

The agreement could become Intel's first major customer win for its advanced manufacturing node.

Intel's 14A technology is central to its effort to compete with Taiwan's leading chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., in the global foundry market.

Intel Signals Broader Foundry Strategy

During the call, Tan said Intel is engaging with multiple customers and highlighted that the Tesla partnership remains in early stages.

"It is a very broad relationship, and we will update you as we go," he said. "We have multiple other customers we are engaging. Stay tuned."

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Analysts have viewed the deal as a potential validation of Intel's turnaround strategy, which hinges on attracting external chip manufacturing clients amid surging AI-driven demand.

Intel Beats Q1 Estimates, Raises Outlook

Intel reported earnings of 29 cents per share for the quarter, far exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of 1 cent, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Revenue for the period came in at $13.58 billion, beating Wall Street expectations of $12.42 billion by 9.28% and rising from $12.67 billion a year earlier.

Looking ahead, Intel projected second-quarter adjusted earnings of 20 cents per share, well above the 9-cent estimate, and forecast revenue between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion, compared with analyst expectations of $13.07 billion.
Software revenue grew 8% in the quarter. Kavanaugh said IBMs annual recurring revenue (ARR) was $24.6 billion, up 10% from a year earlier. Data revenue grew 16%, which he attributed to demand for generative AI products, strategic partnerships, and contributions from acquisitions, including DataStax and Confluent, which closed in mid-March.

CFO Jim Kavanaugh reported 6% revenue growth, 140 basis points of operating pre-tax margin expansion, 17% adjusted EBITDA growth, and 19% growth in diluted operating earnings per share. IBM generated $2.2 billion of free cash flow, up 13% year over year, which Kavanaugh said was IBMs highest first quarter free cash flow in a decade and free cash flow margin in reported history.

Krishna said first-quarter performance reflected the durability of our portfolio and continued execution of our strategy. He added that while IBM is operating in a dynamic environment, developments in the Middle East did not impact IBM in the quarter, and client conversations remained focused on structural priorities such as modernizing core systems, scaling AI, and making deliberate choices about where workloads should run and who controls the infrastructure underneath them.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) opened 2026 with what CEO Arvind Krishna called a strong start, reporting first-quarter revenue growth of 6% and 13% growth in free cash flow. Management emphasized margin expansion, software strength led by Data and Red Hat, and another record quarter for IBM Z as enterprises increase investment in hybrid cloud, AI, resiliency, and modernization.

Infrastructure and mainframe strength: IBM Z delivered a record quarter with Z revenue up 48% , management highlighted onplatform AI inferencing and a historical 3x4x monetization stack multiplier, even as fullyear infrastructure revenue is still expected to be down lowsingle digits and Confluent-related dilution (~$600M) factors into 2026.

Software and AI momentum: Software revenue rose 8% with annual recurring revenue at $24.6B (+10%), Data revenue +16% driven by generative AI and acquisitions, and IBMs AI platform (including watsonx, orchestration, and the closed Confluent deal) is north of $1.5B and growing >40%.

Q1 results: IBM reported revenue growth of 6% , free cash flow up 13% (its highest Q1 FCF in a decade) with 140 bps of operating pretax margin expansion, and maintained 2026 targets of >5% revenue growth and about a $1 billion free cash flow improvement while exercising prudence on guidance.

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Red Hat grew 10%, with Kavanaugh citing stabilization in consumption-based services revenue growth. He said OpenShift is now a $2 billion ARR business and that virtualization has gained traction, with more than $600 million of contracts signed since the beginning of 2024. Automation revenue grew 7%, and Kavanaugh noted February marked one year since IBM acquired HashiCorp, which he said delivered record HashiCorp bookings leveraging IBMs go-to-market scale and adjusted EBITDA accretion ahead of expectations.

Infrastructure revenue grew 12%, with hybrid infrastructure up 25% and infrastructure support down 6%. IBM Z revenue rose 48%, which management described as another record Z quarter. Kavanaugh said demand was broad-based across IBM Z, Power, and Storage, while distributed infrastructure grew double digits. He highlighted Power demand tied to Power11 and storage growth driven by adoption of new Flash offerings introduced in the quarter, which he said incorporate agentic AI capabilities.

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Consulting revenue grew 1%. Kavanaugh said consulting signings returned to growth, up 6%, and attributed strength to application and data transformation work as clients modernize environments to support AI adoption. He also said generative AI is now firmly integrated across our consulting engagements, representing about 30% of consulting backlog.

AI strategy: hybrid deployment, orchestration, and data in motion

Krishna framed enterprise AI adoption as moving from infrastructure to platforms and ultimately to workflows. He said enterprises are building portfolios of models, including frontier models, smaller on-premises models, and open-source models, and that the core challenge is orchestrating across models, agents, and workflows, governing data, and securing systems at scale.

IBM positioned its offerings around enabling clients to run AI on their terms, including through Red Hat as a common platform across infrastructures, and through watsonx and watsonx Orchestrate for multi-model routing, workflow management, and governance. Krishna also pointed to AI editions of software such as Db2, Cognos, and MQ, which he said embed agentic AI while maintaining enterprise security and trust.

Krishna said Confluent, which IBM closed during the quarter, addresses the need to stream live governed data to models and agents across the hybrid environment. Kavanaugh later said IBMs AI platform business (including agents, assistants, and orchestration) is north of $1.5 billion over the trailing 12 months, growing above 40%, and contributing 2 points of growth on an annualized basis, while also creating a multiplier effect over time.

Mainframe and infrastructure: AI inferencing, capacity expansion, and monetization

Management repeatedly highlighted IBM Zs role in enterprise AI, particularly around inferencing in line with transactions. Krishna cited examples such as fraud detection, arguing that on-platform inferencing can reduce latency and allow AI to be applied to a larger share of transactions. He said IBMs Spyre Accelerator enables clients to run AI on 100% of their transaction volume without moving data off-platform. Krishna also said that with a fully populated system, IBM Z can support about 450 billion inferences a day.

In response to questions on monetization, Kavanaugh described IBM Zs stack economic multiplier, saying IBM has historically averaged about a 3x-4x stack multiplier for every hardware dollar through software, storage attach, maintenance, and financing. He said that after the first full year of z17, IBM increased hardware placement value by more than $1 billion versus the prior programs first full year, and that for four consecutive quarters IBM shipped more than 100% growth of new MIPS into the market.

On supply chain concerns, Kavanaugh said commodity cost increasesparticularly memoryhave a de minimis impact to IBM overall given the companys portfolio mix, though he said IBM continues to watch impacts in distributed infrastructure and noted that RHEL is tied to enterprise hardware placements. Krishna added that IBMs long-standing supplier relationships and early adoption of new memory technologies can help mitigate constraints.

Guidance and outlook: maintaining targets amid prudence, with software expected to grow 10%+

IBM maintained its 2026 outlook despite the first-quarter outperformance. Krishna said IBM remains confident it can sustain revenue growth of 5%+ and grow free cash flow by about $1 billion this year. Kavanaugh said management considered it prudent to maintain our guidance, noting the year is still early and macro uncertainty has increased versus 90 days ago.

Kavanaugh said IBM now expects software to grow 10%+ in 2026, supported by an accelerating software business. He also said IBM continues to expect consulting revenue growth to accelerate to low- to mid-single digits for the year, citing backlog quality and generative AI momentum.

For infrastructure, Kavanaugh said IBM is off to a great start with Z17, but the company continues to expect infrastructure revenue to be down low single digits for the full year, representing about a half-point impact to IBM overall.

On Confluent, Kavanaugh reiterated that IBM previously anticipated about $600 million of dilution in 2026 driven largely by stock-based compensation and interest expense. He said IBM is taking actions to accelerate cost synergies and still expects to expand operating pre-tax margins by about a point this year. For the second quarter, IBM expects constant-currency revenue growth similar to the full-year rate and about 50 basis points of operating pre-tax margin expansion, with software mix and productivity offset by Confluent-related dilution.

In Q&A, Krishna also addressed M&A, saying valuations are very attractive, though he cautioned that sellers may take time to accept new pricing levels. He said IBM intends to integrate Confluent fully first, and that maybe we can do something in the second half if market conditions persist and Confluent integration progresses.

About International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBM's principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.

The article "International Business Machines Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
We recently shared Jim Cramer Rubbished Circular AI Deals & Commented On These 18 Stocks. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is one of the stocks discussed by Jim Cramer.

Customer relationship management software firm Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM)s stock is down by 20% over the past year and by 25% year-to-date. Truist discussed the firm on April 16th, as it kept a $280 share price target and kept a Buy rating on the stock. The banks coverage came after Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) held its TDX developer conference in San Francisco. After attending the event, Truist formed the impression that the firms products were not being threatened by LLM software that allows users to code their own products. Additionally, the bank also outlined that Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM)s Slack product carried great potential to integrate agentic AI within its Slackbot platform. With the shares up by 14% since April 10th, Cramer discussed the recent momentum in the stock:

This is the complete revenge of the software companies, whether it be ServiceNow and Salesforce. . .And, the question is whats real, whats not. Whats oversold, and whats really taking off. Salesforce has a strategy, Jackson Ader, has a piece this morning, from Key [Keybanc] about how this new method they use to talk about themselves, makes it so that they have more relevance. But you know Microsoft isnt a big fan of Salesforce, they would tell you theyre struggling for relevance.

Jim Cramer Discusses Key Opinion Split About Salesforce (CRM)

Copyright: drserg / 123RF Stock Photo

Oakmark Fund discussed Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:

Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) was the top detractor during the quarter. The U.S.-headquartered software companys stock price declined as it contended with market fears over AI disruption. Quarterly results have remained strong and margins continue to improve. Management emphasized they expect subscription revenue growth to accelerate in the second half of 2026 as Agentforce becomes a more meaningful part of the business. We applaud managements commitment to share repurchase at recent market prices, including their recently announced $50 billion buyback authorization and $25 billion accelerated share repurchase plan. We believe these capital allocation actions position Salesforce to emerge stronger from todays AI-related stock price drawdown.

While we acknowledge the potential of CRM 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.
New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino was called out after bragging about stealing from Whole Foods in a Wednesday interview alongside far-left commentator Hasan Piker, who also said he was "pro-stealing."

"I will say, I think that stealing from a big box store  Ill just state my platform  its neither very significant as a moral wrong, nor is it significant in any way as protest or direct action. But I did steal from Whole Foods on several occasions," Tolentino said during a New York Times Opinion podcast.

She explained a specific scenario in which she stole lemons from Whole Foods and didn't feel bad about it.

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"Ive been involved in a neighborhood mutual aid group since 2021," Tolentino said. "And so every week I would go get groceries for Miss Nancy, my now-family friend who lived nearby. And she wanted to go to Whole Foods. She wanted food from Whole Foods. And I was like, OK, great. And so Id be getting Miss Nancy all of her groceries, and then I would finish, and Id be like, Oh my God, four lemons, 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."

Seattle Journalists Attacked By Agitators Call Out Far-left Media For Covering Up Violence At Protests

Exterior of Whole Foods Market at Colonie Center on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Colonie, N.Y. Jia Tolentino attends the Power Of Story: On Legacy during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Egyptian Theatre on Jan. 27, 2026, in Park City, Utah. (Getty Images)

The New York Times' Nadja Spiegelman, who hosted the conversation with Tolentino and Piker, deemed the idea that people are stealing small things from big corporations and feeling justified in doing so, "microlooting."

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Tolentino was called out by commentators on X, The Atlantic, The Free Press and even some fellow New Yorkers cited by The New York Post.

The Atlantic's Thomas Chatterton Williams wrote a piece headlined "Theft Is Now Progressive Chic," taking issue with the pair's argument.

"It is difficult to know where to begin with such moral reasoning, if it can be called reasoning," Williams wrote. "At a time of kleptocratic governance and corporate oligarchy, Tolentino and Piker resort to a game of jaded whataboutism. For them, theft is a kind of perverse virtue signaling. Societal problems do not just excuse personal wrongdoing; they ennoble it."

Far-left Streamer Hasan Piker Warns 'American Empire' Will Inevitably Fall, Likely In Violent Fashion

Michigan Democratic Senate candidates have splintered over controversial online streamer Hasan Piker, with Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., and State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Mich., criticizing candidate Abdul El-Sayed for campaigning with him.

"Both Tolentino and Piker seem to justify stealing from large companies such as Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, because those corporations exploit workers and already budget for theft," he continued. "Why wring our hands about shoplifting when its been accounted for? Such an attempt to normalize petty crime makes Vicky Osterweils 2020 manifesto, In Defense of Looting, look high-minded."

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The New York Post reported that Tolentino lives in a $2.5 million brownstone in New York, and spoke to New York City residents about Tolentino's remarks.

"She is rich  and I am not. We dont live on the same planet at all," said Andrea Jones, 49, who lives in Gompers Houses public housing, according to the Post. "Because of her theyll raise the price and I have to pay more. She is hurting me, she is not helping me."

"I wonder why CVS has everything from toothpaste to deodorant locked behind plastic," the Post's Lydia Moynihan wrote in reaction to Tolentino's remarks.

In another post to X, Moynihan called for Tolentino to be banned from Whole Foods.

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American Enterprise Institute (AEI) fellow Robert Pondiscio wrote, "I just cancelled my subscription to @NewYorker. I'll be shoplifting it from now on. Fair is fair, @CondeNast."

"Whole Foods should post her picture and bar her from entering in the future," Jonah Goldberg, the editor-in-chief at the Dispatch, wrote.

Whole Foods did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

"Has there even been a more perfect marriage of smug elitism, contempt for commonsense morality, and masturbatory self-importance?" podcast host Coleman Hughes asked.

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New York Dem Accused Of Staged Arrest After Being Released By Federal Authorities Within Hours

Piker said he was pro-stealing from big corporations because they "steal" from their workers.

"Im pro-stealing from big corporations, because they steal quite a bit more from their own workers," Piker said on "The Opinions" podcast. "However, one thing that might even help your ethical dilemma is the fact that the automated process that they design, these companies know will increase shrink, right?"

Asked about the argument that if a ton of people started stealing from Whole Foods, they would raise the prices, Piker said he supported it.

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"Yeah, chaos. Full chaos. Lets go. I mean, look, Im in favor of fast and free buses and also government-owned storefronts. And two of those policies, the mayor of this beautiful city is currently working on," he said.

"'Microlooting' and "social murder" are part of this new soft socialist language that gives permission to break the law and kill," Kirsten Fleming, a New York Post columnist, wrote in reaction to the news.

Reason reporter Billy Binion called Tolentino out for shoplifting while shopping for her "mutual aid group."

"The most maddening part about this is she says she stole while shopping for her mutual aid group. Those networks supposedly exist to bring communities together, build trust, and pay it forward. Hard to think of a better way to undermine that than to steal from your own community," Binion wrote.

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The National Review's Jim Geraghty reacted with the suggestion, "If you commit crimes, don't brag about them on podcasts."

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Batya Ungar-Sargon, a host at NewsNation, called out both Piker and Tolentino in posts to X as well as in a Substack column headlined, "The Rich Dont Play by the Rules So Why Should I?" Ask Three Rich Leftists Celebrating Theft and Murder."

"In pretending that they steal out of unfairness, out of hatred for corporations and corporate abuses, the educated rich get to cosplay as members of the working class, a gambit designed to disguise their own immense privilege. They get to pretend to loathe the system they wouldnt replace for anything in the world," she wrote on X.

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Click Here To Download The Fox News App

The New Yorker and Tolentino did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.





Original article source: New Yorker journalist who boasted about shoplifting triggers massive blowback online
Editor's note: The Best of Central Florida Community's Choice Awards celebrate the people and businesses that make Lakeland and the surrounding area a great place to live, work and shop. Each year, readers are invited to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses in dozens of categories. To nominate your favorites, cast your vote or learn more, visit this website.

CPS Investment Advisors is part of the financial planning and investment scene in the Lakeland area, working with clients on retirement planning, portfolio strategy and broader wealth goals. The firms day-to-day role centers on helping people make sense of their options and adjust plans as careers, families and markets change.

Advisory work like this tends to unfold over years, not weeks, so relationships and communication sit at the core of the service. When clients feel they can count on steady guidance and clear explanations through different life stages, a firm like CPS Investment Advisors can become a lasting name in their financial lives rather than a onetime stop.

A celebration of community-driven recognition

The Best of Central Florida Community's Choice Awards recognize Lakeland-area businesses through community nominations and public voting. The program highlights a broad range of categories and helps identify which businesses have become established local favorites.

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That community participation gives the awards a grounded, local feel. The 2026 nomination round opened in April, with voting starting in May. Nominate your favorite business here.

Long-term planning, local relationships

CPS Investment Advisors works in a corner of finance where steady communication and long-range planning are the core of the job. The firms role is to walk individuals, families and retirees through decisions about saving, investing and retirement in a way that feels understandable, not overwhelming.

When an advisory team can explain complex topics clearly and stay in touch as circumstances change, it often becomes a fixture in clients financial lives. Over time, that kind of long-view partnership is what builds a durable local reputation, well beyond any single meeting or market moment.

Location & contact

CPS Investment Advisors

205 E Orange St #310, Lakeland, FL 33801

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Phone: (863) 688-1725

Website: cpsinvest.com

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Best of Central Florida Communitys Choice Awards business spotlight: CPS Investment Advisors
The post The Birds with Built-in Weapons in Their Wings appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Horned screamers, the official bird of the Department of Arauca and the Municipality of Arauca in Colombia, could be mistaken for mythical creatures. These fascinating animals have a horn and are extremely vocal (as youd expect from a bird called a screamer). More alarmingly, they have weapons on their wings! Read on to learn all about these unique birds.

What Do Horned Screamers Look Like?

The horned screamer (Anhima cornuta) belongs to the family Anhimidae, which also includes the northern screamer and southern screamer. They are close relatives of ducks, geese, and swans.

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These fowl-like birds are large and heavy-bodied, with males and females looking very similar. Typically, their plumage is gray or black, fading into a white abdomen. Their crown and wings are also white. They weigh around 7 pounds and reach around 36 inches long with an impressive 5-foot wingspan. Their heads are proportionally small compared to their body and can be a variety of colors and patterns.

Horned screamers have a short, downward-facing curved bill and bright orange or yellow eyes. Their legs are long and reddish, with strong grey feet that lack webbing.

What Are the Screamers Unusual Physical Features?

The horned screamer has a few unusual features that turn an otherwise regular avian into an extraordinary creature. First, they have 6-inch-long horn-like projections from which these birds get part of their name. The horn is not present in young birds but slowly grows as they age. Made of cartilage and only loosely attached to the skull, the horn seems to be purely ornamental. It swings back and forth as the birds head moves and breaks off quite easily, making it useless for defense. However, it will grow back over time.

Both males and females also possess sharp spurs on each wing. These can be between 0.8 and 2 inches long and are far from ornamental. They are formed from fused carpal bones covered in keratin and can do a lot of damage to soft flesh!

A horned screamers horn is quite fragile. Nessa_Perez/Shutterstock.com

Compared to other birds of their size, these guys have a remarkably lightweight bone structure. Most of their bones and subcutaneous tissue contain air sacs, allowing them to remain in the air without using much energy. Interesting, the air sacs get squashed as the birds contract their muscles to take off, creating a rumbling or crackling noise. The males repeatedly make this crackling sound during pair bonding. While most birds have uncinate processes (bony projections on the ribs) that help strengthen the ribcage and support breathing, horned screamers lack this feature, which makes their ribcage weaker.

Where Do Horned Screamers Live?

These birds are non-migratory residents of northern and central South America, found in countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. They like to live around tropical lowland fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and swamps. Most often, they are spotted roosting in trees and shrubs of wooded riverbanks and wet savannas. Here, they eat foliage, grains, and other plant parts; juveniles eat insects. Screamers usually graze in the mid-morning to late afternoon. Their only known predators are humans.

Fights Breaking Out Amongst Screamers

Youd think that a plant-eating bird with no predators would lead a peaceful life, but that is far from the case. These are semi-social birds who live in groups of five or 10 individuals. They establish a home range, or territory, which they defend against intruders who may steal their food or mating partners. When fights inevitably break out, wing spurs are deployed, especially by the males. Scientists have even found broken-off bits of bone spur embedded in the chest flesh of horned screamers, so these fights can obviously be brutal! Males will also fight for the attention of females.

Bone Spur Fighting Technique

When a screamer spots an intruder in his home range, he will summon back up, so the entire group can gang up on the stranger. And they are called screamers for a reason; these birds can generate a loud moo call, which is used to sound the alarm. It usually starts with inflating and extending their necks so that their dorsal plumage becomes erect, a move which makes them look larger and more threatening!

Horned screamers are territorial and look out for intruders. Jiri Hrebicek/Shutterstock.com

Then, the wing flapping starts! The birds continuously flap their wings, pushing their shoulders forward, exposing their bony spurs. Its the bird equivalent of pulling back your jacket to show an enemy that you are armed.

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Bone spurs can also be used when males fight for mating rights to a female. Once a partnership is established, however, it can last their whole lives.

The post The Birds with Built-in Weapons in Their Wings appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Chris Robarge had rented a house after his divorce, his first place on his own during a hard stretch of his life. He paid his rent, eventually moved on, and didnt think much more about it.

Then, years later, his former landlord reached out asking for his current address. A day later, a check for $2,500 arrived in the mail with a handwritten note.

The landlord had sold the house. And before keeping the profit, they tracked down every tenant who had ever lived there because, as the note explained, those monthly rent payments had helped pay off the mortgage. The tenants had contributed to the equity. It only seemed right to give some of it back.

While its not much, its yours, the letter read. It was a great house, and Im glad that I was able to share it with you.

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Chris posted about it on Facebook, where it spread quickly partly because people were so unused to a landlord story going this direction. He wrote that theres a difference between people who talk about their values and people who actually live them, and that this was the clearest example of the latter hed ever seen personally. Do it off the clock, do it when no one is watching, do it always, he wrote.

A man hands out cash to someone. Photo credit: Canva

He kept $500 to fix his car. The rest he gave away to Black and Pink Massachusetts, to free fridges in Worcester, to OurStory Edutainment, and directly to people on the street who needed it. He turned an unexpected windfall into a chain of smaller ones.

One Facebook commenter said shed started reading the post braced for bad news like a surprise bill or some old debt being called in, and was so conditioned to that outcome that the actual ending genuinely shocked her. Which is maybe the most telling part of the whole story.

You can follow Chris Robarge on Facebook.

The post Tenant got a $2,500 check in the mail from an ex-landlord who sold the house.The note that came with it is something else. appeared first on Upworthy.
A violent chain-reaction on the 101 freeway in Encino left a 19-year-old man dead early Saturday morning, and it was all caught on video.

California Highway Patrol says it received several calls about a car stalled with its hazard lights on in the fast lane of the 101 Freeway northbound near White Oak Avenue just before 2 a.m.

Video from the scene shows the stalled car getting hit by another vehicle.

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The drivers of the two cars are then seen standing together with their backs turned to oncoming traffic as they have a discussion.

It wasn't long before another car crashed into one of the stalled vehicles, video shows, sparking a multi-vehicle pileup. The collision killed one of the drivers standing outside of the vehicles. He was identified by the medical examiner's office as 19-year-old Chaz Castillo.

It's unclear if anyone else was injured.

CHP said someone was arrested at the scene, but they did not say what they were arrested for.

A Sigalert was issued at 2:38 a.m., shutting down all northbound lanes and diverting traffic to White Oak Avenue. Northbound traffic was backed up at the scene even after two lanes were reopened.

The Sigalert was canceled around 9 a.m., and all remaining lanes were reopened.

City News Service contributed to this report.
More than 100 homes burned in Georgia wildfires 01:56

Two massive wildfires in south Georgia have scorched more than 40,000 acres and destroyed over 120 homes.

Extreme drought has turned the region into a tinderbox and allowed flames to spread. Overnight, new fires sparked in rural south Georgia. High winds have made efforts to contain the fires difficult, officials said in a news conference Saturday afternoon.

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Brantley County Manager Joey Cason called the wildfires a "dynamic situation" in a Saturday morning video posted to social media and begged residents to "please evacuate" if they are ordered to do so. New evacuation orders were issued as the fire spread.

"Leave the scene. This fire is moving at a fast pace and we do not have much control over where it's currently moving. Please leave," Cason said Saturday afternoon at a news conference, addressing Georgia residents facing evacuation orders.

One woman  who saw flames coming and fled with four kids and 10 dogs to Florida  said she watched her family's home burn on her phone, through Ring cameras.

"When both of my devices were offline, and it was black and I couldn't see no more, it was so gut-wrenching because then I knew, like, they got ... what I call home," Anna Dudek told CBS News' Mark Strassmann.

The photo provided by the Office of Gov. Brian Kemp shows smoke produced from a wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia, Friday, April 24, 2026. / Credit: Office of Gov. Brian Kemp via AP

Another resident, Jesse Morgan, lost his automotive business, which he started in 1996. He told CBS News his insurance denied his claim, since "acts of God" aren't covered.

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"I definitely could use some help," he said. "But I'm, you know, I guess my pride is too much. I'm not gonna get out there and ask for it."

The Brantley Highway 82 Fire has been burning since Monday and has destroyed at least 87 homes, The Associated Press reported. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday that it is the most destructive wildfire in the state's history.

Meanwhile, a second fire about 70 miles to the southwest in Clinch and Echols counties, near the Florida state line, has destroyed at least 35 homes, according to the AP. Started by sparks from a welding operation, the Pineland Road Fire was also about 10% contained as of midday Saturday.

Kemp said at a press conference that federal authorities determined the Brantley Highway 82 fire and the Pineland Road Fire were currently the "two most dangerous, biggest, problematic fires anywhere" in the country.

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He said officials believe the Brantley Highway 82 fire started when a party balloon landed on a power line and caused a spark.

Firefighters put out a hot spot from the Brantley Highway 82 Fire on April 24, 2026, in Atkinson, Georgia. / Credit: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

"We need a change in the weather, but until we get that, we're just going to stay after these fires and do everything we can to get them contained," Kemp said.

Kemp also toured the damage on Friday and met with first responders trying to contain the flames. Authorities said Saturday that the Brantley County fire had grown to cover more than 9,500 acres, while the Pineland Road fire had expanded to nearly 32,000 acres as of Saturday.

Firefighters have been battling more than 150 other wildfires in Georgia and Florida that have sent smoky haze into places far from the flames, triggering air quality warnings for some cities.

Fire activity was expected to remain extremely high over the weekend.
Two students are being disciplined after a BB gun was found on one of them at a school in Bensalem, Bucks County.

It happened Friday at Schafer Middle School.

The student was spotted with the gun in their waistband by another student who told school authorities.

Authorities notified Bensalem police who determined it was a BB gun.

They also allegedly found that another student played a part in bringing it into the building.

Both the student found carrying the bb gun and the one involved in bringing it into the school are being disciplined.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.
After a 20-year fight, the community of East Orosi has won its battle to get clean and safe drinking water.

On April 22, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a drinking water consolidation project that will connect its residents with the Orosi Public Utility District. When the project is completed late next year, people in East Orosi will no longer have to rely on tap water contaminated with nitrates, which cause cancer and other health problems.

The $13.5 million project, funded by the states Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, specifically by an Emergency Drinking Water Assistance Grant, is intended to be a long-term solution, providing up to 106 homes and more than 400 residents with safe drinking water.

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Are forever chemicals in your water? Check Tulare County EPA data here

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 22, 2026, for a drinking water consolidation project to connect East Orosi residents with the Orosi Public Utility District.

The fight for clean water began in 2005, when residents formed the community-based organization Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United). A preliminary engineering report determined that the most sustainable solution would be to connect East Orosi to the water system in neighboring Orosi.

Tulare County, the administrator of the water system serving East Orosi, and the California State Water Resources Control Board agreed with the report and mandatory consolidation orders were issued. In 2024, the Orosi Public Utility District also expressed its support for the plan.

We believe clean, safe, and affordable drinking water is a basic human right, never a privilege, said Susana De Anda, Community Water Center executive director.

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East Orosi has endured unsafe levels of contamination for far too long, she said. We've also dealt with years of administrative mismanagement and a failing water system, but the community did not accept that reality. Through their persistence and leadership, they fought hard to bring safe drinking water to East Orosi, and they fought hard in advocacy. This project means that families living in this community will no longer have to fear drinking tap water."

Were harvesting the sun: A huge solar project grows in Valley

Tulare County Supervisor Eddie Valero said that this moment belongs to the people of East Orosi, "their sacrifice, their persistence, and their refusal to accept that clean safe drinking water was something other communities had but not theirs.

Today did not start today, said Tulare County Supervisor Eddie Valero. It started years ago in living rooms, in community meetings, in long conversations, in trips to Sacramento, in moments of frustration, and in moments of hope.

Valero said that this moment belongs to the people of East Orosi, their sacrifice, their persistence, and their refusal to accept that clean safe drinking water was something other communities had but not theirs.

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"The work that weve done here is a model and has helped make things easier for other communities that are also fighting for their own access to clean water," State Water Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel said. "Its because of the voices of communities like East Orosi that went to Sacramento and fought for this right, were able to be a model for not just ourselves here, but other states as well where they too are struggling for clean water.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: East Orosi wins 20-year fight for clean and safe drinking water
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Afghanistans foreign ministry says Afghans who helped Americas war effort and have been stuck in Qatar in the hope of reaching the United States, can safely return to Afghanistan.

The statement Saturday by foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi comes after reports emerged that the Trump administration is in discussions to potentially send 1,100 Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its war in Afghanistan and relatives of U.S. service members to Congo.

An organization called #AfghanEvac that supports Afghan resettlement efforts said Wednesday that U.S. officials had informed the group of discussions between the United States and Congo about taking the Afghan refugees who have been in limbo at Camp As-Sayliyah, a U.S. base in Doha, for the past year.

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The State Department said it is working to identify options to voluntarily resettle the refugees in a third country, but did not confirm which nations were being discussed.

An alternative provided to the refugees was to return to Afghanistan, #AfghanEvac said, where they fear reprisals or even death at the hands of the Taliban, who have been running the country since they seized power in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led forces in 2021, for working alongside the U.S. during the two-decade war.

Afghanistans foreign ministry reiterates that Afghanistan constitutes the shared homeland of all Afghans and it invites all those concerned, as well as others sharing a similar situation, (to) return to their homeland, whose doors remain open to them, to do so with full confidence & peace of mind, Balkhi wrote in his statement.

He added that those intending to travel to another country may do so at an appropriate juncture through legal & dignified channels. Afghanistans foreign ministry stands ready to engage with all countries, Balkhi said, adding that the foreign ministry underscores to all sides that there exist no security threats in Afghanistan, & none is compelled to leave the country on account of security considerations.

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In a joint statement posted by the #AfghanEvac group on behalf of those in Camp As-Sayliyah, the Afghans said they had received no information from U.S. officials about the talks to potentially relocate them, and had found out about it from the press. The state of limbo they have been living in is taking a severe toll on them, they said.

Many of us are not well. The uncertainty has been more than some of us can carry. There is deep depression, the group said, adding that some were struggling with their mental health because of the situation.

We will say this plainly. We do not want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the group said, adding that it is a country in its own war. We have been in enough war. We cannot take our children into another one.

The African country has been battered by decades-long fighting between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels in its eastern region.

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The Afghans in the camp in Doha said returning to Afghanistan was also not an option. The Taliban will kill many of us for what we did for the United States, the group said in their statement. This is not a fear. This is a fact. The United States knows this, because the United States is the reason we cannot go home.

The relocation discussions, initially reported 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.

___

Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece.
We recently shared Jim Cramer Rubbished Circular AI Deals & Commented On These 18 Stocks. Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) is one of the stocks discussed by Jim Cramer.

Glass manufacturer Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) has been one of Jim Cramers favorite stocks when it comes to the data center industry. In 2025s latter half, the CNBC TV host asserted on multiple occasions that Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW)s ability and plans to switch out copper for glass in the data center sector made it a great stock to buy. Mizuho discussed the firm on April 2nd as it raised the share price target to $155 from $145 and kept an Outperform rating. Mizuhos coverage came after Bank of America had raised Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW)s share price target to $144 from $155 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. BofA explained that it had made the adjustments due to expectations about the strength in the optical cycle. Cramer discussed JPMorgans coverage of Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW):

JPMorgan rains down on the huge parade, by talking about maybe we should be getting a little more negative or a little more circumspect about the data center and they downgrade one of my favorite positions, Corning. They take down Corning. It is a take down, by the way, and they may not think it is, but, ouch. I mean, look at that. And that stock has been one of my biggest wins, unlike, this is a Nike upside down. But yeah they said listen, lets not go overboard, its kind of like Taiwan Semi, its up so much. Fiber has better latency, when I was down with Wendell Weeks and Tim Cook, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Wendell Weeks being the CEO of Corning, he talked about how fiber could take over the whole darn data center. Because they burn so hot.

Jim Cramer's Hurt By JPMorgan's Coverage of Corning (GLW) Stock

Pixabay/Public Domain

While we acknowledge the potential of GLW 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.
Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who was detained in Kuwait under new security and misinformation laws, has been acquitted on all charges, his family announced on Thursday.

"We are relieved that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been found innocent after 52 days in detention," Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) CEO Jodie Ginsberg said in a statement.

"Ahmeds freedom and safety remain our topmost priority and we will continue to closely monitor his case," Ginsberg added.

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Committee To Protect Journalists Demands Kuwait Release American Reporter Ahmed Shihab-eldin

Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was detained by Kuwait for 52 days. (Getty Images)

Shihab-Eldin was arrested on March 3 in Kuwait, where he was visiting family, and faced charges related to "spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone"  which the CPJ, designed to promote press freedoms, called "vague and overly broad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists."

A spokesperson for Shihab-Eldins family confirmed Shihab-Eldin was acquitted but declined additional comment until further information is known. He is expected to be released immediately.

Read On The Fox News App

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On March 2, Kuwaits Ministry of Interior posted a chilling message warning against photographs or information related to missiles or relevant locations. Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, told CPJ that dozens have been arrested since the war began in cases related to freedom of expression.

Flashback: Five Of The Most Politically-charged Moments At The White House Correspondents' Dinner

Ahmed ShihabEldin attends the "Palestine 36" red carpet during the Doha Film Festival 2025 on November 24, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

Kuwait then issued a decree stipulating up to 10 years in jail for anyone who undermines "the prestige of the military or deliberately works toward eroding public trust in them," according to the Kuwait Times.

Shihab-Eldin, who is known for work at The New York Times, HuffPost, BBC, Al Jazeera, Vice News and other outlets, posted video of a U.S. fighter jet crash near a U.S. base in Kuwait shortly before he was detained.

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The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A State Department spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that the Trump administration "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and they were aware of reports of Shihab-Eldins detention.

"Whenever an American is detained abroad, the Department works to provide consular assistance in accordance with our authorities under U.S. and international law," the State Department spokesperson added.

The CPJ asked Americans to keep Shihab-Eldins situation visible by signing a petition and posting about his detention with the hashtags #freeahmed and #freeahmedeldin and #journalismisnotacrime.





Original article source: American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin acquitted on all charges after 52 days detained in Kuwait, family says
ICE detention deaths reach 22-year high amid less oversight, research finds 03:55

Arizona has sued the federal government to block a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement mass detention facility near a site in the city of Surprise allegedly filled with hazardous chemicals.

"The Trump administration has run roughshod over federal law in its rush to expand detention capacity across the country," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, whose office filed the lawsuit Friday, said in a statement.

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Mayes claims the Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not conducted or publicized the required environmental reviews for opening a facility. The lawsuit also alleges the proposed facility  which could house anywhere from hundreds to up to 1,500 individuals  violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, which mandates the federal government arrange for "appropriate" places for immigration detention.

An ICE spokesperson told CBS News that before purchasing this site, the agency carefully evaluated the use of existing facilities to help minimize environmental impacts, "including potential impacts to protected species, sensitive natural resources, and valued cultural resources."

The spokesperson added that the lawsuit wasn't about the environment, "It's about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe."

Congress appropriated $45 billion to ICE in July 2025 for "single adult alien detention capacity and family residential center capacity," to remain available for obligation through September 2029, the lawsuit said. One of those recently acquired processing sites is the warehouse in the city of Surprise, which court documents said the federal government purchased for $70 million on Jan. 23. The federal government has issued contracts for over $300 million to retrofit the warehouse.

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The lawsuit alleges the warehouse was not constructed as a space to house hundreds of people, but as an industrial distribution facility for up to four commercial tenants. Court documents say the warehouse "sits directly across the street from a chemical storage facility containing thousands of gallons of hazardous materials." The warehouse includes more than 100,000 feet of containerized hazardous materials storage for chemicals used in semiconductor production, according to the lawsuit.

CBS News reached out to DHS for comment specifically regarding Arizona's claims that there are hazardous chemicals in a warehouse across the street from the proposed detention facility, but did not receive a response before publication.

DHS has faced opposition from other cities and states where the federal government plans to open mass detention facilities.

The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution earlier this week opposing the construction or operation of large-scale immigration detention centers in Atlanta. The resolution raised concerns about a recently purchased warehouse in Social Circle, Georgia, that could hold up to 10,000 detainees, which local officials said could strain infrastructure like water and sewer systems.

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CBS News Atlanta reported earlier this month that DHS had paused plans to open the detention center. City Manager Eric Taylor said he read about the pause online and that all ICE detention centers were paused while undergoing a process review.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit in March against ICE and DHS after the federal government purchased a warehouse near Williamsport to turn into a detention facility.

The government said in responding court documents that all necessary reviews were conducted and the plaintiffs' claims did not demonstrate a preliminary injunction would be in the public interest. A Maryland judge granted a preliminary injunction on April 15 to stop the construction of the detention facility while the lawsuit plays out.
Conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson said he still doesnt hate President Donald Trump, even after the many insults the president has hurled at him in social media tirades amid their public MAGA breakup.

I dont hate Trump. I hate this war and the direction that the U.S. government is taking, Carlson said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Saturday. I feel betrayed.

Carlson, who was once a staunch ally of the president, has vocally criticized Trump amid his war in Iran. He joins other conservative personalities, including Alex Jones, Megyn Kelly, former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Candace Owens in denouncing the president.

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Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Political commentator Tucker Carlson opened up about his feud with former ally President Donald Trump. Joe Raedle via Getty Images / Bloomberg via Getty Images

The former allies have traded shots at each other amid the public split, with Carlson calling Trump a slave to Israel and apologizing for misleading people into voting for him in 2024.

I do think its, like, a moment to wrestle with our own consciences. Well be tormented by it for a long time  I will be. And I want to say Im sorry for misleading people, Carlson told his brother on Mondays episode of his show.

Politics: Marjorie Taylor Greene Makes Rare Break From Trump  And Its All About Tucker Carlson

The president has insulted his conservative critics of the war, including Carlson, in multiple social media tirades, saying they have Low IQs.

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In his interview with the Journal, Carlson reminisced about his former support for the president.

I assumed he was sincere, and by the way, he may have been, Carlson said. After the 2024 election, he told the Journal, Trump changed dramatically.

Carlson also told the Journal that the last time he walked into the Oval Office was in February, where the two argued over the war in the Middle East and where the president brought up the accusation that Carlson was an antisemite.

News: Thuds, An Eerie Silence, Then Chaos At Trump Dinner With White House Journalists

According to Carlson, the president looked sad and resigned, and he was left in disbelief.

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The podcaster told the Journal that U.S. involvement in foreign wars was a generational problem that didnt start with Trump, adding, If anything, Trump just proved the system was stronger than him.

Trump has proven his own point, unfortunately, which is that the people running your government are only about themselves, Carlson said.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Editor's Note: Hilary Rogers was misattributed as Davis and misquoted. The errors have been corrected.

---

PLATTSBURGH  Republican candidate for governor of New York Bruce Blakeman visited Altona for breakfast and to address his North Country constituents and fellow ballot members.

The Clinton County Republican Party Committee hosted the North Country Kick Off Event, a breakfast for Blakeman and other Republican candidates, including Robert Smullen, running for New York's 21st Congressional district; Brent Davison, running for Clinton County sheriff; and Hilary Rogers, running for Clinton County's Surrogate's Court judge.

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Chair of the Altona Republican Committee Melissa Peryea opened the event with praise to the community for their support and introduced Davison for morning prayer. She also celebrated the formation of the committee and that Altona voted entirely red in 2025 before inviting Clinton County Republican Committee Chair Jerika Manning to the podium.

Manning introduced several area Republican dignitaries and community figures who support the county committee.

I'm proud to stand here today as the chairwoman of the Clinton County Republicans, looking out at people who still believe in something  family, community and the place that we call home  because that's what Northern New York is, she said at the podium Saturday morning.

It's not just where we live. It's not just a dot on the map north of Albany. It's home. Our families built this land, and they didn't inherit it easily. They worked for it, they fought for it and they passed it down with the expectation that we would do the same.

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She then criticized the Democratic control of the governor's office and assembly.

Democrats have held the governor's office since 2007. They've controlled the assembly for decades and the State Senate since 2018. They own these results: higher cost of living, higher taxes, energy bills that families can't keep up with, a health care system that's drifting further out of control, rising crime and jobs, good paying jobs, leaving the state. And when the jobs go, the people go with them, she said.

The she asked for a show of hands of who has thought about moving out of the state. Over a dozen went up.

That should not be the solution. The question should be how do we make New York a place worth staying? Because this place is to thrive, strong industry, good jobs, safe communities, pride in living here.

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Manning introduced the events featured speakers, Rogers, Davison, Smullen and Blakeman, praising them for their respect and dedication to New York and the North Country.

These are leaders who don't make excuses. They get results. So we can keep going down this road, or we can take our state back, Manning said.

Current principal law clerk for the Supreme Court judge in Clinton County, Rogers said she knows what it takes to fight the fight.

I have had the privilege, the great privilege, to help thousands of people over the years. But over the years, I have talked to several individuals who have told me that they don't trust the judicial system. They don't believe they're being heard. They don't believe that they're getting treated fairly. This is because this is where we're at. They feel like a case number, she said.

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Born and raised in Clinton County, Rogers has experience as both a defense attorney and prosecutor and worked in both the attorney general's and district attorney's offices.

I've handled estates, I've handled wills, I've handled guardianships and adoptions, the types of cases that are all handled by the Surrogate's Court judge, Rogers said.

For Davison, public service is his calling.

I've worn a uniform since I was 17 years old, serving our nation in the military and then spending 30 dedicated years in law enforcement. This experience has shaped who I am, but more importantly, it's what I've experienced during that time that truly defines my readiness to lead, he said.

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Davison said the position of sheriff is not about politics.

It's about leadership. It's about doing the job the right way every day. It's about protecting our citizens; supporting our deputies, correction officers and civilian staff; and ensuring that the sheriff's office is something this community can be proud of.

He promises to move the office forward in a positive direction, to bring back pride, restore confidence and ensure that every decision is guided with integrity and service to the people.

Davison advocated for Blakeman as governor based on his track record of change in Nassau County on Long Island.

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I believe he is the change that we need here in New York state. He brings a record of leadership and results. You can't deny the results that he has as the Nassau County executive. Through his experience and success in Nassau County, he has demonstrated what strong, effective leadership can accomplish. I believe he has the vision and determination to help move New York state back in the right direction, Davison said.

Smullen took to the podium next to talk about why he is running and what the North Country means to him.

America has never been defeated. Only if we let ourselves choose to be, and I choose not to be. I choose for America to remain the exceptional nation that it is. Where we live, here in the North Country, in the Mohawk Valley in the Adirondacks, that it's a beautiful place. This is where I'm from. This is my home. I'm the only lifelong Republican in this race. I'm the one that I think best represents the values of the vast majority of the people of this district," Smullen said.

Smullen is running against Anthony Constantino, a Republican candidate recently endorsed by President Donald Trump. But the endorsement did not startle Smullen; he is confident.

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My opponent is unfit to serve, he said. He is not the right person for this, and people will see it. All the people that are around this district that see this, they know who Robert Smullin is, and the more people that get to know me, the more people are going to vote for me.

His confidence stretches across the ballot.

It was great to see the next governor of New York state (Blakeman) right here in Clinton County. We're going to win this thing across all levels, from governor to the Congressional district to the State Senate, all the way down the line, Smullen said.

Blakeman received standing applause as he was introduced. He took a moment to thank the committee and to give praise to each candidate. He then painted picture of a New York under himself in the governor'ss office.

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I was at the Metropolitan Republican Women's Club last night, and I told them, 'This is not a campaign, this is a battle, a battle for the heart and soul of the state of New York. We are at a tipping point. We could go in one direction, with prosperity and with hope and with jobs and safe communities and lower taxes and lower utility costs, or we could go in the other direction, despair, people leaving this state in droves, businesses leaving this state and taking valuable jobs with them, communities that have lawlessness, law enforcement officials that don't have the backing of their leaders, he said.

Among his promises include lower energy costs, what he called the green energy scam, and he vows to start drilling the natural gas reserves in the Southern Tier of New York, citing a successful drilling in Pennsylvania leading to prosperity and jobs."

On one side of the border where they drill, in Pennsylvania, there's prosperity and jobs. You go on the New York side, there's poverty and despair. One side, they're driving brand new Cadillac Escalades. On our side, they're driving rusted out pickup trucks that are 25 years old or older. It's a scam, and it ends when I become governor, Blakeman said.

Blakeman criticized Hochul as the most pro-criminal governor in the United States of America."

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Every policy and program about public safety is making it easier for criminals to engage in criminal activity, he added.

Following his remarks, Blakeman took questions from the audience. He was asked about rural health care, school safety, corrections officers and voter fraud.

Blakeman is confident the governors seat will be his at the start of the next year.

A lot of undecided voters who don't know who I am yet, when they get to meet me and they know what my policies are, they're going to vote for me. So there's one thing you can bet on, there's one thing you can guarantee, on Jan. 1, 2027, I will be the governor of the state of New York, Blakeman said.

This was Blakemans second time in the North Country, and he plans on returning again with his family.

This is my second time in Clinton County in less than four months, and I am going to get around the state. It's a beautiful state, and as I said, I can't wait to bring my family up here and let them experience the beauty of this area  Lake Placid, and everything it has to offer, he said.

But one of the things that's troubling is people are struggling here. There's way too much poverty, there's a health-care crisis. You have a state government that dictates how you should live your lives. That's not the way the government should act. So you will have a governor that cares about every region of the state and leaves nobody behind. And I will be up here quite often. I might be here so much, you might have to send me a tax bill.
A 16-year-old boy on his way home from school was gunned down during a clash inside a Brooklyn bodega, police said Saturday.

Marquise Byfield had just stepped into the Livonia Deli & Grocery on Livonia Ave. near Ashford St. in East New York when he got into a fight with another teen around 4:15 p.m. Friday, cops and store manager Karrar Obaid told the Daily News.

The first one came in and the second one came in behind him, and they started fighting, Obaid, 35, recalled. I was behind the counter. When we heard shots, we lay down (on the floor).

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Marquise was shot in the chest and groin area, cops said. Medics rushed him to Brookdale University Hospital, where he died a short time later.

His mother, Abigail Byfield, said Marquise was coming home from school when he was shot.

The teen was looking forward to his 17th birthday on July 1, his mom said, her voice cracking from a night of crying.

He was going to be 17, but now hell forever be 16, she told the Daily News. He was a beautiful kid. We all loved him. His teachers love him. Friends love him. Everybody love him.

At least two shots were fired, witnesses said. Bullets shattered a glass refrigerator door behind Marquise, who fell to the ground right next to the stores counter.

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There was blood everywhere, Obaid said. Police heard the shots and they came in right away and they see the guy on the floor. They tried to make sure he was still alive. But then, after about 45 minutes, we heard he died.

The shooter, who is believed to be between 15 and 16 years old, managed to slip away before police arrived. He was still being sought by authorities Saturday.

The teens mother suspects her son was the victim of a robbery that got out of control.

Im understanding that he might have got set up or, who knows? They might have been trying to rob him and he was trying to defend himself and they had a gun? she asked as she tried to find some kind of reason behind the senseless violence. Im hoping for justice for my kid. (That) its not another unsolved murder.

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Now Im a mother of gun violence, she said, trying to wrap her mind around what happened in the last 24 hours. You see this on TV. You watchand now Im living it. It hits different. Its totally different. Im paralyzed right now. Im in shock.

At least one witness said it appeared Marquise ducked into the deli in an attempt to hide from the shooter.

Marquise lived in Brownsville, about a mile from where he was killed, cops said. He attended Spring Creek Community School.

The Livonia Deli was on Marquises route to the subway station at the corner, his mother said.

He got off the bus. The train stations right there, she said. Hes only supposed to take the train at least three to four stops to come home.

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Marquise has an older brother and two younger siblings. Abigail was at a park near her home with one of her younger children when Marquise was killed.

When she returned home, NYPD detectives approached her and broke the terrible news.

The cops (told me), she said. I was waiting for him to come home. It was a good day so far. It was looking like a good day. And it surely wasnt.

He was not a kid who goes around and bothers people, she added of her son. He didnt deserve this at all.

Mayor Mamdani said that he spoke with the grieving mother Saturday and that the teens slaying was a painful reminder of all that we still have to do in tackling the scourge of gun violence across our city

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No teenager in New York City should ever fall victim to gun violence, and no family should ever have to endure this kind of pain, Mamdani said, in part, on X. Every shooting death is a tragedy, and it is especially heartbreaking when a young life is taken far too soon.

The killing came a day before Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the arrest of 18-year-old Zahir Davis, who was wanted in the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy during a water balloon fight in a Queens park a week ago.

Davis fled to Jamaica, but was grabbed and arrested late Friday when he flew back to New York.

After detectives left the deli, Obaid and his co-workers closed the store for more than eight hours as they cleaned up the blood and repaired the refrigerators shattered glass door, he said.

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I feel bad for these kids and the families that have to protect the kids, the deli manager said, reflecting on the violence. If you kill somebody, you spend the rest of your life in jail. Its not worth it.

Everybody is angry for nothing, he added. You should be more humble and more forgiving.

A GoFundMe has been organized to raise funds for the teens funeral expenses.

Marquises mother is hoping someone steps forward and helps police find her sons killer.

I encourage anybody to speak up and say what they saw, she said. Give his name, where hes hiding.

Addressing the killer, she said, Im sorry that your life is now going to be over along with my sons. But you need to pay for your crime.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said that US liquor could return to Canadian shelves if tariffs on metals and automobiles are addressed, as public rhetoric on trade talks between the two countries heats up.

"Issues such as decisions on which alcohol to put on the shelves - we can make progress very quickly on that with progress in other areas," Carney said on Thursday.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday said the liquor ban by most Canadian provinces was "disrespectful", while US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned of consequences if the issue is not resolved.

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Canadian provinces brought in the booze bans in response to tariffs placed from the Trump administration.

They include Ontario, whose liquor control board is one of the largest buyers of alcohol in the world, which removed US-made alcoholic drinks from shelves in March 2025.

It came in retaliation for tariffs imposed by Trump, including on key Canadian sectors like steel, aluminium, automobiles and agricultural products, which Trump argues boost US manufacturing and jobs.

Carney said that these tariffs are a violation of a standing free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, called the USMCA.

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He added that Canada is prepared to enter "detailed negotiations" with the US on the future of North American free trade, but is "also ready to wait if that's what has to happen".

The US has laid out a number of trade irritants with Canada, which include alcohol and access to the dairy market.

The back and forth comes as Canada, the US and Mexico are staring down a deadline of 1 July for a mandatory review of the USMCA.

"There's two parties in a negotiation," Carney told reporters on Thursday. "We're not sitting here taking notes and taking instruction from the US."

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It is up to the provinces to decide if they want to sell US alcohol again, as liquor sales in most Canadian jurisdictions are regulated by the province, not the federal government.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been steadfast in his position that the booze will not go back on the shelves in provincial stores until these sector-specific tariffs are dropped.

Speaking to CNN on Thursday, Ford said the American economy is losing "tens of billions of dollars" as a result of Canadians boycotting the US, including avoiding travel south.

"This can come to a quick end, everyone can thrive and prosper," Ford said, if tariffs are lifted.

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Trump's sector-specific tariffs have especially hurt Ontario - the heartland of Canada's auto sector, and where thousands have jobs have already been lost.

Candace Laing, the president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said that while Canada has "red lines" it is not willing to concede in talks, it is open to using alcohol as "leverage" as it seeks reductions from the US on sector-specific tariffs.

"Canada is not going to give any concessions that aren't in the context of a real negotiation," said Laing, who was appointed this week by Carney to his new Canada-US trade advisory committee,

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Canada's negotiating position improved in recent months, argued Fen Hampson, a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa and a co-chair of its expert group on Canada-US relations.

Trump's political position is "eroding" as the US and Israel war on Iran continues to be unpopular with Americans, a factor that could affect who controls Congress after the US midterm elections later this year, he said.

At the same time, Carney's political position has strengthened with recent special elections and defections that have granted him a majority government, Hampson said.

Last week, Lutnick dismissed the position that Canada stands to benefit by waiting for pressure on Trump to intensify, calling it "the worst strategy I've ever heard", and noting the size of the US economy dwarfs Canada's.

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Hampson disagreed, arguing there is a benefit in waiting to see what deal Trump carves out with Mexico and other countries.

"There's a last mover advantage, in the sense that you see what everybody else has."

Canada also has goods that the US needs, like metals, energy and critical minerals, he added.

"The Canadians are very smart here," Hampson said. "They're ragging the puck, they're running the clock down."
This is part of a series of stories on the candidates running in the May 19 primary election. Ballots will be mailed to voters April 29.

A retired educator, a nursery owner, a Hubbard city councilor and a small-business owner and former policy analyst are among the Republican candidates competing for Oregon House District 18 in the May 19 election.

The seat is open after longtime Rep. Rick Lewis, R-Silverton, announced his retirement in February. Lewis represented the district for five terms and was first appointed in 2017 and then elected in 2018.

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The district covers portions of Clackamas County and spans eastern Marion County, including the cities of Aurora, Hubbard, Silverton and Mount Angel.

Republican candidate Matthew Lawson did not reply to requests from the Statesman Journal. In his candidate filing, he describes himself as a small-business owner in Silverton and a hazelnut farmer who previously served 26 years with the Oregon State Police, and more than 30 years with the United States Army Reserve and Oregon National Guard.

No Democrat filed to run in the May primary election.

Here's what to know about the candidates. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, according to the Secretary of State's randomized alphabet.

Bryan Starr, brother of Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, is seeking the Republican nomination for Oregon House District 18 in the May 2026 primary election.

Bryan Starr draws on four decades of public education experience

Bryan Starr is jumping into politics after a 43-year career in public education.

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His career has included roles as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Oregon. He's fully retired and has decided to run because he's motivated to continue serving his community, Starr said.

I just feel like its my time to help, he said.

He grew up in rural Oregon on a farm with three younger brothers, who include Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee. Bryan Starr graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture education and a master's degree in education leadership.

Starr taught agriculture for 13 years and served as a Future Farmers of America advisor. In 2013, he was named Oregon's Secondary Principal of the Year while at Scio High School. He served as the superintendent of the Harrisburg School District from 2015 to 2023.

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He's now returned to helping manage his family's property and said he remains committed to the district's farming communities. He noted that the Oregon Farm Bureau reports that nearly 70% of Oregon farms are operating at a net cash loss.

Starr said he would advocate reducing taxes and regulations on agriculture and small businesses if elected. Current state policies have created unnecessary burdens, he said.

Starr said he's also a supporter of giving local governments renewed and increased control, particularly in education, where he believes school boards should have more authority. He criticized, for example, a new bill that requires public schools in Oregon to adopt a policy notifying students and staff of the presence of immigration enforcement agents on campus.

"That didn't have to be a state issue. Let the school board make that ruling or that decision," he said.

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His proposals include eliminating farmworker overtime, restoring bonus depreciation removed in a 2026 tax bill, and expanding the use of small-farm wells. He also said environmental regulations for farmers are "too bureaucratic."

"As a lifelong Oregonian and proven conservative leader, I'm running to help family farms, rural families, and small businesses from Portland's costly overreach," Starr said in a press release. "I know this district, I know these families, and I know what it takes to get things done."

Starr said he'd also push for further accountability at state agencies.

"We don't have a revenue problem," Starr said. "We have a spending problem."

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He acknowledged that Republicans hold a superminority in the Legislature and said he would seek bipartisan collaboration to support the district.

He's endorsed by Lewis and said his educational background sets him apart.

Amanda Staehely, past president of the Oregon Nurseries Association and a nursery owner, is running for Oregon House District 18 in the May 2026 primary election.

Amanda Staehely commits to advocating for farms, small businesses

Amanda Staehely is a small-business owner and longtime agriculture advocate. She said she's running with a focus on supporting small businesses and continuing her work in the agriculture sector.

Staehely is an Oregon native who was raised on a family farm and graduated from Canby High School. She went on to dance professionally with Oregon Ballet Theater before returning to agriculture and operating Columbia Nursery with her husband. She previously served as president of the Oregon Association of Nurseries.

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I want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to inherit a thriving state they will prosper in, but to do that, we need leaders who will push back against burdensome regulations, advocate for our farmers and our local economy, and fight to make our community business and job-friendly."

Staehely said she would use her time in the legislature to lower taxes and work to brighten the state's future and hold the government accountable.

Staehely said she was always interested in political science. She said she declined a University of Portland full-ride scholarship and pursued a career in professional ballet before injury forced her to retire. After she began operating her own farm, navigating regulations and rising costs frustrated her.

The nursery was growing and expanding every year, but generating less and less money, she explained.

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"I just felt like I couldn't keep up with every single thing that was coming our way," Staehely said. "I felt like I was set up for failure."

She took on more responsibilities with the Oregon Association of Nurseries, and by the time she was president of the organization, she'd committed to being the "largest advocacy voice" for the people she represented, she said. That same motivation inspired her to jump into the race.

"I still see all of the need for someone to have a seat at the table that can represent small businesses and agriculture," Staehely said.

Her priorities would be to support agriculture and small businesses, increase local authority in schools, and reevaluate state spending. Oregon has to become a business-friendly state again, she said, describing the current climate as an "active war" on small businesses and agriculture.

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Other priorities, Staehely said, would include prioritizing repairs to highways in Molalla and Silverton, and funding to support the establishment of a police department for the Hubbard-Aurora area. The area is currently served by a joint HubbardDonaldAurora Police Department.

Staehely said she has the passion, energy, values and proven skills and advocacy necessary to represent the district. She pointed to her record testifying in front of state leaders to advocate for the nursery industry. She's also lobbied in Washington, D.C., and testified before the Agricultural Committee on the Farm Bill in 2023.

"At the end of the day, District 18 is made up of old, generational families who have been here forever," she said. "Those are my people. That's who I would be honored to represent."

Joseph Steininger, Hubbard City Council President, is vying for the Republican nomination for Oregon House District 18 in the May 2026 primary election.

Hubbard City Council President Joseph Steininger touts local government experience

Joseph Steininger, a Hubbard city councilor and fourth-generation Oregonian, is hoping to bring his deep roots in the district and experience in local government to Oregon's Capitol.

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He describes himself as the strong voice rural communities deserve in Salem, and as someone who supports policies that protect local jobs and working families.

Raised in District 18 and homeschooled, Steininger received a bachelor's degree from Multnomah Bible College. His experiences include serving as a volunteer firefighter and working as a certified nursing assistant for 18 years.

He joined the Hubbard Budget Committee and the Hubbard Hop Festival Board of Directors before being encouraged to run for the city council. Steininger was first elected to the Hubbard City Council in 2023.

"I'm passionate about being involved in my city and where there's a need, filling it," Steininger said. "Oregon is so broken, we need people to go in there that have felt what it feels like to have the regulation and the laws put on top of us. Not people who have been in office their entire life."

Steininger said the district needs "fresh people" like him.

He also tells constituents how logging restrictions cost his dad his mill job, which he described as an early experience of how decisions made removed from communities can impact local families.

His goal, he said, is simple: "I want to create an Oregon that my kids can afford to live in and my friends can come home to."

Steininger recognizes that Republicans don't control either chamber in Oregon (his ideal statehouse has a 50-50 split, he said), but his top priorities include protecting local control against "one size fits all mandates," rejecting any potential tax increases, lowering the cost of living and supporting public safety policy. He said he wants to "get rid" of regulations that limit farmers from thriving and wants to ensure taxpayer money is used as it should.

He also said he wants Oregon to become financially sustainable, less reliant on federal dollars, and friendlier to businesses.

He touted, for example, balancing a city budget without raising taxes after Hubbard voters rejected a local gas tax in 2025. Voters said no, and so local leaders found a different solution, he explained. Steininger said he successfully secured grant funding for local roads, parks, and public safety projects. He also helped collect signatures for the gas tax referendum last year.

Ben Fisher, a small business owner and former legislative policy analyst, is running for Oregon House District 18 in the May 2026 primary election.

Ben Fisher, small business owner and former policy analyst

Ben Fisher, a seventh-generation Oregonian and small-business owner, is eager to bring his perspective to the Oregon Capitol.

Fisher proudly speaks about his direct relation to the Oregon pioneer, Rev. Ezra Fisher, and his son, Ezra Timothy Taft Fisher, who was one of the first Republicans in the Oregon Legislature in the 1860s. While his family has been in business and farming for generations, Fisher said the two inspired his decision to run.

He grew up on a dairy farm in Brownsville before his family moved to a beef cattle ranch in Baker County, he said. His early adult life was spent working around Boise, Idaho, but he has spent the rest of his life in Oregon. He moved to Hubbard two and a half years ago to run his small business, which repairs vehicle instruments.

Running his own company gives him an important perspective as a business owner, Fisher said.

Fisher said he "used to be" more left-leaning until he opened his own business. Oregonians are overtaxed, he believes. He said he's personally seen several businesses leave the state, which has impacted his own company.

He's worked on political campaigns as a volunteer, including a campaign in 2013 against an effort to add fluoride to the City of Portland's drinking water.

He describes himself as a 15-year activist who is "unapologetically pro-life" and committed to opposing firearm legislation, reining in government spending, targeting housing affordability, supporting a growing Oregon economy and expanding school choice and homeschooling.

"Affordability. That's the number one thing that needs to be addressed," Fisher said. "I think a little bit of good government goes a long way."

Fisher said he already has many relationships and friendships in the Legislature with lawmakers, staffers and lobbyists. He was briefly a policy analyst for ousted state Rep. Mike Nearman.

"I've excelled at figuring out how to find common ground with a lot of people," he added.

What sets him apart?

"I'm a normal person. I'm not a politician," Fisher said. "I think I would just have a refreshing take on a lot of these issues. I want to serve the people of Oregon, and I feel like I'm in a good position to do that."

Another big motivation for Fisher is his 5-year-old daughter.

"I like to prove to her that it's always worth fighting for what you think is right," he said. "I just want to be a good role model and example for her."

How much money have candidates in House District 18 raised?

Starr has raised $34,009.38 in 2026. He had $7,774 cash in hand as of April 22. His largest donations came from Lewis' political committee on March 17, which donated $10,000, and his brother's political action committee, the Starr Leadership Fund, which has donated $11,970.

Staehely has reported raising $68,884 in 2026. She had a $53,400 cash balance as of April 22. Her largest contributions have come from the Oregon Nurseries Political Action Committee, which has donated $29,000 in total.

Steininger has reported $350 in contributions in 2026.

And Fisher reported $7,970 in contributions this year. Campaign finance records said he had a $6,228 cash balance as of April 22. His largest donations are $3,000 from David Elton and $1,000 from the Oregon Firearms Federation political action committee. Most of the other contributions were reported as miscellaneous cash contributions of less than $100.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com on X @DianneLugo or Bluesky @diannelugo.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Who is running for Oregon's House District 18?
PLATTSBURGH  Lake View Cemetery is a bit of a misnomer now since the Willsboro cemetery was established in the late 18th century.

But it is among four local North Country cemeteries, including Glenwood Cemetery in Champlain, Federal Flats Cemetery in Minerva and West Chazy Rural Cemetery, participating in this weekends New York State Department of State Division of Cemeteries third-annual Caring for Your Cemetery Day.

Through this program, the DOS and participating cemeteries seek volunteers and hope to increase public participation in local cemeteries as they are important centers of our cities, villages and towns.

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Community members are encouraged to locate listed cemeteries in their neighborhoods participating in this event and help with cleanup activities as they prepare for the spring season and Mothers Day visits, according to a press release.

Our cemeteries are important municipal centers and full of history and culture. Their beautification and upkeep are critical to ensuring that they remain integral parts of our neighborhoods, Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said in a press release. Caring for Your Cemetery Day is an excellent volunteer opportunity for New Yorkers to help local cemeteries transition out of winter months, celebrate Earth Day and to gather community support when extra assistance is most needed to contribute to a clean environment.

WILLSBORO

Lake View Cemetery, located at 3142 Essex Road, Willsboro, is maintained by a board of nine directors: John Oliver, president; Lorilee Sheehan, vice president; Ed Mason, treasurer; Barbara Paye, secretary; Vicki Dickerson, lot sales manager; Stacey Lobdell; Ben Peryea; Lawson Prince Allen; and the ninth director, Scott Sayward, who will be installed in June.

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On Saturday, they gather at the cemetery at 9 a.m.

The hope that they want to accomplish that day is picking up litter because, surprisingly enough, the artificial wreaths and flowers, they break up over the winter. They fly all over. They pick up broken, destroyed, small flags that people particularly place there on Memorial Day. They hope to weed, Paye said.

G. Ben Trucking installed hydrangeas in a circle around a flagpole near the lake.

We dont have water there. Wed plant flowers, and they would die. They will do some weeding there, maybe some mulching. They will trim up some bushes, she said. We are asking people to bring their own work gloves and possibly a rake. Sometime during the winter time, moles will get in and go under the surface. You just need to rake out where the soil is kind of humped up.

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People might go to their own little section if they have family members there. Its going to be small stuff, not anything major. No chainsaws, no dangerous items like that people would be asked to do. Its mostly minimal upkeep to make it look presentable and not have trash lying around.

SETTLER FAMOUS

The first burial in Lake View Cemetery in 1791 was William Gilliland, the founder of Willsboro.

The cemetery itself is regulated by the Division of New York State Cemeteries, as are most of the cemeteries in this area. Its claim to fame is that you will see one of the state markers outside of it, Paye said.

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William Gilliland, the founder of Willsboro, is buried there. If you look him up, you will see that he died, reportedly, on Coon Mountain, and whatever remains were transported when he was found down to the cemetery in Lake View. Coon Mountain is a famous hiking mountain here in Essex County.

The cemetery covers 5.9 acres. Burials are still possible at Lake View, and interested parties can purchase a lot by contacting Dickerson at 518-963-4459.

An annual meeting is held every September and is posted in The Sun Times.

Many people from Essex and Willsboro are buried there.

What it has become now, a lot of lot sales are now families that have roots in Willsboro but they dont necessarily live in Willsboro. They summer here or their families were from Willsboro or Essex, originally, Paye said.

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In the last two years, the lots that weve sold are a lot of people from outside the area, but they definitely have strong connections to Willsboro. They want to be buried here. Most of it is cremation now. We do full-body burials, and we also have a vault for winter storage.

On Memorial Day, the Willsboro American Legion Post 405 conducts ceremonies in the cemetery for veterans, as they do in all of the cemeteries in Willsboro.

That usually happens after the parade, which is a 10 oclock parade in Willsboro. After they have a time at the monument with a speaker, the American Legion goes to each one of the cemeteries. I want to say were the third cemetery that they go to. They go to Memorial, they go to Calvary Cemetery, and then they go to Lake View Cemetery, and then they go on from there, Paye said.

The board is forward thinking in preserving the historic cemetery.

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With our board of nine directors, we have been able to invest our funds in things to keep it running independently without having to turn it over because the towns have had to take over many because they just ran out of money, she said.

Its a lovely space. You really dont see the lake anymore because the trees have grown up, and we dont own the property that is just in front of it. At some point, whoever owned that land either donated just that or whatever. It is a very serene, quiet spot down there.
Children of Bobbie Jo Doster break silence after 27 years, seek answers in unsolved murder

For the first time in nearly three decades, the children of Bobbie Jo Doster are speaking publicly about their mothers unsolved murder, on what would have been her 54th birthday.

They hope sharing their story will renew interest in the case and finally lead investigators to her killer.

A cherished photo from the 1990s is one of the few memories Amber Johnson still has of her mother.

Her sister, Laura Prymock, said the fragments they do remember are filled with warmth.

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ALSO READ: Five years later, family still searching for missing Kannapolis mother

I remember her running down the hills she was always fun and playful, Prymock said. Dont have many memories outside of that.

Laura was 10, Amber was 8, and their younger brother, Allen Johnson, was just 6 when their mother was killed.

Cabarrus County investigators say Doster was last seen on Christmas Eve 1998, leaving an apartment complex on Corban Avenue SE in Concord with an unidentified man.

Four days later, her body was discovered in a wooded area off Pleasant Grove Church Road in Kannapolis.

Allen remembers the moment their father told them the devastating news, and seeing the story on Channel 9.

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Despite extensive investigation, no one has ever been charged in Dosters murder.

Amber Johnson has taken an active role in pushing the case forward. Earlier this year, she obtained her mothers autopsy report from the North Carolina Medical Examiners Office.

The report revealed disturbing details: Doster was found with her pants down, paper bags over her hands, cocaine in her system, and used condoms nearby.

It also showed she was approximately 20 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, a fact her children never knew.

The autopsy also confirms that investigators collected clothing, nail clippings, and a sexual assault kit, evidence the family hopes can now be reexamined using modern forensic technology.

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They did an outstanding job with the collection of evidence, Prymock said. I feel 100% confident something is there.

The siblings believe someone knows what happened that night.

Somebody can come forward and say, I was scared back then, but this is what happened, Amber said. Because somebody knows.

In a statement, the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office said:

Although the case is classified as a cold case, homicide investigations are never considered closed. The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office remains committed to following up on all viable leads.

Our Criminal Investigations Division oversees cold cases, and as technology advances, previously collected evidence is periodically reviewed to determine whether it may benefit from newly developed forensic testing or investigative techniques.

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We appreciate the continued interest and support from the community. Anyone with information related to this case or any criminal investigation is encouraged to contact the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office. Even small details may prove valuable as technology and investigative methods evolve.

Investigators urge anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to contact the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office.
Cincinnati's now-former police chief, once sued by subordinates for alleged discrimination against White male officers, has been fired.

A termination announcement says Teresa Theetge was "begged" to put more officers on the streets during a crime-riddled summer last year. She was removed from her role as the city's top law enforcement officer on Thursday after only about three years on the job. She was a police officer in Cincinnati for 35 years.

City Manager Sheryl Long made Theetge's termination announcement.

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"I recognize Chief Theetges more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to this City. At the same time, after completing this review, its become clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward," Long said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Cincinnati Chief of Police Teresa Theetge announces the arrests of two people involved in a fight that gained national attention over the weekend. (Fox News)

Aftab Pureval Wins Second Term As Cincinnati Mayor, Extending Democrats Hold On City Hall

In a scathing termination letter, Long blasted Theetge for what she viewed as ineffective leadership and poor communication, including failing to adhere to a summer anti-violence plan.

Read On The Fox News App

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"As just one example, you admitted you did not agree with the Citys Summer Safety Plan, which included more police coverage in the urban core, and you admitted that I begged you to fill the police work details called for in the summer plan."

Cincinnati found itself under national scrutiny last August after a viral beatdown in the city's downtown left a woman with neurological damage.

Ag Bondi Dismisses Dei Lawsuits Brought Against Police, Fire Departments Under Biden Administration

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge speaks at a press conference about a viral early Saturday morning beatdown in downtown Cincinnati on Aug. 1, 2025.

In the early-morning hours of July 26, a confrontation outside the LoVe nightclub, located on the corner of Fourth and Elm Street in the city's downtown business district, led to a horrific beatdown that was captured on video.

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The video circulated rapidly on social media, sparking fury as at least two White victims were pummeled into the ground by a group of Black suspects. Once on the ground, the suspects did not back off. Instead, they continued to stomp on the victims, one of whom was left with a possibly life-altering brain issue.

Over the course of the next month, seven people were arrested and charged with crimes related to the beating.

Former Coast Guard Commandant Evicted From Base Housing 2 Weeks After Firing: Report

Long also ripped Theetge for two shootings in the Fountain Square area in the city's downtown last October, saying she "failed to provide leadership in response to two shootings" in the area that month.

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"You further admitted that on October 14 (the day after the second shooting) you chose to go to a play rather than attend a public safety town hall meeting..." Long wrote in the termination letter, later adding that Theetge "should not need to be told to attend a public safety meeting  the night after a shooting on Fountain Square."

In May of last year, four White male officers filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Theetge, who was the city's first female police chief, saying that they were passed over for promotions and passed over for preferred assignments because of their race and/or sex.

"Defendants intentional and discriminatory practices in assigning Lieutenants to preferred assignments has disproportionately favored non-White males and/or females, without legitimate, non-discriminatory justification, thereby denying Plaintiffs equal employment opportunities," the suit says in part.

Holly, a victim of the July 26 Cincinnati brawl, poses for a photo after sustaining life-altering injuries while trying to break up the fight that injured six people and led to six arrests.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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"The City and Chief Theetge have actively and systemically undertaken efforts to promote, advance, and make promotion and assignment decisions that are preferable to women and minorities, and to the exclusion of white men, including through hiring, diversity initiatives, outreach programs, promotional processes, and other steps that demonstrate both a systemic practice of discrimination against white males, and that there are background circumstances to support the suspicion that the defendant is that unusual employer who discriminates against the majority," the lawsuit also says.

Theetge's attorney did not return a request for comment. Neither did Mayor Aftab Pureval's office.





Original article source: City manager 'begged' fired Cincinnati police chief for more officers on street as crime skyrocketed
We recently shared Jim Cramer Rubbished Circular AI Deals & Commented On These 18 Stocks. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is one of the stocks discussed by Jim Cramer.

Cramer discussed contract chip manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in detail in his tweets and in his morning appearance after the firm reported its first quarter earnings report. The shares are up by 143% over the past year and by 15% year-to-date. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)s earnings saw the firm post NT$1.134 trillion in revenue and NT$572 billion in net income. The results saw the firm beat analyst estimates of NT$1.127 trillion and NT$543 billion. Needham discussed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) following the earnings as it raised the share price target to $480 from $410 and kept a Buy rating on the stock. Bank of America raised the share price target to NT$2,360 from NT$2,530 and kept a Buy rating on April 13th. BofA remarked that it expected Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) to grow revenue by 7% to 9% sequentially in the second quarter of 2026. As the shares dipped following the earnings, Cramer didnt hold back with his remarks:

They were shorting without even listening to the [omitted] call. They were betting against the company. . .without even listening to the call. Well that just showed, this is what were up against. Taiwan Semis great quarter. And you can see the stock is down, dont worry about it, its absolutely fabulous. But they mention at one point, they say, someone asked about, is memory price really starting to hurt the business? Because its up, up, up, up, up. And you know, the executive says. . .memory price hikes definitely have had an impact but we see a little bit softer market. Little bit softer market? Weve taken Micron up and up and up, youre telling me there could be a little bit softer market? So you will see those stocks, and thats when we think about that, even though Seagate is disk, even though we know Western Dig is disk, we know Sandisk is disk, youre going these stocks down just because of that one line.

Jim Cramer Isn't Worried About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's (TSM) Share Price Weakness

While we acknowledge the potential of TSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
Columbus City Schools and the Columbus Education Association have reached a "comprehensive conceptual agreement" on pay and other issues for the next two years, the teachers' union said.

On April 24, the Columbus Education Association  which represents nearly 5,000 CCS teachers, librarians and other faculty  posted on Facebook that the union's negotiators had reached an agreement with Columbus City Schools for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years.

Details of the agreement were not immediately available. The CCS Board of Education and CEA membership both need to approve the deal before it takes effect.

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CEA President John Coneglio said that the contract is "not perfect, but fair," and said it was good to have board President Antoinette Miranda at the bargaining table.

"They came to the table with issues they wanted fixed, and we came to the table with issues we wanted fixed, and we worked through those things in a collaborative manner," Coneglio said.

Columbus City Schools issued this statement: "We are pleased to be ending this school year strong with our students, preparing to graduate with our seniors, and to have reached a comprehensive conceptual agreement with CEA on our teachers' labor contract."

The district said it looks forward to "continued productive negotiations" with its labor unions, the Columbus School Employees Association and Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 581, which represents school safety and security employees.

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In 2025, the district and CEA agreed to a new three-year contract. However, the approved contract included a 2.25% raise for the first year. Raises in the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years would be subject to further negotiations between the union and the district.

In addition to the 2025 raises, CEA members also secured new caseload language for the number of special education students and English-language learners assigned to an instructor, and school safety improvements.

The contract negotiations come amid an ongoing budget crisis in the district. In late 2025, the district approved $50 million in cuts, including teaching positions, and is expected to have to make significant additional cuts to address budget challenges.

Coneglio said the budget challenges "factor into everything" during negotiations.

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"We are in the backdrop of a hundred million dollars in cuts, so it's important we're on the same page and trying to work toward issues that are important to both of us, but also understanding we are in a tough situation," Coneglio said.

District moves past 2022 CEA strike

The 2025 agreement meant the district will avoid a repeat of the three-day teacher's strike in 2022, when hundreds of CCS teachers, librarians, nurses and counselors in the CEA lined up along with some students and parents on the scheduled first day of classes and waved picket signs at buildings across Columbus City Schools, calling for the Board of Education to come to the negotiating table.

Early in those negotiations, CEA was asking for an 8% increase at each step of the salary scale for the contract years. The agreement ultimately approved by the union in 2022 included 4% pay increases, guarantees for air conditioning in every school, and reduced classroom sizes.

Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Education Association reaches agreement with CCS
Tax assessments, which inform property values and taxes, will soon appear in the mail, leaving some homeowners wondering what comes next, but a webinar on Tuesday, April 28, aims to help answer those questions.

The event is virtual and organized by Take Root Milwaukee, a local housing resource organization, and Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.

During the event, speakers from the City of Milwaukee Assessor's Office, Housing Resources Inc. and other local organizations will speak about what the tax assessment is, how to appeal, and how to plan for the upcoming tax season if your property value has gone up.

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"The time to appeal an assessment is pretty tight," said Emmett Gross, home retention manager with Housing Resources, Inc.

"You really need to take action right away."

What is a property assessment?

Every year, the City Assessor's Office evaluates properties across Milwaukee to determine how much each property is worth.

That dollar amount helps determine what homeowners pay in property taxes, but the final tax rate is not determined until factors like budgets for the city and other taxing units, including Milwaukee Public Schools, are set in the fall, according to previous Journal Sentinel reporting.

Property values are assessed and updated annually in mid-April, according to the city website.

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Residents can appeal the assessment when they disagree with the city's assessment of their property's value.

Each appeal is a multi-part process, including an informal review, a meeting and a formal appeal  during which the homeowner will need to provide information about the property showing why they think the assessment is incorrect.

Instructions to appeal, are also available on the back of the property assessment mailed to the homeowner.

The deadline to appeal an assessment is Monday, May 18., according to the city website.

How to join the upcoming tax assessment webinar:

Registration: Click the link to register for the webinar.

Date: Tuesday, April 28.

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Time: 5:30 p.m.

Other Resources for Homeowners

Residents with questions can reach out directly to the Assessor's Office through a portal called "Ask the Assessor".

Housing Resources Inc. offers virtual classes for homeowners to help them manage their money, look for loans, grants and other funds to help purchase a house.

Everett Eaton covers Harambee for the Journal Sentinels Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact: eeaton@usatodayco.com.

Neighborhood Dispatch reporting is supported by Bader Philanthropies, Zilber Foundation, Journal Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: JS Community Journalism) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689

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The JS Community-Funded Journalism Project is made possible through our partnership with Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association, and EnMotive, LLC, a subsidiary of USA TODAY Co., Inc. USA TODAY Co., Inc. is the parent company of this publication.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Webinar aims to help Milwaukee homeowners understand tax assessments
In the North Bay, police say a string of copper wire thefts is leaving some residents without phone or internet. They say brazen thieves are stealing the copper wire from telephone lines. It's happening in Western Sonoma County where neighbors are now on the lookout.

A dial tone is like music to Bob Hirsch. He's been without a landline phone and Wi-Fi for the past week.

"We made several calls Tuesday, they said they would have it fixed Friday, on Friday they said they would have it fixed Saturday," said Hirsch.

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Bob learned it wasn't a quick fix. Thieves cut the phone lines near his house off Bodega Highway in Sebastopol to steal the copper inside.

MORE: Man arrested after cutting 50 ft. of copper wire at South SF Caltrain station, causing $5K in damage

"It's amazing no one has caught these people, they're climbing up poles and letting down these huge wires," he added.

We found AT&T crews working to fix the vandalized lines and it's not the only spot.

On the south side of town, a small army of repair crews- working to replace more wire which had been cut for the copper off Highway 116.

Dom Gof works at the Wild Poppy Cafe near one of the telephone pole targets.

MORE: AG Rob Bonta promises to crack down on copper wire thefts plaguing CA

"I know the sheriff cam in yesterday asking about security footage that we might've had of the theft, it's crazy, they're stealing it in broad daylight I heard," said Gof.

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In a statement, AT&T says :

"Our crews are working as quickly as possible to bring landline phone service back online due to recent copper theft cuts... vandalism of critical communications infrastructure are serious crimes that disrupt service for customers, public safety, and the broader community."

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Department is investigating as copper wire thefts cases continue grow. Last month, the department says it busted two copper wire theft suspects, and another person for operating an illegal scrap metal business where police say, stolen copper was being bought.

Hirsch says his phone service is finally back but he's got a warning to his West County neighbors.

"Community, lookout this is a hazard to our existence, they're cutting off our communications," said Hirsch.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

.
SUNBURY  In a recent report by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Analysis of Pennsylvania Crime Trends shows crime is down.

According to officials from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a new research report examining crime trends across the states rural and urban counties from 2013 through 2023 was down across the state.

The study was authored by Brandon Vick, Robert Orth and Emily Schumacher of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Angel Alcantara of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

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The report found that overall crime declined statewide during the study period, while also identifying several areas where rural crime trends differ from urban patterns. Among the findings: Rural counties experienced higher violent offense rates than urban counties (excluding Philadelphia County) in recent years, along with higher rates of DUI and drug offenses. The report also highlights variation across Pennsylvanias rural regions and points to the value of county-level data in shaping local and statewide responses.

This research gives policymakers and local leaders a clearer picture of how crime trends are changing across rural Pennsylvania, Zachary L. Adams, executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, said.

While overall crime has declined, the report also shows that some types of crime continue to affect rural communities differently than urban ones. These findings can help inform discussions about public safety, resource needs, and how best to support communities across the commonwealth.

According to the reports key findings, overall crime trends from 2013 to 2023 show that the total number of criminal offenses in Pennsylvania dropped by roughly 21 percent, from 2,408 offenses per 10,000 people in 2013 to 1,962 in 2023.

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The total number of criminal offenses in rural and urban counties (minus Philadelphia) declined by 21 percent and 25 percent, respectively, the report states.

Most of the decreases in overall rural crime rates stemmed from falling numbers of property crimes and public order violations.

Property crimes made up one-third of total crimes in 2023 and have been the most prevalent category of crimes over the timeframe of the study. Rural and urban counties had substantial drops in the more severe Part I offenses  43 percent and 38 percent.

Part I offenses include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson and human trafficking.

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Both rural and urban county groups experienced steady declines in Part II offense rates since 2013.

Since 2021, rural counties have had slightly higher Part II rates than urban counties with offenses that include simple assault, driving under the influence, drug offenses, fraud, vandalism, disorderly conduct and other less severe public order and property offenses as defined by the FBIs UCR Program.

Milton state trooper Sara Barrett said crime trends from high to low at all times of the year, and its hard to determine exact numbers.

There are times when things are really busy and then there are times when things slow down, Barrett said. It varies each year and month to month to day to day.

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Sunbury Police Chief Brad Slack said the city has not necessarily felt a decline in minor crimes, but violent crimes are down.

We havent had as many violent crimes, but its more that the people who were committing these types of crimes were getting arrested, so it slowed down, Slack said.

Slack said the department is still receiving several calls.

We are making fewer arrests but getting more calls for service, he said. We have 100 percent success rate on major crimes, but we are seeing an increase in minor crimes and especially an increase in retail thefts.

Milton Police Chief Curt Zettlemoyer said drug-related issues have slowed down in the borough, which means other crimes have also slowed down.

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Zettlemoyer said calls for service vary month to month.

Shamokin Police Chief Ray Siko said he has not seen the trend in the city.

We are showing a bit of a rise in minor crimes, he said. As for violent crimes, we are not seeing it decrease at this time.

Siko said he has also seen a rise in retail theft crimes in Shamokin.

Northumberland County District Attorney Michael ODonnell said the county as a whole has seen a decrease.

In 2024-2025, we have seen about a 12 percent decrease, he said. This is less than the state average but still an overall decrease in crime.
NEED TO KNOW

A class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges that Trader Joe's sold customers coffee with significantly less caffeine than expected

Plaintiffs claim the product contains about half the caffeine of typical coffee and is not labeled as reduced-caffeine like decaf or half-caff options

The plaintiffs seek damages and removal of the product from shelves, arguing that consumers rely on caffeine to get through the day

Several people have filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe's, claiming that the retailer sold them coffee containing significantly less caffeine than expected.

The class-action lawsuit was filed in California on Thursday, April 23, according to court documents obtained by NBC News, CBS News and the New York Post.

A Trader Joe's California location

Credit: Getty

The complaint, which was filed by customers in California, New York and Illinois, alleges that Trader Joe's-branded French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee contains half the caffeine of typical coffee blends, according to the outlets.

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However, the complaint states that there is nothing on the product's label that indicates a customer is purchasing a coffee blend with reduced caffeine, per the outlets.

Trader Joe's Low Acid French Roast Coffee

Credit: Trader Joe's

For example, full caffeinated coffee does not have any special labeling denoting that it is fully caffeinated, but 'decaf' and 'half-caff' coffees are labeled as such. Here, the product does not disclose that it is 'decaf' and 'half-caff' coffee, the complaint states, per NBC News.

The customers are now seeking damages from the company, claiming that many people rely on caffeine to function effectively.

"It is so common that it is now cliche that coffee drinkers depend on the caffeine contained therein to provide them with the energy they need to get through the day. Accordingly, the amount of caffeine in a coffee blend affects a consumer's purchasing decision," the complaint states, per CBS News.

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The plaintiffs are additionally requesting that Trader Joe's stop selling the product, which they say contains misleading marketing, according to the outlet.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

PEOPLE reached out to Trader Joe's, as well as Trenton Kashima, an attorney representing multiple plaintiffs, for comment on the lawsuit, but did not receive an immediate response.

Read the original article on People
Washington (DC News Now)  The DC Council is expected to vote this week on extending the use of curfew zones in the city. The council is moving forward with a permanent proposal which would allow the use long term, but doesnt go into effect immediately.

DC News Nows City & Government reporter, Mariel Carbone, joins Capitol Review.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
President Donald Trump is facing questions over whether he fell asleep in the Oval Office again.

A video clip of Trump leaning over the Resolute Desk with his eyes closed went viral on social media platform X on Thursday, sparking concerns over whether the president actually fell asleep during the event. This is hardly the first time speculation has swirled over whether Trump, 79, has trouble staying awake during official events.

Journalist Aaron Rupar, who shared the video clip of Trump with his eyes closed, said the president was about to hit REM on camera during an Oval Office event, adding its just incredible.

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Many X users reposted Rupars video clip and criticized Trump for appearing to doze off.

Hes so tuckered out. Poor guy works 4 hour days what do you expect???!!! said former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).

A political account with the username, Angry Staffer, joked that Trump lost the war against wokeness.

A political commentator with the handle, JojoFromJerz, said the video was f---ing embarrassing.

CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner suggested that Trump might have a medical issue if he is falling asleep during meetings.

When a patient tells me that they cant stay awake in meetings, we do formal sleep testing to look for sleep apnea. Im sure the White House medical team has done this, but the president continues to struggle with daytime somnolence. This is a common problem, and there are things that can can be done to improve these symptoms, Reiner wrote.

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Many X users criticized the media for not paying enough attention to Trump appearing to fall asleep during the meeting.

Democratic activist Harry Sisson posted: Trump fell asleep in the Oval Office again today and it barely got any coverage because it happens so often. Were so cooked.

One user posted: there is a new video of the President falling asleep during official White House business on a monthly basis and literally nobody in the mainstream political media gives a s---.

Another user wrote: The medias complete and utter lack of interest in this (not to mention the right hand thats constantly slathered in concealer) after doing armchair neurology and chasing Joe Biden out of office f---ing infuriates me every time I see a clip like this.

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Trump has denied falling asleep at White House events despite being photographed with his eyes shut and body slumped over. In January, he dismissed reports that he keeps falling asleep during White House meetings.

Its boring as hell, he told New York magazine. Im going around a room, and Ive got 28 guys  the last one was three and a half hours. I have to sit back and listen, and I move my hand so that people will know Im listening. Im hearing every word, and I cant wait to get out.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A new survey by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation finds a distressing number of young residents plan to leave the region, pointing to affordability, quality of life, and career opportunities as key concerns.

After the first initial survey in 2023, the Chamber Foundation issued a follow up survey for 2026 to continue the urgent work of retaining young residents in Greater Boston.

The survey was given to 600 young people from 20 to 30 years of age in in the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk.

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26% of young residents reported they are likely to leave Greater Boston in the next five years, which is similar to the 2023 survey results.

Of the respondents who may move, half plan to move within the state of Massachusetts and half plan to move out of state.

Among the young residents considering leaving the Northeast, 46% are looking to move to the Southeast and Southwest.

When deciding to stay or leave Greater Boston, young residents said the most important factors to them are job availability, cost of rent, safety, and the ability to buy a home.

79% of young residents surveyed responded that job availability is important, 78% of young residents surveyed responded that the cost of rent is important, 79% of young residents surveyed responded that safety important, and 72% of young residents surveyed responded that the ability to buy a home is important.

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As the region struggles with a housing crisis, young residents across demographics shared concerns regarding housing availability and affordability. When asked about the most urgent issues for local leaders, respondents noted that housing, health care accessibility, and availability of quality jobs should be prioritized, the survey states.

50% of young residents surveyed responded that housing is affordable should be a top priority, 37% of young residents surveyed responded that health care accessibility is a priority, and 34% of young residents surveyed responded that the availability of quality jobs.

There is also a concerning decline in satisfaction of day-to-day life, according to the survey.

79% of young residents report salinification with day-to-day life in Greater Boston in 2026, which decreased from 89% in 2023. Although there is a decline in day-to-day satisfaction, 64% of young residents report ease in building community in 2026, which increased 17% since 2023.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
WASHINGTON  Its a pretty simple question: Did Donald Trump lose the presidential election in 2020?

The answer is yes, clearly. Trump lost to Joe Biden.

Politics: What We Know About The Suspect In The White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting

Trump has always, to put it lightly, had difficulty accepting this basic fact. And refusing to acknowledge it now appears to be a basic condition for securing Trumps appointment to a powerful government post, with dozens of his nominees twisting themselves in knots to avoid saying he lost in 2020.

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All 40 of his nominees to lifetime federal judgeships so far have given misleading or false responses to questions about the 2020 election in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Demand Justice, a progressive judicial advocacy group, has been analyzing judicial nominees written responses to questions from senators on the panel and found they are nearly identical in their strangely worded, evasive characterizations of the election.

All have been directly asked by the committee, Did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election? Instead of just saying yes, they have either pointed to Bidens certification by Congress or said Biden served as president. Both responses allow them to skip the part about Biden actually winning the election and move on to him simply becoming president.

This is the same tactic Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill have longused to avoid publicly contradicting Trumps lies about the 2020 election.

Politics: Bill Maher Slams 1 Exhausting Trump Trait Emerging Every Day Of His Iran War

Our theory from the beginning was that this was a litmus test for Trump, Josh Orton, Demand Justices president, told HuffPost. These district judges are announced on Truth Social; they know they could have their nominations pulled just as quickly on Truth Social.

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Orton is referring to Trumps social media website, where he randomly makes major news or has full-blown meltdowns in the middle of the night.

Judicial nominees refusals to plainly state that Biden won in 2020 is the show of their loyalty to Trump, he added, their willingness to continue this lie about losing the 2020 election and attempting to overthrow the government.

Trumps court picks have also been avoiding another basic question: Was the U.S. Capitol attacked by a violent mob on January 6, 2021? None of Trumps 40 court picks have said yes, per Demand Justices analysis, with the vast majority characterizing the violence of that day as a political debate or political issue.

Politics: The Trump Admins Lawyers Keep Giving The Same Troubling Answer In Court

One of Trumps now-confirmed judges, Maria Ann Lanahan, who sits on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, offered an even more bizarre response: I was not present at the U.S. Capitol at the time. I do not have personal knowledge of the details.

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OK! Heres some easy-to-find and nightmarish footage if shes confused.

As a nominee, U.S. District Court Judge Maria Ann Lanahan said she couldn't speak to whether the U.S. Capitol was attacked by a violent mob of pro-Donald Trump agitators on Jan. 6, 2021, because, I was not present at the U.S. Capitol at the time." Senate Judiciary Committee

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

The question of whether Trump lost the 2020 election has begun spilling over into hearings with some of his nominees to high-level administration posts, and theyve given the same contorted answers. Last month, during his confirmation hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin squirmed his way out of giving a direct response.

Who won the 2020 election? Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) asked him.

Politics: The Surprising Trend That Hampered Trumps Ability To Confirm Judges In 2025

Maam, we know that President Joe Biden was sworn into office, Mullin replied. He was the president for the last four years.

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The same thing happened again this week, when Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) posed the question to Kevin Warsh, Trumps nominee to the Federal Reserve.

Mr. Warsh, did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election? she asked.

Uh, we try to keep politics, if Im confirmed, out of the Federal Reserve, Warsh said.

Politics: New Term, New Judges: Trump 2.0 Is Likely Going For Court Picks Loyal To Him

Im just asking a factual question, she interjected. After some back and forth, Warsh dodged the question again: I believe that this body certified this election many years ago.

The avoidance of this question has become such a trend among Trumps nominees going before the Senate Judiciary Committee that its chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), addressed it head-on at the start of a hearing last week. Except he brought it up to criticize Democrats for having relentlessly attacked the presidents court picks over it.

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Under our constitutional system, whoever is certified as receiving the majority vote from the Electoral College is the winner of the election, Grassley said. Not accepting this basic principle of our Constitution, some of my Democratic colleagues have followed up with political theater, asking who won the popular vote in these elections.

He said Democrats asking judicial nominees who won the popular vote in 2020 was particularly silly because, of course, none of the nominees counted ballots.

Orton laughed at the Republican chairs defense.

You can tell what a problem its become if Grassley is trying to prebut it before the questions start, he said. Even by his standard, those nominees have failed. He said the winner was the one who got the most electoral votes, not the one who Congress certifies.

Trump's nominees are twisting themselves into pretzels to avoid saying out loud that he lost the presidential election in 2020. via Associated Press

In that same hearing, Sen. **** Durbin (Ill.), the top Democrat on the panel, went on to press another judicial nominee, U.S. appeals court nominee Justin Smith, about whether Trump lost the 2020 election. Smith repeatedly gave convoluted answers that avoided answering the question.

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Will you acknowledge that President Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden? Durbin asked.

The Electoral College cast their votes in December of 2020, Smith replied. In January of 2021, Congress met to open and count those votes, and as a result of that process, Congress certified Joe Biden as the president.

Who won the popular vote in the 2020 election? Durbin pressed.

I want to be very clear that, as a lawyer, looking at the Constitution, its the Electoral College that matters, and that process played forth in December of 2020 and January of 2021, Smith said.

The Illinois senator had had enough.

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At some point, there is going to be a video Im sure that will be released [in] which well watch the painful explanation by every nominee from the Trump White House for the federal bench as to why they couldnt answer the basic question every single person in this room knows is true, Durbin said.

Donald Trump lost the election in 2020 to Joe Biden. He may have regretted it. He may have denied it, but its a fact, he added. The reason we continue to engage in these political gymnastics is a question about whether or not you can ever say no to Donald Trump when it comes to any future service. And that is a basic concern.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Don't miss this SpaceX rocket launch. How to watch California mission

For the sixth time in April, a SpaceX rocket is due to launch from the southern coast of California.

Ahead, the commercial spaceflight company's Falcon 9 rocket will be lifting off and climbing into the sky on a mission to deploy SpaceX's Starlink broadband internet satellites.

Plenty of places have become go-to spots for spectators eager to glimpse the rocket getting off the ground from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. But of course, you can also stay at home and watch a livestream of the mission, scheduled for pretty early in the morning  on a Sunday, no less.

Here's everything to know about the latest SpaceX mission, and how to watch a webcast of the Falcon 9 launching in Santa Barbara County.

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California rocket launches: California ends 2025 with record number of rocket launches. What's next?

Is there a rocket launch today? Next liftoff from California

SpaceX is working toward a Sunday, April 26, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 7 a.m. PT. The launch will take place from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.

What is launching from Vandenberg? Falcon 9 to deploy Starlink satellites

SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, an altitude nearer Earth's atmosphere where they're able to circle the planet quickly.

How to watch SpaceX launch livestream

Californians, of course, have plenty of opportunities to see a rocket in person both near the launch site as it lifts off, and further away as it soars overhead.

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But SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its missions for those who prefer to watch from home or for those viewing the launch locally and looking for updates in real-time.

As with most SpaceX missions, the launch will be available to stream on the company's website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about five minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.

Does Elon Musk own SpaceX? What to know about rocket company

SpaceX is the commercial spaceflight company that billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded in 2002 and leads as the CEO.

SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.

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As a major government contractor, SpaceX serves as the launch service provider for a variety of government missions both civil and military.

For the Department of Defense, SpaceX's Falcon 9 helps launch classified satellites and other payloads into space. And for NASA, Falcon 9 most often helps propel astronauts to the International Space Station on SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule  the only U.S vehicle capable of carrying NASA astronauts to orbit.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is SpaceX's internet satellite business.

With more than 10,000 satellites in its growing orbital constellation, Starlink has become a lucrative part of Musk's business empire, serving millions of customers around the world.

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Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: You can watch a livestream of this Vandenberg rocket launch. Here's how
Executive Vice President and CFO Mike McLamb reported fiscal second quarter revenue of $527 million . McLamb said management expected revenue to be down year-over-year, but results were softer than expected due to the increased global uncertainty. He attributed most of the decline to a 15% decrease in same-store sales, driven by lower new and used boat revenue.

McGill also said the company is seeing resilience in premium segments, citing strong results at recent boat shows, including the Palm Beach International Boat Show, and continued strength in superyacht service operations.

Despite that backdrop, MarineMax posted gross margin of 34.4% , which McGill said expanded 440 basis points year-over-year due to strength in higher-margin businesses. He pointed to finance and insurance, parts and service, brokerage, superyacht services, and the companys marina portfolio, including IGY, as revenue streams that provided balance and margin stability, helping to offset cyclicality of retail boat sales.

Chief Executive Officer and President Brett McGill said macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical dynamics weighed on consumer confidence during the quarter, contributing to double-digit unit declines for the industry. While MarineMax outperformed the broader market, McGill said the company was certainlynot immune from the impact, and noted that retail demand and margins for new and used boats remained pressured during the quarter.

MarineMax (NYSE:HZO) executives said the companys fiscal 2026 second quarter results reflected a difficult retail environment for new and used boats, while higher-margin businesses helped support profitability and drove a sharp year-over-year improvement in consolidated gross margin.

MarineMax finished the quarter with $189 million cash, inventories down roughly $130 million to $845 million , reaffirmed fiscal2026 guidance of Adjusted EBITDA $110125 million and adjusted EPS $0.40$0.95 , and said trends have been improving into April.

Fiscal Q2 revenue was $527 million with samestore sales down about 15% ; adjusted EBITDA was $23.9 million and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.04 versus $0.24 a year ago.

Retail demand weakened amid macro and geopolitical uncertainty, but a shift toward highermargin businesses lifted consolidated gross margin to 34.4% , an expansion of 440 basis points yearoveryear.

Story Continues

McLamb said comparable units were down in the mid-single digits, which he described as much better than the industry overall. He also noted the average unit selling price declined due to mix, and said the prior-year quarter benefited from delayed hurricane-related closings in Florida that increased last years mix of larger boats.

 3M Stock Pulls Back, But Catalysts Point to New Highs

On profitability, McLamb echoed the mix shift described by McGill, saying higher-margin businesses all performed well in the quarter, growing as a percentage of revenue and also year-over-year in absolute dollars. He added that SG&A expenses (excluding certain items) rose slightly year-over-year, partly because some higher-margin businesses come with a higher expense structure and because the company increased marketing in a tougher environment.

Interest expense declined by more than $3.5 million, which McLamb attributed to lower inventory and lower rates. Adjusted EBITDA was $23.9 million, down from $30.9 million a year earlier, reflecting lower new and used boat sales that were partially offset by our stronger margin mix. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.04 compared with $0.24 last year.

Balance sheet and inventory positioning

McLamb said MarineMax ended the quarter with $189 million of cash. Inventories declined about $130 million year-over-year to $845 million and were also down from fiscal year-endan outcome he called encouraging given inventories typically rise seasonally from September through March.

Customer deposits increased sequentially and year-over-year to about $62 million. In response to analyst questions, McLamb said the rise reflected momentum that built later in March, including deposits tied to deals written during the month. He said the trend supported the companys view that the back half could improve versus last years weaker period after Labor Day.

McLamb also said the company improved its current ratio and total liabilities to tangible net worth ratio while maintaining net debt to adjusted EBITDA of just over 2x at quarter end. He told analysts MarineMax feels good about the quality and aging of inventory and believes it is setup in a great inventory position entering the back half of the year.

Business updates: IGY, technology investments, and new models

McGill said IGY is performing well and continues to benefit from its reputation as a luxury marina operator. He highlighted that IGY renewed its relationship with St. Katharine Docks in London and was appointed marina advisor for the Il Monte Galala Towers and Marina project on Egypts Red Sea coast, describing the engagement as a capital-light, advisory-driven way to deploy IGYs expertise.

McGill also emphasized MarineMaxs technology efforts through New Wave Innovations. He said the companys technology portfolio includes Boatyard, a platform for marine service management, and noted Boatyard subscribers rose 47% as the tool gains traction.

In manufacturing-related updates, McGill said both Cruisers and Intrepid launched new models that are being well-received, adding that launching new models can help brands gain share, particularly in a tough market environment.

Guidance reaffirmed; management cites improving trends into April

McLamb said MarineMax reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook despite the revenue softness in the quarter. The company maintained guidance for:

Adjusted EBITDA of $110 million to $125 million

Adjusted net income of approximately $0.40 to $0.95 per diluted share

McLamb said the first half of the fiscal year was expected to be more difficult due to tougher comparisons, and that the company is now starting to lap the weaker post-Labor Day period from last year, which should create more favorable comparisons. He said the full-year outlook assumes industry unit volumes range from modestly down to modestly up, with same-store sales expected to be flattish, supported by favorable mix and improvements during the summer selling season.

On margins, McLamb said retail margin pressure persisted in the first half, but the company expects industry conditions to modestly improve in the back half. He also said MarineMax remains confident it can sustain consolidated gross margins in the low 30% range for the year, driven by growth in higher-margin segments and modest improvement in boat margins.

Discussing recent demand trends, McLamb said April trends generally have been up versus last year, adding that since early March the company has seen periods of strong retail trends followed by weaker periods, but overall trends have been improving. In the Q&A, McLamb said January was reasonably well, February was a little lighter, and March started soft but finished pretty well, with momentum building later in the month.

Looking forward, McGill said geopolitical uncertainty and broader macroeconomic conditions may continue to influence consumer behavior, but he said continued growth in higher-margin businesses provides flexibility and resilience while positioning MarineMax for long-term value creation.

About MarineMax (NYSE:HZO)

MarineMax, Inc is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HZO and is one of the largest recreational boat and yacht retailers in the United States. The company markets new and used motor yachts, sailing yachts, sport boats and personal watercraft, acting as an authorized dealer for leading manufacturers. In addition to boat sales, MarineMax provides service and maintenance, parts and accessory sales, training and education, and marina operations.

Operating through a network of sales centers, service facilities and marinas, MarineMax serves coastal and inland markets across the continental U.S.

The article "MarineMax Q2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
A 95-year-old driver who drove into a woman as she walked her dog, causing fatal head injuries, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Joan Barwick was "simply not looking at what was in front of her" when she hit grandmother Linda Wareham, 77, in Oldswinford, Stourbridge, on 17 April last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Barwick, of Walker Avenue, in Wollescote, Dudley, was turning right into a petrol station forecourt in Hagley Road while Wareham was crossing but failed to stop to let her cross, the court heard.

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Barwick was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, having already pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

She is also disqualified from driving for 10 years.

The court heard that Barwick, who was driving a red Vauxhall Corsa, would have had seven seconds to see Mrs Wareham before the collision occurred, but was focused on a disabled parking space that she had spotted was free.

Wareham suffered catastrophic head injuries, and her life support was turned off at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham the next day.

'Simply not looking'

The victim's tearful husband and daughter left the courtroom as CCTV footage of the moment she was hit by Barwick's car was played.

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Prosecution counsel Tim Harrington said Barwick was "not paying proper attention to what was in front of her".

Harrington said: "She was driving at an appropriate speed and had slowed down to 10mph but that should have meant she would see any pedestrian crossing her path, so Mrs Barwick was simply not looking at what was in front of her.

"Instead, she was looking towards an available parking space on [the] forecourt.

"As she drove slowly into the garage, she didn't see Mrs Wareham, who was walking quite normally with her dog.

"She was driving at such a speed that she would have been able to stop had she seen her, perhaps making this all the more tragic."

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Harrington said Barwick, who was 94 at the time of the collision, had an "unblemished" driving record but said Wareham was a vulnerable road user who had right of way.

'Cruelly taken'

Defending, Paul Lewis said Barwick had "genuine remorse" for what had happened and had surrendered her driving licence following the fatal collision.

He urged Judge Michael Chambers KC to suspend any custodial sentence, saying imprisonment would reduce her life expectancy to months.

In a victim impact statement, Wareham's husband Peter said the couple had met at the age of 15 and had shared 60 years of life together but he had now been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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He said: "She was caring and selfless She was good fun and independent. She enjoyed a life of good health.

"All that ended on the 18th of April when my wife was cruelly taken."

Mrs Wareham's daughter Joanne Willetts said: "I cannot accept she isn't coming back.

"I carry a quiet sadness that will be with me the rest of my life.

"To lose my mum so tragically is heartbreaking for me and my children."

Sentencing, Judge Chambers said: "Mrs Wareham was clear for everyone to see as she progressed along the pavement. I'm quite satisfied Mrs Wareham is entirely blameless.

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"She was entitled to expect you to stop and respect the fact she had right of way on the pavement."

He added: "The Crown accepts that it can be inferred you were not paying proper attention as you should have done.

"The Crown accepts that in January prior to this offence, you reapplied for your licence, and it was accepted that your sight was satisfactory to continue driving."

Suspending the sentence he imposed, Judge Chambers said a period in custody would have a "significant impact" on the defendant.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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A stranded humpback whale, whose fate has gripped Germany and beyond for more than a month, remained lying in shallow waters off the island of Poel near Wismar on the Baltic Sea coast on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Environment Ministry of the north-eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern said no information on the current state of the 12-metre whale's health could be provided.

Dozens of big bags filled with sand are currently being loaded onto a floating platform at Kirchdorf, the island's main harbour. They are to be used to support the whale in the gully where it is lying and to keep it from entering even shallower waters.

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According to a local businessman in charge of the excavation work, a channel of some 100 metres leading to deeper water should be completed during the course of Saturday, with a private initiative aiming to guide the whale out to sea on Sunday or Monday.

Kirsten Tonnies, the vet employed by the initiative, said on Friday evening that the barge to be used for the attempted rescue had been delayed. Tonnies was unable to say when it would be ready.

The whale, nicknamed Timmy by German media, briefly swam free on Monday after being stuck for three weeks in one spot but stopped after about two hours near the entrance of Wismar Bay, which leads to the Baltic Sea.

A tracking device has since been attached in case it moves again.

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Timmy has been stranded in Wismar Bay since March 31 after repeatedly running aground in previous weeks at various points along the Baltic coast.

Authorities had authorized a last-ditch private rescue mission last week after several attempts by government-backed rescuers failed to free the animal, with fears rising that it might perish off the German coast.
Turning Point USA CEO and chair Erika Kirk helped organize the White House listening session this month that put disgruntled Make America Healthy Again advocates in the same room with President Donald Trump, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and their leading advisers, according to two people inside the Trump administration and two people familiar with the meeting, granted anonymity to discuss the details.

Its one of the first and most prominent examples of Kirk helping the Trump administration keep its coalition together ahead of what is expected to be a difficult midterm election cycle.

Some of Kirks supporters see the move as a natural continuation of her slain husbands efforts.

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Charlie was a coalition builder, right? Like, he tried to bring these groups together, said one of the people involved in setting up the White House meeting. Erika, kind of taking the reins in that way and seeing what she could do, it's exactly how Charlie also operated and handled issues like this.

Kirks role in suggesting a conversation between frustrated MAHA influencers and the president they helped elect has not been previously reported, and it highlights how she might in the future use her clout to unify MAGA factions.

Kirk, through a spokesperson, declined to comment.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump administration officials are in routine contact with MAHA stakeholders and influencers to hear their concerns, questions, and suggestions, and the April MAHA roundtable was one of many such engagements that have been productive for everyone involved.

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The mid-April meeting followed months of criticism from MAHA advocates over Trumps executive order to shore up domestic supply of glyphosate, the key ingredient in herbicides like Roundup, and support for Roundups owner, Bayer, at the Supreme Court in a case that could limit the companys liability. Many in the MAHA movement believe glyphosate, widely used by farmers to kill weeds, causes cancer and other harmful health effects.

Alex Clark, who hosts a podcast for Turning Point USA, was particularly vocal, criticizing the administration for dismissing what she sees as a key issue to the MAHA base.

WE ARE IN A MIDTERM YEAR @GOP, IF YOU WANT MAHA VOTERS, ACT LIKE IT, she wrote on X in February.

Kirk, responding to outreach from the White House, suggested that the administration engage with Clark and others, an idea that was also raised and encouraged by people like White House senior adviser Calley Means, an integral figure in the MAHA movement, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt, according to two of the four people.

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There was ultimately wide recognition that the White House should invite MAHA influencers to a listening session, one senior administration official said, aiming to get through the criticism by engaging with it. Other issues, including the stalled nomination for Casey Means to be U.S. Surgeon General and the war in Iran, were causing friction in the movement as well.

The White House asked Secretary Kennedy and his team to compile the 10 biggest criticizers of that action, people that have been very tough on the administration, and they invited them to the White House, Calley Means said at the POLITICO Health Care Summit on Tuesday.

Attendees included Clark, Kelly Ryerson, known online as Glyphosate Girl, nutritionist and MAHA influencer Courtney Swan, and others.

The women said they leftfeeling that the White Housewas receptive to their frustrations and recommendations for course corrections  though they continue to warn that the administration will not secure MAHA votes in the midterms without action.

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On Monday, MAHA influencer Vani Hari, known for her blog Food Babe, expects over 1,000 people to attend a protest shes organizing at the Supreme Court on the day of Bayers arguments to convey just that.

If there is no real progress, if there [are] no real promises made to correct this, then those women are going to stay home and be with their children, and they're not going to feel called to go vote, Hari said.

Women don't come out to vote for glyphosate and war, she said, lumping in the Roundup fight with the war in Iran. They just don't.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  A painful fuel crunch and soaring oil and gas prices triggered by the Iran war have nudged the European Union to look hard into funding alternative energy routes in the Middle East to circumvent hot spots like the Strait of Hormuz.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that the EU is ready to work with Persian Gulf countries for new projects conveying energy to global markets that wouldnt be held hostage to war or geopolitical strife.

"The events of the past month have taught us a hard lesson, von der Leyen told a news conference at the end of an informal meeting of EU leaders in the capital of Cyprus. Our security is not just related, it is intrinsically linked. A threat to a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is a threat to a factory, for example, in Belgium.

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The EU executive called for ramping up defense ties and promoted the bloc's maritime security mission in the Red Sea as a possible naval security option in the Persian Gulf, but focused her public remarks on European support for repairing and building Middle East energy sites.

Diversification of Middle East energy infrastructure

We are also ready to team up with the Gulf countries to diversify export infrastructure away from solely the bottleneck of the Hormuz Strait," she said, also offering to help repair Gulf energy infrastructure damaged in the war.

A fifth of the world's oil and gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but the war has largely closed the waterway, spiking fuel prices.

Early Friday, Brent crude was up 98 cents at $100.33 a barrel. U.S. benchmark crude picked up 81 cents to $96.66 per barrel.

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Von der Leyen repeated that as a result of the oil and gas price hikes, the 27-nation blocs energy bill in the last 43 days skyrocketed by 25 billion euros ($29.3 billion.)

Neither she nor European Council President Antonio Costa offered precise details on which projects are being considered or when theyll move forward. But von der Leyen referred to the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor between the EU and the worlds largest democracy.

Von der Leyen said a summit between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council scheduled for later this year will give both sides the opportunity to explore such projects.

The EU's focus on its southern neighbors

The rotating EU presidency is currently held by Cyprus, an island nation adjacent to Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Turkey. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has sought to bring the bloc closer to countries in the Middle East to shore up their economies and bolster their security.

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That focus was underscored by his guests at the EU leaders informal summit: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El Sissi, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi.

We know that Europe needs Syria as much as Syria needs Europe, Al-Sharaa said, while Aoun called on EU support for rebuilding his war-ravaged country.

Costa praised Aoun for banning the military activities of Hezbollah that he called an existential threat to Lebanon, pledging to assist the country in disarming the militant group.

Costa said that the European Union is not part of the conflict, but we will be part of this solution.

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Human rights groups blasted EU leaders for not increasing pressure on Israel over its military campaigns in the Middle East.

EU leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they would not lift sanctions on Iran until a wide array of issues were resolved, including ending its missile program and support for proxies within the region.

Its too early to talk about relief of any kind of sanctions, said Costa.

Cyprus itself came under attack early in the war when a Shahed drone fired from Lebanon on March 2 damaged an aircraft hangar at a British military base on the islands southern coast. Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands dispatched warships with anti-drone capabilities to defend the island.

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That has spurred renewed interest in a clause in the EU's foundational treaties about mutual assistance if a member nation is attacked.

Christodoulides said the EU leaders had agreed to start creating a formal mechanism for such responses because they agreed that ad hoc arrangements are unreliable.

- McNeil reported from Brussels. Associated Press writer Baraa Anwer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia contributed to this report.
A former South Jersey city official was ordered to repay tens of thousands of dollars in sick leave pay she received after leaving her position, state officials said.

The city of Pleasantville obtained a court order requiring its former business administrator to repay more than $83,000 in sick leave payments she received upon leaving city employment.

The city sued its former administrator in Atlantic County Superior Court after a comptrollers investigation found that Pleasantville paid her nearly $165,000 in sick leave and severance pay when she left her position for another role.

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According to the comptrollers report, the sick leave payment was improper because the former administrator left her job voluntarily to take another position within state government, allowing her to remain in the state pension system.

State law caps unused sick leave payments at $15,000 for certain senior employees who retire and bars such payments for employees who leave without retiring.

In November 2025, the state comptroller ordered Pleasantville to seek recovery of the sick leave payment and to revise its severance policy.

This outcome demonstrates the importance of corrective action in protecting taxpayer dollars, Acting State Comptroller Shirley Emehelu said in a statement.

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Court records show the former administrator has questioned her ability to repay the money.

In a letter sent in March, she said the funds were used for living expenses and tax obligations, and that she is not financially able to repay the full amount as ordered.

Requiring immediate repayment now would create additional financial hardship because the money was already taxed and is no longer available to me, the letter states. This further demonstrates that I accepted the funds in good faith and materially relied upon them before any notice of alleged overpayment was provided.

Eric Bernstein, an attorney representing Pleasantville in the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Court records do not list an attorney for the former city official.

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The former administrator first joined the city as a typist clerk in 1999 and became the business administrator in 2011, according to records.

The states discovery of the payout stemmed from a review of Pleasantvilles compensation practices for municipal employees.

The comptrollers report also found flaws in Pleasantvilles severance policy, which pays workers who retire or resign. Severance is typically paid when employers conduct mass layoffs, but Pleasantvilles policy doles out money to workers who quit their jobs, the report states.

Through Pleasantvilles severance policy, the former administrator earned $81,737, which the comptroller called unnecessary, wasteful, and ripe for fraud and abuse.

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Its unclear whether Pleasantville will also ask the former administrator to return her severance payout. Pleasantville Mayor Judy Ward did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The investigation also prompted calls to New Jersey lawmakers for new regulations on severance and sick leave payments to better guard them from abuse.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A Washington family has reached a $350,000 settlement with the Port of Bremerton after their toddler was attacked by a river otter at a marina in September 2024.

The mother and child had to undergo several rabies shots, according to the lawsuit obtained by the Kitsap Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network. The suit also said the attack traumatized other children who witnessed it, which continued to give them nightmares.

The initial lawsuit said the otters were known to be a nuisance at the marina, and had been reported more than a year earlier by multiple parties. The port, in a response to the claims, disputed that aggressive otters had been reported or were known to be present. The port also denied claims that its security systems were insufficient to monitor the marina docks.

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The lawsuit accused the Port of Bremerton of gross negligence and breach of contract for its failure to ensure safety at the marina. The settlement agreement dismisses the lawsuit and claims, and is not an admission of fault by the Port, and was signed by the plaintiff in March.

Port CEO Jim Rothlin told local outlet KOIN 6 both sides agreed neither party was at fault in the incident. Rothlin described the agreement as a compromise over disputed claims and called the attack a tragic accident.

This was a very unfortunate accident, and our thoughts are with the family, Rothlin told the outlet, adding that visitors in areas shared with wildlife should remain alert because animal behavior can be unpredictable.

According to the settlement, 40% of the $350,000 would go to attorneys and other costs, and the payment to the family placed in a trust. The settlement is paid by the Port's insurance company.

Bremerton Marina on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

What happened at the marina?

According to previous statements from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, officers received a report around 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2024, involving a human-river otter encounter at Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County.

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Officials said the childs mother reported that a river otter pulled the young child into the water while they were walking along a dock. The child was dragged underwater and resurfaced moments later. The mother then lifted the toddler out of the water while the otter continued attacking and bit her arm.

Wildlife officials said the animal pursued the family as they left the dock. The child suffered scratches and bites to the head, face and legs and was treated at a hospital in Silverdale.

We are grateful the victim only sustained minor injuries, due to the mothers quick actions and childs resiliency, WDFW Sgt. Ken Balazs said in a statement.

Other animal attacks: Mother dies after protecting 5-year-old son in SoCal dog attack

Otter tested negative for rabies

State wildlife officers contacted U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to trap and remove otters from the marina. One river otter was captured at the scene and tested negative for rabies at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

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WDFW said river otters are common across Washington and can live in freshwater, brackish or saltwater habitats. While human encounters are rare, officials warned otters can be territorial and unpredictable.

The agency said there have been six documented human-river otter incidents in Washington over the last decade.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Washington family gets $350k settlement over otter attack at marina
Doctors and health experts in Hawaii say a decades-old federal program meant to support Native Hawaiians through medical school and better serve some of the islands most underserved communities is under attack after a conservative group filed suit.

For more than 35 years, hundreds of medical students have received support under the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program and, to give back, worked in underserved areas on the islands in the following years.

But Do No Harm, a Utah-based advocacy group, sued the federal government in March, arguing generous financial aid is being withheld from non-Hawaiian students who would be able to apply if they had just one family member of Hawaiian descent hundreds of years ago. The lawsuit seeks to have the program declared unconstitutional and for the scholarships to be opened up to all, regardless of race.

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The group says three of its members tried to apply and were told no because they are not Native Hawaiians.

Our complaint challenging the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program is aimed at ensuring well-deserving applicants can qualify to compete for the financial relief the scholarship provides, Stanley Goldfarb, the chair of the group, said in a statement.

Related: A Hawaiian princess bequeathed her inheritance to her people. The schools they set up are being sued

Sheri-Ann Daniels, the CEO of Papa Ola Lokahi, the body that administers the program on the islands, said the case discounted the need for Native Hawaiians to be able to access equitable healthcare.

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Efforts to dismantle programs like this ignore both the historical context and the ongoing need to safeguard equitable access to care throughout Hawaii, Daniels said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. These scholars represent the next generation of healers for our communities, a presence that uplifts the health of all.

The case is the latest in a multi-pronged, coast-to-coast effort by conservative advocacy groups to unwind programs meant to support minority groups, part of a broader surge that arose after the US supreme court, under a conservative supermajority, ended race-conscious admissions in higher education in 2023.

The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program was established by Congress in 1988, under a law called the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act. The law came in response to a landmark report several years earlier that found Native Hawaiians on the islands lacked accessible healthcare and suffered from disparate rates of morbidity, mortality and chronic disease. Many of those statistics continue today.

Hawaii has the longest life expectancy at birth of any state in the US, but those figures are strikingly different based on ethnic groups. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders have much lower life expectancy when compared with other groups, according to a recent study from the University of Hawaii.

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Nearly 12% of Native Hawaiians also had no health insurance in 2024 compared with 8% of the total US population, according to figures from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The scholarship was modeled after the National Health Service Corps, which has provided thousands of primary care workers with scholarships and loan repayment plans in exchange for their work in historically underserved and rural communities.

Over the past 35 years, the Native Hawaiian healthcare scholarship has helped 324 people receive their education, including 108 nurses, 71 doctors, 49 social workers and many others in fields spanning psychology, dentistry, pharmacy and therapy.

Papa Ola Lokahi said each one of those people has been placed in service to a medically underserved area in Hawaii to serve the communities where care is most needed.

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Most remain in medically underserved communities beyond their obligated service tenures, often rising to positions of leadership, the group said in a statement after the lawsuit. Those postings include community health centers, community-based non-profits on all islands, as well as Hawaiian healthcare systems.

Dr Daniel Garcia, an internist and medical director at the Maui Medical Group, received the Native Hawaiian healthcare scholarship in 1991. At the time, he was living in a garage with limited family support and cleaning peoples yards to get by, trying to figure out how to pay for medical school.

The scholarship was extremely beneficial because it allowed me to focus on my studies, Garcia told the Guardian. As part of the repayment for the Native Hawaiian scholarship, I was placed in Maui, thats where my family is from, and I wanted to make sure that I came back to my community to help the Hawaiians there. Its very much an underserved population.

Garcia has stayed at the same medical group since his posting began in 2000.

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Coming from a demographic that wasnt really supposed to go into medicine, I was just, you know, struggling, and having that resource allowed me to focus and eventually get into medicine and thrive, he said.

Garcia added that, for him, it was important in the years after he finished school to do his part, building a clientele of Native Hawaiian patients that look like me, act like me and talk like me.

They didnt really trust western medicine, they didnt trust the other physicians that didnt look like them, he said. Native Hawaiians are a very prideful people, and if theres a tone of condescension or arrogance, they just wont go.

Do No Harm disagrees with that sentiment.

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Patients of all races and ethnicities want one thing, and that is a great doctor who can help them feel better, Kristina Rasmussen, the groups executive director, told the Guardian in a statement. Great doctors are not defined by their skin color or background. Native Hawaiians, along with every other American, should have equal access to federal programs that should be squarely centered on merit.

The suit takes particular issue with how Native Hawaiian ancestry is assessed.

Because this definition of Native Hawaiian requires only one Native ancestor, it equally includes a student whose mom is Native Hawaiian (50% Native Hawaiian) and a student whose great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother is Native Hawaiian (0.2% native Hawaiian), the suit reads. There is no valid reason to make federal scholarships turn on race or ethnicity.

That this program still exists even after the efforts by this administration to course correct proves just how widespread institutional race discrimination has become, Goldfarb said in a statement.

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The Trump administration has aggressively targeted diversity and equity initiatives on college campuses during Trumps second term. He attempted to cut billions of dollars of Harvards federal funding, demanding the university shutter any programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The Department of Justice also joined a lawsuit in February which alleged policies at public schools in Los Angeles were discriminatory against white students.

The Department of Education celebrated such efforts, declaring on Facebook that, under Trump, DEI is DEAD!.

Daniels told the local media company Honolulu Civil Beat that it was notable that the lawsuit was filed against the Department of Health and Human Services.

I dont have any expectation that theyre going to come riding in on a white horse to save us, Daniels told the Civil Beat last month. So I think we have to save ourselves and really be honest about what that means.

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Dee-Ann Carpenter, an associate professor at the University of Hawaiis John A Burns School of Medicine, said the scholarship program was an important prong in the islands health system.

This scholarship is so important to further the education of our Native Hawaiians, who otherwise would not be able to pay for their education, Carpenter, who received a scholarship through the Native Hawaiian Higher Education Program in the early 1990s, said. That program was a precursor to the healthcare scholarship, and Carpenter said receiving it afforded her the ability to finish medical school.

She had to give back hours of service for receiving the funds.

She said the health scholarship program extends its reach far beyond just medical school, supporting many Native Hawaiians who go on to work in essential services, including social work, nursing or other fields in medicine.

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We need our graduates to be in the community to care for our lahui [our people], Carpenter said. It is truly awesome for our patients to see faces who look like them in their medical care, almost an automatic connection and trust. This scholarship is so needed.

The effort to crack open the scholarship to other ethnic groups is strikingly similar to another lawsuit, filed last year, targeting a private school system meant to educate thousands of Native Hawaiians. The conservative advocacy group Students for Fair Admission sued the Kamehameha schools, saying the institutions policy of prioritizing Native Hawaiian students is unfair.

The group noted that the Kamehameha schools were a great school system that has a preference so strong that it is essentially impossible for a non-Native Hawaiian student to be admitted.

We believe that focus on ancestry, rather than merit or need, is neither fair nor legal, the group wrote at the time.

Garcia said he doesnt understand the effort to roll back a program that, through his own work as a doctor, he has seen help close the gap in access to healthcare.

In a word, it sounds evil, to tell you the truth, he said. Some people, some folks just have a darkness in their hearts and theyre called into action whenever they see people being lifted up. I dont know what motivates people to do that.

I would say that the program worked remarkably. Putting someone like myself in a position where I can help the community and help other Native Hawaiians seek higher education, just say: Hey, you can do this as well  all of that seems good.
The federal government has rejected part of Washington Governor Bob Fergusons request for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief funding related to last Decembers storms.

In February, Ferguson asked FEMA for a major disaster declaration and $182.3 million.

Of that amount, $36.6 million would have come through a Hazard Mitigation Grant, which would pay for projects such as the flood wall in Mount Vernon.

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The damage in many parts of our state, as Ive mentioned many times, would have been even worse, significantly worse, without infrastructure to protect against the flooding, Ferguson said in February. A flood wall was recently constructed in Mount Vernon, just in the last decade. Its clear that the flood wall saved downtown from being flooded and saved an awful lot of pain and suffering costs to many Washingtonians.

FEMA approves storm aid but denies hazard mitigation grant

In a letter to Ferguson, FEMA acknowledged the storm damage but denied part of the request.

You specifically requested Individual Assistance for 10 counties and 16 tribal nations; Public Assistance for 23 counties and 24 tribal nations, and Hazard Mitigation statewide, Gregg Phillips, FEMA associate administrator in the Office of Response and Recovery, wrote. The impact to individuals and households and the infrastructure was significant in the areas designated for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. However, it has been determined that the designation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is not warranted.

While FEMA denied the grant request, the agency did approve funding for individual homeowners and businesses affected by the storms.

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This is an unacceptable decision for the families and businesses that I represent, Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash, said. The disaster declaration helps people recover from the last flood, but hazard mitigation helps people survive the next flood.

The state has 30 days to appeal.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com.
A possible reelection campaign from Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman won't happen this year, but already, some Democrat colleagues are on the fence about a second run from the state's former lieutenant governor.

In a report by Punchbowl News, Pennsylvania Democrats wouldn't throw their support behind another run by Fetterman, though none would outright condemn a possible reelection campaign.

Their concerns, they said, centered on actions that have led many to believe Fetterman will switch to the Republican Party, as well as the health problems he's faced since taking office in 2023, which have included auditory processing issues following his 2022 stroke, depression and several heart conditions.

What do Democrats think about another run by Fetterman?

When Punchbowl News asked Pennsylvania Democrats on Capitol Hill about Fetterman, none offered their support, the outlet reported.

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"My focus right now is on 2026, but I would just say Id be very surprised if he ran in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate," said Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), who is rumored to be eyeing a Senate bid in 2028.

Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) is also reportedly looking at a 2028 Senate run. He and Fetterman have "serious disagreements" about the war in Iran, he said, and added that "2028 is still a way off."

"Well see what comes after 26," Deluzio said.

Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) said it's "up to him" when asked if he should run for reelection as a Democrat.

"At his own peril," Lee added.

"My concern is entirely about him and his health, and Ill let 2028 take care of itself," said Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA). "I disagree with many of his votes."

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Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) said it's "no secret" that she's been "disappointed" and "confused" by some of his votes.

"But Im not responsible for deciding whether he runs again," she said.

"Im getting through 2026 first. I am not weighing 2028 now," Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) said. "Ill hold my tongue so I dont get in trouble."

When asked about Fetterman's future, Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) said, "The voters will decide that."

What issues do Fetterman, Democrats clash on?

Since his election, Fetterman has clashed with Democrats on a number of wide-ranging issues.

Since 2023, he's assumed a hard-line stance in his support for Israel, particularly in relation to Israel's military action in Gaza, as compared to other Democrats, according to The Hill.

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In March of this year, he voted to confirm Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Most of the Democrats in the upper chamber did not back Mullin.

The same month, he said on the "All-in" podcast that the Democratic Party was "governed" by "Trump Derangement Syndrome," or TDS, The Hill reported.

"I think, I think the TDS that  I think thats the leader right now. You know, right now our party, is, is governed by the TDS," he said.

How did Fetterman perform in Allegheny County in 2022?

Fetterman comfortably coasted in Allegheny County on Election Night 2022. He recorded 363,873 votes (63.4%) while Republican challenger Dr. Mehmet Oz received 200,672 (34.9%), according to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania election results.

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The votes from the Pittsburgh area and Allegheny County were more than 13.2% of Fetterman's 2,751,012 total votes in 2022.

Has Fetterman become a Republican?

Fetterman ran in 2022 as a Democrat and has denied that he will become a Republican. But his votes in favor of President Donald Trump's cabinet picks, public criticism of Democrats and repeat appearances on Fox News have contributed to speculation that he may switch parties, Punchbowl News reported.

The speculation has led Pennsylvania's GOP Chair Senator Greg Rothman to monitor Fetterman to see if he'll jump ship, according to The Patriot-News.

"Were still trying to wrestle with what happens if John Fetterman switched party and becomes a Republican," Rothman said on April 11.

How has Fetterman voted since becoming senator?

Fetterman remains an ideological Democrat based on GovTrack's Ideology-Leadership Chart, which shows several Democratic senators who are ideologically closer to the Republican party.

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However, Fetterman was one of only two Democratic senators who voted to confirm at least 50% of President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees in 2025, according to Ballotpedia. He voted to confirm 12 of the 23 candidates.

How does Fetterman score with Republicans?

A February Quinnipiac University poll showed that 46% of Pennsylvania voters approve of Fetterman's performance, with 40% disapproving, Punchbowl News reported. He's up 74%18% among Republicans, while among Democrats, he's down 62%22%.

In March, Fetterman told Chris Cuomo on NewsNation that his popularity with Republicans is confusing.

I, for some strange way, I am more popular with Republicans, which is, its confusing because I vote, I vote in the 90s (percentage-wise) Dem line, and I didnt, and I havent [voted] for the big ticket Trump ones like big, beautiful bill or SAVE Act, and for those things," Fetterman told Cuomo, as reported by The Hill.

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"So, I mean, theres a lot of misinformation, I guess, but I am guilty of being a very proud supporter of Israel, and then I do support (Operation) Epic Fury," he added.

What health issues does Fetterman face?

Democrats and staffers have expressed concerns about Fetterman's health since his election.

Fetterman suffered a stroke on May 13, 2022 just before winning the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's open Senate seat, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The stroke was a result of atrial fibrillation, which he was diagnosed with in 2017.

Fetterman also suffers from cardiomyopathy. Doctors implanted a defibrillator to treat the condition following his stroke. He also suffers from ventricular fibrillation, which caused a fall in November 2025.

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He also deals with depression, which he was hospitalized for in early 2023, and auditory processing issues as a result of his stroke.

When is Fetterman up for reelection?

Fetterman was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2022, defeating Republican candidate Mehmet Oz in the general election. He'll be up for reelection in 2028.

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker. Instagram: @finchwalker_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Disappointed' PA Dems have no support for Fetterman reelection in '28
The former employee of an Avon day care center is facing additional charges in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of multiple children after additional victims have come forward, police said.

Jan Carlos Berrios-Otero, 29, was originally arrested on April 1 and charged with fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child for allegedly having inappropriate contact with a young boy at the BrightPath Avon Child Care Center at 144 Simsbury Road.

According to his arrest warrant affidavit, Berrios-Otero was seen on the day cares surveillance system on March 30 allegedly touching the genitals of a child under a blanket while the boy was lying on a cot in the corner of a classroom in between a desk and a bookshelf, an area described by police as having privacy from the rest of the room.

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As a result of the ongoing investigation, Berrios-Otero is facing additional charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor in connection with six incidents involving five children, according to the Avon Police Department.

Police said Berrios-Otero will also be charged with aggravated sexual assault of a minor due to the number of victims under the age of 13 years old.

It is anticipated that Berrios-Otero will be arraigned on the new charges in Torrington in the near future, police said.

Attorneys Sarah Klein and Eric Schoenberg, who represent families at the daycare, said a search warrant has been requested seeking additional video evidence at the day care.

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This is a significant and necessary step forward, Klein and Schoenberg said in a statement on Friday. The issuance of this warrant reflects the continued, methodical work of investigators. But it also underscores a broader failure by BrightPath to protect the children in its care. Our clients have shown tremendous strength throughout this process, and we remain committed to ensuring that their voices are heard and that meaningful accountability is achieved.

According to the attorneys, additional warrants are expected to be issued, which would represent the new charges.

Each development in this case highlights not only the seriousness of the allegations, but also the systemic lapses that allowed this harm to occur, Klein and Schoenberg alleged. Institutions like BrightPath have a fundamental duty to safeguard children and to act swiftly when concerns arise. Those obligations were not met. We will continue to pursue all avenues to hold every responsible party accountable. We continue to ask parents who had children attend BrightPath-Avon in the last six years to come forward and thank those that already have  while your information may not be germane to your child  it may be germane to your neighbors child.

Klein, a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar, the former national medical coordinator for USA Gymnastics, is a nationally recognized attorney and advocate who exclusively represents survivors of abuse. Schoenberg, a Hartford-based attorney with the Freeman Law Firm, is personally connected with multiple families who had children at BrightPath.

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Earlier this week, BrightPath announced that the Avon day care will be closing its doors for good in May.

BrightPath has made the difficult decision to close our Avon location over the next month, with our final day being May 22, 2026, a BrightPath spokesperson said in a statement released to the Courant. After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our children and families to take this course of action. As we are guided by their well-being, we believe that they deserve an experience without the disruption that BrightPath Avon has faced in recent weeks.

Through this transition period, we will continue to deliver the highest standards of care, in addition to comprehensive support to the families at BrightPath Avon in finding alternative childcare, the statement said.

According to the statement, BrightPath remains fully committed to working with law enforcement and other agencies in their search for the facts regarding this situation at BrightPath Avon. We have begun our own externally-led investigation, and we will commission an independent review of these findings when completed, the statement continued.

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In the meantime, we remain committed to protecting the safety of the children in all of our centers and will deliver the highest standards of care as we close our Avon center, the statement added. We will continue to reinforce expectations with staff across our centers, review how our policies are applied in practice and ensure strong leadership during this period.

This has been heartbreaking time for our entire community, and we remain dedicated to providing support for children and families who have been impacted by these events.

The family of the young boy who initially reported the alleged abuse have filed a lawsuit against the day care. The civil action was filed on April 8 in Hartford Superior Court by attorney Tim OKeefe, who is representing the family of the child.

The defendants named in the civil action include Educational Play Care, LTD. and Busy Bees US Holdings Limited. According to the complaint, BrightPath operates under both companies.

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The family involved in the lawsuit that we filed was informed this afternoon of the decision to shut down this facility, OKeefe said in a statement issued Wednesday. What remains unclear at this point is whether or not the state and national companies responsible for operating this childcare facility will accept responsibility for the egregious harms done to the children in their care.

The lawsuit accuses Berrios-Otero of engaging in alleged serious sexual abuse against the child, accusing him of fondling, touching and molesting the boy. The child, who had attended day care at BrightPath for months, suffered trauma and injuries that could be life-altering, the complaint said.

The lawsuit accuses BrightPath of failing to properly supervise the children at the day care and its employees. It also alleges that the day care failed to investigate after allegedly being made aware of suspicious or alarming activities involving Berrios-Otero.

The four-count lawsuit alleges negligence and a breach of special duty to children. It is seeking more than $15,000 in damages.

The Avon Police Department is encouraging any parents with questions or concerns to contact detectives at 860-409-4230 or the Child Abuse Investigative Team of Northwest Connecticut at 860-489-3391.
We do not provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance for future periods because of the inherent uncertainty associated with our ability to project certain future changes, including stock-based compensation and its related tax effects as well as potential impairment. Non-GAAP financial measures discussed today are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP financial measures. We are providing this information because management believes it is useful to investors as it reflects how management measures our business. Lastly, this call is also being webcast and the replay will be available on our website for two weeks. And now let me turn the call over to Kishore Seendripu, CEO of MaxLinear, Inc. Kishore?

Any forward-looking statements are made as of today, and MaxLinear, Inc. has no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. The first quarter 2026 earnings release is available in the Investor section of our website at maxlinear.com. In addition, we report certain historical financial metrics, including but not limited to gross margin, income or loss from operations, operating expenses, interest and other expense, and income tax on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. We encourage investors to review the detailed reconciliation of our GAAP and non-GAAP presentations in the press release available on our website.

In addition, we will make forward-looking statements relating to trends, opportunities, execution of our business plan, and potential growth and uncertainties in various product and geographic markets, including without limitation statements concerning future financial and operating results, opportunities for revenue and market share across our target markets, new products, including the timing of production and launches of such products, demand for and adoption of certain technologies, and our total addressable market. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks outlined in the Risk Factors section of our recent SEC filings, including our 10-Q for the quarter ended 03/31/2026, which we filed today.

Leslie Green: Thank you, Maria. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us on today's conference call to discuss MaxLinear, Inc.'s first quarter 2026 financial results. Today's call is being hosted by Kishore Seendripu, CEO, and Steven Litchfield, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Corporate Strategy Officer. After our prepared comments, we will take questions. Our comments today include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements relating to our guidance for 2026 including revenue, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin, GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses, GAAP and non-GAAP interest and other expense, GAAP and non-GAAP income taxes, and GAAP and non-GAAP diluted share count.

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Kishore Seendripu: Thank you, and good afternoon, everyone. Q1 was a strong and important start to the year, and we believe it marks the beginning of a multiyear growth phase for MaxLinear, Inc. led by our optical data center business. Revenue grew 43% year over year, reflecting strong execution, accelerating adoption of our newest products, improving visibility in bookings, and sustained momentum across our infrastructure programs. Infrastructure is now our largest revenue category, growing 136% year over year in Q1, driven by robust production ramps in optical data centeroriented platforms. We see this momentum continuing to build as hyperscalers rapidly scale AI-centric architectures.

Based on customer orders and rising visibility of the program ramps, we are increasing our expectations for 2026 optical data center revenue to a $150 million to $170 million range. We also expect a step-function data center revenue increase beginning in Q2 with expected strong run rates expanding into 2027. At the center of this data center momentum is our Keystone PAM4 DSP optical transceiver platform. Keystone is now ramping at multiple major hyperscale customers across both the U.S. and Asia, supporting 400G and 800G PAM4 deployments for scale-up and scale-out applications. These ramps validate our differentiation in performance, power efficiency, and integration.

At OFC this year, we showcased our 1.6 terabit data center platform featuring Rushmore, our 200 gigabit-per-lane PAM4 DSP; Washington, our matching 200 gigabit-per-lane TIA; and Annapurna, which is our 1.6 terabit AEC and 3.2 terabit onboard electrical retimer platform for scale-up applications. Rushmore and Annapurna are foundational to the next wave of data center optical architectures, including LPO, LRO, AECs, XPO, and co-packaged optics. With Keystone validating our ability to execute at scale, customer engagement in our Rushmore platform has accelerated faster than expected. We anticipate production ramps beginning in late 2026 with revenue growth expected to continue strong through 2027 as the next-generation speed and bandwidth cycle unfolds.

We are also expanding our footprint beyond PAM4-based optical and electrical interconnects. We have secured our first XGS PON design win at a U.S. hyperscale data center through a tier-one OEM partner as cloud operators deploy resilient, dedicated, PON-based control plane architectures spanning multiple data centers. Adjacent to compute, we have also won USB bridge controller designs with two major hyperscalers to support rack-level AI system management, which opens the door to increasing content per rack over time. Our Panther hardware storage accelerator SoC family continues to build momentum with growing design win activity among tier-one network appliance and cloud service providers. Persistent memory constraints are highlighting Panther advantages in hardware-accelerated compression, high throughput, and ultra-low latency memory access.

We are actively sampling next-generation Panther 5 with key customers, and based on current engagement, we expect storage accelerator revenue to at least double in 2026 compared to 2025. Beyond data centers, wireless infrastructure momentum is improving as carriers increase investment in 5G RAN, access, and backhaul to support cloud-connected and edge AI functionality. Our Sierra single-chip radio SoCs are now deployed with multiple North American operators, with expanding opportunities as 5G networks continue to evolve. In broadband and connectivity, we are executing large-scale deployments of our single-chip fiber PON and Wi-Fi 7 gateway platforms with a second major tier-one service provider in North America, with additional ramps expected later in the year in Europe.

These long-cycle deployments provide a stable foundation and leverage the same integration and power efficiency that clearly differentiate MaxLinear, Inc.'s data center portfolio. In summary, we are very pleased with the strong start to 2026 and are especially excited by the momentum accelerating in our optical data center business. With multiple customers entering meaningful ramps of our 800G Keystone family and broader engagement across our 1.6 terabit Rushmore and Annapurna product families across scale-out and scale-up AI architectures, we believe MaxLinear, Inc. is exceptionally well positioned for sustained transformative growth.

Our disciplined focus on execution and innovation gives us confidence that 2026 will be a pivotal year as we continue to evolve our strategy and deliver long-term value for customers and shareholders. With that, let me now turn the call over to Steven Litchfield, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Corporate Strategy Officer.

Steven Litchfield: Thanks, Kishore. Total revenue for the first quarter was $137.2 million, up from $136.4 million in the previous quarter and up 43% from $95.5 million in 2025. Infrastructure revenue for Q1 2026 was approximately $63 million. Broadband revenue was approximately $44 million. Connectivity revenue was approximately $19 million, and Industrial & Multimarket revenue was approximately $12 million. GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins for the first quarter were 57.5% and 59.5% of revenue. The delta between GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin in the first quarter was primarily driven by $2.6 million of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization. First quarter GAAP operating expenses were $96.1 million, and non-GAAP operating expenses were $59.9 million.

The delta between GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses was primarily due to stock-based compensation and performance-based equity accruals of $28.5 million combined, and acquisition-related costs and other costs of $6.5 million. GAAP loss from operations in Q1 2026 was 13% of revenue, and non-GAAP income from operations in Q1 was 16% of revenue. GAAP and non-GAAP interest and other expense during the quarter were $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively. In Q1, net cash flow used in operating activities was approximately $8.9 million. We exited Q1 2026 with approximately $89.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash.

The primary use of cash was due to substantial prepayment for wafers supporting rising demand for our data center low-geometry products for which we have increasing order backlog in the second half of the year. Our days sales outstanding was down in Q1 to approximately 27 days. Our inventory was up by approximately $8 million versus the previous quarter, with days of inventory improving to approximately 128 days. This concludes the discussion of our Q1 financial results. With that, let us turn to our guidance for Q2. We currently expect Q2 2026 revenue to be between $160 million and $170 million.

Looking at Q2 by end market, we expect to see growth from all four of our business segments with particular strength in Infrastructure, driven by data center optical interconnects. We expect second quarter GAAP gross margin to be approximately 56% to 59% and non-GAAP gross margin to be in the range of 58% to 61% of revenue. We expect Q2 2026 GAAP operating expenses to be in the range of $91 million to $97 million. We expect Q2 2026 non-GAAP operating expenses to be in the range of $61 million to $66 million. We expect our Q2 GAAP interest and other expense to be in the range of approximately $1.8 million to $2.2 million.

We expect our Q2 non-GAAP interest and other expense to be in the range of $1.8 million to $2.2 million, with FX volatility being the primary risk. We expect a $2 million tax benefit on a GAAP basis and a non-GAAP tax provision of approximately $1 million. We expect our GAAP and non-GAAP diluted share count in Q2 to be approximately 95 million each. In summary, with strong growth in our data center optical business and several additional high-value products still early in their market ramp, we have transformed MaxLinear, Inc. into an infrastructure-focused company.

Our investments over the past several years have brought us to this point where we are well positioned to deliver sustained growth, operating leverage, and increasing shareholder value. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and confident in our ability to execute. With that, I would like to open up the call for questions. Operator?

Operator: Thank you. We will now open the call for questions. We ask that analysts limit themselves to one question and a follow-up so that others may have an opportunity to do so as well. One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Our first question comes from Tore Svanberg with Stifel. Please proceed with your question.

Tore Svanberg: Yes. Thank you, and congrats on the momentum here. Kishore, you mentioned optical DSP revenue now tracking to $150 million to $170 million. That is about $30 million to $40 million higher than what you had expected before. Just wondering what transpired in the quarter to see such a steep increase. Is there new customers? Are you basically just seeing steeper ramps at existing customers? Any more color you can add on that additional revenue would be great. Thank you.

Kishore Seendripu: Thank you, Tore. Yes. At the time when we set the guidance, we were looking at a number of ramps and a number of customers, and we were being conservative. At the same time, we were also fairly optimistic internally that we should be seeing strong growth coming in the latter half of this year. Now, with all the visibility and the lead times that are necessary for providing the product, we have very good visibility, and the ramps are setting in very nicely both across 400G and 800G solutions.

So I think it is all about timing of the ramps and the scale of the cohorts and their ability to scale up to meet the surging demand we are seeing now.

Tore Svanberg: Very good. And as a follow-up for you, Steve: you mentioned the prepayment for wafer capacity. Are you sort of done with that now, or should we expect more cash outflows in the coming quarters? And I also noticed you increased the revolver by $30 million. Anything you can say here on the balance sheet and cash position going forward?

Steven Litchfield: Yes, sure, Tore. Consistent with what we raised back in Q4 of last year, we knew we would have some working capital needs going into Q4 as well as Q1, and that certainly played out the way that we expected. Are we through it entirely? To some degree, it depends on how much demand continues to improve. As demand improves, we may continue to see some prepayments, but you will start to see this inflect as revenues increase. On the revolver, we did have a revolver that was expiring in June, so we renewed the revolver and took it up slightlya pretty minor move for the size and direction of the company.

Operator: Our next question comes from Joseph Quatrochi with Wells Fargo & Co. Please proceed with your question.

Joseph Quatrochi: Yes, thanks for taking the question. Maybe just a follow-up on that. Can you talk about your supply chain and capacity to support the growth that you are seeing? Clearly, the mix of your growth is a bit different than previously when you were at similar revenue levels.

Steven Litchfield: Yes, Joe, I will take this. It is no surprise there are some supply constraints out there, but we planned well for this and worked really closely with partners. We have seen really good support and expect to continue to see that going forward.

Joseph Quatrochi: And then as a follow-up, can you talk about the puts and takes in the gross margin guidance? Why would we not see a little bit more leverage on the sequential revenue step-up that is pretty significant here?

Steven Litchfield: Obvious question. This is consistent with what we have been seeing. You have heard my caution on this, Joe, and it is a little bit of the input costwafer cost, packaging, etc.moving up. In a lot of cases, the industry, ourselves included, has been able to pass along these costs, and we expect that to be the case. But given the uncertainty, we want to remain cautious. You are absolutely right that Infrastructure typically drives a higher gross margin. We are very optimistic as we look at the rest of this year and into next year, with Infrastructure being a positive influence on gross margins.

Operator: Our next question comes from Timothy Savageaux with Northland Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.

Timothy Savageaux: Hi, and congrats on the results and especially the guidance. Question on the Infrastructure sideI know that is mostly data center drivenbut it looks like you grew something mid-30s sequentially in Q1, and I imagine data center was a big driver there. Given what you are guiding to, do you expect similar sequential growth in Q2 in Infrastructure?

Steven Litchfield: Thanks, Tim. We do not typically guide end markets in that level of detail. We did say that Infrastructure was going up, and we emphasized in our prepared remarks that, as we look at this year, Infrastructure has much bigger growth drivers. We have a lot of new products ramping with some new customers, so we would certainly expect Infrastructure to be a much bigger driver of growth in the coming year.

Timothy Savageaux: And to follow up, given the step-up we are seeing in Q2, do you have any comments about overall revenue growth expectations for 2026? It looks like we could be tracking, I do not know, 35% to 40%, but any comment from the company?

Steven Litchfield: We have only guided one quarter, and we are not going to change that here today. We are very excited about the growth potential that we have and the new customers and product ramps, and with the visibility we have, we start to roll into 2027 as well. We are excited to see the growth in 2026 and even backlog starting to build into 2027.

Operator: Our next question comes from Ananda Baruah with Loop Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.

Ananda Baruah: Yes, good afternoon, guys. Really appreciate the question, and congrats on doing all the work to get to this place with DSP. It is cool to see it play out. Kishore, you mentioned to one of the prior questions, around the magnitude of the step-up in guide, that you had baked in some conservatism around program starts and ramps. Can you tell if the market ramp feels bigger than what you had originally anticipated, as distinct from conservatism? Do you have any sense if the market TAM feels bigger? And then I have a quick follow-up as well.

Kishore Seendripu: On the first question, the TAM expansion is realor the SAM expansion even more so. The PAM4 DSP expansion is very real as both U.S. and China hyperscalers are deploying very rapidly. Depending on the architecture implementation, the amount of PAM4 DSP used can vary based on the GPU configurations, and scale-up and scale-out are both growing strongly. Our conservatism is a general positioning as a company. Do we expect more upside? Absolutely. We do expect more upside as all the programs reach full run rates. Your second question, please.

Ananda Baruah: On Panther, you mentioned Panther is benefiting from memory dynamics. Can you walk us through the ways Panther is holistically benefiting? Is it as simple as memory is short and Panther provides performance, or are there more nuanced reasons as well?

Kishore Seendripu: There is nuance to Panther. Sixty percent of data center spend is in memory, but all memory is not equal. As the AI engine accelerates, low-latency, high-capacity memory access is super important. The big benefit of Panther is it is an accelerator, so it reduces latency dramatically and improves power efficiency. It enables much more capability than just memory compression. Thus far, our use of Panther has been at the enterprise appliance level, but these enterprise storage appliances are increasingly deployed into mainstream cloud centers. There is much more to come with Panther 5 and Panther 6. We expect this year the revenues to double, and hopefully next year as well, based on the visibility we have.

Ananda Baruah: With all that said, do you feel bigger about the ultimate TAM potential for Panther, big picture?

Kishore Seendripu: In the big picture, absolutely, Panther has a lot of potential. But Panther as it is today would not be sufficient as deployment models evolve. There will be more investment required, but the TAM is huge, and we will keep converting more of the TAM into our SAM, and that will drive our roadmap.

Operator: Our next question comes from Christopher Rolland with Susquehanna International Group. Please proceed with your question.

Christopher Rolland: Hey, guys. Thanks for the question. Congrats on the strong results. In your prepared remarks or the press release, you talked about optical at multiple hyperscalers, and previously I think your messaging around optical was very broad based across module vendors. This seems like a change and might be changing customer concentration. Are you now diversifying around these key hyperscaler opportunities? Is it one or two or all of them? If you could elaborate, that would be great.

Kishore Seendripu: Thank you, Chris. It is pretty broad based. We have design wins across essentially all of the module vendors. It has taken a while to map the module vendors victories to various end data centers, while we did the business development work to create pull at the end customer. Even at the end customers, it is broad based. Obviously, we will be concentrated with a few during the initial ramps, and as we ramp into 2027, other data centers will come online. There is more work to do to expand furtherwe are only halfway there to full end data center diversification across all hyperscalers.

Keystone provides an affirmative statement of MaxLinear, Inc.s ability to successfully get through interop, supply product at scale, and establishes our credibility as a world-class chip supplier.

Christopher Rolland: Thank you for that, Kishore. Maybe a quick follow-up. If you could talk about 1.6Tdo you think design wins and the ramp will go there? Is 800G just the beginning, where they qualify you at 800G and then have plans to use you at 1.6T? And you also mentioned scale-up optical; I do not think there is a huge transceiver usage for scale-up right now, mostly scale-out. Can you talk about that and what it means for you?

Kishore Seendripu: There will be different deployment models for scale-up. Today, about 30% of optical transceiver TAM is for scale-up and 70% is for scale-out. Our participation in scale-up derives from optical transceivers as well as our 1.6 terabit electrical retimersonboard retimers and active electrical cables. On 1.6T, there is enormous confidence out there from shipping Keystone to major data centers, and they are ramping strongly in 2026. We have rolled out our 1.6 terabit Rushmore and Annapurna family for electrical applications. This execution, plus success with module partnerships and interop completion, is creating far more pull for our 1.6T participation than I would have guessed at this point.

We hope that by the end of the year, we will have completed key 1.6T milestones and start transitioning into volume; 800G and 1.6T will likely be among the most long-lasting interconnect applications in data centers, and 1.6T will expand our ability to garner more revenue and market share.

Operator: Our next question comes from Richard Shannon with Craig-Hallum Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.

Richard Shannon: Thanks for taking my question. Following up on DSP, your 400G and 800G with Keystone are going very well, and I heard positive comments about Rushmore. Since you seem to be gaining nice share with Keystone, to what degree does this convey directly to success in Rushmore? How do you view the potential revenue trajectory over time relative to Keystone?

Kishore Seendripu: Thank goodness for Keystone. Everything valuable takes time. It has been a long journey of investment, and now we are into Rushmore. The success of Keystone makes us an incumbent. The power of incumbency brings relationships with cloud customers and module makers, confidence in supply capability, and product quality. On the 1.6 terabit solution, I would say we are in the top tier on performance, and customers acknowledge that. They are readily developing solutions that can quickly move to the next phase of evaluations with data center folks. We are not the first with 1.6 terabit relative to two incumbent competitors, but it bodes very well.

With 1.6 terabit, ASPs increase, and as the mix becomes more 1.6 terabit, I believe that will have an uplifting effect on our revenues and gross margins, even as our market share expands.

Richard Shannon: Thank you. My following question is on cable and broadband. Last call you talked about a soft first half and calendar 2026 being down, and wondering about any update on that and whether you have visibility into when DOCSIS 4.0 starts to have an impact.

Kishore Seendripu: We had a spectacular growth year in 2025 for broadbandabout 75%so we had a pullback in Q1 with some seasonality. Looking forward, all our businesses are growing, which is a tailwind alongside Infrastructure. We expect our Broadband business to start growing from Q2 and into 2027. DOCSIS 4.0 certification happened, but some operators are still delayed on network readiness. A big growth is coming with Ultra-3.1 and 4.0 into 2027. Post-COVID, during the down period, we won market share in broadband, which bodes well for our fiber play.

Our Fiber PON business continues to grow through Q1 and Q2, and we started major deployment with a tier-one operator in North America in the second half of the year with preshipments already done, and later we have European deployments. It is all growing, and we feel very good about that recovery.

Operator: Our next question comes from Karl Ackerman with BNP Paribas Asset Management. Please proceed with your question.

Karl Ackerman: Thank you. I have two clarifications. Kishore, going back to cable and broadband, could you be more specific with respect to the June guide? It seems like most of the growth is coming from Infrastructure, but can you talk about your outlook for Broadband, Connectivity, and Multimarketwhether they can all grow sequentially in Q2? And I have a follow-up, please.

Steven Litchfield: Hey, Karl, it is Steve. Yes, all four end markets will be up. We do expect a lot of that growth to be from Infrastructure, particularly some of the data center products, but all four segments are expected to grow sequentially.

Karl Ackerman: Got it. And then just to follow up on Chriss earlier question, is much of your optical DSP growth coming from hyper-owned designs such that you are qualifying with them directly, or is your hyperscaler exposure predominantly through module vendors providing a merchant solution?

Kishore Seendripu: Both.

Operator: Our next question comes from Quinn Bolton with Needham & Co. Please proceed with your question.

Quinn Bolton: Hey, guys, congratulations on the nice results and outlook. Kishore, I wanted to follow up on Tims question about the breadth of growth in Infrastructure. In Q1, was it predominantly from optical DSP, or did you see good contribution from Panther and the wireless access products as well?

Steven Litchfield: Quinn, I will jump in. Really across the boardwe saw good growth from all of the products within Infrastructure. From here, data center will really break out. The other product lines absolutely contribute. Kishore mentioned Panther; Panther is going extremely well. Wireless Infrastructure, which was pretty soft last year, is improving, and we expect to see more of that this year. Those are probably the top contributors.

Quinn Bolton: Thanks. And then I know sometimes gross margin takes a couple of quarters to reflect product mix because of inventory. You had about a 30% increase in Infrastructure in the quarter and maybe a 25% decrease in Broadband quarter on quarter; I would have thought that would be a nice tailwind. Gross margins were relatively flat. Was there anything that held back gross margin given the mix shift, or do you think it is just a timing issue? The go-forward mix of Infrastructure sounds like a nice tailwind; when might we start to see it show up?

Steven Lictchfield: We came in right at our guidance. The mix is definitely continuing to improve. As I mentioned earlier, input costs are rising, and we are trying to be cautious as we look forward. But yes, it is a tailwind, especially as we move into 800G and 1.6Tthose have higher gross margins. We will continue to see nice benefits on gross margin as Infrastructure grows as a percentage of our business.

Operator: Our next question comes from Suji Desilva with ROTH Capital Partners. Please proceed with your question.

Suji Desilva: Hi, Kishore and Steve. Congratulations on the progress here. You talked about 2Q optical stepping up. Are the programs all commencing ramp now, or are other programs phasing in and starting in 3Q/4Q? Just to give us a sense of layers across the yearare we off and ramping for all key programs already?

Kishore Seendripu: There are different product cycles with different drivers, and they are all kicking in now, with more catching up later in the year. It took a while for them to start deploying with the required evaluations complete. We are seeing strength in each of these layers based on the bookings we have.

Suji Desilva: Thank you. And, Kishore, you mentioned in the prepared remarks wireless infrastructure having a part in data center connectivityperhaps interconnect or backhaul. Can you help us understand that opportunity and how big it is? Can it become a mainstream opportunity?

Kishore Seendripu: In my prepared remarks, I talked about 5G access and transport. There are a number of announced investments where there is a lot of AI at the edge and AI-enabled network infrastructure. We see telecom infrastructure players in wireless gathering momentum in deployments, which changes transport/backhaul and certain elements of access. This should provide a tailwind for wireless infrastructure. The rates of ramps will never match data centers, but you now see interest to move toward AI in the DU side of the network at the edge on the wireless side as well. We should benefit as one of the top two players in the wireless infrastructure space.

Operator: Our next question comes from Tore Svanberg with Stifel. Please proceed with your question.

Tore Svanberg: Just two quick follow-ups on your new products. Kishore, first on Annapurnathis starts with 1.6T, but can you talk about MaxLinear, Inc.s positioning there? Are you going to go after all the standards? There are Ethernet standards, there is UALink; are you going to participate with some NVLink/Fusion protocols? Just trying to understand where you are intersecting the market with Annapurna, especially in retimers. There is a lot of hoopla about AECs because of the success of one very successful company in AECs, but what about the retimer market?

Kishore Seendripu: The market size opportunity for a silicon player in electrical retimers inside the compute server is humongous as speeds increase. You are going to see a lot of retimers. Currently, our retimer offering is Ethernet-based, naturally. However, the fundamental physics and challenges of doing a very demanding PHY for the retimer application are done now. With regard to adding various standards, that is primarily an interface game. This also lends itself to other links and stories. We are laying the framework for a platform with optionality to chase where the SAM and TAM go. At this point, we are in the electrical retimer market for Ethernet-based solutions.

Tore Svanberg: Very helpful. And on Washington, I assume that gets sold with either Keystone or Rushmore. Are you seeing designs where your TIAs are participating on other peoples DSP platforms?

Kishore Seendripu: Rushmore and Washington are sampling now. Customers are very excited about the performance. The TIA is a fundamental block not only for Rushmore-based modules but also for LPO and LRO strategies. MaxLinear, Inc. is very well known for its great RF/analog skills. For CPO, if they go bare-bones, the TIA and driver are a natural fit; if they go more sophisticated DSP-based, we already have the platform offering. As you go toward XPO/CPOs and various manifestations, the full offering is important. Washington is the first step in building a fundamental platform that will have multiple derivatives.

Operator: Our next question comes from Timothy Savageaux with Northland Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.

Timothy Savageaux: Thanks. Quick follow-up from me on the hyperscale win for PONthe data center control/management application. Can you talk a bit more about the timing and how significant this opportunity could be? When would you expect this design win to ramp, and could it be a needle mover?

Kishore Seendripu: We just secured the win, and we expect the rampafter qualificationsto start sometime in 2027. It is one of the first of its kind, where data centers see the value of a dedicated, reliable link to control the entire data center network. We expect this TAM to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Our expectation is that it can be quite a needle mover even next year in the second half on a run-rate basis.

Operator: Our next question comes from Richard Shannon with Craig-Hallum Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.

Richard Shannon: Just one follow-up to dig in on the DSP side. How big could the other applications outside duplex optical DSP beLRO, LPO, CPO, AEC, retimers, etc.in a year or two? Could that be 10% or even 20% of the total portfolio?

Kishore Seendripu: We are still in the early innings of how this market plays outCPOs and others are likely three years out from determining broader adoption. At this point, it is a very small share of the market from a silicon units point of view. I do not expect it to be a huge part of our revenues near term. From a TAM perspective, I would rank optical transceiver PAM4 DSPs as number one, substantially outweighing the rest; second would be electrical retimers as that happens; and third would be AECs. AECs are more point-in-time applicationdriven and will evolve. Near term, revenues will be massively outweighed by optical transceiver PAM4 DSP.

Operator: We have reached the end of our question and answer session. There are no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn the floor back over to Leslie Green for closing comments.

Leslie Green: Thank you all. This quarter, we will be presenting at several financial conferences, and the details will be posted on our Investor Relations page. Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to speaking with you again soon.

Operator: This concludes todays teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

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MaxLinear (MXL) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript was originally published by The Motley Fool
A former corrections officer at Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility, Joshua Lee, 22, entered a guilty plea Thursday to one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct for engaging in multiple sexual acts with several prisoners while working at the prison, a press release from Attorney General Dana Nessels office stated.

Lee was charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in October by the attorney generals office, charges that carry a maximum 15-year felony sentence.

No one is above the law, and everyone deserves safety from sexual abuse, Nessel said in the press release. Through the combined efforts of the Michigan Department of Corrections, the Michigan State Police, and prosecutors in my department, we have ensured that Mr. Lee will not only be held accountable but can no longer abuse his position.

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Lees sentencing comes amid broader safety and health concerns at the Womens Huron Valley prison. At a February hearing of the Michigan House Oversight Committee, state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) detailed cases of mistreatment and a lack of medical care being provided to those incarcerated at the facility, as well as a prevalent mold issue.

State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) testifies to the House Oversight Committee on health and sanitation concerns at the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Feb. 24, 2026. | Screenshot.

Pohutsky related the story in the hearing of one woman incarcerated at the facility, Krystal Clark, who had visible mold growing in her ears, and had developed other health issues, including a facial droop and severe swelling in her arms, while incarcerated. Pohutsky said another woman, Jennifer Wallace, died of sepsis in November 2025 after her tooth became infected and the infection traveled to her heart. Her autopsy also showed that she was developing pneumonia, which her family suspects may have been caused by mold at the prison.

The prison was also the subject of a $500 million lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections, MDOC Director Heidi Washington, Deputy Director Jeremy Bush, and numerous other corrections officers. The suit alleges invasion of privacy, intentional abuse, and violations of incarcerated womens rights through body-camera recordings by guards during strip searches. Lee was not a named defendant in that lawsuit.

Nessel noted that while Michigan law currently criminalizes sexual contact by corrections officers, there is no statute specifically addressing sexual penetration, which occurred in this case, meaning all cases against officers are charged as second-degree offenses. She urged the Legislature to update statutes for first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct to explicitly cover sexual penetration.

Lee is scheduled to be sentenced in Washtenaw County on June 18.
Former U.S. ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker warned European nations against criticizing President Trumps military operations against Iran.

You might think that this is a huge folly and going to have terrible consequences, but you dont have to say it, Volker said on the Friday episode of Politicos EU Confidential podcast.

By saying it, you alienate Donald Trump and you run the risk that he will then link your unhappiness with his policies to his unhappiness for some of your policies, he continued.

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Volker represented the U.S. in NATO from 2008 to 2009, and he later served in the first Trump administration as a special representative to Ukraine.

He told Politico that European leaders have ways to be proactive  without taking gratuitous shots at President Trump that dont actually help.

The current U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, told Newsmax earlier this month that Trump was reevaluating the countrys membership in this international military alliance amid pushback from European allies about the U.S.s strikes on Iran.

Several European leaders have voiced their concern or outright opposition after the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military operation on Tehran at the end of February. The conflict has stretched on for nearly 56 days, as of Friday evening.

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The leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Germany strongly urged the two sides to return to the negotiation table to figure out a nuclear agreement after the outbreak in fighting.

The strikes have even drawn opposition from some of Trumps closest European allies, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The Italian head of state strongly condemned an attack on an Iranian elementary school, which killed 175 people. Officials told The New York Times that the strike was a result of a targeting error of the U.S. military  a report the Pentagon declined to confirm.

Earlier this month, the U.K. and France chaired a global summit on the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. Around a fifth of the worlds oil consumption flows through the critical waterway on a daily basis under typical conditions.

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The two European countries convened 51 countries in Paris last Friday to discuss a strictly defensive approach to securing the free movement of commerce through the major trading corridor.

Trump has maintained a naval blockade in the strait during an indefinite ceasefire period with Iran, blocking Iranian ports and stopping some ships from traveling through the waterway. The U.S. navy is also conducting de-mining operations in the strait during the halt in fighting to remove threats to ships traveling through.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A former youth pastor is facing a lengthy prison sentence for the rape of two girls under the age of 13 in two separate cases in Canton and Woodstock.

Superior Court Judge Tony Baker sentenced Reyes Hernandez-Macario, 26, to two consecutive life sentences for the crimes, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said Friday.

A Cherokee County jury found Hernandez-Macario guilty on all eight charges he faced: two counts of rape, two counts of child molestation, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.

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Prosecutors said Hernandez-Macario was known to both girls.

Canton Police Department began investigating the first rape report in August 2023, and Woodstock Police Department began investigating another report in September of the same year.

As a youth pastor for a church in Canton, Hernandez-Macario drove kids on a bus to services. One child in Canton told authorities that after dropping off the other children, Hernandez-Macario parked the van, locked the doors and assaulted her. He then warned her not to tell anyone.

She told her family six months later, and they called 911.

In the Woodstock incident, a child said that Hernandez-Macario assaulted her while alone with her in the living room of her familys home, covering her mouth to prevent her from calling for help, holding her down, and threatening to harm her family if she told.

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The girl told her family one year later.

In both cases, the defendant isolated the victims, used force to overpower them, and relied on threats to keep them silent. The jury heard directly from these young victims and witnessed the lasting trauma they continue to carry, said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines, of the Special Victims Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the state.

Delayed disclosure is very common in cases involving child victims, Hines said. Fear, confusion, and threats from the offender often prevent children from coming forward right away.

Hernandez-Macario was arrested on Oct. 22, 2023, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as he was about to board a flight to Guatemala. He had bought a one-way ticket.

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This defendant exploited positions of trust to gain access to children and used violence and intimidation to control them. He then made a cowardly attempt to flee the country once they came forward, Treadaway said.

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Palestinians in Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip were voting on Saturday in their first municipal elections in more than 20 years and the first since the Gaza war.

Observers saw the poll, in which 70,000 residents were eligible to vote, as largely symbolic but said it could provide a model for future elections.

The election was organized by the Palestinian Authority (PA) of President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Fatah movement, which administers parts of the West Bank.

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Palestinian extremist group Hamas drove Fatah out of the Gaza Strip in 2007 after Hamas won the 2006 elections to the Palestinian National Council.

The Times of Israel newspaper said it remained unclear whether Hamas would recognize the results of the Deir al-Balah election.

While the Israeli military has seized control of more than half of the Gaza Strip amid the latest war with Hamas, the extremist group has re-established control of the remaining part.

In the past, the militia has appointed the municipal councils in the Palestinian areas and not permitted local elections.

According to media reports, some of the candidates standing are seen as close to Hamas, while the organization has not offered official support to any.

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Those standing for office in the PA's communal elections must sign a declaration to the effect that they back a two-state solution that envisages an independent Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside Israel.

Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government reject this.

Speaking to Arab and US media, Deir al-Balah residents expressed hope that a newly elected municipal council would improve living conditions for the city's residents.

Candidates on four lists have focussed on programmes aimed at improving access to water and electricity. Israel, which controls the supply of fuel for generators, continues to have great influence in these areas.

Palestinians cast thier ballot at a makeshift polling station during the Palestinian local elections in Deir el-Balah. Palestinians in the West Bank and a central area of Gaza began voting on April 25 in local elections in a first vote since the Gaza war. Hadi Daoud/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
An investigation into a dogs death has led to animal cruelty charges against a Georgia couple.

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Authorities say Andrew James Groncki, 33, and Megan Gibson, 23, are facing multiple charges, including 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.

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According to Walker County officials, the investigation began March 16 at a home on Carline Road after a Georgia Department of Family and Childrens Services case manager reported she no longer heard a dog barking during her visits.

When animal control officers arrived, Gibson told them the dog had died after refusing to eat, losing weight, and showing signs of vomiting and diarrhea. She said Groncki, her fiance, planned to dispose of the remains.

Authorities later spoke with Groncki at his workplace, where he admitted he did not seek medical help for the dog and said someone he met on Facebook was supposed to remove the remains.

When officers returned to the home, they made a disturbing discovery. While on the back porch, Animal Control Officer Terry Helton spotted paws and legs sticking out from underneath a white comforter-like sheet in the backyard.

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The dogs remains were taken to a veterinarian for a necropsy. Officials say the exam revealed the dog had been dead for three to five days. The veterinarian also found a cloth-like material balled up in the dogs stomach, along with bones, which prevented proper digestion.

According to the veterinarian, the condition would have led to a slow death by starvation.

Walker County Animal Control Director Tyler Bishop says both suspects were aware of the dogs declining health and made a conscious decision not to seek veterinary care.

If convicted, Groncki could face up to three years in prison and significant fines. Gibson could face up to two years behind bars, along with thousands of dollars in fines.

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Wildfires in Georgia have burned more than 39,500 acres and destroyed more than 120 homes, officials have said.

Two major fires in the south-east of the state  the Pineland Road Fire and the Highway 82 fire  prompted Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to declare a 30-day state of emergency in 91 of the state's 159 counties.

"Right now conditions are so dry that even one small spark can quickly turn into a dangerous wildfire," Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo said in a video statement.

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Emergency officials are also battling a range of smaller blazes, reporting 32 new wildfires that consumed 50 acres on Saturday.

"We are in extreme drought conditions, and wildfire activity has already surpassed our five year average," Sabo added.

The fires began sprouting up on 18 April and Kemp declared a state of emergency four days later.

A foil balloon that came into contact with a power line is believed to have sparked the Highway 82 fire, which has consumed about 7,500 acres so far, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The blaze was about 10% contained, they said.

A stray spark from a welding operation is believed to be the source of the Pineland Road Fire which has scorched 32,000 acres, the GFC said.

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Officials said in an update on Friday that at least 35 "minor structures" had been lost in Pineland fire and 187 homes remained threatened.

Ninety-one counties in the state have been placed under an outdoor burn ban, which prohibits the burning of rubbish and agricultural materials.

The Dudek family watched the flames reach their property line as they started to gather belongings, they told CBS News, the BBC's US media partner.

As they evacuated their children and pets, Anna Dudek watched through her phone's security camera feed as the flames engulfed their home.

"When both of my devices were offline, and it was black and I couldn't see no more, it was so gut-wrenching because then I knew, like, they got... what I call home," she told CBS News.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said the 120 homes lost to wildfires in Brantley and Clinch counties is a record number for the state.

Weve looked at all the records going back historically with the state and we believe that these two fires have created the most lost homes ever in the history of our state, Kemp said Friday after touring much of the scorched areas in the southern part of Georgia.

The two fires ... Pineland fire and the Highway 82 fire rank No. 1 and 2 in the country, Kemp said during a news briefing Friday at the Waycross-Ware County Airport. So we got the two most dangerous, biggest, problematic fires anywhere in the United States in the small area were having to fight. Its a lot for us to deal with.

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Related | Live Updates: Georgia wildfires continue growing, Florida firefighter dies, how Hwy 82 fire started

At about noon Saturday, the Brantley County Sheriffs Office ordered more evacuations for Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Hwy 32. LEAVE NOW, a sheriffs office social media post said.

The U.S. Highway 82 fire (Brantley County) has grown overnight to about 9,572 acres, a few thousand acres more than the previous day. The Georgia Forestry Commission said the fire was 10 percent contained. By Saturday morning, officials said 90 homes were destroyed there.

The Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County grew a few hundred acres to about 31,976 acres, the Georgia Forestry Commission said late Friday. More than 30 homes were destroyed there.

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Glynn County declared a local State of Emergency on Friday to ensure resources can be deployed without delay.

Officials there are urging residents living between Highway 82 and Highway 32 from Old Post Road to Highway 99, and those who live on and between Old Post Road and Buck Swamp Road south of Highway 82, to review emergency plans and gather essential items in case conditions worsen and they must evacuate.

CLICK HERE to view Georgia Forestry Commissions interactive wildfires map

Georgia Wildfire Map, 4/25/2026

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)

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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)

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)

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Republican Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey, who has missed votes in the House for more than a month, has broken his silence over his prolonged absence from Capitol Hill.

In a statement posted Monday on X, Kean said he expects to return to the Capitol "very soon" as he deals with a "personal medical issue."

"My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent," he said.

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Kean said, "I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult."

Kean, 57, cast his last vote on March 5. Since then, he's missed 50 roll call votes.

As House Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a narrow majority, a Republican member's prolonged absence could impact the ability to move must-pass legislation and President Donald Trump's agenda.

Johnson is currently trying to pass Department of Homeland Security funding, a long-term extension of FISA and the farm bill -- all relying on Republican votes. He can afford to lose only two votes on any party-line bill, and that's if all members are present and voting.

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Johnson said in a statement provided to ABC News that he spoke to Kean by phone last Thursday, and that he is dealing with an unspecified "personal health matter."

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., arrives for the House Republican Conference caucus meeting in the U.S. Capitol, March 4, 2026.

"I was happy to speak to Tom Kean, Jr. this afternoon by phone. He is attending to a personal health matter and expects to be back to 100% very soon. Tom is one of the most dedicated and hardest-working Members of Congress, and I am grateful for all he does and will continue to do to serve New Jerseyans and our country," Johnson said.

Kean, who was first elected in 2022, also faces a tough reelection campaign this year. Republicans are seeking to maintain majority control in Congress in this year's midterm elections, a cycle that is historically unfavorable to the president's party.

His district, New Jersey's 7th, is rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report and is expected to be a top target for Democrats. Kean does not face any challengers in the Republican primary slated for June 2.
Sylvia Luke was so affected emotionally and physically over a state Attorney Generals investigation, Gov. Josh Green said, he worried about her health and intentionally left her out of important meetings, such as the states responses to the back-to- back-to-back storms that began in March.

It was really affecting her and that was a concern I had just as a governor, Green told the Honolulu Star-

Advertiser in his Capitol office on Friday. I was worried that she couldnt be at her best. And you have to be at your best in this job. You have to be able to focus. I mean we had a gigantic flood. And because of this circumstance, I really had no choice but to do it just with my adjutant general. We couldnt bring in the lieutenant governor or her team because this whole thing was hanging over them. Decisions have to get made in the moment as the investigation seemed to be more and more serious. So I wasnt able to really lean on her or her team, even though weve had a very good run for three years.

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As speculation increased that Luke may be the influential state legislator who allegedly accepted $35,000 in cash in a paper bag, Green canceled multiple trips that would have left Luke temporarily in charge of the state.

Green has not been interviewed as part of the investigation and has purposely kept it at arms length, he said.

I really dont know any of the details of the Attorney Generals investigation, Green said.

But he and Attorney General Anne E. Lopez agreed that she would notify him of any critical developments, such as Luke becoming a target.

I had spoken with the

attorney general over the last several weeks and we agreed that if things got

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serious enough where it would impede her (Lukes) capacity to govern, that I had to know, Green said.

On Wednesday, Lopez informed Green that her office had sent target letters to Luke and others.

Thats when everything kind of started to explode, Green said. In order to maintain public trust, if theres a circumstance in which things are so serious that theres a target letter and a possible indictment, then thats too much to hang over somebody and they need to step away.  So when it crossed that threshold with a target letter, thats when I knew that we had to sit down and talk about a potential leave of absence or other alternatives that we could discuss. There was no question that we had to meet.

Green asked Luke to see him in his office Thursday morning to discuss her future.

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There was some discussion as to whether she would resign altogether, Green said. But in truth, I dont want to ever be judge and jury. It was emotional. It was very tough for her. It was also tough for me to be so direct. And we just had a heart-to-heart talk.

Luke left for about an hour to consider her future and then told Green that she would go on a leave of absence.

To the lieutenant governors credit, she insisted that it be an unpaid leave, Green said. That was her idea. So I think that was the right thing to do. My hope is that shes able to now spend time and find whatever kind of closure or resolution she can.

She did a good job with early education and preschools and broadband, Green said. Im pleased with that work. But Im sad that this event from 2022 caught up with her and it has to be resolved.

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On Jan. 20, 2022, Luke, the then-chair of the powerful House Finance Committee, had dinner with her House Finance Committee Vice Chair Ty J.K. Cullen, lobbyist Tobi Solidum and Solidums daughter, Kristen Pae.

Luke was running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor while Rep. Cullen was acting as an FBI informant and recorded the meeting after he was caught by FBI agents taking bribes from the waste water systems executive Milton J. Choy.

In February, Cullen and former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English entered separate guilty pleas in federal court to a single count of wire fraud for accepting cash in envelopes, Las Vegas hotel rooms, dinners for friends, casino chips and access to high-stakes gambling in New Orleans between 2014 and 2021. In exchange, the two lawmakers worked to manipulate and kill legislation to benefit Choy and his company.

Luke told the Star-Advertiser this February that during the January 2022 dinner she accepted a $5,000 check from Cullens friend, Solidum, and a $5,000 check from Solidums daughter. The checks were dated Jan. 20, 2022, and Jan. 21, 2022.

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Luke said she returned the checks to Solidum on March 25, 2022, after the guilty pleas by Cullen and English and after she realized that Solidum and Choy were friends.

She acknowledged failing to reflect the original campaign contributions in her Campaign Spending Commission financial disclosure documents, but did update her reports this February, three years later, calling it a clerical oversight by her campaign. The commission continues to investigate whether the failure to initially report the donations violated state law.

As the Attorney Generals investigation continued, Green  president of the Council of State Governments  canceled a trade mission visit to London, and an appearance in Washington, D.C., to attend the National Governors Association meeting, where Green hoped to meet with White House officials, including the secretaries of energy and education.

He also canceled plans in Los Angeles to have necessary conversations with other national leaders on Medicaid and health care and to make an East Coast visit to see family, including his daughter, whos away at college.

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Each time as we got close to a trip, something big was always coming up with this investigation and I just thought, I cant go Green said.

Whenever he leaves the state, the lieutenant governor serves as acting governor and, sometimes, big decisions have to get made, Green said.

Luke filled in for Green on Aug. 8, 2023, when wildfires raced through West Maui, killing 102 people and led Luke to issue the first emergency proclamation in response.

Now that Green has named state Comptroller Keith Regan as acting lieutenant governor, Green hopes Luke can focus on her legal challenges and he can focus on other important issues for Hawaii and its people.

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I just feel a sense of relief because now we can move forward, Green said. There are big issues for us to face: The (storm) recovery, the military leases, budget, the taxes that we pay. I mean these are huge things that the people of Hawaii need good leadership on.

It was getting harder and harder as this investigation seemed to be getting closer to something serious, he said. And you also just dont like to see everyone on edge and that was also the case. So now the lieutenant governor can go and work on this. And I really wish everyone has the ability to get closure on this because its good for our state if that happens.
Greece and France extended their strategic cooperation agreement on Saturday for a further five years, pledging to cooperate more closely on defence.

Following a signing ceremony in Athens with French President Emmanuel Macron, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the event as "an historic day."

First agreed in 2021, the strategic cooperation will be permanent after the new five-year period expires.

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The agreement includes a mutual defence clause in the event that either country is attacked. The two leaders said it was part of efforts towards a European Union that was more independent in military and foreign policy.

"We aim to inspire the rest of Europe and strengthen NATO's European pillars," Macron said.

Macron and Mitsotakis said that Article 42.7, the mutual assistance clause of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), was more clearly formulated than NATO's Article 5, which allows NATO members greater leeway in the event of crisis.

Speaking to Mitsotakis on front of Greek television earlier on Saturday, Macron said that France would stand at Athens' side in the event of a threat to Greece, for example from Turkey.

A spat between Greece and Turkey over natural gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean region came close to military conflict in the summer of 2020. Athens has since purchased 24 Rafale combat jets and four frigates from France.
By John Revill

BERN, April 24 (Reuters) - The Swiss National Bank should sell its $1.1 billion stake in Palantir Technologies, campaigners from Minneapolis said at a meeting of the central bank on Friday, citing the firm's involvement in U.S. immigration enforcement operations.

The SNB held 6.24 million Palantir shares at the end of 2025 as part of its 725 billion Swiss franc ($922 billion) foreign currency investments, according to the latest filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Palantir, a data analytics firm co-founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, won a contract last year with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to develop surveillance systems.

Its work has come under scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in separate incidents involving immigration officials in Minneapolis in January.

A delegation from Minneapolis travelled to the SNB shareholders' meeting in Bern on Friday to present the city council's request that the central bank sever ties to Palantir over its links to ICE and surveillance activities.

"Palantir is a threat to our democracy, not just in the United States, but around the world," said Janette Corcelius, a member of the delegation who was invited to the SNB meeting by campaign group BreakFree Suisse.

Palantir did not respond to a request for comment.

Its CEO, Alex Karp, earlier this year defended the firm's surveillance technology, saying it has safeguards to prevent government overreach.

In a letter to shareholders, he said Palantir's technology ensures the "state and its agents can see only what ought to be seen."

The SNB, which carries out regular reviews of its holdings, declined to comment on individual assets.

It has built up a large portfolio of foreign stocks while investing its currency reserves, buying shares to reflect their weighting in global markets rather than picking individual companies.

Under its guidelines, the central bank says it does not invest in companies that grossly violate commonly held Swiss values, seriously breach fundamental human rights or systematically cause severe environmental damage.

Other large investors, including Nordic financial services group Storebrand Asset Management, have sold their Palantir stakes over the company's work.

"Palantir clearly breaches the SNB's guidelines," said Guillaume Durin of BreakFree Suisse. "The SNB investment gives a halo of respectability to companies like Palantir."

($1 = 0.7867 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill. Editing by Mark Potter)
A Guatemalan man living illegally in the U.S. has been arrested by federal immigration agents after he was released from jail by Virginia authorities, despite being charged with possessing child pornography, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Roni Mendez-Escobar was arrested Wednesday in Fairfax County, which has drawn national media attention amid a series of crimes committed by illegal immigrants there in recent months.

"This sicko has been charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography and possession of child pornography with intent to distribute. Despite these heinous crimes, sanctuary politicians in Fairfax County, Virginia, refused to honor ICEs detainer and released a child predator from jail without notifying ICE," DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said Thursday.

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Dhs Slams Insane 5-Year Plea Deal For Illegal Immigrants Who Admitted Fatal Stabbing In Virginia

Roni Mendez-Escobar, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested in Fairfax County, Va., following his release despite having an active ICE detainer. He was previously arrested in October for 15 felony counts of possession of obscene material and two felony counts of possession of child porn with intent to distribute. (Getty Images)

Mendez-Escobar was initially arrested in October 2025 and charged with 15 felony counts of possession of obscene material and two felony counts of possession of child porn with intent to distribute. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer with Fairfax County, but it was ignored and he was released days after his arrest without ICE being notified, DHS said.

Mendez-Escobar, who had been deported from the U.S. three times since 2015, entered illegally for a fourth time at an unknown place and date, authorities said.

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Ice Pressures Spanberger As Fairfax Murder Suspects Trigger New Detainers In Sanctuary Clash

Fairfax County has made headlines in recent months over a string of crimes tied to illegal immigrants.

Earlier this month, Misael Lopez Gomez, also an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested and charged with murder and felony child abuse after bludgeoning his own 3-month-old daughter to death.

In March, Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, also from Guatemala, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after fatally stabbing a man inside his home.

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Abdul Jalloh, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone with a long criminal history including more than 30 arrests, was charged with murder after fatally stabbing Stephanie Minter at a bus stop.

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This week, Israel Flores Ortiz, 18, was sentenced to 360 days in jail after being convicted of groping several female classmates in Fairfax High School hallways earlier this year.





Original article source: Guatemalan man charged with child porn possession released by Fairfax County despite ICE detainer, DHS says
Gunfire outside a convenience store in Harlem led to an officer-involved shooting on Friday night.

Police said at 6:20 p.m., a 32-year-old man walked up to another man who was sitting outside a convenience store and fired shots at him, striking him multiple times at close range.

Two plainclothes NYPD officers were driving by on 125th Street and witnessed the entire shooting.

Both officers immediately got out of the car, one immediately rendered aid to the victim while the other officer ran after the shooter, police said.

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The shooter ran northbound on Amsterdam Avenue and as he rounded the corner, a third male ran into the intersection and discharged a firearm at the original shooter.

Police said as the third man fired his firearm in the middle of the intersection the officer rounded the corner and also fired his weapon.

The original shooter was struck once, but police say it was not clear whose shot struck him and is still under investigation.

Bullets from either the third man or the officer went through the glass of Medrite Urgent Care. No bystanders were injured.

Both the victim outside the convenience store and the shooter, who was struck with a bullet, were taken to St. Luke's Hospital, police said.

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The third man who fired shots in the middle of the intersection on Friday night is still at large, police said.

Police said the shooter outside the convenience store fired a gun into a crowd of people just a few blocks away in an incident in June 2015.

He was convicted of attempted murder from that incident and was released from jail in 2025 and was on parole until August 2029, according to police.

Police said he has 11 previous arrests, including several other violent felonies.

Officers were not wearing body cameras because they were on their meal break when they responded, but police said the shooting was captured on surveillance video.

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Gunfire rocked several districts of the junta-ruled west African country of Mali on Saturday, including Kati, the home of military ruler General Assimi Goita, witnesses and a security source told AFP.

Fighting was also heard in the northern cities of Gao and Kidal and Sevare in the centre of the landlocked nation that has been battling more than a decade of jihadist conflict.

The military, which seized power in two coups in 2020 and 2021, did not immediately comment on events and no claims of responsibility were made.

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Helicopters flew over the capital Bamako on Saturday, including at the international airport, AFP correspondents said.

Mali has resources including gold and other valuable minerals. But since 2012, it has been grappling with a security crisis over attacks by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group and community-based criminal groups and separatists.

The military government, like its counterparts in neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, has severed ties with former colonial ruler France and several Western countries, to move closer politically and militarily to Russia.

- Jihadist turmoil -

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US President Donald Trump's administration has sought to establish contacts with the three juntas, while Togo has sought to act as an intermediary between western nations and the three countries, which have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States.

Thousands of people have died in attacks in Mali since the jihadist turmoil erupted and tens of thousands of Malians have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, including Mauritania, in recent years.

Russia's Wagner Group, which had been fighting with Malian forces against jihadists since 2021, announced the end of its mission in June 2025, and has become the Africa Corps, an organisation under the direct control of the Russian defence ministry.

The junta has cracked down on critics and dissolved political parties.

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It had pledged to hand over power to civilians by March 2024 but in July 2025, it granted Goita a five-year presidential term, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without an election.

Since September, jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda affiliate known by its Arab acronym JNIM, have been attacking fuel tanker convoys, bringing the capital Bamako to a standstill at the height of the crisis in October.

Despite several months of calm, Bamako residents faced a diesel shortage in March, with fuel prioritised for use in the energy sector.

sd/str-mrb/ach/tw/rmb
On Saturday, Gazans in Deir al-Balah will go to the polls to elect new local leaders for the first time in 2o years, a move experts warn could allow Hamas room to maintain influence as it refuses to comply with ceasefire disarmament terms.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer told Fox News Digital that "when you hold elections in the Palestinian Authority and the timings not right and the circumstances are still dicey, you get Hamas victories."

Schanzer said the Bush administrations 2006 decision to advocate for elections "led to Hamas winning, and it led to a standoff which led to a civil war."

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"Youve got to be really careful when it comes to holding elections with a territory like Gaza in particular, where Hamas has so much control, and where terrorist organizations are still considered to be legitimate players," Schanzer added.

Experts Urge Trump To Ban Terror-linked Un Agency From His Gaza Peace Plan

Gazan journalists and media personnel continue to be posthumously identified as members of terrorist groups, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing terror affiliates from civilians.

Read On The Fox News App

Election campaign banners showing candidates for the upcoming municipal elections hang on a building in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip April 21, 2026. (Getty Images)

Four parties are contesting the election in Deir al-Balah. To be eligible, candidates were asked to accept the Palestine Liberation Organization and the terms of agreements it has previously made, including recognition of the State of Israel and endorsement of a two-state solution, according to reporting by the Center for Peace Communications.

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However, many are concerned that one party, Deir al-Balah Unites Us, is affiliated with Hamas. Two of its candidates have been pictured with Hamas officials or police officers.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, posted on X that "holding elections in Gaza at this time is extremely reckless and irresponsible," noting that "Gazans are being arrested, jailed, tortured, shot, and killed daily for social media posts and anything they say thats perceived as being critical of Hamas.

"These elections should be halted and prevented from proceeding, for they are meddling with the transition process that the Board of Peace, [National Council for the Administration of Gaza], and the international community have planned for Gaza, with Hamass disarmament and relinquishment of power being the first necessary step."

Trump Says 'Real Chance For Greatness' As Netanyahu White House Meeting Looms For Gaza Talks

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Disarmament of Hamas, a key demand within the second phase of President Donald Trumps ceasefire agreement, has yet to be completed. Reports indicate that Hamas has increased its hold in Gaza as of March, continuing to tax locals, building education system and placing police throughout the territory it holds.

Hamas terrorists stand guard in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip Feb. 22, 2025, during the handover of hostages as part of a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner swap deal with Israel.

Schanzer said Hamas is unlikely to hand over its arms. If it were to do so, he said that they "will try to make distinctions between weapons," possibly offering to give up heavy weapons like RPGs while maintaining a large arsenal of automatic weapons.

Hamas appears to have made a partial disarmament offer. The New York Times reported April 19 that two Hamas officials said they would hand over thousands of weapons from their police force and other security institutions. The officials "did not provide a clear answer" when asked if weapons from Hamas so-called military wing would be included.

Hamas Faces 'Legitimacy Crisis' As Desperate Gazans Flock To Us-backed Aid Centers

President Donald Trump holds up a signed agreement during a world leaders summit focused on ending the Gaza war in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Oct. 13.

Schanzer pushed back on claims that Hamas political and military wings operate separately.

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"That is a fiction. The idea that they are separate in any way or that there is a firewall between them is asinine." He said that this is "a distinction that has been made up by the West in order to be able to have political relations with Hamas, or to justify elections. Its a mistake to buy into that fiction."

Schanzer said weakening Iran could be key to minimizing Hamas influence.

"The psychological impact of their top patron being defeated on the battlefield, I cant overstate how important that event could be," he said. "It would be a gut punch to Hamas."

An election campaign starts in the city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza on April 12, 2026, as part of the local elections scheduled for April 25.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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With Israel controlling about 53% of the Gaza Strip and Hamas the remaining 47%, Schanzer said, "We could continue to see the erosion of Hamas control" amid the "slow and steady process of Israel winning on the ground."

He said patience, though, is necessary, adding that "the enemies of the United States and Israel and the West have a very different timeline. They want to wait out everybody because they know that wed like to move on."

The Trump administration did not respond to Fox News Digitals questions about whether a partial disarmament would satisfy its ceasefire terms or if it would take action to stall elections until theres more stability in Gaza





Original article source: Hamas influence looms over Gaza elections as experts warn vote could backfire
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday defended the U.S. military operation against Iran amid President Trumps ongoing feud with Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church.

The popes gonna do his thing, thats fine, Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. We know what our mission is, we know what authority we have. Were very clear about that, we follow that  the orders of the president.

He added: Weve got lawyers all over the place looking at what were doing and why were doing it and giving us every authority necessary under the Constitution and under our laws to execute across the spectrum.

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U.S. Catholic bishops and Vatican officials have stated that the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran does not meet the just war standards for conflict, which requires it to be a last resort and not a preemptive strike.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, in early April told CBS News that under the just war theory, the fight is not righteous.

Leo, the first American-born Catholic pontiff, also has criticized the war and called for an end to the fighting, saying God does not bless any conflict.

The comments have angered Trump, who said in a Truth Social post that the pope is WEAK on crime and terrible for Foreign Policy. Responding to pushback from the comments, the president said he has a right to disagree with the pope.

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Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician, Trump wrote in a post online. Its hurting him very badly and, more importantly, its hurting the Catholic Church!

The pope pushed back, saying he has no fear of the Trump administration.

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.
JEFFERSON  It was a special homecoming for Michael Brennan, who grew up in the village and the city of Geneva, and returned Friday afternoon to help celebrate the planting of a Heritage Tree at Jefferson Memorial Park.

Brennan was representing the America250 Ohio committee as an ambassador. He grew up in Ashtabula County and was proud to be able to be a part of this special ceremony.

Ive had this date circled on my calendar since it was scheduled, Brennan said. Its especially meaningful for me to be dedicating a tree ... in a place I will always call home.

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The oak is one of 88 scheduled to be planted, or have already been planted, in each of Ohios counties. Brennan said 25 were planted in 2025, and nine so far in 2026, with the rest to be planted by the end of the year.

He said the swamp oak is best suited for the climate in Ashtabula County, and lasts a long time. In some situations the oak has been known to grow for as many as 550 years, but could likely last 200 to 250 years, Brennan said.

Rev. Vernon Palo, of Saybrook Methodist Church, expressed hope that the country will still be working well on its 500th birthday. He said a well cared-for tree lasts a long time, and represents the history of our nation.

Jefferson Mayor Steve Sekanina represented the village, and Ashtabula County Commissioner J.P. Ducro represented the county during the ceremony.

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Ducro said the planting of a tree is a simple act but also represents something much larger.

The National Anthem was led by Kathy Milford and Troy Bailey led the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution color guard , which presented the colors at the ceremony.

A variety of county officials attended the ceremony.
Earlier, two projectiles were launched into Israeli territory by the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, triggering sirens in the areas of Manara, Margaliot, and Misgav Am in northern Israel,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF to attack Hezbollah in southern Lebanon after repeated attacks on Israel's North on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier, two projectiles were launched into Israeli territory by the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, triggering sirens in the areas of Manara, Margaliot, and Misgav Am in northern Israel, the IDF announced on Saturday.

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One of the projectiles was successfully intercepted by the IDF, and the other fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.

The IDF emphasized that the incident "constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terrorist organization."

A short while later, Hezbollah launched explosive drones towards Israeli troops operating south of the IDF's Forward Defense Line. The drones detonated adjacent to the soldiers, and no injuries were reported.

This is the second time Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire, which began on April 16 and was originally supposed to last for 10 days before being extended for an additional three weeks.

IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon on April 25, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

On Tuesday, Hezbollah terrorists fired a rocket at Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon, constituting the first ceasefire violation, according to Israeli media reports.

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The IDF confirmed the Tuesday attack against its troops, stating that it had located and struck the Hezbollah rocket launcher used in the incident.

IDF's Saturday operations against Hezbollah terrorists

Prior to the ceasefire-violating projectile launches, the IDF successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target identified in the vicinity of Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon before it could cross into Israeli territory.

In its continued operations against Hezbollah, the IDF also killed several terrorists over the course of the weekend so far, the military announced on Saturday.

Three Hezbollah terrorists driving a motorcycle loaded with weapons were struck, in addition to another terrorist identified riding a motorcycle identified behind the IDFs Forward Defense Line.

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Soldiers from the Golani Brigade and the Multidimensional Unit identified and guided an air strike against two more armed Hezbollah terrorists in the Litani River area.

All of the terrorists targeted on Saturday posed threats to Israeli troops and were killed in order to ensure the safety of IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

IDF uncovers Hezbollah weapons caches, targets terror infrastructure

The IDF carried out multiple further operations in southern Lebanon on Saturday, uncovering weapons caches and destroying Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Reserve soldiers in the Paratroopers Brigade discovered a stash of anti-tank missiles, intended for use against Israeli soldiers and civilians, in a Hezbollah weapons storage facility.

A cache of Hezbollah anti-tank missiles located by IDF troops in southern Lebanon on April 25, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

In a separate operation, troops located an underground shaft containing Kalashnikov rifles.

In the Bint Jbeil area, the IDF identified and dismantled structures used by Hezbollah for terrorist activities.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Who is Hisham Abugharbieh? Suspect charged 2 USF student killings

A 27-year-old former USF student is charged with killing his roommate and his roommates friend, authorities announced April 25.

Hisham Abugharbieh was arrested April 24, one week after Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, were reported missing. Originally, Abugharbieh was charged with domestic violence, tampering with evidence and unlawfully holding or removing a dead human body. Two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon were added less than 24 hours later.

Evidence was presented to the State Attorneys Office, resulting in further charges against Abugharbieh, the sheriffs office said in a statement. At this time, the search for Bristy continues.

Who is Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, the suspect in the USF doctoral students killing?

Abugharbieh is a 26-year-old American citizen who lived with Limon in an apartment about a mile from the USF campus.

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Its not clear how long they lived together or how long they knew each other. Limon and Bristy had been described as friends, but its not known the relationship between Abugharbieh and Bristy.

Abugharbieh is not currently a USF student or employee, but he was enrolled in classes at the university from 2021 to 2023. A spokesman for the university said he was studying to get a bachelors in management.

He does have a criminal record including a 2023 charge of battery and burglary. Also that year, a relative filed two domestic petitions against him.

Where, why was Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh arrested in the killings of 2 USF doctoral students?

Authorities were called to Abugharbiehs family home, near the USF campus, for a domestic dispute the morning of April 24.

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Detectives were able to get Abugharbiehs family safely out of the home, but then he barricaded himself in the house. The SWAT team came to the location and was able to get Abugharbieh to come out without incident.

He emerged from the home with his hands raised, no shirt and a blue towel around his waist. Investigators said he was speaking with them after his arrest.

Authorities also interviewed him the day before but said Abugharbieh ended the interview and stopped talking. That was the same day the case was upgraded from missing person to endangered.

Limons remains were discovered the morning of April 24 on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. His body was taken to the county medical examiners officer where an autopsy was being performed to help determine the cause of death. Results were expected April 25.

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Investigators were still looking for Bristys body, including using divers to search the waters beneath the Howard Frankland Bridge.

When were USF doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy last seen?

A family friend reported Limon and Bristy missing shortly before 5 p.m. April 17 after not being able to reach either of them. Both University of South Florida Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office documented and processed missing persons reports.

Limon was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy while Bristy was studying chemical engineering.

Both families described Limon and Bristy as hardworking, dedicated, responsible students and said it was unusual for both to go days without talking to family members. They both had summer trips planned to their home country of Bangladesh.

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Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the networks Rapid Response reporter, she covers Floridas breaking news. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hisham Abugharbieh is suspect charged with killing USF students
NEED TO KNOW

A former Home Depot store manager in Florida is facing charges for allegedly giving unauthorized discounts to shoppers for years

Mauricio Jimenez, 48, of Hialeah, was arrested after allegedly costing the home improvement chain more than $4 million

The alleged fraud resulted in him receiving large bonuses for hitting sales targets

A former Florida Home Depot manager has been arrested after allegedly providing repeat customers with unauthorized discounts that cost the company millions.

Mauricio Jimenez, 48, of Hialeah, was arrested on April 21 by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, and could face charges of organized fraud of $50,000 or more and first-degree grand theft, USA Today, Local 10 and CBS News reported.

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PEOPLE reached out to the MDSO and Home Depot for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

He is accused of using "deliberate" and "systematic" fraud tactics on at least 4,500 separate unauthorized purchases totaling around $55 million in merchandise from December 2023 until April 2026, the outlets reported, citing an arrest report.

In video of his Wednesday, April 22 court appearance obtained by NBC Miami, Jimenezs attorney, Melissa Ramos, claimed her client did not benefit from the transactions.

"There's nothing that says that he was receiving any kickbacks, like he was getting any benefit from this," Ramos told Judge Mindy Glazer. It just says that he was issuing discounts to different companies.

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Those discounts cost the company over $4 million, and by increasing his sales using those discounts, he was compensated with larger bonuses, a prosecutor replied off-camera. So I believe that there would be probable cause on both counts.

After reviewing the arrest affidavit, Judge Glazer said, So he was selling items half off to these core customers, repeatedly, noting that it went on for 26 months.

The judge continued going over the documents, saying that Jimenez allegedly processed more than 4,500 separate orders, all with unauthorized markdowns, causing Home Depot to lose approximately $4.3 million.

He was also compensated by Home Depot with large bonuses because of the higher sales, according to arrest documents read in court by the judge.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

I think that would be probable cause for everything, she said.

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Judge Glazer then ordered Jimenez to stay away from the Home Depot at 7899 West Flagler Street in Miami. After stating that the former store manager had no priors, his bond was set at $15,000.

Citing the arrest affidavit, USA Today reported that members of the Home Depot Assurance & Advisory Management Program noticed a "high quality, high value, high markdown order" at one of the company stores Jimenez was previously employed at.

Management later "observed multiple transactions" that only Jimenez had access to approve, which raised more red flags.

Jimenez was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, but bonded out and was released from custody as of Friday, April 24, per CBS News and Local 10.

Read the original article on People
A Houston firefighter and his wife, a physician, turned a vacation into a life-saving mission after a gunman opened fire at a popular tourist site north of Mexico City this week.

Dr. Jyothi Lagisetty and her husband, Houston Fire Department Capt. Andrew Roseborrough, were visiting the Mayan pyramids Monday when shots rang out among a group of tourists.

Wed never been to Mexico City  the flights were cheap and we were like, Lets do it, Lagisetty said.

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The couple had arrived Sunday for a short trip. On Monday, they joined a tour group to visit the pyramids and nearby ruins about an hour outside the city.

Lagisetty remained at the base while Roseborrough climbed to the top to take photos. As he started descending, he heard gunfire.

I was about five or six steps down when I heard a loud pop, Roseborrough said. As I was thinking what that might have been, I heard about five or six more shots fired.

Mexican authorities said a 27-year-old gunman opened fire on tourists, wounding seven people and briefly taking others hostage. Roseborrough rushed down to his wife, and the two took cover behind a stone wall.

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It was surreal watching him waving the gun in the air and shooting it with hostages up there, Lagisetty said.

Authorities said Mexican military personnel arrived within minutes. The gunman later died by suicide.

Amid the chaos, the couple heard a call for help.

We just heard someone yelling for a doctor, and I dont even think we said a word, Lagisetty said. We just ran to where the voice was.

They found a young boy, believed to be between 5 and 7 years old, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body.

Lagisetty, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, immediately began treating him.

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What are the odds that that would happen when you were right there? she was asked. Next to nothing.

After stabilizing the child, the couple moved on to assist his injured mother.

Between a great firefighter and having an emergency room doctor there, we were able to secure the scene and get everyone everything that they needed, Roseborrough said.

Both the boy and his mother were taken to a hospital and are expected to survive.

Marty Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said the couples actions reflect the commitment of first responders, even off duty.

When someone calls out that we need help  without question, without missing a beat, they step in and do what they do best, which is save lives, Lancton said.

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Back home in Houston, the couple said they were simply grateful they were there at the right time.

Were just glad to have been able to help, Lagisetty said.

Roseborrough added that while he knew his wifes expertise, seeing her in action under such circumstances left a lasting impression.

I know what kind of doctor she is, but Ive never seen her on a live scene, he said. I was very impressed with my wife that day.

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.
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When youre unlucky in love, sometimes all you can do is work on yourself.

After missing out on would-be Hollywood partner Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Netflix is looking inward. On Thursday, as WBD shareholders finally gave their stamp of approval to the companys tie-up with Paramount Skydance, Netflix was too busy kicking off a massive share buyback program to notice. Still, its too soon to tell whos winning this breakup.

Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium analysis on all your favorite stocks.

READ ALSO: OpenAI Ties Up Loose Ends as Wall Street Awaits IPO and Joby Air Taxis Fly from JFK to Manhattan in Pursuit of FAA Certification

Winning is Losing

The Netflix story has had more twists and turns this year than the final season of Stranger Things. First, when the company seemed to win the bidding war for WBD, shares fell some 9%. Then, when Paramount submitted a final winning counteroffer, forcing Netflix to bow out, shares bounced back some 10%. Investors saw winning as losing and losing as winning.

But the good vibes havent lasted, and the market is now back to wondering if WBD was the one that got away. A first-quarter earnings beat last week was overshadowed by news that Reed Hastings, its co-founder and chairman, would step down in June and, worse, by weak second-quarter guidance suggesting growing subscriber churn. Shares have fallen 13% in the week since its earnings call, though not everyone is buying the doom story. I am surprised by how negatively the market has reacted to Netflixs earnings, Third Bridge sector analyst John Conca told The Daily Upside. I think the fear of churn is mitigated by what is expected to be better monetization in the ad-supported tier.

Now, Netflix is hoping it can deliver the type of pick-me-up its sagging share price needs:

The company is authorizing a massive $25 billion share buyback program, according to an SEC filing on Thursday. Thats in addition to the $6.8 billion \remaining in a $15 billion buyback program launched way back in December 2024.

The move will return some cash to shareholders, potentially boosting its share price along the way (its stock still dipped some 0.4% Thursday). The decline followed company leaders vowing to invest $20 billion this year in quality films and series after backing away from its $72 billion WBD bid.

Outtakes: The buyback plan is only half of Netflixs post-WBD story. Since then, the company has also acquired an AI startup led by Ben Affleck and launched kids-focused gaming app Netflix Playground. On Wednesday, reports surfaced that it was in final talks to buy the historic Radford Studio Center lot in Los Angeles, where Seinfeld and Gilligans Island were filmed, to shore up its real estate footprint. And, yes, since walking away from WBD, it has also announced another round of subscription price hikes.

This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter.
As Washington's political and media class descends on the capital for White House Correspondents Dinner weekend, the Human Rights Campaign has a message for some of them on Grindr: "F*** Around and Find Out."

The LGBTQ + advocacy group launched a geofenced ad campaign Friday and Saturday around the Correspondents Dinner and a Grindr-hosted party in Georgetown, targeting users who open the app near the weekends most visible gatherings. The ads link to HRCs "My Body, My Health campaign page and its broader "100 Days of Healthcare" initiative , which focuses on HIV prevention, access to care, and fighting stigma.

"Dinner guests and partygoers are going to rub elbows with folks undermining access to HIV prevention and care here in D.C. and across the country, and we want them to know whats at stake  and to stay safe, no matter who they go home with, an HRC spokesperson told The Advocate.

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Related: Grindrs White House Correspondents Dinner pre-party is the hottest ticket in Washington

Related: Democrats turn to gay hook-up app Grindr to reach LGBTQ+ voters ahead of the election

LGBTQ+ advocates and public health leaders warn that President Donald Trumps broader health agenda threatens HIV prevention infrastructure. Their concerns include executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies, the removal of LGBTQ+ health resources from government websites, and disruptions to public health programs at the Department of Health and Human Services that could weaken access to prevention, testing, and treatment.

hrc ad

This ad will display on Grindr screens around the White House Correspondents' Dinner Human Rights Campaign

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The administration has also faced criticism for proposed cuts and policy shifts affecting HIV prevention programs, including access to PrEP, testing, and community health outreach. For LGBTQ+ communities, particularly gay and bisexual men and transgender people, who remain disproportionately affected by HIV stigma and barriers to care, those policies shape daily life far beyond Washingtons political theater.

HRC says its goal is to help build a generation free of HIV and stigma.

The campaign lands during one of Washingtons most visible social and political weekends.

Saturday nights main event is the dinner itself at the historic Washington Hilton in Northwest Washington, where the annual gathering is traditionally held. Often called nerd prom, the event is meant to celebrate the First Amendment and the role of a free press while drawing presidents, lawmakers, journalists, celebrities, and lobbyists under one roof.

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Related: Grindr's surprising ties to the Republican Party, explained

Related: Human Rights Campaign Has a Message for CPAC's Grindr Users

This year, though, the spectacle comes with unusual tension.

Trump is attending the event for the first time as president after years of boycotting the event and repeatedly attacking the press as fake news and the enemy of the people. His appearance follows months of fights over press access, lawsuits against media organizations, and broader efforts to undermine independent journalism. In a recent Advocate opinion essay, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Trumps attendance not a peace offering but a contradiction, arguing that showing up at a celebration of journalism while attacking the First Amendment makes the symbolism especially jarring.

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That heightened scrutiny is exactly what HRC is using.

The weekend now stretches far beyond the ballroom, into receptions, embassy parties, branded after-parties, and private gatherings where journalists, administration officials, celebrities, and political operatives move through the same rooms. This year, Grindr joined that circuit with one of the weekends buzziest events in Georgetown, where The Advocate observed broadcaster Don Lemon, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citys Bronwyn Newport, political commentator Charlotte Clymer, and Grindr CEO George Arison among the many prominent guests. Florida Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz was one of several politicians in attendance.

The party is part of a larger cultural moment for the app. Just this month, Madonna partnered with Grindr to promote her new album Confessions II, reviving an earlier relationship the platform had with her during the 2015 rollout of Rebel Heart.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: HRC uses Grindr to target Washingtons White House Correspondents Dinner power crowd

RELATED
As undersecretary of the Navy, Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain and former Republican Senate candidate in Virginia, was supposed to have a broad portfolio as the services No. 2 civilian, which included personnel issues and safeguarding the Navys warfighter ethos.

But in reality, Cao was often cut out of decision-making by his boss, Navy Secretary John Phelan, one source familiar with the situation told CNN, who said Phelan put Cao in a box

Cao was isolated from Navy decision making and wasnt allowed to represent Phelan in official meetings that Phelan didnt attend, something a typical undersecretary would do, the source said.

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That all changed following Phelans sudden ouster as Navy secretary by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. Cao is now in the job on an acting basis. He learned about his promotion from the Pentagon front office, which called him in and said, Ok, youre it  we made a change, according to the source.

Hes quickly coming up to speed on all the things he wasnt allowed to be involved in, the source added.

A decorated special operations officer, Cao takes over as the Navys top civilian at a time when the service is playing a critical role in stopping Iranian ships from traversing the Strait of Hormuz. As the 2024 Republican nominee against Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, Cao championed Trump and Hegseths attacks on social issues and opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Cao immigrated to the US as a child after his family fled Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

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After retiring from the Navy in 2021, he ran for Congress as a Republican in 2022 and challenged Kaine in 2024, where he had a penchant for making controversial statements.

When youre using a drag queen to recruit for the Navy, thats not the people we want, Cao said at a 2024 debate with Kaine in response to a question about military recruiting. What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat em and ask for seconds. Those are young men and women that are going to win wars.

Acting Navy Secretary and former Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao attends a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on Friday. - Annabelle Gordon/AFP/Getty Images

In a statement after his appointment as acting secretary, Cao said that he would focus on advancing the Navys shipbuilding priorities  the very issue that contributed to Phelans firing.

I remain fully committed to accomplishing the core mission of the Department of the Navy as a premier warfighting organization and providing unwavering support to our warriors downrange, Cao said.

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Phelan, a businessman and friend of Trumps who fundraised for his campaign, was removed as Navy secretary following tensions with Hegseth that had stretched on for months. Hegseth believed Phelan was moving too slowly on implementing shipbuilding reforms and was also irked by Phelans direct communication with Trump, which Hegseth viewed as an attempt to bypass him, CNN previously reported.

Its unclear whether Cao will be nominated to take over as Navy secretary permanently.

In a statement to CNN, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Cao brings battle-tested leadership to the Navys highest office and that he embodies the relentless grit and America First vision required to maintain Americas maritime superiority.

After immigrating to the US in 1975, Cao and his family then moved to West Africa, where his father served as a USAID agricultural specialist, according to his Navy biography. Cao returned to Virginia when he was 12.

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He then enlisted in the Navy in 1989 and became an officer after graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1996. Over a three-decade career Cao worked as a Navy diver and explosive ordnance disposal officer. His deployments included Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. He also had a stint at the Pentagon working on budgets and acquisitions.

Cao and Hegseth knew each other before they both joined the Trump administration, and Cao accompanied Hegseth on a trip to Vietnam in November.

At a 2024 rally in Virginia just days before the November election, Trump praised the Virginia Senate candidate and called him up to join him on stage.

Were pleased to be joined by a wonderful guy, and with this name I really believe hes gonna win for the senate  Hung Cao, Trump said. Trump won the White House but lost Virginia, and Kaine defeated Cao in the Senate race 54% to 45%.

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In his Senate race, Cao often criticized the Biden administrations DEI policies, blaming them for the militarys recruiting issues.

This administration has a growing obsession with DEI. Its no wonder we have a military recruiting problem in our country and that will continue under Harris/Walz, Cao wrote on X in September 2024.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks alongside Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia Hung Cao at the Truong Tien Restaurant in the Eden Center on August 26, 2024 in Falls Church, Virginia. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Cao was confirmed as Navy undersecretary on October 1. All Democrats voted against Caos nomination and all Republicans supported him, except for Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who voted no.

That same month, Phelans chief of staff was fired by Hegseth, in part over efforts to undermine the Navy undersecretarys office before Cao arrived on the job, Politico reported last fall.

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As undersecretary, Cao was tapped to be the senior defense official for Guam, where Caos family first arrived decades earlier as Vietnamese refugees. He also headed up recruitment and personnel policy for the Navy, including implementing Trumps executive order to reinstate service members who were discharged from the military over its Covid-19 vaccine mandate in 2021.

In January, Cao wrote a letter apologizing to sailors who were kicked out of the military as a result of the mandate.

To the sailors and Marines who were wrongfully discharged during Covid, we failed you. We will never allow this to happen again. Not on my watch, Cao said in a video where he signed the apology letter. You are warriors of conscience, and we need people like you back in the force.

The source familiar with the situation said that Cao has told Pentagon officials he wont try to go around Trump or Hegseth. He is going to give his feedback within the building, the source said, and he will loyally support whatever decision the president makes.

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Federal immigration authorities have released an Egyptian family that they had re-detained earlier Saturday, an attorney announced just after midnight.

The move came hours after a flight carrying the mother, Hayam El Gamal, and her five children to Michigan late Saturday abruptly turned around, following a Texas judges ruling that they should remain in the U.S. pending further litigation. The El Gamal family is believed to be the longest held at the controversial South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.

The release capped a dizzying series of events this week that attorneys said added to ongoing questions over the executive branchs power compared to the judiciary when it comes to President Donald Trumps purview of immigration and his administrations push for expanded deportations.

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A dark moment in US history, the familys attorney, Michigan-based Eric Lee, posted on X about what led up to their recent release.

The family was initially detained last June after the father, who they said is estranged from them, was charged with hate crimes related to a 2025 attack in Colorado. The mother and children have not been charged with any crimes, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement first released them on Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery in San Antonio on Saturday ruled that the family should not immediately be deported after immigration agents suddenly re-arrested the mother and her children hours earlier. A second order by a federal judge in Colorado was issued Saturday evening, reiterating that the family should not be deported.

The rulings came as the family was on a plane to Michigan, from where the government ostensibly planned to quickly deport them to Egypt, where their attorneys said the mother and her children fear persecution.

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The plane constitutionally cannot be allowed to take off, Lee posted on X Saturday afternoon.

It would not have been the first time that Trumps administration deported immigrants after federal judges ordered against their removal. Among the most well-known cases is that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of El Salvador, who was living in Maryland before he was mistakenly sent to a notorious mega-prison in that Central American country last year despite an earlier U.S. court order barring Abrego Garcias deportation. His case spurred global criticism, although he has since returned to the U.S., as litigation in his case is ongoing.

Biery ruled hours after the familys re-detention Saturday that given the emergency appeal by lawyers, the familys deportation to Egypt should be paused. The Texas judge agreed with his own previous ruling, as well as one by U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney, that the family  which includes 5-year-old twins who have been held at Dilley for more than 10 months  should be freed while they await an immigration judges decision on their asylum case.

The family received widespread attention after the mother and her children earlier this year began publicly raising alarms about the treatment at the facility, including medical neglect, rotting food, impotable water, and disrespect for their Muslim faith. Earlier this month, lawyers said that the mother was rushed to the emergency room after months of suffering from an unidentified bump, which she feared may be cancerous due to her family history and possibly heightened by the lack of medical care at the detention center.

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In an emergency request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Saturday, the El Gamals attorneys argued that halting their immediate deportation is necessary in part because of the highly irregular actions that the government has taken against the family since they were detained last year. The attorneys said that the family was re-arrested by ICE officials at their first check-in since their first release Thursday.

The familys sudden re-detention ignited widespread criticism by advocates and some congressional Democrats.

This is outrageous and undermines the rights of every American, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, an Austin Democrat, posted on X. He noted that if the administration can ignore a court order to go after this family, anyone could be next.

The Department of Homeland Security did not directly address questions about the familys rearrest on Saturday. However, in a statement attributed to Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, the department reiterated that the family received due process  an account that has been disputed by the familys attorneys and a Houston Chronicle report this month citing previous judicial decisions.

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Under President Trump, DHS will continue to fight for the removal of those who have no right to be in our countryespecially terrorists and their associates, she said. We are confident the courts will ultimately vindicate us.

The El Gamal family, who came to the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2022 and later applied for asylum, had been detained since June after the father, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was charged with attacking mostly Jewish protesters in Boulder, Colorado, accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at demonstrators supporting Israeli hostages. He allegedly wounded at least 29 people and an 82-year-old woman died from her injuries. The father, who pleaded not guilty, remains in federal custody on more than 100 charges related to the incident.

Trumps administration, shortly after the family was arrested last June, publicized the case, promising Six One-Way Tickets for Mohameds Wife and Five Kids. Final Boarding Call Coming Soon.

His wife, who met her husband in an arranged marriage when she was young, and her children have not been charged with any crimes. They have repeatedly maintained that they did not know about Solimans plans and had an estranged relationship with him. The family has since disavowed the father and is no longer in contact with him, their attorney said, and his wife has filed for divorce.

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The familys case went viral in March after their lawyers shared heartbreaking accounts in the childrens own words and drawings of the harm they said they were suffering at Dilley.

We have been here for nine months. I really miss playing with my toys and my watch, wrote the 9-year-old in accounts first shared with The Texas Tribune. Please get us out of here.

Imagine being punished for something that you didnt do, something you would never support, and then being trapped in detention for months, wrote 18-year-old Habiba El Gamal, the familys eldest daughter. Despite having overwhelming evidence to prove our innocence, the truth is ignored.

Alex Nguyen and Colleen DeGuzman contributed to this story.
SEATTLE  Seattles fentanyl crisis is impossible to hide from public view, with open-air drug use, rising overdose deaths and struggling addicts highlighting the challenges facing city leaders and community advocates.

Hector, an addict, told Fox News Digital that he has been having a "hard time" and that the most common drug used in the area is "Fetty," and cautioned young people to stay away from it.

"The younger people, don't waste their lives on drugs," Hector said. "It's a waste of time, waste of money, waste of life."

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We Heart Seattle, an organization founded by Andrea Suarez in the fall of 2020 to clean up public spaces and offer resources to people in need, has tried to help Hector multiple times.

Alex Berenson: I Warned About Cannabis Dangers 7 Years Ago And Nobody Wanted To Listen

Hector and Andrea Suarez, founder of We Heart Seattle on March 16, 2026. (Fox News)

Suarez told Fox News Digital that she believes the city, which recently elected socialist Mayor Katie Wilson in November, is not doing enough to address the crisis.

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"We are the only outreach agency that's actually advocating for people to be held accountable for their own safety and the safety of others," Suarez said. "Because the culture here is very hands-off, live and let live. And drug users are people too, and we're the problem. We caused the trauma because of systemic racism and poverty and capitalism and, like, all this ideology has just taken such a stronghold in Seattle, that it's more of a do-nothing attitude by our politicians and that activists are so loud here that they will even bail people out of jail who are very harmful to the community because they are anti-incarceration of any kind."

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In an internal email obtained by Fox News Digital, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes wrote that "all charges related to drug possession and/or drug use will be diverted from prosecution to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program," but Wilson denied claims that her administration was changing drug enforcement policy.

Suarez said the city should pursue stronger policies to address the crisis.

Sean Duffy: Trump's Crime Crackdown Is Giving Democratic Leaders A Blueprint To Follow

Andrea Suarez, founder and executive director of We Heart Seattle, on March 16, 2026.

"So if you make that penalty stronger, and you can arrest a person for tenting and using narcotics in a park, suddenly six months or a year in jail may deter you from using in a public space and also accept help," Suarez said.

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"As outreach workers, you know, why do we get burned out? Because we can't make a difference without teeth, without law, without law enforcement," she continued. "So better legislation and stiffer penalties around using in these shared spaces and holding the low barrier properties like tiny houses and hotels and permanent supportive housing that allow drug dealers and drug using within their properties, that if they are a nuisance to the community, they should be fined and would force a good neighborhood agreement."

Local outlet KOMO News reported on April 16 that the Syringe Services Program Health Survey found that in 2021, 93% of respondents reported injecting drugs. By 2025, however, 90% said they had smoked drugs in the previous week, while injections had dropped to 44%.

Journalist Tells San Francisco Board Nick Shirleys Coming To Town Amid Fentanyl, Crime Concerns

Needles lie on the ground near Daejeon Park in Seattle on March 16, 2026.

The Roosevelt News, another local outlet, reported last year that King County recorded 1,067 drug poisoning deaths in 2023 due to fentanyl, a 47% increase from the previous year.

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According to the Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington, opioid overdose death rates in King, Pierce, and Spokane Counties more than quadrupled between 2002-2004 and 2024-2025.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported in November that the agency seized roughly 3.4 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from the two drug trafficking groups targeted in investigations in the Western District of Washington.

John Kerrys Ritzy Blue City Neighborhood Rocked As Drug Addicts Overrun Cobblestone Streets

Seattle city street with a homeless encampment on March 16, 2026.

"Hardcore people that were big-time opioid users that ran the streets for years and years, if not decades, will tell you that drugs on top of drugs isn't how you help a drug addict," Suarez said. "Abstinence is how you help if you truly want to help, not thousands of dollars of medication. Often, that ends up being a subsidy for the drug addict, only really just to kind of enable them and entrap them into addiction further, which we've seen firsthand as well."

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Suarez also stressed that the work of some local left-wing activist groups is making it more difficult to curtail homelessness and crimes committed by those looking for quick cash to get their next fix. She told Fox News Digital that these groups are often against incarceration of any kind, regardless of the alleged crime.

The Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF) in Seattle, along with other similar groups, often pays bail for individuals unable to afford it, aiming to reduce the harms of the cash bail system. These groups, highlighted in a CBS News story, claim that cash bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals.

Victims of violent crime have previously complained that these groups have bailed out people that are a danger to the public.

Similar to Hector, Erica is another addict that Suarez and We Heart Seattle have been trying to help.

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"So this is a common barrier to accepting services and treatment is Erica doesn't want to be separated from her dog under any circumstances," Suarez said. "So, even though we've offered to provide kenneling for her  we will pay for people to get their dogs kenneled while they go to treatment. And she was like, Absolutely not. So she's got two amputated fingers, living on a sidewalk, frostbitten nose."

Fbis Operation Box Cutter Indicts Chinese Pharma Firms, Terror-linked Cartel Assets In Fentanyl Takedown

A homeless man, 24, smokes fentanyl in Seattle on March 12, 2022.

Suarez said that the tearing down of a pavilion and picnicking area at Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle is symbolic of the current drug crisis.

"This pavilion is very, very bittersweet to talk about this, because this pavilion was recently torn down because it was untenable with drug use, fire damage. People were just filleted over here," Suarez said. "It looked like a tombstone. And so the neighbors advocated for it to get demolished as the roof was burnt down. And so this is what's left."

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Only stubs of the pavilion and scorched cement remain.

A homeless man holds a piece of aluminum foil he used to smoke fentanyl in Seattle, Washington, on March 13, 2022.

"It really is very symbolic of what has become of our parks in Seattle with this type of a view, children's playgrounds nearby, that drugs and fentanyl use and their civil liberties are really taking precedence and priority, really priority over the civil liberties," Suarez added. "And so this was very, very hard to see this get demolished, just not even a couple months ago."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Wilson and King County Public Health for comment but did not immediately receive responses.





Original article source: Inside Seattles open-air drug crisis as fentanyl ravages city and activists bail out alleged criminals
Tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz April 22 after Irans IRGC seized two vessels in what analysts describe as "tit-for-tat" retaliation against the U.S. And one ship is linked to a billionaire shipping family tied to Presidents Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron.

Video aired on Iranian state TV purportedly shows IRGC soldiers seizing the container ships in the Strait, Reuters said Thursday.

One vessel, the MSC Francesca, is owned by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, which was founded by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte and is now controlled by his two children, Fox News Digital has learned.

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"Some 20 Iranians armed to the teeth stormed the ship. Sailors are under Iranian control, their movements on the ship are limited but the Iranians are treating them well," a relative of one of the MSC Francesca seafarers told Reuters.

Trump's Special Envoy Witkoff And Kushner Visit Us Aircraft Carrier Amid Iran Tensions, Talks

Soldiers take part in the seizure of the container ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz, according to footage broadcast on Iranian state TV and released April 22, 2026. (Reuters)

"The ship is anchored 9 nautical miles from the Iranian coast. Negotiations between MSC and Iran are ongoing, our sailors are fine," Montenegro's minister of maritime affairs, Filip Radulovic, told state broadcaster RTCG.

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Maritime intelligence firm Windward AI pointed to IRGC "tit-for-tat" tactics given the recent MSC vessel seizure.

This followed a U.S. naval blockade imposed on April 13, with Tehran warning of retaliation after U.S. forces also seized an Iranian vessel.

"The IRGC attacked three ships. It also captured and took in two of them  the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas  while the Euphoria managed to get away," Windward AI co-founder Ami Daniel told Fox News Digital.

Iran Fires Live Missiles Into Strait Of Hormuz As Trump Envoys Arrive For Nuclear Talks

Soldiers take part in the operation seizing the container ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state TV April 22, 2026.

"This is a tit-for-tat exercise by the IRGC, which, along with the Houthis, has long claimed MSC is connected to Israel. MSC calls in Israel; however, so do all major liners."

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Diego Aponte, Gianluigis son, had been making "inroads with Trumps circle," Bloomberg reported April 13.

He also helped arrange a November 2025 White House meeting with Swiss business leaders that led to a preliminary deal to reduce the 39% tariffs imposed on Switzerland over the summer.

Blockade 101: American Sea Power On Display As Trump Corners Iran And Warns Off China

The MSC executive chairman has been photographed with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Over the last year, MSCs relationship with the White House also positioned father Gianluigi Aponte as a key player in a $19 billion deal with Li Ka-shing, as MSC and BlackRock moved to acquire two Panama Canal ports under pressure from Trump to place them in "friendly" hands, according to the outlet.

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With a net worth of at least $37 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, it is Gianluigi Aponte and his wife, Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, who appear to mingle with world leaders.

The MSC executive chairman and Rafaela have been photographed with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Gulf Shipping Operations Grind To Halt Near Iran; Us Quietly Prepares For Possible Strike: 'Heightened Risk'

The Panama-flagged MSC Francesca vessel docked in Long Beach, Calif., April 16, 2025.

Rafaela is also reportedly related to Alexis Kohler (his mother is said to be her cousin), who served as Macrons secretary-general from May 2017 to April 14, 2025, and was described as "Macrons second brain."

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The Aponte familys vessel, carrying about 40 crew members, was taken toward Irans port of Bandar Abbas by the Iranian navy, sources told Reuters Thursday.

Four crew members, including the captain, are from Montenegro, officials said, while Croatias foreign ministry confirmed two Croatian nationals are also aboard.

MSC declined to comment, Reuters confirmed.

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The IRGC Navy claimed both vessels captured "were operating without the necessary permits."

According to Lloyds List, the 2008-built MSC Francesca "normally operates in service between the U.S. West Coast, Asia and the Middle East Gulf."





Original article source: Iran escalates Hormuz 'tit-for-tat,' seizes ship tied to billionaire close to Trump, Macron
Iran said it will not meet directly with the U.S. in upcoming talks mediated by Pakistan, despite a contrary statement from the White House earlier Friday.

No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Irans observations would be conveyed to Pakistan, Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Irans foreign ministry, said in a social media post Friday afternoon.

Diplomats from Iran and the U.S. are expected to engage in negotiations facilitated by Pakistani officials in Islamabad this weekend.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday that special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law, would travel to Pakistan for a second round of talks amid the Iran war.

I can confirm special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks, direct talks, intermediated by the Pakistanis, who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation, Leavitt told the network.

The press secretary expressed her optimism that the negotiations would be productive and advance the two countries closer to a peace deal. Trump announced an indefinite extension to a two-week ceasefire between the two sides earlier this week.

Tasnim News Agency, which is associated with Irans paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also disputed the notion of direct talks Friday. The outlet reported that Iranian officials had not agreed to meet directly with their U.S. counterparts during this trip.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi intends to present a new response to the U.S.s peace proposal, The New York Times reported Friday.

Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, Araghchi wrote in a Friday social platform X post. Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbors are our priority.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

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.
Iran's foreign minister headed to Moscow on Sunday as peace efforts between Tehran and Washington hung in the balance, following a flurry of regional diplomacy and the collapse of planned talks in Pakistan.

Abbas Araghchi visited Oman between trips to Pakistani capital Islamabad and is expected in Russia on Monday to meet President Vladimir Putin, according to the Iranian ambassador.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

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In a sign that efforts were ongoing, the Fars news agency said Iran had sent "written messages" to the Americans via mediator Pakistan outlining red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.

Fars said the messages were not part of formal negotiations, however.

A ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran has so far held, but its economic shockwaves continue to reverberate globally.

Iran has sealed off the strait, cutting flows of oil, gas and fertiliser and sending prices soaring, raising fears of food insecurity in developing countries.

Hopes for talks had centred on a planned visit by Witkoff and Kushner, but Trump cancelled the trip, dismissing it as "sitting around talking about nothing".

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On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted the talks, "they can come to us, or they can call us, you know there is a telephone, we have nice secure lines."

Trump faces domestic pressure as fuel prices rise following Iran's closure of Hormuz, with midterm elections due in November. Polls show the war is unpopular among Americans.

- Scepticism over diplomacy -

Asked whether cancelling signalled renewed fighting, Trump said: "No, it doesn't mean that."

On Saturday, Araghchi met Pakistan's military chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, before trevelling to Oman and returning to Islamabad.

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He later left for Russia for talks with senior officials, his ministry said. Russia confirmed the visit but did not say whether he would meet Putin.

Amid the flurry of meetings, Araghchi said he had "yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy".

Pressure to end the war has intensified as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had no intention of lifting their blockade, which has roiled energy markets.

"Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House's supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran," the Guards said on their official Telegram channel.

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The United States has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in retaliation.

In a statement carried by state media, Iran's military warned that continued US "blockading, banditry and piracy" would draw a response.

- Israel strikes Lebanon -

Israel and Hezbollah traded blame over violations of the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the military was "vigorously" targeting the Iran-backed militia as both sides claimed new attacks.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, with Israel responding with strikes and a ground invasion.

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But claims that both sides have breached a 10-day ceasefire agreed earlier this month have continued.

Netanyahu told Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting that Hezbollah's actions were "dismantling the ceasefire" while Hezbollah said it would respond to Israeli violations and its "continued occupation".

Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country's south on Sunday killed 14 people, including two women and two children, and wounded 37.

The state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck after evacuation warnings in Kfar Tibnit.

An Israeli strike on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, another of the flagged villages, destroyed a mosque and another religious building, the news agency said.

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Israel, which reported a soldier killed in combat in south Lebanon, says it can act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".

"This means freedom of action not only to respond to attacks...but also to pre-empt immediate threats and even emerging threats," Netanyahu said.

burs-ft/dw
A United States naval blockade on Iran is strangling the Islamic Republics main economic corridors  leaving Tehran facing a looming oil storage crisis and its citizens grappling with rising food prices and surging unemployment.

Yet unless Washington is prepared to impose its naval blockade for months longer, it will be difficult to completely dismantle an Iranian economy that has spent years adapting to US pressure and crippling sanctions.

And as much as Iran is suffering, its leaders will be aware that Trump is under pressure too, with the US president facing growing backlash over the war domestically and crucial midterms looming. Tehran may have calculated that Trump will blink first.

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Only three months ago, the Iranian government was on the brink of collapse after people took to the streets nationwide to protest the poor handling of the economy. That same government was given a lifeline when the US and Israel launched its attacks, and it is now using the pretext of war to justify dire economic conditions to a nation of 92 million.

Cars burn in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency's value, in Tehran, Iran on January 8. - Stringer/Wana News Agency/Reuters

Iran had already faced the maximum pressure campaign in Trumps first term, and it was forced to cut its oil production by half, Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, CEO of think tank the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation, told CNN.

If the blockade is in place for months, it will definitely impact the economic outlook for Iran, but the Iranian expectation is that the US itself cannot tolerate that pressure for that long.

What began as a blockade of Iranian ports more than ten days ago has expanded globally, with every ship tied to Iran facing scrutinous monitoring by US naval forces throughout its voyage.

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One of the main outcomes of the blockade would be to render Iran incapable of exporting its main commodity. If the country cannot shift the millions of barrels of oil it produces daily, it could be forced to cut production. Crude oil and petroleum product exports are Irans primary source of foreign currency.

Iran could probably sustain current oil production for another two to three months before storage issues become a significant consideration, Batmanghelidj said.

Iran also still has plenty of oil storage space remaining onshore, shipping analytics firm Kpler said, noting it has almost 30 million barrels of headroom, which means its still weeks away from its limit.

It could even push storage capacity longer if it finds other methods of offloading the stored oil.

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One option Iran is exploring is using its retired crude tankers. A 30-year-old large carrier called NASHA was observed sailing towards oil storage terminals on Kharg island to possibly offload oil and act as floating storage, a maritime intelligence company that tracks crude oil shipments Tankertrackers.com said.

Nothing in. Nothing out

Until a ceasefire was declared on April 7, the US and Israel had been conducting near-daily strikes on Iran, killing top officials and targeting core infrastructure including steel plants, petrochemical facilities and highways linking cities together.

For much of the war, a key US goal was reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz. But when Iranian negotiators failed to reach an agreement with American counterparts this month, President Donald Trump switched tactic, launching what his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called an iron-clad naval blockade on Iran from the Gulf of Oman to the open oceans.

The sun rises behind a tanker anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, on April 18. - Asghar Besharati/AP

To the regime in Tehran, the blockade is tightening by the hour. We are in control. Nothing in. Nothing out, Hegseth told a news conference Friday.

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The US move came in response to Tehrans decision to block the Strait of Hormuz and impose an unofficial toll on ships passing through this critical maritime chokepoint, which facilitates more than a fifth of the worlds oil and gas exports, causing oil prices to surge sharply.

The Strait cannot operate under threat. And lets call payment for safe passage what it is: A protection racket. Hormuz belongs to the world. It must be returned to the world. Exactly as it was, Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of Abu Dhabis state oil giant ADNOC, said on X last week.

Southern Iran is the backbone of the countrys trade and economy, handling the vast majority of its oil exports through terminals. While Iran has land borders for some overland trade, nothing compares to the southern coastline. Kharg Island alone exports around 90% of Irans crude while other locations dotted along the coastline give Iran options to ship its oil beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, on February 25. - 2026 Planet Labs PBC/Reuters/File

The ongoing US naval blockade heavily restricts these southern terminals even beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

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War with Iran has also threatened the worlds supplies of aluminum, plastics and rubber. The Middle East ships about 25% of the worlds polypropylene and 20% of polyethylene, two of the most-used plastics. It also accounts for a quarter of the worlds sulphur and 15% of its fertilizer.

Vessels coming from or going to Iranian ports have been turned around, Hegseth said, noting 34 vessels had been intercepted in the region as of Friday, with two other Iranian-linked ships seized in the Indo-Pacific. In public, at least, the US stresses it wont back down.

A blockade as long as it takes, whatever President Trump decides, Hegseth said.

Be considerate, Supreme Leader says

Should Iran be compelled to turn to alternative import routes, such as its land borders or the Caspian Sea to the north, this could push the already escalating prices of goods even higher.

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One million jobs have already been lost in Iran, and the employment of two million people has been affected because of the war, state-affiliated media said, citing Irans deputy labor minister, Gholamhossein Mohammadi.

Another 130,000 workers have lost their jobs after their factories were struck, Irans Labor Ministry official Alireza Mahjoub told the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA).

The Iranian government has maintained that there are no shortages of goods and that, despite pressures, sanctions, and maritime restrictions, the countrys food supply chain is fully functioning with 85% of agricultural products and basic goods produced domestically.

People shop at a supermarket in downtown Tehran, Iran, on April 11, amid direct Iran-US talks taking place in Islamabad, Pakistan. - Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images

A Tehran resident confirmed to CNN that markets remain stocked, although prices of basic goods such as chicken, rice, eggs and medicine have tripled or even quadrupled.

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But while many US voters have been alarmed at rising gas prices, Iranians are more accustomed to such hardships.

For Irans leadership the goal during war is not to run a normal economy, Batmanghelidj said. The goal is just to keep the economic machine going as well as possible for as long as possible and I think they can probably manage that.

The countrys president, Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledged that there are some shortages in fuel that require careful planning and public cooperation, but described what the government has achieved as divine grace.

Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen or heard from since his appointment last month, called on people in a written statement to be considerate of one another so that the pressures caused by shortages  which are a natural effect of any war  are reduced on different segments of society.

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This weekend has seen tentative signs of movement on talks, with US envoys expected to follow Irans top diplomat to Pakistan, where mediators are keen to restart negotiations. But Tehran has weathered decades of US hostility and unlike Washington  has more than short-term considerations at play.

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On Friday, the White House said the pair would head to the country on Saturday - but now Trump says "we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"
A Harlem grandmothers irate ex fatally shot her inside the bathroom of her daughters home where shed fled after he beat and threatened to kill her for rebuffing his sexual advances, prosecutors allege in new information revealed about the horrific crime.

Eliud Garcia, 50, of the Bronx, was indicted for murder, burglary, weapons possession, assault and stalking on Thursday for breaking into the apartment and shooting 47-year-old Basilisa Negron at close range six times as she got ready for work just days before Christmas, on Dec. 23, 2025.

I feel like justice is doing what it is supposed to do, said Negrons brother Juan Romero told the Daily News on Thursday. Thats not gonna bring my sister back but at least hes gonna rot in there, so thats good for me.

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Two months before the murder, Garcia repeatedly punched and kicked Negron after she refused to have sex with him, according to the Manhattan District Attorneys office. Garcia then threatened to hurt Negrons kids and told her he would kill her if she was ever with anyone else.

Negron immediately broke up with Garcia after the violent Oct. 27 altercation, which left her with a black eye, and a swollen and bruised arm.

Garcia, then proceeded to stalk Negron until he executed her, routinely showing up near her daughters W. 141st St. apartment near Malcolm X Blvd. where shed been staying. He also repeatedly called her after she blocked him and logged onto her social media, prosecutors allege.

The day he killed her, Garcia left his parents home around 11:00 a.m. and walked south to Negrons daughters place. Upon arriving Garcia paced around at a nearby street corner watching as Negrons daughter left the apartment and headed to a deli to get food.

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Then as a tenant left the apartment building Garcia slipped inside before entering Negrons daughters apartment, confronting Negron in the bathroom and shooting her in the forehead, torso, arms and legs.

When the daughter returned home she found her mothers bloodied, lifeless body, Negrons 43-year-old sister-in-law previously said.

Shes pretty broken, said the sister-in-law, who wished to remain anonymous. Every time she closes her eyes she just sees her mother there.

Garcia sprinted off exiting through a side entrance and evaded authorities until cops nabbed him on March 25, 2026.

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He should rot in hell, Negrons son, 28-year-old Richie Negron, said in March following Garcias arrest. At the very least, he should get the maximum.

Negron had seven children, three of them with Garcia, and four granddaughters, the oldest being 11. The daughter she was staying with was from an earlier relationship, Romero previously said.

She was all for her kids. She was a free spirit. She wanted the best for her kids, her grandkids, for the whole family, said her sister-in-law.

She went beyond expectations for her kids, helping them out, buying them stuff. She was there for them when they needed anything or had a problem.

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Romero called his sister a devoted and loving sibling and mother.

Negron was the oldest of her siblings.

She was a loving person, Romero said. Shes always trying to help people. Shes always doing whatever she can. Even if she had the last dollar, she would have gave it to you just to help you out.
Chinas cheap labor costs, lack of red tape, well-harmonized supply chain, tax rebates and more (1) have also helped to create an unmatchable, cost-competitive edge that other industry players are understandably spooked about (11).

The nation is already known for its expedient development of all sorts of products (12), and its ability to bring vehicles from concept to market in half the time of competitors (13) is one of the more noteworthy examples of this.

Leaders from both Ford (10) and Toyota (11) have expressed similar sentiments to Hondas president regarding Chinese manufacturers sheer speed in not just building cars, but designing them.

All of this raises the question: Whats behind Chinas success? And what can you do to shockproof your portfolio before its too late?

We have no chance against this, Mibe said after visiting a Shanghai parts factory, commenting on its seamless automation across all levels of production. Logistics, procurement and all aspects of the process were so automated, in fact, that he did not spot a single human worker on the suppliers floor.

A recent tour of one of the Asian powerhouses vehicle plants has proved this beyond a shadow of a doubt, at least to Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe (9).

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A whopping 70% (3) of all new electric vehicles (EVs) hailed from China in 2024, with Shenzhen-headquartered brand BYD far outpacing Tesla and others in sales (4), and scaling its worldwide operations as a result (5). Its success even has automakers like Toyota, Honda and Ford rethinking their own projects (6) and overhauling strategies (7), with Ford executives saying three years ago that China was way ahead of the game (8).

China has long been considered not only an ever-more-efficient manufacturing force to be reckoned with, but it is also regarded as the "worlds factory by many (1), as its responsible for as much as 30% of global manufacturing (2)  and its mastery of certain sectors, like automotive, is a growing cause for concern among stakeholders.

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

Story Continues

And investors with money on the line have a right to be apprehensive, too.

Hondas sales within China  a country that was once a boon for the maker  have plummeted from some 1.6 million units in 2020 to just 640,000 in 2025 (14), with the brand expected to produce even less than 600,000 vehicles this year at its Chinese facilities, which are only operating at 50% capacity due to waning interest (15). Toyota has also just reported year-over-year sales declines within the country in March (16) as homegrown BYDs lead in the EV sector continues to grow (17).

Whats more, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys move to drastically slash tariffs on Chinese EVs in January 2026 has made companies like BYD more of a threat closer to home (18).

Read More: Robert Kiyosaki warned of a 'Greater Depression'  with millions of Americans going poor. Was he right?

Potential portfolio implications

Automotive stocks are a common part of many broad-based mutual funds and ETFs (19)  historically a cornerstone for some (20)  with Tesla perennially among the more contentious picks.

While some experts have warned of a crash in its stock, the Musk-helmed company remains among the best-known investment options in the sector, alongside traditional staples like Ford and Toyota (21). However, big shifts in focus under the threat of Chinese manufacturing, in combination with disappointing sales numbers, could understandably make investment feel risky.

In response to the shifting landscape, Honda recently reanimated its shuttered R&D arm (22) in hopes of spurring more innovation, with Mibe telling journalists in March that the company needs to focus on digitization, and quickly (23). At the same time, executives announced losses associated with the reassessment of its automobile electrification strategy at the end of March, leading to the cancellation of a number of Hondas EV projects for the U.S. market, including the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 Sedan and Acura RSX (24).

Toyotas CEO has likewise said regarding not just his company, but the industry in general, unless things change, we will not survive, and calling for some major productivity pivots to match Chinese manufacturers (25). Meanwhile, homegrown EV competitors like Rivian are showing promise in the face of deterioration elsewhere in the sector (26).

How to safeguard your portfolio

So far, 2026 has been a rocky year for investors. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and shifting domestic policies have sent markets on a rollercoaster ride.

At one point in late March, the S&P 500 slipped nearly 10% below its record high  a drop big enough to qualify as a correction, in the words of Wall Street (27). The slide came as investors grew increasingly worried about the economic fallout from the ongoing war in Iran.

But the downturn didnt last long. The benchmark index has since rebounded and closed at record highs on April 22 (28), highlighting just how quickly sentiment can shift.

The lesson here is that these kinds of pullbacks can create buying opportunities, as strong companies occasionally trade at discounted prices during market pullbacks. The tricky part is figuring out which stocks are genuine bargains and which are simply value traps.

Get advice from Wall Street veterans

If youre looking to take advantage of recent volatility but arent sure where to start, the experts at Moby can help.

Their team of former hedge fund analysts spend hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts and can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

Mobys success speaks for itself. In four years, and across almost 400 stock picks, their recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Even better, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

Keep your investing costs low

Keeping costs down can make a big difference over time.

Costs really matter in investments, Warren Buffett once said during an interview with CNBC (29).

If returns are going to be 7 or 8 percent and youre paying 1 percent for fees, that makes an enormous difference in how much money youre going to have in retirement, he added.

For those looking for a way to cut down on unnecessary fees, there are discount brokerages like SoFi, which offers no-commission trading that could help you save thousands in fees over the long run.

Their easy-to-use DIY investing platform lets you buy stocks, ETFs and more without the burden of paying commission fees or maintaining account minimums. SoFi also delivers the real-time investing news, curated content and data that you need to make smart decisions about the stocks that matter most to you.

Even better, for a limited time, you can get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.

Talk to a fiduciary

When markets get choppy, its easy to second-guess your portfolio. One sharp downturn is often enough to shake confidence  especially if youre not sure whether your investments are aligned with your goals or risk tolerance.

If you find that financial anxiety is getting the best of you, a financial advisor could help get you back on track. A financial advisor can crunch the numbers and build a plan that works for you.

But hiring an advisor can be a lifelong commitment, which might make or break your retirement. Thats where Advisor.com comes in  the platform that connects you with an expert in your area, for free.

All you have to do is enter a few details about your finances and goals, and Advisor.coms AI-powered matching tool will connect you with a qualified expert suited to your unique financial needs and goals. The platforms advisors are also fiduciaries, meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best interest.

Whats more, Advisor.com lets you set up a free, no-obligation consultation with your match to see if youre on the same page.

Worried about market dips? Stick to ETFs

Even though downturns can feel unsettling, history shows that markets dont move in a straight line. U.S. stocks have consistently recovered from declines over time, often rebounding after periods of sharp volatility.

American business will do fine over time, legendary investor Warren Buffett wrote in Berkshire Hathaways 2012 shareholder letter. Periodic setbacks will occur, yes, but investors and managers are in a game that is heavily stacked in their favor (29).

But if market swings are making you nervous, one of the simplest ways to invest is through index funds or ETFs. Buffett believes it makes the most sense practically all of the time (30).

And data backs Buffetts claims. According to research from S&P Global, 79% of all active large-cap U.S. equity funds underperformed the S&P 500 in 2025 (31).

The real secret isnt trying to time the market  its getting started and staying consistent. Even investing $20 a week can add up over time, thanks to the power of compounding.

Planting investment seeds

The easiest way to stay consistent is to invest automatically, without even thinking about it. But how exactly can you do that?

These days, its easier than ever with a platform like Acorns, which allows you to turn your spare change from everyday purchases into an investment opportunity.

Once you link all your cards, Acorns will automatically round up all expenses to the nearest dollar and set aside the difference, which is then invested in a diversified portfolio of ETFs managed by experts at leading firms like Vanguard and BlackRock. This way, your everyday purchases can start working for you behind the scenes.

The best part? Sign up today and get a $20 bonus investment.

 With files from Becky Robertson

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.

Investopedia (1), (19); The Economist (2); International Energy Agency (3); Autovista24 (4); Financial Post (5); Motor1 (6), (15); Car Dealership Guy (7); Reuters (8), (13); Nikkei Asia (9); CarBuzz (10), (11), (23); LinkedIn (12); AutoGuide (14); Asia News Network (16); Statista (17); Prime Minister of Canada (18); ETF Database (20); The Motley Fool (21); MSN (22); Honda (24); Yahoo Finance (25); The Globe and Mail (26); PBS (27); Morningstar (28); Berkshire Hathaway (29); CNBC (30); S&P Global (31)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
At least four people were killed on Saturday when an Israeli strike hit a truck and a motorcycle in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The Israeli military said later that the victims were members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. It said three of the people were driving in a vehicle loaded with weapons and the fourth person was travelling on a motorbike.

The strike took place in Yohmour, Lebanese security sources said.

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Earlier, the Israeli army again warned residents of some 59 villages and towns in southern Lebanon not to return there.

The air force also killed two armed Hezbollah fighters elsewhere in southern Lebanon, the military said, adding both posed a threat to Israeli soldiers on the ground in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese shelling reported

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported further shelling from Lebanon into Israel in the afternoon. It said one projectile was intercepted, whilst another crashed in an open area.

Rocket alerts were sounded in several towns in northern Israel. There were initially no reports of casualties or damage. Lebanese security sources stated that Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel.

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The ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia has just been extended, but remains fragile.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement. Violent incidents and attacks continue to occur repeatedly.

Israeli soldiers are still stationed in southern Lebanon.

Under the current ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army is allowed to defend itself against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks, but is expected to refrain from carrying out offensive operations against targets in Lebanon.
A recent court ruling exposes a covert financial network funneling millions to Hamas via intermediaries in Israel, supporting terrorism in Gaza and the West Bank.

A recent ruling by the Central District Court has unveiled a covert financial network designed to funnel money to Hamas, thereby supporting the terror group's efforts in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Hamas affiliates based in Turkey coordinated the transfer of millions of shekels to contacts in the West Bank and Gaza through intermediaries operating within Israel.

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Central to this operation was Fadi Arabi, whose brother is connected to Hamas operatives in Turkey.

Arabi was joined by several others in the operation. One of these individuals, Adem Dolani, received a sentence of five years in prison and a fine of NIS 270,000.

According to the amended indictment, Dolani was recruited by his friend Muhammad Alziz and, along with other accomplices, executed seven financial transfers totaling approximately NIS 2.2 million. These funds were allegedly meant to "assist, promote, or reward the commission of serious terrorist offenses."

The accused attempted to erase evidence

The indictment also reveals that Dolani took measures to erase evidence of his activities by deleting communications with his associates and the Turkish contact, following directions he had received.

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In its sentencing argument, the prosecution underscored the gravity of the crimes, asserting that Dolani was fully aware of the funds' intended purpose for terrorist activities. They called for a substantial fine as a deterrent, emphasizing that the numerous transfers indicated a higher level of involvement than that of other defendants in the case. However, they acknowledged Dolani's cooperation, his early confession, and the time he helped save in court.

Conversely, the defense requested leniency, highlighting Dolani's difficult financial situation and the fact that his family depended on welfare and housing assistance. They pointed out that Dolani's criminal history consisted solely of property crimes, which they argued were not particularly severe, and emphasized that he took full responsibility for his actions.

Dolani himself expressed regret, stating that he initially did not comprehend the security implications of his actions and was motivated by financial distress.

Judge Michael Karshan accepted the plea agreement, describing it as "appropriate and balanced," given the severity of assisting Hamas during wartime and Dolani's early confession, as well as his lack of a history involving security-related crimes.

"Although the defendant was not the leader or initiator of the financial transfers, he carried out seven transfers to Hamas after the October 7 attack," the judge noted.
Officials and locals say that some tourists have returned to Pahalgam - but their numbers are still low [NurPhoto via Getty Images]

Nazakat Ali's phone rings in the evening, as it often does now.

The 30-year-old tourist guide in Indian-administered Kashmir answers with the same practised calm every time - yes, it is safe; yes, he will be there; yes, they should come. On the other end are people planning holidays to the stunning Himalayan region, known for its mountains and meadows.

"There is a lot of fear," he says. "We have to convince them that everything is fine."

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A year after militants killed 26 people in Pahalgam town - one of the deadliest attacks on tourists in Kashmir in decades - the region's tourism economy has yet to recover.

In the weeks that followed, authorities shut 48 of 87 tourist sites in the region. Visitor numbers fell sharply, from nearly three million in 2024 to under 1.2 million in 2025, according to official data. Some sites have since reopened, but Baisaran meadow - where the killings took place - remains closed.

The assault struck at the heart of a fledgling industry that has endured despite years of uncertainty.

In the aftermath of the attack, security operations were intensified, dealing a blow to tourism in Pahalgam [AFP via Getty Images]

Violence in Kashmir, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but administered in parts by each, has claimed thousands of lives in the past few decades.

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The attack in Pahalgam added to the strain, triggering four days of military conflict between the neighbouring countries, with Delhi accusing a Pakistan-based group of carrying out the killings - a charge Islamabad denied. A ceasefire was announced four days later.

While tourist numbers have since begun to recover elsewhere in Indian-administered Kashmir, Pahalgam - once among the busiest destinations - has struggled to draw visitors back. The town recorded about 259,000 visitors between January and mid-April this year, down from more than 469,000 in the same period before the attack.

The decline has hit local businesses hard. Just four months before the attack, Mohammad Abubakar, 25, invested two million rupees ($21,254; 15,762) to open a hotel.

"But after April, we earned almost nothing," he said, adding that he had to shut down the business.

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The impact has not only been felt in numbers.

In the days after the killings - which prompted protests and condemnation across the region - security operations intensified. Nearly 3,000 young men were detained for questioning, and in some areas authorities demolished the homes of suspected militants, extending the consequences of the attack into everyday life.

While officials say the security situation has since stabilised, for those who depend on tourism the uncertainty has lingered - raising questions over when, or if, visitors will return.

"We've seen difficult times before," said Abdul Waheed Bhat, head of the pony riders' association in Pahalgam.

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"But this attack is different. This has sent a very negative message."

Over the years, Kashmir's conflict has produced a grim cycle - phases of protest, security crackdowns and militant violence that flare and recede, followed by periods in which daily life is gradually pieced back together.

Tourism, too, found a place within that uneasy pattern. Even during years of unrest, places like Pahalgam - known for its pine forests and alpine meadows - were largely spared from direct violence.

The attack last April shattered that.

By targeting visitors in one of Kashmir's busiest hubs, locals say it disrupted a delicate balance that had allowed livelihoods to coexist with instability.

Abdul Waheed Bhat, head of the pony riders' association in Pahalgam, says the attack sent a 'very negative message' [BBC]

That shift is now visible in daily life.

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In Pahalgam, mornings still arrive the same way - a pale wash of light over pine slopes, the river moving steadily through the valley.

But the rhythm of the day has changed.

Guides gather at the roadside, waiting for work that may or may not come. By afternoon, small groups of visitors drift through, taking photographs quickly, as if aware of time. By evening, the town empties out, with few choosing to stay the night.

Hotels that once ran at full capacity now sit largely empty, with as much as 80% of rooms unoccupied.

"Last year my target was to earn around 20m rupees but I could only make 1.5m," said Mushtaq Ahmad Magrey, who heads Pahalgam's hotel association.

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About three miles from the meadow, a memorial now stands. People approach it slowly. Some leave flowers. Others linger only for a moment, reading the names of the victims before stepping back, as though unsure how long it is appropriate to stay.

The site of the attack - a meadow - is still shut, and a memorial has been built near it [BBC]

For Nazakat Ali, that hesitation has become part of the job.

Each call carries an unspoken calculation - how much to reassure, how firmly to say it.

"Nothing in the landscape has changed, and yet the place does not feel entirely the same," he said.

The attack also cut across the federal government's broader effort to present Kashmir as stable and open to tourism.

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In recent years, authorities have pointed to rising visitor numbers, new infrastructure and high-profile events as signs of normalcy returning - particularly after the 2019 revocation of the region's semi-autonomous status, a move that was accompanied by a security lockdown, communication blackout and a sharp, though temporary, collapse in tourist arrivals.

Officials now point to early signs of recovery, saying the broader security situation remains relatively stable, with violence at one of its lowest levels in decades.

Syed Qamar Sajad, Kashmir's tourism director, declined to share figures for this claim but said that tourists were still visiting the region, including Pahalgam, suggesting that "confidence is gradually returning".

"We are hinged to hope," he said, adding that outreach efforts were being stepped up across India.

Several homes of suspected militants were demolished in Kashmir after the attack [AFP via Getty Images]

Some visitors have returned, cautiously. Kiran Rao, visiting with his family from Kerala, said security concerns had not stopped them from coming.

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"There were worries before we booked," he said. "But it feels good to be here."

For many in Kashmir, however, last year has been harder to move past.

Rayees Ahmad Bhat, a horse rider, was among the first to reach the meadow after the shooting.

A year on, the memory still haunts him.

"I saw bodies lying all around," he said. "People crying for help."

In the months that followed, he sought therapy.

Then there is Syed Haider Shah, whose son Adil - a pony rider and the family's sole breadwinner - was killed as he tried to shield tourists, guiding them away from the attackers.

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"We miss him every day," Shah said. "But we are proud of him."

Adil Shah's brother looks at a photograph of him - he says he misses him every day [Getty Images]

Elsewhere, the aftermath has taken a different shape.

In Pulwama district, Abdul Rashid said his family had spent the past year in a makeshift shelter after their house was demolished days after the attack, part of a wider crackdown.

His son, who had joined a militant group, had been killed the previous year.

Authorities say such demolitions are meant to deter militancy, but critics call them collective punishment.

For Rashid, that has meant enduring a harsh winter without a home.

"Temperatures dropped below zero," he said. "If someone has committed a crime, why should the family suffer?"

Back in Pahalgam, Nazakat Ali is still answering his phone, repeating the same reassurances to visitors.

"The place feels cursed now," he said.

Then the next call comes, and he begins again.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Las Cruces Public Schools will host a budget town hall meeting early next month for the public to learn more about next years budget.

The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 in the boardroom of the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Administration Complex, 505 S. Main St.

Led by Chenyu Alex Liu, deputy superintendent of finance, procurement, and budget, and Matthew Saenz, director of budget analysis and development, the meeting includes a presentation, discussion and timeline of the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget for LCPS.



The town hall is open to the public, and participation is encouraged. A copy of the agenda can be found here when it is posted. Those who cannot attend may view a livestream of the event courtesy of LCPS-TV.

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Refreshments will be provided.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
President Donald Trump says he told top U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press.

Trump said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House. The meeting was the second high-level negotiation between the two countries since last week. The initial 10-day ceasefire, which took effect last Friday, had been due to expire Monday.

The Trump administration is placing economic sanctions on a major China-based oil refinery and roughly 40 shipping companies and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil. The move, announced Friday, actualizes the administrations threat to impose secondary sanctions on entities that do business with Iran, an effort to cut off Irans key source of revenue  its oil exports.

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Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices. Heres what to know if your flight is canceled.

Here is the latest:

Irans foreign minister will visit Pakistan again

Thats according to a report by Irans state-run IRNA news agency.

It says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will return to Pakistan after his current visit to Oman on his way to visiting Russia.

The report said he was expected to be back in Islamabad on Sunday and would join other members of his delegation who had gone to Tehran for consultations and instructions on the topics related to the end of the war.

US says its hunting for explosive mines in latest push to open the Strait of Hormuz

Trump says the U.S. Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The vital sea route for Persian Gulf oil is closed to most ships, and thats a strain on the global economy.

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Experts say sweeping for underwater explosives could take months despite a tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Any future claims that the U.S. cleared the waterway where 20% of the worlds oil typically passes might fail to convince commercial freighters and their insurers that its finally safe.

Theres only so much the U.S. can do to give that confidence back to commercial shipping, said Emma Salisbury, a scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institutes National Security Program.

Seeking out mines is among the latest tactics announced by the Trump administration to get traffic moving again through the strait as rising energy prices and wider economic effects pose a political risk.

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 Read more

Trump says Iran presented new offers 10 minutes after he canceled US teams trip

Amid the stalled negotiations with Iran, the president said the Iranians sent over a new peace proposal, but that it could have been better, and rejected it.

They gave us a paper that could have been better, and interestingly, immediately when I canceled it, within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better, Trump said to reporters on Saturday before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington from Florida.

The President wouldnt offer specifics about what was in the latest proposal other than saying they offered a lot. But he stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

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Trump said he canceled the latest rounds of negotiations with Iran because it was a lot of traveling and because his negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, werent meeting with the leader of the country.

Trump said the U.S. will deal by telephone and they can call us anytime they want before adding that we have all the cards.

Israeli fire kills one Palestinian in Gaza, health officials say

The drone strike near a school in northern Gaza City wounded at least two others, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel continues to carry out near-daily strikes across Gaza, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed despite a ceasefire with Hamas since October, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Pakistan PM, Iran president hold warm talks on regional situation

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone on Saturday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, holding what he described as a warm and constructive discussion on the evolving regional situation.

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In a post on the social platform X, Sharif said he appreciated Irans continued engagement, including the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

He added that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an honest and sincere facilitator to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.

Netanyahu orders vigorous strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

The statement by the prime ministers office follows a string of rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel and on Israeli ground troops in southern Lebanon on Saturday. There were no injuries.

Also on Saturday, Israel launched multiple airstrikes in southern Lebanon while a fragile temporary ceasefire was in effect, killing at least six people it said were Hezbollah militants.

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Netanyahu has instructed the army to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the statement said, without providing further detail.

Irans top diplomat arrives in Oman

Abbas Araghchi has arrived in the capital, Muscat. Hes expected to meet about regional developments. Oman was a mediator for indirect talks before the war.

Iran says continued US naval blockade will trigger powerful response

Irans joint military command warned in a statement Saturday that if the U.S. continues its naval blockades, banditry, and piracy in the region, it will provoke a decisive military response from Iran.

The statement, carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, added that if the U.S. and Israel renewed their aggression, they would face more losses.

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It remains unclear whether Iran and the U.S. will resume negotiations soon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan, the key mediator in the negotiations between the two countries, a few hours ago, with no immediate word on possible resumption of talks. Shortly after, Trump said in a social media post that he called off sending U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations.

Pakistan eases Islamabad restrictions after Iran delegation leaves

Pakistani authorities on Saturday evening began easing restrictions following the departure of an Iranian delegation and a U.S. decision not to send its delegation to Islamabad for potential talks, offering relief to hundreds of thousands of residents after nearly a week of near-lockdown conditions.

The developments signal a setback to Pakistans efforts to host a second round of talks.

The Islamabad administration said in a post on the social platform X that entry of all types of public and goods transport has been allowed. It added that bus terminals across the capital have reopened, except for a key terminal on the citys outskirts, which will remain closed until further notice.

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The move is expected to improve the supply of fruit, vegetables and other essential items in the capital.

Trump says he called off dispatching top U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran

The president said in a social media post, I just canceled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad.

That came shortly after Trump told Fox News that hed instructed U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to go.

He wrote in the subsequent post, Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!

The president also repeated his past suggestions that the leadership of Iran remains unsettled, writing, Nobody knows who is in charge.

Trumps post followed two Pakistani officials saying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Pakistan without meeting U.S. officials.

Trump tells Fox News hes no longer sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks

Trump says he told top U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want.

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In a brief phone interview, Trump told Fox News that he told U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Youre not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.

Trump also said of the U.S. side, We have all the cards.

His comments on Saturday came after the White House said Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would be heading to Pakistan for another round of negotiations with Iran.

Lebanons top Sunni religious authority backs the presidents right to hold talks to end war with Israel

The Supreme Islamic Sharia Council, headed by Lebanons Sunni Muslim Grand Mufti Abdul-Latif Derian, said that the constitutional right of President Joseph Aoun to pursue diplomatic negotiations to end the war with the Zionist entity should be respected.

The council blasted Israel, saying it launched a devastating and relentless war on Lebanon and committed the most heinous and dangerous crimes.

Lebanon and Israels ambassadors to Washington held two rounds of talks this month, the first official meetings between the two countries in decades.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group is opposed to direct negotiations with Israel and has blasted the meetings held in Washington.

Trump said this week that Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in Washington in the coming weeks.

There has been no official confirmation from Lebanon that Aoun will attend such a meeting with Netanyahu.

Lebanons Health Ministry raises death toll to 2,496

The ministry added in figures released Saturday that 7,725 people were wounded in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out on March 2.

The war started after Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel two days after the U.S. and Israel attacked its main backer, Iran.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on April 17. The ceasefire was extended by three weeks on Thursday.

Despite Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli strikes kill suspected militants and Hezbollah fires on Israel

The Israeli military said that in multiple strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, it killed six people that it said were militants. And several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon, the army said, causing no injuries.

A 10-day ceasefire, in effect since April 17, has been repeatedly violated by both sides. On Thursday, Trump said Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend it by three weeks. Hezbollah has not been part of the ceasefire talks.

One strike, in the village of Yohmor, killed three people driving a truck that the army said was loaded with weapons. A second strike in that area killed a person on a motorcycle. A third strike, in the Litani area, killed two people that the army said posed a threat to Israeli ground forces.

Irans foreign minister leaves Islamabad without meeting US envoys, Pakistan officials say

Two Pakistani officials say Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Pakistan without meeting U.S. officials.

Senior Pakistani officials were at an airport near Islamabad to see him off. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Araghchi had met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials about matters including Irans red lines in negotiations.

 Cara Anna

Israeli airstrikes kill 4 people in southern Lebanese village

Lebanons Health Ministry said that Israeli airstrikes on the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon targeted a pickup truck and a motorcycle, killing four people.

Saturdays airstrikes came despite a 10-day ceasefire in place since April 17.

Since the truce went into effect, it has been repeatedly violated by both sides.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks.

Pakistans prime minister meets with Irans foreign minister

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday at the prime ministers office in the capital, Islamabad.

Sharifs office issued a statement saying the meeting was ongoing.

It said Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir were also present.

No further details were immediately available, and the statement only said the current regional situation will be discussed.

Irans top diplomat meets with Pakistan army chief

Irans top diplomat and Pakistans army chief have discussed efforts to launch a new round of talks with the United States.

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Telegram that he met with Pakistans Field Marshal Asim Munir Saturday morning in Islamabad, Pakistans capital, and explained Irans views on ending the war between the Islamic Republic and the U.S.

Araghchi didnt offer further details, but said Tehran will continue engaging in the Pakistani-led mediation efforts until a result is achieved.

Irans president calls on people to save electricity

Irans president has urged people to reduce their use of electricity after American and Israeli strikes damaged the countys energy infrastructure, state media reported.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government aims to control consumption of electricity, according to the Iranian state television.

Instead of turning on 10 lights at home, turn on two lights. What is wrong with that? he said.

He said the U.S. and Israel destroyed our infrastructure, and noted that the U.S. imposed a blockade on Irans ports.

Commercial flights resume at Tehrans airport

Commercial flights resumed Saturday at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran for the first time since the war with the United States and Israel started about two months ago.

Irans state-run television reported the airport has flights to Istanbul in Turkey, Omans capital, Muscat, and the Saudi city of Medina.

Flightradar24, a flight tracking platform, showed at least three Istanbul-bound flights departed Saturday morning.

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month during a ceasefire with the U.S.

Germany to deploy minesweeper ships

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country plans to deploy minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean, which later could be transferred to the Strait of Hormuz.

We will deploy a minesweeper to the Mediterranean and provide it with a command and supply ship, Pistorius told the Rheinische Post newspaper Saturday.

He did not say exactly when the ships are scheduled to depart.

After an end to hostilities between the U.S., Israel and Iran, the German minesweepers could be deployed in the Strait of Hormuz, though such a mission would need to be approved by Germanys parliament.

To save time, we have decided to deploy part of the German units to the Mediterranean early on so that  once the mandate is approved  we do not lose any further time, Pistorius said.

Islamabad locked down before talks

Pakistans capital Islamabad appeared to be in a near-lockdown Saturday morning, hours after Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived on a closely watched visit as Pakistan attempts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.

The weeklong security restrictions have disrupted daily life, with hundreds of thousands of residents struggling to commute even short distances. Checkpoints, road closures and diversions have become routine sights, particularly around sensitive zones.

The usually busy arteries leading to the airport and the heavily fortified Red Zone were largely deserted early Saturday, with movement tightly restricted. Soldiers and police were at key intersections while helicopters circled overhead.

The measures were reinforced over the past 24 hours on the citys outskirts with additional forces stationed along key airport access routes. Soldiers were visible on rooftops overlooking major approach roads, particularly near the airport where the Iranian delegation arrived late Friday.

Iran executes another man over alleged ties to Mossad

Iran hanged a man Saturday over alleged ties to Israels Mossad intelligence agency and his participation in anti-government protests in January.

Erfan Kiani was the latest in a series of executions in Iran following the war and nationwide protests.

The Mizan news agency of Irans judiciary announced Kiani was convicted of charges including attacks on security forces in the city of Asfahn in January.

The agency claimed he was on a mission for Mossad without offering evidence.

Human rights activists long have said Iran convicts people in closed-door trials without allowing defendants to properly defend themselves.

There recently have been multiple executions of alleged spies, as well as protesters and those affiliated with an Iranian exiled opposition group.

Pakistan president will travel to China

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to travel to Beijing on Saturday to begin a weeklong visit at the invitation of the Chinese government.

Discussions will include economic and trade cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

China has played a role in facilitating Pakistan as a host for ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. Zardari is expected to discuss his countrys efforts to host a second round.

The visit is part of a longstanding tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and holds special significance as they mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said.

It reflects the deep commitment of both countries to further strengthening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, the ministry said.

Iran's foreign minister arrives in Pakistan

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met late Friday with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir shortly after arriving in Pakistans capital Islamabad, officials said.

On Saturday morning Araghchi met with Munir and Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, officials said.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the Iranian delegation will hold talks with Pakistans senior leadership on the latest regional developments and efforts to promote peace and stability.

The visit comes as Pakistan is also preparing to receive U.S. envoys, although officials have not specified when Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due in Islamabad.

Egyptian and Pakistani officials discuss the Iran war

Egyptian and Pakistani foreign ministers late Friday discussed efforts to launch a new round of talks between the United States and Iran.

Badr Abdelatty of Egypt spoke by phone with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said the diplomats affirmed that negotiations are the best way to end the war.
A Lee County judge set a June status hearing for a Dixon man accused of disseminating images and videos of child sexual abuse.

Heath A. Knipple, 46, was charged July 2, 2025, with six counts of Class X felony dissemination of images of child sex abuse, with each count listing the victim as younger than 13. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison if he is convicted. Knipple pleaded not guilty July 23, 2025.

On Thursday, Knipple appeared before Lee County Circuit Judge Jacquelyn D. Ackert with one of his defense attorneys, Mitchel R. Johnston of Mertes Law Firm in Sterling.

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Johnston asked for a status hearing to be set and Assistant Attorney General Shannon M. OBrien, who is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Illinois Attorney Generals Office, did not object. OBrien asked that the conditions of Knipples pretrial release remain intact.

Ackert ruled that the conditions will remain and set the next hearing at 1:30 p.m. June 18.

The conditions of Knipples release include GPS monitoring, no contact with anybody under the age of 18, no access to any electronics or the internet and he is not allowed to be present at any schools, daycares, or events that are designed for the participation or benefit of minors. The four adult family members in Knipples home also signed affidavits stating theyll password protect all their devices and not allow Knipple access to the devices or passwords, court records show.

The charges stem from an online messenger platform that reported a user for sharing and uploading seven videos and images matching those of known files with child sex abuse images. All offenses are alleged to have occurred on June 27, 2024, court records show.

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In February 2025, investigators with the IAG identified Knipple as the account holder, according to authorities. Knipple was arrested July 2 while the FBI searched his Dixon residence, records show.

The day of his arrest, Knipple admitted to disseminating child pornography on multiple group chats and during conversations in the KIK [messaging] platform. The defendant estimates he shared less than 10 child pornography videos and images via KIK, according to the probable cause affidavit filed by the IAG.

Following his arrest, Knipple was held in the Whiteside County Jail. Lee County Judge Matthew T. Klahn allowed his release under several conditions July 7, 2025.
UPDATE 9 PM: The Southern Area Complex Incident Management Team sent an update for the Highway 82 Fire, reporting it at 13,745 acres and 7% containment.

Brantley County is still under a mandatory curfew from 8:30 P.M. to 6:30 A.M.

The Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia State Patrol are monitoring smoke and fog conditions and say there is the potential for intermittent closures of Highway 82 if visibility conditions deteriorate.

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UPDATE 8:40 PM: The Brantley and Wayne County EMA issued a Voluntary Evacuation for Highway 32 east of Needmore Road to Highway 301 at Ed Harrell Road, including all areas between.

Residents in this area should be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.

See a map of the voluntary evacuation area, below:

UPDATE 8 PM: Brantley County officials have issued a list of resources for those evacuating.

For evacuation information and road closures, two help lines are available to call:

912-674-5878

912-674-0195

Current evacuation orders and road closures can also be found at Warn.PBS.org

For fire information, call 912-612-7449 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or email 2026.Hwy82@firenet.gov.

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For a list of shelters, click here.

For those in an evacuation zone who need transportation, or those with a medical need requiring medical transportation, call 912-674-5878.

UPDATE 7 PM: The Brantley County Sheriffs Office sent out an alert that the fire has crossed Browntown Road in multiple places and is heading east toward Post Road. Those who havent evacuated yet are urged to LEAVE NOW!

Glynn County Officials have issued a voluntary evacuation advisory for the following roads to give residents additional time to prepare to relocate as fire behavior continues to change:

- Alpine Road

- Gilley Road

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- Boones Branch Road

- Sallie Cline Road

- Mauney Street

- Chelsea Circle

- Post Road north of Highway 82

- Old Post Road north of Highway 32

UPDATE 4:45 PM: More mandatory evacuations continue as the Brantley County Sheriffs Office expanded evacuations to include residents north of Highway 32 between Wire Road and Post Road.

See a map of these evacuations in Brantley County, below:

Brantley County Evacuation Map Saturday 3:30 PM

The Wayne County Emergency Management announced mandatory evacuations for residents at the Brantley County Line from Wire Road to Post Road, to Ten Mile Road, and all areas in between.

See a map of evacuations in Wayne County, below:

Wayne County Mandatory Evacuations Saturday 3:30 pm

Glynn County has announced mandatory evacuations from Old Post Road to Highway 32; Highway 32 to Thalman Park Lane; Thalman Park Lane to Bladen Road; Bladen Road to Old Post Road.

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Glynn officials say this order comes as conditions continue to change and urge residents to leave immediately.

See a map of evacuations in Glynn County, below:

Glynn County evacuations, Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Brantley County Schools has announced that schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday. School officials say meals will be available for all Brantley County students at designated drop-off locations on Monday, with times and locations being shared tomorrow.

A volunteer firefighter in Hilliard, Florida died battling a wildfire there while more than 120 homes have been destroyed in Southeast Georgia and thousands more remain threatened. Thats the largest number of homes Georgia has ever lost to wildfires in the states history, Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday.

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At about noon Saturday, the Brantley County Sheriffs Office ordered more evacuations for Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Hwy 32. LEAVE NOW, a sheriffs office social media post said.

The U.S. Highway 82 wildfire has grown overnight to about 9,572 acres, a few thousand acres more than the previous day. The Georgia Forestry Commission said the fire was 10 percent contained.

That fire has destroyed about 87 homes and business by Saturday morning.

Below is a map of the Highway 82 fire:

Map of Highway 82 wildfire in Brantley County, Ga. Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County grew a few hundred acres to about 31,976 acres, the Georgia Forestry Commission said late Friday. More than 30 homes were destroyed there.

Destroyed homes in current wildfires most in Georgias history

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who toured much of the scorched areas in the southern part of the state Friday, said the 120 homes lost to wildfires in Brantley and Clinch counties are the most in the states history.

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The two fires were fighting, among many others in Georgia, ... the Pineland fire and the Highway 82 fire rank No. 1 and 2 in the country, Kemp said during a news briefing Friday at the Waycross-Ware County Airport. So we got the two most dangerous, biggest, problematic fires anywhere in the United States in the small area were having to fight. Its a lot for us to deal with.

WATCH: Gov. Brian Kemp gives update on Georgia wildfires

How Brantley Co. fire started

Officials said the wildfire in Brantley County was started by a balloon from a kids birthday party that landed on a power line and created an arc, which caught the ground on fire.

Volunteer firefighter dies in Northeast Florida

The Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department in Nassau County lost one of their members who was battling a blaze there Thursday. James Kevin Crews was fighting the Old Dixie Highway Fire just south of Henry Smith Road in Hilliard when he began experiencing a medical emergency, a town news release stated Friday.

He was taken to UF Health on New Kings Road for further treatment and died at the hospital.

Hilliard Volunteer Firefighter James Kevin Crews

County-by-County Wildfires Update

Northeast Florida

Baker County

Sargent Fire - 2,523 acres, 81% contained

Bradford County

Deden Fire - 180 acres, 50% contained

Columbia County

Gun Range Fire - 129 acres, 50% contained

Clay, Putnam counties

Railroad Fire - 4743 acres, 70% contained

Putnam County

Pace Court Fire - 343 acres, 85% contained

Mondex 3 Fire - 300 acres, 30% contained

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CLICK HERE to view Florida Forestry Commissions interactive wildfires map

Florida Wildfires Map, 4/25/2026

Southeast Georgia

Brantley County

Highway 82 Fire - 13,745 acres, 7% contained

Mandatory Evacuations:

Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Hwy 32

Browntown Road from Hwy 82 to Greenleaf Rd

GA-110 (Yellow Pine Rd) to Thrower Rd

Happy Hollow

Drury Ln & Drury Ct

Coffee County Club Rd

From Thrower Rd to Mossy Oak

Highway 110 from Highway 32 to Lane Cemetery Road to include from Lisa Lane to the Satilla River.

Voluntary evacuation

U.S. 301 from the county line to Rowell Road to the west of Highway 110, north to Highway 32 and east of Highway 110 to the county line.

Evacuation shelters

The American Red Cross Shelter - Day and Night

100 Genoa Martin Drive, Brunswick, GA 31520

Southside Baptist Church - Day and Night

550 School St., Nahunta, GA 31553

Nahunta United Methodist Church - Day

107 E. Cleveland St., Nahunta, GA 31553



Glynn county state of emergency

Glynn County declared a local State of Emergency to ensure resources can be deployed without delay.

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Officials there are urging residents living between Highway 82 and Highway 32 from Old Post Road to Highway 99, and those who live on and between Old Post Road and Buck Swamp Road south of Highway 82, to review emergency plans and gather essential items in case conditions worsen and they must evacuate.

Clinch County

Pineland Road Fire - 31,976 acres, 10% contained.

CLICK HERE to view Georgia Forestry Commissions interactive wildfires map

Georgia Wildfire Map, 4/25/2026

A firefighter works the Brantley Highway 82 fire, Thursday, April 23, 2026, near Nahunta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

A fire burns as the Brantley Highway 82 fire burns, Thursday, April 23, 2026, near Nahunta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

A burned vehicle sits near a destroyed home as the Brantley Highway 82 fire burns, Thursday, April 23, 2026, near Nahunta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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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)

Firefighters look on as a wildfire burns in Georgia.

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Only one judge in Louisiana has ruled in favor of the Catholic churchs ongoing attempts to strike down a law there which allowed old abuse claims their day in court  even after a state supreme court decision upheld the constitutionality of that so-called lookback window.

But now, that judge  Kendrick J Guidry of Lake Charles  is being forced to acknowledge that his ruling benefited a specific church on whose finance committee he sits, giving him a direct financial interest that required his recusal under the states judicial code.

Guidrys handling of the situation has invited questions about why he didnt recuse himself much earlier. And it served up another of multiple instances in which avowedly Catholic judges in Louisiana  one of the religions US strongholds  have issued rulings in favor of a church or affiliated group only to later admit they should not be hearing the case.

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These controversial rulings have come as dioceses across the state are grappling with a decades-old, financially costly clergy abuse scandal.

Before his recusal, Guidry had disclosed he was a congregant of that particular church: Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Lake Charles diocese. But until he finally disclosed it last week, he had stopped short of saying he had been serving on the churchs finance committee since February.

Law professor Dane Ciolino of Loyola University New Orleans, who specializes in judicial ethics in Louisiana, said state law was clear that judges with such ties to a party in a case must recuse themselves from that case.

Judges, even with close ties to parties, to lawyers, sincerely sometimes believe that they can be impartial, Ciolino said. Yet Louisianas legislature, which revised laws governing judicial recusals in recent years, made it clear that the standard is an objective one, Ciolino continued.

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Its not what this judge thinks, but its what an objective, reasonable observer would believe under the totality of the circumstances.

Kathryn Robb of the abuse victims advocacy group Enough Abuse, a leading national advocate for lookback window laws across the country, blasted Guidry for not disclosing his role on the churchs finance committee from the outset.

Hes made it seem as if this relationship with the church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the diocese of Lake Charles was one of a distant cousin when in fact, when you look at all the facts, the relationship between the judge and the church is really more like that of an identical twin, Robb said.

Duties to be fair and impartial

At the heart of Guidrys recusal controversy was a 31 March hearing in a case alleging a priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary committed severe child sexual abuse of a five-to-nine-year-old child in the 1980s. Guidry disclosed at the start of the hearing that he was an Immaculate Heart of Mary member. Still, he said he could be fair, and lawyers on both sides agreed that mere membership at a church was not disqualifying.

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Guidry then agreed with the dioceses position that allowing a 40-year-old abuse claim would be an unconstitutional taking of the churchs property because the law in effect at the time of the alleged molestation set a filing deadline that had long expired, according to a transcript of the hearing.

Louisianas highest court already rejected that stance when it upheld the lookback window in June 2024 despite arguments to the contrary by the diocese of Lafayette, about 75 miles to the east of Lake Charles. Guidry, though, found the Louisiana supreme courts decision in that case hinged on a separate argument about due process rights and never finally settled the question of whether institutions have a property right to not be sued for old abuse claims once the original deadline to sue them expired.

Related: Pope Leo accepts resignation of embattled New Orleans archbishop Gregory Aymond

Robb said she was taken aback by Guidrys apparent lack of impartiality in some of his comments from the bench. At one point, he told church attorneys the lookback window law let people take shots at you guys for something that might have happened 30 or 40 years ago.

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This is not about taking shots, Robb said. This is about finding justice and accountability for victims who were raped, sexually assaulted and sodomized as children.

Attorneys for the alleged victim in the Lake Charles case filed a motion on 15 April for Guidry to recuse himself. They contended the judges position as a eucharistic minister and leader in a mens group at Immaculate Heart of Mary  and his history as a former finance committee member at another church in the same diocese  went well beyond what he had disclosed.

Guidry then disclosed that he served on Immaculate Heart of Marys finance committee when Daniel Meyer, an attorney representing an alleged abuse victim in a separate case in front of Guidry, made his own request for the judge to step aside.

In an email obtained by WWL Louisiana and the Guardian, Guidry bristled at Meyers request, saying it does come with a personal sting. He asserted that he didnt recuse himself in March because he believed his role as a eucharistic minister and leader in a mens group at the church didnt compromise his impartiality. Then, however, Guidry offered a new piece of information.

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Unfortunately, at that time, I failed to mention I was a member of the finance committee which is reflected in my updated bio on the Lake Charles state courthouses website, Guidry wrote in the email. Based on the motion to recuse and the attached bio, I noticed my updated bio was not uploaded to the website as it should have been when I updated it on [24 February]. I accepted the appointment to the finance committee about that time, so it is still new to me and it slipped my mind at the recent hearing.

A new version of Guidrys biography was posted to the courts website on 15 April, according to the files metadata. The bio was nearly identical to the previous version  but it added that Guidry serves on Immaculate Heart of Marys finance committee.

I let nothing interfere with my duties to be fair and impartial in all cases, Guidry wrote in the email. He then alluded to the Louisiana code of civil procedure section 151(B), which requires judges to recuse themselves if there is a substantial and objective basis that would reasonably be expected to prevent [them] from conducting any aspect of the cause in a fair and impartial manner.

Based solely on me being on the finance committee of the church and just saying the word finance, I can understand how under 151(B) there would be a substantial and objective basis requiring my recusal, Guidry wrote.

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WWL and the Guardian obtained the judges email independently of Meyer. Meyer confirmed the authenticity of the email but declined to comment.

Guidry, too, did not immediately comment.

The case in which Guidry ruled on the churchs side has since been reallotted to another judge named Michael Canaday. In November, in another clergy abuse case involving the Lake Charles dioceses St Joseph church, Canaday ruled against the arguments which had triumphed before Guidry.

Guidrys pre-recusal ruling came as a pair of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at the Jesuit high school in New Orleans by personnel there remain pending. In those cases, unfolding at New Orleans state civil courthouse, attorneys representing the Catholic school unsuccessfully made the same arguments that won in front of Guidry.

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They were among dozens of similar arguments in cases across Louisiana that have gone to the states supreme court. In every one of them, including in a ruling issued on Tuesday, the high court has declined to hear the case.

A ruling at the US fifth circuit court of appeals likewise declined to hear a clergy abuse case out of Baton Rouge involving the Salesians religious order, which was airing the same arguments.

Nonetheless, despite that losing track record, on 31 March, Guidry said he agreed with church attorneys that the repeated denials did not actually set a legal precedent to which he had to adhere.

Other recusals

Guidrys subsequent recusals called to mind US district judge Jay Zainey in New Orleans federal courthouse.

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Zainey initially was among several federal judges in the city who recused themselves from presiding over any cases that could directly affect a bankruptcy protection filing that New Orleans Catholic archdiocese made in 2020 as it grappled with the financial fallout of clergy molestation claims. The reason for his recusal were various ties to the archdiocese, including his past service on the governing board of the archdiocesan college which teaches prospective clergymen.

But later, in an abuse case involving the Holy Cross Catholic religious order, Zainey decided to strike down as unconstitutional the lookback window that Louisianas legislature approved in 2021.

Zaineys ruling at first was seen as a decisive victory for the states Catholic church, allowing it to settle abuse claims for far less money than it would otherwise have to. Yet the Louisiana supreme court later upheld the laws constitutionality, in effect negating Zaineys ruling.

He later recused himself from the Holy Cross case. In June 2025, a jury ordered Holy Cross officials to pay the plaintiff $2.4m in damages.

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The New Orleans archdiocese and its insurers since have also agreed to pay about $305m to settle with clergy abuse claimants involved in the bankruptcy, which is unrelated to the Lake Charles cases in front of Guidry. Before the opening of the lookback window, the archdiocese estimated it could settle the bankruptcy for $7m or less.

Meanwhile, another New Orleans federal judge named Greg Guidry  who is not related to Kendrick Guidry  insisted that he could impartially handle appeals related to the archdioceses bankruptcy despite having donated tens of thousands of dollars to the institution. One of his key rulings denied a request to unseal secret church documents outlining how archdiocesan officials handled clerics suspected of sexually abusing children.

Then, in April 2023, amid scrutiny into his personal relationship with an attorney representing archdiocesan affiliates in insurance disputes, Greg Guidry recused himself from his role in the church bankruptcy.

The Guardian and WWL Louisiana managed to report on one of the clergymen in the archdiocesan bankruptcys sealed files  retired priest Lawrence Hecker. In December 2024, Hecker pleaded guilty to charges of child rape and kidnapping and died shortly thereafter in prison.

Louisiana state police troopers who pursued Hecker furthermore opened a broader inquiry into whether the archdiocese ran a child sex trafficking ring responsible for the widespread  abuse of minors dating back decades that was covered up and not reported to authorities, as they wrote in a sworn statement filed in criminal court.

It has not been clear whether any of Heckers superiors may be charged as part of that investigation.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said Thursday that Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is not getting a pardon amid questions from some lawmakers against giving her freedom.

Luna, a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, appeared on Cuomo on NewsNation, The Hills partner broadcaster, and assured that Maxwell will not receive a pardon.

The votes arent there for that, she told host Chris Cuomo. But I will tell you who is involved and who hasnt really come in to testify, is the co-conspirators who were given some of these plea deals, and they were women. There was one doctor that was being looked at as well.

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Luna said she does not think the full files connected to Epstein were released, suggesting that from what Id heard, there was destruction of evidence and that Maxwell was banking on a lack of evidence to lead to her pardon.

The Florida Republican added that some women who intentionally trafficked victims were getting paid and then they were given victim status because they were given plea deals by the former Department of Justice.

So Ive suggested to the DOJ under former Attorney General Pam Bondi that they reopen this, consider hitting them with civil rights violations, and potentially outside of the statute of limitation, Luna said. But Im not at the DOJ. I can only advocate for what I can up to a certain point.

Cuomo asked Luna about having Bondi testify on the DOJs handling of the Epstein files. Luna agreed that Bondi should testify, but she accused Democrats of furthering a narrative that fits a reelection campaign going into the midterms.

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House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) told Politico on Wednesday that the panel is split on whether Maxwell should be granted a pardon. Though he would not say who backs pardoning Maxwell, I think it looks bad.

Honestly, other than Epstein, the worst person in this whole investigation is Maxwell, Comer added.

Arick Fudali, the attorney for 11 Epstein survivors, blasted the consideration of pardoning Maxwell as offensive to her victims.

A pardon for Maxwell under any circumstances would be another example of the three tiers of justice in America right now: justice for the poor, justice for the rich and justice for friends of Donald Trump, Fudali told NewsNation.

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Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on Wednesday blasted the DOJ for its reported willingness to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell based on remarks made by her attorney, David Oscar Markus. The lawyer has led the effort to advocate for his clients freedom since last year, after he helped her get transferred to a lower security prison after she met with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in Tallahassee, Fla.

Maxwell later invoked her Fifth Amendment right when she appeared during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee deposition.

Krishnamoorthi, a member of the Oversight panel, also called on the DOJ to fully resource a new investigation into Epsteins sex-trafficking operation and pursue all credible leads.

You must also publicly, and repeatedly, refuse to engage with Ghislaine Maxwell on any presidential pardons that would excuse her from serving out her full sentence, he wrote. Survivors deserve answers, and those responsible must be held accountable. This is not a question of politicsit is a matter of justice.

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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.
Lynette Hookers daughter retraces steps of missing mom in Bahamas

(NewsNation)  The daughter of Lynette Hooker recently visited the site where the 55-year-old Michigan woman disappeared while on vacation in the Bahamas with her husband.

Lynette Hookers daughter searches for answers in the Bahamas

Karli Aylesworth said she retrieved a few of her mothers personal items, including a necklace, but did not come away with any answers.

Sheriff handling Nancy Guthrie case a bad cop: Official

It definitely hit me really hard, going on the boat. It felt almost eerie, Aylesworth told Jesse Weber Live on Thursday.

Lynette Hooker case: Brian Hooker returns to Michigan

Brian Hooker said Lynette fell into choppy waters April 4 near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands as the two were in a dinghy on their way back to the Soulmate, the vessel on which they were traveling.

An undated photo of Lynette Hooker. (Courtesy)

Local authorities initially detained Brian Hooker but later released him. While he said he would remain in the Bahamas until his wife was found, he returned to Michigan. He has denied wrongdoing.

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Aylesworth and her boyfriend, Steve Hansen, retraced the couples footsteps and talked with locals. The daughter said they did not discover anything that would contradict Brian Hookers account of what happened.

Aylesworth, however, previously has said Brian and Lynette Hooker had a volatile relationship and that Brian was violent toward her.

The U.S. Coast Guard reportedly is also investigating her disappearance.

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 NewsNation.
Homebuilding company PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM) met Wall Streets revenue expectations in Q1 CY2026, but sales fell by 12.4% year on year to $3.41 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.79 per share was 1% below analysts consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy PHM? Find out in our full research report (its free).

PulteGroup (PHM) Q1 CY2026 Highlights:

Revenue: $3.41 billion vs analyst estimates of $3.39 billion (12.4% year-on-year decline, in line)

Adjusted EPS: $1.79 vs analyst expectations of $1.81 (1% miss)

Adjusted EBITDA: $466.3 million vs analyst estimates of $519.2 million (13.7% margin, 10.2% miss)

Operating Margin: 13%, down from 17.3% in the same quarter last year

Backlog: $6.53 billion at quarter end, down 9.3% year on year

Market Capitalization: $25.03 billion

StockStorys Take

PulteGroups first quarter saw revenue and profit broadly in line with Wall Street expectations, despite a notable year-on-year decline in sales and operating margin. Management pointed to elevated incentives offered to support affordability for buyers, especially among first-time purchasers, as a key factor impacting results. CEO Ryan Marshall highlighted a strategic pivot back toward a higher mix of build-to-order homes, stating, This quarter was just the first step in a process that will take several quarters to complete. The company also cited strong demand in Florida and ongoing discipline in managing spec inventory as operational highlights this quarter.

Looking ahead, PulteGroups guidance is underpinned by expectations for a continued increase in build-to-order home sales and a gradual reduction in incentive levels as the year progresses. Management remains cautious on persistent affordability challenges, especially for entry-level buyers, but sees opportunity in move-up and active adult segments. CFO Jim Ossowski emphasized that margin recovery in the second half of the year depends on increased closings of higher margin active adult and build-to-order homes, while noting that current market dynamics may keep incentives elevated for the foreseeable future.

Key Insights from Managements Remarks

Management attributed the quarters performance to a disciplined inventory strategy, a shift in buyer mix, and higher incentives, while highlighting regional strength and cost controls.
By Max Hunder and Serhiy Chalyi

DNIPRO/KYIV, April 25 (Reuters) - Russian forces pounded the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Saturday in waves of attacks with drones and missiles that also hit other regions, killing 10 people and injuring dozens.

Dnipro was subjected to at least three separate attacks overnight and during the day.

Regional Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said eight people were killed and 49 injured in the city, a repeated target in more than four years of war with Russia.

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In the initial overnight strike, a large chunk of an apartment building collapsed after being hit. Four bodies were recovered, Hanzha said.

The site was struck again during the day while rescuers were working. The second attack killed one person and injured seven.

20 HOURS OF ATTACKS

Eight more were injured in a subsequent attack on Saturday evening. All were being treated in hospital, Hanzha said.

"For more than 20 frightening hours, the Russians attacked Dnipro in waves," Hanzha wrote on Telegram. "They hit with missiles and drones. They hit deliberately. They hit residential areas."

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Hanzha reported yet another attack just before midnight (2100 GMT), triggering a fire at an infrastructure site. He posted pictures showing firefighters battling a blaze.

Ukraine's air force said Russian forces deployed 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, adding that it downed 580 drones and 30 missiles.

Moscow has been launching smaller barrages of dozens of drones nightly at Ukraine, interspersing them with occasional large-scale attacks.

Thick columns of black smoke streamed into the sky on Saturday morning, as local media warned of poor air quality.

A Reuters reporter saw a Russian drone being destroyed in the sky over the ruined apartment block as rescuers worked in the rubble.

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Russia's Defence Ministry said it had hit military-industrial and energy targets overnight.

GRIEF-STRICKEN RESIDENTS

"Russia is deliberately prolonging its terror against our people, continuing to target critical infrastructure and residential buildings," Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.

At the destroyed apartment block in Dnipro, residents were stricken with grief and rage.

"May their children sleep in their warm beds in Russia, and may everything be all right for them. Let them watch as Russia 'liberates' us of our apartments and houses," said 37-year-old Aliona Katrushova, who lives in the building opposite.

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She looked on in her dressing gown as survivors were hauled out from the rubble. Saturday is her husband Oleh's birthday.

"It's like being given a second life," he said after surviving the attack, although the couple's apartment was damaged.

In the northern region of Chernihiv, missile and drone attacks killed two and wounded seven, the governor there said.

"Every strike like this must remind our partners that the situation needs immediate and firm action, rapid strengthening of our air defences," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Drone fragments damaged an electricity pole and household annex in NATO member Romania, which borders Ukraine, authorities there said. There were no casualties.

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Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian territory. Officials in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg said a Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building, causing minor injuries.

The Russia-appointed governor in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Luhansk said a Ukrainian drone attack had killed three residents of a village. And the governor of the port of Sevastopol in Russian-held Crimea said air defence units had downed 43 Ukrainian drones over the city and the Black Sea.

(Reporting by Max Hunder in Kyiv and Serhiy Chalyi in Dnipro, additional reporting by Daria Smetanko; Editing by Susan Fenton, Aidan Lewis, Rod Nickel, Alistair Bell and Ron Popeski)
Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in Mali's capital, Bamako, as armed groups launched co-ordinated attacks across the country into Sunday.

Mali's military said on Saturday evening that efforts to repel the attacks were under way, and some militants had already fled.

Fighting has also been reported around Kati, home to a major military base outside the capital, as well as in Gao, and the central cities of Sevare and Mopti. On Sunday, gunfire resumed in Kidal in the north, according to reports.

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Mali has for years been plagued by insurgencies by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist movement in the country's north.

Reports suggest the assault by the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) - which seeks a breakaway ethnic Tuareg state - was primarily focused on northern cities, while the jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) had staged simultaneous attacks on multiple locations across the country.

One analyst described it as the largest jihadist attack in years.

"We had been working on this operation for a long time, in a well-planned manner, and in fact, in alliance with [JNIM]," Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the FLA, told the BBC.

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"It is difficult to find any solution without their participation, and there was co-ordination."

Meanwhile, JNIM confirmed in a statement that the attacks had been part of a joint operation with the FLA.

[BBC]

Mali's military said it was fighting what it described as "terrorist groups", which had been "routed" with "several hundred" killed.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify this claim, and there are indications that fighting continues in areas.

"We are in Kidal and it has not fallen completely," Ramadane said. "There are still elements of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries there. All of Gao's gates have fallen, but the camps of the army have not."

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He earlier wrote on social media that the FLA's forces had taken control of Kidal and were expanding their presence in the centre of Gao.

Ramadane posted unverified footage purporting to show militants taking over a camp occupied by the Malian army and Russian mercenaries in Kidal, as well as a military helicopter supposedly shot down near Gao.

An FLA field commander involved in the assault on Kidal told the BBC the group had been preparing for the offensive "for months", and was attempting to block the road between the city and Tessalit to prevent army reinforcements arriving.

"Our main goal now is to control Gao and then Timbuktu will be easy to fall," he said.

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On Sunday, fighting resumed in the city to "drive out the last Russian fighters", AFP news agency reported, citing Ramadane.

A local official confirmed to AFP that the fighting "between the Malian army, the Russians and the rebels" had continued, with residents hearing gunfire.

FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said the attacks had been planned "for a long time" [BBC]

In Bamako, checkpoints have been established on roads leading to the airport and vehicles are being searched, according to reports. A curfew has been imposed from 21:00 to 06:00 local time for the next three nights.

The UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Mali following the attacks, adding Bamako International Airport had been temporarily closed.

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Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali, told the BBC the incident appeared to be the "largest co-ordinated jihadist attack on Mali for years".

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, said he was following the situation with "deep concern," adding in a statement on X that he "strongly condemns these acts which risk exposing civilian populations to significant harm".

Armed men pictured in Kidal [Reuters]

UN chief Antonio Guterres also condemned the "acts of violence" as he expressed his "solidarity with the Malian people".

According to his spokesman, he called for "coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs".

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Similarly, the US State Department's Africa bureau strongly condemned the attacks, adding: "We extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected, and we stand with the Malian people and government in the face of this violence."

The FLA has for years been fighting for the creation of its own Tuareg homeland in northern Mali, a large swathe of which it has effective control over.

Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goita, who first seized power in a coup in 2020, promising to restore security and push back armed groups.

The junta had popular support when it took power, promising to deal with the long-running security crisis prompted by the Tuareg rebellion in the north, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants.

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UN peacekeepers and French forces deployed to deal with the escalating insurgency left after the junta took over, and the military government hired Russian mercenaries to help tackle the insecurity.

However, the jihadist insurgency has continued and large parts of the north and east of the country remain outside government control.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sparking backlash after using his first veto to derail a bipartisan bill aimed at combating antisemitism by expanding protest security safeguards for places of education.

"This could impact workers protesting ICE or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights," Mamdani said in a statement Friday.

"It is a piece of legislation that has alarmed much of the labor movement, reproductive rights groups and immigration advocates, among others, across this city."

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New York's former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent against Mamdani in the mayoral race last year, slammed Mamdani's decision on X, saying he "chose the whims of his radical, extreme-left DSA base over the safety of students and Jewish New Yorkers at a time of rising antisemitism."

Mamdani Is An Existential Threat To Jewish New Yorkers

Zohran Mamdani announces new members of his team at the Brooklyn Public Library Greenpoint Branch in Brooklyn Dec. 17, 2025. (Getty Images)

"Instead of governing for all NYers, Mamdani has repealed the very definition of antisemitism from the citys books, changed how antisemitic crimes are counted and now vetoed these commonsense security measures when they are needed most," Cuomo continued.

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"I proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with my Jewish brothers and sisters  just as the Cuomos always have, and always will."

The bill, Int. 175-B, requires New York law enforcement to develop a plan to contain the risk of physical obstruction, physical injury, intimidation and interference at educational facilities while still allowing for freedom of assembly and First-Amendment events. The plan would then apply to "any building, structure, or place where educational programming takes place."

Julie Menin, the speaker of the New York City Council, had framed the bill as key to warding off threats of antisemitism.

"The legislation is part of the Council-led Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism," Menin said in March.

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Elite University Attended By Trumps Son Cracks Down On Left-wing Student Agitators

Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, speaks during an announcement in the Brooklyn borough of New York City Jan. 12, 2026.

"According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for 57% of reported hate crimes in 2025, although only approximately 10% of New York City residents are Jewish. Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of hate crimes more than all other groups combined."

The bill passed the New York City Council by a 30-19 vote late last month.

Commentators online criticized the veto, citing a need for enhanced protections.

"We are deeply disappointed by Mayor Mamdanis veto of legislation designed to help protect students from intimidation and disruption outside schools," the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a pro-Jewish group, said in a post to X.

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"The right to protest and the right to an education can and must coexist. We urge the City Council to override this veto and reaffirm a basic principle: protecting students is not politics; it is a civic responsibility."

"Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D- HAMAS) vetoed a bill for buffer zones around schools because it could impact workers protesting ICE, or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels, or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights," Ari Hoffman, a political commentator, wrote in his own post.

"All the bill would have done was require clear safety plans around schools with law enforcement."

Mamdani approved a similar bill that applied to religious sites. He explained that he was concerned by the expansive range of what the second bill meant by "educational facilities."

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"The problem is how widely this bill defines an educational institution and the constitutional concerns it raises regarding New Yorkers fundamental right to protest. As the bill is written, everywhere from universities to museums to teaching hospitals could face restrictions," Mamdani said in a statement.

Nyc Rabbi Warns Zohran Mamdani 'Poses A Danger' To Jewish Community's Safety

The sun sets on the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City Nov. 15, 2024.

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The city council could override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote, according to New York City's charter. Doing so would require votes from 33 of the chambers 50 members.

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Assuming the bill retains the support of the legislators that originally advanced it out of the council, it would require just three more votes to secure its implementation over Mamdani's objection.





Original article source: Mamdani in the hot seat after first veto derails bipartisan effort to combat antisemitism: 'Disappointed'
The Marquette Police Department announced that the body of missing Northern Michigan University student Trenton Massey was found in the Lower Harbor on Friday afternoon, April 24.

"On 04/24/2026 at approximately 3:30pm, the body of Trenton Massey was located submerged in the water of the Lower Harbor, north of the Shiras Dock," the police department said in a release.

Trenton Massey was last seen on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Massey's body was discovered by volunteers from Hybrid Robotics, an underwater ROV manufacturing company located in Traverse City, the release said.

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Massey, 21, a Northern Michigan University student from Shiawassee County, disappeared in late February after walking home from a downtown Marquette bar.

Massey was seen at approximately 3:08 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, walking east on a bike path at the 7th Street Bridge on the west side of downtown.

Police say Massey may have been trying to walk to his residence on McMillan Street in Marquette when he was last seen on cameras, wearing a black and olive green coat.

Police said Massey was later seen near East Baraga Avenue and the Founder's Landing boardwalk, which is along the harbor.

"Massey appears to be disoriented and having difficulty walking," police said of the video in a release in February.

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Police eventually searched in the harbor using specialized equipment, but suspended their search for Massey after four days on Feb. 25.

Massey was a Corunna High School graduate, Corunna Superintendent John Fattal said in a statement in February.

Kelly Grinnell, of Owosso, started a gofundme to support Massey's family. As of 6 p.m. April 24, the account had raised more than $61,800.

"Sarah Brock and her family are facing every parent's worst nightmare: her son, Trenton Massey, is missing in Marquette, Michigan," Grinnell wrote. "The days since his disappearance have been filled with uncertainty, fear, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Sarah and her loved ones are doing everything they can to find Trenton, but the emotional and financial toll is immense."

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The family recently conducted a memorial service at Founder's Landing in Marquette in honor of Massey.

In a post on her Facebook page, Sarah Brock expressed shock on Friday.

"I have no words...my heart is broken into even a million more pieces than I ever thought it could. I am numb," she wrote while sharing the police update.

On April 24, following the discovery, divers from the Marquette County Sheriffs Office recovered his body.

Masseys body was turned over to UPHS EMS and transported to UPHS-Marquette pending an autopsy.

"Over the past two months, multiple agencies and volunteers assisted with the search from land, air, ice and water," police said. In addition to the Marquette Police Department, other groups searching included Hybrid Robotics, Antrim County Sheriffs Office, Marquette County Sheriffs Office, Northern Michigan University Police Department, UPHS-Marquette EMS, Marquette City Fire Department, Michigan State Police K9s and Marine Services Team, U.S. Coast Guard Station Marquette, U.S. Army, Michigan DNR conservation officers, Alger County Sheriffs Office, No One Left Behind K9 Search and Rescue, Northern Michigan University, Frontline Strong, and numerous volunteers from the community.

The Marquette Police Department said the investigation is continuing.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: NMU student who disappeared found in Marquette harbor. How he was found
Maryland joined 13 other jurisdictions that sued the Environmental Protection Agency Friday for its failure to meet a February deadline to determine which parts of the country are in compliance with a 2024 standard for fine particulate matter.

That lack of federal guidance affects the states ability to set local plans that would address unhealthy air in nonattainment areas, or those not meeting the air quality standards, the lawsuit says.

Marylanders deserve clean air, and federal law requires EPA to protect it, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) said in a statement Friday. We will not stand by while the Trump Administration abandons standards that would save thousands of lives each year.

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A representative with the Environmental Protection Agency declined to comment Friday evening.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California against EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, claims the agency missed a February deadline imposed two years earlier, during the Biden administration, to identify which parts of the country met new standards for fine particulate matter  airborne particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller, invisible to the naked eye.

For sake of comparison, the EPA says the average human hair is 70 microns in diameter. Because of their size, fine particles, of 2.5 microns or less, can travel deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream causing sometimes severe health problems, or premature death, to those already suffering from heart or lung disease, irregular heartbeat and other respiratory problems.

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The size of the particulate matter is directly linked to its potential for causing health problems, with smaller particles posing the greatest risks, according to the suit.

EPAs failure to identify nonattainment areas seriously endangers public health, the suit says. But it also prevents state and local governments, which have primary responsibility under the Clean Air Act for air pollution control at the source, from implementing plans to fix the problem, the states charge.

Failure to designate nonattainment areas strips states and local governments  of regulatory tools and incentives that Congress provided to them to control air pollution. Promulgation of the designations will equip State and Local Government Plaintiffs with the full suite of Clean Air Act mechanisms to reduce fine particulate matter pollution within their borders, according to the lawsuit.

When the fine particulate matter standards were updated in 2024, several Republican-led states and various chambers of commerce sued to block the new rules. Maryland and about a dozen other states joined that case in support of EPA and the new standards, but the case is still pending.

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The EPA under President Donald Trump, meanwhile, reversed course and asked a court last June to vacate the 2024 standards, but that case is also pending. Because neither case has been acted on, the 2024 standards are still in effect and must be enforced. Fridays suit argues.

Besides Maryland, jurisdictions on Fridays suit include the states of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, New York City and Harris County, Texas.

Those same jurisdictions and about two dozen other states, counties and cities joined in a legal document, or petition for review, against Zeldin and the agency last month for EPAs unlawful attempt to rescind its 2009 endangerment finding that classified greenhouse gas emission a threat to public health.

The agency said in its decision in February that the EPA lacks statutory authority under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act to prescribe standards for GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions for various vehicles and engines. The agency claims this would save more than $1.3 trillion.

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Meanwhile, Browns office is leading on the filing of an amicus brief Friday in U.S. District Court in Maryland that supports a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education and its secretary, Linda McMahon, over the departments waiver of the Randolph Sheppard Act as it applies to the Army. The Education Department oversees the 1936 Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility program, which gives priority to blind vendors for contracts to operate food service and vending facilities on military bases.

In December, the department published a notice in the Federal Register that the Randolph-Sheppard program on Army installations adversely affects the interests of the United States.

In Maryland, the program is administered by the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind within the state Department of Educations Division of Rehabilitation Services.

According to the brief, the Business Enterprise program is operated at 60 locations with 47 licensed blind vendors. The program has contracts at two dining halls at Fort Meade.

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This program exists to give blind Marylanders the tools, training and access to build thriving businesses. Dismantling it doesnt just close doors, it tears down the whole doorway, Brown said. We will not stand by while the federal government attempts to strip those opportunities away.

Maryland is joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
The initiative, informally described as Likud B, is being advanced by right-wing figures, many of whom have had strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Senior figures on Israels political right are holding quiet talks on forming a new statesmanlike right-wing party that could reshape the next election, N12 News reported on Friday night.

The initiative, informally described as Likud B, is being advanced by right-wing figures, many of whom have had strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the report. The stated goal is to help create a broad government without extremist parties, amid polls showing no decisive shift between Israels political blocs.

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Among the names raised in connection with the talks are Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, former finance minister Moshe Kahlon, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, and former UN ambassador and minister Gilad Erdan, N12 reported. The group has reportedly reached initial understandings on the basic principles of the new political framework.

The emerging party would not position itself as an automatic extra vote for either of Israels current political camps, according to the report. It would not be committed in advance to Netanyahus bloc, nor to a potential alliance led by Naftali Bennett or Gadi Eisenkot.

A man hangs a Likud election banner, depicting party leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top challenger, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapi (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Israel's Right considers forming an alternative to Likud

Despite agreement on the desired character of a future government, the initiative faces a central difficulty: who would be its candidate for prime minister. Some involved in the talks reportedly favor Bennett or Eisenkot, while others still prefer Netanyahu.

That unresolved question could make it harder for voters to understand the new partys purpose, the report said. Erdan is seen as a key figure, with political sources assessing that he is weighing whether to join the initiative or keep his options open for a future Likud leadership race after Netanyahu.

This report comes after a recent Maariv poll found that Likud lost its position as Israel's largest party. Notably, for the first time since June 26, 2025, Likud and Naftali Bennetts party, Bennett 2026, are running neck and neck.
Police agencies around metro Detroit are increasing unmarked law enforcement vehicles in an effort to target distracted drivers, according to the National Transportation Safety Organization.

Beginning Saturday, April 25, and continuing into May, a number of Michigan police departments plan to take part in Operation Ghost Rider, an initiative launched in 2017 that uses unmarked vehicles staffed with law enforcement officers who spot distracted drivers and alert nearby marked units to make traffic stops, according to a news release from the NTSO on April 24.

According to the NTSO, participating agencies include: Michigan State Police, Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Auburn Hills Police Department, Chesterfield Township Police Department, Clinton Township Police Department, Dundee Police Department, Shelby Township Police Department, South Rockwood Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, Troy Police Department and Utica Police Department, along with additional agencies supporting the effort.

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According to the Michigan State Police in the NTSO news release, motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver decreased by 4.6% from 15,136 in 2023 to 14,439 in 2024. The number of fatalities in distraction-involved crashes increased 10% from 59 fatalities in 2023 to 65 in 2024.

It has been illegal to hold or manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads since 2023.

"This includes situations where a vehicle is stopped at a light or in traffic but does not apply when the vehicle is legally parked," according to the NTSO news release. "Under the law, drivers cannot hold or support a device with any part of their hands, arms, or shoulders. Even if a device is mounted on the dashboard or connected to the vehicles built-in system, drivers are prohibited from using their hands to operate it beyond a single touch."

More: Metro Detroit judge berates woman for joining court while driving

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More: Mallory McMorrow erases Haley Stevens' financial edge in Senate race

On a first offense, the penalty for violations is a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service, according to the news release. On a second or subsequent violation, the penalty is $250 and/or 24 hours of community service. Three violations in a three-year period requires a mandatory driving improvement class. Fines are doubled if a traffic crash occurs and the at-fault driver was found to be holding or manually using a mobile device while operating the vehicle.

Drivers using a handheld device are four times more likely to be involved in an injury-causing crash, and texting increases crash risk by 23 times, according to U.S. Department of Transportation stats cited in the NTSO news release.

Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Operation Ghost Rider is back in metro Detroit
The Mexican government says two US agents who died last weekend in a car crash had not been authorised to operate in the country.

The officials, who reportedly worked for the CIA, had taken part in a raid on suspected drug labs in the northern state of Chihuahua before their vehicle skidded off a mountain road and exploded.

Following an investigation ordered by President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's security ministry said that "neither had formal accreditation to participate in operational activities" and that federal authorities had not been informed of their presence.

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The incident comes amid at-times fraught relations between Mexico and the US on a number of issues including counter-narcotics.

Sheinbaum has come under intensifying pressure from US President Donald Trump to crack down on drug trafficking, but has repeatedly declined offers of US-led counter-narcotics operations in the country.

She has been adamant that foreign officials can only operate on Mexican soil if given prior clearance by the federal government, and has insisted the Latin American nation's sovereignty should not be breached.

Mexico's security ministry said on Saturday that immigration records showed one of the agents had entered the country as a "visitor", while the other had travelled on a diplomatic passport.

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"Neither had formal accreditation to participate in operational activities within national territory," the ministry said in a statement, noting that Mexican law prohibits foreign agents from taking part in operations without federal approval.

US media previously reported that the two individuals, who have not been named, had worked for the CIA as part of an expanded effort to combat narcotics trafficking in the region - a key focus of the Trump administration.

The crash occurred on 19 April, when a convoy returning from an operation targeting suspected methamphetamine labs in a remote, mountainous area veered off the road and plunged into a ravine. Two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency were also killed, officials said.

Chihuahua State Attorney General Cesar Jauregui told a news conference that the US officials were "instructor officers" from the US embassy engaged in "training work as part of the general and normal exchange we have with the US authorities".

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However, Sheinbaum said last week that, while intelligence-sharing with Washington was ongoing, there were "no joint operations on land or in the air".

Last September, a Reuters investigation found the CIA had been running covert operations in Mexico for years to track down the country's most-wanted drug traffickers.

With the Mexican government's approval, the CIA has provided select Mexican units with training, equipment and financial support for operations, including travel, according to Reuters.

Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that her government would work with Washington on security issues, while resisting US threats to put boots on the ground.

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Her government has recently pursued an aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking to assuage Trump, who has also repeatedly criticised Mexico for undocumented migration across the two's shared border.

[BBC]

More on this story
MINNEAPOLIS (NewsNation)  Minnesota lawmakers are demanding Rep. Ilhan Omar turn over records and communications tied to the Feeding Our Future child nutrition fraud scandal after the Democratic congresswoman failed to appear before a state oversight committee examining her possible connections to the case.

The House Fraud Prevention and State Oversight Committee gave Omar a May 5 deadline to produce documents and answer questions in writing.

Committee chair Rep. Kristin Robbins, a Republican who represents the northwestern Twin Cities, said Omar did not respond to the committees invitation to testify and has so far failed to provide any documentation.

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Lewiston shooting victims ask AG to probe $1.9M diverted to nonprofits

The fact that she ghosted us  she would not even respond to multiple inquiries to a state legislature where she used to serve, Robbins said. I think it shows disdain for Minnesota taxpayers that shes unwilling to even answer these questions.

Lawmakers demand her records and communications by May 5

Robbins is seeking Omars written and electronic communications with the convicted owners of the Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis  a venue where Omar was a regular presence and held campaign events  as well as communications with more than a dozen individuals convicted in the Feeding Our Future scandal.

NewsNation first reported on the Safari Restaurants alleged role in the scheme last November.

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Robbins also accused Omar of authoring the legislation that created conditions fraudsters were able to exploit.

Doesnt pass the smell test, Rep. Comer says of missing scientists

She created the conditions that allowed all these bad actors to come in and bill for thousands of meals a day, Robbins said. One little tiny restaurant serving 5,000 meals a day, seven days a week  it was incomprehensible numbers.

Committee chair says Omar authored the bill that enabled the fraud

The committee chair said Omar also ducked questions from reporters.

The American people and certainly the taxpayers of Minnesota deserve her to come and answer these questions, Robbins said. If she had nothing to do with it, if she had no ill intent, if she had no idea  she should come and defend that.

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If Omar fails to comply with a May 5 deadline, Minnesota state lawmakers have limited enforcement authority, but congressional action remains possible. The House Oversight Committee could subpoena the requested documents, including Omars campaign finance records.

Ilhan Omar will be held accountable if found to have committed fraud

The scrutiny extends to Washington.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., warned this week that Omar must be held accountable to the fullest extent if she is found to have been involved in or benefited from any fraud.

His remarks followed a Wall Street Journal report that Omars financial disclosure listed her and her husbands assets at between $6 million and $30 million.

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Omars office later told the outlet the filing contained a discrepancy; an amended version put the couples assets between $18,004 and $95,000.

Adversaries may have taken missing US scientists, lawmaker says

Omar is saying the multimillion-dollar discrepancy was nothing more than an accounting error, Emmer said. This about-face shows incompetence at best and a cover-up at worst.

A lawyer for Omar wrote in a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics that while the error was unfortunate, nothing illegal had occurred.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said Monday that Omar has never explained publicly how her reported net worth reached $30 million. This isnt going to go away, Comer said. Were going to continue to try to push for answers.

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The Feeding Our Future scandal involves allegations that billions of dollars in federal child nutrition funds were stolen by groups that falsely claimed to have provided meal assistance to children in need. Many of those charged in the case are of Somali descent.

Omars office did not respond to a request for comment.

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 NewsNation.
The body of a missing USF doctoral student was located about a week after he and another student were reported missing, and now, his roommate has been charged with two counts of murder, authorities announced April 25.

Zamil Limon and Nahida S. Bristy, both 27, were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the university's police department. On April 24, Limon's remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa and positively identified, Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said at an April 24 news conference.

Limon's roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested after a standoff with authorities where he barricaded himself in his home near the university.

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Here's everything we know about the case.

Who are the missing FSU students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy the students who went missing?

Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old PhD candidate at USF, was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy. Nahida Bristy, also 27, was pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Limon and Bristy were last seen the morning of Thursday, April 16.

Both families described Limon and Bristy as hardworking, dedicated, responsible students and said it was unusual for both to go days without talking to family members. They both had summer trips planned to their home country of Bangladesh. A family friend reported both of them missing shortly before 5 p.m. April 17 after not being able to reach either of them.

Nahida S. Bristy, a USF student, was last seen April 16, 2026. Zamil Limon, a USF student, was last see April 16, 2026. The entrance to the University of South Florida campus in Tampa. Human remains found near area where missing USF student's body found 1 of 3 Nahida S. Bristy, a USF student, was last seen April 16, 2026.

Limons remains were located on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. His roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested after a standoff with authorities where he barricaded himself in his home near the university.

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Bristy's body is yet to be found.

Who is Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, the suspect charged with killing two USG doctoral students?

Limon's roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested after a standoff with authorities where he barricaded himself in his home near the university.

Abugharbieh is facing two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon for the deaths of Zamil and Nahida Bristy, both 27, the Hillsborough County Sherriffs Office said.

Abugharbieh is a U.S. citizen who previously took classes at USF from 2021 to 2023, according to a university spokesperson. He does have a criminal record including a 2023 charge of batter and burglary. Also that year, a relative filed two domestic petitions against him.

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This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community ad impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution, Sheriff Chad Chronister said. While the discovery of Zamil Limons remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.

What is Hisham Abugharbieh charged with?

In addition to murder, Abugharbieh is charged with domestic violence, tampering with evidence and unlawfully holding or removing a dead human body.

What led to Hisham Abugharbiehs arrest? What do we know about the SWAT standoff?

Abugharbieh was interviewed by detectives April. 23, and after initially talking, he ended the interview and left. That was the same day authorities upgraded the case from missing to endangered.

Authorities were called to Abugharbiehs familys home for a domestic dispute about 9 a.m. April 24. Investigators were able to get relatives safely out of the home. Abugharbieh then barricaded himself inside and the SWAT team was called to assist.

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After about 20 minutes, Abugharbieh emerged from the home with his hands raised wearing no shirt and a blue towel around his waist.

You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: USF student's body found, another missing. Hisham Abugharbieh charged
Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) is one of the

8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now.

On April 21, 2026, RBC Capital analyst James Edwardes Jones upgraded Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) to Sector Perform from Underperform with an unchanged price target of 4,200 GBp. James Edwardes Jones said concerns around the disposal of the companys food business appear reflected in the current share price, adding that consensus estimates already incorporate caution on Unilevers growth trajectory.

Meanwhile, BofA reinstated coverage of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) with a Buy rating and a 5,300 GBp price target. The firm pointed to the companys transformation in the U.S. toward wellbeing and personal care, an unrivalled market position in India, and a valuation that now looks to us attractive.

Last month, McCormick & Company (MKC) and Unilever announced an agreement to combine McCormick with Unilevers Foods business, excluding India and other excluded businesses, creating a combined company with approximately $20B in fiscal 2025 revenue. Under the terms, Unilever and its shareholders are expected to receive shares representing 65.0% of the combined companys equity, equivalent to $29.1B based on McCormicks one-month volume-weighted average price of $57.84, along with $15.7B in cash, subject to adjustments. The transaction implies an enterprise value of approximately $44.8B for Unilever Foods and about $21B for McCormick, both at approximately 13.8x fiscal 2025 EBITDA.

RBC Capital Upgrades Unilever (UL) to Sector Perform

Emilio100 / Shutterstock.com

Upon closing, Unilever shareholders are expected to own 55.1%, McCormick shareholders 35.0%, and Unilever 9.9% of the combined company. The deal is not expected to trigger U.S. federal income tax for Unilever or its shareholders. The companies expect approximately $600M in annual run-rate cost synergies over three years, with about two-thirds realized by the end of year two, with one-time costs estimated at approximately $300M and an additional $100M in incremental cost and revenue synergies to be reinvested. The transaction is expected to close by mid 2027, subject to McCormick shareholder approval, regulatory clearances, and other customary conditions, including works council consultation.

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company across the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

While we acknowledge the potential of UL 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.
Apr. 24MITCHELL  A 21-year-old Mitchell man facing sexual assault and related charges in Davison County was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and is also charged in two other counties in cases involving similar allegations.

Caleb Richter pleaded not guilty in Davison County felony court to first-degree rape, a Class C felony, as well as two Class 1 misdemeanors of false imprisonment and interference with emergency communication.

According to court documents, Mitchell police were asked to assist in a domestic violence and sexual assault investigation involving a woman who said she had been in a romantic relationship with Richter for about a month. The woman told investigators Richter recorded videos of the two engaging in sexual activity and later threatened to release them if she did not comply with his demands.

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The victim said that on March 24, 2026, she and Richter argued several times throughout the evening. She said Richter would not let her go to the bathroom alone at a Mitchell park and later refused to let her return home without him. She said she was forced to stay at his residence overnight because she feared he would release the videos.

She also told police Richter limited her access to her cellphone, keeping it on a kitchen counter and monitoring her so she could not call or text for help. The woman said the argument continued through the night and that Richter suggested oral sex might lead him to delete the videos. She said she believed she had no choice but to comply because she feared the recordings would be shared. She said the encounter eventually turned into vaginal intercourse, and Richter did not delete the videos afterward.

In an interview with police the next day, Richter admitted controlling the woman's movements and restricting her phone access. He said he did so because he feared she would contact law enforcement and said he was trying to avoid getting in trouble since he had been drinking and was on parole. He also admitted not allowing her to use the restroom alone or return home, saying he was concerned about her going home because of her father. Investigators noted the woman's father lives on the western side of the state, hours away.

Richter denied threatening to release the videos but admitted they existed. A search of his phone found one video recorded March 22, 2026.

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Richter also faces charges in two other counties in cases involving similar allegations.

In Brule County, he is charged with two counts of manufacturing child sexual abuse material, both Class 2 felonies, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material, a Class 4 felony.

In Lawrence County, he faces a Class 1 misdemeanor stalking charge in a separate case involving a former girlfriend. Court documents allege he sent numerous repeated and unwanted messages to the woman and her family and threatened to release an intimate photo if property was not returned.

A jury trial in the Davison County case is scheduled for August.
A woman is being charged with two counts of murder after her two children were found dead inside a Wellesley home.

Janette MacAusland, age 49, is charged with murdering her two children, ages 6 and 7. She is currently being held without bail in Vermont at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility and will appear in Rutland Superior Court on a fugitive from justice charge on Monday.

The incident occurred on Friday night, when members of the Benneington Police Department were contacted to perform a wellness check on a woman who was visibly upset and had a visible neck injury and was bleeding.

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Upon speaking with the woman, who was IDed as MacAusland, police became concerned for the well-being of her children and contacted Wellesley police to perform a well-being check at their residence on home on Edgemoor Avenue.

Upon arrival, police found her two children, 7-year-old Kai and 6-year-old Ella, deceased inside the home.

Full of life and laughter: Wellesley mom accused in childrens deaths was in custody battle

According to the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office, the two children were students in the Wellesley Public Schools system. Superintendent David Lussier provided the following statement:

We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of two of our WPS students, a second-grader and kindergartener at Schofield Elementary School. This is an unimaginable loss that will be deeply felt not just at Schofield but across our entire community. Our crisis team is planning support for students, staff, and families as we prepare for the reopening of school on Monday. I ask that we all keep this family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Counselors will be on site on Monday to provide support and services, the DAs office wrote.

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Neighbors on their street were heartbroken to hear the kids were killed. Jeffrey Peng is a senior at Wellesley High School. He lives a couple houses away.

Having known that family for around seven years, I didnt know this was something capable of happening in my community. Wed see them biking up and down the road. Pretty heartbreaking.

Peng said he was away for April vacation and did not expect to return home to news that their neighbor had killed their kids. He was shocked when he saw the updated details accusing the mom of murder.

The kids seemed so cheerful, so positive, so happy. So carefree. Its hard to imagine that they are not here anymore.

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His father, Jerry Peng, echoed those thoughts.

Its hard to believe they lost their kids at the ages of six and seven. Its so saddening. I couldnt imagine not seeing the kids anymore on the street. Really cute. Its really hard to believe they are not here anymore. Im sad to hear that.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office and the Wellesley Police Department.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Janie Perez found it strange that her husband called her just a few minutes after leaving the house on his way to work.

When she picked up the phone, she learned why.

"I think ICE is here," her husband, Alejandro Perez, said, referring to agents from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

"We started praying," Janie recalls, while in the background she heard the immigration agents arresting him.

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At that moment, Janie - whose maiden name is Hughes - understood her life would change forever. But she did not imagine she would end up living in Mexico with her husband and their two young daughters.

The American woman, who does not speak Spanish, admits it's been difficult to start from scratch in an unfamiliar country. She does not regret the move, however. "There is nothing more important than being together."

These are the kinds of decisions being faced by families of mixed immigration status (one US citizen spouse and the other undocumented spouse), following an increase in detentions and deportations of illegal immigrants in the US since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025.

Official estimates suggest 1.1 million US citizens are married to an undocumented person.

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Read this story in Spanish - "El sueno mexicano": las mujeres estadounidenses que se mudan a Mexico para vivir con sus maridos deportados

Despite the marital bond, undocumented foreign nationals have difficulties in obtaining permanent residence  or a green card  through marriage, because once they have entered the country unlawfully, they may be barred from obtaining legal status.

Since returning to office, Trump has made good on his campaign promise to crack down on illegal immigration, which he has described as an "invasion".

But for couples like Alejandro and Janie Perez, the choice between separation and leaving America is fraught.

'I had tears of happiness when I saw him again'

Speaking to BBC Mundo from the Mexican state of Queretaro, Janie recalls that fateful morning last October when her husband was taken away from her and their two young daughters, Luna and Lexie.

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"I fell to the ground on my knees crying uncontrollably," says the 29-year-old.

As he was undocumented, both of them knew that the most likely scenario was deportation to Mexico. And that is what happened.

The idea of separating her family, Janie says, was "simply inconceivable", even if she had to leave behind her life in Missouri and start a new life in a country completely unknown to her.

Religion has been a fundamental part of their relationship since they met in 2019, when they worked at the same cafe, he as a cook and she as a waitress.

"He was also a man of faith and that was something very important to me," Janie says.

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When they eventually decided to get married, they consulted a lawyer to try to get him legal status, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Although they knew he could be arrested, they tried to go on with their lives as normally as possible.

Until everything collapsed when he was detained by ICE agents.

From then on, Janie says, it was clear that her husband's next stop would be Mexico.

While they were waiting for the judge's decision, Janie went to see her husband at the detention centre.

"As we couldn't touch each other, we put our hands facing each other separated by a pane of glass," she says. "And we cried together."

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She also had the opportunity to see him from a distance at each of the court hearings, shackled at the feet and hands, with chains around his waist.

"It was heart-wrenching to see him like that," she says.

Alejandro was born in the Mexican State of Michoacan and entered the United States without a visa for the first time with his father, when he was just seven years old.

They soon returned to Mexico, but a few years later, Alejandro decided to try his luck in the US again.

He says he returned to the US unlawfully because he was afraid of being forcibly recruited by criminal organisations in that region - a common fate for other young men around his age.

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In total, he lived around 16 years as an undocumented migrant in the US.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says its priority is to remove "the worst of the worst illegal aliens with criminal records".

But many of those deported who entered the US without authorisation have clean records, the department's own data shows. Recent DHS data says that under 38% of deportees have been charged or convicted of a crime.

"Although he crossed without authorisation, I think he made a morally correct decision when he travelled to the US," his wife argues.

"He was seeking opportunities and a life away from criminal organisations. All these years he has devoted himself to working and he has no criminal record. That makes me think that many people want this to be a country only for white people. I am white and that does not make me a better person."

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After his arrest by ICE agents, he spent about five months in a detention centre, before being deported to Mexico on 11 March.

A few days later, Janie moved to Mexico with her two daughters.

"I had tears of happiness when I saw him again at the airport," she says.

Alejandro says that when he saw his three-year-old daughter, Luna, come up to hug him in the airport, he felt profound emotion. "It can't be explained in words."

But that happiness has been accompanied by hard moments and difficulties to adapt to a new life in a country that, at times, feels alien to him. Alejandro says he wakes up in the middle of the night, looks around and asks himself: Is all this really happening?

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"So far I feel like all this is a dream, but I believe in God and I know he did this for a purpose."

Volunteering to leave

Although it's still early days for Alejandro and Janie, another couple of mixed US immigration status says that returning to Mexico has proved challenging.

Raegan Klein and Alfredo Linares chose to move voluntarily to the other side of the border to avoid the risk of deportation.

"If something happened to him, I would never forgive myself," says Raegan, who now lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Alfredo, who entered the United States without authorisation at the age of 17 and remained in the country for more than two decades, built a career that led him to become a chef at a fine-dining restaurant.

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He and his wife had just opened their own Japanese-style barbecue business when immigration deportations began ramping up.

Raegan feared that ICE agents would detain her husband and convinced him to move voluntarily to Mexico.

"I was the instigator," she says.

For Alfredo, leaving the US - a country that had become his home - was very difficult.

"Today is my last day here in the United States. After 20 years, it's time to leave," he said in a social media post through tears.

They say their first year living in Mexico has been very challenging.

Although Alfredo is Mexican, he feels like a foreigner in the country he left behind when he was a teenager.

Many times they have regretted the decision they made because they have not managed to generate a permanent source of income, although Raegan still remains convinced that leaving was necessary.

Alfredo says that despite working as an independent chef, offering dinners for small groups, it is not enough. And Raegan, who does not speak Spanish, has had problems finding any remote work.

Despite the difficulties, they have a very clear goal: to open a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination for many Americans and Europeans.

What they lack, however, is the initial investment.

Securing financing is the start of what could be called "the Mexican dream" for this couple, because the other one, "the American dream", is already behind them.
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.) vowed that Democrats will break up large media conglomerates in response to a recent event hosted by Paramount CEO David Ellison following the companys deal with Warner Bros. Discovery this past week.

Ellison and the information oligarchs should enjoy it while they can because when Democrats win power we are going to break these anti-consumer, anti-free speech media conglomerates into pieces, Murphy wrote on the social platform X on Friday afternoon, alongside a photo of the event invitation.

Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, own CBS under their parent company, Paramount. The two billionaires have positioned themselves as close allies of President Trump and his administration.

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The board of Warner Bros. Discovery approved the companys sale to Paramount on Thursday after a months-long bidding war with Netflix. Ellisons party at the U.S. Institute of Peace  where Trumps name was added to the buildings exterior in December  in Washington, D.C., was held later that evening.

David F. Ellison cordially invites you to an intimate gathering in celebration of the First Amendment honoring the Trump White House and CBS White House Correspondents, the invitation read.

The deal between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2026.

Democrats have been highly critical of the deal, which will now need final approval from Trumps Justice Department.

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In an open letter in April, over 100 Hollywood actors, directors and producers expressed their unequivocal opposition to the deal.

This transaction would further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape, reducing competition at a moment when our industriesand the audiences we servecan least afford it, the film industry professionals wrote.

The result will be fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs across the production ecosystem, higher costs, and less choice for audiences in the United States and around the world, they continued. Alarmingly, this merger would reduce the number of major U.S. film studios to just four.

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 Montgomery, Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted this week on federal fraud charges from a years-long alleged covert paid informant program that Justice Department officials said allocated millions of dollars in donations to a network of informants affiliated with or closely tied to White supremacist and neo-Nazi groups.

The 11-count indictment accuses the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to commit concealed money laundering.

According to the Justice Department, the SPLC sent some $3 million to its paid informants between 2014 and 2023, including people affiliated with the United Klans of America, the National Socialist Party of America and the Aryan Nations-linked Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club, among others.

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Senior Trump administration officials took aim at the covert paid informant program, which funneled outside donations, at least in part, to informants affiliated with the same extremist groups the SPLC was founded decades earlier to oppose.

Splc Faces Blowback From Hate Map Targets After Doj Fraud Indictment

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke during a news conference alongside FBI Director Kash Patel at the Department of Justice April 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C., after the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center on charges related to money laundering. (Getty Images)

"As the indictment describes, the SPLC was not dismantling these groups," acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters Tuesday at a news conference.

Read On The Fox News App

"It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred."

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The SPLC's paid informant program funded individuals with ties to the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Party of America and others, including a member of an online "leadership chat group" that helped plan the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, officials said.

Here are the top five most eye-popping paid informants revealed in this week's indictment.

Among the paid informants identified in the indictment is a member of an online "leadership chat group" that Blanche said helped plan the deadly 2017 Unite the Right event in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The individual, referred to only as "F-37," attended the event at the direction of the SPLC and was paid more than $270,000 for his or her work as an informant between 2015 and 2023, according to the indictment.

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The indictment alleges that the individual shared "racist social media posts and helped organize transportation to events" associated with the deadly rally.

The news that the informant helped coordinate logistics, at least in some small part, for the deadly rally while under SPLC supervision is significant, especially given that the aftermath of the event prompted a new influx of donations to the nonprofit.

"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," FBI Director Kash Patel said.

"That is illegal, and this is an ongoing investigation against all individuals involved."

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Supreme Court Clears Path For Doj To Erase Steve Bannon's Jan 6 Conviction

Clashes occurred at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 12, 2017.

One longtime member of the National Alliance, a White supremacist group tied to multiple violent attacks, profited handsomely from the SPLC in his role as a paid informant.

According to the indictment, SPLC paid the National Alliance member more than $1 million over a nine-year period for his role, which included clandestine activities such as breaking into the group's headquarters to steal some 25 boxes of documents, which he photocopied and distributed to the SPLC.

The group appears to have later used those documents to create a report about the National Alliance.

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After the stolen documents were utilized partly in public, the SPLC allegedly paid another National Alliance member $6,000 to falsely take responsibility for the theft.

The National Alliance and the writings of its founder have been closely associated with a litany of violent attacks since the 1980s, including a 1999 multi-state shooting spree targeting minorities and Jewish Americans, and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Trump Admin Agencies Coordinating To Expose Biden Admins Prolific And Dangerous Weaponization Of Government

The SPLC also shelled out more than $140,000 to a paid informant who chaired the National Alliance neo-Nazi group.

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The indictment accuses the SPLC of funneling tens of thousands of dollars to the individual between 2016 and 2023.

At least some of the payments were made at the same time the National Alliance chairman himself was listed on the SPLC's website as part of its public Extremist File website, a striking and somewhat ironic fact given that the site was warning the public about how dangerous the individual was.

Among the paid informants was an "Imperial Wizard" from the United Klans of America, a White supremacist group the SPLC has linked to the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four young girls and injured more than a dozen others.

Martin Luther King Jr. described the bombing, which exploded 19 sticks of pre-laid dynamite beneath the steps of a local church, as "one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity." It was unclear how much the paid informant received from the SPLC.

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Separately, SPLC also allegedly funneled money to a Ku Klux Klan member and spouse of an "Exalted Cyclops," a local Klan leader tasked with overseeing membership, organizing meetings and directing activities.

According to the indictment, the informant's link to the SPLC became known during the KKK chapter's application to partake in the Adopt-A-Highway program, resulting in the discovery of more than $3,500 in known payments from the SPLC.

'White Saviors'' Use Of Whistles Causes Bitter Internal Rift Inside Anti-ice Movement

The Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C.

During the six-year period between 2014 and 2020, the SPLC allegedly sent a staggering $300,000 to one paid informant, F-27, who was an officer in both the National Socialist Movement group and the Aryan Nations-affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club.

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The SPLC also sent some $160,000 to other extremist groups, including the former grand wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

No individuals were named in the indictment, though Blanche noted during a news conference Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing.

According to federal prosecutors, the SPLC's paid informant program began in the 1980s, shortly after its founding in the 1970s, and allegedly relied on a series of bank accounts set up for fictitious entities and used to funnel the covert payments to informants.

"Theyre required to, under the laws associated with a nonprofit, to have certain transparency and honesty in what theyre telling donors theyre going to spend money on and what their mission statement is and what theyre raising money doing," Blanche said.

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The news comes as the SPLC has seen an increase in public support in recent years, including a groundswell of donations after the 2017 Unite the Right rally and from prominent donors, including George Clooney and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

"Donors gave their money believing they were supporting the fight against violent extremism," Kevin Davidson, the acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, said in a statement.

"As alleged, the SPLC instead diverted a portion of those funds to benefit individuals and groups they claimed to oppose," Davidson added.

"That kind of deception undermines public trust and social cohesion."

A spokesperson for the Southern Poverty Law Center told Fox News Digital earlier this week the organization is reviewing the indictment. The group has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

"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," interim SPLC President Bryan Fair said this week in a statement.

"The actions by the DOJ will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the Civil Rights Movement becomes a reality for all."

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

The spokesperson for the SPLC defended its work monitoring White supremacist groups and other violent extremist organizations  including via the paid informant program  telling Fox News Digital that their use has "saved lives."





Original article source: Neo-Nazi, Klan 'Cyclops' and Sadistic biker: Here's who SPLC allegedly paid in its informant network
Apr. 25JAMESTOWN  One person was sentenced recently on a felony charge in Southeast District Court in Jamestown.

Christopher Houston Perman, 35, Courtenay, North Dakota, pleaded guilty to failure to comply with registration requirements, a Class C felony, and false reports to law enforcement or other security officials, a Class A misdemeanor.

Perman was accused of being an individual required to register as a sexual offender and failing to register a change in employment address at least 10 days before the change with the law enforcement agency having local jurisdiction and telling law enforcement he was employed with a particular individual on Jan. 23.

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Judge Troy LeFevre sentenced Perman to 140 days in the Stutsman County Correctional Center with 12 days credit for time served. LeFevre also placed Perman on 18 months supervised probation.

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by 360 days in prison and a $3,000 fine.
A truism of life  right up there with dont read the comments  is that what goes around comes around. Put another way, if you live by the sword, you will eventually die by the sword.

For more than a decade, these maxims didnt seem to apply to President Trump  a man who once strongly suggested that Barack Obama had not been born in America, that the 2020 election was stolen, and that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating dogs and cats, just to name a few of his whoppers.

To be sure, Trump defenders will note that Democratic conspiracy theories (Russia-gate, for example) have also been aimed at Trump. Yes, but Trump legitimately invited scrutiny, and credible analyses rejected the most extreme conclusions anyway  for example, the existence of a pee tape or the notion that Russia somehow manipulated election results or otherwise rigged the 2016 election on Trumps behalf.

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Regardless, we have entered a new and possibly ironic phase of the timeline: Trump is finally discovering what its like to be on the losing end of a conspiracy theory.

Trumps failure to release Epstein files was probably the inflection point. But more recently, the conspiratorial thinking about Trump has metastasized.

After Trump cast himself as Jesus on a Truth Social post, some corners of his own political ecosystem began speculating that he might instead be the Antichrist.

Tucker Carlson, for example, went on his podcast and asked, Could this [Trump] be the Antichrist? Well, who knows? At least thats my conclusion: Who knows?

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Others settled on demonic possession, which in internet discourse is considered the moderate position.

Inevitably, this theological turn led to interpretations of the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Some figures, like Ali Alexander (of Stop The Steal fame), turned to the Book of Revelation, suggesting that There is biblical prophecy in Revelation 13:3 apparently about the Antichrist being struck on the head.

Comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon offered a theory about the assassination attempt that hinged less on eschatology and more on political survival: the assassination attempt might have been staged to show people how important it was to vote for [Trump] and how far [he] was willing to go for them.

There are, admittedly, details that fuel this sort of absurd speculation. Trumps defiant, fist-pumping pose, moments after the attack, seemed at odds with his reputation as a man not overly fond of physical risk. The Secret Service response (allowing him to strike the heroic pose when there might have been a second shooter) seemed unorthodox. And  save for the bandage he wore during the 2024 Republican National Convention  the much-discussed ear injury appeared less than catastrophic.

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On the other hand  and this is important  two people were shot and killed in that incident. Death tends to complicate the whole it was staged narrative, unless one is willing to follow that logic into some very dark places.

Still, the beauty of conspiracy theories is that they are unfalsifiable. As such, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) framing of the assassination attempt  Im not calling the Butler assassination a hoax, but there are a lot of questions that deserve public answers  is structurally identical to the rhetoric that has fueled past QAnon conspiracy theories.

But its not just the big, dramatic examples, like an assassination attempt or Trump casting himself as Jesus, that invite wild speculation. Even smaller, more ordinary events are now being filtered through the same conspiracy theory lens.

Take Trumps recent DoorDash grandma event  a publicity stunt meant to promote Trumps no tax on tips policy.

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It turns out that the DoorDash deliverer had previously testified before Congress in support of the policy, which led some observers to conclude she might be a paid actor or (using an even more ominous phrase) a crisis actor.

Taken together, these examples make it pretty clear that MAGA influencers havent stopped their conspiracy-theorism. They have just finally migrated toward one of the most suspicious-looking supervillains in the nation  namely, Trump himself.

It would be easy to lament all of this as evidence that Americans have lost trust in institutions and a common reality. And yes, that is a huge problem. But it is also difficult to ignore the cosmic irony: Trump spent years encouraging the very style of thinking that now has people claiming he is the Antichrist who faked his own assassination attempt.

Which brings us back to the truism: What goes around comes around. And sometimes, when it comes around, its holding a laptop and is very, very interested in just asking questions.

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Matt K. Lewis is a columnist, podcaster and author of the books Too Dumb to Fail and Filthy Rich Politicians.

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 elections, the first of their kind since the October 7 massacre in 2023, will be held in the West Bank and the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah.

Palestinian elections for the local council of the Palestinian Authority opened up their polls on Saturday, with 1 million Palestinians expected to vote - including 70,000 from Gaza -.

The polls will close by 7 p.m., with the first results expected by late Saturday and early Sunday.

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The elections, the first of their kind since the October 7 massacre in 2023, will be held in accordance with the new electoral law published on November 19, 2025, which established two different electoral systems.

Voters electing officials to municipal councils will use a proportional representation (open list) system, while a majority system (personal candidacy) will be used for village councils.

Reuters reported that some Palestinian factions were boycotting the elections in protest at the Palestinian Authoritys request that candidates support its agreements, which include recognition of the State of Israel.

Displaced Palestinians, who fled their houses due to Israeli strikes, shelter at a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza Strip May 11, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/DOAA ROUQA)

First elections in Gaza since 2007 coup

The elections also represent the first one held in Gaza since Hamas expelled the Palestinian Authority in 2007, with the PA seeing this as an opportunity to show symbolic control of the enclave.

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"I've been hearing about elections since I was born," Adham Al-Bardini, a Gazan from the city of Deir al-Balah, told Reuters. "We are eager to take part ... so we can change the reality imposed on us."

Deir al-Balah will be the only city where the elections will be held, with the move seen more as a symbolic inclusion than as the PA's return to Gaza.

It also noted that Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades, has not officially nominated candidates, but one list in the Deir al-Balah elections is widely seen by residents and commentators as identifying with it.

Hamas has said it will respect the results, and Palestinian sources told Reuters ahead of the vote that the organizations police will be deployed to secure polling stations in Gaza.
April 25 (UPI) -- Palestinians in Gaza held an election for the first time in 20 years as municipal elections were held there and in the West Bank on Saturday.

People in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, voted for the first time since 2006 because it was the least destroyed area after two years of airstrikes by Israel after the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, CNN reported.

The elections, which also were held in many parts of the West Bank, were run by the Palestinian Authority and required candidates to agree with Palestinian Liberation Organization to recognize the state of Israel and support a two-state solution.

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Elections were last held in the West Bank in 2022, The BBC reported, and had not been held in Gaza since Hamas took the enclave over two decades ago. Hamas was not permitted to participate in the elections.

Election results will be reported either late Saturday or on Sunday.

Salama Badwan, who voted with his wife and daughter, told Al Jazeera that the first election "is a truly Palestinian democratic celebration."

"We must change everything through the ballot box," Badwan said. "Whoever wins, it is their right, but not through inheritance ... change must be through the hands of the people."

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Roughly 70,000 Palestinians -- or 5% of the entire Gazan population -- in Deir al-Balah were eligible to vote because many of the places that would have been used for voting were destroyed, as were supplies like ballot boxes.

The Palestinian Authority's Fatah party dominated ballots as votes were held for 90 municipal councils and 93 village councils -- leaving 42 other municipal councils and 155 village councils to be decided without votes.

Hamas praised the vote in Gaza and expressed hope for the rest of the territory to also choose its own leaders, although after its election in 2006 it forced Fatah out of Gaza in often violent battles and had not held an election since.
People walk past destroyed homes on April 20, 2026 in Gaza City, Gaza. (photo credit: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

The elections will be closely watched to see the trends. If things go well, this could boost the plans for change in Gaza.

Palestinians went to the polls on Saturday in local municipal elections in a vote that will be closely watched to see what trends are percolating among the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

The UAE's Al-Ain media reported that this is the first electoral test since the Gaza war began.

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Al-Ain reported that polling stations opened Saturday morning across the West Bank and central Gaza Strip in the first election since the outbreak of the Gaza war. The voting began at 7 in the morning and ended between 5 and 7 p.m.

According to the Central Election Commission in Ramallah, approximately 1.5 million voters in the occupied West Bank are eligible to cast their votes, in addition to 70,000 voters in the Deir al-Balah area in the central Gaza Strip, the report said.

Palestinian political activist Samer Sinijlawi posted images of the elections in Hebron.

A Palestinian man shows his ink-stained finger after voting in a municipal council election, in Al Bireh, in the West Bank, April 25, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)

Palestinians head to polls

For many Palestinians, this is more than just a municipal vote. It is a moment long-awaited, he said.

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After years without national elections, the simple act of casting a ballot carries weight far beyond local governance. It reflects a deep public desire to be heard, to participate, and to shape the future through institutions, not slogans. In Hebron today, people are not just voting for a city council. They are expressing something much larger: a demand for representation, accountability, and change."

These scenes matter. When people stand in line to vote, despite frustration, despite political stagnation, it signals that the belief in civic life is still alive. And that may be the most important development of all.

Palestinians have not had legislative elections since 2006. After those elections, there was a coup in Gaza by Hamas. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has clung to power. The PA has often postponed elections in the West Bank, arguing that Hamas is preventing elections in Gaza.

Hamas has sought to have elections in the West Bank so it can benefit, while preventing voting in Gaza since 2007. The EU and others have backed elections over the last two decades. Another complaint by the PA is that Israel prevents elections in East Jerusalem.

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As such, Palestinians often have no way to test the popularity of various movements. Student elections have been one way to see which movement, Fatah, Hamas, or the others, is more powerful.

Most of the electoral lists belong either to the Fatah movement, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, or to independents, while there are no lists linked to the Hamas movement, Al-Ain noted. The vote pits Fatah against independent lists and also the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a far-left movement.

"Whether the candidates are independent or affiliated with a party makes no difference, and it will not benefit the city in any way," one source in Tulkarm told the Agence France-Presse. "The occupation is the one that rules Tulkarm. What is happening is nothing but a picture being presented to the international media, as if we have elections, a state, or independence."

In Nablus and Ramallah, the report said that only one PA-backed list ran in the elections. The UN praised the elections.

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One notable aspect of the elections is that they are also occurring in some parts of Gaza. Al-Ain said that this includes Deir al-Balah in the Central Camps area. The report said that this area was one of the few areas in Gaza where a large number of residents were not displaced during the two-year war. The report said that a private security company secured the vote in the areas in Gaza where it took place.

The elections will be closely watched to see the trends. If things go well, this could boost the plans for change in Gaza. Hamas is supposed to hand over weapons, and a technocratic government is supposed to run Gaza. Israel has opposed the PA running Gaza.

Over the years, prior to October 7, Israel enabled cash to be transferred to Hamas-run Gaza. Hamas grew much more powerful in running Gaza after the 2007 coup. It had already kidnapped Gilad Schalit in 2006.
Union Pacific reported record first-quarter financial results despite carrying slightly less freight than a year ago.

We had a strong first quarter and start to the year. Our network is running well, and we are delivering on commitments to our customers, Chief Executive Jim Vena said on the railroads Thursday morning earnings call. When you put it all together, we are doing what we said we would, leading the industry in safety, service, and operational excellence.

Operating income rose 4%, to a record $2.45 billion, as revenue increased 3%, to a record $6.2 billion. Earnings per share was up 6%, or 9% when adjusted for the impact of one-time items.

The railroads operating ratio was 60.5%, a 0.2-point improvement compared to a year ago. The adjusted operating ratio was 59.9%.

Overall volume declined 1% for the quarter, driven by a 9% slump in premium traffic, which includes intermodal and automotive business. Domestic intermodal, however, had its third straight record quarter, said Kenny Rocker, the railroads executive vice president of marketing and sales.

Industrial products volume increased 4%, while bulk traffic was up 12% thanks largely to higher grain and coal shipments.

The railroads key operations metrics improved for the quarter, with freight car velocity, locomotive productivity, workforce productivity, and train length all at record levels. UPs train accident and employee injury rates improved for the quarter as well.

Freight car velocity increased 9% to 235 miles per day. This performance was driven by best-ever terminal dwell of 19.7 hours, 11% better than last year and our second quarter below 20 hours, said Eric Gehringer, executive vice president of operations. Every day, we continue to challenge ourselves to find new and innovative opportunities to reduce car touches, leverage existing technology in our terminals, and implement new technologies.

UP (NYSE: UNP) was able to reduce its active locomotive fleet by 4% in the quarter despite a 4% increase in gross ton-miles.

UP now has a positive outlook for its bulk and industrial products business segments for the remainder of the year. The intermodal outlook is negative due to lower imports and international traffic, while the automotive outlook is neutral as softer vehicle sales are being offset by the railroad landing a BMW contract.

The spike in fuel prices since the Iran conflict began will put pressure on the railroads profit margins in the second quarter, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hamann said. The railroad is paying over $4 per gallon for diesel fuel this month.
Peru's electoral tribunal on Friday rejected calls for a new election in Lima following irregularities during the April 12 vote and confirmed a presidential runoff will be held June 7.

Ultra-conservative candidate and former mayor of Lima, Rafael Lopez Aliaga -- who is still vying to be on the June ballot -- had requested a new election in Peru's capital, arguing that problems at polling stations there had prevented thousands of his supporters from voting.

In a statement on social media, the National Jury of Elections (JNE) said the unanimous decision to move forward without redoing Lima's vote came "after a technical-legal analysis and in view of reports issued by competent bodies."

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Aliaga accused JNE of tarnishing the electoral process and urged President Roberto Burneo to intervene.

Earlier Friday, Peruvian police raided the home of Piero Corvetto, the former head of the country's electoral authority who resigned this week in the wake of a chaotic presidential election.

The dawn raid in Lima took place simultaneously with searches of premises linked to other former officials of the Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), as well as representatives of a company tasked with transporting election equipment, police said.

"The investigation, focused on the alleged crime of aggravated collusion, aims to uncover illicit agreements that may have compromised state resources," police said in a statement.

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Corvetto resigned Tuesday, hours before he was scheduled to be questioned by prosecutors over the April 12 election.

Election day was marred by logistical problems in the capital, preventing tens of thousands of people from voting until the following day, and the ballot count has been painfully slow.

Final results from the first round will not be released until mid-May. The top two candidates will then meet in a June 7 runoff.

With 95 percent of ballots counted, right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori easily qualified.

She will face either leftist Roberto Sanchez or Aliaga, with Sanchez narrowly ahead in the latest tally.

The European Union's observer mission cited "serious shortcomings" during the election, but said it had not found "objective evidence" of fraud.

cm/sf/esp/hba/sms/msp/sla/md
Plans for Odraye Jones resentencing took another twist last week.

Jury selection was scheduled to start Thursday, but Jones filed a motion that day, waiving his right to a trial by jury, instead electing to be tried by a three-judge panel.

The motion states Jones made the decision because of the denial of his rights of self-representation, freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, and other issues.

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The case hinges on the aggravated circumstances of the 1997 fatal shooting of Ashtabula Police Officer William D. Glover Jr., and has been bogged down in appeals and procedural hurdles.

Jones, who changed his name to Malik Allah U Akbar, was originally sentenced to death after his jury trial, but he appealed the conviction and sentence.

An appellate court found the 1998 testimony of a clinical psychologist, called to testify by Jones defense attorneys, contained racist statements.

The appellate court ruled the conviction stands, but Jones deserved a chance at a new sentence.

On Wednesday, Judge David Schroeder entered an order finding Jones competent to stand trial.

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In the judgement entry, Schroeder stated a full competency hearing took place in September 2023, with two doctors testifying.

One spent significant time with Jones, and stated he was competent.

Jones refused to cooperate or be evaluated by the second, but both found he was competent to stand trial, according to Schroeders order.

Another attorney took over the case and sought another competency evaluation, without objection from the state.

The burden is of course upon the defendant to establish that he is not competent, Schroeder said in the order. To that end, the state engaged an expert witness, Dr. Reese from Atlanta, Georgia, who came to Ashtabula County, spent two days with the defendant attempting to secure his cooperation, which was ultimately and consistently refused.

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Reese wrote a report finding Jones was not competent after never having seen, examined or spoken to him, according to the order.

He also refused to meet with a specialist for the prosecution, according to Schroeders order.

This Court has previously made a determination, based on the testimony and opinion of the one expert witness that the defendant cooperated with, that the defendant is in fact competent, Schroeder said in the order. This Court has had multiple interactions with the defendant and this Court has no concern whatsoever regarding his competency under the current standards.

This Court has considered the testimony of the several witnesses in this matter and nothing this Court has heard changes this Courts conclusion as for this defendants competency. This defendant is again, deemed to be competent, of this date.

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On Wednesday, the 11th District Court of Appeals rejected a pair of filings from Jones.

He filed two appeals this month, one contesting Schroeders denial of a motion to overturn one of the death penalty specifications in the case, and another where the judge declined to order prosecutors to turn over exculpatory evidence.

The 11th District found both rulings were not final appealable orders, so the court did not have jurisdiction to review them.
Pope Leo XIV on Thursday denounced the Iranian regimes killing of protesters but stressed that, as a pastor, he cannot support the US-Israeli war with Iran.

The popes remarks, made to reporters on board the papal plane returning from his trip to Africa, follow President Donald Trumps attacks on the pontiff for his stance on the Middle East conflict.

During an in-flight press conference, the pope also addressed the topic of immigration, saying that in some cases immigrants are being treated worse than pets.

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The first American pope told CNN last month that he hoped Trump would find an off-ramp to end the war in Iran, and he spoke out against justifying conflict on religious grounds. But in the hours before the pope took off for Africa on April 13, the US president sharply criticized the pope.

As a pastor, I cannot be in favor of war, Leo told reporters flying with him from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. I would like to encourage all to make efforts to look for answers that come from a culture of peace and not from a place of hate and division.

Leo said the US and Israeli bombing of Iran has created a chaotic situation for the global economy, along with a whole population in Iran, of innocent people, which is suffering because of this war. Highlighting the human cost of conflict, the pope revealed that he carries a photo of a Lebanese Muslim boy, who had carried a sign welcoming the pontiff to the country at the end of last year and who was killed in the war.

Pope Leo XIV boards his flight bound for Rome at the end of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa on Thursday. - Andrew Medichini/Pool/AP

Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard the papal flight from Malabo to Rome on Thursday. - Andrew Medichini/Pool/AP

The question of Iran is evidently very complex, he told reporters flying with him from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to Rome. The negotiations they are trying to do  one day Iran says yes, and the United States says no, and vice versa, and we dont know where it goes.

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Regardless of whether there is regime change or no regime change, the emphasis should be on preventing the death of so many innocents, Leo said. He cited a letter from the families of school children who died on the first day of the Iran war.

For me, if there is regime change or not, its not clear what the regime is at this moment after the first days of the  attacks of Israel and the United States against Iran, he said.

The pope, who alternated between English, Spanish and Italian when answering questions, also criticized the Iranian regimes killing of protesters in his first remarks on the topic.

Asked if he condemned Tehrans deadly crackdown on protests in January, Leo said: I condemn all actions that are unjust. I condemn the taking of peoples lives. I condemn capital punishment. I believe that human life is to be respected, Leo, 70, said. When a regime, when a country, takes decisions which take away the lives of people unjustly, then obviously that is something that should be condemned.

Geev Lameh places a candle by photos of Iranian protesters killed in January, during a community gathering ahead of the Nowruz holiday in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, on March 17. - Jae C. Hong/AP

The pope, who has just completed the longest foreign visit since his election last May, also addressed another issue on which he has been at odds with the Trump administration: the treatment of immigrants.

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They are human beings, and we must treat human beings in a humanitarian way and not treat them often times worse than pets at home or animals, the pope said in response to a question about the immigration debate in Spain.

The pope pointed out that countries have the right to implement rules for their borders. But he said people should not enter without order, creating situations which then can sometimes be even more unjust in the places they are arriving to than from where they just left.

But Leo, who spent years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, called on wealthier nations in the Global North to help those in the Global South, such as the countries he visited during his trip.

A worshipper holds a rosary ahead of a prayer led by Pope Leo XIV at the "Mama Muxima" Shrine, in Muxima, Angola, on Sunday. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Pope Leo XIV waves after arriving in Luanda, Angola, on the sixth day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa, on Saturday - Themba Hadebe/AP

Africa for many people is considered a place to travel to in order to take its minerals, the pope said. I say at a global level we must work harder to promote greater justice and equality in the development of these countries in Africa so there is no need to migrate elsewhere.

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During his Africa visit, Leo traveled to four countries including Equatorial Guinea, which is ruled by what is widely seen as one of the most repressive regimes in the world. The pope said that the Holy Sees diplomatic relations with countries with authoritarian leaders is not an approval of them but offers an opportunity to work behind the scenes to promote justice, to promote humanitarian causes. The pope stressed to reporters that his visit to Africa had been primarily a pastoral one rather than political.

The pope was also questioned about church debates over homosexuality, with Leo reiterating Vatican opposition to formalized blessings of same-sex couples, beyond what Pope Francis ruled in December 2023. Francis opened the possibility for same-sex couples to receive informal blessings, but German bishops have been pushing for a more formal blessing ritual. Leo cited the welcoming approach pursued by Francis but said homosexuality is a topic (that) can cause more disunity than unity. He also said the Catholic Church should not be overly focused on sexual matters.

Pope Leo XIV is pictured inside the Church of Our lady of Muxima, during his apostolic journey in Africa, in Muxima, Angola, on April 19. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

We tend to think that when the church is talking about morality that the only issue of morality is sexual, he said. And in reality, I believe there are greater and more important issues such as justice, equality, freedom of men and women, freedom of religion that would all take priority before that particular issue.

The popes trip to Africa was the longest of his pontificate, and his next foreign visit is scheduled to be in Spain from June 6 to 12.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Princess Cruises ship recovered five bodies from the water while on its way to Spain.

The crew aboard Sapphire Princess observed an orange inflatable lifejacket in the water on April 21 while sailing to Cartagena, the cruise line told USA TODAY. The ship departed from Civitavecchia, Italy, for a two-week cruise to Copenhagen on April 19, according to CruiseMapper.

The vessel changed course to investigate and deployed its Fast Rescue Boat.

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Five deceased individuals were recovered by the Sapphire Princess crew members and coordinated efforts with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC), the company said in an emailed statement. The cruise line did not identify the individuals, but confirmed they were not guests or employees from the ship.

More: Brian Hooker home in Michigan, hires lawyer after wife's disappearance

We extend our sincere condolences for this loss and are grateful to our crew for their swift response and efforts to render assistance, the cruise line added. The MRCC could not immediately be reached for comment.

The news comes after another Princess ship, Regal Princess, rescued four people from a small vessel in distress during a Caribbean cruise in February.

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Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Princess cruise ship recovers 5 bodies from sea
Romulus  People gathered in Romulus on Saturday to protest the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's plans to build an immigration detention center in a warehouse near Detroit Metro Airport as part of the federal government's efforts to vastly increase the numbers of immigrants it detains and removes from the U.S.

About 200 protesters marched about 1.5 miles from Romulus Middle School to the warehouse on Cogswell Road. They carried signs showing their opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration policies and the chaotic and violent immigration enforcement operations federal officials have conducted in cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis.

"I do not wish to see any human being treated the way ICE is treating people," said Beth St. Andrew of Romulus as she waited for the march to begin. She said the ICE facility would hurt her home city and believes it is her civic duty to protest the federal government's plan.

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"I am concerned about the immigrants in our area," St. Andrew said. "I think we should all be concerned, and I am here today to at least get my voice heard."

Immigration officers have arrested thousands of people in Michigan amid the administration's current crackdown on immigrants. Detainees at the privately run ICE detention center in Baldwin have been on a hunger strike since April 19 because of poor conditions at the North Lake Processing Center, immigrant rights organizers told The News.

Arika Lycan of Ypsilanti, one of the protest organizers, invoked the detainees in Baldwin as they spoke to the crowd before the march began.

"They have bravely taken on a hunger strike and are enduring cruel, inhumane conditions," Lycan said from a loudspeaker. "Those are our family members. The people that the federal government is proposing to lock up here in Romulus if this facility moves forward, those, too, are our family members. I am here and we are here because their struggles and our struggles are intertwined."

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Beth Tibbs and her husband Chuck Loftis drove to the protest from Adrian to participate in the march against the ICE detention center. Loftis, who retired from the Army after a 30-year career, said the U.S. is on a dangerous path like Germany was in 1932 when the Nazi Party was rising to power.

"This is not the America I spent all that time and energy protecting," Loftis said. "This is an aberration. We're devolved into a third world republic and it's not anything I expected to see."

Why ICE wants a detention center in Romulus

DHS officials said in recent court filings they had to purchase the Romulus warehouse because "political opposition" to the administrations immigration policies has made it difficult for the department to find contractors to provide the agency with detention services. Buying property is "the most reliable approach," James Ingalsbe, ICE assistant director of the Office of Asset and Facilities management, wrote in the filings.

DHS would renovate the warehouse, fence the perimeter of the property, mount exterior lights and add security cameras and a checkpoint, the department said.

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More: New details emerge about ICE plans, rationale for Romulus facility in court papers

State and local officials are pushing back. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the city of Romulus sued to stop the DHS from building the Romulus detention center. They said the warehouse building was inappropriate for use as a detention center because of its proximity to schools and neighborhoods and contended the building was at risk for flooding and didnt have adequate sewage capacity.Nessel and Romulus asked for a temporary injunction of the center while the lawsuit is active. Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight told The News he believes DHS violated federal law by not following the right procedures for developing a detention center.

Jessica Schering of Trenton, 41, chants through a megaphone while riding on the back of a scooter driven by Ashley Perry of Riverview, 49, as they lead a march and protest against a proposed ICE detention facility in Romulus on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Anti-ICE group organizes weekly protests outside Romulus warehouse

Protesters of Trumps immigration policies gather at the warehouse each Saturday, organizers of the Coalition to Shut the Camps said. The coalition said the department failed to consult local officials and residents before buying the warehouse, said DHS wasted tax dollars on the warehouse and out-competed a local business that wanted to buy the warehouse.

The gathering Saturday followed the protesters' march from the middle school.

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Erin Carter of Romulus watched the march from her grandparents' driveway. She and her family gathered to support the protesters as they walked past. Carter shouted "no ICE" as they passed by.

Immigrants are "human beings, just like everyone else," she said.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist continues to speak as counter-protesters try to disrupt him while hundreds of people rally in opposition to a proposed ICE facility in Romulus on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Romulus, Mich.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a democrat from Detroit running for secretary of state, led protesters Saturday in chants of "ICE out" in front of the warehouse. He took the microphone following Jaime Churches, a former democratic state Representative from Wyandotte who is running again for the seat representing the Downriver area.

"Our movement is more powerful than their hate," Gilchrist said to cheers. "Our vision is bigger than their hate. Our love is stronger than their hate."

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A group of three counter-protesters walked through the crowd with a loudspeaker attempting to drown out Gilchrist and the other speakers.

A second protest at the warehouse started at 3 p.m.

Staff Writers Ben Warren and Julia Cardi contributed.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Hundreds protest in Romulus against plan for ICE detention center
Human rights groups in Venezuela have criticised interim President Delcy Rodriguez for saying a scheme to release political prisoners was "coming to an end", having been in place for just nine weeks.

Nearly 500 political prisoners have been released under the amnesty law brought in by the country's National Assembly, prisoner rights group Foro Penal says, but many more are thought to still be in jail.

The group said Rodriguez lacked the power to end the releases, while watchdog Provea called the move "arbitrary and unconstitutional".

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Despite being a lieutenant of former President Nicolas Maduro, Rodriguez has enjoyed the support of Donald Trump since US forces seized Maduro in January.

The US president surprised many by backing Rodriguez over opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, and the release of political prisoners - including Machado's colleagues - was a key concession to the US by the interim administration.

The president of the National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez - Delcy's brother - who initially announced the law, had said 1,557 political prisoners had applied for amnesty, noting the legislation would eventually cover 11,000 people.

Foro Penal said that, as of 20 April, 473 people it classifies as political prisoners had been released, while more than 500 are thought to remain incarcerated.

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In a meeting of justice officials in the capital, Caracas, on Friday, Delcy Rodriguez said 8,616 people had been freed under the amnesty law, which she credited as being "very successful in terms of its scope and the number of beneficiaries".

She added that for cases that had not been covered by the law, "there are other avenues through which they can be addressed".

Following Rodriguez's remarks, Foro Penal vice-president Gonzalo Himiob said only another legislative act or referendum could undo the amnesty law, which had no expiration date.

"The bodies of the administration of justice, which are part of the same repressive system that made an amnesty necessary, never truly had either the willingness or the capacity to apply the amnesty law while respecting its purpose or principles," he added.

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His sentiments were echoed by Provea, which said ending the release of political prisoners "does not contribute to the process of co-existence and peace that has been announced".

"We have stated that, despite its limitations, the Amnesty Law is a first step toward dismantling the repressive framework that has gripped the rights of the Venezuelan population in recent years," it said.

Meanwhile, the Justice, Encounter and Pardon group said the announcement was "a grave assault on the rule of law".

"Unfortunately, this outcome confirms our initial concern: the law ended up being an exercise in political rhetoric rather than a genuine instrument to restore freedom to political prisoners," it said.

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Maduro's government used the detention of political prisoners to stamp out dissent and silence critics for years.

Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro's vice-president, has sought to frame her interim administration as more permissive of political dissent while currying favour with the US.

Earlier this month, Washington lifted sanctions on her, citing progress made "to promote stability, support economic recovery and advance political reconciliation".

Trump's decision to sideline opposition leader Machado in favour of Rodriguez has been cast by analysts as choosing stability over democracy in the short term.

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Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterised the current situation in Venezuela as a "transition phase" before "free and fair" elections.

Machado herself said she would lead the South American country "when the right time comes".

However, critics of the interim administration have bemoaned the fact there has been little talk of democratic elections in the months since Maduro was seized by US forces and taken with his wife to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking charges.
Roger Stone, who in the 1980s helped invent Washingtons modern influence industry, is back in the lobbying business. And hes earning millions of dollars for his services.

With his longtime friend and former client Donald Trump back in the White House, Stone has returned to the lobbying work that first made him wealthy and helped cement his place in Republican politics. And with the presidents willingness to entertain corporate interests well established, clients are willing to pay big bucks for a lobbyist with a relationship with the president that few others can claim.

Hes a public figure, people know who he is, people know who he knows, said Paul Manafort, Stones former business partner, about Stones lobbying work. Companies Im sure are attracted to his abilities to figure out strategy and come up with ways to solve problems.

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Stone, who registered his first federal lobbying client in eight years on Trumps 16th day back in office, has reported earning $2.7 million so far during the second Trump administration. Almost half of that total, $1.2 million, came in the first three months of 2026 alone, according to congressional lobbying records .

The demand for Stones one-man lobbying shop, Drake Ventures, has come from a range of groups from Native American tribes to rare earth suppliers and miners to a MAGA House candidate and more. It reflects the political reality that success in Washington comes easier to those with a direct line to the Oval Office. Stone and others with close relationships to Trump have not hesitated to capitalize on those relationships since Trumps reelection.

[Stones] career is one where hes been very successful in marrying politics and government and issues, Manafort said. His experience is significant beyond many people in Washington given the length of his career.

Stones new income stream is coming from a small group of clients with deep pockets. Stone reported lobbying for seven clients in the first quarter, whose contracts ranged from $30,000 to $300,000 for three months of work.

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My filings speak for themselves, Stone said, when asked about his recent income.

The White House declined to comment.

It marks a change in fortunes for the consultant who five years ago claimed to have been financially destroyed by legal costs arising from an investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller and his subsequent prosecution on charges of lying to Congress and witness intimidation. Stone was convicted on those charges in 2019 and sentenced to more than three years in prison, but never served a day thanks to a presidential commutation issued during Trumps first term. Trump later issued a full pardon to Stone. Manafort, who had been separately convicted in 2018 on bank and tax fraud charges, was pardoned the same day.

The Justice Department sued Stone and his wife, Nydia, in 2021 seeking five years of unpaid taxes . As the case dragged on and Stones wife underwent cancer treatment, he took to hawking Trump memorabilia online to raise money. In 2022, the Stones settled the tax case by agreeing to pay the government more than $2.1 million in back taxes, penalties and interest.

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Since then, Stones financial fortunes appear to have turned. On top of his lobbying work, Stone told POLITICO he plans to continue campaign work and pointed to his Substack, books, radio show and menswear line as additional sources of income.

Stones most lucrative current client is Trident Zoetic, a rare earth elements mining collaboration between Korean company Trident Global Holdings and American company Zoetic Global. Trident Zoetic, which hired Stone in August, has so far paid him $600,000 to lobby the White House on rare earth mineral opportunities, according to an analysis of lobbying disclosures. Trident Zoetic did not respond to a request for comment.

His second most lucrative current client is the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, a small Native American tribe that, since hiring Stone last April, has secured an Oval Office meeting with Trump and a $10 million no-bid contract for a construction project at the U.S. embassy in Singapore. Stone previously told NOTUS that he didnt lobby for the tribe to win the contract. The tribe has paid Stone $580,000 for his services so far. The tribe did not respond to a request for comment.

Stone's remaining federal lobbying clients represent a mix of industries with business before the administration. Uinta Basin Railway Holdings, the would-be developer of a railway to transport oil out of Utah has paid Stone $400,000 to advocate for federal support and funding of the project. Power cell manufacturer Infinite Power Holdings gave Stone $200,000 to lobby for development of energy generation on Native American tribal land, according to a filing . Neither company returned a request for comment.

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Federal lobbying records only reveal a portion of Stones income.

Foreign agent registrations filed with the Justice Department show Stone has also been working as a contractor for DCI Group, aiding the lobbying firm with its representation of the governments of the Bahamas and Nigeria. Stones paperwork indicates he is earning $125,000 a month for his work on the Bahamas effort to build stronger relations with the United States. That contract is expected to run through mid-August.

Stone didnt report a specific salary for the Nigeria contract, which describes his work as assisting in communicating the African nations efforts to protect Christian citizens and maintaining U.S. support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilizing elements. DCIs contract with Nigeria runs through December and is valued at $9 million for one year of work. The firm declined to comment.

All these filings likely dont capture the full scope of Stones activities. He was also reportedly involved in a pardon lobbying campaign for former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who received a Trump pardon in December. Stone has said he was not paid to advocate for Hernandez. POLITICO was not able to reach Hernandez.

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Stones influence doesnt end at the Washington city limits. He has also earned $180,000 working as a political consultant to Anthony Constantino, a sticker company CEO with MAGA bonafides running a House primary campaign in New York against a retired Marine colonel with establishment Republican support, according to FEC records.

I amproud to be supported by Roger Stone who strongly encouraged me to run for elected office upon meeting me for the very first time and helped me launch my political career at no charge, Constantino said in a statement. After awhile, I insisted on paying Roger and he agreed. I love Roger. Hes a great person whos sacrificed incredibly for our country and Ive always been happy to pay him to advise me.

Trump endorsed Constantino on Tuesday, the same day Stone claimed to have spent two and a half hours with the president .

Anthony is strongly supported by many of the most Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in our Movement, including Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Roger Stone! Trump wrote on Truth Social .

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For now, at least, Stones financial troubles appear to have eased. On the first of this month, nearly four years after the settlement in Stones tax case, the Justice Department notified the judge that the judgement against Stone and his wife had been satisfied.

Their debts had been paid in full.
BUCHAREST, April 25 (Reuters) - Romania recovered drone fragments in the southeastern city of Galati after an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, with an electricity pole and a household annex damaged, its defence ministry said in a statement.

There were no casualties, the ministry said.

Romania's emergency response agency later said it was evacuating the area where it had recovered drone fragments as the fragments could contain an explosive charge. The fragments will be disposed of in a secure location.

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Romania, a member of both NATO and the European Union, shares a 650-km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine and has seen Russian drones repeatedly breach its airspace as Moscow attacks Ukraine ports on the other side of the Danube river.

While drone fragments have routinely fallen on Romania, Saturday marked the first time property had been damaged.

"The defence ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that these represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area," the ministry's statement said.

"Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO."

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Two Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets - part of a British air-policing mission in Romania - were scrambled to monitor the attack from the air, which is standard procedure. Residents of neighbouring Tulcea county were also warned to take cover.

Tensions have mounted along Europe's eastern flank in recent months after suspected Russian drones breached the airspace of several NATO states.

Romanian law allows it to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk, but it has not yet done so.

Defence Minister Radu Miruta on Friday said a U.S.-made, AI-powered counter-drone system would be integrated into national air defence systems in a matter of days after final tests.

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The Merops system, developed by Project Eagle - a U.S.-based company backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt - would be able to counter drone threats along the Danube river, Miruta said.

Poland is already using the system on NATO's eastern flank.

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Tom Hogue and Susan Fenton)
By Luiza Ilie

CAPU MIDIA, Romania, April 24 (Reuters) - At a Romanian base overlooking the Black Sea, camouflaged figures squinted up into the sky and drones whined far overhead - the final test of a U.S.-made, AI-powered defence system as the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine gets ever closer.

Centre stage were the Merops drone interceptors made by ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidts company Project Eagle that will be put into operation in Romania "in a matter of days," Defence Minister Radu Miruta said.

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The NATO and European Union state shares a 650-km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine and has seen Russian drones repeatedly breach its airspace as Moscow attacks Ukraine's ports just across the Danube river.

'THE THREAT IS REAL'

With drone threats mounting on NATO's eastern flank, states are scrambling to boost their air defences.

"The threat is real," Major General Arnoud Stallmann, assistant chief of staff at NATO's Allied Command Transformation, said on Wednesday at the Capu Midia Air Defence Training Range, 80 km away from the Ukrainian frontline.

"And with the incursions in NATO-allied countries of drones, we needed a solution for that."

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Romania and NATO have spent two weeks trying out interceptor drones, radars, sensors and jamming equipment made by private companies, while putting existing systems through their paces.

Merops, already in use in Ukraine and another of its neighbours, Poland, includes a ground control base, launchers and its Surveyor interceptor drones that can operate autonomously through AI and radar, NATO sources said.

Defence Minister Radu Miruta described the test as partially successful after an interceptor swerved too quickly at one point and missed its target.

He said he was impressed with the thermal imaging, the radar's precision and the way it engaged targets.

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The system would be able to counter drone threats along the Danube river, Miruta said. "Merops reduces the number of scenarios we cannot handle."

Romanian air defences currently include F-16 fighter jets, Patriot systems, Lockheed Martin's HIMARS rocket launchers, short-range South Korean surface-to-air Chiron missiles and German anti-aircraft Gepard guns.

Romania and Ukraine also plan to jointly produce drones under the European Union's new SAFE rearmament funding mechanism.

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
A former University of South Florida student has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two graduate students whose disappearance last week triggered a multi-agency search across Tampa.

Suspect Faces Additional Charges

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is additionally facing two counts of murder in the first degree with a weapon (premeditated) in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.

Evidence was presented to the State Attorneys Office, resulting in further pic.twitter.com/ELACGoJRLD  HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) April 25, 2026

Authorities identified the victims as Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, doctoral students from Bangladesh at the University of South Florida. Limons body was discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) in Tampa Bay, while Bristy remains missing as search efforts continue.

Their roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested after a SWAT standoff at a home in North Tampa following a domestic violence call. Investigators say he initially faced charges including failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and unlawfully moving a body before prosecutors elevated the case to homicide.

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According to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, Abugharbieh had been living with Limon, who was last seen at their off-campus residence on April 16. Bristy, who lived on campus, was last seen roughly an hour later. Authorities say both students were reported missing after a mutual acquaintance was unable to reach them.

The case escalated rapidly after Limons remains were found, prompting renewed searches for Bristy and a broader criminal investigation into what happened inside the shared residence. Officials have not yet released a motive.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Investigators also confirmed that Abugharbieh was no longer enrolled at USF but had previously attended the university.

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The case has drawn attention across Florida and internationally, particularly within Bangladeshi academic communities, as questions mount about the timeline of the students disappearance and whether earlier intervention could have altered the outcome.

As of now, Bristy remains missing and the investigation continues.

The post Roommate charged in deaths of two USF students appeared first on Salon.com.
Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is one of the

8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now.

On April 21, 2026, Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $100 from $93. The firm said its review of the home and personal care space following the recent selloff points to a more favorable setup for Colgate, citing resilient growth and a strong track record in pricing and productivity savings. It also noted that the stocks absolute and relative valuation is below multi-year average levels.

Meanwhile, on April 17, 2026, JPMorgan lowered its price target on Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to $95 from $97 and maintained an Overweight rating as part of adjustments across the household and personal care group ahead of earnings season. JPMorgan said investor attention is expected to center on customer behavior, cost pressures, and deal flow, while noting Shark Ninja, Church & Dwight, and e.l.f. Beauty could report stronger results on a relative basis.

Rothschild Upgrades Colgate-Palmolive (CL) to Buy from Neutral

Photo from Colgate website

Similarly, BofA analyst Peter Galbo lowered the firms price target on Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to $102 from $105 and kept a Buy rating, updating estimates for organic sales and FY26 EPS to reflect a shift in Optic White launch timing in North America and a more conservative gross margin outlook tied to rising oil costs.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally.

While we acknowledge the potential of CL 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.
Roommate of missing USF student charged with 2 counts of murder

The roommate of a USF doctoral student who went missing last week along with his friend has been charged with two counts of murder, authorities announced April 25.

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is facing two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon for the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, the Hillsborough County Sherriffs Office said.

Abugharbieh was arrested at his familys Tampa home April. 25 following a standoff with authorities that resulted in the SWAT teams assistance, but the charges did not include murder. Earlier in the day, the body of Zamil was discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Bristys body has not been located.

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Evidence was presented to the State Attorneys Office, resulting in further charges against Abugharbieh, the sheriffs office said in a statement. At this time, the search for Bristy continues.

What led to Hisham Abugharbiehs arrest? What is he charged with?

In addition to murder, Abugharbieh is charged with domestic violence, tampering with evidence and unlawfully holding or removing a dead human body.

He was interviewed by detectives April. 23, and after initially talking, he ended the interview and left. That was the same day authorities upgraded the case from missing to endangered.

Authorities were called to Abugharbiehs familys home for a domestic dispute about 9 a.m. April 24. Investigators were able to get relatives safely out of the home. Abugharbieh then barricaded himself inside and the SWAT team was called to assist.

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After about 20 minutes, Abugharbieh emerged from the home with his hands raised wearing no shirt and a blue towel around his waist.

This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community ad impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution, Sheriff Chad Chronister said. While the discovery of Zamil Limons remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.

Where is USF student Nahida S. Bristy?

Limon and Bristy were last seen the morning of Thursday, April 16.

A family friend reported both of them missing shortly before 5 p.m. April 17 after not being able to reach either of them. Both University of South Florida Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office documented and processed missing persons reports.

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Limon was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy while Bristy was studying chemical engineering.

Both families described Limon and Bristy as hardworking, dedicated, responsible students and said it was unusual for both to go days without talking to family members. They both had summer trips planned to their home country of Bangladesh.

Who is suspect Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh charged with killing two USG doctoral students?

Abugharbieh is a U.S. citizen who previously took classes at USF from 2021 to 2023, according to a university spokesperson.

He does have a criminal record including a 2023 charge of batter and burglary. Also that year, a relative filed two domestic petitions against him.

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Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the networks Rapid Response reporter, she covers Floridas breaking news. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: USF students missing case charges upgraded to 2 counts of murder
Republican strategist Karl Rove said Wednesday there are three Democratic presidential hopefuls  Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.)  who each have elements of a winning formula.

Rove wrote in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal titled Democrats in Peril, From Barcelona to Boise that some Democratic leaders understand their party is unpopular.

Still, while Mr. Schumer and others try mitigating their partys toxicity by running independents in name only, smart Democrats understand their party needs a better message to attract voters, Rove wrote, referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). They dont have the complete answer, but three possible Democratic 2028 hopefuls have elements of a winning formula.

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Rove started with Beshear, who he said, has the tone.

Democrats must focus on things that matter, the former White House strategist continued. Talk like a normal human being, he says. Dont just talk about your policy points. Talk about your why  and the why has to be authentic. Of course, in telling Democrats to be authentic, he should come across as such. Thats sometimes a problem for Mr. Beshear. Hes too wooden.

Rove moved on to Booker, who he said got the language right while speaking at the Michigan Democratic Convention.

He brought the crowd to their feet as he shouted, Will you stand together, unified, strong  be the hope that people need? He deliberately didnt close with a Walz- or Murphy-like denunciation of Mr. Trump, Rove wrote, referring to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). He ended with a call for positive action.

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Rove gave praise to Emanuel for making a compelling, common-sense case for a new Democratic Party during every appearance and op-ed.

Hes running more to the center, offering answers to real problems and criticizing his party for being out of step with middle America, Rove added. Capturing the right tone matters, but substance does, too.

He called the three Democrats outliers within their party and suggested that the party still has time to get things right for the midterms and 2028, but less than they think.

Rove criticized Walzs and Murphys attendance at Barcelonas Global Progressive Mobilisation event last week, which described itself as offering a necessary alternative to conservative and far-right forces. Both Democrats spoke out against President Trump, who Murphy said was the most significant threat to American democracy since the Civil War. Walz called the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran fascism.

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Those remarks undoubtedly pleased the socialists and progressives at the conference, Rove wrote about Walzs and Murphys comments. But they wont add a vote to the Democratic column. The more the partys messaging follows the Walz-Murphy line, the less attractive its candidates appear. Anyone who thinks Mr. Trump is a Nazi is already voting Democraticor leaving the country.

Along with Beshear, Booker and Emanuel, other Democrats are vying to potentially be the partys nominee for president. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has positioned himself as an opposition leader within the party against Trump. Other Democratic governors like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are also rumored presidential hopefuls.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently said shes thinking about a potential comeback after her loss to Trump in 2024. Other Biden administration alums like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who ran against Harris in the 2020 Democratic primary, have also hinted at a 2028 run.

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.
Republican strategist Karl Rove on Friday warned that a proposed Florida Republican gerrymander could be a risk for the GOPs control over the states House delegation.

Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade asked Rove about a similar measure that Virginia voters passed during a special election on Tuesday that would increase Democrats chances of winning seats in the Old Dominion in the November midterm elections.

Kilmeade asked if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) should go for it and push for a redistricting session that could benefit Republicans. Rove replied that its up to the people of Florida but warned that Democrats are ahead in the multistate effort to redraw maps.

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If Florida moves like it can, the Republicans will at least be even, he continued. But theres a risk there, because what theyre going to do is theyre going to have to take Republican votes out of Republican districts and put them into Democrat districts.

Rove said this will lower the numbers for some incumbent Republicans, and they may lose a seat or two.

Sunshine State lawmakers are scheduled to convene next week in what could be the GOPs last attempt to redraw a red states maps ahead of the midterms. But some Republicans have warned DeSantis against acting on any redistricting measure, pointing to recent Democratic victories across the country and to the Florida Constitutions clear anti-gerrymandering language.

DeSantis said in December that redrawing Floridas congressional maps was going to have to be addressed. But Florida lawmakers meeting next week will only use 2020 population data in the attempt at redrawing the map.

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Texas started the nationwide redistricting battle last year. Just a few blue states have fought back to give Democrats a chance, with California passing a measure during a special election last November, followed by Virginia this week. A court-ordered block to Utah Republicans attempt to redistrict their state has offered Democrats the chance to win one seat in that state.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) warned Florida Republicans against changing its maps, telling them while talking to reporters on Wednesday to F around and find out. He dubbed the remapping effort a dummymander that could inadvertently benefit Democratic candidates. Jeffries told Punchbowl News that Democrats will target eight sitting Florida House Republicans seats if the redistricting effort proceeds.

DeSantis called on Jeffries to come to Florida, saying he will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign.

Theres nothing that could be better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffries  everywhere around this state, he said at a press conference. Voters will not like what they see, they will not want that type of ideology, and so the door is open, the invitations out there.

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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.
Russian barrages of drones and missiles pounded Ukraine's central-eastern city of Dnipro for 20 hours straight, killing eight people and wounding dozens, local authorities said on Saturday.

The attack -- the largest ever on the city -- began overnight and lasted well into the afternoon, coming in waves that hit homes, businesses and energy infrastructure.

"20 hours... For more than 20 awful hours, the Russians attacked Dnipro in waves. They struck with missiles and drones," said military governor of the wider Dnipropetrovsk region, Oleksandr Ganzha.

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Dnipro's mayor Borys Filatov described the barrage as "the largest-scale attack on Dnipro."

Rescuers spent hours sifting through debris despite the ongoing strikes, clearing out the rubble of bombed apartment buildings and searching for survivors and bodies, photos from the Ukrainian emergency service showed. One apartment building was struck twice at different times, authorities said.

The attack killed eight people and wounded 49, including two children. Among the wounded was the mayor's deputy, who was "nearly killed", Filatov said. Another ten people were wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Strikes also hit the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia region, killing one person and wounding four in a civilian minibus, said regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov.

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Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, adding that most of them had been repelled.

Russia has recently shifted from largely nighttime air raids to longer, periodic strikes that begin overnight and stretch well into the day.

- 'Massive strike' -

Russia's defence ministry said it had "launched a massive strike" on Ukrainian military targets over the past 24 hours. Moscow denies having targeted civilians throughout the four-year war.

Following the barrage, a drone crashed in Romania, a NATO and EU country bordering Ukraine, local authorities said. More than 200 people were evacuated as a precaution, and British fighter jets stationed in Romania were scrambled.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on a visit to Azerbaijan, called for a stronger international response to Russia's attacks.

"It is important that the world does not remain silent about what is happening and that this Russian war in Europe is not overshadowed by the war in Iran," he said on social media.

"We count on the timely implementation of each of our political agreements to strengthen air defence," he added.

The industrial hub of Dnipropetrovsk lies more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the front line, which snakes through eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russian troops have captured a sliver of territory in the wider Dnipropetrovsk region, which is not one of the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claimed to have annexed after its invasion.

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- Attacks on Russia -

In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up its own retaliatory attacks on Russia, hitting civilians and energy infrastructure among other targets.

Ukrainian drone attacks over the past 24 hours wounded one person in Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, governor Alexander Khinshtein announced Saturday on Russia's state-sponsored messenger app Max.

The governor for Russia's neighbouring Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a woman had been killed and a man seriously wounded in a drone attack on a car, and a man driving a tractor wounded in another strike.

A rare Ukrainian drone strike hit an apartment high-rise in Yekaterinburg, a large industrial city in Russia's heartland more than a thousand miles away from Ukraine, said local governor Denis Pasler. No one was seriously hurt in the attack, he added.

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Three people were killed after Ukrainian drones struck a village in the Russian-occupied Lugansk region, said Moscow-installed governor Leonid Pasechnik.

On the front line in Ukraine, the Russian army claimed to have captured the village of Bochkove in the Kharkiv region.

Diplomatic efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II are at a standstill with US mediation efforts diverted by the outbreak of the Middle East war in February.

bur-asy/rh
April 24 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of abandoning internationally recognised diplomatic conventions in pursuit of its own interests, particularly in dominating energy markets, in an interview broadcast on Friday.

Lavrov, interviewed by Russian state television, said Washington, in its dealings with Latin America and the Middle East, was "taking us back to a world where nothing existed" in international law.

"The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it," he said in the interview, the text of which was posted on the Foreign Ministry's website.

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"It cares only about its own well-being and is ready to defend that well-being by any means - coups, kidnappings or assassinations of leaders of countries that possess natural resources the Americans need.

"Venezuela, Iran, our American colleagues do not hide that this is about oil. They have a doctrine of dominance in global energy markets."

Lavrov was alluding to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a January U.S. military operation and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes at the end of February.

The United States, Lavrov said, had "cut off" Europe, urging European states to abandon the now-damaged Nord Stream pipeline carrying Russian gas to Germany and backing European Union calls to discourage Hungary and Slovakia from buying Russian gas.

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"This is not an approach to international relations. It is an attempt to return to the colonial era," Lavrov said, denouncing European policy as being driven by "arrogance and contempt for others."

Even in seeking a settlement of the four-year war in Ukraine, he said, the United States was promoting the benefits of "huge economic opportunities."

"At the same time, everything I just described is happening in parallel. We are being pushed out of all global energy markets," he said.

"If we are ready to carry out mutually beneficial projects on our territory and provide Americans with what interests them ... then our interests must also be respected. So far, we do not see this."

(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Rod Nickel)
Three of President Donald Trumps Cabinet members have resigned in the past two months and rumors swirl about who else will get the ax ahead of the coming midterm elections.

But not Lee Zeldin.

The head of EPA is sitting comfortably in the eye of the storm, leveraging his unexpected appointment to become one of the most stable and effective of Trumps lieutenants.

The president set a pretty clear agenda for EPA, and [Zeldin] has executed on it, said Joseph Brazauskas, who led the agencys congressional and intergovernmental relations office in Trump's first term and is now a partner at Bracewell. And I think the president noticed that.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi got the boot in early April in part because Trump reportedly was dissatisfied with her unsuccessful efforts to prosecute his political enemies. The president reassigned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March to a newly created role as Trump's special envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned Monday in the face of numerous allegations of misconduct. And Navy Secretary John Phelan stepped down this week, amid an ongoing naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, other high-ranking Trump officials are rumored to be on the outs with the president, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

But the chatter following Zeldin largely focuses on potential promotions to higher-profile roles in the administration, including suggestions that he could nab an attorney general nomination.

In his year at the agency, Zeldin has delivered a slate of speedy regulatory rollbacks while stoking conservative approval on social media and in frequent appearances on right-leaning outlets.

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Zeldin completed the endangerment finding repeal, ripping out the underpinnings of federal climate regulations  a marquee action of Trumps first year back in office  in less than a year. Billions of dollars in grant awards were undone with a stroke of a pen.

Steve Milloy, an adviser to President Donald Trumps first transition team, said the secret to safely navigating an administration role is pretty simple.

You need to be executing on the president's agenda, he said. He has some very definite things that he wants done, and his perception is that Lee Zeldin is getting them done at EPA, and Pam Bondi was not getting his agenda done at [the Department of] Justice.

Meanwhile, Zeldin has a limited role in international issues. That allows him to heap praise on Trumps actions in Iran without having to face tougher questions about the administrations strategy or goals.

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Volatile gas prices are also someone elses problem. Energy Secretary Chris Wright this week had to walk back comments about prices at the pump taking a while to cool off after Trump slammed Wrights remarks.

Trump broke with other recent GOP presidents in his first term by nominating someone who can manage the EPA the way it needed to be managed, versus putting someone more moderate there to sort of placate the media and more establishment Republican types, said Thomas Pyle, president of the conservative American Energy Alliance.

Past Republican EPA administrators sometimes publicly disagreed with the White House. Former President George W. Bush openly clashed with his first EPA chief, Christine Todd Whitman, on the agencys willingness to consider regulating climate pollution via the Clean Air Act.

William Reilly, EPAs chief under former President George H.W. Bush, called Zeldin a perfect clone of the president.

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He has the same disinterest and lack of knowledge of science. He thinks that breathing coal smoke is healthy and good for you, said Reilly, who last year joined other former administrators in an op-ed urging the Trump EPA to preserve its authority to regulate climate pollution. He does not really believe in the regulatory mission of the agency.

Head down in a scandal-rich Cabinet

The EPA administrator has angered Democrats and environmental groups, who have called on him to resign. And there has been some amount of dissatisfaction with Zeldin from Trumps base.

Zeldin has taken some fire from the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., over pesticides like glyphosate and his subordinates' chemical industry ties.But Zeldin has tried to ameliorate those concerns by aligning himself with Kennedy on fluoridated drinking water and microplastic contamination.

The EPA administrator has reached out directly to MAHA activists too. After a handful of movement leaders started a petition calling on Zeldin to step down, he met with some of them and pledged to release a MAHA agenda for the agency, though it has yet to arrive.

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Many MAHA activists are skeptical the agenda will include actionable items from their wish list, such as emergency reviews for dozens of pesticides and a moratorium on permits for plastic facility expansions.

EPA told POLITICOs E&E News that Zeldins relationships with the White House remain strong.

The administrator greatly enjoys working for President Trump, and with his fellow Cabinet members, proudly serving the American people, said EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch.

Leadership from the White House, she said, has been paramount to the success of the Trump EPA.

Administrator Zeldin is an incredible asset to the Presidents energy dominance agenda, said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers. He has successfully restored common sense to the EPA by reforming costly permitting processes, announcing the biggest deregulatory action made by any administration, and making historic strides to ensure every American has access to clean air and water.

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Zeldins secure spot in the Cabinet differs with Trumps first EPA administrator, former Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt, who resigned after roughly a year and a half following a slow drip of ethical and occasionally oddball scandals. Pruitt did not respond to calls for comment.

Zeldin, by contrast, has avoided the kinds of transgressions that draw bad headlines and erode a Cabinet members standing.

Administrator Zeldin has been in Washington previously for a long period of time serving as a member of Congress, said Brazauskas. So I think he understands how things work in town and has executed based on his previous experience.

Furthermore, the administrators aggressive pursuit of Trump administration priorities means the president has no need to replace him, said Myron Ebell, who led Trumps first EPA transition team.

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I think the attacks on Pam Bondi were both from the conservative side and the left side, he said. Trump took advantage of that to say, We've got to get somebody who's more aggressive.

But Zeldin, he said, has been as aggressive as you could want.

He's not really on the hit list, and he might be on the promotion list, said Ebell.

Trump picked Zeldin because he could trust him

Conservatives said they were initially surprised when Trump named Zeldin  a former moderate GOP lawmaker who had defended the president during his first impeachment trial  as his second-term EPA chief.

But they came to see Zeldins lack of previous experience with environmental regulation as an advantage. He didnt bring preconceived ideas to the job about which deregulatory actions were and were not practical, they said. He didnt know Clean Air Act lawyers who could talk him out of undoing the endangerment finding, they said, after Trump issued an Inauguration Day directive that he consider doing so.

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He didn't appoint Zeldin to EPA because Zeldin was some expert on the environment, noted Milloy, who publishes the climate-contrarian blog Junk Science. He appointed him because he could trust him.

Trump didnt prioritize getting rid of the endangerment finding in his first term, but it was discussed. EPA eventually rejected petitions to reopen the finding under Pruitts successor, Andrew Wheeler.

Chapin Fay, who served as Zeldins campaign manager for part of his 2014 congressional race and known him for more than a decade, said it was not an accident the EPA head remains in good favor in the administration. He noted Trump has called the administrator his secret weapon and Zeldin was everywhere on the 2024 campaign trail.

He was out giving speeches, he was campaigning for him in swing states, and he became an incredibly effective surrogate communicator, said Fay, now founder and CEO of Lighthouse Public Affairs.

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The second thing is loyalty, he added. When Lee sets his mind to something, it gets done very well and very quickly  on time, under budget, all those kinds of things. I think Trump has seen that. He's also avoided a lot of the drama in some of the more higher-profile agencies.

Life after EPA

Reports that Zeldin was being considered to replace Bondi kicked up almost as soon as she was fired early this month, seriously enough to have the topic broached during a meeting between the two men shortly before Bondi left.

Its not clear whether a formal nomination for attorney general is imminent. The White House points to positive statements Trump has made recently about acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

But at 46, Zeldin is an ambitious midcareer politico occupying a role as EPA boss that has more frequently led to private sector careers than higher office. He might head elsewhere in the Trump administration if given the chance, according to a former Zeldin congressional aide granted anonymity to speak freely.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that there would be a position in the government somewhere where he would say he couldn't do it, the ex-staffer said about Zeldin. I think he thinks he's the right guy for any job.

The first EPA administrator, William Ruckelshaus, filled that role under President Richard Nixon before becoming acting FBI director, then deputy attorney general and  very briefly  acting attorney general when he was ousted in the infamous Saturday Night Massacre. He later served a second stint as EPA administrator under former President Ronald Reagan.

Conservatives agreed that Zeldins path upward in politics would more likely be through higher-profile executive branch positions than by running again for statewide office in New York. Zeldins tenure at EPA has burnished his conservative credentials.

Ebell called his recent appearance at a Washington conference hosted by the climate skeptic Heartland Institute encouraging.

But Zeldins association with the Trump administrations aggressive deregulatory policies may be an obstacle to his running again for governor in Democratic-leaning New York state, as he did unsuccessfully in 2022.

I don't know if that's what he's thinking, but he is an ambitious man, and he must be thinking these things out, said Ebell.

Contact Alex Guillen on the encrypted messaging app Signal at alexguillen.10; Jean Chemnick at jchemnick.01; and Kevin Bogardus at KevinBogardus.89.
For the residents of Nahal Oz, this is a serious incident that illustrates that the security reality has not changed enough, the kibbutz said in a statement.

Kibbutz Nahal Oz said that two kites from the Gaza Strip had landed inside the community over the past two weeks, as residents return to their homes near the Gaza border, according to a Saturday report from KAN News.

One resident told KAN that one kite was found in the fields around the kibbutz, and another was found within the perimeter of the kibbutz.

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There were reportedly no writing or explosives attached to the kites, but the residents believe that the kites could have come from nowhere else.

The IDF told us they are checking the incidents, but we are very concerned, and that is why we are warning about it, to make sure we do not return to the security situation of October 6, the resident told KAN.

The kibbutz said the incidents raised concern among residents who fear that Israels security has not changed sufficiently since the October 7 massacre, the public broadcaster noted.

Nahal Oz expresses concern over Israel's security situation

For the residents of Nahal Oz, this is a serious incident that illustrates that the security reality has not changed enough, the kibbutz said in a statement.

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We in Nahal Oz are determined to build the future of our children here, but we are warning that community resilience is not a blank check."

The gap between government promises and the reality of kites in the yards of homes creates deep concern.

Notably, this comes amid reports that Hamas is rearming itself in Gaza.

N12 reported that Hamas is significantly recovering its capabilities under the cover of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas terrorists are accelerating the recruitment of new terrorists and taking control of goods entering the Gaza Strip, N12 said.

Security officials have warned that without fully disarming and demilitarizing the terror group, the situation in the Gaza Strip will return to "square one," as it was before the October 7 massacre.

James Genn contributed to this report.
Ohio officials say a semitruck driver charged in a fiery interstate crash that killed a young family of three fraudulently obtained an Ohio drivers license, a commercial drivers license and later U.S. citizenship under an alternate identity.

The driver, Modou F. Ngom, 50, was arrested after authorities said he caused an April 11 chain-reaction crash on Interstate 71 northbound near U.S. 36, where a semitrailer slammed into slowed traffic in a construction zone and ignited a deadly fire.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash killed a 37-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman and a 1-year-old child from Ashley, Ohio, who were traveling in a Chevrolet Silverado.

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Three others sustained serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

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In a statement, Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson confirmed to Fox News that investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Ohio State Highway Patrol uncovered conflicting identity information in state and federal records after Ngoms arrest.

Read On The Fox News App

Ngom, he said, entered the United States in the 1990s and used multiple names and dates of birth to obtain state and federal identification documents.

Wilson alleged that Ngom fraudulently obtained a new Ohio drivers license and later a commercial drivers license in 2007 under an alternate identity and was later naturalized as a U.S. citizen under that same identity before changing his name back to Modou Ngom in 2015.

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Wilson said he directed state investigators to turn the information over to Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. He said the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the Delaware County Prosecutors Office were also notified.

Fox News Digital reached out to ICE.

LISTEN: 911 call captures fiery horror after driver allegedly used fake identity to get CDL

The crash unfolded in chaos, according to a 911 call and dispatch records obtained by Fox News.

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"People are stuck in the car," one caller told dispatchers as flames spread.

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Another voice on the call said, "They're definitely dead. The fire is, like, huge," while callers reported that multiple vehicles and the semi were burning.

Click Here For More Us News

"A lot of people are out of their vehicles and stopped in the middle of the highway," another female caller is heard telling the dispatcher. "Like, it's pretty bad."

The Columbus Dispatch identified the victims as Luke and Lynnea Soposki and their baby Logan. Lynnea was a veterinarian and Luke was an analytical chemist.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"Dr. Soposki was an extraordinary veterinarian, a compassionate caregiver and a deeply valued member of our team," the Muirfield Animal Hospital said. "She brought kindness, dedication and a genuine love for her patients and their families into every interaction."

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Ngom was jailed after the crash on vehicular homicide charges, according to police. He was indicted by a Delaware County grand jury on the seven felony charges April 16.





Original article source: Semitruck driver in deadly interstate crash fraudulently obtained license, citizenship: officials
Utah Sen. Mike Lee called for an end to the U.S. Senate filibuster on Saturday if Senate rules are not changed to require in-person Democrat opposition to stop a vote on his SAVE America Act.

After weeks of debate, Senate Republican leadership pivoted away from the Save America Act this week as lawmakers race to meet funding deadlines for immigration enforcement and government surveillance powers.

Democratic senators have so far prevented a vote on Lees bill which would implement proof-of-citizenship and voter ID requirements in federal elections. Senate rules require the support of 60 senators to conclude debate.

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Utahs senior senator initially pushed for a so-called talking filibuster, which would require Democrats to be physically present to block final passage. The effort failed as some Republicans were wary of dismantling current rules.

But that didnt stop Lee from giving an ultimatum to the nation before GOP delegates at the state partys nominating convention on Saturday in Orem. If the Senate wasnt willing to change its rules, Lee said it was time to end the filibuster for good.

If they want to filibuster the Save America Act, make them speak, and if were not willing to make them speak and do the hard work then it is time to nuke the filibuster, Lee shouted, to the applause of many of the 3,500 in attendance.

By allowing senators to avoid voting on the bill by hypothetically withholding their vote, Lee said Democrats are outsourcing real debate on the issue. This is your country, it must not be outsourced to anyone else, Lee said.

How popular is Lees bill?

Lees bill would require documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. The current system requires only an attestation of citizenship. The bill would also require photo ID to vote which could impact Utahs vote by mail system.

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A March YouGov poll found nearly 60% of Americans approve requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and 29% oppose it. A 2024 Gallup poll found nearly 85% of adults support requiring photo ID and proof of citizenship.

Only in the halls of Congress is this controversial, Lee told the room full of grassroots volunteers. You sent us back there to secure our elections, to restore our sovereignty and to put America, and especially Americans first.

Lee urged delegates to contact their elected representatives to support his bill. Utahs junior Sen. John Curtis voted in favor of debating the Save America Act but he has expressed opposition to changing filibuster rules.

In February, Curtis said Republicans should not seek to pass agenda items at the expense of our institutions. Curtis argued the filibuster forces senators to find common ground and also protects the minority party.

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Lee dismissed such arguments as an obstacle to what voters expect from a GOP-controlled White House and Congress. President Donald Trump has said Lees bill is one of his top priorities ahead of the midterm elections.

The United States Senate is there to represent you, not to serve the zombie filibuster which must come to an end today, Lee said.
The sister of a murdered Alabama police chief says Rep. Barry Moore is misrepresenting her familys tragedy as he runs for Senate.

Brenda Barnes criticized a recent ad from a group supporting Moore.

Its sad that Barry Moore is using this and exploiting our loss, Barnes said.

The ad, paid for by the Alabama Freedom Fund, criticizes one of Moores opponents, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. It calls him a soft-on-crime prosecutor who also let a cop killer remain eligible for parole.

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Barnes brother, Grant Police Chief Verlon LeMaster, was killed in 2003. Marshall, then the district attorney in Marshall County, prosecuted two 17-year-olds for the murder.

One teen was sentenced to life without parole. The other, Jerid Eldridge, was convicted of intentional murder and received life in prison with the possibility of parole. He remains in prison.

Barnes praised Marshalls work on the case and said he continued to show up in person when Eldridges applications for parole were considered.

When my brother was shot and killed, Steve Marshall came to the scene, she said. I think a lot of Steve, and he was there when no one else was.

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I would appreciate it if theyre continuing to run the ad, that they would take it down, Barnes said.

Barry Moores campaign and Steve Marshalls campaign did not return requests for comment Thursday.

READ MORE: Sick of high electricity bills? Alabama U.S. Senate candidate shows his disgust by shooting his bill

Marshall was initially a Democrat when he was first appointed as a local prosecutor in 2001. He switched parties in 2011.

The Alabama Freedom Fund is supported by Club for Growth, which has endorsed Moore.

The race between Republican candidates remains competitive with one month remaining until the May 19 primary.

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The Senate seat is open because Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.

The general election is Nov. 3.

Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is listed among the 10 Best European Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On April 20, Barclays PLC lowered the firms price target on SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) to $256 from $283 while maintaining an Overweight rating. The adjustment came as part of a first-quarter software earnings preview. Barclays noted that the first quarter is seasonally the smallest period and that macroeconomic conditions were not especially supportive, while expecting more meaningful fundamental improvement later in the year.

On April 15, TD Cowen analyst Derrick Wood lowered the price target on SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) to $250 from $300 while reiterating a Buy rating. The firm cited mixed channel checks, with enterprise demand remaining solid but commercial trends softening sequentially amid emerging macro uncertainties, particularly in energy-related verticals and the Middle East. The analyst also pointed to possible pricing changes that could create short-term disruption.

SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is a German multinational software corporation specializing in enterprise application software, particularly Enterprise Resource Planning systems. The company is headquartered in Walldorf and was founded in 1972.

SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is among the best European stocks to buy according to analysts because, despite cautious near-term commentary, analysts continue to maintain positive ratings. Temporary macro softness does not diminish the companys entrenched customer relationships, mission-critical software suite, and ongoing cloud transformation. As enterprise IT spending normalizes and recurring cloud revenue expands, SAP could benefit from improving margins and more durable long-term growth.

While we acknowledge the potential of SAP 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.
Key Points

Even billionaires are entitled to Social Security based on the way the program works.

Some lawmakers have proposed means testing for Social Security eligibility.

Taking Social Security away from the rich changes the purpose of Social Security benefits.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.

Concerns about the future of Social Security have risen over the past decade. Some even question whether wealthy retirees will eventually lose access to benefits? With the government program's long-term funding challenges, lawmakers search for solutions. One idea that is openly discussed is called means testing, which would limit benefits based on income or wealth. While the concept may seem straightforward, and to some even fair, it would be a major shift in how Social Security operates. For now, the likelihood of benefits being taken away from high-income retirees remains uncertain but widely talked about.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 stocks. Get them here FREE.

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This post was updated on April 26, 2026.

It's not a matter of need

Millions of older Americans rely on Social Security income to stay afloat, but it's not just low-income retirees who can collect Social Security. People with millions of dollars in savings are generally eligible for benefits as well. In fact, even billionaires may receive benefits on a monthly basis if they have paid into the system and meet eligibility requirements.

The fact of the matter is that Social Security is not a need-based program or a welfare program.

Rather, Social Security is a program working Americans pay into; and people who pay into the system are entitled to benefits based on their earnings history. There's currently no rule that denies seniors Social Security just because they have a substantial amount of money.

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To collect Social Security in retirement, you have to pay taxes on your income and earn 40 work credits (which typically requires about 10 years of work). If you do that, you're eligible to receive benefits.

Earning millions of dollars a year during your working years or having substantial wealth in retirement doesn't make you ineligible for benefits under current law. In fact, rhe more you earn (up to a point), the larger a monthly retirement benefit you're entitled to from Social Security.

Means testing for Social Security is unlikely to happen

Social Security is facing a projected funding shortfall that could result in reduced benefits in the coming decade if no changes are made. To address that issue, lawmakers have been trying to come up with ways to strengthen the programs resources.

Some proposals introduced so far include increasing the full retirement age and raising the amount of Social Security tax workers must pay on their wages. But the idea of means testing has been introduced as well.

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Simply put, means testing would assess each retiree's financial situation. Those who are deemed to have enough money would receive reduced or no benefits under such a system.

But because means testing would fundamentally change how Social Security operates, it's unlikely to become reality. Social Security was not designed to be a need-based program, so lawmakers remain reluctant to change its original intent and structure.

Of course, lawmakers will have to find a reasonable solution or deal with the financial impact of benefit reductions. But denying the wealthy Social Security benefits entirely is not widely considered a potential solution.

At the end of the day, anyone who pays into Social Security and meets eligibility requirements is generally allowed to collect benefits once they reach the appropriate age.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks

This analyst's 2025 picks are up 106% on average. He just named his top 10 stocks to buy in 2026. Get them here FREE.
Turns out that Tom Steyer wants to be the climate guy in the governors race after all.

After launching his campaign with an ad focused on affordability and eschewing any mention of climate, the Democratic billionaire has changed his tune.

I know its climate week, but every week is climate week, and in my administration, every day will be climate day, Steyer said during a town hall he held Monday during San Francisco climate week, an annual series of events in the city.

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The shift comes as he tries to lay claim to a progressive lane in the fractured but narrowing Democratic field. The latest polls show him among the leaders, along with former Biden Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Rep. Katie Porter, after Eric Swalwells campaign dramatically collapsed last week.

Meanwhile, outside groups have ramped up spending against him, including electrical worker unions, Pacific Gas & Electric and the California Chamber of Commerce, which pitched in $5 million to the independent expenditure committee opposing Steyer on Wednesday. The committees attack ads have homed in on a specific vulnerability: voter mistrust of Steyers wealth, including profits from coal-related companies reaped by the hedge fund Steyer founded. The Steyer team's response has been to lean in and try to turn the attacks to their advantage.

I'm the person who's taking on the funded corporate interests who are driving up costs for Californians in every place, Steyer said during a gubernatorial debate Wednesday night. No one wants to take them on. I'm doing it. They're spending tens of millions.

Steyers recent embrace of the climate warrior identity includes: designating himself a climate advocate on the ballot, describing himself as the #1 climate candidate in recent mailers, consolidating new endorsements from environmental groups, hosting a San Francisco climate week town hall, and airing a new ad Wednesday in which actress and environmental advocate Jane Fonda touts his experience battling oil and gas companies.

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His team is making a clear bet that climate change issues will resonate with voters, even as polling consistently shows that cost of living and health care rank higher among their list of concerns. They seem to believe that undecided progressives will be swayed enough by the candidates record on climate to vote for him.

Whats changed is, the field has sort of winnowed out, and people are looking for a place to land, said Andrew Acosta, a veteran Democratic campaign consultant. Steyers recent mailer also lists fighting for single-payer health care, banning corporate PAC money and abolishing ICE, he noted. Its literally taking the progressive menu and ordering everything off of it, Acosta said.

The Steyer teams effort to recalibrate his message is also an attempt to play up his most significant record in politics. In 2012, Steyer left his hedge fund to devote himself to fighting climate change. He launched NextGen Climate Action Committee, an advocacy group focused on supporting climate candidates, and became a frequent Democratic donor. His short-lived presidential campaign was largely focused on preventing the worst effects of climate change.

Were he elected, there's no question he'd be the most knowledgeable and committed climate advocate that's ever held really high office in America, said environmental activist and author Bill McKibben, who endorsed Steyer.

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A campaign spokesperson, granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy, said the team weighed different alternatives for the ballot designation, but they were all focused on climate. Its just what he is, the spokesperson said.

Steyer is also using climate policies to separate himself from competitors.

When San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan proposed temporarily lifting Californias gas tax in light of rising gas prices, Steyer instead called for an excess profits tax on oil companies. And when Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa criticized the California Air Resources Boards carbon market proposal for potentially raising gas prices and driving refineries out of state, Steyer urged the powerful air regulator to stay the course. (He may have misjudged: CARB proposed weakening its draft proposal this month.)

Steyer is likely going to keep touting his climate creds to shore up his standing in the race. An internal California Democratic Party poll this week showed Becerra surging from 4 to 13 percent of the likely primary vote after Swalwell dropped out, putting him neck-and-neck with Steyer. Becerra has broken with much of the Democratic field to accept campaign donations from oil companies, including Chevron and Phillips 66.

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For all the climate focus, Steyer is still careful with his talking points. He told a reporter on Monday his focus was still on affordability.

When I talk about climate, I dont talk about climate. I talk about electricity, Steyer said. In so many of the issues, driving down costs is doing the smart climate thing.

Alex Nieves and Christine Mui contributed to this report.
The man accused of intentionally running over and killing 74-year-old Dannielle Spillman after a confrontation outside a San Francisco gas station pleaded not guilty Friday, as a judge again denied his request for bond.

Valentino Cash Amil, 30, appeared in court at the Hall of Justice, where emotions were high on both sides of the case. His wife left the courthouse in tears, covering her face while holding the couple's child.

Before the hearing, she told ABC7 Eyewitness News, "We're hanging in there."

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Spillman's family was also in court Friday. They were visibly emotional and declined to speak before or after the hearing.

Amil is charged with murder, felony leaving the scene of an accident and a deadly weapon enhancement tied to the use of the vehicle. Prosecutors say he intentionally hit Spillman with his Mercedes on April 13 outside a gas station near Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue, then drove away.

MORE: Vigil held for 74-year-old pedestrian killed in SF crash; driver charged with murder

According to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, the confrontation started after Spillman approached Amil's car outside the gas station. Prosecutors say surveillance video shows Spillman walking toward the front of the vehicle, taking issue with Amil blocking the sidewalk, and pouring liquid from a water bottle onto the hood. Prosecutors say that liquid was water.

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Moments later, prosecutors say Amil accelerated into Spillman, knocking her onto the hood and windshield. They say he drove several feet, slowed down, and Spillman slid off the hood before Amil drove over her and left the scene. He was detained about a mile away.

Amil's defense attorney, Seth Morris, has argued the case is not murder, and his client did not flee the scene. Morris has said Amil was in the car with his wife and two children, heading to Disneyland, when he believed his family was in danger. The defense says Amil was trying to get his family to safety and feared the liquid Spillman poured on the car may have been gasoline.

Morris declined to speak with ABC7 Eyewitness News after Friday's hearing, but in court pointed to Amil's lack of a criminal record and described him as a family man. He has previously called the murder charge outrageous.

Prosecutors have rejected the self-defense argument. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has said the evidence will show intention, not self-defense.

MORE: Driver charged with murder in SF hit-and-run that killed 74-year-old: DA

"I expect defense attorneys to say things that are favorable to their clients. We have a different view of this evidence, which is why we landed where we did as far as charges," Jenkins previously said.

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On Friday, the judge said Amil had already left the scene once and the court could not trust he would not do it again.

Amil remains in custody without bond as the case moves forward. A preliminary hearing is set for May 6.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  Syrian authorities said Friday they have arrested a former intelligence officer who appeared in a video leaked four years ago that purportedly showed him and his comrades fatally shooting dozens of people during the countrys civil war.

Amjad Yousef was arrested in the central province of Hama, where he had been hiding, the Interior Ministry said, and posted a photo of him in a striped prison uniform.

Since insurgents ousted former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, dozens of members of his security agencies that were blamed for atrocities during the conflict have been arrested. Assad fled to Russia.

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The conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 before turning into a civil war, left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded.

Yousef was one of several Syrian security agents who authorities said appeared in a video leaked in 2022, in which dozens of blindfolded, bound men were shot and thrown into a trench.

U.S. special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack posted on X that the arrest was "a powerful step away from impunity toward accountability, exemplifying the new paradigm of justice emerging in post-Assad Syria: one rooted in the rule of law, national reconciliation, and the equal application of justice regardless of past affiliations.

Syrias U.N. Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York the arrest is a major achievement and vowed, We will not rest until we reach those higher in the chain of command.

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He called on the international community not to harbor perpetrators of crimes under the Assad regime. Our message is very clear, you may run, but you will never escape justice, Olabi said.

The 6 minute and 43 second clip shows members of Syrias notorious Military Intelligence Branch 227 with a line of around 40 prisoners in an abandoned building in Tadamon, a suburb of Damascus near the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk. For much of the war, the district was a front line between government forces and opposition fighters.

The prisoners were blindfolded, with their arms tied behind their backs. One after another, the Branch 227 gunmen stand them at the edge of a trench filled with old tires, then push or kick the men in, shooting them as they fall.

In the video, the intelligence agents tell some of the prisoners that they are going to pass through a snipers alley and that they should run. The men tumble onto the bodies of those who went before them. As bodies pile up in the trench, some still move, and the gunmen shoot into the pile.

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The gunmen later set the bodies on fire, presumably to erase evidence of the massacre.

Last year, security forces in Syria said that they arrested three people involved in the same killings.

The Interior Ministry said in its statement Friday that authorities will go after all those involved in the Tadamon shooting to bring them to justice.

In March 2023, the U.S. State Department banned entry into the U.S. of Yousef, his wife and immediate members of his family.
The Texas Christian summer camp where 27 girls and counselors died in a catastrophic flood in July 2025 may not be allowed to open again this upcoming summer after state officials found it has not met health and safety requirements.

Camp Mystic must make several changes, including to its emergency and parent-notification processes, in order to receive its license to operate, according to a letter from the Texas department of state health services.

It has an insufficient emergency warning system, a lack of a floodplain map that shows the locations of camper cabins and a flawed fire evacuation plan, the letter says.

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The camp has 45 days in which to rectify these issues in order to obtain its license. A spokesperson for Camp Mystic said it still intends to open for campers on 30 May, as planned.

Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our campers, and we hope to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic to provide a Christian camping experience for girls that allows them to grow physically, mentally and spiritually, the camp said in a statement on Friday to NBC News.

Related: Camp Mystic official says she still hasnt reported flood deaths to Texas agency

Camp Mystic has been planning to open a site separate to the one that was hit by the deadly flooding on 4 July 2025.

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That day, 25 girls, two counselors and Camp Mystics owner were killed at the Kerr county camp site after pounding rainfall caused disastrous flooding along the Guadalupe River, which sits next to the site. In all, more than 130 people in the region died due to the floods.

Some family members of campers who died have criticized the decision to reopen the camp and questioned whether the camp and state authorities had done enough to prevent the tragedy. In February, the families of nine victims of the flood sued the state, alleging it failed to properly demand an evacuation plan from the camp.

Earlier in April, the medical officer for Camp Mystic testified that she had still not officially reported the deaths to the state health agency.

Under Texas administrative code, camps are required to report deaths to state health regulators within 24 hours. But during her testimony during a hearing tied to a lawsuit brought by the family of Cecilia Cile Steward, one of the missing girls, Mary Liz Eastland said she did not do so.

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Eastlands testimony came after that of her husband, Edward Eastland, a camp director whose father  the owner Richard Eastland  was also killed in the flood.

Edward Eastland testified that he had not seen the official weather warnings before the storm, did not convene a staff meeting about the potential flooding and acknowledged that the camp did not have a detailed written flood evacuation plan.

He said that earlier action could have saved lives  but maintained that camp officials could not have anticipated the scale of the storm.
Texas Democrat James Talarico slammed a court ruling this week allowing Texas to enforce a law requiring classrooms to display the 10 Commandments, calling it a "deeply un-Christian decision."

He decried "Christian nationalism," saying, "Im a Christian, but I know that the most dangerous form of government is theocracy."

Talarico, a Democratic Texas state representative, is running to flip one of Texas Senate seats blue for the first time in decades. Democrats believe Talarico has a real shot at defeating either incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn or current state Attorney General Ken Paxton. A Talarico victory would be devastating to the GOPs hopes of retaining or expanding its Senate majority this November.

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Speaking on Cnn this week, Talarico condemned the decision by the federal Fifth Circuit Court. He suggested the law requiring the 10 Commandments to be displayed poses an affront to individuals in Texas who are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, agnostic and atheist.

Texas Ag Paxton Sues Dem Fundraising Platform Actblue, Alleging 'Fraudulent And Foreign Donations'

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, called a ruling allowing a Texas law requiring the 10 Commandments be displayed in schools "deeply un-Christian." (Getty Images)

"I dont want anyone forcing their religion down my throat, and I certainly dont want the government forcing a religion down my throat. So why would I do that to any of my neighbors?" he told CNN. "I think this is an unconstitutional decision, I also think this is a deeply un-Christian decision, because we are supposed to be loving all of our neighbors, particularly our neighbors of other faiths."

Read On The Fox News App

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In a 98 ruling on Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Texas law requiring public schools across the state to display the Ten Commandments. The court ruled the law does not violate either the Constitutions Establishment Clause or the Free Exercise Clause.

The courts majority opinion stated that "because Plaintiffs fail to show that [Texas law] S.B. 10 substantially burdens their right to religious exercise, their Free Exercise claims must be dismissed."

However, Talarico, who is a Presbyterian seminarian in addition to a former middle school teacher, asserted that the law runs afoul of the Christian imperative to love God and love neighbor.

"My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself. Not just my neighbors who look like me, not just my neighbors who vote like me, not just my neighbors who pray like me. Im called to love all of my neighbors the way I love myself. That includes my Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, agnostic and atheist neighbors," he said.

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He also decried what he referred to as "Christian nationalism," saying, "the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks theyre on a mission from God."

Watch: Houston Faces $110M Hit As Texas Gov Lays Down Law On 'Sanctuary' Policies

A copy of the Ten Commandments is displayed in a classroom at Bagdad Elementary School in Leander, Texas, on Nov. 19, 2025, following a state law requiring school districts to post them in classrooms.

As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Talarico has opposed the 10 Commandments bill as "idolatrous" for years.

While speaking on CNN, he ripped into Paxton for praising the ruling. Smiling, he said, "Im not sure that Ken Paxton is in a place to lecture us on moral values."

Fox News Digital reached out to Paxton for comment.

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Paxton, who is currently locked in a bitter primary runoff with Cornyn, had called the ruling a "major victory for Texas and our moral values."

He said the 10 Commandments "have had a profound impact on our nation, and its important that students learn from them every single day," adding, "My office was proud to defend SB 10 and successfully ensure that the Ten Commandments will be displayed in classrooms across Texas."

After Talaricos dig, Paxton responded on X, writing, "James Talarico says God commands us to believe in six genders, support late-term abortion, and abuse children by transitioning them. He's completely and totally morally bankrupt."

Gop Zeros In On South Texas Dem Who Urged Trump To 'Allow People To Cross Freely'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, are heading to a runoff in Texas, extending their primary battle until late May.

Paxton was not the only one to slam Talaricos take on the ruling. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet posted on X, "Imagine being a Christian who goes on CNN to condemn putting the Ten Commandments in schools. Imagine James Talarico."

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Click Here To Download The Fox News App

In response, Talarico doubled down, telling Fox News Digital, "Jesus taught us to love God and love neighbor, because there is no love of God without love of neighbor. My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself. I dont want the government forcing a religion down my throat."

Talarico added that "the separation of church and state is a sacred boundary that doesnt just benefit the state  it also benefits the church, because when the church gets too cozy with political power, it loses its prophetic voice."

A spokesperson for Cornyn responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment by saying, "We support the ruling."





Original article source: Texas Dem James Talarico rips 'un-Christian' court decision on what's allowed in classrooms
Camp Mystic, where 27 people died during a flash flood last summer, submitted an inadequate emergency plan proposal, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) informed directors Thursday.

The Texas summer camp is facing several legal challenges and investigations but said it intended to reopen in May.

In a letter first reported by Quorum Report on Friday, the state department notified the camp that it was missing or provided inadequate responses for several aspects of its emergency plan. The Hills parent network, Nexstar, obtained and verified the contents of this notice.

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The state department requested a revised emergency plan from Camp Mystic within 45 days of when the directors received the notification.

This specific notice refers to an emergency plan submitted for the camps Cypress Lake location, which is 2 miles uphill from its Guadalupe location, where 25 campers and two counselors died during a historic flood on July 4.

The camp is located in the floodplain in Hunt, Texas  an unincorporated area about an 80-minute drive northwest of San Antonio.

It was missing floodplain location information and staff emergency plans, according to the states letter.

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Additionally, the DSHS said the camp provided insufficient or incomplete plans for a variety of emergency scenarios, including a fire, serious injury or death, an aquatic emergency and a natural disaster.

The letter included recommendations for revising the camps emergency plans to include provisions like a floodplain notification for parents sending their children to the camp and confirmation that the campus has an adequate emergency warning system in place.

A spokesperson with the DSHS told Nexstar that most youth camps receive similar deficiency notices because of changes to emergency plan requirements. An approved emergency plan is required under the DSHSs licensing review process for summer camps.

In a statement provided to The Texas Tribune, the summer camp said it is carefully reviewing DSHSs notice and working to address the identified issues with its emergency plan.

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Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our campers, the camp told the outlet.

Parents of the girls who died during the 2025 flood at Camp Mystic have pushed Texas legislators to pass more safety laws for summer camps and filed lawsuits against the camps directors and the DSHS.

The decision to reopen the camp for the summer of 2026 sparked intense pushback from these families, and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) has urged the state not to renew Camp Mystics license until safety investigations are complete.

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 US military said a third aircraft carrier had arrived in the Middle East, the highest number of American carriers deployed to the region in more than 20 years, according to analysts.

The announcement on Thursday came around the same time US President Donald Trump declined to give a timeline on when the Iran war could end, telling reporters at the White House: Dont rush me.

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which coordinates American forces throughout the Middle East, announced in a social media post that the third aircraft carrier, the Nimitz-class USS George H.W. Bush, had transited into its area of responsibility.

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The Bush, commissioned in 2009, is the newest of 10 Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the US fleet. Almost 1,000 feet long and displacing more than 100,000 tons, it can carry more than 80 aircraft, is powered by two nuclear reactors and has more than 5,500 sailors and air crew aboard.

Asked about plans for the Bush, a defense official told CNN Thursday that the military does not discuss force disposition, ship movements, or locations to protect service members and operational security.

But analysts note the arrival of the Bush sends a message without even firing a shot.

Just the potential of a third carrier getting involved adds to the pressure facing the (Iranian) regime as peace talks approach, said Carl Schuster, a retired US Navy captain.

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The message is that Trump may apply more pain if the peace talks dont advance in the way Trump wants. The political imagery is as, and possibly more important, than the military action, Schuster added

Multiple sources told CNN this week plans were being developed for new strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, in the event the current ceasefire falls apart.

They described potential attacks against small fast attack boats, minelaying vessels and other asymmetric assets that have helped Tehran effectively shut down those key waterways and use them as leverage over the US.

Analyst Peter Layton, a fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute and former Royal Australian Air Force officer, told CNN the Bushs aircraft could be used in such a campaign.

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But he called the carriers fighter jets a very inefficient way to conduct strikes on asymmetric assets, adding that Air Force A-10 attack jets already in the region are more suited for the job.

Layton and others said the Bush might be coming on to relieve the USS Gerald R Ford, which has been deployed since last June, well past the normal seven or so months US carriers deploy under normal circumstances.

Tracking sites showed the Ford in the Red Sea earlier this week.

Her crew is due some rest  or their operational efficiency will begin to suffer. So, it is prudent to have a replacement en route, said Schuster.

USS Abraham Lincoln conducts US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, April 16. - US Navy/NAVCENT Public Affairs/US Central Command Public Affairs

The Ford suffered a fire in its laundry spaces in March, and it did not launch sorties until two days after the blaze was extinguished, the chief of US naval operations said.

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It later made port calls in the Mediterranean for repairs and crew rest, the Navy said. But it was back on duty as of early this month and moved back into the Red Sea late last week.

Meanwhile, the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was shown in the Arabian Sea south of Iran, as it has been since the beginning of the war on February 28.

Schuster said there would be advantages to having a third carrier in the region, one being that the Bush carries the newest F-35 fighters, which the Ford cannot handle.

Having two F-35-capable carriers adds a lot of firepower if Iran proves intransigent, he said, even if those jets arent the best option for handling the IRGCs asymmetric navy.

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Layton said two or three carriers are likely too much of a force just to be used for blockade duty.

A blockade really only needs one. However, making threats of more air strikes on Iran makes the second carrier useful, he said.

Historical significance

According to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, three US carriers would be the greatest number of American carriers in the region since 2003.

During the beginning of the shock and awe attacks on Iraq in 2003, five US carriers participated, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Noting the historical significance of three carriers in the region, Cedric Leighton, a CNN military analyst and retired US Air Force colonel, said it puts pressure on Iran to reach a deal, but its uncertain Iran will compromise.

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The jurys still out on that, Leighton said.

Earlier Thursday, a US official told CNN that Washington has 19 warships in the Middle East and seven ships in the Indian Ocean. The official did not include the Bush  or any of the guided-missile destroyers in its strike group  on that list.

If the Bush is an addition to the fleet in CENTCOM  and not a replacement to relieve the Ford or Lincoln  it would represent an extraordinary commitment of the US carrier force to the Iran conflict.

Fleet tracking websites show only four or five of the Navys total of 11 carriers are available for combat operations.

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Maintenance, overhauls and training mean not all 11 carriers are ready for combat at any one time.

Ship spotters last week caught the USS Theodore Roosevelt leaving port in San Diego, and the Navy showed the USS Nimitz participating in a training exercise in the South Pacific off Chile. The USS George Washington was shown as in port in Japan.

The Bush and its strike group left its Norfolk, Virginia, homeport on March 31, and took the long route to the Middle East region, steaming around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.

That route meant it avoided the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, where Iranian-armed Houthi proxies have watch over the Bab al-Mandab Strait between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

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The Lincoln is also a Nimitz-class carrier with a similar profile. The Ford, the US Navys newest and most powerful carrier, is slightly larger than the Nimitz-class ships.

CNNs Zachary Cohen and Haley Britzky contributed to this report.

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As the Jersey Shore gears up for Memorial Day weekend, Diamond Beach, one of the states smallest seaside communities, is preparing to roll out paid parking in select areas.

Residents in Diamond Beach and neighboring Wildwood Crest are urging Lower Township to reconsider that plan.

Township officials, however, have declined to reverse course and instead expanded the policy to offer seasonal parking permits as an alternative to cashless pay-by-plate meters.

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The latest proposal builds on an ordinance adopted in March, when officials designated metered parking spaces and approved a fiveyear contract with ParkMobile, a cashless mobile payment app.

With the summer tourist season approaching, residents fear the new rules could disrupt traffic, a perennial concern in Shore towns. Many also argue the policy is unfair because seasonal permits would be available across the township, potentially leaving local residents without enough parking.

I think peopleare concerned about this issue because they question the way they were made aware of it, said Cindy Ricciardi, a Diamond Beach resident. They questioned the process.

About 160 metered parking spots are being created on East Rochester, Atlantic, Seaview, South Station and East Raleigh avenues in areas closest to the beach. The policy is intended to encourage parking turnover while generating revenue to offset tax increases.

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Officials have yet to determine a time limit for each vehicle, Michael Laffey, township manager, said.

Diamond Beach sees some of the busiest summer traffic within Lower Townships borders, prompting officials to implement stronger enforcement, Laffey said. Daily rates have not been announced.

Drivers will notice the meters in areas closest to the oceanfront, where luxury high-rises and condominiums tower above Diamond Beachs privately controlled beaches.

People had complained about the congestion there, and we thought it was one way to alleviate the congestion, Laffey said.

The latest ordinance, which was approved Monday, adds a supplemental seasonal pass valid from May 15 to Sept. 15 for $250. The paid parking spots will be monitored from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the summer. Violators face fines of up to $100, the ordinance states.

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Residents widely criticized the proposal at its first hearing earlier this month, raising concerns about its effects on full-time homeowners. Several residents questioned why Diamond Beach was chosen over other township beaches along the Delaware Bay.

Youre going to pay $250, and you may not even get a spot, said Elizabeth Ludwig, a Ridley, Pennsylvania, native who became a full-time Diamond Beach resident nearly three decades ago.

Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera said at a recent commissioners meeting that he had sent a letter to Lower Township asking that officials there delay the paid-parking rollout and further study potential traffic-pattern changes.

The borough wasnt aware of Lower Townships intentions until news reports surfaced, the mayor said.

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Several Crest residents fear that metered parking could encourage beachgoers to search for free curbside parking in the borough, possibly leaving residents with limited parking options.

I think its safe to say nobody in this municipality was aware of it, Cabrera said. Id just like to slow things down a bit just to understand the impact on Wildwood Crest. We certainly cant stop Lower Township from doing what they want to do, but its certainly deserving of a table and further discussion.

Lower Township officials have ruled out changing the rules in response to residents concerns, Laffey said.

Mayor and council take a hard look at every ordinance that they pass, Laffey said.

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The new meters are a first for Lower Township, which estimates it will earn between $150,000 and $175,000 a year from paid parking in Diamond Beach.

Diamond Beach on Five Mile Island is among the Jersey Shores smallest sections, with only about 200 full-time residents, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Along with Shawcrest, its one of the townships only two areas that sit off the mainland at the southern tip of Cape May County.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Gov. Mikie Sherrills administration just launched a website designed to make it easier to track how New Jersey spends your tax dollars.

Its called the New Jersey Report Card, and it comes as Sherrill negotiates her first state budget with lawmakers.

The interactive site includes a dashboard that highlights the $60.7 billion budget proposal that Sherrill introduced last month. It also breaks down trends in how much state government departments have spent over the last decade.

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Sherrills full budget plan is 618 pages and, like many government documents, can be dense. The new site provides a basic overview of the proposal, with charts and graphics, showing how much Sherrill wants to spend on major items, such as school aid, public workers pensions, NJ Transit, and property-tax relief. It also provides information about programs for veterans, childcare, and families.

This is your government, Sherrill, a Democrat in her fourth month as governor, said during a news conference Thursday at the Statehouse in Trenton. You should be able to see what its doing with your money and what the services that youre paying for are delivering.

State Treasurer Aaron Binder said it sets a new model for the operation of state government in New Jersey.

The portal does not, however, give detailed breakdowns of what the money specifically pays for  at least right now. Critics also note it does not include parts of the budget where spending has not yet been specified or where spending is subject to state approval.

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Dave Cole, the states chief innovation officer, said the state plans to add more information to the dashboard over time to see how programs are performing.

The tool follows up on pledges Sherrill made during her campaign last year: to increase transparency, reduce red tape in government, and make New Jersey more affordable. Its also the result of an executive orders she signed after taking office on Jan. 20 to create a budget report card website.

Nicole Rodriguez, president of the think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective, praised the site as a great start in shining more light on government.

Sherrill, a former congresswoman, has vowed to rein in the state government, saying during her budget speech that her goal is to fix Trentons historic spending problem. She also said she wants to end previous administrations bad habit of tacking last-minute giveaways onto each budget." Critics sometimes call that pork or Christmas tree spending.

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The comments rankled some of Sherrills fellow Democrats, who have controlled the state Legislature for more than 20 years. Lawmakers say those added funds often go to worthwhile programs. Sherrill says the main focus is changing the 11th-hour process by which the money is added.

Sherrills budget plan includes about $2 million in cuts and reduces the states $3 billion structural deficit by nearly half. But its also larger than the current $58.8 billion budget that she inherited from former Gov. Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat. Republicans have chastised her for that.

Sherrill has said her proposal is the path to getting our fiscal house in order.

She and the Legislature must agree on a final budget by July 1, when the new fiscal year begins. The budget will be the blueprint for how the state government spends tax money through June 2027.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Operational excellence initiatives led to improved efficiency ratios, as the company successfully integrated acquisition costs and optimized staffing and technology resources.

Credit quality remains a primary differentiator, with management prioritizing disciplined underwriting and personal guarantees over high-yield, high-risk lending opportunities.

Revenue diversification remains a core focus, with fee-based income rising to 27% of total revenue, supported by mortgage servicing, title services, and SBA loan gains.

Strategic expansion into de novo markets like Napoleon, Ohio, and Angola, Indiana, exceeded aggressive goals, contributing $19 million in loans and $17 million in deposits within five months.

Management attributed significant organic growth to market disruption and consolidation among larger regional banks, allowing SB Financial to capture displaced client relationships.

Performance was anchored by the first full anniversary of the Marblehead acquisition, which has successfully stabilized the funding base and expanded the Northern Ohio footprint.

Management maintains a long-term strategic goal of scaling the franchise to a $2 billion balance sheet through a combination of organic growth and opportunistic M&A.

Loan growth is projected in the high single digits for the year, supported by urban expansion markets like Columbus and the planned conversion of the Ghana mortgage office into a full-service Columbus location by year-end.

Mortgage production is anticipated to increase by approximately 25% sequentially in Q2, with a full-year target range of $310 million to $350 million despite rate volatility.

Net interest margin is expected to expand by a few basis points in Q2 as the company deploys excess liquidity into higher-yielding loan production.
Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent said that student-loan borrowers should not count on forgiveness.

He reaffirmed the administration's focus on repayment as it implements sweeping changes.

Those changes include transferring millions of student-loan accounts to the Treasury.

A top education official has a message for millions of student-loan borrowers: Don't count on student-loan forgiveness.

During a conversation at the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute on Thursday, Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent said the administration's key focus is ensuring that borrowers are repaying their loans and have the tools they need to do so.

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"The first thing I would say to a borrower is, 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you were frustrated, and I'm sorry that you are confused about everything that has happened over the course of the last five or six years with regard to the federal student loan portfolio,'" Kent said.

He was referring to the Supreme Court's decision that struck down former President Joe Biden's attempt to forgive student loans broadly for federal borrowers, which he said added to borrowers' confusion.

"What we have been trying to do is explain to borrowers that loan forgiveness is not happening," Kent said.

While the Trump administration has been clear that repayment is its priority for borrowers, it's rare for an official to have wide-ranging conversations about recent policy changes and what's in store for borrowers; Kent discussed the elimination of the SAVE income-driven repayment plan, strategies to simplify student aid, and more.

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The intended focus of Thursday's conversation was the Department of Education's March announcement that it will be transferring millions of student-loan accounts to the Treasury Department, beginning with 9 million defaulted borrowers.

Kent said that "there is no better partner" than the Treasury to handle collections and manage the $1.7 trillion student-loan portfolio. He also recommended that borrowers at risk of default enroll in the new Repayment Assistance Plan that will become available in July.

However, education policy experts said that the new plan could stick borrowers with higher monthly bills, with some facing hundreds of dollars more. Additionally, former government officials said the shift to Treasury could complicate repayment efforts for defaulted borrowers.

The partnership with Treasury, in addition to looming repayment changes, is part of the Trump administration's broader goal to prioritize borrowers' ability to make their payments. In September 2025, the department announced it was expanding its ombudsman's office to focus on repayment tools, marking a shift from the Biden administration's focus on carrying out broad debt relief.

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"Being in default is not good for a borrower. It's not good for a taxpayer. It's affecting their credit score. It's making it harder for them to buy a house or lease an apartment or to sometimes rent a car," Kent said. "There are a multitude of tools that we have been working towards launching, or have launched to make it easier for borrowers get back into active repayment."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dozens of wildfires keep burning in Georgia and Florida, with weekend breezes and low humidity expected to extend dangerous conditions.

Fire crews, supported by firefighting aircraft, continue to fight two major fires as well as 32 new fires, with those new fires burning 50 acres, the Georgia Forestry Commission noted in a post on X on Saturday. One of the largest fires in Georgia, the Pineland Road Fire, burning since April 18, has grown to consume 31,976 acres near Fargo, Georgia, about 120 miles northeast of Tallahassee, Florida, and remains only 10% contained, the commission said.

The Highway 82 Fire, which began April 20 near Atkinson, Georgia, about 258 miles southeast of Atlanta, is estimated to have burned more than 7,567 acres and is also 10% contained, according to the commission. More than 500 forestry commission personnel were among those fighting the fires.

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The fires have led to unprecedented losses of homes, with dozens destroyed and more in danger, Gov. Brian Kemp said during a news conference on Friday, April 24.

Over the last 30 days, the state has had more than 800 reported wildfires, affecting more than 43,500 acres, Johnny Sabo, the director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, said during the news conference.

In Florida, the number of fires dropped slightly as of April 25, with 113 active fires burning 26,165 acres  down from 134 fires on April 24  according to the Florida Forest Service.

Firefighters are battling wildfires in two southeastern states, prompting officials in one to issue its first ever burn ban, authorities said on April 22. The blazes, created by "extreme drought," are burning across parts of southern Georgia and northeast Florida, forcing road closures and destroying homes and buildings in their path, officials said.



The Florida Forest Service works to contain an April 18, 2026, wildfire in Nassau County, Fla. A helicopter is used to carry water over a Nassau County, Fla., wildfire to douse it with on April 18, 2026. A wildfire spreads on April 17, 2026, in Putnam County, Fla. A haze hangs over Washington Road in Augusta, Ga., April 22, 2026. Richmond and Columbia County have been placed under a burn ban as a large wildfire continues in South Georgia. Aerial view of the smoke caused by wildfires in Clay County, Fla., April 21, 2026. A Clay County, Fla., wildfire spreads over 4,000 acres April 21, 2026. A Brantley County, Georgia, wildfire has caused evacuations and destroyed homes as crews continue to battle it April 22, 2026. A mandatory burn ban was in effect in dozens of Georgia counties on April 22, 2026 as firefighter continue to battle wildfires across the state and in portions of Florida. Woods are ablaze in Nassau County on April 18, 2026. Photos show impact of wildfires across Georgia and Florida 1 of 9 Firefighters are battling wildfires in two southeastern states, prompting officials in one to issue its first ever burn ban, authorities said on April 22. The blazes, created by "extreme drought," are burning across parts of southern Georgia and northeast Florida, forcing road closures and destroying homes and buildings in their path, officials said.



The Florida Forest Service works to contain an April 18, 2026, wildfire in Nassau County, Fla.

Murder charges: Man charged with 2 murders after roommate, a USF student, found dead

See map of wildfires in Georgia

See map of wildfires in Florida

Weather forecast says 'fire activity is going to remain extremely high'

Exceptional drought conditions exist in most of southeast Georgia and inland portions of northeast Florida, with drought conditions extending to north-central Florida, the National Weather Service said Saturday. The region has elevated fire weather conditions for Saturday, along with Dense Smoke and Dense Fog advisories.

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Possible scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms were forecast for Saturday night, with scattered thunderstorms into the week and through Thursday, April 30.

However, the areas with the most damaging fires are expected to get less rain, according to AccuWeather forecasts.

"Unfortunately, we believe that fire activity is going to remain extremely high throughout the weekend," Kemp said. "Really we need (a) change in the weather."

Lightning from thunderstorms could actually spark new fires, Kemp said.

Long-term, the region needs a lot of rain to offset the drought conditions, which have been worsened by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last fall having created a fuel bed of drought-parched timber and brush in the region's swamps. "It's 90% organic material and it will burn for months and months," Sabo said.

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"It is going to take eight to ten inches of rain before we can walk away from these fires. So we have a very long way to go," Sabo said.

A firefighter uses a hose to blast a hot spot from the Brantley Highway 82 Fire on April 24, 2026 in Atkinson, Georgia. The wildfire is one of many burning in the southeastern United States.

Officials say wildfire started when a balloon hit a power line

With drought conditions, it doesn't take much to start a fire. Investigators determined that the Highway 82 fire, also called the Brantley County fire, began when a party balloon, coated with aluminum, landed on a transmission line, triggering an electrical spark that ignited surrounding vegetation, officials said.

The Pineland Road fire was touched off by a stray spark from a welding operation that fell to the forest floor, they said.

Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties due to the wildfires. Multiple counties across Florida and Georgia have enacted burn bans, according to the Florida Forest Service and the Georgia Forestry Commission. The burn bans mark Georgia's first-ever.

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Contributing: Julia Gomez and Reuters.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See maps of Georgia, Florida wildfires amid historic damage
The elite US Air Force Thunderbirds have landed at Travis Air Force Base, setting the stage for a high-flying spectacle as the Wings Over Solano air show takes off this weekend.

Gates open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with the Thunderbirds headlining the event through their signature high-speed, precision aerial formations, a major draw expected to pull in large crowds.

The Wings Over Solano air show takes off this weekend. 60th Air Mobility Wing

The two-day event will feature performances by the USAF Glider and USAF Academy Wings of Blue parachute teams. 60th Air Mobility Wing

With turnout projected to be heavy, officials are urging visitors to plan ahead.

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The Fairfield Police Department has already issued a traffic advisory, warning of congestion around the base and outlining strict entry procedures.

All public access will funnel through the Hospital Gate via Air Base Parkway.

Meanwhile, the Main Gate and North Gate are off-limits to anyone without Department of Defense identification.

With turnout projected to be heavy, officials are urging visitors to plan ahead. 60th Air Mobility Wing

Gates open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with the Thunderbirds headlining the event. 60th Air Mobility Wing

Drivers should also note a firm cutoff: inbound traffic will be shut down at 3:30 p.m. each day, with no exceptions.

Security will be tight.

Every adult 18 and older must present valid identification and undergo screening before entering.

To ease the expected gridlock, organizers are offering free electric shuttle rides from the FairfieldVacaville train station starting at 9 a.m., with return trips kicking off at 5 p.m.



Attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive early or skip the car altogether.

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Ahead of the show, the Thunderbirds made a different kind of appearance Friday, trading roaring engines for quiet inspiration inside Vacaville High Schools packed library.

Every seat was filled as students listened to team members speak about discipline, purpose, and opportunity.

Among them was Maj. Josh Burris, call sign Shadow, who flies the No. 2 jet, one of the most demanding positions in the teams famously tight formations.

He opened by explaining that the Thunderbirds mission stretches far beyond dazzling crowds at air shows.



Students will now get to see that mission in action this weekend, when the team takes to the skies over Travis Air Force Base.

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The Trump administration is putting the job of handling millions of overdue student loans into the hands of the Treasury Department  a massive responsibility that agency officials have resisted for years.

Education Department officials recently announced plans to gradually move the nearly $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department, a major escalation in President Donald Trumps efforts to shut down the education agency.

Student loans in default will be the first piece of the portfolio to be moved over, with the Education Department arguing that Treasury is best suited to handle them because of its history of collecting other federal debts. But current and former federal student aid officials say Treasury has more experience with forced-collection tactics, like seizing wages to repay loans, and is not well-versed in the more flexible options available to student loan borrowers to get out of debt and repair their credit.

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That shift could eventually create new financial pain for the 10 million borrowers already in default, which can tank a persons credit score at a time when the price of gasoline, housing, food and other essentials continues to rise.

Its also a responsibility that Treasury officials have tried to swat away since the first Trump administration, according to one current and three former officials with the Education Departments federal student aid office.

Treasury told us, in no uncertain terms, that they did not want to have anything to do with it, said Wayne Johnson, the chief operating officer at Federal Student Aid during the first Trump administration. They didn't have the capacity to handle the collections, and they certainly had no understanding about the concepts of basically resolving a default or a delinquency. They were in the business of very intense, hardcore collections.

A major concern inside the agencies revolves around the fact that Treasury doesnt have experience with a key part of the job held by the Education Department: reaching repayment deals that borrowers can manage while also helping to repair their credit. This process is known as account rehabilitation.

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Treasury will do an unbelievably good job at draconian collections, Johnson said earlier this month. What theyre not prepared to do because they never had to do it before  and theyre not even thinking about it  is account rehabilitation.

Education Undersecretary Nicholas Kent said he is working with Treasury to modernize the rehabilitation process at an event at the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday. He said the two agencies are thinking about how they could automate the process and use AI to give the borrower a better experience, but didnt elaborate on how the department plans to do that or a timeline.

He credited Treasury with coming up with the idea, saying it will give borrowers another avenue to get into good financial standing.

We want to make sure that we're giving students the tools to be able to rehabilitate their loans, Kent said. While we have tools like administrative wage garnishment and Treasury offset  which the Treasury Department is very good at using  we want to make sure that we don't start with those tools.

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Ellen Keast, an Education Department spokesperson, said the portfolio has been poorly managed for decades, something the Trump administration is looking to change.

The Trump Administration is committed to getting it in better shape by entrusting the experts at Treasury to provide better oversight and implementing President Trumps Working Families Tax Cuts Act that will simplify student loan repayment and provide long overdue consistency and clarity to borrowers, Keast said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Education Secretary Linda McMahon noted her agencys frustrations in getting people to pay up.

During the previous administration, I think the whole repayment of loan issues became just so confusing.  People just stopped paying, she said, noting the Education Department had paused its collection efforts.

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The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Treasury is partnering with the Education Department to take on this new responsibility as part of Trumps efforts to dismantle the Education Department. Although Congress needs to approve the shuttering of the agency, the Trump administration has pursued an incremental approach in the interim by shifting education responsibilities to other federal departments using interagency agreements.

This wouldnt be the first time the two agencies have partnered.

The Education and Treasury departments launched what was supposed to be a two-year pilot study in 2015. One year in, Treasury only completed rehabilitation for eight borrowers out of a pool of 5,729. That pilot may presage some of the challenges involved in the latest Trump administration effort, noting that student loans in default differ significantly from other federal debts managed by Treasury and are very difficult to resolve.

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Its unclear if a final report on the pilot was ever issued.

Under the latest interagency agreement, the Education and Treasury departments will work with a private contractor, which was not the case for the pilot. This time around, Treasury will be overseeing some of the work instead of doing it themselves.

Since the findings of that initial pilot, Treasurys resources have only been scaled back.

The Education Department has said Treasurys Bureau of the Fiscal Service is ideally positioned to improve the federal student loan program, but that office has 39 percent fewer staff compared to 2024, according to U.S. Office of Personnel Management data.

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Treasury has also been tasked with a growing list of assignments, including developing rules and guidance for the new federal tax credit aimed at boosting school choice, which was passed as part of the GOPs sweeping domestic policy law last year.

Treasury officials likely did not decide to add student loans to their list of responsibilities on their own, said Colleen Campbell, who served in multiple director and manager roles at FSA during the Biden administration and early into the second Trump administration.

In order to get two agencies to work together with a level of coordination, it is very likely that there needs to be very high up political intervention, Campbell, who is now a senior associate partner at Bellwether, an education consulting firm.

The move will ultimately force Treasury into a role it wasnt built for, Aaron Klein, a former deputy assistant secretary for economic policy at the Treasury Department from 2009 to 2012.

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Generally, the agency advises the federal government on economic and financial issues and enforcing federal finance and tax laws. For the most part, it doesnt run lending programs, with few exceptions that are much smaller and less complicated than the student loan portfolio, he said.

Within the Department of Education, student lending is a core function  within Treasury it will be an ancillary appendage, said Klein, who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a left-leaning D.C. think tank. Generally, organizations prioritize things within their mission and deprioritize ancillary appendages.

It is also not clear which contractor Treasury will be working with for the long term.

The Education Department has an existing contract with Maximus to service student loans in default that is set to expire in July. The Education and Treasury departments did not respond to questions about whether they intend to extend or renew the contract.

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Now, there are a lot more questions than answers about how the two agencies plan to implement the move, said Sarah Sattelmeyer, a senior adviser in Bidens Education Department. She points to public documents that indicated Treasury is also seeking input from the industry to get a sense of what potential bidders have experience collecting on overdue student loans.

This shows Treasury is still thinking through this, Sattelmeyer said.

But the most critical thing the two agencies can do right now is to come up with a plan to help people get on plans to start regularly repaying their debts before forced collection efforts start again, said Sattelmeyer who is now a project director at New America, a left-leaning think tank.

We should be trying to get as many people out of default as possible while involuntary collections are paused, Sattelmeyer said.
Donald Trump may be glad Robert Mueller is dead. But the presidents effort to exorcise the ghosts of Russiagate is more alive than ever.

In recent weeks and months, the president and administration officials have zeroed in on people involved in the yearslong investigation into Russias efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and the Trump campaigns ties to Moscow.

This past weekend, the Justice Department hired Joe diGenova, the pitbull lawyer whose firm took on clients in Muellers investigation  and nearly represented Trump  to help pursue Trumps former pursuers. And Trump has spent the last week urging House Republicans to extend the FBIs intelligence collection authority, even as he renewed attacks against former officials for using that authority to investigate his allies in 2016.

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Then there was the abrupt $1.25 million settlement between the Trump administration and Carter Page, the 2016 Trump campaign adviser who found himself at the epicenter of a court-ordered surveillance scandal that has resonated for years. Those developments followed a similar settlement between DOJ and former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, whose guilty plea for lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia in 2016 helped ignite the broader investigation.

In September, Trump ordered up the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, handpicking the prosecutor who would ultimately try to bring the ill-fated indictment.

And in recent days, the Justice Department appears to have slammed on the accelerator to bring charges against John Brennan, the Obama-era head of the CIA and a vocal Trump critic.

In short, whats old is new again and another Trump truism, circa 2015, prevails: When people treat me unfairly, I dont let them forget.

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The Russia Hoax was one of the greatest political scandals in American history and a clear attempt to subvert the will of the American people," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said. "The American people should always remember every single person who was involved in this sick hoax, including many in the mainstream media who uncritically amplified the Democrats perverse narrative.

One added twist: the Russia redux is taking place against the backdrop of another favorite Trump technique: an Apprentice-style jockeying to lead a Justice Department in flux following the ouster of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trumps former personal lawyer who is holding the AG role on an acting basis, has moved quickly to slake Trumps thirst for vengeance on multiple fronts.

Blanche wanted it known that one of his first moves after Bondis departure was to hire diGenova, with DOJ aides forcefully rebuttinga conservative reporters assertion that Blanche had blocked diGenovas appointment for a year.

Enough with the clickbait,the DOJ rapid response X account posted, adding a clown emoji for good measure. Blanche also posed for photos with diGenova and posted one on social media, adding Welcome to the fight, Joe!

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But speaking to reporters this week, Blanche was vague about the remit for the 81-year-old diGenova, who served as a U.S. Attorney under President Ronald Reagan. He's been in this business for decades, and when we had the opportunity to ask him to join the team and help, we readily did, Blanche said.

The fate of the effort to revisit Russiagate remains murky. An initial rush to the grand jury in Washington, D.C. appears to have faltered, with subpoenas reportedly withdrawn and a slower interview process underway.
Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by US officials to Pakistan for talks on the Iran war on Saturday, shortly after Tehran's delegation had left Islamabad.

The US president said special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would be wasting "too much time", adding that if Iran wanted to talk "all they have to do is call".

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi held talks with mediator Pakistan, saying afterwards he had shared Iran's position on ending the war but was yet to see whether the US was "truly serious about diplomacy".

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Diplomatic efforts have stalled despite Trump's extension of a ceasefire that had been due to expire on 22 April to allow talks to continue.

Both sides have been locked in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran restricting passage through the key shipping route in the wake of the US and Israel commencing strikes in February, as well as over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The US has since increased its naval presence in the strait - through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passes - to block Iranian oil exports.

The White House had said the Iranians "want to talk" when the trip was announced on Friday, but Iran said there were no plans for a direct meeting.

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Trump said the ceasefire would hold on Saturday despite hopes of another round of face-to-face talks fading.

Asked whether the cancelled US trip meant the war would resume, he told news site Axios: "No, it doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

Announcing the trip had been called off on Saturday, Trump said there was "tremendous infighting and confusion" within Iran's leadership and that "nobody knows who is in charge, including them".

He wrote on his Truth Social platform: "Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"

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The White House said on Friday that US Vice-President JD Vance had been "on standby" to join the talks had they proved successful.

He had led the US delegation in the first round of talks earlier this month and his absence from the initial planned delegation perhaps signalled that a major breakthrough was not expected.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian previously said Tehran remained open to talks but that "breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations".

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari (L) met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (R) in Islamabad [Reuters]

Pakistan has mediated contact between the two sides in recent weeks, including talks between senior US and Iranian officials on 11 April that ended without agreement.

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Araghchi, whose trip also includes visits to Oman and Russia, wrote in a post on X that his visit to Pakistan had been "fruitful".

He added that he had "shared Iran's position concerning [a] workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran", but said he had "yet to see if US is truly serious about diplomacy".

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif said that the pair had shared "a most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation".

Araghchi is expected to return to Islamabad after visiting Oman, according to Iranian state media.

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Washington's opposition to Iran gaining nuclear weapons was cited as a reason for instigating the current conflict, with the US and Israel suspecting Tehran of seeking to develop an atomic bomb.

Tehran has always denied any such intentions, saying its nuclear programme was intended for energy generation, despite having enriched uranium up to near weapons-grade level.

Elsewhere, at least four people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to the country's state news agency. The Israeli military said Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel.

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Despite a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, both sides have continued to exchange fire in recent weeks and have accused one another of violating the agreement.

On Saturday, a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military had been ordered to "vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon".

More on this story
April 25 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has canceled the trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, in which Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were planning to meet with Iranian officials.

"I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18-hour flight to go there," Fox News' White House correspondent Aishah Hasnie reported the president said. "We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing."

The two were scheduled to fly to Pakistan Saturday to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the White House confirmed Friday.

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But Iranian state news agency IRNA said that no meeting had been scheduled.

Araghchi landed in Islamabad on Friday night for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, Axios reported. A Pakistani official told Axios that the meeting was expected to focus on relaunching negotiations with the Trump administration.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has departed Islamabad and is on his way to Muscat, Oman, CBS News reported.

Earlier this month, Vice President JD Vance traveled with Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran, but the negotiations failed. The war in Iran has continued since the first attack by the United States in late February. The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil corridor, has been closed by Iran and the United States since the war began.
President Donald Trump touched on a number of random topics during two separate White House events on Thursday afternoon.

Trump spoke with reporters during two Oval Office events, in which he referenced Martin Luther King Jr., weighed a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines and boasted about his ballroom. He also lashed out at a female reporter for asking when the Iran war will end and also raised speculation about whether he fell asleep.

The event sparked widespread reaction on social media, with many pundits criticizing the presidents long-winded answers about the Iran war and his construction projects.

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Here are the most memorable moments from the two events that have the internet talking.

Trump says he had bigger crowds than MLK Jr.

Trump announced new renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during the first Oval Office event on Thursday. He spoke about the ongoing renovations, which include a new blue coating on the bottom of the pool, for about 10 minutes despite no one asking any questions about it.

He noted that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous I have a dream speech at the reflecting pool in 1963. He said that King delivered his speech to a crowd of one million people, but claimed his audience at a Fourth of July event during his first term drew even more people.

Thats where Martin Luther King gave his great speech. And he had a million people, and I had the same exact crowd, maybe a little bit more, but they said I had 25,000 people, Trump said.

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I had pictures of Martin Luther Kings crowd. My crowd. Its the exact same everything, but it was 70 years difference. The exact same crowd, but I actually had more people, but thats OK, he added.

Kings speech had an audience of about 250,000, according to historical estimates, while Trumps 2019 event drew a much smaller crowd.

Trump wishes for White House ballroom ahead of King Charles visit

Trump again complained about the White House not having a grand ballroom to host lavish events. His ballroom project, which demolished the East Wing last year, has been delayed as it faces legal challenges.

He said he wished the ballroom was built in time for King Charles visit to the U.S. next week.

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Were having King Charles come. Hes a friend of mine. Were really looking forward to it. Weve spoken and its were gonna have a great time, Trump said.

If I had that ballroom built, it would be filled. I wish we had more seats. You know, theyve wanted a new ballroom for 150 years. Now, theyre getting the best in the world. Were gonna have the best in the world. But you know, we have little room thats not big enough to handle what would be a big crowd, he added.

A federal judge ordered last month that the administration halt construction of the $400 million ballroom, writing that Trump is not the owner of the White House.

Trump calls female reporter a disgrace over Iran war question

During an event in the Oval Office, a reporter asked Trump what his message was to Americans facing higher gas prices as the war approaches its two-month mark. Trump responded by attacking the reporter before bizarrely talking about the Vietnam War.

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Youre such a disgrace. So you know what I just said: Vietnam. How many years was Vietnam? How many years was Vietnam? he asked the reporter, who continued to ask the president her question.

Social media questions whether Trump fell asleep

A video clip of Trump leaning over the Resolute Desk with his eyes closed went viral on social media platform X, sparking concerns over whether the president actually fell asleep during the event. This is hardly the first time speculation has swirled over whether Trump, 79, has trouble staying awake during official events.

Journalist Aaron Rupar, who shared the video clip of Trump with his eyes closed, said the president was about to hit REM on camera during an Oval Office event, adding its just incredible.

Trump floats plan to buy, sell Spirit Airlines

During a second event on Thursday afternoon, Trump suggested that the U.S. government might buy Spirit Airlines, which is on the verge of bankruptcy.

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He said Spirit Airlines has had some trouble in recent years.

We just buy it. Wed be getting it virtually debt free. Theres some good aircraft that good assets, and when the price of the oil goes down, sell it for a profit. Id love to be able to save those jobs. Id love to be able to save an airline, he said.

I like having a lot of airlines, so its competitive. So we are looking at Spirit. Its in bankruptcy court, and were looking, if we could get it for the right price, Id do it to save the jobs, he added.

Spirit has struggled with losses for years. The airline filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2024 and again in August 2025.

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With the Iran war driving up jet fuel costs for all airlines, creditors earlier this month expressed doubts about Spirits ongoing viability, raising the possibility the airline recognized for its bright yellow planes would be forced to sell its assets and cease operating.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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ISLAMABAD (AP)  The latest ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran appeared to fail Saturday before they began, as Tehran's top diplomat left Pakistan and President Donald Trump soon afterward said he had told envoys not to travel to Islamabad.

The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the U.S., led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the U.S. after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Iran's war grip on the Strait of Hormuz waterway.

If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!! Trump said on social media, adding: Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! The White House on Friday said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to Islamabad.

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Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Shared Irans position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy, Araghchi later said on social media.

Another ceasefire, between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, was shaken Saturday as each side fired at the other and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon."

Iran had said any talks would be indirect

Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. It has paused most fighting, but the economic fallout is growing two months into the war as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies are disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Both sides have continued to make military threats. Irans joint military command on Saturday warned that if the U.S. continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy it will face a strong response."

Even before Saturdays developments, Irans foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and that Pakistani officials would convey messages. In Pakistan, Araghchi met with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Irans red lines for negotiations.

Araghchi went on to Oman, a mediator in talks before the war and the country on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign minister will visit Pakistan again on Sunday before visiting Russia, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Trump later told journalists that within 10 minutes of him canceling the envoys' trip to Pakistan, Iran sent a much better" proposal, with no details. He stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

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Contentious points in talks include Irans enriched uranium and the standoff on the Strait of Hormuz as well as concerns about Irans missile program and its support for armed proxies in the region.

Tehran has noted that indirect talks with the U.S. last year and early this year over its nuclear program, the issue long at the center of tensions, ended with Iran being attacked by the U.S. and Israel, adding to its wariness.

The standoff around the strait continues

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is nearly 50% higher than when the war began because of Iran's grip on the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

Iran attacked three ships this week, while the U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines.

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Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country was sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the strait once hostilities end.

Also Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehrans international airport for the first time since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. Flights were scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Omans capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina, according to state-run television.

A growing toll even as ceasefires hold

Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,496 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.

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But Israel struck southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing at least six people it aid were Hezbollah militants, and several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region and six members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

___

Ahmed reported from Islamabad and Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Bassem Mroue in Beirut; and Will Weissert in Washington contributed.
President Donald Trump gave his Truth Social followers a glimpse into the possible future of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in DC, but he couldnt seem to do it without mentioning former President Barack Obama.

At 9:20 a.m. Saturday, Trump posted two images of the reflecting pool side by side.

TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

The first image shows the pool with dull-colored water covered in algae. That image is labeled Hussein Obama, a nod to the former presidents middle name, often invoked by his opponents to suggest, falsely, that he is a Muslim.

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The second image is identical (note the position of the clouds in the sky and ducks on the water), except the water color has been altered to a more vibrant blue and no algae is visible. That image is labeled Trump.

Trump announced Thursday that he was having the reflecting pool renovated, including coating its surface in American flag blue and repairing leaks.

Workers begin to coat Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in what Trump called "American flag blue" on Friday. AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

I have a guy whos unbelievable at doing swimming pools up the road, Trump said, estimating the project would cost $1.5 to $2 million.

His Saturday morning post appeared to reference pool renovations undertaken during Obamas second term, which led to major algae issues at the historic landmark.

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Read the original on HuffPost
She thought she was doing the fair thing.

After retiring at 62 with about $780,000 saved across her 401(k) and IRA, "Linda" sold her condo and moved into her partner's home, a three-bedroom house he had purchased years before they met.

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They agreed to split everything down the middle. Groceries, utilities, insurance and the mortgage.

Now, she's starting to wonder whether that fairness comes at a cost. Is she quietly paying into an asset she may never own?

A clean split, on paper

On the surface, the arrangement feels simple and reasonable.

Her partner, "Mark", still works part-time and is the sole owner of the home. He refinanced a few years ago and carries a $320,000 mortgage with a monthly payment of about $2,200. Linda contributes $1,100 toward that mortgage, along with roughly $1,200 more each month for shared expenses like groceries, utilities, insurance and property taxes.

Altogether, she's spending about $2,300 per month, a figure that fits within her Social Security retirement income (1) and modest portfolio withdrawals. For her, the arrangement was about independence and fairness. She didn't want to feel like she was living off someone else, and splitting costs evenly felt like a clean solution.

Mark, however, is in a different financial position. He continues to earn income, has his own retirement savings, and, most importantly, holds full ownership of the home. His name is the only one on the mortgage and the title.

They've talked about marriage, but for now, everything remains informal. There's no written agreement, no shared ownership structure and no legal framework backing up their financial arrangement.

That's where things start to get complicated.

Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Start investing with just $10

The hidden cost of paying a mortgage you don't own

Here's the part many people overlook: contributing to a mortgage does not automatically create ownership.

If Linda's name isn't on the title, her payments toward a home's principal technically reduce the mortgage balance for the titled owner, but they don't automatically create legal equity rights for her. Though most states have equitable distribution laws (2) that may consider documented financial contributions in divorce proceedings, without written agreements and documentation, unmarried partner's payments are often treated more like rent.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  Authorities in Tunisia have ordered a one-month suspension of the Tunisian League for Human Rights, one of the oldest rights groups in Africa and the Arab world and part of the National Dialogue Quartet awarded the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize, in the latest move raising concerns over a widening crackdown on civil society.

The league confirmed the suspension in a statement late Friday, warning that the decision amounted to a serious and arbitrary violation of freedom of association and a direct assault on one of Tunisias key democratic gains.

President Kais Saied has often cited foreign funding, which rights groups sometimes rely on, as a threat to Tunisia, using it to fuel a populist narrative and accuse his political opponents and social justice activists of being foreign agents and stirring unrest at home.

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This measure cannot be seen in isolation from a broader context in the country marked by increasing systematic pressure on civil society and independent voices, the group said, adding that it would challenge what it called an unjust decision in court while continuing to defend victims of rights violations without discrimination.

The suspension follows a series of similar measures targeting rights groups in the North African country, where courts last year ordered multiple prominent NGOs to halt activities for a month, including organizations focused on migrants and womens rights.

The decision comes as journalist Zied El-Heni was placed under 48-hour detention over a Facebook post, amid a broader pattern of arrests and legal pressure targeting critics.

Mohamed Yassine Jlassi, a former president of the Tunisian journalists union SNJT, told The Associated Press on the sidelines of a protest in Tunis on Friday that hundreds of people are being detained over speech-related charges, including social media posts.

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Repression has come to affect everyone. Journalism has become a crime, civil society work has become a crime, political opposition has been criminalized, he said.

People now increasingly find themselves facing arbitrary prosecutions without the bare minimum guarantees of a fair trial.

Meanwhile, the investigative outlet Inkyfada faces a court hearing on May 11, as authorities pursue the dissolution of Al Khatt, the association that publishes it.

The group said in a statement that it disputes the legal basis of the case and says the claims cited by the government have not been examined by Tunisian courts since 2024.

These developments add to growing concerns among rights advocates over restrictions on independent media, civil society and any dissenting voices under Saied, who has consolidated power since 2021 and has increasingly targeted groups he repeatedly accuses of receiving foreign funding to stir unrest and destabilize Tunisias national interests.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) broke ranks Thursday morning and voted against a budget resolution that could set the stage for ending the two-month shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Murkowski, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, opposed the budget resolution because it would lay the groundwork for passing a budget reconciliation package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for 3 1/2 years  effectively taking those two key agencies out of the annual congressional appropriations process.

Murkowski supports funding those critical immigration enforcement agencies, but she didnt like that they would be largely removed from the congressional process of appropriating funds on an annual basis and conducting oversight.

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Paul voted against the budget resolution after raising concerns about spending another $70 billion on ICE and Border Patrol when those agencies are still sitting on more than $100 billion in unobligated funding enacted in last years One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Paul offered an amendment to offset the cost of new funding for ICE by cutting $5 billion from refugee welfare programs, cutting $4 billion from the National Science Foundation and shrinking the Department of Education by 16 percent.

Congress ought to fund border security, but we should be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars and fully pay for the $70 billion to secure our borders, Paul said on the floor.

The fiscally hawkish Republican raised concerns last year about the more than $170 billon the One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocated for border security and immigration enforcement, questioning whether such a large sum was justified.

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The budget resolution still had enough votes to be adopted, 50-48.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) expressed his hope early Thursday that the House would be able to adopt the Senate budget resolution without any changes, warning that it would delay passage of a budget reconciliation package if the underlying budget resolution had to come back to the Senate for another round of votes.

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 US military has conducted another strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people, US Southern Command has said.

Southern Command, whose area of responsibility includes South America, Central America and the Caribbean, announced the strike in a post on X on Friday.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the officials said.

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The incident is the latest in a series of US strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats since the Trump administration launched its campaign in September.

Southern Command said "two male narco-terrorists" were killed in the action, and no US military forces were harmed.

"On April 24, at the direction of [Southern Command] commander Gen Francis L Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations," the unit said in its post on X.

The unit also shared a video showing what appeared to be a small fishing boat being struck, causing a large explosion that left the vessel in flames.

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Under the Trump administration, US forces have launched dozens of strikes on boats they say are part of a large-scale operation to ferry drugs into the US.

More than 180 people have been killed in strikes since September, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.

But the military has not provided evidence that the attacked boats were carrying drugs or drug smugglers, sparking criticism of the operation and questions around its legality.

Some legal experts have argued that the strikes could violate international law by targeting civilians without offering them due process.

The Trump administration has said the killings are lawful. In a statement to Congress last year, the White House said US President Donald Trump had "determined" that the US was in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that crews of drug-running boats were "combatants".

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The frequency of the strikes has lessened since US forces in January seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the Trump administration has accused of participating in narco-terrorism schemes, which Maduro has previously denied.
A chapter of a far-left organization at the University of California, Berkeley's law school capped off a Palestinian Political Prisoners Day earlier this week with a message from a failed suicide car bomber jailed in Israel for eight years.

UC Berkeley Law Students for Justice Palestine shared a video on its Instagram account from convicted attempted car bomber Israa Jaabis, who thanked her western counterparts for supporting her cause.

"Firstly, I would like to thank [the students] for their attentiveness, for listening with their hearts," Jaabis said, according to English translated subtitles attached to the video.

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"For many reasons, even their attendance is enough to make us feel  as liberated Palestinian prisoners  that there is someone who cares about us."

Israa Jaabis, a Palestinian woman who spent eight years in Israeli prisons with severe burns, spoke about her captivity and freedom at the third International Al-Aqsa Women's Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, Nov. 7, 2025. (Getty Images)

Far-left University Of Chicago Professor Charged With Violent Felonies During Anti-ice Riots In Broadview

Jaabis was jailed in Israel from 2015 to 2023 after attempting to set off a car bomb during a traffic stop. The incident occurred near an area where Israeli soldiers would often gather and attempt to hitchhike. Both Jaabis and an Israeli officer, Moshe Chen, were severely burned during the terror attack.

Read On The Fox News App

While in prison, Jaabis made headlines for demanding cosmetic surgery on her badly scarred face. She was released in November 2023 in a prisoner exchange as the Israeli government attempted to free hostages taken by Hamas militants in the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack.

Palestinian prisoner Israa Jaabis arrives at her home in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem Nov. 26, 2023, after being released from Israeli jails in a prisoner exchange with Hamas.

University Of Chicago Condemns Violence But Dodges Questions About Professor Arrested In Anti-ice Riots

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"There are those who are in solidarity with us, those who support us and do not abandon us," Jaabis said in the video.

"Your attendance  in particular as law students  makes us hopeful that there remains some humanity, that there is someone to support us in the future, delivering our message to the international community and amplifying our call to liberate Palestinian prisoners, as well as to liberate societies from servitude and from bigotry which produces populations complicit in perpetrating inhumane laws."

Critics on X blasted both the event organizers and UC Berkeley.

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"Berkeley being a leftist cesspool is not something that should surprise you," said one X user.

"Muslims must be laughing at the insane stupidity of the 'enlightened' useful idiots here in the West," said another.

"This stuff keeps me up at night. I don't understand how the world just rewrites morality to fit it's political agenda," said another.

A spokesperson for UC Berkeley Law said the school's hands were tied.

Pro-Palestinian protesters set up a tent encampment during a demonstration in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif., on April 22, 2024.

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"As a public university, UC Berkeley has a non-discretionary obligation to abide by and support the First Amendment in a completely content neutral manner," Alex Shapiro, assistant dean of communications, said. "We do not have the legal ability to sanction or censor constitutionally protected expression.

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"However, as UC Berkeley has repeatedly informed the student body, if any campus community member feels threatened, they are encouraged to contact the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination. OPHD provides support to those harmed, investigates all allegations, and the campus takes appropriate steps following any findings."





Original article source: UC Berkeley slammed after anti-Israel group hosts failed suicide bomber as guest event speaker: 'cesspool'
April 24 - The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts worth up to $3.2 billion to 12 companies to develop space-based missile defense interceptor systems, advancing U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome plan.

Golden Dome, expected to cost $185 billion, envisions expanding ground-based defenses such as interceptor missiles, sensors and command-and-control systems while adding space-based elements to detect, track and potentially counter incoming threats from orbit.

These would include advanced satellite networks and still-debated orbital weaponry.

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The Space Force granted initial prototype agreements to develop space-based interceptors capable of neutralizing missile threats shortly after launch, marking a significant shift in U.S. missile defense strategy.

Unlike existing ground-based systems, the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program deploys weapons in orbit, enabling the U.S. military to engage and destroy threats earlier in their flight path.

In late 2025 and early 2026, Space Force's Space Systems Command awarded 20 agreements to companies including SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Anduril, with a potential combined award value of up to $3.2 billion to "ensure the government maintains contracting flexibility to award to the best provider," according to a statement from the Space Force.

The program aims to develop a space-based missile defense interceptor system that will demonstrate an integrated capability within the Golden Dome for America architecture by 2028.

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The Space Force also awarded about half a dozen small Golden Dome contracts to build competing missile defense prototypes, kicking off a race for future deals worth tens of billions of dollars, Reuters reported in November.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
On the Friday, April 24, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: The latest news in the redistricting arms race between Republicans and Democrats saw voters narrowly approve a new map in Virginia that could advantage the Dems by up to four new seats. USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey joins The Excerpt to share his insights.

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

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Dana Taylor:

The latest news in the redistricting arms race between Republicans and Democrats saw voters narrowly approve a new map in Virginia that could advantage the Dems by up to four new seats. Although there's an injunction on that election. If it is certified, that would bring the total number of states with new district maps heading into the midterms up to seven. But Republicans may have more cards to play with a several seat advantage possible in Trump's home state of Florida. Stepping back, could the midterm results end up being a referendum on tactics rather than politics?

Hello and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Friday, April 24th, 2026. Join me now to discuss what comes next in this national redistricting battle for the House as USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Philip M. Bailey. Philip, it's always great to speak with you.

Phillip M. Bailey:

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Hey, how are you?

Dana Taylor:

I'm great. Thank you. Philip, we talked about the role redistricting was playing in state elections last November, but I think it's worth revisiting now following Virginia Democrats successful bid to redraw their congressional district map. What was your biggest takeaway from that election last Tuesday?

Phillip M. Bailey:

Well, look, President Trump started this fight, but he certainly, I think, won't be finishing it. Democrats, and perhaps because of their progressive base really urging them to get into the fight and not be on the sidelines as much. This gerrymandering war that he started, he's losing at this point.

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Remember, this started last year when the president urged Texas lawmakers and the legislature there to take on a mid-decade redistricting, which is a very unusual move. So they basically had their state redo their maps, and I believe he arm-twisted other Republican-led states, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and such. And look, Democrats basically said, "We're going to fight fire with fire." And they undertook the same tactic in California and now most recently in Virginia.

What this looks like now, Dana, is that while Republicans have added about nine seats according to trackers overall and those across those different states, it looks like Democrats are going to add about 10.

Now, look, the Virginia situation, their referendum is already in the courts. It's already being challenged legally, much of the same way that Proposition 50 in California was. But the big takeaway from this is that President Trump's tactic here seems to be backfiring. And you're already seeing some Republicans in the House and other officials and thinkers in the Republican Party arguing against this saying, maybe this wasn't a great idea, maybe we should not escalate this fight. So looks like President Trump's overall war here that he started as far as gerrymandering is concerned is backfiring.

Dana Taylor:

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Now let's turn to my state, Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has already called a special legislative session to consider a new congressional map. What does Florida's process look like and would it possibly be challenged in courts?

Phillip M. Bailey:

Look, Governor DeSantis, a former presidential candidate himself, he's facing immense pressure from the White House and Congressional Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, to go forward with a special session down in Florida to redo their maps as well, which could add anywhere between three to five seats. It should be added right now that Florida's 28 congressional district seats, about 20 of them are already held by Republicans similar to in Virginia where they have a majority Democratic delegation, which was go from six seats to five seats, I think to 10 to one for Democrats in Virginia. So here is that, look, Republicans could add three to five seats in Florida. They already have 20 of those seats.

Now, Governor DeSantis seems to have waffled a bit, maybe showing some concerns from other Republicans and that he delayed the call for the special session for about a week. It was House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, leader of the Democrats who used some pretty subtle explicit language saying that, "Look, we're going to fight back here. If Florida wants to enter this fight, we'll keep going."

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So we'll see what happens. I know that this special session in Florida Governor DeSantis is calling, may have other issues that they add to it like the budget, maybe some AI regulations, but certainly there's expectation from the White House to others that the redrawing of the maps will be included in that. If there's already warnings from, again, Republicans say they may want to rethink this, that if you add those seats and change that congressional lines, it could dilute some of those seats that are held by those 20 Republicans.

Now it could see a situation where we see some Republicans running against each other. And here's the other thing, Dana, that's really important to know about, as you know about your home state of Florida. Back in 2010, voters approved a constitutional amendment, came out and voted on this almost 15 or 16 years ago saying that they wanted a constitutional amendment, which explicitly prohibits line drawing that deliberately is designed to benefit one party or the other or hurt a political party or the other, and it certainly isn't meant to help incumbent officeholders.

So Democrats have already signaled that they too would respond very much to how Republicans of Virginia are by taking this to court. So we're all waiting to see what Governor DeSantis might do. There are already Democratic groups that have shipped in protestors down there to the state capitol in Tallahassee, making sure that they're going to try to hold those lawmakers accountable.

This gerrymandering war I think is very unprecedented to see both parties engaging in this. I know there's a lot of good government civic leaders who are concerned, but now that it's shifting to Florida, we could see a further escalation before November.

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Dana Taylor:

This redistricting battle really started off with Republicans hoping to create a firewall, to stave off defeat in the midterms. Philip, do you think there's possibly some buyer's remorse here because of Democrats' unexpected response?

Phillip M. Bailey:

Look, I think you're already seeing, I'm not even saying moderate, but certainly Republicans who are facing tough reelections in swing districts beginning to speak out. I think of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania, which was one of the seats to watch to see how bad this alleged or forecasted blue wave for Democrats might be for Republicans.

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Donald Trump knows how important it is to hold on to Congress. He faced this and he was impeached twice in his first term. He's very aware. And look, for this past year, Democrats have been on the winning streak despite taking a pummeling and being surprised by the 2024 results. So the President is aware of how important it is to keep Congress, and he's still going to do that by any means necessary. But there are Republicans, Ari Fleischer, former Press Secretary under George W. Bush, said this fight should have been started in the first place.

Donald Trump's tactician skills are really being questioned. I think, Dana, it's also important to notice that this is happening at a time when President Trump's approval ratings are dropping drastically, not just among Democrats, not just among independent voters, but even you're starting to see a larger portion of Republicans have a high disapproval, at least for them at least, of the President.

He's facing record lows for his second term. The war with Iran is certainly isn't helping him. The affordability crisis hasn't been fully addressed or tackled. So as the president's overall popularity wanes, how many more of these Republicans are willing to go along with him? You're already beginning to see cracks in that base.

Dana Taylor:

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Control of the House following November's elections would come with gavel authority. If Democrats succeed in taking the House, what kinds of levers would they have access to for the second half of Trump's term?

Phillip M. Bailey:

You certainly, I don't think we'll see any sort of grand legislation come if Democrats were to win back the House. I think it's really going to be an issue of holding the President accountable and perhaps having an equal or more say in the government. Right now Democrats are completely powerless in Washington. Again, these forecasted elections where there's this blue wave and you're seeing more of these races shifted from forecasters in Democrats' favor.

You're right to say that number one, it's going to be gavel powers. If Democrats were to regain the House for oversight, for many committees, they would have the authority to bring in administration officials and other under subpoena threat, basically try to hold them account and get some testimony from the Trump administration on a number of fronts. There has already been conversations, I think when you talk to some far left folks and progressives, there is some murmurings about impeachment.

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I think that for the most part, Democrats are not wanting to talk about that on the campaign trail, mostly keeping their focus on affordability and the economy. You don't see a lot of voters saying that, "Oh yeah, we want Democrats to take back the House so they can impeach Donald Trump."

Now if there are some investigations that merit that, I think Democrats would certainly pursue that as they did during the first term. But though they don't want to do is overshoot this here and caught into what happened in the 2024 election, which was this accusation that Trump and his allies [inaudible 00:08:45] Democrats was that you were using, quote, "lawfare," against trying to use the legal justice process to hold him or to punish him for the election or ahead of the election in 2024.

So I don't know if impeachment is going to be talked about that much in these midterms, but you're certainly going to see gavel authority. I think you're certainly going to see some more progressive legislation come out of the House, even if it gets nowhere in the Senate, which may in fact itself go Democratic. They're already forecasters data saying that as the president's summers get worse, as Democrats do better in these elections, now the Senate is in play.

About a year ago, six months ago, this wasn't even a conversation that Democrats could take back the Senate. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader for the Democrats and the Senate feels very confident now. We had a chance to speak with him earlier this year here at USA TODAY. And he told me that, look, he's very confident in his recruitment class. He got the candidates that he thinks are the best to win some of these races.

I'm talking about states like Ohio and Maine and Alaska where Republicans are on their heels a bit. So we could see both chambers of Congress changing over to Democrats and their control. This would change everything, and it would pretty much, as Governor Gavin Newsom of California stated, it would pretty much put an effective end to any sort of legislative goals the Trump administration would have. And it certainly would present him with some other challenges, including oversight that he's not really getting right now.

Dana Taylor:

Philip, there's one other very critical factor that could blow this whole redistricting battle up. And that's a looming decision at the Supreme Court regarding a key provision in the 1965 Voting Rights Act. What is it and how might this play out?

Phillip M. Bailey:

Well, really for the past 20 years, the Supreme Court has chipped away at the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act. Chief Justice John Roberts certainly has been a critic of that. And it was last October data that the High Court for about a two and a half hour debate or during that case has been brought by Louisiana about their congressional districts.

The question really comes down to, can these historic protections have they basically run their course? The more conservative leaning justices, and I'm thinking of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, for example, his issue really is these racial remedies that were started at a moment where they were needed. And looking back at the civil rights movement, I think a lot of more conservative justices on the court are arguing that, look, these things have run their course. More progressive-minded and more liberal leaning justices, I think would disagree with that.

The core of this case does come down to where these civil rights protections that were created for racial minorities, for Black Americans in particular, can you have these race-based remedies without discriminating against other voters? There's a lot of skepticism when you talk to civil rights attorneys and other leaders about whether the court will uphold this historic legislation, the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

There is this estimation that the entire act itself could be thrown out, not just some provisions. If so, if the Supreme Court makes this decision that I think a lot of Democrats and progressives are worried about, you will see a free for all. You'll see this gerrymandering war supercharge in a way that I think the voters really aren't appreciative of right now.

I think there's been some estimates that 27 additional Republican seats could be created, particularly in the South. And the issue would come back to, does that disenfranchise African-American voters? So this is an issue and this is a case that everyone's paying attention to, the president, members of Congress, governors across the country. It could be a historic one. And given the conservative tilt of this current court, there's a lot of skepticism. And given its overall record when it comes to race-based or diversity initiatives, there are a lot of progressives and Democrats who are guarding really for the end of the Voting Rights Act.

Dana Taylor:

As I mentioned, some journalists are calling this essentially a redistricting arms race between Republicans and Democrats, but nowhere in the prominent analysis that's been widely published are people talking about the impact on voters. What's the biggest risk to them as a result of all these new maps being drawn?

Phillip M. Bailey:

Well, since Democrats have taken the position of fight fire with fire, there really isn't anyone right in the public sphere, at least advocating for what I think is basically good government policy, bipartisan agreement, the gerrymandering, which both parties have historically engaged in over the decades.

That group of people have really died down in the conversation. I'm talking about your folks from the Brennan Center for Justice. I'm talking about the bipartisan policy center, civic-minded leaders who believe in small D democracy. And they've been warning against this for some time since President Trump started this gerrymandering arms race. They were warning against this escalation because it's essentially undemocratic.

When you have basically politicians in the powerful picking the voters rather than the other way around. When the politicians get to say, "This is where my district is and I get to pick the voters who I know are more aligned with my political philosophy." It pretty much has guaranteed outcomes.

The result is more gridlock, lack of cooperation, lack of bipartisanship. And remember, our system is based upon compromise. So when you don't have competitive districts, when you don't have competitive seats, the fewer and fewer that they are, it means when we have elected officials in office and they're stubborn and they don't want to compromise and don't want to make a deal. It's because they know there's no one back home to punish them because they know that X amount of percentage of their voters in their districts support them anyway just because they have R or a D behind their name.

Now there are Democrats in Congress who point out that, look, there was legislation in Congress to end this process to allow nonpartisan actors to draw these maps. Some states like Virginia, which were rated by Princeton University as having some of the best and fairest maps in the country until they entered the gerrymandering war that they will argue that it's because of President Trump.

And no matter who started or who finished it, at the end of the day, the people who are going to get punished the most are going to be average Americans, average citizens. In some extreme cases, Dana, when we've looked at gerrymandering in the past, there have been times where the party could lose most of the vote overall, but win most of the seats.

I know that's hard for people to maybe figure out sometimes in the map that that's how funky some of these maps and districts are drawn. You look at them, some of them are drawn like octopus. So at the end of the day, I think that we'll see if this arms race has ever dialed down, whether now or later. I know in Virginia, for example, their special election, the provision in there was that this will sunset in 2030. It'll be only temporary, but who knows?

When you have these two parties going back and forth, you're already seeing members of Congress on the Republican side after the Virginia votes saying, "We have to escalate this." Even though President Trump again started it. "We have to escalate this. We can't let the Democrats get away with this." Eventually someone's going to have to come along and say, "Let's everyone cool our heels here and dial this down."

In the meantime, the people who lose the most, people like you and me and average Americans who aren't going to live in probably competitive districts, we're going to have folks who are digging their heels in even more. That means Congress, which already has, I believe, a 10% approval rating according to some polls. I think the only thing worse than that might be a sewer rat. You're going to have a situation here where average Americans aren't going to see Congress or their legislatures get a whole lot done.

Dana Taylor:

Philip M. Bailey is USA TODAY's chief political correspondent. Always fascinating to hear your insights. Thank you, Philip.

Phillip M. Bailey:

Dana, as always, thank you.

Dana Taylor:

Thanks to our senior producer, Kaely Monahan, for her production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts @usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. I'll be back Monday morning with another episode of USA TODAY's The Excerpt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The midterms battle for House control is in full swing | The Excerpt
California voters will have the opportunity in November to weigh in on a contentious ballot measure pushed by Republicans that would require all voters in future elections to show identification every time they vote in person or provide a special PIN when submitting mail-in ballots.

Supporters of the measure, which elections officials announced Friday had qualified for the Nov. 3 ballot, claim it would also require election officials to verify registered voters are U.S. citizens  a move that aligns with a GOP-led drive for new restrictions on voters in the wake of President Trumps baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen and that undocumented immigrants are swaying elections by voting illegally.

Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio from San Diego and other proponents of the California voter ID initiative have been pushing for voter reform for several years, while Trump and Republicans also seek a similar initiative at the federal level. In March, DeMaio and his political advocacy group, Reform California, submitted petitions with more than 1.3 million signatures supporting the ballot measure to county elections officials.

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Critics of Californias voter ID initiative, including many legal scholars, say the ballot measure addresses a problem that does not exist.

"There's absolutely no evidence that voters are sneaking into the polls to pretend to be somebody they're not, or casting an absentee ballot for somebody else, deceptively," said Justin Levitt, a constitutional law scholar and professor at Loyola Law School. The only people who think this is an existing problem, he said, are "the equivalent of UFO enthusiasts."

Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, agreed, noting that numerous studies show that people voting fraudulently is extremely rare.

Requiring identification will keep some from being able to vote, and studies have shown that this disproportionately affects lower-income individuals and people of color," Chemerinsky said. "The voter identification requirements are championed by Republicans because they disproportionately disadvantage Democrats.

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Levitt said he wasn't sure that the voter ID measure would disproportionately suppress Democratic voters. While restrictions in voter rules generally tend to have the biggest effect on marginalized voters  including young and old, rural residents, people of color and people with disabilities  it would burden infrequent voters most of all.

"There is one group that Donald Trump has unquestionably brought to the Republican Party ... less frequent voters," Levitt said. "So I think if your knee-jerk assumption is that this type of initiative would affect Democrats, you simply may be acting on old stereotypes that I'm not frankly sure were true even at the time, but are less true in the Trump era than they have ever been."

Under current law, Californians are required to provide identification when registering to vote and must swear under penalty of perjury, a felony, that they are eligible to vote and are U.S. citizens. They are not required to show or provide identification when casting a ballot in person or by mail.

If passed, the California ballot measure would require voters to present government-issued identification, such as a state driver's license, every time they vote. Voters mailing ballots would be required to write a four-digit number, essentially a PIN, on their ballot envelopes matching the one generated when they registered to vote.

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The PIN would come from ID such as a driver's license, or could be generated from the county. The vast majority of Californians mail in their ballots in elections.

The measure would also require election officials to maintain accurate voter registration lists and make their "best effort" to verify that registered voters are U.S. citizens by using information from government records.

California already verifies ballots at every stage of the process," said Angelica Salceda, director of the ACLU of Northern California's Democracy, Speech and Technology program. "We should not erect barriers that will keep eligible Californians from exercising their fundamental right to vote.

Levitt raised concerns that the ballot language was poorly written. While Reform California claims the measure would require election officials to verify the citizenship of registered voters, he said, it was not clear from the ballot language how they would do so. There is no government registry of citizens, Levitt said.

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"It doesn't exist because when you're born, you're a citizen, but you do not arrive out of the womb with proof of your citizenship, and the government has literally never kept a database of all U.S. citizens," Levitt said. "When they say the government shall make best efforts to compare my existence against government data, there are lots of people that aren't going to be in a government database of citizenship."

The initiative, Levitt argued, would impose burdens on election officials and on voters that aren't particularly clear and would likely create far more problems than they would solve.

"Inevitably, you're going to have people who are eligible, who are citizens, who have been voting regularly, who are in some circumstances, going to get turned away," Levitt said. "And that problem that's being created is, I think, likely to be many times larger than any problem that's being fixed here."

DeMaio said the measure differs from a federal proposal, known as the SAVE America Act, which passed the U.S. House but stalled out this week in the Senate as key GOP senators  including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky  joined Democrats in voting against adding it to a reconciliation bill.

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The state ballot measure, DeMaio said, "does not do away with mail-in ballots, because voters of all political backgrounds like the convenience of mail-in ballots. So we want to keep that convenience."

The ballot measure needs a simple majority to pass.

A recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll suggested that if voters were to vote on the ballot measure today, it would likely pass. When provided with basic information about the voter ID requirements, about 56% of California registered voters expressed support, while 39% expressed opposition.

However, the poll found that when voters were offered more context and informed that supporters say the new measure is necessary to prevent fraud and opponents say it could result in eligible voters being denied the right to vote, the results were more evenly split: 37% more likely to support and 35% more likely to oppose.

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Support for voter ID dropped even more significantly when voters were told that the Republican sponsor, DeMaio, argues that it will prevent fraud and that Democrats counter that voter ID is part of Trumps agenda to reduce the number of people of color voting. Only 39% of voters supported the measure, and 52% opposed.

Jenny Farrell, executive director of the League of Women Voters of California, told The Times that her group is committed to fighting the measure, arguing that it would make it harder for people in the state to vote.

She said that people may forget to use a PIN on their mail-in ballot, leading to their vote being disqualified. Similar changes in Texas, she said, led to a rise in rejected ballots due to technical errors.

"It doesn't really weed out illegal voting," which doesn't actually exist, she said, "but it does cause more ballots to be incorrectly flagged and ultimately rejected."

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ACLU of Northern and Southern California, Common Cause, and Disability Rights California also oppose the measure.

DeMaio filed for the ballot initiative in 2021 and 2023, but did not move forward with the signature collection process in order to fine-tune the ballot language.

He said his ballot measure wasn't focused primarily on making sure that undocumented people don't vote.

"That's one element of concern that we've heard from some groups, but it really is making sure that, No. 1, we properly maintain our voter rolls," he said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The latest developments in the Middle East war:

- Trump says Washington shooting will not stop Iran war -

US President Donald Trump said a shooting at a Washington media dinner on Saturday would not divert him from the Iran war.

"It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, I really don't think so, based on what we know," Trump told reporters at the White House after the incident.

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- Iran executes accused militant -

Iran on Sunday executed a man convicted of membership in the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl and involvement in attacks on security forces in the southeast, the judiciary said. On Saturday it announced the execution of a man accused of passing intelligence to Israel.

- Israel strikes southern Lebanon -

Lebanese state media reported a series of new Israeli strikes in at least four different locations in the country's south late Saturday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to attack Hezbollah following alleged ceasefire breaches.

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Attacks earlier in the day reportedly killed six people, despite a recently extended ceasefire.

- Iran FM back to Pakistan -

With US-Iran peace talks called off, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will head back to Pakistan after visiting Oman, state media reported Saturday.

The IRNA news agency, citing Iran's foreign ministry, reported that Araghchi, who had left Islamabad earlier in the day, "is scheduled to visit Pakistan again after completing his trip to Oman and before travelling to Russia".

Araghchi said earlier it remained to be seen whether the United States was "truly serious about diplomacy" amidst doubts over whether the two sides will hold new talks.

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- Pakistan 'committed' to role -

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had spoken by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad were called off.

"Pakistan remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator - working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region," Sharif wrote on X.

- Trump cancels envoys' Pakistan trip -

US President Donald Trump ordered his envoys not to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials on ending the war.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said: "There is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them."

Trump said the move did not mean a restart of the war.

burs/tw/ach
Surveys have revealed that endangered water voles are found more widely in upland areas than previously thought.

Yorkshire Water said the aquatic rodents had been spotted at new locations across the Peak District National Park and South Pennines.

The species is considered to be absent from many parts of Yorkshire and the wider UK.

Sean Davey, lead ecologist at Yorkshire Water, said " We knew there were still water voles at some of our South Yorkshire reservoirs, but the recent surveys have found them in many more streams in the moorland catchments of the River Don and River Holme."

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Water voles are native rodents which live in wetlands and by rivers. They used to be widespread across the UK but numbers fell by around 90% as a result of loss of habitat and the spread of invasive American mink.

A large number of mink, a non-native species, were released from fur farms in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, which devastated vole populations.

American mink, released from fur farms, have decimated water vole populations in the UK [Getty Images]

Ecologists from Yorkshire Water, the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and River Connections, together with university researchers from Sheffield, Manchester and Stirling, have been monitoring vole activity.

The trust's species officer, Luke Nelson, said: "As well as recording new vole sites in the uplands, we've been improving habitats by creating new pools and slowing the flow of water in upland streams.

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"Surveys have show that the water voles are quickly colonising these new habitats, hopefully leading to a more resilient and better-connected population."

The Waterlife Recovery Trust, a charity set up to humanely remove mink from the British countryside, has also been working with Yorkshire Water.

The charity aims to eradicate mink within five years.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North

More on this story
Recently, a Waynesboro man allegedly fled authorities and reportedly struck several vehicles and railroad crossing gates before eluding capture.

The suspect was caught about a week later.

According to the sheriff's office, more than a week ago on April 17, a county deputy attempted to serve multiple probation violation warrants from Madison County on Brandon W. Fitzner, 33, of Waynesboro.

During the encounter, Fitzner reportedly exited a window, got in a vehicle and fled the scene, leading deputies on a pursuit, a release said. The pursuit was terminated by Augusta County deputies when it entered Albemarle County. Virginia State Police continued to assist. In the area of Albemarle and Charlottesville, the sheriff's office reported the suspect vehicle struck multiple vehicles and drove through railroad crossing gates before crashing. Fitzner fled the scene on foot and eluded capture.

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About a week later, on April 23 at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Augusta County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at a residence on Kingsbury Drive in Waynesboro. the release said. The sheriffs office SWAT Team, K-9 units and drone units were deployed. Fitzner was found inside the residence and taken into custody.

Fitzner faces four charges of hit-and-run, two charges of felony eluding, and one charge each of obstruction of justice, possession of a Schedule I or II substance, failure to appear, operating a vehicle without insurance, and driving on a suspended license. He also faces six charges of probation violation.

Fitzner is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

This individual demonstrated a reckless disregard for public safety, placing numerous motorists at risk during this incident. I am proud of the coordinated efforts of our deputies and our law enforcement partners to bring this situation to a safe conclusion and take the Mr. Fitzner into custody, said Sheriff Donald Smith.

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More: Young Stuarts Draft squad making rest of district soccer take note

More: Inside Stuarts Draft softball's red-hot winning streak

Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Waynesboro man arrested on multiple charges
Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Zotefoams plc (LON:ZTF) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next four days. The ex-dividend date is two business days before a company's record date in most cases, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. This means that investors who purchase Zotefoams' shares on or after the 30th of April will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 3rd of June.

The company's next dividend payment will be UK0.0535 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of UK0.079 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Zotefoams stock has a trailing yield of around 2.0% on the current share price of UK3.94. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Zotefoams's dividend is reliable and sustainable. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early.

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Zotefoams is paying out just 17% of its profit after tax, which is comfortably low and leaves plenty of breathing room in the case of adverse events. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. It paid out 18% of its free cash flow as dividends last year, which is conservatively low.

It's positive to see that Zotefoams's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut.

See our latest analysis for Zotefoams

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

LSE:ZTF Historic Dividend April 25th 2026

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. It's encouraging to see Zotefoams has grown its earnings rapidly, up 25% a year for the past five years. Zotefoams looks like a real growth company, with earnings per share growing at a cracking pace and the company reinvesting most of its profits in the business.
A Republican commissioner has a challenger in GOP-controlled Warren County.

Tom Grossmann, who's served as a commissioner for more than a decade, is running for reelection. Mark Messer, the mayor of Lebanon, is also running on the Republican ticket.

A Democratic candidate, Ian Logan, is running unopposed.

The Warren County GOP endorsed Grossmann, who chaired the party from 2002 to 2010, for reelection. His wife, Kathy, serves as vice chair of the party's executive committee. Turmoil within the party caused a split between members earlier this year.

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The Republican primary race is usually where elections are decided in Warren County  a GOP-controlled area that Donald Trump handily won in 2024. All three commissioners, including Grossmann, are Republicans.

Commissioners who are elected this year will gain a big pay increase in 2027. Warren County commissioners earn around $103,000 per year. But the commissioner elected this year will start earning $112,000 in 2027, thanks to raises for county officials that were included in Ohio's House Bill 96.

Warren County Commissioner Tom Grossmann is running for reelection.

Who is Tom Grossmann?

Grossmann has served on the board of commissioners since 2015 and was previously a member of Mason's city council.

Warren County chose not to collect its share of property taxes from residents in 2022  giving property owners a "tax holiday"  which was an initiative Grossmann supported as commissioner. On his campaign website, he said commissioners are working toward another property "tax holiday" for residents in 2027.

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If reelected, he pledged online to keep taxes low, promote business development and continue working to preserve and beautify the Warren County Fairgrounds, which the county owns.

Grossmann is anti-abortion and supported Ohio's ban on same-sex marriage in 2004. He helped found the Center for Christian Virtue, previously known as Citizens for Community Values.

Lebanon Mayor Mark Messer is running for Warren County Commissioner in the Republican primary.

Who is Mark Messer?

Messer is the mayor of Lebanon and has served on the city's council since 2012.

In 2021, he supported an ordinance that declared Lebanon a sanctuary city for the unborn, which criminalized providing or aiding abortions within city limits, despite there being no abortion clinics in Lebanon. A year later, the ordinance was deemed unenforceable after multiple lawsuits.

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On his campaign website, Messer said he supports limited government, fiscal discipline and growing Warren County, while maintaining its character.

How to vote

Early voting for the primary election started April 7. Election Day is May 5.

Check your voter registration or polling place online at VoteOhio.gov.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's who's running for Warren County commissioner in Ohio
WORCESTER  Michael Minogue felt great. So did Mike Kennealy. And Brian Shortsleeve felt great momentum.

If any of the three Republicans seeking their partys gubernatorial endorsement in Worcester on Saturday were sweating the days result, they werent about to show it.

Behind the scenes and in the cavernous DCU Centers arena, it was a different story entirely.

Staffers and volunteers for the GOP hopefuls worked the crowd diligently as the state party held its quadrennial nominating convention here.

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The candidates needed to submit 10,000 signatures and garner 15% support from the party faithful to make the fall ballot. Assuming all three are successful, theyll face each other in the Sept. 1 party primary.

I think our message is breaking through and were looking forward to a spirited primary, Shortsleeve, a former Baker administration official, told reporters on Saturday, adding that 300,000 Republican primary voters in September will choose their nominee and Im confident weve got the winning message.

Kennealy, who served as former Gov. Charlie Bakers top housing and economic development official, stressed his campaigns ground game.

Ive been shaking hands since (8 a.m.), he said. And thats what you got to do, I think. And thats consistent with how I run the campaign. This is actually my 197th public event of the campaign. Ive been in the race for over a year now, and thats how I like to run this. Its all about meeting people and getting the message out and doing what leaders should do, which is listening.

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Minogue, a medical device executive, vowed to unite Massachusetts.

Its time for a new kind of governor so we can get accountability, affordability, opportunity, and keep the community safe, he said.

The winner of Saturdays endorsement derby will face an uphill general election battle against Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in November.

A University of New Hampshire poll released Thursday showed Healey with double-digit leads over all the Republican contenders. Between 13% and 17% of voters remained undecided in all three hypothetical head-to-head races.

Republicans also were set to endorse candidates for U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor, state treasurer and state attorney general.

More on Politics

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
BEIRUT (AP)  A Lebanese journalist who was wounded in an Israeli airstrike that killed her colleague this week described hours of agony as they waited for help to arrive, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday.

Zeinab Faraj, a young freelance photographer and video journalist, frequently moved on assignment with Amal Khalil, a longtime correspondent in southern Lebanon with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar.

The two were driving behind a relative of Faraj in the village of al-Tiri, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the border with Israel on Wednesday. That was five days after a fragile truce was implemented between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, planning to cover the post-ceasefire situation in the area.

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As they passed through the village, Khalil holding her phone out the window to film, an Israeli strike hit the car in front of them, Faraj said, speaking from the Beirut hospital where she is recovering.

The women pulled over and got out of the car, hunkering down on the side of the road as a drone remained in the sky overhead. About an hour later, a second strike hit Khalils car, next to them.

Dont leave me alone'

Faraj managed to pull open the metal shutter of a shop behind them and the women took refuge inside.

Amal was crawling, she was wounded  her nose and head and shoulder and leg, Faraj recalled, speaking with difficulty with her face swollen and bruised. Faraj said Khalil had also suffered burn wounds after the targeted car next to them caught fire.

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The journalists were able to speak with their families and colleagues. Faraj said Khalil had put on a brave face and tried to assure her family that they were fine.

In the meantime, a flurry of contacts had begun between the Lebanese Red Cross, the Lebanese army, the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, and the Israeli military to try to secure safe passage to evacuate the journalists.

After a while, Faraj began to drift off.

When I said I wanted to go to sleep, Amal came closer and hugged me and told me, Zeinab, dont leave me alone, she said. I realized that Amal was not in good condition. The color of her face had changed and I realized that she had some internal bleeding, too.

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She was half asleep when she heard the sound of a missile falling. A third strike hit the building where the two journalists were sheltering.

Faraj was thrown out of the shop by the impact while Khalil was trapped inside.

I was in and out of consciousness, and then I thought my dad had come to get me and I began calling to him, Baba, Im here, come and help me, Faraj said.

A long-delayed rescue

A rescue team arrived and was able to pull Faraj out of the rubble and evacuate her as well as the bodies of the two people killed in the strike on the first car. Lebanons health ministry said in a statement that the Israeli military opened fire on the Red Cross ambulance that arrived to rescue Khalil, forcing it to turn back.

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Israels military said individuals in the village had violated the ceasefire, endangering its troops, and denied that it targets journalists or that it prevented rescue teams from reaching the area. It said the incident was under review.

Faraj had lost consciousness and said she was unaware that Khalil had not been rescued along with her until hours later.

Shortly before midnight, after the Lebanese army, civil defense and the Lebanese Red Cross received clearance and got to the scene, Khalils body was pulled from the rubble.

Faraj believes that if they had gotten to her a bit sooner, Amal would be here today.

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The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, when the militant group fired a barrage of missiles over the border, two days after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran. Israel responded with widespread bombardment in Lebanon and a ground invasion.

Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued to occupy a border strip that extends around 10 km (6 miles) into Lebanese territory, describing the area as a necessary buffer zone to protect its northern towns from Hezbollah rockets. Both Israel and Hezbollah have continued to launch strikes despite the truce.

Khalil was allegedly threatened

Faraj believes that the journalists were deliberately targeted. Khalil had said publicly that during her coverage in southern Lebanon in the previous Israel-Hezbollah war in 2024, she had received threatening messages from an Israeli number.

It was not clear whether the messages came from the Israeli military or from a private individual. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Days before Khalil's death, Avichay Adraee, an Israeli army spokesperson, in a post on X reposted a video from Al-Akhbar showing Khalil rescuing a cat from the rubble of a destroyed building. He called the newspaper terrorist media speaking on behalf of Hezbollah, the devil because it has a pro-Hezbollah editorial line.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international watchdog, in a statement called the post incitement.

Under international humanitarian law, journalists, as civilians, are protected from direct and indiscriminate attack, regardless of the positions or affiliation of their media outlets, provided they do not directly participate in hostilities," the group said. There is no evidence that Khalil or Faraj were directly participating in hostilities."

It called for an international investigation into Khalils killing.

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According to Lebanons information ministry, nine journalists have been killed by Israeli strikes since March 2. In total, nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, including 277 women, 177 children and 100 health workers. Fifteen Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed.

___

Associated Press writer Koral Saeed in Abu Snan, Israel, contributed to this report.
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine overnight, killing at least five and injuring dozens, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.

He said that five people were killed in the city of Dnipro alone, with more than 40 injured and two still missing.

"Since last night, Russia has been terrorizing Dnipro with missile and drone attacks," Zelensky wrote on X. "Strikes have hit ordinary residential buildings, energy facilities, civilian sites."

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"During the day, the Russians once again attacked the same residential area they had sturck overnight. There have been numerous casualties," he added.

Air raid sirens sounded across the country with residents urged to seek shelter. Heavy explosions were also reported in Kharkiv, while other cities including Kiev were also attacked.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had launched cruise missiles alongside ballistic missiles and swarms of drones in an attempt to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences.

A total of 619 Russian drones as well as 47 missiles were fired, with Ukraine able to intercept 580 drones alongside most of the Kh-101 cruise missiles and Kalibr missiles used in the attacks, according to the air force.

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Ukraine has been warding off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.

Zelensky said it is important "that the world does not remain silent about what is happening and that this Russian war in Europe is not overshadowed by the war in Iran."

Russia: Ukrainian drones intercepted over Volga region

The Russian Defence Ministry reported that 127 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the Volga region as well as the cities of Perm and Yekaterinburg further east.

Six people were injured in Yekaterinburg, regional governor Denis Pasler was quoted as saying by state news agency TASS.
President Trump on Saturday called off a planned trip by two of his top advisers to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran, saying his team would not make the long flight.

"I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18 hour flight to go there. We have all the cards,'" Trump said in a statement to Fox News. "They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing."

Trump, in a post minutes later on Truth Social, said there was "tremendous infighting and confusion" within Iran's leadership and that "nobody knows who is in charge."

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Steve Witkoff, the special envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, had been scheduled to fly to Islamabad on Saturday for a new round of talks. Pakistan has been mediating between Washington and Tehran. On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Iranians had asked for the talks and that Trump was "always willing to give diplomacy a chance." Witkoff and Kushner, she said, were heading to Pakistan "to hear the Iranians out."

An earlier round of talks led by Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 ended without an agreement. Leavitt said Friday that Vance would not travel this weekend.

Vice President JD Vance speaks as Jared Kushner, left, and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for peace missions, listen during a news conference. (Pool via Getty Images)

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, had arrived in Islamabad on Friday and met with Pakistani leaders, including the country's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, before leaving Saturday, according to Pakistani officials and the Iranian embassy in Pakistan, the New York Times reported.

A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, Esmail Baghaei, said Friday that no direct U.S.-Iran meeting was planned and that Iran would convey its position through Pakistani officials.

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Iran's military warned Saturday that it would respond if the U.S. continues its blockade of Iranian ports, which Trump ordered after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. blockade should "face a response from Iran's powerful armed forces," the military said in a statement carried by Iranian state media.

An earlier round of talks led by Vice President JD Vance ended without a breakthrough. The two-week ceasefire announced on April 8 is set to expire on Wednesday.
The Latest: Trump says he called off dispatching envoys to Iran talks

President Donald Trump says he told top U_S_ envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that they can call us anytime they want.
Target is calling about 150 remote workers back to its Minneapolis headquarters.

The relocation mandate impacts workers within its merchandising division.

The retailer, which brought on a new CEO earlier this year, has been working to turn the business around.

Target is calling more remote workers back to its headquarters.

The retailer is requiring about 150 remote workers within two teams in its merchandising group to relocate to Minneapolis, a spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider. Bloomberg earlier reported the news.

The company is offering relocation assistance to those who decide to move and severance to those who choose not to.

A company spokesperson said in a statement that "increased in-person collaboration across a core part of our merchandising team will help us reinforce our merchandising authority, unlocking greater creativity and enabling us to move faster to deliver on our strategy."

The retailer, which brought on a new CEO earlier this year, is in the midst of a turnaround strategy to revive growth, and improving its merchandise is a pillar of that effort.

The relocation mandate comes as more companies, such as Amazon and AT&T, have been calling workers back into the office in recent years. Target last year ramped up in-office days for employees already based in Minneapolis.

Target does not have a companywide mandate and has left in-office requirements to team leaders.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at dreuter@businessinsider.com or text/call/Signal at 646-768-4750. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

Read the original article on Business Insider
April 24 (Reuters) - U.S. equity funds attracted the largest weekly net investment in four weeks through April 22, driven by upbeat corporate earnings results and optimism over AI-linked business deals.

Investors bought a net $27.98 billion of U.S. equity funds in their largest weekly purchase since roughly $36.94 billion net acquisitions in the week through March 25.

Upbeat earnings from major banks and food and beverage company PepsiCo boosted risk appetite. LSEG data for 134 S&P 500 companies showed that first-quarter results for 82% of companies topped their mean analyst estimates.

Amazon on Monday said that it will invest up to $25 billion in Anthropic, bolstering demand for the technology sector funds.

Sectoral funds drew $7.1 billion, a third successive weekly inflow, with tech, industrial and financial sectors gaining $5.03 billion, $994 million and $991 million, respectively and leading the weekly net purchases.

Investors also pumped $1.47 billion in U.S. value funds and $4.92 billion - the biggest amount in five weeks - in growth funds.

Demand for bond funds revived after a $841 million of weekly net sales as these funds attracted approximately $3.4 billion of inflows in the week.

General domestic taxable fixed income funds, short-to-intermediate investment-grade funds and municipal debt funds saw net purchases of $1.91 billion, $1.28 billion and $1.02 billion, respectively, in the week.

Investors, meanwhile, ditched money market funds of a net $16.1 billion, after roughly $177.72 billion of net sales the prior week.

(Reporting by Gaurav Dogra, Editing by Louise Heavens)
If you've followed Boeing over the past five years, you know the story. Grounded jets, manufacturing scandals, defense charges, and several more. The company also weathered a pandemic that gutted air travel demand, a strike that stalled production, and a stock that went essentially nowhere while the S&P 500 nearly doubled.

But if you take a moment to look at the 109-year-old aircraft company, something is changing. And it's showing up in the numbers.

On April 22, 2026, Boeing reported Q1 results that beat expectations, with $22.2 billion in revenue and a $0.20 loss per share, far better than Wall Street's forecast. Shares are also up 35.84% over the past year, outpacing the S&P 500s 32.23% gain, for the same period, according to Yahoo Finance.

UBS watched all of this and didn't flinch. The bank reiterated its buy rating and $285 price target on Boeing (BA). UBS pointed to a recovery narrative it says is gaining durability with each passing quarter.

"We're building on our momentum with a strong start to the year and growing record-breaking backlog across our business," said Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg. "With a continued focus on safety and quality, we're delivering high-quality commercial and defense products and services, while increasing production to uphold our customer commitments."

Now, the question investors are sitting with is whether Boeing's recovery is real and durable enough to justify buying the stock now. It's not even about whether Boeing is recovering, because clearly, it is.

Why UBS is sticking with its Boeing buy rating

UBS's conviction on Boeing (BA) isn't rooted in a near-term earnings story. It's rooted in a backlog and a free cash flow target that's still four years away.

The bank's buy rating rests on two pillars, according to its note. First, in what UBS describes as an "idiosyncratic narrative," Boeing's recovery is driven by company-specific execution improvements that are largely independent of macro conditions. Second, it has a target of $20 billion in free cash flow by 2030, which UBS believes the market is not yet pricing in at current levels, as Investing.com stated.

Related: Boeing stock price resets after earnings

Boeing's total company backlog grew to a record $695 billion in the first quarter of 2026, including more than 6,100 commercial airplanes valued at $576 billion, Boeing's earnings statement confirmed. Defense, Space, and Security backlog reached a record $86 billion, with 27% of orders coming from customers outside the United States. That's nearly 10 years of work already contracted.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is one of the

10 Best Slow Growth Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On April 23, 2026, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) announced an investment through Accenture Ventures in Iridius, an enterprise AI infrastructure company focused on compliant-by-design AI solutions for regulated industries such as life sciences and pharmaceuticals. The company said the investment includes a strategic partnership to help scale AI adoption while ensuring compliance, traceability, and auditability, combining Accentures industry expertise with Iridius regulatory capabilities to support enterprise-wide AI deployment across areas such as regulatory submissions, pharmacovigilance, clinical, and manufacturing operations.

On April 21, 2026, Accenture and WaveMaker announced a strategic intent to help organizations modernize applications, reduce development complexity, and deliver digital experiences more efficiently. Senthil Ramani said the collaboration aims to create a more scalable and repeatable approach to application development, supporting faster delivery with consistency and control.

Here is Why Accenture (ACN) is Among the 10 Best Slow Growth Stocks to Buy According to Analysts

Earlier in April, Accenture Ventures invested in General Robotics, an AI-native company offering general-purpose robotic intelligence. The companies also formed a partnership to support autonomous operations in manufacturing, logistics, and other asset-intensive sectors using physical AI. General Robotics GRID platform enables deployment and coordination of AI across different robotics systems, while Accenture contributes expertise in industries such as utilities, energy, and aerospace.

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) provides strategy, consulting, technology, and operations services across global markets.

While we acknowledge the potential of ACN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 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.
What Happened?

Shares of oil and gas producer ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) fell 2.9% in the afternoon session after crude oil prices eased amid signs of de-escalation in the Middle East.

The drop in oil followed an announcement of a three-week ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon, alongside reports of potential peace talks involving Iran. This news lessened concerns about supply disruptions from the region, which contains some of the world's most critical oil transit routes. Earlier geopolitical tensions had previously pushed oil prices higher.

Because the profitability of energy companies like ConocoPhillips is closely linked to the price of crude oil, the prospect of increased supply and lower prices led to a decline in their stock values.

The shares closed the day at $121.66, down 2.2% from previous close.

The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks. Is now the time to buy ConocoPhillips? Access our full analysis report here, its free.

What Is The Market Telling Us

ConocoPhillipss shares are not very volatile and have only had 1 move greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, todays move indicates the market considers this news meaningful, although it might not be something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

ConocoPhillips is up 25.8% since the beginning of the year, and at $121.66 per share, it is trading close to its 52-week high of $133.80 from March 2026. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of ConocoPhillipss shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $2,421.

WHILE YOURE HERE: The Next Palantir? One satellite company captures images of every point on Earth. Every single day. The Pentagon wants it. Hedge funds are using it to beat earnings. Youve probably never heard of it.

This is what the early days of Palantir looked like before it became a $437 billion giant. Same playbook. Different technology. If you missed Palantir, you need to see this. Claim The Stock Ticker for Free HERE.
SES AI Corporation (NYSE:SES) is one of the

8 Best Small Cap EV Stocks to Buy Right Now.

On April 23, 2026, SES AI Corporation (NYSE:SES) said Jing Nealis will step down as Chief Financial Officer effective April 27, 2026, with Yi Ray Liu, CFA, CPA, appointed to succeed her on the same date. Qichao Hu thanked Nealis for her role during a period when the company transitioned from a development-stage business to one with three revenue-generating units, noting her contributions to financial operations.

Earlier in the month, Qichao Hu said SES AI Corporation (NYSE:SES) is entering 2026 with strong momentum in its ESS business, with first-quarter results expected to exceed expectations driven by execution at UZ Energy and demand for commercial and industrial energy storage solutions. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $30M to $35M, with contributions from ESS, drones, and advanced materials, and said it remains focused on financial discipline, its capex-light model, and advancing the Molecular Universe platform, with further details to be provided alongside Q1 results.

Sigma Lithium (SGML) Secures $100M Bank Guarantee for Expansion Financing

Photo by Kumpan Electric on Unsplash

SES AI Corporation (NYSE:SES) develops and produces AI-enhanced lithium metal and lithium-ion battery technologies for a range of applications.

While we acknowledge the potential of SES 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.
Chris Turner, the new CEO of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut owner Yum! Brands (YUM), still remembers growing up on a rice farm.

So one shouldn't be shocked if Turner hasn't participated in the new rage of fast food CEOs posting silly videos of themselves eating their food.

"I have big meals from our brands all the time, and I eat every morsel on the plate and absolutely love it," Turner said. "I will leave the social media to our brand leaders. They're the best positioned to do that," Turner said on Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

A new fast food on-camera eating battle erupted in early March. McDonald's (MCD) CEO Chris Kempczinski led the way, going viral in a promotional video where he tried the company's new Big Arch burger. The clip was widely mocked for his seemingly hesitant approach to eating the burger, taking an unusually small, delicate bite and repeatedly referring to the burger as a "product."

Capitalizing on the backlash, Burger King US and Canada president Tom Curtis released a TikTok video three days later. It featured him taking an enthusiastic bite of a Whopper and joking that the only thing missing was a "napkin."

Curtis's viral moment also shed light on the revamped Whopper, which has long been the company's answer to McD's Big Mac.

Since then, a host of restaurant CEOs have taken a shot at creating a viral moment  though all have fallen short of Kempczinski and Curtis's moment in the sun.

While other fast food execs are powdering their faces for the iPhone camera, Turner is settling into the top C-suite spot.

Turner officially took the reins as CEO of Yum! Brands on Oct. 1, 2025, following the retirement of longtime leader David Gibbs.

The Arkansas native grew up on a rice farm and later earned an industrial engineering degree. Before joining Yum! as CFO in 2019, he spent more than 13 years as a partner at McKinsey & Co. and held senior roles at PepsiCo, where he led the transformation for Frito-Lay.

During his tenure at Yum! Brands as CFO and later chief franchise officer, Turner was a primary architect of the company's digital shift, spearheading initiatives such as the AI-driven technology platform Byte by Yum!

Turner said he's focused on menu innovation across the brands, the growth of Taco Bell overseas, and deploying AI in areas like busy drive-throughs.

He is also shopping the iconic Pizza Hut brand after putting it up for sale late last year.

"There's likely going to need to be investment in the brand," Turner said. "There may need to be some ownership of stores. So there's a lot of work to be done now. Some of those things are things that Yum! typically doesn't do."
The Middle East conflict has pushed energy prices higher over the past couple of months, with elevated oil prices beginning to spill over into everyday expenses.

Oil has climbed by nearly 40% since the war started at the end of February, when the price hovered closer to $67 a barrel. Gas prices have followed, rising to over $4 per gallon in many areas, with diesel well over $5 per gallon. But fuel costs are not the only everyday household budget item to watch.

Roughly one-third of the worlds fertilizer moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and the months-long closure has raised concerns about supply. Farmers are warning of fertilizer shortages and price increases as the spring planting season gets underway.

Read more: 5 ways oil prices over $100 a barrel could hit your wallet

How geopolitical tensions can impact fertilizer prices and farming

In a survey of 5,700 farmers, the American Farm Bureau Federation found that fertilizer affordability is becoming an issue within the farming industry. About 70% of farmers report they cannot afford the fertilizer they need, attributing the challenge to rising fertilizer and fuel costs.

Fertilizer is one of the largest operating costs for farmers, according to the USDA, Economic Research Services (ERS) Commodity Costs and Returns data, and energy prices play a key role in determining how much they pay for it.

Natural gas is a primary input in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers like ammonia and urea, so when gas prices rise, production costs increase, and fertilizer prices can increase as well.

Higher oil prices can also drive prices up indirectly by increasing the cost of transporting and distributing fertilizer.

Fertilizer sits upstream of the global food system, so when geopolitical disruptions hit energy markets or key shipping routes, the effects move into agriculture quickly, said Hunter Swisher, CEO of Phospholutions, an agricultural technology company that focuses on creating more sustainable fertilizers.

The impact is already playing out at the farm level, Swisher said. Growers are making real-time decisions this planting season based on higher and more volatile input costs.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said about 80% of farmers had already secured their fertilizer for this years crop last fall. She said efforts were underway to ensure the remaining farmers were being supported. Farmers told PBS recently that theyre concerned prices will stay elevated for a while.

The reality is, were not breaking even, one farmer told PBS. We didnt break even the last two years.

All of this comes as the impacts of the U.S.-China trade war, including tariffs and retaliatory measures, have cost the agricultural industry billions of dollars since 2018.

What this means for your grocery bill and how to trim your costs

Higher operating costs for farmers and supply chain issues in the agricultural industry can indirectly affect food and grocery prices, though this likely wont happen overnight.

In fact, the most recent CPI indicated that food prices were unchanged over the month. However, the food at home index did rise 1.9% over the 12 months ending in March, with the fruits and vegetables index increasing 4%  indicating that prices are indeed increasing and continued tensions could keep the momentum going.

Experts say it could be some time before Americans see the true impacts of the war on their grocery bills.

This report shows just the initial impacts of the war, but more widespread impacts could be on the way in future reports, said Angela Hanks, chief of policy programs at The Century Foundation and former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau official. Potential shortages of petroleum, helium, and fertilizer threaten to drive higher prices on everything from dishwashers, to cars, to groceries.

Read more: March CPI breakdown: Iran war sends gas prices skyrocketing

Shoppers are not at a total loss, though. There are ways to trim your food costs even as everyday goods become more expensive.

Buy in bulk: If you have a larger family or there are nonperishable items you tend to use on a regular basis, buying items in bulk can help you save money over time. However, be sure to calculate the price-per-unit (thats the total number of units divided by the cost of the item) to ensure that youre actually getting a good deal.

Use a rewards credit card: There are several rewards credit cards that offer cash back and bonuses for purchases made at supermarkets, as well as retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and more. Using a rewards card for grocery purchases can earn rewards on purchases you were planning to make anyway.

Swap name brands for generic: Name-brand products dont always guarantee a better quality product; however, you can almost always count on a higher price tag. One easy way to cut grocery costs is to opt for a generic version of an item instead for a fraction of the cost.

Read more: Best credit cards for groceries
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $78,278.66 on Friday, 0.1% higher than Thursdays opening price of $78,203.87. The value of bitcoin as of 7:06 a.m ET was $78,106.63.

Ethereum (ETH-USD) opened at $2,331.54 on Friday, down 1.9% from Thursdays opening price of $2,376.09. The value of ethereum as of 7:06 a.m. ET was $2,352.95.

Both bitcoin and ethereum values have moved higher over the last five days, seeing gains of 5.81% and 2.73%, respectively. For the last two days, bitcoin has settled into a range of over $78,000, and ethereum over $2,300 as investors continue their cautious approach given surging oil prices and ongoing tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Learn more: Bitcoin primed for $80,000?

Current price of bitcoin and ethereum

Bitcoin

The price of bitcoin this morning was 0.1% higher than Thursdays opening figure. Heres a look at how the opening bitcoin price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

One week ago: +4.1%

One month ago: +10.4%

One year ago: -16.5%

The all-time high for bitcoin was $126,198.07 on Oct. 6, 2025. The all-time low value for bitcoin was $0.04865 on July 14, 2010.

Ethereum

The price of ethereum this morning was 1.9% lower compared to Thursdays open. Heres how the opening ethereum price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

One week ago: -0.7%

One month ago: +8.3%

One year ago: +29.8%

The all-time high for ethereum was $4,953.73 on Aug. 24, 2025. The all-time low value for ethereum was $0.4209 on Oct. 21, 2015.

Bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies are rapidly evolving. Follow the latest developments from Yahoo Finance and others here.

Can you buy your next house with crypto?

So, you put a little mad money into bitcoin a few years ago. Now, your crypto-fueled profit means you have a sweet nest egg to put toward a house.

But can you buy a house with crypto rather than using cash or a traditional mortgage loan? What are the roadblocks? And what about taxes?

President Trump wants the United States to be "the crypto capital of the world." In that spirit, in late June, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) William J. Pulte ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to "prepare their businesses to count cryptocurrency as an asset for a mortgage."

The FHFA supervises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that fund a major portion of the mortgage industry.

Pulte said the housing system "needs a massive upgrade," adding, I want people who own cryptocurrency to be able to buy homes like everyone else. I believe cryptocurrency is an asset. I believe Americans should be able to use their crypto if they want to. It's time the housing system caught up.

This signals what could be a fundamental change to how cryptocurrency may be used to qualify for a mortgage.

Learn more: Want to buy a house with crypto? Heres what to expect.

Bitcoin and ethereum price charts

Whether youre brand new to tracking the value of bitcoin and ethereum or a more seasoned crypto investor, Yahoo Finances price-of-bitcoin chart and price-of-ethereum chart below show a visual history of how the currencies value continues to move and evolve.

More information on crypto from the Yahoo Finance team:
With jet fuel prices continuing to sit at highs unseen in years amid the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, dozens of airlines have reworked their summer schedules to axe flights bringing in insufficient numbers of passengers.

Lufthansa recently scrapped 2,000 flights from its schedule between May and October while also shutting down its regional airline CityLine a year earlier than initially planned. Delta, United, Air Canada, Air France and Aer Lingus are among the many other major airlines to also trim routes.

Launched in 2021 with the goal of running low-cost transatlantic flights between European capitals and the United States, Norse Atlantic Airways has now become the latest to axe an entire market in response to the global oil crisis.

"This cancellation is due to the unforeseen global fuel crisis": Norse Atlantic Airways

The Oslo-based airline confirmed that it is canceling all flights into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this summer; the airline has been flying to the city from the Norwegian capital since 2022 and added additional routes to the West Coast city from Berlin, Paris, Rome and Athens over the next four years.

"This cancelation is due to the unforeseen global fuel crisis, and we unfortunately with heavy heart had to cancel our beloved LAX routes with too high fuel risk exposure," Norse said in a statement while also adding that not running the routes at current oil prices will protect the carrier's "ability to remain a reliable service for our passengers this summer."

Related: A remote part of Norway is becoming a key summer travel destination

Norse will continue to run its flights to New York's JFK from cities including Oslo and London. Travelers who already booked travel through LAX over the summer will be contacted with refund and rebooking options.

While Norse is framing the canceled market as temporary for the summer, it has not committed to a return date. The airline has a fleet of 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Norse Atlantic Airways launched in 2022 with a model of running low-cost transatlantic flights.Image source: Norse Atlantic Airways

Norse says it "will assist disrupted passengers as best we can"

"We are truly sorry for the inconvenience, and apologize to passengers who have [had] their travel plans changed," Norse said further. "We will assist disrupted passengers as best we can."

More Travel News:

Launched with a similar business model as a budget airline serving a specific market, Maldives-based BeOnd shut down for the summer entirely given both the cost of jet fuel and the security situation in the United Arab Emirates.
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is included in our list of the best Warren Buffett stocks.

Deepening Growth Pipeline Sustains Warren Buffetts Confidence In Chevron (CVX)

Photo by Luis Ramirez on Unsplash

Buffett added Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) to his portfolio back in 2020. As of Q3 2020, Warren Buffett held 44.27 million shares worth $3.19 billion. Over the years, the billionaire continued to add to his stake in the oil company.

As of Q4 2025, Berkshire holds 130.16 million shares, which translates into a $19.84 billion stake.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) enjoys the confidence of hedge funds as well, with 86 out of 1,041 hedge funds remaining bullish on the stock. The combined hedge fund stake in the company totals $26.26 billion as of Q4 2025.

Chevrons growth narrative rests on resilience, global exposure, and a deepening growth pipeline. As of April 20, 2026, the stock is up 20.80% in 2026 so far, after having climbed over 33% over the past year.

The MoneyShow thesis recently maintained that Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) remains well-positioned, supported by steady demand for oil and gas, a stronger natural gas backdrop, solid cash flow generation, and disciplined capital allocation that continues to underpin shareholder returns. MoneyShow, a financial media company, connects self-directed investors and active traders with financial experts.

That view is further supported by Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)s scale and asset base.

The completed Hess acquisition added a 30% stake in Guyanas Stabroek block, while the company continues to expand its presence in the Permian and the eastern Mediterranean.

At the same time, according to MoneyShow, increasing production, alongside sustained cost discipline, positions Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) well to benefit from any recovery in commodity prices.

Meanwhile, analyst sentiment around Chevron has remained supportive, with multiple investment firms expressing improving sentiment on the stock.

In February 2026, Melius upgraded Chevron to Buy and lifted its target to $205, citing a 50% jump in exploration spending, new talent from Hess, a 50% increase in acreage with 10 new basin entries in two years, and overlooked potential in Venezuela, Libya, and Iraq.

Additionally, in March, Barclays raised its target to $180 from $172, and Bernstein boosted its target to $216 from $194. Jim Cramer has also stayed bullish, arguing that Chevron benefits as the Iran conflict timeline extends and praising CEO Michael Wirths global exposure.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) operates as a fully integrated energy company, producing crude oil and natural gas, manufacturing fuels, lubricants, and petrochemicals, and developing technologies aimed at improving efficiency across its operations and the broader energy industry.
Global oil demand is on track to slump the most in five years this month, according to the International Energy Agency, which co-ordinated the emergency measures by major economies to counteract the supply shock.

Airlines in Europe and the US are cutting thousands of flights. Analysts are warning of weakness in consumption of gasoline after prices hit $4 a gallon in the US, and diesel  used to power everything from trucks to construction equipment.

Now, with a stalemate between US President Donald Trump and his Iranian adversaries dragging on, the impact is increasingly shifting west  and to products that are central to consumers everyday lives.

The most dependent industries and markets  including petrochemicals plants in Asia and the Middle East, and shipments of liquefied petroleum gas, a vital cooking fuel in India  saw an immediate hit when the US and Israel first attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

Demand destruction is happening in places that are not visible pricing centers, Saad Rahim, chief economist of trader Trafigura Group, told the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne this week. That adjustment is already happening, but if this continues, it has to get larger and larger. Were at a critical inflection point.

A billion barrels of supply loss is already all-but guaranteed  more than double the emergency inventories that governments released not long after the conflict began at the end of February. Buffers are being used up fast, helping to keep a lid on oil prices for now. But with the closure now in its ninth week, demand destruction that started in less obvious sectors like petrochemicals in Asia, is quietly spreading to everyday markets the world over.

The longer the vital oil channel doesnt reopen, traders say, the more consumption is going to have to recalibrate lower to align with supply thats dropped at least 10%. And for that to happen, people will have buy less, either through prices they cant afford, or government intervention to force consumption down.

(Bloomberg) -- The Strait of Hormuz oil shock has yet to crash demand as the rich world borrows from its stocks and pays up to secure supply. Traders are now sounding the alarm that a harsh adjustment is coming.

Story Continues

Trading giant Gunvor Group estimates the loss could double next month to 5 million barrels a day, or 5% of world supplies, and along with other major traders sees a growing risk of economic recession. Other analysts and traders say that the impact has already reached around the 4 million a day mark.

That toll is beginning to take shape. Germany has slashed economic growth forecasts in half, while the International Monetary Fund has trimmed global estimates, citing the war. In the most severe of three scenarios modeled by the European Central Bank, Brent prices peak at $145 a barrel and cut the regions growth in half. Brent crude closed at about $105 a barrel on Friday.

The need for oil demand and economic activity to adjust lower, most likely through prices that discourage consumption, will only increase with every day the strait stays shut.

In Waves

Worldwide demand already faces a hit of 5.3 million barrels a day this quarter, and a 12-week disruption of Hormuz would propel Dated Brent, the worlds key physical crude price, above this months record to $154 a barrel, according to consultant FGE NexantECA.

Because there is still no visible disaster in the west, people think everything is okay, and a bit higher pump prices are the only impact, said Cuneyt Kazokoglu, FGEs director of energy transition. But demand destruction will come and is coming in waves. Asia was first in line, Africa is the next one. Europe has already started talking about the lack of some fuels and feeling the price impact.

Ultimately, in a market where demand needs to adjust down to match lower supply, oil prices may be what drive that recalibration.

In extreme scenarios, where price alone forces the market to balance, FGE estimates that crude oil would need to surge to $250 a barrel.

Several analysts said privately that extreme uncertainty about what will happen in the conflict makes it almost impossible to model the demand impact. But without a swift resolution, the economic consequences could be profound.

If you dont get any reopening in three months time, then the case becomes a macro issue where the world is about to fall into recession, Frederic Lasserre, Gunvors head of research, told the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne. The firm has even stress-tested the prospect of oil spiking to $200 or even $300 a barrel.

A particularly sensitive area are so-called middle distillates, which include diesel. Prices in Europe surpassed $200 a barrel last month, the highest since 2022. In India, truck fleet operators are bracing for fuel rationing and the first significant diesel price increases in years.

A few more weeks, we will start seeing announcements of problems with securing diesel supply  thats the backbone of the worlds economy for moving goods around, Vikas Dwivedi, a strategist at Macquarie Group, said in a Bloomberg television interview. When it hits diesel, that is when when we will all know it and feel it.

Aviation is also particularly vulnerable. Airlines in Asia were among the first to react, with Vietnamese carriers and Air New Zealand cutting back routes. Now the impact is spreading, with Deutsche Lufthansa AG scrubbing 20,000 short-haul flights from its European summer schedule and KLM curbing operations.

Even in the US  relatively shielded from the crisis by its domestic energy abundance  United Airlines Holdings Inc. is reducing planned growth by about 5%, and now expects capacity  or available seat miles  in the second half of 2026 to be flat to up about 2% from a year earlier.

Gasoline is starting to feel the effect: American drivers may be spending more on the fuel, but with average prices above $4 theyre buying 5% fewer gallons than a year ago, according to Barclays Plc.

Higher prices over the past month-and-a-half have led to fuel demand destruction from the US consumer, analysts at the bank including Josh Grasso and Amarpreet Singh said.

In the weeks after the war erupted, consuming nations moved to buy themselves some time.

IEA nations such as the US, Germany and Japan announced an unprecedented release of 400 million barrels in an effort to plug the yawning supply gap, and China also tapped its buffer. Yet depleting such inventories wears down the worlds safeguards, ultimately leaving it more exposed.

Weve borrowed supply, Russell Hardy, chief executive officer of Vitol Group, the largest independent trader, said at the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne this week. But you cant do that forever. There are recessionary consequences from having to ration that demand.

--With assistance from Alex Longley, Rachel Graham, Paul Burkhardt, Kathy Chen, Bill Lehane, Jack Wittels, Lucia Kassai, Mia Gindis and Kate Duffy.

(Updates with Brent crude price in tenth paragraph. A previous version of this story corrected the name of the conference in the fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Palantir's USDA Deal Could Really Be About Clawing Back U.S. Farmland From China - Moby

THE GIST

Whether you hate or love Palantir, you cant deny theyre everywhere.

The defense-tech companys latest federal contract comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a clean $300 million. The main purpose is to manage farmland as geopolitical risks threaten global supply chains, CNBC reports.

At first glance, it seems like this deals about food regulation, ensuring farmers can sell their crops fairly to pay their bills and survive. But a closer look reveals that Palantir is a piece of a large plan to claw back land from Chinese-linked agribusiness firms Smithfield and Syngenta, which have been buying up American land.

WHAT HAPPENED

Some, especially on the political right, say Chinas purchase of American farmland is a threat to national security. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) called the issue potent, in a January report.

The USDA will use Palantirs technology to manage farmland as geopolitical risks threaten global supply chains, or, in other words, to combat Chinas buying up U.S. farmland.

But China's farmland footprint in the U.S. has actually been shrinking  down 27% from a peak of 383,935 acres in 2021 to 277,336 acres in 2023, largely because one Chinese billionaire unwound a big renewable energy bet in Southwest Texas, reports Agriculture Dive.

In other words, much of the land they own isnt for food, but for renewable infrastructure. The bigger story here may actually be ChemChinas $43 billion acquisition of Syngenta in 2017, the worlds largest portfolio of patented seeds and agrochemicals, still working on U.S. soil and owned by the Chinese state.

The real story isn't about China hoarding U.S. acres and shipping harvests back to Beijing. It's about the process  seeds, pesticides, crop protection, pork production  and quietly absorbing the know-how to do all of it better at home.

WHY IT MATTERS

The story of how China got involved with U.S. farmland ramps up in 2017, when ChemChina (China National Chemical Corporation) acquired Syngenta AG, a Swiss company, for $43 billion. The deal was ironically approved by the Federal Trade Commission during President Trumps first term. Granted, he was only a few months into the job, so he was bound to miss a couple of things.

In January 2020, ChemChina and Sinochem folded their agricultural assets into a new Shanghai-registered entity called Syngenta Group Co. Ltd. The bundle included Syngenta AG, ADAMA, an Israeli generic agrochemical maker ChemChina had previously acquired, and Sinochem's agricultural operations, all ultimately controlled by Sinochem, China's original state-owned multinational founded in 1950, one year after the PRC itself. That structure put American subsidiaries like Syngenta Seeds (Delaware), Syngenta Crop Protection (North Carolina), and seed brands like Northrup King and Golden Harvest under a chain of ownership that traces straight back to the State Council in Beijing, despite the Swiss-headquartered face on the org chart.
The rig count in the Permian Basin was unchanged this week, the latest count Friday by Baker Hughes shows, with 242 rigs active in the region. A year ago, 289 rigs were active in the region.

Nationally, the oil and gas rig count is up one from last week at 544 rigs. A year ago, 587 rigs were active. The count shows that 407 rigs sought oil, down three from the previous week, and 129 explored for natural gas, up four from the previous week. The count also shows eight miscellaneous rigs, unchanged from the previous week.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in August of 2020 at 244.

The regional benchmark Plains-West Texas Intermediate Posting ended Friday at $90.88 per barrel, up $10.55 from last Fridays close. National benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude ended at $94.40 per barrel, up $10.55 from the previous week.

The post US rig count up one as prices climb appeared first on Odessa American.
(Bloomberg) -- A US-sanctioned supertanker laden with Iranian oil appeared to halt its transit through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, with traffic through the waterway otherwise at a virtual standstill.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Yuri, carrying 2 million barrels of crude loaded from Kharg Island, re-appeared on ship-tracking platforms Kpler and Vortexa off Sirri Island earlier this week, after having stopped signaling its location for days. The tanker, which began heading toward Hormuz late Thursday, came to a stop near Larak Island, ship tracking data show.

The pause suggests a wariness of trying to break through a US blockade on Irans shipping.

Listen to the Bloomberg Daybreak Europe podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

American forces intercepted two Iranian oil tankers earlier this week, while the US Central Command said in a social-media post that 33 vessels had been redirected since the start of its blockade.

Iran has also been seeking to strengthen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, shooting at commercial ships and seizing at least two vessels in the worlds key oil channel. The double blockade has seen attempted transits plunge.

A bulk carrier that delivered food to Iran was observed sailing near Yuri heading toward Hormuz on Thursday, but it then made a U-turn in the strait and is now heading back into the Persian Gulf. Several hours before, a container ship that had departed from Bandar Abbas, an Iranian port city in the strait, was seen sailing south into the Gulf of Oman. The vessel had entered the strait four days ago.

Yuri was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for being involved in Irans petroleum exports. There were no contact details listed for the ships unidentified manager or owner on maritime database Equasis.

Meanwhile, another US-sanctioned supertanker has reappeared on tracking platforms in the Strait of Malacca near Singapore, laden with crude and not indicating a clear destination.

The Iranian-flagged Helm loaded from Kharg Island in late March and was estimated to have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in early April, with its transponder turned off. Bloomberg News couldnt immediately determine if the supertanker had managed to sail out from the Gulf of Oman before the US blockade started on April 13.
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement with U.S. Anesthesia Partners over allegations that the private equity-backed provider illegally consolidated control of the anesthesia market in Texas before hiking prices.

The settlement is confidential for now, as negotiations around how USAP will execute terms are ongoing, the FTC said in a Thursday press release. But the deal will restore a competitive market structure, antitrust regulators promised  and if USAP fails to comply, the FTC plans to relitigate the charges.

USAP, which denies any wrongdoing, said it agreed to a settlement to avoid the cost and disruption of protracted litigation.

Dive Insight:

In 2023, antitrust regulators accused USAP  a portfolio company of private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe  of systematically purchasing large anesthesia practices in Texas with the goal of creating a single dominant provider in the state.

USAP and Welsh Carson then used that market dominance to demand higher prices for anesthesia services, costing Texans tens of millions of dollars in extra healthcare costs each year, according to the FTCs complaint.

The FTC settled with Welsh Carson early 2025. Now, over a year later, antitrust regulations have reached an agreement with the anesthesia provider itself.

In a statement, Dr. Scott Holliday, the chairman of USAPs board, said that USAP has operated responsibly in the state of Texas, and believes it has strong defenses against the FTCs claims.

But there are uncertainties in any legal proceeding and this exceptionally prolonged litigation has required enormous time, energy, and financial commitments, Holliday said. In considering the best interests of our patients, clinicians, and hospital partnerships, we felt it was important to resolve this now so that USAP can remain laser focused on providing high-quality anesthesia services to our communities.

Though particulars of the settlement are still being ironed out, it wont require USAP to admit wrongdoing, according to the company.

Thats similar to the FTCs deal with Welsh Carson, which didnt force the PE firm to admit liability  and included no monetary penalties, though Welsh Carson was forced to limit its involvement with USAP.

At the time, Welsh Carson called the settlement benign.
April 24 Reuters) - Hospital operator HCA Healthcare beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on Friday, helped by strong demand for its medical care services.

Hospital operators have been benefiting from elevated demand for non-urgent procedures, particularly from older Americans, since the second half of 2023.

However, the company said it did not experience a typical volume increase associated with the flu season, as respiratory-related admissions were down 42%, and respiratory-related emergency room visits were down 32% year-over-year, HCA said.

Shares of HCA fell 7.6% in premarket trading.

Revenue per equivalent admission at same facilities - a measure combining inpatient and outpatient volumes - rose 3.1%.

The company earned adjusted profit of $7.15 per share, compared with analysts' estimates of $7.14 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole and Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
Anthropic has built much of its recent success on the loyalty of developers. Its Claude Code tool, launched in early 2025, has been popular with solo developers and enterprise engineering teams. The runaway success of the tool has helped send the companys annualized recurring revenue run rate to $30 billionmore than triple its figure at the end of last year. However, the weeks-long performance decline and the labs slow response to user complaints, as well as several changes that users argue amount to stealth price hikes, are testing that loyalty.

The feeling among some users that Anthropic had been gaslighting them potentially undercuts Anthropics attempts to market itself as more transparent and aligned with its users than rival OpenAI. Nor has the admission that there were performance problems done much to quell rampant speculation that the company is running short of computing resources and that Anthropics efforts to ration precious computing power were the real reason for the performance issues. Demand for Claude has grown at an unprecedented rate, and our infrastructure has been stretched to meet it, particularly at peak hours, Anthropic said in a statement to Fortune. We are doing everything we can to address this, and we are deeply grateful for our users patience. The statement went on to say that compute is a constraint across the entire industry, and we are scaling our compute rapidly and responsiblyincluding through a recently announced expansion of our partnership with Amazon and Google , which will bring significant new capacity online in the coming months. Our priority is getting that capacity into our users hands as quickly as possible. The company also pushed back on any characterization that it had not been transparent with its users about the issues impacting Claude Code. The Claude Code issues had specific technical causes that we documented in full in our postmortem, and the fixes are now shipped, the statement said.

Anthropic, the AI lab valued at $380 billion, has acknowledged that a series of engineering missteps were behind a widely experienced decline in the performance of its Claude Code tool that sparked a user revolt over the past month . The latest admission, which came after weeks in which Anthropic had initially implied in its communications that nothing was wrong and that users were largely to blame for any performance problems and later said some of the changes had been made for users benefit, has done little to calm Anthropics customerssome of whom say they have already canceled their subscriptions .

Story Continues

The controversy could dent Anthropics bottom line amid an increasingly bitter race with rival OpenAI. The issues also come at a critical time, with both companies reportedly gearing up for initial public stock offerings later this year.

Following widespread complaints about Claude Codes performance, executives representing the AI lab initially said the performance issues were the result of changes it had made to improve latency and in response to user feedback about token use. It said both changes were communicated via its public changeloga running list of updates available to users. On Thursday, however, Anthropic went further, publishing a detailed engineering post acknowledging that three separate engineering missteps were behind the performance issue. In an effort to respond to some of the user complaints, the lab also said it would reset usage limits for all subscribers.

Anthropics newest admission is likely to increase already widespread speculation that the lab may be suffering from a compute strains after use of its products soared in the past few months.

Beyond the performance issues with Claude Code, the AI lab has also suffered a series of outages as usage has surged, introduced usage cap limits during peak hours, and is limiting the rollout of its newest, larger, and more expensive model, Mythos, to a select group of large firms. (Anthropic has said that the models cautious rollout is meant to guard against security risks posed by the models unprecedented cyber capabilities.)

The companys rivals have also furthered rumors that the lab may be lacking the compute needed to maintain its recent customer surge. In an internal memo first reported by CNBC, OpenAIs revenue chief claimed Anthropic had made a strategic misstep by failing to secure sufficient compute, and was operating on a meaningfully smaller curve than its competitors. Anthropic has notably announced fewer multibillion-dollar deals for data center capacity than some of its rivals such as OpenAI. While other AI companies are also facing compute constraints, Anthropic appears to be in the most difficult position, having grown far faster than it likely anticipated.

Anthropic declined to answer CNBCs questions about the memo. Anthropic has also publicly stated it does not purposely degrade the performance of its Claude models.

The company also appears to be testing potential ways to limit new access to Claude Code. Earlier this week, Anthropic updated its pricing page for some users to show Claude Code as unavailable on the companys $20-a-month Pro plan. Anthropics head of growth later said the change had been a test on around 2% of new sign-ups, adding that usage patterns had changed fundamentally since the plans were designed. Separately, The Information reported that Anthropic had shifted its enterprise pricing to a consumption-based model, a move one analyst estimated could potentially triple costs for heavy users.

User backlash

Anthropic has been dealing with significant backlash from some of its power users over Claude Codes recent performance issues. Several have said they have canceled subscriptions; cybersecurity professionals have warned of potentially dangerously degraded code quality; and a senior AI executive at AMD has called the tool unusable for complex engineering tasks.

Users have complained of feeling gaslit by the companys response to their ongoing complaints about the coding tools performance. One X user said in response to Anthropics recent post: After they gaslit users and pretended nothing was wrong, countless complaining from tonnes of people here and elsewhere, cancellations, Anthropic finally admit on the day GPT-5.5 releases there is a problem with Claude.

I appreciate the postmortem, but I dont trust that all issues have been resolved. Claude Code, in general, has been barely usable for me in the past couple of days, another said.

In a post published to its engineering blog on Thursday, Anthropic said it had traced the problems to three distinct changes. The first, rolled out on March 4, reduced Claude Codes default reasoning effort from high to medium to cut latencya tradeoff the company said in the blog post was the wrong one. The second change, shipped on March 26, contained a bug that caused the model to continuously discard its own reasoning history mid-session, making it appear forgetful and erratic, and draining users usage limits faster than expected. The third, introduced on April 16, added a system prompt instruction capping the models responses at 25 words between tool callsa change Anthropic said measurably hurt coding quality before it was reverted four days later.

Anthropic noted that all three issues were resolved as of April 20, with the API unaffected throughout. On April 23, the company reset usage limits for all subscribers.

The company acknowledged users frustration with the tool, saying: This isnt the experience users should expect from Claude Code. The lab as also promised greater transparency around changes to Claude Code in the future.

Despite Anthropics public acknowledgement, some users have taken to social media to express their frustration with the labs initial response to users concerns about Claudes performance.

The frustrating part is that the Claude Code team, along with people deep in AI psychosis, have been gaslighting anyone who raises concerns about Claude Codes recent issues, Muratcan Koylan, a member of the technical staff at Sully.ai, said in a post on X. When youre paying a lot of money for a product, and it actually makes your job harder, to the point where people make you start questioning the quality of your own work, it really becomes a problem.

The backlash risks pushing some of Anthropics power users toward rival OpenAI, whose recent Codex models have also been popular with developers. On Thursday, OpenAI also launched GPT-5.5, its newest AI model, to paid subscribers. The company said it now had 4 million active Codex users, 9 million paying business customers, 900 million weekly active users on ChatGPT, and more than 50 million subscribers. Anthropic has not published comparable user figures. The company has disclosed business metrics, including more than 300,000 enterprise customers, but has not released subscriber or active user numbers. Independent app and web traffic site Similarweb has reported that active monthly users of Anthropics Claude app hit 20 million by the end of February and that user growth had more than doubled month over month in March.

The issues with Claude Code appear to have significantly affected the quality of code produced by Anthropics tools in the past month or so, especially when compared with OpenAIs offerings.

Analyses from coding security company Veracode found that Claude Opus 4.7, Anthropics newest Claude model, which launched on April 16, introduced a vulnerability in 52% of coding tasks testedup from 51% for Opus 4.1 and 50% for the lower-cost Claude Sonnet 4.5. Veracode found OpenAIs models performed notably better, introducing vulnerabilities in around 30% of tasks.

Dave Kennedy, CEO of cybersecurity firm TrustedSec and a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer, told Forbes his team had measured a 47% drop in Claudes code quality, tracking defects, security issues, and task completion rates. The risk, Kennedy warned, is that novice developers using Claude wont catch the flaws, introducing serious defects into production code.

In response to the newest post from Anthropic, Kennedy said: Im glad they are trying to address this, but a month to get this out is crummy.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
China's BYD stands for Build Your Dreams [Getty Images]

The recent surge in fuel prices due to the war in Iran has spurred demand for electric vehicles around the world, and Chinese car makers are making the most of the opportunity.

China is the world's top producer of EVs, and while its manufacturers remain largely shut out of the major car market of the United States, they are benefiting from an uptick in interest and orders via dealerships across Asia and elsewhere.

BYD, which overtook Tesla as the world's largest seller of electric vehicles last year and is expanding aggressively overseas, is at the centre of this shift in focus.

"We survive and are successful without the US market today," BYD executive vice president Stella Li told the BBC at the Beijing Auto Show.

Instead of aiming for US customers, the company says its challenge is meeting increased demand in other regions, including Brazil, the UK and Europe.

"Consumers feel the daily savings when oil prices increase. EVs help them save money every day," Li said.

"Actually, we are now suffering [insufficient] capacity. Our demand is much higher than what we can supply."

BYD is betting on its new "flash charging" technology which Li describes as a "game-changer" to help overcome one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption - concern over charging speeds.

Flash charging can add hundreds of kilometres of range in minutes  a development Li said could persuade previously reluctant customers to consider an EV and allow BYD to compete more widely.

At this year's Beijing Auto Show, now the largest industry event in the world, more than 1,400 vehicles from hundreds of Chinese and foreign companies were on display with Chinese carmakers centre stage.

BYD's Stella Li says demand for EVs is greater than the company can supply [BBC]

BYD's global push is unfolding against a complex geopolitical backdrop.

Chinese EV-makers face tariffs and regulatory scrutiny in global markets, particularly in the world's largest consumer market, the US.

The US has criticised Chinese government subsidies and voiced concerns over data protection and national security.

But Li said the firm was winning greater brand recognition in other markets, including the UK.

While they were once known for undercutting rivals on price, Chinese firms are increasingly competing on technology - particularly in batteries, charging infrastructure and software integration.

"We are not just a car company. We produce one-third of global smartphone components, we are a leading player in battery storage, solar panels, buses, and trucks. So BYD is an ecosystem," said Li.
April 24 (Reuters) - China plans to restrict top technology firms, including leading AI startups, from accepting U.S. capital without government approval, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Chinese regulators, including the National Development and Reform Commission, have recently instructed several private technology firms to reject U.S. investment in funding rounds unless explicitly approved, the report said.

AI startups Moonshot AI and StepFun were among the companies that received the guidance, the report said. Regulators have also decided on similar restrictions for TikTok owner ByteDance and do not want the company to approve secondary share sales to U.S. investors without government approval, it added.

The measures are aimed at preventing U.S. investors from gaining stakes in sensitive technologies linked to China's national security, Bloomberg reported.

NDRC, StepFun, ByteDance, Meta and Moonshot AI did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Commerce's Bureau also did not respond immediately.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said it was not familiar with the matter.

The heightened scrutiny follows Meta's more than $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus in 2025, which triggered investigations into foreign investments in Chinese companies and technology exports amid concerns the transaction could spur other startups to move advanced technology offshore.

For years, U.S. capital has played a significant role in China's technology sector, ranging from venture investments by firms such as Sequoia Capital and Benchmark to deep operating ties involving companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Tesla.

American pension funds and endowments have also been major backers of China-focused venture funds, helping fuel growth across internet platforms, electric vehicles and AI.

Washington also imposed its own restrictions earlier this year, limiting U.S. investment in certain Chinese AI, semiconductor and quantum firms, citing security concerns.

(Reporting by Abu Sultan and Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Diti Pujara)
BEIJING, April 24 (Reuters) - It took China 25 years to dominate the market for electric vehicles.

Now, the country's auto industry is hurtling toward the next disruption: Embedding artificial intelligence in cars that will make the next generation of EVs not just network-connected, but self-reasoning machines running on Chinese chips and software.

China's most recent five-year plan released earlier this year presented a blueprint for "AI Plus," a national project to embed AI systems into manufacturing, healthcare and almost every other corner of the economy.

Part of that aim is to break China's dependence on high-end semiconductors - a trade chokepoint dominated by the U.S.

Theres no longer a distinction between a technology company and a car company, Nissan Motor China chief Stephen Ma told reporters on the sidelines of the Beijing Auto Show, which kicked off on Friday. The AI-developed vehicle is much faster and its quicker in China.

In recent days, Chinese automakers and their suppliers have flooded the zone with investment commitments and new AI systems. Some of the immediate applications seemed incremental. Analysts say the longer-term stakes are huge.

China's automakers are now so advanced they are upending the global car industry, said Francois Roudier, secretary general of the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, a federation of trade groups that represents the world's auto industry.

"There is no transition," Roudier told Reuters in Beijing. "It's a revolution."

THE CAR IS THE AGENT

Xpeng has said its updated AI model allows drivers to give the car commands - like, park near the entrance to the shopping center - rather than designating a spot on a map. Xpeng vehicles can use cameras to navigate even without mapping or coordinates.

Xiaomi, an appliance and phone maker that stormed into the EV business three years ago, released an updated AI model just after midnight on Thursday.

Xiaomi has said its AI-empowered HyperOS operating system in its cars would allow drivers to task the system with complicated to-do lists, making restaurant reservations, placing coffee orders and compiling notes from the road. The system could also detect when drivers seem stressed or agitated and adjust the lighting and music for their arrival at home.

"So much focus on AI in other parts of the world has been on how can we use it to improve business? That's not what Chinese automakers are talking about," said Dan Hearsch, global co-leader for automotive at advisory firm AlixPartners. "The AI they're building in is going to make the car easier to drive, easier to interact with, easier to do all of the things that otherwise take effort."
Nissan Motor is set to invest $45m in expanding its vehicle production operations in Egypt in 2026, with plans to lift local output by about one-third and increase exports to markets across Africa.

The project includes the addition of a new production line with the capacity to produce at least 10,000 extra vehicles a year.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Nissans Africa managing director Mohamed AbdelSamad said more than half of the parts used in the added production would be sourced locally.

Nissans current factory in western Cairo manufactures roughly 30,000 vehicles annually.

The investment comes as the Japanese carmaker carries out a wider global restructuring programme, which has involved job cuts and plant closures as it seeks to address losses put at Y275bn ($1.72bn) in the previous financial year.

The planned expansion in Egypt points to a greater focus on lower-cost manufacturing bases and production geared towards exports.

Over the past three years, Nissan Egypt has shipped more than 25,000 vehicles to African countries, with Libya remaining its biggest export market.

The company said it is still reviewing logistics options to maintain exports amid disruption tied to the conflict involving Iran.

The move also underlines Nissans view of Egypt as a regional manufacturing and export base.

The country has been recovering from a lengthy foreign currency shortage after securing a $57 billion international bailout and is pushing a manufacturing-led recovery plan aimed at narrowing its trade gap.

Nissan said it has invested about $276m in Egypt so far and is looking to gain from any future extension of the African Continental Free Trade Area into the automotive industry.

Earlier this month, Nissan Motor presented its Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life strategy, outlining its direction for future mobility.

Under the strategy, Nissan has set a long-term aim of incorporating Nissan AI Drive technologies into 90% of future models.

It also plans to reduce its product range to 45 models from 56, while broadening powertrain options.

"Nissan plans $45m Egypt expansion for African exports  report" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




President Trump is inflicting tariffs on America in a vain attempt to revive traditional manufacturing. Private investment is gushing instead into data centers, where the AI economy is being hatched.

The U.S. is the epicenter of this global investment boom in data centers, which support the internet, cloud computing and the training of ever-more capable artificial intelligence models. Spending on data centers is growing exponentially. Much of it comes from the hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Oracle and OpenAI. The first four of these digital giants alone plowed $425 billion last year into centers, a figure expected to top $600 billion this year.

Surging capital investment in data centers and AI has helped propel the stock market to new heights . And for now, at least, it is making America the worlds foremost computing superpower, the pace car in a race against China and others to master AI. More than 4,000 data centers  almost 40 percent of the world total  are located here , compared to just 368 in China.

However, the U.S. digital goldrush is running into a groundswell of local resistance.

In Virginia, which has the nations biggest concentration of data centers (570), voters are having second thoughts. Three years ago, 69 percent said they were comfortable with new data centers in their community. That number has since dropped to 35 percent , with 59 percent voicing discomfort. Prince William County has nixed plan s for a 1,700-acre campus near the Manassas civil war battlefield, which would have hosted dozens of data centers.

Maine recently became the first state to pause building large data centers pending a study of its energy needs. And Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are pushing a bill in Washington to impose a national moratorium on construction.

The backlash springs from three main sources. First and most pervasive is the fear of soaring electricity bills. Data centers have a voracious appetite for power, putting pressure on utilities to generate more and upgrade local grids to transmit it. Residents worry that it portends higher monthly bills, even as energy costs already are rising faster than inflation. The centers also consume large volumes of water to cool servers, which could mean shortages and higher water bills. That has made them especially controversial in the desert West .
Elon Musk's SpaceX just made a deal with a coding startup founded by four college kids who dropped out of MIT three years ago.

On April 21, SpaceX announced on X (1) that it is working together with Cursor, an AI coding tool used by 64% (2) of Fortune 500 companies, to develop what it called "the world's best coding and knowledge work AI."

Must Read

The deal has two parts: SpaceX pays Cursor $10 billion for their work together, or it acquires the company for $60 billion later this year.

As SpaceX put it, "the combination of Cursor's leading product and distribution to expert software engineers with SpaceX's million H100 equivalent Colossus training supercomputer will allow us to build the world's most useful models." (3)

Cursor CEO Michael Truell responded on X that he was "excited to partner with the SpaceX team to scale up Composer"  the name of Cursor's AI model. (4)

So who is Michael Truell, and how did he build a $60 billion company?

Truell grew up in New York City and attended Horace Mann, a private prep school in the Bronx. He enrolled in MIT, finished his first year, and landed a summer internship at Google at 18, where he worked on language models for feed ranking.

During that internship, he met Ali Partovi  an early investor in Facebook and Airbnb  who was recruiting for his Neo Scholars program, an accelerator for young tech talent. Truell completed a written coding test Partovi gave him in record time, and Partovi marked his name so emphatically that he committed to invest in whatever Truell built next. Truell became one of just 30 Neo Scholars selected that year, and Partovi became one of Cursor's first investors. (5)

Truell and three MIT classmates  Aman Sanger, Sualeh Asif and Arvid Lunnemark  left school in 2022 to start Anysphere, the company behind Cursor. Their first two ideas to build a coding assistant for mechanical engineers and a message encryption project failed. They then pivoted to AI coding  a space they had initially avoided because, as Truell told Y Combinator's AI Startup School, "we thought it was too competitive." (6)

Cursor launched in March 2023 and became what many in the industry call one of the "fastest-growing SaaS companies" in history (7), reaching $100 million in annualized revenue in 12 months  even faster than Slack in its early days. Cursor's valuation went from $2.5 billion in January 2025 to $29.3 billion by November 2025 after raising $2.3 billion in Series D funding (8).
The community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C. is living through an unimaginable grief. As we mourn with them, we are right to ask what we can learn from this tragedy.

Much of the public conversation has focused on OpenAI: Why did the company not warn police when its systems flagged Jesse Van Rootselaars account for violent content months before the shooting? B.C. Premier Eby noted the companys silence was profoundly disturbing for the victims families. Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon summoned OpenAI executives to Ottawa and expressed disappointment when they offered no substantial new safety measures.

But why did they not report is the wrong question, directed at the wrong actor. OpenAI behaved as a private company can be expected to behave. It followed its legal obligations and policies, weighed the risks and made a call. We cannot blame a company for acting like a company in the absence of law.

The question that matters is one for government: How will you regulate AI and mental health? A duty to report is one consideration. But it is complex, and only the tip of the regulatory iceberg.

Chatbots are actively fostering a new kind of relationship and Canadians are increasingly turning to them for unmet health care and social support needs. We need to determine how we will regulate this relationship.

Canadas mental health systems have profound gaps; report after report confirms that people are not getting the support they need. In that void, many are turning to AI chatbots. Some seek out purpose-built mental health tools, but many reach for what is free, familiar, and at hand, general-purpose tools like ChatGPT.

A Harvard Business Review analysis found therapy and companionship was the number one use-case for generative AI in 2025. A commentator has observed that, by volume, ChatGPT may now be the single largest source of mental health support in the world.

This reality is not lost on AI developers. Research on purpose-built mental health chatbots shows that users can form a therapeutic alliance, a bond of trust, empathy and emotional disclosure that mirrors what develops in human therapy.

ChatGPT was not built for therapy, but in May 2025, OpenAI acknowledged that people were using it for deeply personal advice, a use case requiring great care. The company conceded that one model update had become too sycophantic, validating doubts, fueling anger, urging impulsive actions, or reinforcing negative emotions. In October 2025, OpenAI disclosed that staggering numbers of active users express suicidal intent or show signs of mental health emergencies each week.

This reality gives context to the companys chosen disclosure threshold, credible and imminent risk of serious physical harm to others, which has been compared to the reporting principles that apply to health professionals.

Serious threats to public safety can outweigh confidentiality in health care. Yet it would be a mistake to focus solely on a duty to report. In human-provider relationships, reporting decisions are nuanced, part of a broader framework of professional obligations, duties to protect privacy, to act in the patients best interest, to meet recognized standards of care, and to obtain informed consent. These help make emotional disclosure and vulnerability safe.

None of these apply to a chatbot, however empathetic it might sound. Chatbots create a relational context that mirrors therapy and companionship, but we have none of the accompanying legal architecture.

Calls to fold chatbots into online harms legislation may be sensible, if carefully crafted, especially given how difficult AI-specific legislation has proven in Canada. But much more must be done here.

A private, intimate exchange in which a person discloses fear, anger or violent ideation is not like other online conduct. Governing it requires a different framework, one that treats AI-mediated emotional support not as a species of online content, but as a kind of relationship.

Chatbots are not therapists and need not be regulated quite like therapists. But nor should they be governed only by company policy.

Minister Solomon has called for trust first. Yet, in human therapeutic relationships, a web of legal safeguards helps make providers trustworthy. We cannot simply move our human vulnerability into an unregulated space and think trust should follow.

Canada has a relatively clean legislative slate and Minister Solomons statement that all options are on the table when it comes to AI chatbots, is a welcome one. With a new national AI strategy forthcoming, the question is whether this government will use that opportunity to ask what role we want AI to play in mental health care, or whether it will settle for summoning tech executives to Ottawa and expressing disappointment.

Sophie Nunnelley is a law professor.
When asked by the surgery department chair as a medical student why I wanted to treat vascular patients, my response was to be useful, useful to people with a challenging systemic disease that often results in stroke, amputation, and death. Often, wounds that have not healed for months on a foot or a hand, or persistent leg pain provoked by walking or simply laying in bed are subtle indicators that peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a vascular health challenge affecting many in our community, is present.

Allow me to relate one persons recent medical journey. A gentleman in his 70s was referred by his podiatrist. Wounds on his foot associated with a previous surgery had not healed for five months; his care team noted similar wounds at least three months prior to the surgery. Without his podiatrist recognizing poor wound healing as a sign of PAD, he could have lost his leg. Following a minimally invasive procedure to restore blood flow below his ankle, his wound healed completely and he is alive on two legs, living a rewarding life surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Writing is important to me and I have spent a good deal of my professional life learning to digest medical data and communicate the information in an approachable way; the adjacent pictures were published by a Philip Goodney, MD, a professor of vascular surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in New Hampshire and a mentor of mine. They demonstrate amputation rates across the United States relative to population density. Notice Fallbrook is adjacent to the darker blue region in Southern California, meaning there is an unmet need and people right here are suffering relatively more amputations related to PAD than other U.S. regions. Around the world, more than 200 million people have PAD; PAD patients are in good company and there is work to do for all of them.

Knowing this, and that at my core I want to be useful, it seems important to ensure PAD awareness is a local effort. Treating this disease process effectively often requires regular visits with your vascular surgeon, which I have learned over time can tax patients with mobility challenges. The closer doctors can be geographically to patients, the easier it is for us to overcome this health challenge together.

The shift to local, office-based care

Nowadays, PAD care happens in the office setting rather than at a hospital. Portable ultrasounds, mobile X-ray equipment, as well as minimally invasive devices allow blocked arteries to be diagnosed and reopened under local anesthetic. Selected complex patients may still require hospital care, but most folks can be treated from start to finish without leaving town.

When PAD patients, or anyone with a medical condition, travel outside of their hometown area, it is important to check health insurance parameters; some plans restrict where care may be administered. Keep in mind that the most flexible and portable insurance coverage is Medicare Part B. Those eligible for Medicare Part B may visit any hospital in the United States and just about any specialist doctor they choose. Insurance open enrollment happens every year in the fall, providing an opportunity to select the right coverage. Folks should be aware that the freedom to receive care from their doctors is an important feature provided by Medicare Part B. Counseling is available at my office, California Vascular Health Specialists, through a host of resources during this open enrollment period, should anyone with PAD or another health condition have questions about signing up for Medicare Part B or the related supplements, Parts G, K, and L.

The geographic and economic barriers to access

Our gentleman with the foot wound for months was not able to access care locally and traveled a significant distance to my office. Adding a geographic barrier to his language barrier nearly led to an amputation, an outcome suffered by up to 25 percent of PAD patients with this most severe form of the disease, chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), all related to the economic challenge of maintaining a stable medical community in our corner of Southern California.

As a physician, I have learned that health care is not just about medicine. It is about proximity. It is about relationships. And sometimes, it is about whether help is 15 minutes away, or an hour and a half.

I practice vascular surgery in Fallbrook, California, a community on the northern edge of San Diego County. It is not isolated, but it is not urban either. People here value independence. They do not want to leave town for every doctors visit, and many simply cannot. Over the years, I have watched what happens when local medical care quietly erodes. The consequences are not theoretical. They show up in exam rooms, wheelchairs, and nursing facilities.

The decline of independent medical practices

This is not just a rural problem. It is a community problem. Across the country, independent medical practices, often the backbone of care for working-class, elderly, and underserved patients, are disappearing. Over the last decade, the share of physicians in independent practice has dropped dramatically. When those practices close, patients drive farther, pay more, and often receive care in higher-cost hospital settings that were never meant to replace local medicine.

A major driver of this trend is how Medicare pays physicians. The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) was created to pay doctors for their work: their expertise, judgment, and time. As medical technology has advanced and more minimally invasive care can be provided safely in the office-based setting, patients have benefited greatly from better access to care and lower costs. However, as the MPFS was not built to reimburse for high-tech, high-cost equipment, the reimbursement schedule has been diluted and broken down for all physicians providing care in the office-based setting. The result? In hundreds of cases, reimbursement does not even cover the basic cost of providing care, forcing practices to close or sell to large hospital systems.

The 2026 MPFS represented the first increase for office-based care in years, but permanent stability will require structural reform: specifically, paying separately from the MPFS for equipment and supplies, just as we already do in hospital and surgical center settings. That change would help keep doors open in communities where patients live.

Insurance coverage does not equal access to care. Communities need doctors nearby, doctors who know their patients, their histories, and their lives. My goal is simple: to keep my doors open so the next patient with a small problem does not lose something irreplaceable.

Devin Zarkowsky is a vascular surgeon and founder of California Vascular Health Specialists. Affiliated with UCSF and Dartmouth, Dr. Zarkowsky created his practice to deliver care that goes beyond treatment alone. He approaches vascular medicine as a partnership, supporting patients throughout their vascular health journey through direct communication, close collaboration, and care designed to meet patients where they are.

His work emphasizes bringing specialized vascular care closer to patients while advancing outcomes through research, clinical expertise, and a more connected model of care. In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Zarkowsky has contributed public commentary on access and the consequences of care moving farther away from the communities that need it.

More about his perspective on access and patient care can be found in his Healthcare Guys commentary.
Event marking 11th Space Day of China kicks off in Chengdu

Xinhua) 09:37, April 25, 2026

This photo taken on April 24, 2026 shows a lunar surface autonomous intelligent micro-robot exhibited at an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Guests view satellite exhibits at an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Guests visit an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Guests view a drone displayed at an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Guests view the Chang'e-6 return capsule displayed at an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the 11th Space Day of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

A man poses for photos outside the venue for an event marking the 11th Space Day of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

The latest scientific achievement in the lunar samples brought back by China's Chang'e-5 mission is announced during the opening ceremony of the 11th Space Day of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 24, 2026. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This photo taken on April 24, 2026 shows a lunar sample collected by China's Chang'e-6 mission, at an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This photo taken on April 24, 2026 shows a lunar sample collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission, at an aerospace science exhibition in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. An event marking the 11th Space Day of China kicked off in Chengdu on Friday, under the theme "A Seven-Decade Celestial Path, A shared Cosmos Faith." A series of activities are scheduled during this year's event, including an opening ceremony, an aerospace science exhibition, an aerospace culture and arts forum.

Since 2016, April 24 has been celebrated as Space Day of China, marking the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
Authorities in South Sudan have defended the heavy deployment of security Forces across the capital, Juba, describing it as a routine rehearsal ahead of anticipated national elections later this year.

Police spokesperson Daniel Justin said the visible presence of uniformed personnel is part of efforts to test operational readiness and simulate real-time election scenarios. The exercises include intensified patrols, vehicle checks, and refresher training for officers.

The deployment has sparked concern among residents, but authorities insist that the situation remains stable and that the measures are proactive rather than a response to any immediate threat. Officials say the operations are also helping to deter crime, with early signs of reduced criminal activity across the city.
Anxiety and confusion have gripped voters across Mumbai as the pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping exercise begins, with many struggling to trace names in old electoral rolls, navigate shifting constituency boundaries and comply with documentation requirements.



At the centre of the unease is an Election Commission requirement linking verification to both the 2002 and 2024 electoral rolls  a process many residents say is poorly understood and difficult to navigate. Even as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have begun distributing forms, voters in several neighbourhoods say they have little clarity on how to access two-decade-old records.



In Andheri West, particularly Lokhandwala in the Versova constituency, residents said the exercise has triggered concern.



The SIR form requires us to provide electoral details from both 2002 and 2024. This is a major roadblock because most voters do not know how to access voter lists from over two decades ago. There is no clear guidance, said resident Dhaval Shah.



He said the problem is even more acute for those who have relocated, with some being asked to furnish records from previous constituencies.



Boundary shifts add to confusion



The issue has been compounded by changes following the 2009 delimitation exercise. Residents say many voters who moved after delimitation are often unaware of their earlier constituencies.



Voters who moved here after 2009 are often unaware of their earlier constituencies. It is extremely difficult for a common citizen to track these changes, said resident Karan Jothwani, urging authorities to hold awareness workshops.



Similar concerns have surfaced elsewhere. Booth Level Agents (BLAs) said many people are unable to locate their names in the 2002 list, while others have found discrepancies, including names appearing in different locations.



Sajid Khan, a BLA from Govandi, said many cases involve applicants who were not voters in 2002 or whose parents had died before 2002, complicating documentation.



We are documenting such cases and will raise them with the EC, he said, adding that a Government Resolution is expected to clarify the procedure.



Echoing those concerns, 45-year-old Momina Shaikh from Govandi said she had been unable to trace her records.



Even my fathers name is not there. He has been missing for two decades. Now I am being told to wait for the SIR process and submit fresh documents. It is going to be hectic, she said.



Officials insist support exists



Civic officials, however, said mechanisms are in place to support voters. BMC election officials said BLOs would have access to both the 2002 and 2024 lists and would visit households up to three times to help residents fill out enumeration forms.



Election Commission officials also said voters can search their names in the last SIR through the ECINet portal.



There is an option to search your name in the last SIR by filling in basic details. Most people are able to find their records through this simple method. If not, they can approach BLOs or BLAs, and if the issue remains unresolved, they can wait for the SIR process to begin, an official said.



At a recent all-party meeting convened by Municipal Commissioner and City Election Officer Ashwini Bhide, Congress leader Ashraf Azmi raised concerns over whether the number of appointed BLOs was adequate for Mumbais more than 10,000 polling booths. Responding, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar said 85 per cent of appointments had been completed, and the exercise was yet to begin in full swing.



Even so, residents and political representatives said greater clarity, public outreach and procedural guidance would be critical if confusion over documentation requirements is to be addressed before the exercise gathers momentum.




Every character has their own journey, says filmmaker Nagraj Manjule, 48. He often returns to this idea, drawn to the weight people carry, the worlds they come from, and the long, uneven effort it takes to move beyond them. His characters never follow a fixed path; they thrive in the messy friction of lives left hangingwhether its the social heartbreak of Sairat or the cutthroat gamble of Matka King, Manjules world is built on the beautiful, dangerous unpredictability and desperation of the underdog.



His own life has been shaped by similar forces. Born into the Waddar community, a historically nomadic group, Manjules early years in Solapurs Jeur village was a survival act against the grain. Financial strain led to his adoption by an uncle, yet in a defiant act of reclamation, he carried his biological fathers name onto the silver screen: Nagraj Popatrao Manjule. Identity is, clearly, not just some theme hes learnt to work; its the bone and marrow of his storytelling.



But the path from the periphery to the directors chair wasnt a straight line; it was a slow burn of discovery. Before filmmaking found him, Manjule was a student trying to find himself. He remembers a love for literature and the Marathi language. I never dreamt that I would become a director, he says. It was on the instance of a friend that he enrolled in a masters programme in Mass Communication at New Arts, Commerce and Science College in Ahmednagar, after completing a Masters in Marathi literature from Savitribai Phule Pune University. He spent those years reading, writing, and dissecting film, desperate to decode the secret language of how a story gets under a readersand a viewersskin.



The gamblers pulse



It was here that the spark caught. In 2009, his college project, Pistulyaa raw look at a boys fight for an educationdefied its student-film origins to bag two National Awards. Thats when filmmaking started feeling real, he recalls. That same obsession with lives shaped by the grind fuels his latest venture, Matka King, he says. Produced by Roy Kapur Films and released last Friday, the series plunges headlong into 1960s Mumbai, into the sprawling



ecosystem of the matka gambling craze. What hooked Manjule wasnt just the bet, but the world built around itan informal economy of bookies, runners, and dreamers fuelled by the New York Cotton Exchange rates and the seductive hope of a lucky draw.



Back in the 1960s and 1970s, matka was a fever that infected the city. Headlines screamed of fortunes made overnight and families ruined by a single digit, eventually forcing a government crackdown. While gambling has morphed into a thousand digital avatars since then, that game was a singular beastmuch like Manjules cinema, its power lay in how it charged up the masses, offering a flash of agency to those usually left in the shadows.



At the centre of this show is Brij Bhatti (played by Vijay Varma), a character forged not from a single biography, but from the most intriguing legends of the era. We spent two years writing, Manjule says of the series, which captures an era where industrialists and daily wagers alike held a collective, jagged breath, waiting to see who luck would crown and who it would crush.



In the grain of the grit



To resurrect the era, the production invaded the citys skeletal industrial ruins, like Mukesh Mills, populating the space with period-accurate currency, weathered signage, and the ghost-lean of vintage streets. Manjules entourage included friends he plays cards and carrom with, and hed consult them on the specific, forgotten facets of matka. Some even stayed on to play background roles, to add to the mood of the scene.



For Manjule, this wasnt about being a perfectionist. Cinema is collaborative, he notes. We write in a room, limited by that space. But once actors like Sai Tamhankar or Kritika Kamra step in, they bring instincts that change the air. He loves it when an actors impulse overpowers the writers original thought.



Just as the villagers in Fandry werent there to move the plot but to expose the suffocating social fabric surrounding Jabya, the cast in Matka King are universes unto themselves. They are not there to serve the protagonist; rather, they form the world hes trying to conquer.



Outsiders instinct



This commitment to the raw and the real is what turned Sairat into a cultural earthquake in 2016. Shot in the dusty Jat region of Solapur with a cast of first-timers, the film blurred the line between performance and life. The caste system and honour killings were always at the back of my mind, Manjule says.



Whether in that village or in a Mumbai betting den, Manjules lens remains fixed on those at the edges, governed by invisible systems. He, therefore, sees the current boom in regional cinema as a long-overdue shift. Larger producers are backing these stories more openly now, he notes. It expands what mainstream cinema can be, allowing smaller worlds to find massive audiences without altering their voice.



In an industry of calculated bets and rigid genres, Manjule, thus, remains the ultimate outlier. The story decides the form, he says, irrespective of whether hes working in fiction or non-fiction. His goal remains singular and stripped-back: I just follow my heart and focus on doing my job with utmost honesty.




While Indian markets currently lack a pure-play AI champion and large IT services firms face disruption risks from artificial intelligence, Mirae Asset Mutual Fund's CEO and Vice President, Swarup Mohanty, believes India could emerge as a "non-AI hedge" in global portfolios once capital allocations to the technology peak out. Speaking in an exclusive conversation with ANI, Mohanty said that Indian IT companies, long seen as cashflow generators and key contributors to the country's export basket, are now under pressure as investors rotate heavily into AI-linked stocks. "The stock performance has reflected that for the most part," he said. However, he expressed confidence that India's IT sector will adapt. "They are too skilled and experienced to not find their way at all," he said, adding that he has a personal stake in the sector with his son working in one of the firms. Mohanty said Indian IT companies must showcase credible AI capabilities to avoid being left out of the next technology cycle. "We have to showcase that otherwise we will be dramatically left out in that space," he said. Yet even if India does not feature prominently in AI hardware or chips like the US or Korea, he argued that the demand for IT services will persist. "There will still be a lot of work for our IT companies in that space. Maybe they'll be relegated to a little lower than what that space is, but I don't think the IT world will not need what we are doing," he said. Mohanty noted that money flows in cycles, and the last two years have seen capital "completely washed out from the non-AI world" as investors chase AI. But once AI allocations peak, fund managers will look elsewhere for value. That is when India's structural story could come back into focus. "The diversity of the market and the fact that this is the only economy growing at 6% will come into play today or tomorrow," he said. He drew a parallel with Korea, which saw little market movement for seven-eight years before delivering strong returns in the last 18 months. If India does not establish itself in AI, it can still attract capital as a stable, high-growth economy. "When you look at the rest of the portfolio, there is enough and more that India is offering for finding merit in everybody's portfolio," he said. Mohanty also pointed to valuations as a key swing factor. While many believed Indian markets were overvalued in 2024 and investors took money off the table, he said the equation changes when prices correct. "You buy a good stock at a good price. That India is a good story is a foregone conclusion. There is no country growing at 6%, even after the oil shock has taken 1% off growth," he said. "When the price is right, make no mistake, money will come back. There's no doubt or debate." He stressed that India's economic and market fundamentals, from domestic consumption to policy stability, give it a unique position in an uncertain global environment. "The entire length and breadth of the Indian economy to the stock market, to basic life in general, has been exposed to some gaps in the world. And it's how quickly we fill these gaps will define our next decade forward," he said. (ANI)
NewsVoir Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 25: Today, representatives from the Mars Impact Fund, the philanthropic entity of Mars, Incorporated, a global pet care, snacking, and food company, visited (1)Humane World for Animals India's Animal Birth Control centre in Lucknow to observe the city's integrated humane street dog management and community engagement program. The visit showcased how dog sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination initiatives can flourish through strong community engagement, a key factor in Lucknow's prominence as a model city for humanely managing street dog populations, reducing conflict and promoting human-dog co-existence in India. In India, millions of street dogs live in close proximity to people, which can present a complex urban challenge. The program model emerging from Lucknow demonstrates that when science-led strategic solutions are combined with compassion and community ownership, there is a replicable pathway for cities seeking effective, lasting and humane solutions to human-dog conflict. What sets this approach apart is its emphasis on communities and street dog caregivers as active participants in the solution, not just beneficiaries. Community volunteers, residents, Resident Welfare Associations and community dog caretakers play a central role, from monitoring street dogs to managing designated feeding zones and collaborating with field teams to identify unsterilized dogs. Today, more than 475 Abhay Sankalp societies--local resident groups formed to support humane street dog management and coexistence-- are active across the city, bringing together over 15,000 community members. This Humane World for Animals program is supported by the Mars Impact Fund, which is helping strengthen community-led approaches to companion animal welfare in urban India. Since its inception, the program has sterilized and vaccinated over one lakh street dogs, achieving more than 80% sterilization coverage in the city. Notably, 25% of these efforts have been enabled through community participation, reflecting a growing shift towards shared responsibility in humanely and sustainably managing street dog populations. During their visit, members of the Mars team also interacted with community members and volunteers directly involved in the program, gaining insight into how local participation is shaping outcomes. The visit included a dog behavior awareness workshop with children, offering a glimpse into how early education helps to explain dog behaviour, reduce fear-driven responses, prevent conflict, and foster empathy and safer interactions between people and animals. "Witnessing the Lucknow program firsthand is a powerful reminder of what's possible when science, compassion, and community come together. This is exactly the kind of sustainable, scalable impact we aim to support through the Mars Impact Fund. Humane World for Animals India has created a replicable model that not only improves the welfare of street dogs but also strengthens the bond between people and pets. At Mars, we believe in creating a better world for pets, and this program is a perfect example of how we can achieve that by empowering local partners to drive meaningful change from the ground up," said Michelle Grogg, Executive Director, Mars Impact Fund. Keren Nazareth, senior director, Companion Animals and Engagement, Humane World for Animals India, said, "Lasting change for street dogs is as much about people as it is about dogs. While interventions like sterilization and vaccination remain critical, when community residents are informed, involved and supported, they become the strongest drivers and agents of coexistence. The Mars Impact Fund's support allows us to deepen that engagement on the ground and build solutions that are humane and sustainable." Facts: - Humane World for Animals India, in collaboration with the Lucknow Nagar Nigam in Uttar Pradesh, started the ABC program in Lucknow in 2019. - More than one lakh dogs have been sterilized so far. Chitti, the 100,000th community dog sterilized under the program, was found by a resident volunteer injured on the street and brought to the Lucknow facility. - Each week, 250-300 dogs are sterilized, vaccinated and released back to their original locations. The initiative is supported by a team of over 30 trained staff members, six vehicles and a strong network of community volunteers. - A monitoring survey in December 2024 found that 84.3% of Lucknow's street dogs have been sterilized and vaccinated. - Over 31,000 public concerns related to street dogs were effectively addressed through humane interventions such as sterilization, vaccination and community awareness. - The Mars Impact Fund was launched in 2026 as an $85 million global fund dedicated to complement the company's existing sustainability and philanthropic efforts with long-term, strategic investments that strengthen communities, advance scientific opportunity and improve companion animal wellbeing. The fund builds upon Mars long-standing global partnership with Humane World for Animals, and its support for the organization's programs in India began in 2020. Humane World for Animals (formerly known as Humane Society International) works in India and across the globe to improve the welfare of street, community and companion dogs and cats. We promote humane, sustainable approaches to reduce street animal populations and support peaceful coexistence with people, offering solutions in place of lethal or inhumane methods. Since 2013, more than 400,000 street dogs have been sterilized and vaccinated in India through Humane World for Animals' programs. The charity's street dog programs, in addition to its work to increase access to care for companion animals in underserved communities, help people care for their animals and prevent cruelty and abandonment, is advanced in North America, South Africa, Mexico, India, Chile, Costa Rica, Romania and Bolivia. About Humane World for Animals Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals--formerly called Humane Society International--addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world. For more information, please visit humaneworld.org. About Mars, Incorporated Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $65bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services supports pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN, PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, CESAR, M&M'S, SNICKERS, Pringles, Cheez-It, and BEN'S ORIGINAL. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, VCA and ANICURA span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles -- Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom -- inspire our more than 170,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet. (1) Humane World for Animals was formerly known as Humane Society International (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
PNN Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 25: Supreme Power Equipment Limited (SPEL) (NSE: SUPREMEPWR), One of India's leading manufacturers of power and distribution transformers, has secured domestic orders aggregating to 128 Cr from Hyderabad-based companies, strengthening its order pipeline and near-term revenue visibility. Orders Secured on 22nd April 2026 Order 1 - Order Value: 51.30 Cr - Scope: Supply of 20MVA, 110/33-11 kV power transformers - Execution Timeline: Approximately 13 months Order 2 - Order Value: 23.30 Cr - Scope: Supply of 160MVA, 220 kV transformer - Execution Timeline: Approximately 13 months Orders Secured on 13th April 2026 Order 3 - Order Value: 39.90 Cr - Scope: Supply of 20MVA, 110/33-11 kV power transformers - Execution Timeline: Approximately 17 months Order 4 - Order Value: 13.50 Cr - Scope: Supply of 112.5MVA, 330 kV transformer - Execution Timeline: Approximately 11 months With these order wins, the Company's order book stands at 481.44 Cr for Supreme Power Equipment Limited and 96.28 Cr for its subsidiary Danya Electric Company, aggregating to a total of 577.72 Cr as on 23rd April 2026, providing strong revenue visibility. The Company remains focused on timely execution and strengthening its presence across key markets. Commenting on the development, Mr. Vee Rajmohan, Chairman and Managing Director of Supreme Power Equipment Limited, said "We are pleased to secure four key orders from Hyderabad-based companies, further strengthening our order inflow momentum. The Company has been witnessing a steady increase in order wins in recent periods, reflecting strong demand and continued trust in our execution capabilities. We are enhancing our execution capacity to capitalize on this demand cycle and support our next phase of growth. With rising investments in power and infrastructure, particularly in high-growth regions like Telangana, we see a strong pipeline of opportunities ahead. We remain focused on expanding our market presence, delivering high-quality execution, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders." (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.)
PNN New Delhi [India], April 25: India's business landscape in 2026 is buzzing with innovation, ambition, and disruption. Across industries--from fintech and mobility to digital marketing, education, and retail--a new wave of companies is not just adapting to change but actively shaping the future. These organizations are leveraging cutting-edge technology, bold strategies, and customer-first thinking to create real impact at scale. In this dynamic environment, a select group of standout companies is leading the charge, redefining standards, and setting new benchmarks for growth, creativity, and transformation. 1. Craywingz Craywingz is a full-service creative advertising agency based in Ahmedabad, built on the belief of "Making Advertising Great Again." Founded by Vandit Mehta (Co-Founder & CEO), Pinkesh Panchal (Co-Founder & CCO), and Pratik Lalani (Co-Founder & CIO), the agency has grown from a small three-member team into a 60+ strong creative force. Craywingz specializes in strategy, branding, content, digital campaigns, CGI, outdoor advertising, and spatial brand experiences. Unlike conventional agencies that chase visibility, Craywingz focuses on distinctiveness, creating work that is clear, bold, and unforgettable. The company has collaborated with leading brands such as Phoenix Mills, CRED, TVS, Zepto, Gujarat Titans, CaratLane, Haldiram's, and several major real estate developers across India. With 30+ industry awards, Craywingz continues to expand its creative footprint. Recent expansions include CravStudios for CGI and filmmaking, CravSocial for creator-led content ecosystems, and CravSpace for immersive brand activations, positioning Craywingz as a complete creative ecosystem for modern brand building. Visit for more Information:https://www.craywingz.com/ 2. HYPKO HYPKO is an emerging manufacturing company from Chhattisgarh that is making a strong impact in India's construction machinery sector. Founded by Anubhav Chauhan, Anil Sharma, and Abhijeet Kanwar, the company specializes in fly ash brick and concrete block machines designed for efficiency, durability, and ease of use. With operational units in Korba and Raipur, HYPKO supports entrepreneurs, contractors, and small manufacturers in building scalable and sustainable businesses. What sets HYPKO apart is its hands-on approach, offering not just machinery but practical guidance on setup, production optimization, and long-term growth. The company has built a solid reputation across multiple states, with machines performing reliably in diverse conditions. Recognized by platforms like ABP Live and Lokmat Times, HYPKO continues to innovate by enhancing automation and efficiency. With plans to expand internationally and build an integrated construction ecosystem, HYPKO is positioning itself as a trusted partner in modern, eco-friendly construction solutions. Visit for more Information: www.hypko.in 3. Mentor Aditya Jain Academy Mentor Aditya Jain Academy, based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is an ISO-certified institute dedicated to transforming how individuals learn trading. Founded by Aditya Jain, the academy provides structured education in the Indian stock market, MCX commodities, and cryptocurrencies using a disciplined, institutional approach. Focused purely on education, not tips or calls, the academy equips students with essential skills like price-action analysis, F&O strategies, and risk management. By integrating AI-powered tools, learners gain practical insights into market data, helping them make informed decisions independently. The institute has earned national recognition, including honors at Vigyan Bhawan and from the Governor of Rajasthan, for its contribution to financial awareness and fraud prevention. It has also trained Rajasthan Police officers in identifying stock market scams. Catering to beginners, professionals, and aspiring traders, the academy offers step-by-step courses, live support, and community learning. With continuous innovation and a strong ethical foundation, it is building a new generation of informed and responsible traders. Visit for more Information: www.mentoradityajain.com/ 4. Evox Evox is redefining mobility in India by placing dignity, independence, and empathy at the heart of assistive technology. In a world where accessibility often limits potential, Evox challenges the narrative disability is not inability; the real barrier is the environment we've built. Through thoughtfully designed electric wheelchairs, the company empowers individuals with mobility challenges, the elderly, and caregivers to reclaim freedom in their daily lives. More than a product brand, Evox is a movement for inclusion. Each innovation is driven not just by engineering excellence, but by real human stories restoring confidence, enabling participation, and improving quality of life. With a strong focus on after-sales care and practical affordability, Evox is building trust across India while setting its sights on global impact. At its core, Evox isn't selling wheelchairs; it's restoring independence and proving that mobility is a basic human right, not a privilege. Visit for more Information: https://blog.shopevox.com/ 5. KRPVT KRPVT is an emerging fashion retail ecosystem company redefining how brands scale across India's growing Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Built on an integrated model, the group connects retail, distribution, omnichannel commerce, and technology to create a seamless platform for global and Indian fashion brands. Through its retail format, Knockout, KRPVT is strengthening its presence across North India by offering curated, accessible fashion experiences for modern consumers. Its ecosystem is further powered by Kapsons Agencies, Kapsons Retail, and Krest Solutions, enabling brands to operate efficiently across offline and digital channels. With a strong focus on omnichannel retail growth, brand partnerships, and technology-led retail infrastructure, KRPVT is building a scalable platform that bridges the gap between physical retail and e-commerce. The group is also committed to community development initiatives, reinforcing its purpose-driven approach to long-term growth in India's evolving retail landscape. Visit for more Information: https://www.krpvt.com/ 6. Pranil Education Services LLP Pranil Education Services LLP, based in Ahmedabad, is a trusted name in overseas education, recruitment, and career development with over 14 years of experience. Led by Founder Komal Tiwari and Co-Founder Arvind Tiwari, the group has built a strong reputation for delivering ethical, transparent, and result-driven solutions. What sets the company apart is its expertise in converting challenging profiles into success stories, helping even low IELTS score candidates secure study visas, work permits, and PR opportunities, especially in Canada. The group also includes Pranil Recruitment Services, Pranil Tours & Travels, and Karv Digital Media & Event Solutions, expanding its reach across industries. Recently, the company has strengthened its overseas job network and introduced digital branding services to support business growth. With a proven track record in complex cases and a client-first approach, Pranil continues to bridge the gap between talent and global opportunities. Visit for more Information: www.pranileducation.com/ 7. Connected IT Solutions Avinash Jha, an accomplished entrepreneur and AI strategist, is redefining the global technology landscape through innovation, impact, and purpose-driven leadership. As the Founder & CEO of Connected IT Solutions (CITS), he has successfully built and scaled multiple ventures across telecom, maritime intelligence, and enterprise automation. His flagship platforms, Simfinity and Navtrac, reflect a vision to create intelligent, globally accessible solutions that address real-world challenges. Beyond business, Avinash is deeply committed to empowering communities through education and sustainability. He has conducted free AI and technology workshops across Southeast Asia, equipping students and professionals with future-ready skills, while also leading environmental initiatives that planted over 12,000 trees in 2025. With a strong belief that technology should simplify lives and success should create broader impact, Avinash continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to build ventures that drive both innovation and positive change worldwide. Visit for more Information: https://citsltd.uk/ 8. StarAndDaisy StarAndDaisy (SND.in) continues to strengthen its presence in India's baby care market by offering a wide range of baby essentials and kids' products designed for modern parenting needs. The platform features products such as baby strollers, walkers, car seats, diaper bags, high chairs, baby carriers, and nursery furniture, all focused on safety, comfort, and durability. With a strong omnichannel presence across SND.in, Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra, the brand ensures easy accessibility for customers across India. StarAndDaisy has also expanded into quick commerce platforms like Blinkit to meet the growing demand for faster delivery. Additionally, the brand offers same-day and 2-4 hour delivery in Delhi NCR, enhancing customer convenience. Backed by positive StarAndDaisy Reviews, the company continues to build trust and reliability among modern parents. Visit for more Information: https://snd.in/ 9. 6S Marketers 6S Marketers, a performance-focused digital marketing agency based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, is redefining growth marketing with a strong blend of strategy, technology, and execution. Led by Director Mukti Lata, the agency specializes in SEO, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), performance marketing, and digital PR. Its in-house AI platform, Butterswipe, powers advanced content intelligence, keyword strategy, competitor analysis, and LLM-focused visibility, enabling brands to stay ahead in an evolving AI-driven search landscape. Unlike traditional agencies, 6S Marketers focuses on measurable business outcomes such as CAC, ROAS, and SQLs rather than vanity metrics. The agency has delivered over 200 million organic traffic for clients with an average 99% year-on-year growth. It serves leading brands including RedBus, Dezerv, Jio Credit, Flexiloans, and Great Lakes, among others. With 800+ media partners and 100,000+ PR websites, 6S Marketers continues to strengthen digital authority for brands. Its ongoing innovation in GEO and AI-driven SEO positions it as a future-ready growth partner in the global digital ecosystem. Visit for more Information: https://6smarketers.com/ 10. Spatz Media Spatz Media continues to build its presence as a digital marketing and public relations service provider, focusing on accessible solutions for businesses navigating competitive online markets. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including press release distribution, content creation, search engine optimization, and web development. Designed to support brands at various growth stages, Spatz Media emphasizes structured campaigns that enhance visibility and engagement across digital platforms. Its approach integrates targeted outreach with content-driven strategies, helping clients establish credibility and improve search performance. As demand for online brand positioning increases, the company aims to deliver practical and scalable PR solutions without the high costs traditionally associated with media exposure. Spatz Media's evolving service model reflects a broader industry shift toward digital-first communication, where consistent visibility and strategic storytelling play a key role in long-term business growth. Visit for more Information: https://spatzmedia.com/ As industries continue to evolve in an increasingly digital and competitive world, these 10 companies exemplify what it means to innovate with purpose and scale with vision. Their ability to combine technology, strategy, and execution is not only driving their own success but also contributing to India's broader growth story. Whether it's empowering individuals, transforming businesses, or building future-ready ecosystems, these organizations are paving the way forward. As 2026 unfolds, they are undoubtedly among the key players to watch shaping trends, influencing markets, and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. (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.)
Newly appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Lahiri, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, a day after assuming charge, marking his first official engagement in the role. Lahiri, who was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the government's apex policy think tank on Friday, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, signalling the beginning of his tenure at a time when India is navigating a complex global economic environment. While details of the meeting were not officially disclosed, the interaction assumes significance as NITI Aayog plays a key role in shaping India's economic policy framework and driving reforms across sectors. The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal - senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as Member, sources said on Friday. Dilip Mandal, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, also congratulated Lahiri on his new role. Posting on his X account, he said, "India's top economist, the die-hard Bengali Dr. Ashok Lahiri, who prepares khichdi prasad for the religious event of Ram Puja, will now be a key figure at NITI Aayog (formerly the Planning Commission)." "He will guide how the country's policies are shaped. This is a good selection by Prime Minister @narendramodi," he added. With this, Bengal once again finds two of its prodigal sons in the top echelons of the Indian policy- making circle, marking another milestone in the state's rich legacy of seminal contributions to scholarship and nation-building, the sources said. In his new role as NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson, Ashok Lahiri will steer the progress towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat. Amongst India's most experienced economists with a career spanning over four decades, Dr Lahiri has served multiple important roles across the policy spectrum, from Chief Economic Adviser to Finance Commission Member, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and the IMF. An alumnus of Delhi School of Economics and Presidency University, Dr Lahiri has been "a proud Kolkatan, and leading Bengali Bhodrolok luminary" championing the cause of Bengal's development and progress. Dr Gobardhan Das is a celebrated Molecular Science Professor, specializing in Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Cell Biology over a scientific career of nearly three decades. He is internationally recognised for his research on the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Having led cutting-edge research across the world including at Yale University and Houston Methodist Hospital in the USA, and KwaZulu-Natal University and National Research Foundation in South Africa, he chose to return home to serve in his motherland. An alumnus of Viswa-Bharati University, Dr Das went onto become a Professor in JNU, and is presently leading the development of IISER Bhopal as its Director. Dr Das's professional excellence and global achievements are even more inspiring when seen in the context of his inspirational personal life story of overcoming unimaginable odds, as a true son of the soil. Born to Hindu Dalit refugees from Bangladesh who had to leave their everything behind to escape persecution, Dr Das grew up in very challenging conditions in Bengal. With his father being a poor farmer, he had to study under street lamps as a student. He also suffered through the horror of losing 17 members of his family in riots in West Bengal. His steadfast commitment to nation-building through all of this, will now serve as a ray of hope and inspiration for countless across Bengal and the nation at large. NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, and the nodal agency tasked with catalysing economic development and fostering cooperative federalism through the involvement of State Governments in the economic policymaking process using a bottom-up approach. (ANI)
Newly appointed Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog, Ashok Kumar Lahiri, on Saturday said he held his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after taking charge, expressing gratitude for the responsibility entrusted to him. "After my appointment as Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog became public, I had my first meeting with Prime Minister Honourable Narendra Modi this morning. I thanked him and I must express my deep gratitude to the government and Prime Minister Modi for reposing his trust," Lahiri said. Highlighting the role of the policy think tank, Lahiri said the Prime Minister's decision to replace the Planning Commission marked a key shift in governance. "Prime Minister Modi took the bold decision of abolishing the Planning Commission and replacing it by the Niti Aayog. What Niti Aayog does, it formulates policies, it monitors implementation and gives advice to both central and state governments," he said. Lahiri emphasised that the functioning of the institution rests on what he described as the "three Ns". "What is important for NITI Aayog are the three Ns, NITI, Nishtha and Niyat. If we have these three Ns, we will succeed," he said, adding that there is a strong focus on "data-driven planning." Citing government initiatives, he pointed to the Aspirational Districts Programme as an example of this approach. "Look at aspirational districts. The backward districts have been called aspirational districts. The data is being collected and their improvement in socio-economic terms is being monitored. That's a great improvement," Lahiri said. He further underlined that the vision of a developed India goes beyond income levels. "The Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat is not only income, per capita income, it's also education, health, infrastructure and general well-being. Achieving that in a country of 140 crore people is not an easy affair," he said. Lahiri also stressed the need for a shift in mindset to achieve these goals. "What is very important is a change in mindset. Once we resolve that we will achieve it, we can do it," he said. Calling his appointment a recognition of his academic roots, Lahiri added, "If it's an honour to be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Niti Aayog, it's not only an honour for me, I believe it's a recognition of the academic tradition of Bengal and particularly the tradition of economics in Bengal." The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal - senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as Member of the apex body. NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, and the nodal agency tasked with catalysing economic development and fostering cooperative federalism through the involvement of State Governments in the economic policymaking process using a bottom-up approach. (ANI)
In Badarwas, Madhya Pradesh (MP), women seeking a steady income will now find new pathways to earn and build self-reliance. As part of this effort, the Adani Foundation, the social welfare and development arm of the Adani Group, has opened an Adani Vikas Kendra in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, bringing structured work opportunities closer to home. The Swabhimaan programme of the Adani Foundation aims to connect one million women across India with sustainable livelihoods. It focuses on enabling women to move from informal, irregular work to stable, income-generating opportunities linked to markets, an Adani Foundation release said. Spread across 48,000 square feet, the centre will operate in its full capacity with 600 modern sewing machines and is designed as both a training and production facility. Women will gain practical skills and access to regular livelihood opportunities. As the centre scales up, around 1,500 women are expected to earn a steady income and support their families with greater confidence. The facility was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Communications and Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) and Member of Parliament from Guna constituency, Jyotiraditya Scindia. More than 5,000 women from nearby villages attended the programme, reflecting strong local participation and demand for livelihood opportunities. "What we are witnessing in Badarwas is the power of aspiration taking shape. I congratulate Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, and the Adani Foundation for creating a platform where skills can reach global markets. One can see the resolve in the eyes of my beloved didis. Their hopes and aspirations are finding expression through meaningful livelihoods. This centre is a true engine of empowerment, and over the next five years, I am confident that products from Badarwas will resonate across the country and beyond," Scindia said. Adani Foundation's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Abhishek Lakhtakia, said the Centre will help women build financial independence. "Guided by our Chairperson Dr Priti Adani's belief that empowering women begins with the ability to earn with dignity, Swabhimaan focuses on turning skills into sustained income. By connecting women to real work and markets, we are enabling them to build financial independence and play a stronger role in their households and communities," he said. In Badarwas, this approach is expected to improve household income, reduce dependence on informal work and limit the need for migration, while strengthening women's participation in local economic activities. By investing in infrastructure, skills and market access, the Adani Foundation is ensuring that women can earn regularly and build more secure futures for themselves and their families, the release said. The Adani Foundation will mark its 30th anniversary on August 11 this year, reflecting three decades of sustained commitment to inclusive development across the length and breadth of India. (ANI)
Actor Nicole Kidman was taken to the hospital after filming a physically demanding pro-wrestling scene for the Apple TV+ series 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' while suffering from the flu, her co-star Nick Offerman revealed, according to Page Six. Offerman shared that the Oscar-winning actor pushed through illness to complete the shoot for the April 22 episode. "We're there in the morning, we're getting warmed up -- some of us are going to be performing some actual wrestling, and so we have our doubles, we have people we're working with," he told People. He added that the team was initially unsure if Kidman would be able to shoot. "And the word comes in that Nicole has the flu, and we might not get Nicole today. And we're like, 'Oh no, that's such a bummer, because we only have the one day that we've built this whole circus for,'" according to Page Six. However, the actor surprised everyone by arriving on set later that morning. "It's about 8:00 in the morning that we get this news. Come to be about 11:00 a.m., the word comes in: Nicole's coming," Offerman said. Despite her condition, Kidman went ahead with the shoot. "She was so sick. She was so pale, shaken. She just had the flu really so bad," Offerman said, adding that she "showed up and made sure that we got every shot of her, total superhero style, did everything we needed to so that we did not lose one scrap of what we needed for her character," according to Page Six. Following the shoot, Kidman required medical attention. "Afterwards, she was literally taken to the hospital for an IV," he revealed. Praising her dedication, Offerman said, "And I just said to her, I already admired you so much, but this is how you get to be Nicole Kidman, is you show up so that your show doesn't lose a minute of your value. It was so generous. It was astonishing." Kidman, who plays wrestler Lace opposite Offerman's character Jinx in the show, earlier spoke about her concerns during filming. "I was so scared about getting injured. When I got in the ring, I just went, 'OK, let's go,'" she said, adding, "'Cause whenever I do something, I go, 'OK, I've gotta be really careful,' and then I just forget about any sort of protection in my body, and I go crazy," according to Page Six. Reflecting on her work ethic, the actor had earlier told The New York Times, "I came from an industry that's small and was fighting to survive -- the Australian film industry. My whole attitude was get out there and work. There's no chance of being selective because you've got to make money. I didn't come from an affluent family. It was always about being a working actor." The series also stars Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Greg Kinnear and Marcia Gay Harden. It has been created by David E. Kelley and is based on Rufi Thorpe's novel of the same name, according to Page Six. (ANI)
Fire tenders reached the spot immediately after receiving the information at the control room and doused the blaze. There are no casualties reported, officials said.

Speaking to ANI, CFO Deepak Sharma said that at least 7-8 fire tenders reached the spot to control the fire from spreading any further.

"Information was received from the control room and our police officers that a vehicle garage near Idgah, under the Bajaria police station, was on fire. 7-8 vehicles from nearby fire stations arrived at the spot. The entire fire has been extinguished. There are no injuries or casualties at this time," he said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be known.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday praised State Bank of India for establishing its Local Head Office for the Maharashtra Circle in Pune and highlighted the critical role of banks in sustaining India's long-term economic growth amid global uncertainties. Speaking at the inauguration of the new premises of SBI's Local Head Office in Pune, Sitharaman said the move would strengthen banking outreach across Maharashtra. "I praise the State Bank of India's decision to establish a local head office in Pune to serve the rest of Maharashtra," she said. "When global markets are in a churn, our exports take a beating, but to their credit, I must say that despite all the tariffs and other challenges, they are performing because of their ingenuity. They are doing fine because they have found newer markets," she added. Sitharaman further said sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and information technology require continuous backing to maintain India's growth trajectory. "Unless our domestic manufacturing, agricultural growth, tourism, IT, and other sectors are given constant support, India's growth story will be difficult to maintain, and in that regard, banks have a very big role to play," she said. She also announced plans to set up a committee to recommend changes for the future of Indian banking. "There is a need for Indian banks to adapt to future challenges, so we are planning the formation of a committee to recommend changes for Indian banking to reach where we need to be by 2047," Sitharaman said. Her remarks followed a high-level meeting held on Thursday with Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with RBI, NPCI, CERT-In and chiefs of Scheduled Commercial Banks, to assess risks from advanced AI models that could be misused to weaponise software vulnerabilities. Sitharaman said Indian banks have remained largely free of any major incident involving cybersecurity violations over the decades because of sustained digitisation, regular system upgrades, firewalls and customer safety measures. "This has been an ongoing exercise and Indian banks have done very well for themselves that there has not been a major incident over the decades," she said. However, she cautioned that the challenge from advanced AI is different and less understood. "What we've had and therefore proved ourselves -- that we are careful and protective of our customers -- may not be sufficient. They need to be there, they need to improve, they need to grow. But we need something new and something far more versatile to counter the newer threats which are likely to come," she said. (ANI)
TMC candidate from Shyampukur Assembly constituency, Shashi Panja, criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying that he talks about women's safety in West Bengal while the national capital faces numerous crimes against women regularly. Speaking at a press conference, she slammed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for overlooking the safety protocols for women, further questioning if she is even aware of the crimes against women in the capital city. She emphasised that the number of army contingent which was sent to West Bengal during the elections was not sent to Manipur while it was burning. "The Union Home Minister and the BJP leadership said that if they come to power, the women in Kolkata and West Bengal will be safe even at 1 am. What is the example that they're showing in Delhi? A 22-year-old IITian was brutally raped and killed, what does the Delhi Chief Minister have to say about this, who has no clue about it. She doesn't know the number of missing cases and the number of missing girls or the cases of crime against women in her city? Here, they come and speak of Nari Suraksha and there it is forgotten. The number of army contingent which came to West Bengal, even this number was not deployed to Manipur, when it was burning," she said. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) took it to their X and said, "Amit Shah and BJP are playing the 'women's safety' card in a state that has been declared the safest for four consecutive years by Shah's own Home Ministry. One must ask: who is in charge of law and order in Delhi? The Delhi Police. And to whom do they report? Amit Shah. Yet, under this watch, a 22-year-old woman was brutally raped and murdered in the National Capital. Similarly, who was responsible for protecting the women of Manipur? The state's BJP government. Instead of protection, the world witnessed women being raped and paraded naked through the streets. Had BJP deployed even half as many Central Force personnel to Manipur as they have to Bengal for elections, this ethnic violence would not have been allowed to rage on for three years." The remarks follow Amit Shah's assurance to the women of West Bengal, where he criticised Mamata Banerjee's 'women should not leave the house after 7 pm' remark, and emphasised that under the BJP's rule, the women will be able to freely leave the house after 7 pm and will remain safe even at 1 am. "The formation of the government of the BJP in Bengal is of great importance. Our first priority will be to provide security to the women of Bengal and to liberate them from fear. The state where the female CM asks about the need for women to leave the house after 7 o'clock, I believe she has no right to rule. Today, I want to assure the mothers and sisters of Bengal that on the 5th, after the government of the BJP is formed, even at 1 o'clock at night, a young girl will leave with a scooter; no goon will be able to look at her," he said. The polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
The Odisha Legislative Assembly has called a one-day special session on April 30 to discuss the participation of women in Indian democracy. This comes after the Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha voted against the Constitution Amendment Bill on April 17. The Lok Sabha took up the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill together for passing. In the division that took place on the Constitution Amendment Bill following the debate on the three bills, 298 members voted in favour and 230 against. After the fall of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the NDA parties slammed the Opposition parties, accusing them of hindering one-third reservation for women legislators. In Odisha, the BJP alleged a BJD-Congress alliance to stop the proposed legislation. The BJP has held Jan Akrosh Padyatras in several states, slamming the Opposition parties. On April 23, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi remarked, "This historic struggle is not merely a demand for women's empowerment; it is a battle for the rights, respect, and dignity of women across the entirety of India. The voices of these women, who have taken to the streets, serve as an inspiration, a deception, and a powerful protest against the oppressors. This is not just discontent, but rather a firm resolve for justice, which will, in the days to come, illuminate the path to change and rob the oppressors of their sleep." While former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik said that the party has always stood for women's empowerment and slammed the BJP-led government for having linked the Bill to tweak women's quota with delimitation. He maintained that the BJD is firmly against any reduction in "political power" of Odisha and accused the BJP of "compromising" the state's rights. (ANI)
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the banks of the River Hooghly in West Bengal as a "photo shoot," and questioned him on the cleanliness of the River Ganga. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Pramod Tiwari said, "He went for the photo shoot. In Banaras, during his first election, he declared, 'I have not come on my own; Ganga Maiya has called me. Within 100 days, I will give pure water.' Now, a decade later, at the Kumbh in Prayagraj, reports revealed the water was not even fit for bathing." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday started his day at the River Hooghly in Kolkata and met with the boatmen. The PM expressed committment to develop the state of West Bengal amid the election season. In a post on X, the PM reflected on the significance of the holy river Ganga, stating that it flows through "the soul of Bengal." He shared pictures of himself in a boat sailing through the waters of the Hooghly. "For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation. This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly river, an opportunity to express gratitude to Maa Ganga. Also had the opportunity to meet boatmen, whose hardworking nature is admirable and morning walkers. On the Hooghly, reiterated our commitment to work towards the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of the great Bengali people," he wrote. The polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 92.88 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
AAP Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal strongly condemned the alleged attack on an AAP candidate ahead of the local body elections in Gujarat's Una, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Gujarat's Una, asserting that the people of Gujarat will no longer bow before "gundagardi" and promising that change is inevitable in the state. Taking to X, the AAP National Convenor also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured candidate. "The AAP fearlessly raises the voice of the people and challenges those in power, and perhaps some people are unable to tolerate that. But now the 'aam aadmi' of Gujarat has resolved not to bow before 'gundagardi'. The people of Gujarat will no longer step back and will secure their rights. This time, change will definitely happen in Gujarat," Kejriwal said. Other senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also strongly condemned the incident. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh expressed outrage over the alleged firing on party candidate Ajay Bhai in Una, stating that the incident reflects the extent of violence and lawlessness and alleging that the ruling dispensation is responsible for an atmosphere where such incidents are occurring. AAP leader Gopal Rai also reacted strongly to the incident, saying that the people of Gujarat will respond to the politics of fear in the upcoming local body elections. "Elections or goondaraj in Gujarat? The police's failure to register an FIR after the deadly attack on the AAP candidate in Una is shameful. First, the failed attempt to ensure an unopposed victory, and now resorting to bullets to intimidate our candidates. The people of Gujarat will give a befitting reply to the BJP's 'bloody game' and politics of fear." Earlier, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that its candidate Ajay, contesting in the local body elections in Gujarat's Una, was injured in a firing incident. AAP leader Gopal Rai also criticised the police, alleging that no FIR had been registered in connection with the incident that took place on Wednesday night. Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi shared pictures of Ajay in the hospital, saying that the party leader is currently undergoing treatment. Gadhvi called it the BJP's attempt to win the Una municipality polls unilaterally. "Law and order in Gujarat has completely collapsed. Firing has taken place on Aam Aadmi Party candidate Ajaybhai in Una; at this moment, he is in the hospital, and his treatment is ongoing. We are proud of our candidate because the BJP made several attempts to win this municipality unilaterally, but the AAP candidate resolved to fight without fear. Praveen Ram ji visited the hospital and met with the AAP candidate to inquire about his health," Isudan Gadhvi posted on X. Polling for local body elections in Gujarat will be held on April 26, while counting of votes is scheduled for April 28. Meanwhile, campaigning continues across the state, with AAP leaders including MLA Gopal Italia and State Organisation General Secretary Manoj Sorathiya addressing a 'Vijay Vishwas Sabha' at Kiran Chowk, Punagam in Surat, while AAP Gujarat Youth Wing President Brijraj Solanki also held a rally in Surendranagar. (ANI)
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed confidence in a strong performance for the BJP in Ambala, asserting that the party's candidate, Akshita Saini, would win with a significant margin in the region, drawing a clear contrast between the BJP and the Congress. On Friday, Sirsa told reporters, "Just as the BJP formed the government in Haryana with a large margin, Akshita Saini will certainly win with a good margin in Ambala, and our councillors will also win with a good margin. The people of Ambala know that if anyone talks about development, it's the BJP, and if anyone talks about destruction, it's the Congress. Therefore, no one wants to bring such negativity into their homes. Congress is a party that fights solely for power and for its own families. It has nothing to do with the country or its progress..." Haryana Minister Anil Vij echoed similar sentiments, stating that Saini's nomination has been filed with the confidence of a sweeping victory. He said a "wave of development" driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reaching every part of the country and should extend to Ambala as well. "Mayoral candidate Akshita Saini has filed her nomination, and it has been done with the blessing that she will win the election here by a huge margin. A wave of development led by PM Modi is sweeping across the country, and a part of that wave should reach the people of the Ambala Municipal Corporation..." Vij told reporters. The comments came after the BJP candidate Akshita Saini, for the Ambala mayoral polls, officially filed her nomination yesterday. She was accompanied by senior BJP leaders, including Haryana Minister Anil Vij and Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The last date for filing nominations is April 25, while scrutiny will take place on April 27. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 28. Polling is scheduled for May 10, with counting of votes and declaration of results on May 13. (ANI)
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday paid tribute to former ISRO chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan on his death anniversary, remembering his role in formulating the National Education Policy, 2020. In an X post, Union Minister Pradhan said that Kasturirangan's wisdom shaped his understanding of education and nation-building. Pradhan also acknowledged the late astrophysicist as a "towering architect of India's space journey." The Union Minister wrote, "On his death anniversary, I remember Dr Kasturirangan, not just as a towering architect of India's space journey or the guiding force behind NEP 2020, but as a mentor whose wisdom deeply shaped my own understanding of education and nation-building. He believed in an India where curiosity is not confined, where learning is rooted in our civilisational ethos yet open to the world and where every child--irrespective of background--has the opportunity to realise their full potential. His vision for NEP 2020 was not merely reform, but a quiet revolution to make education more holistic, flexible and aligned with the aspirations of a new India." https://x.com/dpradhanbjp/status/2047856384881119290?s=20 "His clarity, humility and unwavering faith in young minds left a lasting imprint on me. In every step we take to strengthen our education system, I continue to hear his voice--measured, thoughtful and always guided by a larger purpose. India has lost a guiding light, but his vision will continue to illuminate our path for generations to come," the X post read. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also paid a tribute and remembered K Kasturirangan's leadership in the operationalisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and progress on Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). "Remembering distinguished space scientist and former ISRO Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan on his death anniversary. His leadership strengthened India's space programme through the successful operationalisation of PSLV and progress on GSLV. His work in satellite development and space applications placed India firmly among the world's leading spacefaring nations," Shivakumar posted on X. K Kasturirangan passed away on April 25 last year, at the age of 84. He is known for his contributions in the successful development and deployment of major satellite systems, including INSAT and IRS, as well as the operationalisation of PSLV and GSLV. From 2003 to 2009, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha while also holding the position of Director at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. He has also served as a member of the Planning Commission. He chaired the committee which formulated the National Education Policy, 2020. He was a recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, along with honorary doctorates from 27 universities. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Uttarpara Assembly Constituency candidate Sirsanya Bandopadhyay on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he engages with the people of West Bengal only during elections and not during cultural or community occasions. Bandopadhyay said that the Union Minister's visits are politically motivated and aimed at vote-seeking rather than people-centric engagement. Speaking to ANI, Bandopadhyay said that the TMC has consistently worked for public welfare and highlighted the party's focus on development, including industry, MSMEs, and self-help groups in the state. "As a TMC candidate, when we are going to public meetings, we are not only talking about the culture, but we are also talking about the development in this state and the work generation that has happened here and the further development of industry, MSME and self-help groups that are going to happen in Bengal in future..." he added. Targeting Amit Shah over his visit to the Uttarpara Assembly constituency today, the TMC leader questioned his absence during major cultural and religious occasions in the state. "My question to Amit Shah, who is coming to my constituency today, is why he did not come to Bengal when we were celebrating Durga Puja for seven days? Why did he not come during the Bengali New Year? Why did he not come for Eid? Why did he not come to my constituency for Shokuntala Maas Puja? So he needs people of Bengal only for the votes, and he does not intend to be connected with the people for their needs and their festivals and their days of happiness and days of sorrow..." he said. Meanwhile, polling for the 152 constituencies in the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded peacefully on Thursday amid tight security arrangements. The state witnessed a high voter turnout of 91.91 per cent in Phase I, reflecting strong electoral participation. Several districts in West Bengal recorded turnout figures exceeding 90 per cent. Dakshin Dinajpur led with 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54 per cent, Birbhum at 93.70 per cent, Jalpaiguri at 93.23 per cent and Murshidabad at 92.93 per cent. The figures indicate consistently high participation across districts, with all major regions recording over 90 per cent turnout. In comparison, the 2021 Assembly elections in West Bengal saw a voter turnout of 85.2 per cent. The numbers reflect an overwhelming voter turnout across districts, reinforcing both states' consistent trend of high electoral participation. Voting for the remaining 142 constituencies is scheduled for May 29, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reacted to the alleged rape and murder case in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and launched a sharp attack on the state government, alleging a pattern of crimes against women and failure in delivering justice. In his post on X, Gandhi wrote, "In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the rape and brutal murder of a daughter from the Vishwakarma community--and then threats and violence to stop the family from filing an FIR." He further referred to multiple past incidents and said, "Hathras, Kathua, Unnao, and now Ghazipur--this is a pattern. The daughter from Manipur breathed her last while waiting for justice." Alleging systemic bias, he said, "Every time, the same face--the victim is Dalit, backwards, tribal, poor. Every time, the same truth--protection for the criminal, persecution for the victim. Every time, the same silence--from those in power who should have spoken." Questioning governance, he added, "In a country and state where parents have to beg even to get an FIR filed for their daughter, that country's government has no moral right to remain in power." Gandhi also demanded strict action and investigation, stating, "Action must be taken against the guilty police officers, the family must get protection--a high-level investigation must happen, and justice must be delivered immediately." Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, he said, "Mr Modi, Mr Chief Minister, give your answer--why are daughters so unsafe in your rule?" Concluding his post, he said, "In such circumstances, justice isn't begged for--it is snatched. And we will snatch it." Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged rising crimes against women in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the Prime Minister's grand statements about women are "mere show". Citing a recent minor girl death case in Ghazipur, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) always oppressed the victim using its full power wherever women faced injustice. A minor girl who went missing on April 14 from a village in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur was found dead near a bridge over the Ganga River on April 15. In a post on X, the Wayanad MP said, "In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the reluctance to file a case in the murder of a girl, followed by threats to the victim's family and chaos spread by the powerful, shows that atrocities against women in the state have reached their peak. In BJP rule, this has now become the unspoken law: whenever any woman faces atrocity, the victim herself is further tormented." She further criticised the Prime Minister, alleging that his statements on women's safety lack substance. "The Prime Minister's grand statements about women are mere show. Be it Unnao, Hathras, Prayagraj, or Ghazipur, wherever women have faced injustice, the BJP has stood with the oppressor against the victim, using its full power. Women across the country are witnessing this reign of darkness," she added. Meanwhile, the police had arrested the main accused and launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Speaking to reporters here, Additional Director General of police (ADG) Varanasi Zone Piyush Mordia said, "On the night of April 14-15, a child went missing from Kateria village in Ghazipur. Her body was discovered the following morning, around 5:30 AM, near the Ganga River bridge." Police informed that an FIR was filed and the main accused was arrested based on information provided by her relatives. Further investigation into the case is currently ongoing. (ANI)
Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday criticised Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha over parting ways from AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that such political switching for personal interests is "not right" and not in line with constitutional values. He emphasised that elected representatives must act within the spirit of the Constitution and avoid decisions driven by personal gain, stating the need to uphold democratic ethics. Speaking to ANI here, Hazare said, "Leaving one party and joining another party is not right... Changing political parties for our selfish needs is not the right thing. This is not mentioned in our Constitution. Our Constitution is supreme. Our country functions based on the Constitution..." Hazare was the primary figurehead and ideological mentor for the Aam Aadmi Party's formation via his 2011 anti-corruption movement, though he later distanced himself from Arvind Kejriwal due to the move into mainstream politics. Hazare's remarks come amid political buzz after the trio of MPs--Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal--announced parting ways from the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday and joined the BJP later in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin, who later welcomed the decision. While addressing a presser in the national capital, Chadha said that he, along with six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, has informed the Chairman of the House, in accordance with the rules, of leaving the party. Now, the Aam Aadmi Party is also set to send a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in this matter. He formalised a split that had been building for weeks, announcing that two-thirds of the party's Upper House members would merge with the BJP. Meanwhile, the AAP has now begun working on a new strategy. Deliberations are ongoing among party leaders regarding the situation. Late last night, after returning from a visit to Gujarat, senior party leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. Manish Sisodia was in Rajkot to campaign for the party in the Gujarat municipal elections. Party sources said, "After returning to Delhi late at night, Sisodia went straight from the airport to the residence of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The two leaders met for more than half an hour. During the meeting, they also discussed the possible impact of the split and what the future strategy should be." Party sources said, "The chief whip in the Upper House, ND Gupta, will submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal." "Gupta's letter will seek action as per the anti-defection law. These 3 leaders were seen in public joining the BJP. Rest four were not seen in the public domain, making that move. Hence, the chief whip will lodge the complaint against the three MPs seen in the BJP office," a party source added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Kripal Yadav on Saturday said Bihar will continue to have a stable government under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary, asserting that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has demonstrated strong unity during the recent floor test in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "The emperor of people's hearts, Samrat Choudhary, got unprecedented support in the floor test in the Bihar Assembly, both inside and outside the Assembly... Bihar had, has and will continue to have a stable government under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary." He further said that the government would now focus on development and welfare in line with the vision of the leadership and the broader NDA agenda. "I believe that now, under his leadership, in the interest of Bihar's poor, they will follow the Prime Minister's core mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' and the path set by Nitish Kumar. This will lead to welfare through development--welfare for Bihar," he added. The comments came after the Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chodhary on Friday comfortably won the trust vote in the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly, reaffirming the NDA alliance's unity, marking the completion of the political transition in the state following the resignation of Nitish Kumar from the CM post. The confidence motion was passed comfortably by Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United) and other NDA constituents, affirming their trust in Samrat Choudhary. Shortly after Samrat Choudhary presented the vote of confidence in the assembly, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav took a jibe at Bihar CM, thanking him for completing the transition from "elected Chief Minister' to a selected Chief Minister", expressing delight that a graduate of "Lalu Prasad Yadav's pathshala" has taken up the post. "A government needs stability for development work. But Bihar is a unique state, where this is the fifth government formed in five years... We would like to thank Samrat Choudhary for the transition from an 'elected Chief Minister' to a 'selected Chief Minister'. We are delighted that he is a graduate of Lalu Prasad Yadav's 'pathshala'. What could be better for us than him becoming the Chief Minister?" he said. Samrat Choudhary, the first BJP Chief Minister of Bihar, comes from a politically active family. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, was a six-time MLA from the Tarapur constituency, while his mother, Parvati Devi, also held the seat in 1998, representing the then Samta Party. He was appointed BJP state president in 2023 and later took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar in 2024. He assumed the top post following Nitish Kumar's resignation, after the longest-serving Chief Minister stepped down to move to the Rajya Sabha. (ANI)
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan landed at the Jaipur International Airport on Saturday for a day-long official visit to the state capital. Upon his arrival, he was accorded a warm welcome by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde and Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, alongside other senior dignitaries. The Vice-President is visiting the city to participate in multiple events, including an academic convocation and the 23rd Cancer Survivors program. Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan in a post on X said, "Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan was warmly welcomed at Jaipur International Airport upon his arrival by the Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, and other dignitaries." The post further read, "The Vice-President will attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre today." Earlier, on Thursday, the 6th Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh was held in the presence of the Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, marking a significant milestone in the Institute's journey of academic excellence and nation-building in the field of healthcare. The ceremony also witnessed the presence of the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, and the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.). The Vice-President released the Institute's annual chronicle, "RUDRAKSHA", which encapsulates the key achievements, innovations, and academic advancements of AIIMS Rishikesh over the past year, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The publication reflects the Institute's commitment to excellence in medical education, research, and patient care. Addressing the gathering at the 6th Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, highlighted the significance of the occasion as a moment of transition, reflection, and responsibility for graduating medical professionals. Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice-President noted that the convocation marks the culmination of years of discipline, perseverance, and sacrifice, while also signifying the beginning of a deeper professional commitment to society and the nation. He urged the graduates to uphold the highest standards of ethics, compassion, and service in their medical careers. (ANI)
In the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party's split in Rajya Sabha, AAP Chief National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Saturday accused the Member of Parliament (MPs) of betraying the party and called them "traitors". AAP leader alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called the people of Punjab "terrorists". She added that the AAP MPs' leaving the party and joining the BJP was "extremely unfortunate". Speaking to ANI, she said, "These aren't seven MPs, these are seven traitors, sent to the Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party to raise the issues of the people of Punjab. These traitors left that party and joined the party that has always called the people of Punjab terrorists. The party that is responsible for the martyrdom of 750 farmers, the party that is responsible for running vehicles over farmers' children. Today, they have gone and stood with that party. This is extremely unfortunate..." Reacting to 2/3 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs joining the BJP, Aam Aadmi Party's national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda accused the BJP of using the ED to break the party MPs and the leaders. "Bharatiya Janata Party is afraid of Aam Aadmi Party. This has become clear now. The action of the BJP is not limited to breaking our MPs," he added. "In Gujarat, the Modi government has shut down the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Aam Aadmi Party. Because the BJP is afraid of the increasing influence of the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat. They feel that the people of Gujarat are going to join forces with the Aam Aadmi Party and throw a tantrum at the BJP," he added. He added that the Bhartiya Janata Party was clearly afraid and taking away AAP's right to speak as a national party. "This is why the Bhartiya Janata Party is clearly afraid. The Bharatiya Janata Party is also taking away our right to speak as a national party and to communicate with the people. Is this a democracy? Can a political party's communication system be attacked like this in a democracy? All the people of the country are watching how the Bharatiya Janata Party is dancing the Tana Shahi's Nanga in the whole country. Using the ED to break the MPs and the leaders," he added. AAP leaders' remarks come amid political buzz after the trio of MPs--Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal--announced parting ways from the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday and joined the BJP later in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin, who later welcomed the decision. While addressing a presser in the national capital, Chadha said that he, along with six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, has informed the Chairman of the House, in accordance with the rules, of leaving the party. Now, the Aam Aadmi Party is also set to send a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in this matter. He formalised a split that had been building for weeks, announcing that two-thirds of the party's Upper House members would merge with the BJP. Meanwhile, the AAP has now begun working on a new strategy. Deliberations are ongoing among party leaders regarding the situation. Late last night, after returning from a visit to Gujarat, senior party leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. Manish Sisodia was in Rajkot to campaign for the party in the Gujarat municipal elections. Party sources said, "After returning to Delhi late at night, Sisodia went straight from the airport to the residence of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The two leaders met for more than half an hour. During the meeting, they also discussed the possible impact of the split and what the future strategy should be." Party sources said, "The chief whip in the Upper House, ND Gupta, will submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal." "Gupta's letter will seek action as per the anti-defection law. These 3 leaders were seen in public joining the BJP. Rest four were not seen in the public domain, making that move. Hence, the chief whip will lodge the complaint against the three MPs seen in the BJP office," a party source added. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has appealed to all citizens to vote 100 per cent in the elections of local self-government institutions to be held in the state on April 26 (Sunday). He has requested all the voters of the state to vote enthusiastically in this holy festival of democracy. In his message to the citizens, CM Patel said that voting in a democracy is not only a right, but also a sacred duty as a citizen. He said that every vote will further boost the overall development of the villages, talukas, districts and cities of the state. The Chief Minister appealed to all the voters of the state to reach their polling stations on April 26 and vote, and also motivate their family members, friends and neighbours to vote. He has called upon everyone to make this grand festival of democracy a success by taking a pledge of "100 per cent voting". The Chief Minister has made a heartfelt appeal to everyone to vote in this election of local self-government institutions on Sunday, April 26, to build a developed India and a developed Gujarat. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday alleged that Ajay, its candidate for local body elections in Gujarat's Una, was injured in a firing incident. AAP Delhi MLA Gopal Rai slammed the BJP, alleging that the police failed to register an FIR into the Wednesday night's incident. In an X post, Gopal Rai accused the BJP of a "bloody game" ahead of local swaraj elections in Gujarat. "Elections or goondaraj in Gujarat? The police's failure to register an FIR after the deadly attack on the AAP candidate in Una is shameful. First, the failed attempt to ensure an unopposed victory, and now resorting to bullets to intimidate our candidates! The people of Gujarat will give a befitting reply to the BJP's 'bloody game' and politics of fear," Rai wrote on X. Polling for local bodies will take place on April 26, while counting of votes will be held on April 28. (ANI)
Assyrians Harmed By ISIS and Al-Nusrah Front Seek Legal Action

The Arabic letter "n" (inside red circle), signifying "Nasrani" (Christian), on an Assyrian home in Mosul. New York (AINA) -- 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 community 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.
Union Minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale on Saturday announced that his party will contest on 25 seats in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Athawale said that the party aims to contest alongside NDA ally, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, if their demands of contesting 25 seats alongside the BJP remain unfulfilled, the party said that it will go solo in the Uttar Pradesh polls. "In Uttar Pradesh, the party will contest 25 seats as an ally of the BJP. If this demand is not met, the party will contest the assembly elections alone," he said. Going into the elections next year, Athawale asked the BJP to grant five acres of land to families of the Dalit community in villages and construct community centres. "Goondaraj has ended under Yogi Adityanath ji, and the Ram Temple issue is also resolved now. I have one demand for Yogi Adityanath, that Dalits in villages should be given five acres of land per family. This will resolve the issue of migration to cities, and people will be pulled out of poverty. The Dalit community demands that the state government construct 'Samaj Bhavans' (community centres) in villages. We will meet Yogi Adityanath today and urge him to take RPI together," he said. RPI(A) is primarily a Maharashtra-based party working for the Dalit community. In the recent past, the party had contested three seats in Bihar and 18 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, RPI(A) contested 31 seats, winning none. In the Lok Sabha elections, RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale managed to win a seat in 2004. Apart from that, the party has not been able to open its tally in the General Elections. However, the party is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and Athawale is a Rajya Sabha MP and Union Minister. Uttar Pradesh is set to hold Legislative Assembly elections in 2027. In the last elections, the BJP recorded a thumping victory with 255 of 403 seats, while the Samajwadi Party won 111 seats. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday lambasted senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ram Madhav over his remarks made during a panel discussion in the United States, terming them as reflective of the organisation's "true nature." Gandhi accused the RSS of being "Rashtriya Surrender Sangh" and called the Sangh "farzi". Sharing an X post, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Rashtriya Surrender Sangh. Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in the USA. Ram Madhav has only revealed the Sangh's true nature." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2047930692403896690 Congress leader's remarks came a day after Ram Madhav participated in a panel discussion in Washington DC alongside Amb Kurt Campbell and Elizabeth Threlkeld at the Hudson Institute's New India Conference on "New Paths Forward for U.S.-India Relations." During the discussion, Ram Madhav raised a question on India's energy and trade decisions, saying that the country agreed to stop buying oil from Iran and Russia despite so much criticism from the opposition. "India agreed to stop buying oil from Iran. We agreed to stop buying oil from Russia despite so much criticism from our opposition. India agreed to a 50% tariff without saying too much. So where exactly is India not doing enough to work with America?" he said during the discussion. Following criticism over his remarks, Ram Madhav later issued a clarification, adding that what he said during the panel discussion was "factually incorrect". https://x.com/rammadhav_/status/2047596932068167704 He said, "What I said was wrong. India didn't agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime. Also, it vigorously protested the 50 per cent tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to the other panellist. But factually incorrect. My apologies." Earlier, the government clarified that India is in a very comfortable position in Crude oil, Oil products and LPG in terms of our current stock. Sources said that India would ramp up supplies from other parts of the geography and make up any supply crunch from the Strait of Hormuz. Sources stated that India has been buying crude oil from Russia since 2022. In 2022, India imported 0.2 per cent of its total imports from Russia, while in February, it imported 20 per cent of its total imports from Russia. About 40 per cent of India's crude moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and 60 per cent of the rest of the crude comes from other sources. (ANI)
West Bengal Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur constituencies Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging corruption, appeasement politics, and decline in public support. Referring to the ongoing political contest in his constituencies, Adhikari said, "In this area, Mamata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim have been ahead, but this time they won't be able to stay ahead. TMC will be wiped out this time." He further accused the ruling party of dividing society, saying, "Mamata Banerjee's politics of appeasement is what is dividing society." Reacting to Enforcement Directorate raids in the ration distribution scam case, Adhikari alleged large-scale corruption and linked it to the state leadership. He said, "The ED will go to the thief's house. Just like the fodder scam happened in Bihar, the grain scam has happened here." He further alleged, "Jyotipriyo Mullick looted the public, and 75% of the money went to Mamata Banerjee's house." Commenting on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs joining the BJP, Adhikari said it reflected a shift towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Those who are nationalists are accepting Prime Minister Modi's leadership," he said. He also referred to AAP leader Raghav Chadha, stating, "Raghav Chadha is an educated man; it took him a little time, but he realised that making India prosperous and strengthening the country is only possible under Prime Minister Modi's leadership." Meanwhile, polling for the 152 constituencies in the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.The state witnessed a high voter turnout of 91.91 per cent in Phase I, reflecting strong electoral participation. Several districts in West Bengal recorded turnout figures exceeding 90 per cent. Dakshin Dinajpur led with 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54 per cent, Birbhum at 93.70 per cent, Jalpaiguri at 93.23 per cent and Murshidabad at 92.93 per cent. The figures indicate consistently high participation across districts, with all major regions recording over 90 per cent turnout. In comparison, the 2021 Assembly elections in West Bengal saw a voter turnout of 85.2 per cent. The numbers reflect an overwhelming voter turnout across districts, reinforcing both states' consistent trend of high electoral participation. Voting for the remaining 142 constituencies is scheduled for May 29, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Dilip Rawat, representing the Lansdowne Assembly constituency, has formally raised objections to the ongoing process of renaming the Lansdowne Cantonment Board in Pauri Garhwal district. The BJP MLA has addressed a letter to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to voice his concerns. The MLA emphasised that Lansdowne is a thriving tourism hub that attracts visitors from all over the world. He argued that changing the name of this "tourist town" would adversely affect the region's growing tourism industry. MLA Rawat noted that the residents are firmly against the proposal, stating that the public wants the identity and name of Lansdowne to remain unchanged. He warned that tampering with the town's established identity could lead to a decline in its international appeal, potentially harming the local economy. BJP MLA Mahant Dilip Rawat said, "Lansdowne is progressing rapidly in the tourism sector. If the name of this town is changed, it will cause significant damage to the region's flourishing tourism." Lansdowne Cantonment falls in the heart of the District Pauri Garhwal of Uttarakhand State. In 1886, on the recommendation of Field Marshal Sir FS Roberts, C-in-C India, it was decided to raise a separate Regiment of the Garhwalis. The spot, which was virgin forest, popularly known as Kalundanda, situated about 6000 feet high, was approved for the location of the Cantonment & the Regiment by Brig Gen JI Murray, GOC, Rohilkhand Distt. Kalundanda comprised largely of Oak and Rhododendron forest, which assumed a darkish tinge, particularly when viewed from a distance in the grey, foggy weather that often prevailed here; thus named Kalundanda. On 21 September 1890, Kalundanda was renamed as Lansdowne after the then viceroy of India, Lord Henry Lansdowne. According to the official website of Lansdowne Cantonment, the Motto of the Cantonment Board of Lansdowne is to provide civic services to the civil residents of Lansdowne Cantt, like sanitation, water supply, medical facilities, education, street lighting, public urinals, cleaning, and maintain the Cantt fund, properties, such as public roads, buildings, parks, etc. It functions under the provisions of the Cantt Act 2006. On the other hand, District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, Vishal Mishra, carried out a detailed inspection of arrangements related to the ongoing Kedarnath Dham Yatra, with special emphasis on heli services, safety standards, and overall infrastructure preparedness for pilgrims. On Saturday, during the inspection, the District Magistrate reviewed facilities at key helipads and reiterated that all guidelines issued by the competent authorities will be strictly adhered to. "The guidelines received from DGCA, Government of India and Uttarakhand Government for monitoring heli facilities will be followed," he said. Officials accompanying the DM informed that continuous inspections are being conducted to ensure operational readiness and passenger safety during the pilgrimage season. Mishra also highlighted that multiple parameters, including fire safety arrangements, technical readiness and minor repair works at helipads, are being regularly checked on ground level. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday spoke over the phone with meritorious students who delivered outstanding performances in the High School and Intermediate examinations declared by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education, Ramnagar (Nainital). The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes and wished them a bright future. On this occasion, the Chief Minister congratulated the High School toppers--Akshat Gopal from M.P. Hindu Inter College, Ramnagar (Nainital), Ishant Kothari from S.V.M. Inter College, Chinyalisaur (Uttarkashi), Bhumika from G.B. Pant Government Girls Inter College, Khairna (Nainital), and Yogesh Joshi from Vivekanand Vidya Mandir Inter College, Mandalsera (Bageshwar). He interacted with them over the phone and expressed happiness over their achievements. He also spoke with top-performing Intermediate students--Geetika Pant from Saraswati Shishu Mandir Inter College, Bageshwar, Sushila Mendiratta from Bhanjuram Amar Inter College, Bhooraarani (Udham Singh Nagar), Aryan from Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Awas Vikas Rishikesh, and Vanshika from Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Mayapur (Haridwar)--and congratulated them on their success. The Chief Minister said that "the students' achievements are the result of their hard work, discipline, and dedication. He also appreciated the contribution of parents and teachers, noting that their guidance plays a crucial role in shaping students' success." Extending his best wishes for their future, he encouraged all students to stay committed to their goals, keep progressing, and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and the nation. He added that "the state government remains committed to improving the quality of education and will continue to provide all possible support to meritorious students." Meanwhile, the results were officially declared by Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat from the Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) headquarters in Ramnagar. On Saturday, the Uttarakhand Board of School Education declared that girls significantly outperformed boys. According to official data, the overall pass percentage for High School stands at 92.10%, while girls recorded a pass rate of 96.07% compared to 88.03% for boys. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post on X, said, "heartiest congratulations to all the students who have succeeded in the High School and Intermediate examinations of the Uttarakhand School Education Council, and best wishes for a bright future." The post further stated, "This success is a testament to your consistent hard work, discipline, and unwavering determination. I am confident that with the same dedication and self-confidence, you will realise your dreams and reach new heights in life." According to the Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE), for the Intermediate (Class 12) examination 2026, the overall pass percentage was 85.11%. The pass percentage among boys was 81.93%, while girls achieved 88.09%. Geetika Pant from Bageshwar and Sushila Mehendiratta from Udham Singh Nagar jointly secured the top position with 98%. In the High School results, Akshat Gopal from Ramnagar in Nainital district topped the state with 98.20% marks. In district-wise performance for Class 12, Bageshwar secured the top position in the state with an impressive pass percentage of 94.81%. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, along with state Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, flagged off the flight hardware of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 -- India's first privately developed orbital rocket. The Chief Minister said the occasion marks a key milestone in Telangana's pursuit of becoming a global leader in the aerospace sector. The flagging-off ceremony marked the rocket's formal departure to the launch site at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Skyroot Aerospace is set to make India's first private orbital launch attempt in the coming months. Congratulating the Skyroot team on the occasion, the Chief Minister said it is a matter of great pride that the rocket has been completely designed and developed in Hyderabad. "Skyroot has developed India's first privately built orbital rocket to carry satellites into space. The company launched its first rocket in 2022, and reaching the stage of orbital launch in such a short time is a remarkable achievement," CM Reddy added. He further highlighted that Telangana is currently ranked number one in India in the aerospace sector, adding that global players such as Boeing, Airbus, and Safran are already present in the state. He said Telangana's aim is to become a global leader in aerospace by 2047, with aerospace as a key growth sector. The Chief Minister stated that Telangana has performed exceptionally well in engineering exports since December 2023. "As per Central Government data, Telangana recorded the highest growth of 117.9% in engineering exports among Indian states between 2023-24 and 2024-25. Aircraft parts and defence equipment have been the biggest contributors to this growth." He explained that the government is focusing on skilling youth for the aerospace sector through partnerships with global universities and industry leaders. With strong policies, infrastructure, talent, and a vibrant ecosystem, our government is committed to supporting companies like Skyroot, he added. CM Reddy emphasised the need for skilling of talent as per industry needs, elaborating the various skilling initiatives being implemented by the state government through Young India Skills University (YISU), Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs) and the soon-to-be-upgraded Polytechnic colleges. He revealed the government's plans to bring both the ATCs and the Polytechnic colleges under YISU's ambit to ensure that the curriculum is industry-driven and uniform across the courses. "Our focus is on giving the best training to the trainers in these institutions. Tata Technologies is providing training to our trainers in ATCs across the state," the CM said. Responding to this, Skyroot Aerospace CEO and co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana showed strong interest in collaborating with YISU. "The idea of Skills University is unique and perfectly suits our talent needs. Skilling is the biggest problem we face and partnering with the YISU will be a great value add for us." The CM invited the Skyroot leadership to visit the ATCs in Mallepally, Hyderabad. He stressed the flexibility YISU offers in terms of dynamically changing the curriculum from time to time as per industry needs. He also touched on the government's transformative plans to address gaps in the state's school education system. "Despite spending Rs 1.08 lakh per student per year in government schools, the learning outcomes are not being met. We have chalked out a detailed plan to address this," he added. Special Secretary to CM B Ajith Reddy, Naga Bharath Daka, co-founder and COO, Skyroot and other officials were among those who attended the flagging off ceremony. (ANI)
In a significant development in the murder and robbery case involving the daughter of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, the Delhi Police on Saturday took accused Rahul Meena to the crime scene to reconstruct the sequence of events as part of their ongoing investigation. The accused was escorted from police custody to the residence at around 10:00 AM, where investigators carried out a detailed crime scene reconstruction. During the exercise, Rahul Meena reenacted the entire sequence of events, helping police verify how he is believed to have entered the house on April 22 and subsequently fled after committing the crime. Meanwhile, acting on information provided by the accused, Rahul Meena, the police have recovered two mobile phones linked to the case. These include the victim's iPhone, which the accused had taken with him following the incident. Additionally, the police have recovered a stolen mobile phone that the accused was using while he was absconding after the crime. The police are now focused on gathering digital evidence through a forensic examination of these mobile phones to further strengthen the case. Currently, the Delhi Police are investigating the matter from every possible angle and are also working to determine whether anyone else was involved in the crime alongside the accused. On Friday, Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, said that the DNA profiling report for the daughter of an IRS officer is expected within 15 days. Forensic experts have preserved nail scrapings, blood samples and swabs to conduct the analysis as part of the ongoing investigation. "In this case, DNA profiling will be done, and the report is expected to come within 15 days of time... The samples that are preserved are nail scraping, blood in gazue, vaginal and anal swabs," Dr Sudhir said. About advancements and conventional DNA profiling, a top forensic expert explained, "Advancements in forensic genetics have enabled the use of Rapid DNA profiling systems, which are particularly valuable in time-sensitive investigations. These systems can generate DNA profiles within approximately 90 to 120 minutes, facilitating expedited decision-making in urgent cases, mainly for reference samples." Furthermore, the Saket Court on April 23 sent accused Rahul Meena to four days of police custody in connection with the rape and murder of an IRS officer's daughter in South Delhi's Kailash Hills, allowing Delhi Police to further interrogate him. The accused was produced before the court, where police sought his custody for continued investigation into the case. The 22-year-old victim, daughter of an IRS officer, was an IIT Delhi graduate and a civil services aspirant preparing for her first UPSC attempt. She had been living a disciplined routine and had set up a separate study room on the terrace to focus on her preparation. Police sources said the accused, who worked as a domestic help, allegedly gained entry into the house on the pretext of being called for money and later claimed during interrogation that "it just happened" after a dispute over payment. He is also suspected of attempting strangulation before the attack escalated. Police sources said sexual assault is suspected after the victim was rendered unconscious, followed by multiple fatal blows with a heavy object. Sources further said the accused allegedly fled with cash and valuables, attempted to evade detection using fake calls, and disposed of mobile phones to erase digital evidence. He was later traced to Palam railway station, where he tried to escape but failed to board a train. A case has been registered under charges of rape, murder and robbery, while further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Prof Gobardhan Das, who has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity, emphasising the impact of the position for those with humble roots. In an X post, Das recalled his beginnings from West Bengal, along with his experience as an individual from a marginalised community. "Today is a very important day in my life. I sincerely thank the dynamic Prime Minister, the honorable Shri Narendra Modi Ji, for giving me the opportunity to serve as a member of @NITIAayog. I am the son of an ordinary farmer family from the Dalit class in a remote village of West Bengal. Since childhood, the fragrance of the soil, the value of hard work, and the truth of struggle have been an integral part of my life. Today's responsibility is not just a position for me; it is a glimpse of the dreams, hopes, and beliefs of countless ordinary people like me," he said. https://x.com/dasgobardhan/status/2047931555738521727?s=20 Das, who is currently the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, reaffirmed his dedication to improving the standard of living for remote areas, the farmer community, and ordinary people, describing it as a way for "complete development" of the nation. "For this purpose, I promise to work with honesty, dedication, and full responsibility under the guidance of the honorable Prime Minister Ji," Das said in the post. "Being able to contribute even a little to the country's progress on this journey under the visionary leadership of the honorable Prime Minister Ji is a matter of pride for me. I seek everyone's blessings and cooperation," he added. Dr Gobardhan Das is a celebrated Molecular Science Professor, specialising in Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Cell Biology over a scientific career of nearly three decades. He is internationally recognised for his research on the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Having led cutting-edge research across the world, including at Yale University and Houston Methodist Hospital in the USA, and KwaZulu-Natal University and National Research Foundation in South Africa, he chose to return home to serve in his motherland. An alumnus of Viswa-Bharati University, Dr Das went on to become a Professor in JNU. The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal - senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as a member. Along with them, PM Modi also congratulated Dr Rajiv Gauba, Prof K V Raju, Prof Abhay Karandikar and Dr M Srinivas on becoming Full Time Members of NITI Aayog. Lahiri held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, signalling the beginning of his tenure at a time when India is navigating a complex global economic environment. NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, and the nodal agency tasked with catalysing economic development and fostering cooperative federalism through the involvement of State Governments in the economic policymaking process using a bottom-up approach. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that West Bengal, known as India's cultural and intellectual capital, would be freed from what he described as the "syndicate" of the Trinamool Congress, Congress and Communists, while addressing a public meeting in Bagdah in North 24 Parganas district. Addressing the gathering, the Uttar Pradesh CM highlighted Bengal's historical and cultural contribution to the country, saying the state had played a defining role in shaping India's national identity. "West Bengal is the spiritual land of India. When we talk about Bengal, Indians remember it as the land of art and literature. It is Bengal that gave independent India the national anthem and national song," he said. Referring to the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, he expressed confidence about political change in the state. "As 150 years of Vande Mataram are being completed, I believe Bengal will be freed from TMC, Congress and Communists--there is no doubt about it," he said. Criticising the current situation in the state, Adityanath alleged that unemployment, industrial decline and corruption had affected Bengal's development trajectory. "Bengal was once India's growth engine, but today it is struggling for its identity. Youth do not have employment opportunities, farmers are distressed, industries are shutting down due to terror, mafia rule and corruption under the TMC," he said. Drawing a comparison with Uttar Pradesh before 2017, he said similar conditions had earlier prevailed there but had since changed. "Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh also witnessed such lawlessness. Today, there is no curfew and no riots in Uttar Pradesh; the double-engine government has freed the state from such problems," the UP CM said. "In the name of development, there has been loot in Bengal," Yogi added. Meanwhile, the polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 92.88 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across 152 constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday exuded confidence that the BJP would get over two-thirds of the seats in the first phase of polling in West Bengal held earlier this week and said change is not only possible in the state but is a certainty. In an interview with ANI while campaigning in South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, Rajnath Singh said the high turnout in the first phase of Bengal polls clearly demonstrates that the Trinamool Congress government is on its way out. "In 2011, when 84% voter turnout was recorded, the long-standing Left government was ousted and the TMC government came to power. Similarly, this time, the nearly 93% voter turnout here clearly demonstrates that the current government, the TMC, is going away, and change is happening here," he said. Answering a query about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks about SIR and the vote being against the BJP, Rajnath Singh said there is no need to take note of her remarks as she is "disappointed and in a state of despair". Asked about the issue of women's security, he said all mothers and sisters know that "if anyone can guarantee women's safety, it is the BJP or the NDA government". "We're already getting almost two-thirds in the first phase, it is natural in the second phase...Just look at the mood here; it'll become clear to you how much love the Bharatiya Janata Party is receiving from the people," he added. Rajnath Singh, who held a roadshow, said that the BJP getting a two-thirds majority in the assembly polls should not be ruled out. "Parivartan sabhav nahi nishchit hai (Change is not only possible but definite)," he said. The state witnessed a record 91.91 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of assembly polls on 152 seats on April 23. Votes will be counted on May 4. Electioneering has intensified for the second phase of polling on April 29 with leaders holding rallies and roadshows. Leaders of the BJP, Trinamool Congress, Congress and Left parties are campaigning on the seats which will go to the polls in the second phase. West Bengal Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging corruption and appeasement politics. (ANI)
Dutch Christian Democrats Call for Constitutional Recognition of Assyrians in Syria

Dutch MPs Elles van Ark, Tijs van den Brink, Maes van Lanschot The Hague -- Members of Parliament of the Christian Democratic Appeal have asked questions to the Dutch government about the deteriorating position of Assyrians in Syria. The parliamentary questions from MPs Maes van Lanschot, Elles van Ark and Tijs van den Brink are a response to a petition by the Aramean Movement for Human Rights, which calls for the situation of Christian Assyrians in Syria to be structurally included in Dutch government's foreign policy.

In their questions, the three MPs ask the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation to reflect on the vulnerable situation of minorities in Syria and the exclusion of Assyrians from recent constitutional developments -- where a January 2026 presidential decree recognized the Kurdish identity and language, but not the Assyrian identity and language.

The parliamentarians highlight the clear unequal treatment of the indigenous Assyrian people in Syria. "Could you indicate whether and to what extent the [Dutch] Cabinet is of the opinion that other indigenous population groups, including the Arameans -- with a demonstrable presence of approximately 3,000 years -- should also be eligible for similar recognition? In that light, how do you assess the importance of equal treatment for different indigenous population groups in Syria?" They also highlight the endangered Aramaic language, "which was the principal language of Syria for approximately two millennia."

MPs Maes van Lanschot, Elles van Ark and Tijs van den Brink call on the Dutch government and the European Union to pressure the Syrian government -- via economic and diplomatic means and through conditioning development funds -- to demand equal treatment for all indigenous population groups in Syria and to constitutional recognize the indigenous Assyrian people as an indigenous people and the Aramaic language as an official language. The Dutch MPs include in their list of questions a call to the Dutch government to explicitly anchor the position of Syria's minorities within Dutch (and European) policy frameworks.
Escalating political tensions ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said she is going to file a "legal case" against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his "violent remarks." Adressing a gathering in Hoogly, Banerjee said, "We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments." This comes after Banerjee targeted Shah's "hang upside down" warning directed at TMC workers post polls on Friday, asserting that the BJP's "forceful approach" would fail to resonate with Bengal's voters. "What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal--never!" she said. On Friday, Shah warned of strict action against the alleged "goons" of the TMC party. Addressing a gathering at Arambagh, Shah issued a stern warning, declaring that if the people of Arambagh are troubled on the 29th, the authorities would take decisive action after May 5th."I'm warning Didi's goons not to step out of their homes on the 29th. If the people of Arambagh are troubled on the 29th, after the 5th, we'll hang them upside down and straighten them out," said Shah. The polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday congratulated voters for the record-high turnout in Phase I of the West Bengal Assembly Elections and praised the Election Commission of India (ECI) and security forces for ensuring a peaceful polling process. (ANI)
Newly appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Lahiri, on Saturday claimed that West Bengal is lagging behind more industrially advanced states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Taking aim at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Lahiri said that despite promises of development and change, the state government has struggled to deliver on its commitments, raising questions about West Bengal's growth trajectory ahead of upcoming political contests. "No one would disagree with the fact that West Bengal is lagging relatively from advanced states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat...West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee talked about bringing change (development), which she is unable to do so...Let's see if there will be a change in West Bengal," he told ANI. Lahiri also said he will work towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, emphasising the importance of sound policy-making and effective implementation. "I met PM Modi after being appointed as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog...It is PM Modi's dream to make the nation a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047...To fulfil this vision, we need to ensure that proper policies are framed...I give credit to the earlier education policies of West Bengal, which played a big role in my appointment as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog...This is a big respect to the state of West Bengal," Lahiri told ANI in an exclusive interaction. Commenting on the ongoing Israel-Iran war, Lahiri expressed hope for an early resolution while stressing the importance of intent and implementation in policymaking. "...We are hopeful that the war will end as early as possible...The implementation of the policies is very important, and the intention has to be very pure, and we need to have trust in our steps...I am very happy as PM Modi has reposed a lot of trust in me, I will try to live up to the expectations..." he added. Lahiri, who was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the government's apex policy think tank on Friday, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, signalling the beginning of his tenure at a time when India is navigating a complex global economic environment. While details of the meeting were not officially disclosed, the interaction assumes significance as NITI Aayog plays a key role in shaping India's economic policy framework and driving reforms across sectors. The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal, senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson, and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as Member. (ANI)
BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj on Saturday asserted that members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are "quite rattled" by the new revelation of their corruption as her party launches a scathing attack over the criticism of Arvind Kejriwal's new accommodation in Delhi. Bansuri, at a press conference, said, "Today, Parvesh Verma has raised a crucial issue. As you have just witnessed, the members of the AAP appear quite rattled. When Kejriwal and the AAP first emerged, they aspired to position themselves as an alternative. They made a multitude of promises to the people of Delhi. They were the product of the Anna movement, yet they subsequently betrayed Anna-ji. Today, even their own people are no longer standing by them." The BJP leader further alleged that the AAP convenor toured the entire country at the expense of Punjab taxpayers and misused public funds during his tenure. "The people of Delhi have seen through their true colours. The electorate of Delhi has rejected Kejriwal. The voters of Delhi desired to see the capital move forward on the path of progress. Come winter, out comes the muffler--along with a cough. This entire attire is merely a prop for their charade," she said. Pointing fingers at Arvind Kejriwal's tenure, the New Delhi MP said, "During the COVID-19 crisis--precisely when Delhi needed him the most--he was busy constructing his 'Sheesh Mahal' (palace of mirrors). Later, he headed to Punjab and flagrantly misused public funds. Kejriwal was touring the entire country at the expense of the Punjab taxpayers. Even before he held office as an MLA or Chief Minister, he resided in a government bungalow in the Lutyens' zone. This is sheer hypocrisy," added Swaraj. Swaraj's remarks came after BJP leader Parvesh Sahib Singh took a jibe at former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, calling his new Type-VII government bungalow "Sheesh Mahal part two." Verma's remarks followed the former Delhi CM's move to the new Type-VII government bungalow at 95, Lodhi Estate, in the national capital. Addressing a press conference, Parvesh Sahib Singh accused Kejriwal of betraying the people of Delhi by opting for luxuries in his bungalow. The BJP leader said, "One who betrayed people of Delhi, who came to power in the name of Anna Hazare, showing pictures of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh. One who said I will not take residence and car from the government is Delhi's Rahman Dakait. We will today show you Sheesh Mahal part two." "He made sheesh mahal that too at the time when Delhi's public was suffering from COVID. An extension was also being created for Rs 70 crore. After losing elections, he went to Punjab. Arvind Kejriwal, Satyendra Jain, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia took possession of government residences near Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's residence. Bhagwant Mann is tense with these people," he added. He recalled Kejriwal's promise of leading a life of a common man without using government facilities, and said, "Now, when he got a new bungalow at 95 Lodhi Estate. When the pictures of it came out, we were astonished. The man who said he would live simply today lives in a luxurious manner. This is a government-allocated house, but the money invested in this house is not government funds. Last time he said that the PWD invested the money, but in this house, every penny invested is private money. His own bedroom is looking like Goa's 7-star hotel room. There are a total of five bedrooms." The "Sheesh Mahal" allegations first surfaced last year after the BJP accused him of excessive expenditure on renovations and luxury additions to the 6 Flagstaff Bungalow. (ANI)
In a significant development, 47 Maoist cadres surrendered before the Telangana Police on Saturday, marking what officials described as the end of the Maoist movement in the state. Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy stated that the surrendered cadres belonged to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), and the 9th and 30th platoons of the South Bastar Regional Committee. According to the DGP, the group additionally included one State Committee member, three Division Committee members, and 24 Area Committee members. The remaining 19 were members of the party. "Today, 47 Maoist cadres surrendered, belonging to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, People's Liberation Guerrilla Army and 9th and 30th platoons of South Buster Regional Committee. One is a State Committee member, three are Division Committee members, 24 are Area Committee members, and 19 are Party members," Reddy told reporters. During the surrender, the cadres turned over a significant cache of 32 weapons, including one Light Machine Gun (LMG), four AK-47s, three Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), and two INSAS rifles. The recovery also included two .410 muskets, one 9mm pistol, and a .35mm weapon. In addition to the firearms, officials reported the recovery of 26 magazines, 515 rounds of live ammunition, and 10 bundles of Cordex wire. "They brought with them 32 weapons, including one LMG, four AK-47s, three SLRs, two INSAS rifles, two 410 muskets, one 9mm pistol, and one .35mm. A total of 32 weapons, 26 magazines, and 515 rounds of ammunition, as well as 10 bundles of Cardex wire. There is no Maoist movement in Telangana..." the DGP said. Earlier, Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy on February 24 said the Maoist movement in the state is "almost at the end of its run" with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) currently running "headless, rudderless, leaderless." Speaking to ANI, Reddy explained that no central leadership has emerged following the failure to convene a Central Committee meeting due to intense security operations. "There is no regrouping as such to the best of my knowledge; they may be moving from one part to the other to escape the Police's combing operations," he added. (ANI)
Congress SC Department Chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam on Saturday claimed BJP and AAP might merge in future due to their "similar" ideology. His remarks follow AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's announcement on Friday that two-thirds of the party's MPs were merging with the BJP. After that, Chadha and two others formally joined the ruling party. Gautam, who previously served as an MLA under the AAP government in Delhi, asserted that the merger was inevitable, as both parties share a foundational ideology rooted in the RSS, stating, "Both parties have similar thoughts. There is no difference between them. Sooner or later, they will become one," Gautam told ANI. The Congress leader revisited the 2011 movement led by socialist Anna Hazare, alleging it was designed by the RSS and BJP to dismantle the Congress-led UPA government. "The Anna Andolan that was going on was also of RSS-BJP. At that time, to bring the BJP into power and to defame Congress, Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal spread lies on the basis of the RSS-BJP," Gautam claimed. "They talked about ending corruption, bringing back Jan Lokpal, and black money. An illusion of 2G spectrum fraud and coal block fraud was made up," he added. When asked about BJP leader Parvesh Sahib Singh's recent remarks against Kejriwal, where he called his new type-VII government bungalow a "Sheesh Mahal part two", Gautam expressed a lack of surprise. "As it is, he used to say hateful things in between," he said, maintaining that the remaining AAP leaders can "go to the BJP". Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal on Saturday parted ways with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party leadership. Addressing a presser in the national capital, Chadha informed that Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal have also switched to the BJP. Raghav Chadha said that they have informed the Chairman of the House, in accordance with the rules, of leaving the party. He formalised a split that had been building for weeks, announcing that two-thirds of the party's Upper House members would merge with the BJP. This move attracted a furious response from AAP leaders, with many branding them as "traitors". Meanwhile, BJP National President Nitin Nabin welcomed the Rajya Sabha MPs at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi after they joined the Bhartiya Janata Party. Taking it to X, Nabin on Friday extended warm wishes to all seven Members of the Parliament, encouraging them to work towards achieving the goal of "Viksit Bharat by 2047." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the time has come to bid farewell to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on May 4 (vote counting day), asserting that a BJP government in West Bengal would prioritise women's safety and financial empowerment. Addressing a public rally in Shyampur in Howrah district, Shah said the support shown by people indicated political change in the state. "The love of Shyampur's people shows that the time has come to bid farewell to Didi on the 4th May," he said. Highlighting the incidents in Sandeshkhali, RG Kar Medical College, Durgapur Medical College, Shah alleged that women were unsafe during the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule. "In the TMC rule, women in West Bengal were not safe. Mamata Didi says that after 7 PM, mothers and sisters should not step out of their homes. Mamata Banerjee, instead of scaring the goons, intimidates our sisters. There is no safety for women in Mamata's rule," he said. He further asserted that the election outcome would mark a turning point for women in the state. "Mamata Banerjee's time will end on the 4th, and women's time will begin from the 5th," he added. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said she is going to file a "legal case" against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his "violent remarks". Adressing a gathering in Hoogly, Banerjee said, "We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments." This comes after Banerjee targeted Shah's "hang upside down" warning directed at TMC workers post polls on Friday, asserting that the BJP's "forceful approach" would fail to resonate with Bengal's voters. "What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal--never!" she said. The polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 92.88 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across 152 constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday warned that the world is increasingly being driven by "transactional ethics", where principles are traded for benefits. Speaking at the 32nd memorial lecture of Lal Bahadur Shastri, he pointed to how global conflicts, from the Gulf region to the Strait of Hormuz, are influencing everything from energy markets to elections, including in the United States. "War, as recently as in the Gulf, tells us that what happens in the Strait of Hormuz can have a possible impact not only on energy markets in India and Indonesia, but on elections in November in the US. That's the impact of this global interconnection which we all share. It signals a world adjusting its expectations downward, learning to proceed with greater caution in an uncertain terrain...We have built a civilisation of transactional ethics. What are the tariffs? The tariffs are all about transactional ethics. You stop buying Russian oil, and I'll reduce your tariffs. You do this, and I'll impose a 100 % tariffs. What are tariffs? Tariffs are part of the new transactional ethics game. So we have built a civilisation of transactional ethics," Chandrachud said. Contrasting this trend with Shastri's legacy of selfless integrity, the former CJI called for a return to true morality, urging individuals and nations to uphold values even when it comes at a cost. "If each of us as citizens says that I will be honest if honesty pays, I will follow the law if I am being watched, I will be just if justice benefits me, then that's not morality. That is commerce. Shastri ji resigned from power without being asked, without reward, without political gain. His life casts on us the duty to act rightly, even when it costs you everything," DY Chandrachud asserted. Recalling Shastri's leadership during a challenging period in India's history, he said he was deeply impressed by his conduct and vision. "I remember being very deeply impressed by the way he conducted himself and above all by the slogan which he coined from the bottom of his heart, which was 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'," he said. He noted that Shastri assumed leadership during extremely difficult circumstances for the country and laid the foundation for ethical governance through his example and conduct. "Those were very difficult times for India when he took over. We had the 1965 war, and we were facing a very severe depletion of food stocks in those days. He laid the foundation for ethical leadership. He was a beacon not merely for India but for global humanity," he said. The former CJI added that Shastri's legacy continues to inspire every generation. "Every generation has been deeply inspired by the work, by the life of Lal Bahadur Shastri," he said. (ANI)
Manipur government on Saturday said it has taken note of all the points raised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), adding that action on several issues has already begun, including the investigation into the Tronglaobi incident. Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that while some of the demands are being actively addressed, others are "delicate in nature" and require thorough discussion before any decision is taken. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand said, "Our DGP and NIA's IG are talking frequently. A meeting also took place, and the government wants to catch the culprit as soon as possible. The Tronglaobi incident is a horrific incident. The government is considering this case as a very important case. We are trying to settle it as soon as possible." On April 7, suspected militants allegedly hurled a bomb at a residence around 1:00 AM in the Tronglaobi Awang Leikai area of Moirang, killing two minor siblings, a 5-year-old boy and his 5-month-old sister, while they were asleep. Their mother was also left injured in the attack. Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the state has been witnessing a tense situation since April 7 and reiterated the government's commitment to restoring peace through dialogue. He stated that the government had invited the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) for talks on April 22, but the group did not participate and also boycotted the meeting on April 23. Calling this "very sad," he urged the outfit to engage in discussions instead of protests. Govindas Konthoujam said, "There is a tense situation in our state since the 7th of April...We invited the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) for talks on 22nd April, for talks but they didn't participate in the talks. They boycotted our meeting on 23rd April also. This is very sad...We want to resolve these tensions through talks." On the protest held by COCOMI earlier in the day, the state Home Minister said, "We hoped that the rally would be held peacefully, but the situation turned tense." He confirmed that some members of the COCOMI submitted a memorandum to the CM office. "We have given an answer to all the questions raised by them...The government is doing all efforts to ensure peace in the state...We urge the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to resolve the tensions through talks," he said. On the question of arrests, the government said it is not possible to provide a fixed timeline but assured that efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits at the earliest. The press conference was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, along with other ministers and MLAs. A large number of people under the aegis of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) held a massive rally on Saturday and submitted a memorandum to the Manipur government, raising seven key questions over the ongoing situation in the state. Protesters demanded a formal response from the government on issues including rehabilitation. Nahakpam Shanta, Assistant Convenor and Spokesperson, COCOMI, said, "One of the aspects we want is the abrogation of Suspension of Operations (SoO); we want an answer to the narco-terrorism in Manipur and the various people killed after the May 2023 incident." He also claimed that the previous government had assured that all 60,000 displaced persons would be returned to their homes by March 31, 2026, but said the commitment has not been fulfilled. "We will not be submitting a memorandum anymore after this. We expect the Manipur government to give a befitting reply on the 7-point," he added. We will be compelled to further democratic agitations, Shanta warned, if "government fails to come up with an answer in the next few days." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday took potshots at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her plans to file a "legal case" against him for "violent remarks" and said the Trinamool Congress leader keeps losing in court and will continue to do so. In an exclusive conversation with ANI during his roadshow in Tollygunge in Kolkata, Amit Shah said Mamata Banerjee keeps talking and the BJP is campaigning among people who will give their verdict in the polls. "Mamata Banerjee keeps talking. She keeps losing in court. She'll continue to do so. We're among the public, and the people of Bengal will have to decide on the 29th," he said. "What does Mamata Banerjee want to say? Should goons be respected? She (Mamata Banerjee) has a plan to respect those who trouble the public," he added. Amit Shah was answering a query on Mamata Banerjee's remarks that they will file a "legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks". She made the comments while addressing a gathering in Hoogly. "We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments," she said. "What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal--never!" she added. Amit Shah, who addressed public rallies at Uttar Para and Hingalganj assembly constituencies yesterday, had warned goons against stepping out of their homes on April 29, the date of the second phase polling in West Bengal. "Earlier the goons of Didi did not allow voters to vote. But in the first phase of the ongoing polls, people have voted in large numbers, and the BJP is going to get 110 seats out of 152 in this phase. I want to warn the goons not to step out of their homes on April 29; if they do, then we will straighten them by hanging them upside down after April 5. The Election Commission has made good security arrangements through the CAPFs. No goon of Mamata Banerjee can stop you on your path," he said. Mamata Banerjee had hit back at Amit Shah's speech, stating that the BJP will not be able to win West Bengal with such an approach. "What kind of language is Home Minister Amit Shah using? You are saying post-election, you will hang people upside down. With this approach, you can never win Bengal, Never!," she said. Addressing a rally earlier in the day in Jamalpur in Purba Bardhaman, Amit Shah slammed the Trinamool Congress government over the law and order situation in the state. "In Mamata's rule, there is no safety for mothers, sisters, and daughters in Bengal. RG Kar, Sandeshkhali, Kolkata Law College, Durgapur Law College... atrocities have been committed against women. And she (Mamata) said women should not step out of their homes after 7 PM, but I am telling you that after the 5th, even a little girl will step out at 1 AM at night, and no goon will be able to cause any trouble," he said. The first phase of polling in West Bengal on April 23 saw a record 92.88 per cent polling. The second phase of polling will be held on April 29 and votes will be counted on April 4. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that State Minister D. Sudhakar has not yet regained consciousness, though his condition remains stable. The Chief Minister added that Sudhakar's recovery and medical course will depend on his regaining consciousness, as he assured that the minister is under expert care. Siddaramaiah said, "The minister has not regained consciousness yet. The doctors will take a decision tomorrow. If a lung transplant is to be done, the brain must be conscious. They will take a decision tomorrow after he regains consciousness. I have met Sudhakar's family. He is now stable. The doctors will do a CT scan tomorrow. After that, the condition will be known." The Karnataka CM also posted on X about his visit to the KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru. He said that Ministers Zameer Ahmed Khan, Bairati Suresh, Assembly's Chief Whip Ashok Pattana and MLA Basavanthappa accompanied him during the visit. "I visited Krishna Institute of Health Sciences (KIMS) in Electronic City, Bengaluru, to inquire about the health of Minister D. Sudhakar, got information from the doctor about the treatment being given to Sudhakar, and spoke to his family. I hope that Sudhakar will recover as soon as possible and join us in public works," CM Siddaramaiah said. Sudhakar has been suffering from serious health problems for the past few days due to a lung infection developed after undergoing knee surgery, and is now undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. (ANI)
He made these remarks while addressing the Dalit conclave held at the party's central office under the leadership of SC Wing State President TJR Sudhakar Babu and Working President Kommuri Kanaka Rao.

He said the meeting reflected on how YS Jagan Mohan Reddy carried forward the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by ensuring welfare without discrimination across caste, religion, or region.

In contrast, he alleged that the current regime is focused on cutting benefits, spreading false narratives, and diverting attention from governance failures through aligned media.

He pointed to issues such as a lack of medicines in hospitals, weakening of Aarogyasri, pending fee reimbursements, absence of MSP support, and rising law-and-order concerns, while accusing the government of relying on propaganda instead of performance.

He also questioned the lack of transparency in ministerial functioning and alleged that corruption, commissions, and exploitation have become systemic.

Former minister Taneti Vanitha alleged that atrocities and harassment against Dalits have increased under the coalition rule, reducing them to voiceless communities, and said cases are being filed against Dalit youth under the guise of "Red Book" politics.

She highlighted YS Jagan's initiatives like Nadu-Nedu and women empowerment, calling for unity and continued struggle. Former minister Merugu Nagarjuna said, "Dalits experienced dignity and empowerment under YSR and YS Jagan but are now facing marginalisation, accusing Chandrababu of anti-Dalit policies."

Former minister Narayana Swamy said YS Jagan ensured representation and social justice while alleging that Chandrababu fostered divisions among Dalit communities.

MLC Lella Appireddy urged cadres to counter coalition narratives and strengthen grassroots outreach, while Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy alleged that TDP regimes have historically targeted Dalits through false cases and discrimination, asserting that YS Jagan has done unparalleled work for their welfare.

The meeting was attended by YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, SC Wing State President TJR Sudhakar Babu, Working President Kommuri Kanaka Rao, former ministers Taneti Vanitha, Merugu Nagarjuna, Narayana Swamy, MLC Lella Appireddy, Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy, and several party leaders. (ANI)
According to police, a PCR call was received on 24.04.2026 at around 08:30 PM informing that a man had been assaulted and his hands were allegedly cut using a grinder by known persons at Vijay Enclave in Dabri.

Police reached the spot and found injured Lokesh Gupta, a halwai and tent service provider, resident of Vijay Enclave, Dabri, who had sustained serious injuries.

During the inquiry, it was revealed that the accused Ajay Pal, also known as Billa, had hired tent services from the victim for his daughter's marriage held on 20.04.2026 for an amount of Rs 2.5 lakh. Out of the total amount, around Rs 2 lakh was still pending.

Police said when the victim went to the accused to collect the remaining payment, Ajay Pal, along with 2-3 associates, allegedly attacked him and attempted to cut both his hands using a grinder.

The injured person was initially taken to Rashi Medical Centre and later referred to AIIMS for advanced treatment.

Police said evidence was collected from the spot, and the statement of the victim was recorded. Medical examination confirmed grievous injuries caused by a sharp weapon.

Accordingly, a case under Sections 118(2)/127(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Dabri Police Station.

Accused Ajay Pal, aged 53 years, has been arrested, while two juveniles involved in the incident have been detained, police said.

Further investigation is in progress. (ANI)
BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Saturday said public support for his party has increased across West Bengal. Addressing a roadshow in North 24 Parganas district in support of BJP candidate Sumay Hira, Nabin said the voting trend indicated growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). "Public trust in the BJP has increased across West Bengal. Now, the public wants to break free from the fear of TMC's terror. The first phase has made it clear that the TMC will be decimated and the lotus will bloom. On May 4th, saffron will fly across West Bengal," he said. Speaking at another event in Hooghly, the BJP chief reiterated that the party would secure a decisive mandate in the Assembly elections. "The public has made up its mind to remove the TMC from power...The hooliganism of TMC will end on May 4," he said. He also credited the high voter turnout in the state to growing support for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The way the public of West Bengal came out to vote in large numbers shows that they have bestowed their trust in the BJP and PM Modi," he added. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Nabin termed him the "most immature" politician of the nation. Commenting on Raghav Chadha and other MPs leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joining the BJP, he criticised AAP leadership and said leaders were shifting towards the BJP to contribute to national development. "Arvind Kejriwal built a Sheesh Mahal for himself. No one wants to stay with that kind of leadership. Leaders want to join PM Modi and work for the development of the nation," he said. Meanwhile, the polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday congratulated voters for the record-high turnout in Phase I of the West Bengal Assembly Elections and praised the Election Commission of India (ECI) and security forces for ensuring a peaceful polling process. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met a delegation from the Governing Body of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), one of India's premier educational institutions, and extended his best wishes as the college marks its centenary year. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said a commemorative stamp had also been released to mark the milestone occasion. "Met a delegation consisting of the Governing Body of the Shri Ram College of Commerce, one of India's most reputed educational institutions. This year, we are marking the centenary of this institution. A commemorative stamp was released too. My best wishes to this institution," he said. Located in the heart of the North Campus, Shri Ram College of Commerce, or SRCC as it is fondly called, is one of the premier higher education institutions in Commerce, Economics and Management. Meanwhile, PM Modi extended his congratulations to economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri on his appointment as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, expressing confidence that his expertise will bolster India's reform trajectory. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Met Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri Ji and conveyed my best wishes on his being appointed as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. His rich experience in economics and public policy will greatly strengthen India's reform journey and the journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat. I am confident his efforts will further energise policymaking in our nation. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday expressed confidence that the BJP will win the West Bengal assembly polls and said he can clearly see that the Mamata Banerjee government is not getting elected. "Every party says its own thing, Rahul Gandhi is doing the same, but I can see clearly that Mamata Banerjee is not getting elected this time," Amit Shah said in an exclusive conversation with ANI during his roadshow in Tollygunge. He was asked about the remarks of a Congress leader during his election rallies in the state. He also took potshots at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks to file a "legal case" against him over "violent remarks" and said the Trinamool Congress leader keeps losing in court and will continue to do so. Amit Shah said Mamata Banerjee keeps talking, and the BJP is campaigning among the people who will give their verdict in the polls. "Mamata Banerjee keeps talking. She keeps losing in court. She'll continue to do so. We're among the public, and the people of Bengal will have to decide on the 29th," he said. "What does Mamata Banerjee want to say? Should goons be respected? She (Mamata Banerjee) has a plan to respect those who trouble the public," he added. Amit Shah was answering a query on Mamata Banerjee's remarks that they will file a "legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks". She made the comments while addressing a gathering in Hoogly."We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments," she said. "What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal--never!" she added. Amit Shah, who addressed public rallies at Uttar Para and Hingalganj assembly constituencies yesterday, cautioned warned goons against stepping out of their homes on April 29, the second phase of polling in West Bengal." Earlier the goons of Didi did not allow voters to vote. But in the first phase of the ongoing polls, people have voted in large numbers, and the BJP is going to get 110 seats out of 152 in this phase," he said. "I want to warn the goons not to step out of their homes on April 29; if they do, then we will straighten them by hanging them upside down after April 5. The Election Commission has made good security arrangements through the CAPFs. No goon of Mamata Banerjee can stop you on your path," he added. Mamata Banerjee had hit back at Amit Shah's speech, stating that the BJP will not be able to win West Bengal with such an approach."What kind of language is Home Minister Amit Shah using? You are saying post-election, you will hang people upside down. With this approach, you can never win Bengal, Never!," she said. Addressing a rally in earlier in the day in Jamalpur in Purba Bardhaman, Amit Shah slammed the Trinamool Congress government over the law and order situation in the state."In Mamata's rule, there is no safety for mothers, sisters, and daughters in Bengal. RG Kar, Sandeshkhali, Kolkata Law College, Durgapur Law College... atrocities have been committed against women. And she (Mamata) said women should not step out of their homes after 7 PM, but I am telling you that after the 5th, even a little girl will step out at 1 AM at night, and no goon will be able to cause any trouble," he said. Addressing a rally in Shyampur, Amit Shah continued his attack on Mamata Banerjee."Whenever I speak against these goons, Mata Didi gets upset. Didi, keep your goons locked in the garage, because if they dare touch the mothers and sisters of Bengal, they will not be spared," he said. Meanwhile, addressing a gathering in Hooghly, Banerjee hit back at Shah, announcing she would file a legal case against him over his "hang upside down" warning directed at TMC workers after polls. "We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments," she said. Taking strong exception to Shah's language, she added, "What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal -- never!" Escalating the political temperature, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also took part and attacked both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging corruption and governance failures on both sides, while addressing election rallies in South 24 Parganas and Hooghly. Taking on the PM, Gandhi alleged that Modi had made a trade deal with the US that compromised India's agriculture sector, small and medium industry, and energy security. "Narendra Modi made a trade deal with America, in which he sold off India's agriculture sector, small and medium industry, and energy security. Along with that, he handed over all our data to America as well. No Prime Minister of the country can do such a thing without pressure," Gandhi said. He also hit out at Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of rampant corruption and nepotism. "Narendra Modi is corrupt, but TMC is no less involved in corruption. Sharda Chit Fund Scam: Rs 1,900 crore stolen, Rose Valley Chit Fund Scam: Rs 6,600 crore stolen. TMC people engage in coal smuggling, illegal mining, and impose goonda tax. Mamata ji had promised in 2021 that employment would be provided to 5 lakh people. But the truth is that 84 lakh youths here have applied for unemployment allowance," he said. Gandhi also said he does not fear PM Modi despite facing 36 cases and other attempts to stifle his voice. "Narendra Modi and the BJP target me round the clock. I face 36 cases; my government house has been snatched away. My Lok Sabha membership was cancelled, and I was interrogated for 55 hours straight. But let one thing be clear, I do not fear Narendra Modi," he said. Following the development, AITC also hit back at Rahul Gandhi, calling his comments "irresponsible" and alleging that AITC leaders were being served ED and CBI summons even during elections. "Let the people of Bengal and later India decide who is truly capable of defeating the BJP. If the INC had fought sincerely, then BJP, which faced a setback in Lok Sabha elections, wouldn't have won states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi, and Bihar," the party said. Meanwhile, the polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday congratulated voters for the record-high turnout in Phase I of the West Bengal Assembly Elections and praised the Election Commission of India (ECI) and security forces for ensuring a peaceful polling process. (ANI)
Customs officers at NSCBI Airport, Kolkata, intercepted one male passenger arriving from Bangkok by flight B3-701. They detected suspicious contents in his checked-in baggage while he was crossing the Green Channel and moving toward the exit gate, according to a release.

Further, his checked-in baggage was examined at the Air Intelligence Unit room in the presence of independent witnesses. Upon opening the trolley bags, three edible item pouches containing vacuum-sealed plastic packets were found concealing marijuana/ganja.

The thorough search of the passenger and his baggage resulted in the recovery of marijuana/ganja having a cumulative gross weight of 1,148 grams, valued at approximately Rs 36,00,000, from one piece of the passenger's checked-in baggage (a trolley bag).

The NDPS substance was ingeniously concealed in edible item pouches containing vacuum-sealed plastic packets, which were airtight and designed to avoid detection. The recovered goods were seized under Section 43(a) of the NDPS Act, 1985.

A similar case was observed earlier this month when customs officers on April 4 intercepted a male Indian national at Ahmedabad Airport after suspicions arose during hand baggage screening.

The passenger had arrived from Bangkok (Don Mueang) on VietJet Airlines Flight VZ-750 at 22:55 hours."Upon detailed examination of his hand baggage, four vacuum-sealed packets containing a greenish substance were recovered. The substance tested positive for hydroponic weed (marijuana), weighing 1.107 kg," a Customs official said.

The contraband has been seized, and the passenger has been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. (ANI)
In a move that signals a strengthening bond between India's premier scientific research community and national policy-making, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Prof. Gobardhan Das, Director of IISER Bhopal, in Kolkata today. The meeting served as a formal recognition of Prof. Das's new role as a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog, a position that places him at the heart of India's strategic development and "Viksit Bharat" vision. "I congratulate him on becoming a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog. May he contribute immensely to nation-building," Shah posted on X. Prof. Das, an acclaimed immunologist and the current head of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, is widely respected for his contributions to infectious disease research and academic administration. His transition to NITI Aayog is seen as a strategic step to integrate evidence-based scientific research into the country's socio-economic policies. Prof Gobardhan Das, who has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity, emphasising the impact of the position for those with humble roots. In an X post, Das recalled his beginnings from West Bengal, along with his experience as an individual from a marginalised community. "Today is a very important day in my life. I sincerely thank the dynamic Prime Minister, the honorable Shri Narendra Modi Ji, for giving me the opportunity to serve as a member of @NITIAayog. I am the son of an ordinary farmer family from the Dalit class in a remote village of West Bengal. Since childhood, the fragrance of the soil, the value of hard work, and the truth of struggle have been an integral part of my life. Today's responsibility is not just a position for me; it is a glimpse of the dreams, hopes, and beliefs of countless ordinary people like me," he said. Das, who is currently the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, reaffirmed his dedication to improving the standard of living for remote areas, the farmer community, and ordinary people, describing it as a way for "complete development" of the nation. "For this purpose, I promise to work with honesty, dedication, and full responsibility under the guidance of the honorable Prime Minister Ji," Das said in the post. "Being able to contribute even a little to the country's progress on this journey under the visionary leadership of the honorable Prime Minister Ji is a matter of pride for me. I seek everyone's blessings and cooperation," he added. Dr Gobardhan Das is a celebrated Molecular Science Professor, specialising in Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Cell Biology over a scientific career of nearly three decades. The new Niti Aayog team includes two eminent experts hailing from West Bengal - senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and Scientist Dr Gobardhan Das as a member. Along with them, PM Modi also congratulated Dr Rajiv Gauba, Prof K V Raju, Prof Abhay Karandikar and Dr M Srinivas on becoming Full Time Members of NITI Aayog. (ANI)
The arrest was made within hours of the incident, which occurred near the Patalamma temple in Patalamma Layout.

According to the complaint filed by the victim's wife, Mrs Shaila, Ramachandra had moved to Bengaluru a year ago for business and was in a relationship with a woman named Manjula. The accused, Harish, a resident, reportedly objected to the relationship and frequently engaged in altercations with the victim.

Police officials stated that on the night of April 24, 2026, while Ramachandra was sleeping near the temple in an intoxicated state, Harish allegedly struck him on the head with a large stone, which resulted in his death.

Following the complaint, a case was registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police apprehended the accused shortly after the act, and he has been placed under arrest following interrogation.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who is in the United States, on Friday spoke about India-US diplomatic relations, saying that global powers must work towards inclusive progress based on trust and mutual understanding. He said strong international ties depend on cooperation and responsible leadership. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he said, "I think the nations that are powerful have a responsibility to take everybody along. Internationally, mutuality and trust are the foundations for building better relations. So, that should be prime in order to have improved relations. So, I think the leaders of the nations understand this well. Their words, behaviour and their actions to this effect will go a long way in building a strong and trusted relationship," Hosabale said. On the RSS' long-term vision for India, he said the organisation is aligned with the national development roadmap, saying, "The vision is already set as Viksit Bharat 2047. RSS has aligned with that vision," he added. Responding to a query on violence in the West Bengal Elections 2026, Hosabale said that maintaining law and order during elections is the responsibility of the government of the day. He said political parties and their cadres must ensure that elections remain a democratic process and not turn into violent confrontations. "Who is responsible? It is always the responsibility of the Govt of the day to have a better law and order situation. When elections are held, the parties and their cadres should participate in a democratic event like elections in a restrained way and spread the message of democracy, instead of engaging themselves in violent activities," he said. He further referred to past incidents of post-poll violence in the state. "It reminds me of the post-election violence in the previous elections in Bengal. Nation and the world know who are behind it. So, I think these elements, if they are not learning lessons of democracy, violence is not going to take them anywhere. People will answer them in their own way," Hosabale added. When asked about what Muslims mean for the RSS and what the community's perception is of the organisation, Hosabale stated that 99.9% of the Muslims in India are descendants of the Indian origin Hindus and are part and parcel of the society. He further said, "The forefathers of Indian Muslims were Indians; they had been Hindus. So, 99.9% of the Muslims in India are descendants of the Indian-origin Hindus. So, we feel and we believe that they are part and parcel of our society. They might have changed their mode of worship and their religion, but they have not changed their nationality or civilisational roots." "This is what we have been conveying. Because of certain other mechanisations and political interests, there have been some tensions on and off and that has to be removed. That is why a continuous and comprehensive dialogue with the Muslim leadership is also required. That RSS has engaged in in the last few years, in order to remove these misgivings, if at all it is there," he added. On being asked about the biggest internal security threat for India and RSS' role in fighting it, Hosabale pointed to illegal infiltration from the eastern border and demographic change in some areas. "Within India, there are a lot of diversity. Playing upon these diversities and putting one against another for political interests, that creates problems. Within this Indian society, illegal infiltration on the eastern border mainly has definitely been considered to be a matter of internal security by governments," he said. "The demographic change that is taking place has its own tensions in society. Today, it is not too much of a security issue, but the change of demography in some sections would definitely create social tensions," he said. Hosabale said that RSS has been organising society, encouraging people to work for the nation and engage in community service. The RSS General Secretary said that he had attended two conferences in the United States and interacted with various sections of American society, including people of Indian origin and Americans who are in academics and establishment and think tanks. "I think most of them may not know India and the socio-cultural situations of India, what the various inter-places in society. So, perceptions are made because of... many a time because of misunderstandings, a lack of information and also a lack of communication on the part of people from India. So, I thought it's better to communicate directly with them. Perception side, you know that RSS is a socio-cultural movement of people and it creates volunteers and they engage themselves in the national building activities," he said. He was asked about the perception around RSS and his public outreach in the United States. Hosabale said Hudson Institute invited him for New India conference and discussed with him about the RSS. "I had come for two conferences, one at Stanford University campus - the GSIF, Global Science Innovation Forum. They had also invited me to speak on science, society, and civilisational leadership. So, I thought this was an opportunity to express on behalf of Hindu society and also behalf of the organisation which I represent," he said. "It's good we could reach out to various sections of American society - both of Indian origin and also Americans who are in academics and establishment, think tanks and so on. I could tell them what the RSS is doing for the last 100 years, we have been organising the society and encouraging the people to work for the nation and to engage themselves in community service...how RSS works and what is its philosophy, I could explain to them," he added. (ANI)
Sharing details of the meeting on social media platform X, Adityanath wrote, "Had a wonderful interaction with H.E. Maya Tissafi, Ambassador of Switzerland to India and Bhutan, at my official residence in Lucknow today."

The post also tagged the Swiss Embassy in India.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Switzerland have had cordial and friendly relations since India's Independence, based on shared values of democracy and rule of law. India's policy of non-alignment and Switzerland's traditional policy of neutrality led to a close understanding between the two countries.

Diplomatic relations with Switzerland were established with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship at New Delhi on 14 August, 1948; one of the first such treaties to be signed by independent India. (ANI)
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that this terrorist attack constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of Kuwait and a threat to its security and stability.

The UAE expressed its full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding its security and stability. (ANI/WAM)
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters continued exchanging attacks on Friday, a day after the announcement of a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, CNN reported. The Israel Defence Forces said it carried out strikes on Hezbollah rocket launchers in the southern Lebanese towns of Yater and Kafra, stating that they posed a threat to its troops and Israeli civilians. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon left at least six people dead and two others injured, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said, as cited by CNN. Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it had targeted an Israeli armoured personnel carrier in the southern Lebanese town of Ramyah. In a statement, the group said the attack was carried out in retaliation for Israel's destruction of homes in southern Lebanon, which it described as a violation of the ceasefire. A day earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by an additional three weeks, following talks with senior officials from both sides. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "We had a great meeting with the very high officials of Lebanon and the very high officials of Israel, and I think that the president of Lebanon and the prime minister of Israel, over the next couple of weeks, will be coming here." "They've agreed to an additional three weeks of, I guess, no firing -- ceasefire -- no more firing. Let's see. We hope that happens. It's not going to happen between them, but we still have Hezbollah to think about," he said. After the three-week truce was announced, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while the process has begun to achieve "historic peace" between Israel and Lebanon, he accused Hezbollah of trying to sabotage the situation. The Israeli Prime Minister also said that he held a conversation with US President Donald Trump, who continues to apply "strong pressure" on Iran and that full cooperation continues between Israel and the United States. He made the remarks in Hebrew, which were shared by the Prime Minister's Office. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of eight sorties of Chinese aircraft and seven vessels as of 6 am (local time) on Saturday. The MND said they responded to the situation. In a post on X, the MND said, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2047843033102877019?s=20 Earlier on Friday, the MND detected the presence of two sorties of Chinese military aircraft and seven vessels operating around itself. In a post on X, it said, "2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2047480649880101156?s=20 China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India. China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned under Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC. (ANI)
The United States has sharpened its rhetoric against Iran while continuing to enforce an expanding naval blockade, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth accusing Tehran's military forces of destabilizing maritime security and targeting civilian vessels. The comments signal a further hardening of Washington's stance as tensions persist over Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional activities. In a forceful statement, Hegseth described Iran's military posture as weakened and increasingly reliant on irregular tactics at sea, while reiterating that the US is prepared to sustain pressure for as long as necessary. "There is a rule: nothing in, nothing out. Iran's battered military, the IRGC specifically, has been reduced to a gang of pirates. They cloak their aggression with a flag, but the world sees them for what they are-criminals on the high seas. They don't control anything. They are acting like pirates; they are acting like terrorists. They are the ones who lay indiscriminate mines, who shoot at random ships, who killed 45,000 of their own people-innocent protesters-in the course of weeks, their own people," said Hegseth. "They are the bad actors. The vessels that Iran has seized in recent days are not American ships, not Israeli ships; they are just random ships that sailed where they sailed. Their little speed ships-anyone with a speedboat-gone in the wrong tensions can do that. They know that we, the USA, control the flow of ships, and we know that they know. It's worth saying again: for 47 years, Iran has been at war with America, killing our citizens, our soldiers, and our allies, while previous administrations looked the other way. The real analysis is our war is the war that Iran has waged on us for 47 years," Hegseth added further. "President Trump has the guts and moral clarity to finally do something about it. I see it every day behind closed doors-President Trump is unshakable, and his mission is crystal clear. President Trump said it again yesterday: we have all the time in the world; we're not anxious for a deal, and I hear him say it every day in private as well. Iran knows that they still have an open window. As we said previously, choose wisely at the negotiating table. All they have to do is abandon nuclear weapons in meaningful, verifiable ways, or watch the regime's fragile economy collapse under the unrelenting pressure of America and the blockade, as long as it takes, whatever President Trump decides. Because the bottom line remains the bottom line: Iran will never get a nuclear bomb. But the choice is theirs. With this blockade, the clock is not on their side," Hegseth said. Hegseth says the blockade is designed to restrict Iran's access to critical resources and limit its ability to project power through maritime routes. The operation has reportedly expanded in scope, with increased naval deployments and surveillance aimed at enforcing compliance. Meanwhile, Washington continues to emphasize that diplomatic options remain available, though contingent on Iran abandoning its nuclear program under strict verification. The administration maintains that economic and military pressure will persist until those conditions are met. As the blockade deepens and rhetoric intensifies, the path forward remains uncertain, with both sides signaling resolve in a standoff that could shape regional security dynamics in the months ahead.(ANI)
The US State Department has announced the release of a Kuwaiti-American journalist who was previously detained in Kuwait, following an intervention by the Trump administration. Officials confirmed that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been freed and has subsequently been "permitted to depart from the country." The journalist had reportedly been held for over 50 days amidst a regional crackdown on the sharing of footage related to the ongoing conflict. A State Department official stated that Shihab-Eldin has safely left the Gulf nation, though the department declined to provide "further specifics regarding the release," citing "privacy considerations." According to a report by Fox News, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) CEO Jodie Ginsberg expressed significant comfort regarding the development, stating, "We are relieved that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been found innocent after 52 days in detention." The journalist was originally taken into custody on March 3 whilst visiting relatives in the Gulf nation and faced various allegations, including "spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone." These charges were described by the CPJ as "vague and overly broad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists," according to Fox News. The organisation further noted, "Ahmed's freedom and safety remain our topmost priority and we will continue to closely monitor his case." Prior to his arrest, Shihab-Eldin, whose career includes work for the BBC, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times, had shared footage of a US fighter jet crash in the vicinity of an American military base in Kuwait. Fox News highlighted that the arrest coincided with a period of heightened restrictions, as Kuwait's Ministry of Interior had issued a warning against sharing images of missiles or strategic sites. Furthermore, a local decree now mandates up to a decade in prison for anyone who undermines "the prestige of the military or deliberately works toward eroding public trust in them." The Trump administration reportedly prioritised the case through diplomatic channels, with a State Department spokesperson previously informing Fox News that the government "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans." The official added that in any instance "whenever an American is detained abroad, the Department works to provide consular assistance in accordance with our authorities under U.S. and international law." A representative for the journalist's family has since confirmed his acquittal. Fox News also cited the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, which indicated that dozens of individuals have been detained in similar cases involving freedom of expression since regional tensions escalated. Throughout the ordeal, the CPJ had urged the public to support the journalist using hashtags such as #freeahmed and #journalismisnotacrime. (ANI)
The Head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, said that their Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has traveled to Pakistan to discuss bilateral relations only. Azizi said that nuclear negotiations remain Iran's red line, and will not be under discussion in Pakistan. In a post on X, he said, "In the meeting with foreign journalists, I mentioned that Mr. Araghchi, our country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has traveled to Pakistan to discuss bilateral relations. He has no mission whatsoever in this trip regarding nuclear negotiations, which are considered one of Iran's fundamental red lines." https://x.com/Ebrahimazizi33/status/2047800599568162978?s=20 https://x.com/Ebrahimazizi33/status/2047803711964004489?s=20 The statement revealed a contrast to what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier in the day. Leavitt was asked who's in charge, and which faction is leading Iran as US Special Envoy Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's Son-in-Law Jared Kushner are set to travel to Islamabad on April 25. "The president was flexible in granting an extension of the ceasefire throughout this time. The president has decided to dispatch Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner back to Islamabad. The Iranians want to talk. They want to talk in person, and so the president is, as I've said many, many times to all of you, always willing to give diplomacy a chance. So Steve and Jared will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow to hear the Iranians out," she replied. "We hope progress will be made, and we hope that positive developments will come from this meeting. And we will see. And the president, the vice president, the secretary of state will be waiting here in the United States for updates. And the vice president, I understand, is on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time. We've certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days. Again, the president has made the decision to send Steve and Jared to hear the Iranians out, and so we'll see what they have to say this week," she added. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Esmail Baghaei said that no meeting between Iran and the United States is scheduled, and Araghchi is consulting with Pakistani officials regarding the mediation efforts to end the imposed war by the United States and Israel and to establish peace in the region. "We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region. No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," he said in a post on X. https://x.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2047787169776038085?s=20 A new assessment by the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), has revealed that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his "inner circle" have "repeatedly blocked attempts" by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other "pragmatist" officials to push the Iranian regime toward a "more flexible negotiating position." The report of a fractured leadership in Tehran follows the Iranian government public messaging of unity on Friday. Iran's leadership posted a picture of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf, and Head of the Judiciary of Iran, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and said that the nation is united despite the claims made by the US suggesting otherwise. This internal shift comes as Iran and the United States send delegations to meet with Pakistani mediators in Islamabad. (ANI)
Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), in partnership with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), has initiated a project's activities aimed at strengthening human rights advocacy across Pakistan. Titled "Human Rights Documentation, Fact-Finding, and Advocacy for the Marginalised-II," the initiative seeks to advance human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law, according to an official statement. The project was formally introduced during an orientation session held on April 24, 2026, at Vision Hall in Faisalabad. The event brought together members of the Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Network, including civil society representatives, community leaders, and activists. Participants discussed the project's goals, strategies, and anticipated impact. The session focused on planning key activities under the project, defining roles and responsibilities, and identifying practical interventions to ensure effective outcomes. Attendees also shared field experiences, highlighted challenges, and explored ways to address them during implementation. HRFP, in collaboration with TFD and the HRDs Network, plans to hold monthly meetings to review progress, share case updates, and tackle emerging challenges. These regular engagements will also facilitate legal assistance, address urgent needs, and strengthen advocacy efforts to ensure justice for affected individuals and communities. Cases requiring in-depth inquiry will be examined through dedicated fact-finding missions conducted by trained teams of volunteers, staff, and network members. The project will also include capacity-building initiatives and awareness sessions to enhance advocacy skills and knowledge. Speaking at the event, Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), stated that the organisation's fact-finding missions to incident sites have had a significant impact on case resolution and policy reform, particularly during the "Human Rights Documentation Project - Phase I (2025)." However, he noted that the project's reach remained limited, as many cases could not be addressed due to constraints such as limited resources, time limits, and other challenges. He further explained that under the "Human Rights Documentation Project - Phase II (2026)," aims to expand its outreach to cover more cases nationwide. This phase will also prioritise extending activities to additional regions, especially districts in Punjab and Sindh. Naveed Walter, President of HRFP, stated further that while the project will operate in target areas across Pakistan, Faisalabad will serve as the central hub due to the organisation's main office being located there. He emphasised that HRDs Network meetings will play a key role in implementing strategies and achieving project objectives. He noted that the network includes a diverse group of stakeholders, community leaders, activists, educators, lawyers, women, youth, and political representatives who will actively contribute to advancing the project's mission. He added that these forums will also address cases of human rights violations and promote democratic values aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He further explained that specialised fact-finding teams will be formed to document violations in targeted areas. Additionally, an HRDs Advocacy Group will compile reports and engage with policymakers, local authorities, and government officials to pursue resolutions. Naveed Walter reiterated that the project is designed to uphold fundamental rights, protect vulnerable populations, and advocate for freedoms such as expression, religion, and equal access to opportunities, education, and a healthy environment. He also stressed the importance of accountability and the fulfilment of basic human needs. Members of the HRDs Network, including Naseem Haroon, Nusrat Samuel, John Victor, Ejaz Ghauri, James Lal, Lawrance Thomas, and Sohail Emmanuel, expressed their commitment to collaborative action. They emphasised the need to strengthen democratic practices and condemned human rights violations and undemocratic tendencies that undermine the rule of law. Field Coordinator Hamdosh Samuel (Staff), HRFP Program Coordinator Shadman John (Staff), and HRFP Research Officer Nadeem Walter (Volunteer) highlighted the organisation's ongoing efforts to support religious minorities through its 24/7 REAT Helpline, operational since 2013 at the Faisalabad office. The toll-free service (0800-0-9494) handles a significant number of cases annually. In 2025, REAT Helpline recorded above 1200 and in 2024, 1198 complaints related to human rights violations, with a particular focus on issues concerning religion, belief, and democratic freedoms. The REAT Helpline aligns with Articles 18 to 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, addressing rights related to expression, assembly, association, and thought, including freedom of religion. Reported cases are reviewed and responded to through the HRFP Help Desk to ensure appropriate support and action. (ANI)
Even as Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Aragchi arrived in Islamabad for bilateral talks and a possible meeting with US Negotaitors Steve Wirkoff and Jared Kushner, Iran's military sent out a tough message of its capabilities. Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik to Iranian state media that a significant portion of Iran's "missile capability has not been used" during recent hostilities and highlighted that strategic restraint had been maintained by the country's military forces. The spokesperson further asserted that the "Armed Forces had full control over the skies of the occupied territories" up until the period immediately preceding the implementation of the ceasefire. As detailed by Press TV, the Brigadier General's comments suggest that the nation has retained a substantial amount of its advanced weaponry in reserve. He praised the fact that the weapons manufactured nationwide benefit from a "thoroughly indigenous production line", ensuring self-sufficiency. Discussing the resilience of the military infrastructure, Talaei-Nik stated, "This capacity is the result of more than 25 years of investment and preparation in the defence industry, to the extent that even if some facilities are damaged, the process of production and support continues across the country's geographical expanse." He further revealed to Press TV that, "In this process, around 9,000 companies are cooperating with the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence." The spokesperson also addressed the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was implemented in response to an ongoing American blockade. He asserted that the waterway "has become a lever of control for realising the demands of the Iranian nation." Press TV highlighted his claim that the military has successfully forced "enemy forces retreat in the Gulf of Oman" through "smart and thorough control" of the maritime chokepoint. Talaei-Nik also touched upon domestic solidarity, describing recent massive pro-establishment rallies as a "social miracle." He claimed that over 30 million individuals have signed up for a national campaign to show they are "ready to stand strongly in defence of the nation", an act of mass mobilisation that he believes has defeated efforts to create internal division. The message from the Iranian Army comes even as a new assessment by the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), has revealed that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his "inner circle" have "repeatedly blocked attempts" by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other "pragmatist" officials to push the Iranian regime toward a "more flexible negotiating position." (ANI)
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has characterised the ongoing conflict in Iran as "a gift to the world", asserting that the American blockade of Iranian maritime traffic will persist "as long as it takes." Addressing journalists at the Pentagon on Friday, Hegseth stated that the naval restrictions are essential to fulfilling what he described as a "bold and dangerous" mission aimed at neutralising Iran's perceived threat to international stability. While American officials maintained that the blockade has successfully intercepted 34 vessels, maritime monitoring data indicates that Tehran continues to circumvent these measures to export sanctioned oil. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, "a steady flow of shadow fleet traffic" has been observed moving through the Persian Gulf. This includes 11 tankers carrying Iranian cargo that reportedly departed from the Gulf of Oman, outside the strait, since April 13. In response to the American stance, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV quoted Defence Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, who warned that "a significant portion of our missile capability has not been used." The General further claimed that the "Armed Forces had full control over the skies of the occupied territories" until the moments leading up to the ceasefire. Talaei-Nik also highlighted domestic resilience, describing the continued public support following the cessation of hostilities as a "social miracle." He noted that "over 30 million people registered in the 'Sacrifice' campaign", calling it "an unparalleled example of popular mobilisation in the world." Directly challenging the American strategy, the spokesperson alleged that "the enemy" intended to instigate internal chaos. However, he maintained that the vigilance of the public and the coordination of security agencies have kept the nation in a "secure, stable, and cohesive condition." The Brigadier General further asserted that the "Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's wise and powerful management" and has evolved into a "control lever for realising the demands of the Iranian nation." He added that Western forces in the Sea of Oman have "repeatedly retreated in the face of the decisive response of the Armed Forces." This defiant message from the Iranian military emerges even as a new assessment by the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), revealed a rift within the Iranian leadership. The ISW report stated that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his "inner circle" have "repeatedly blocked attempts" by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other "pragmatist" officials to push the Iranian regime towards a "more flexible negotiating position." Despite this internal friction, the United States has confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday to participate in a "new round of talks" with Iranian officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday, "I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks... with representatives from the Iranian delegation." Leavitt indicated that the initiative for the meeting came from Tehran, stating, "The Iranians reached out, as the US president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation." While top aides report back to US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, notable absences in this second round include Vance himself and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the leader of the Iranian negotiating team in the first round. The diplomatic movement follows an announcement by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding a "timely tour" to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow to "closely coordinate with our partners." Although US representatives are expected to be in the same location for a "new round of talks", there has been no official clarification from Araghchi regarding a planned meeting with the American delegation. Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remarked that President Trump suggested the US "had all the time in the world and we are not anxious for a deal", adding that Tehran has a chance to make a "good deal, a wise deal." (ANI)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as an Iranian delegation reached the Pakistani capital amidst a "deepening diplomatic deadlock" with the United States. The high-level meeting took place as the city remains under a "suffocating security lockdown," with authorities sealing major arterial roads and placing the high-security Red Zone under a "strict cordon." In a separate diplomatic engagement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar noted on social media that he was pleased to "receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, to Islamabad," adding that he would "look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability." The timing of this visit is particularly sensitive, as the White House recently announced that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would also be heading to the region for potential talks with Iran. However, Tehran has remained firm in its defiance, asserting that it would "not be meeting" with the US. This diplomatic standoff has brought the "commercial pulse" of Islamabad to a crawl, where markets in the Blue Area are largely deserted and public transport networks have been crippled. Local residents are reportedly struggling with growing commodity shortages and the psychological strain of the prolonged uncertainty. This current wave of restrictions follows a similar shutdown on April 11-12 during the inaugural session of discussions, which finished without a breakthrough. The diplomatic friction in Islamabad stems from a total deadlock on three primary issues: Tehran's highly enriched uranium (HEU) and the future of its nuclear ambitions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel's military operations in Lebanon. While the White House has indicated that emissaries are prepared for an "in-person conversation," Tehran's state media has rebuffed the claim, insisting that direct negotiations were "not in the cards." Despite this, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that two envoys are slated for discussions with Araghchi, stating, "We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal." She further clarified that although Vice President JD Vance would not be travelling to the site, he remains "deeply involved." Reflecting on the lack of progress, US Vice President JD Vance noted that "21 hours of intense negotiations" previously yielded no breakthrough. "Their nuclear program and the enrichment facilities they had before have been destroyed. But we do not see a commitment to not develop more nuclear weapons," Vance remarked. These discussions represent some of the highest diplomatic engagements witnessed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. However, attempts to resume dialogue have reached an impasse as Tehran refuses to return to the table while a US naval blockade remains active at its ports. In retaliation, Iran has enforced a "de facto blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz, severely restricting maritime traffic through the critical energy corridor and triggering chaos in global markets. Amidst the stalemate, Washington is continuing its military build-up in the Middle East with the arrival of the USS George HW Bush, the third US aircraft carrier deployed to the region. Simultaneously, the US has ramped up economic pressure, imposing fresh sanctions on a major Chinese oil refinery and approximately 40 shipping firms and tankers linked to the transport of Iranian crude. According to the Foreign Office, "during the visit, the Iranian foreign minister will hold meetings with Pakistan's senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability," even as the capital stays in a state of "suspended animation" with no confirmation yet on whether fresh talks will materialise. (ANI)
Demolition drive of the squatters residing in riverside embankments of Kathmandu Valley has started from Saturday with no untoward incidents. The eviction drive which was attempted by now Prime Minister Balendra Shah during his tenure as the Mayor of the capital- Kathmandu had failed due to the absence of cooperation from the federal government. Previous attempt by Shah as the Mayor of Kathmandu on November 28, 2022 to clear the Thapathali settlement resulted in violent clash leaving 36 people injured, including then municipal police chief. Shah later sought support from multiple home ministers, including Narayankaji Shrestha and Rabi Lamichhane, for clearing the settlements. But it also didn't garner enough support for him. But from early Saturday morning, bulldozers rolled through the encroached settlement deploying hundreds of security forces from the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. Residents were given ultimatum to relocate belongings, with some moving out as early as yesterday. "It is a non-residential area. We had attempted to clear it last year as well before that as well we had been appealing them to leave the place. We are in the mission to vacate the illegal settlements from governmental lands," Bishnu Prasad Joshi, Chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police told ANI as the eviction drive continued. Authorities had already begun preliminary clearance efforts on Thursday as part of the eviction plan. According to police, the first phase of the operation targets settlements in Thapathali, Manohara, and the Sinamangal-Gairigaun areas. The eviction is being carried out in coordination with the District Administration Office, Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, with security arrangements tightened since morning. Shah has stated that the government will distinguish between encroachers and genuine squatters and has pledged to distribute land to eligible families. The drive was initiated following instructions from Shah, who has said the move is part of efforts to address the squatter issue with a long-term solution. While drawing criticism for advancing ahead with the eviction plan, Shah has tried to assure that government will distinguish between genuine squatters and encroachers, noting that millions of squatters are spread across the country. Announcing his commitments on social media, the Prime Minister said, "We will complete the identification process for genuine squatters across the country and distribute land to them as soon as possible. This government is committed to providing a lasting solution to a problem that has persisted for years." He added that, beyond those living along riverbanks in Kathmandu, thousands of other families are also facing serious hardship. Referring to recurring flood risks, he said, "Have we forgotten the scenes of thousands of people living along Kathmandu's riverbanks fleeing for their lives each year, leaving behind their belongings, and requiring government rescue?" "This is a long-standing problem that repeats every year. I have consistently urged that it should not be postponed, and that proper arrangements for safe housing must be made," he said. Prime Minister Shah said the government has chosen to act proactively rather than wait for another disaster. Impending since long-time, the swatters eviction drive which had been inviting political discussions over the time and flak, the latest move of the Mayor turned Prime Minister is greatly welcomed. "I am really impressed and supportive of this drive to evict the squatters. It is a good initiative of the Balen government, it must had been done," Subhadra Karki, a resident of Thapathali told ANI. "All those living here are not the squatters, some of them have properties of their own but still act as one who lives here. Many of the claimed ones reside outside this squatter settlement, have their son-daughters abroad, not all of them are the squatters; there needs proper segregation, if investigated background then the real ones can be easily identified. The Balen government should investigate this and then the real ones can be identified," Karki added. The drive closely watched by various human rights bodies and activist groups has drawn caution with the governmental body- the National Human Rights Commission as well. The human rights body has remined the government of its previous recommendation to identify genuine squatters and arrange alternative housing for them. "The commission on Friday has written to the government seeking an update on the progress of its implementation," the commission said. While the Amnesty International said forced eviction without prior consultation, verification or resettlement measures reflects a dangerous erosion of the rule of law and signals an increasingly authoritarian approach. "The move signals an increasingly authoritarian approach. The government's roadmap had promised to resolve the issues of landless squatters within a fixed timeframe," the statement said. "Evicting families without prior verification, meaningful consultation or assurance of alternative housing undermines that commitment and risks turning a governance challenge into a preventable human rights crisis." The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) which is also joining hand with the Balendra Shah led government also has committed to adopt a humane approach while carrying out its ongoing campaign to protect public land and remove unauthorized structures. Taking onto social media, the acting Mayor of Kathmandu, Sunita Dangol, clarified that the metropolitan office is playing a supportive role in actions being undertaken in line with government decisions and requests from the District Administration Office. She noted that the city's position was shaped by discussions held among members of the municipal executive on April 24. Dangol emphasized that the removal of structures will be conducted with full respect for human dignity. She said special attention will be given to vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, the sick, pregnant women, children, and persons with disabilities. The acting mayor further stated that the metropolis aims to ensure the process remains dispute-free, safe, and fair, while strictly adhering to legal and judicial standards. She reiterated that the city is committed to making maximum efforts to ensure that its actions do not contradict the law or principles of justice. According to Dangol, the metropolitan office has been working to safeguard government, public, and community land in a manner that aligns with legal provisions and fairness. She also urged all stakeholders, officials, and the general public to extend necessary support and coordination to ensure the success of the campaign. The latest eviction drive which is said to continue in the coming days is also the part of his 100-point roadmap where the government announced a nationwide digital survey and verification of landless squatters within 60 days, and a resolution of the issue within 1,000 days through relocation and land allocation. Floated by the Prime Minister, the plan promises a Geographic Information System- based database, identified genuine beneficiaries, update the records of public and Guthi land, and provide land or integrated housing for relocation in urban areas. (ANI)
Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand on Saturday said that the bilateral relationship with India is the strongest one he has ever known. McClay, while speaking to ANI, said that both countries might see direct flights, being a catalyst to tourism boom. "It's very strong. In fact, it's probably the strongest relationship that I have ever known. We, as a government of New Zealand, have said that we want to make our relationship with India and its government a strategic priority... We have a shared history, and we also know that we need to keep working on that. I'm excited for the next few years. I think we will see direct flights between India and New Zealand. Many more people can come and visit for tourism... we're about to sign a free trade agreement," he said. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had announced that both nations will sign a Free Trade Agreement on Monday. https://x.com/chrisluxonmp/status/2047479037682205105?s=20 Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India and New Zealand are set to begin a "new chapter" in their economic relations with the upcoming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signing, calling it a key milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. Goyal welcomed New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, to India, saying the visit marks a "defining moment" in the partnership between the two countries. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/2047736405238153422?s=20 As the Middle East continues to boil, all countries are scrambling to expand ties with each other. When asked about the West Asia conflict, he told ANI, "We don't support the war in Iran. We think that there should be discussions and negotiations. We're very pleased with the negotiation. But we're very concerned that Iran is looking to develop the ability to produce nuclear weapons. We support actions to stop that." (ANI)
Tibetans-in-exile in Shimla on Saturday celebrated and observed the 37th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, with prayers and offerings, expressing hope of celebrating his next birthday in his presence. The observance was jointly organised by the Jonang Monastery, Shimla chapters of the Tibetan Women's Association and the Tibetan Youth Congress. Monks, along with members of the Tibetan community, gathered at the Dingu Hill prayer site near the monastery to offer prayers for his long life and immediate release. Speaking with ANI, the Chief Representative of the Centeral Tibetan Administration ,Tsewang Phuntsok said the day holds deep significance for Tibetans and the global Buddhist community. He stated that the Panchen Lama, born on April 25, 1989, in Tibet, was recognised at a young age by Dalai Lama as one of the highest spiritual figures in Tibetan Buddhism, second only to the Dalai Lama. He recalled that the 10th Panchen Lama had endured hardships and had raised concerns about Tibetan rights through a detailed communication with Chinese authorities, for which he faced imprisonment. Referring to the 11th Panchen Lama, Phuntsok said that at the age of six, he and his family were taken away by Chinese authorities, and since then, there has been no information about his whereabouts or well-being. Phuntsok added that while Tibetans celebrate the birthday with devotion, there remains a deep sense of concern and sadness due to the uncertainty surrounding his status. He emphasised that the Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama continues to be accepted by Tibetan Buddhists worldwide, while the alternative appointed by China is not recognised by the community. He further said that Tibetan communities across the world observe the day to promote their culture, language and traditions, and to keep alive the message associated with the Panchen Lama. He also called upon the international community, including the United Nations and other global institutions, to send a delegation to Tibet to ascertain his condition and secure his release along with other political prisoners. Tenzin Nangyal a freedom activist said the occasion is important not only for Tibetans but also for Buddhists worldwide. He noted that despite the passage of decades, the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama remain unknown. He said the community continues to celebrate his birthday symbolically and expressed hope that future celebrations would take place in his presence. Tibetan Buddhist monks say that the cultural and spiritual importance of the Panchen Lama. Acharya Kunga Choephel described the Panchen Lama as one of the two central spiritual pillars of Tibetan Buddhism, likening them to the sun and the moon. He said prayers offered on the occasion are aimed at ensuring the continuity and preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, along with wishes for the long life of the Panchen Lama. He said that they are looking forward to meet him some day this is the dream and wish of every Buddhist. According to historical records, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was born in Lhari village in the Nagchu region of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. In 1995, at the age of six, he was recognised as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama. However, China rejected the recognition and appointed its own Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu. Soon after the recognition, Chinese authorities allegedly took Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and his family into custody. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown, making him one of the world's longest-held political prisoners. Tibetan groups and human rights organisations have repeatedly called for transparency regarding his condition and for his immediate release. The Tibetan community continues to urge the international community to press for his release. The peaceful observance in Shimla, while marked by prayers and reflection, also served as a quiet but firm expression of resistance against religious suppression and a reaffirmation of faith and identity. (ANI)
Citizens in Iran have been subjected to a continuous internet blackout for 57 days, marking exactly eight weeks since the Iranian regime severed the country's digital access, according to the internet monitoring watchdog NetBlocks. Reporting on the situation this Saturday, the watchdog highlighted the severe impact of the restriction, stating that "the disruption, now entering its 57th day after 1344 hours, stifles the voices of Iranians, leaves friends and family out of touch and damages the economy." The total blackout was implemented immediately following the joint US and Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February. This prolonged shutdown has isolated the Iranian population from the global community during a period of significant regional instability. Earlier this month, NetBlocks identified the ongoing crisis as the "longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country." The scale of this disruption surpasses previous state-led efforts to control the flow of information. This current restriction follows a separate internet and communications blackout imposed by the Iranian regime in January, which was allegedly used to obscure evidence of the state's deadliest crackdown on its own citizens since the Islamic Republic was founded nearly 47 years ago. Amidst this domestic isolation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as an Iranian delegation reached the Pakistani capital amidst a "deepening diplomatic deadlock" with the United States. The high-level meeting took place as the city remains under a "suffocating security lockdown," with authorities sealing major arterial roads and placing the high-security Red Zone under a "strict cordon." In a separate diplomatic engagement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar noted on social media that he was pleased to "receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, to Islamabad," adding that he would "look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability." The timing of this visit is particularly sensitive, as the White House recently announced that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would also be heading to the region for potential talks with Iran. However, Tehran has remained firm in its defiance, asserting that it would "not be meeting" with the US. This diplomatic standoff has brought the "commercial pulse" of Islamabad to a crawl, where markets in the Blue Area are largely deserted and public transport networks have been crippled. Local residents are reportedly struggling with growing commodity shortages and the psychological strain of the prolonged uncertainty. The friction stems from a total deadlock on three primary issues: Tehran's highly enriched uranium (HEU), the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel's military operations in Lebanon. While the White House indicated that emissaries are prepared for an "in-person conversation," Tehran's state media has rebuffed the claim, insisting direct negotiations were "not in the cards." Despite this, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that two envoys are slated for discussions, stating, "We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal." She further clarified that although Vice President JD Vance would not be travelling to the site, he remains "deeply involved." Reflecting on the lack of progress, JD Vance noted that "21 hours of intense negotiations" previously yielded no breakthrough. "Their nuclear program and the enrichment facilities they had before have been destroyed. But we do not see a commitment to not develop more nuclear weapons," Vance remarked. Attempts to resume dialogue have reached an impasse as Tehran refuses to return to the table while a US naval blockade remains active at its ports. In retaliation, Iran has enforced a "de facto blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering chaos in global markets. Amidst the stalemate, Washington is continuing its military build-up with the arrival of the USS George HW Bush, while simultaneously imposing fresh sanctions on a major Chinese oil refinery and shipping firms linked to Iranian crude. The Foreign Office stated that during the visit, Araghchi will discuss "the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability," even as the capital stays in a state of "suspended animation" with no confirmation yet on whether fresh talks will materialise. (ANI)
Speaking at the Diplomatic Conclave organised by Woxsen University in Hyderabad, Argentine Ambassador Mariano Caucino stated that "Argentina and India enjoy a very elevated degree of complementarity". The Argentine envoy reminded that India has become the sixth economic partner of the South American nation. Ambassador Caucino emphasised that "Our countries maintain a growing economic interaction stemming from the objective complementarity between our economies". The envoy emphasised, "Since elevating our relationship to the status of strategic partners in 2019, we have significantly increased the volume of our economic and trade ties". Asked about world affairs during the conclave, attended by ambassadors of Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama, the Argentine envoy explained that natural competition is the result of the logical aspiration and national ambitions of sovereign states in an interconnected world. Ambassador Caucino stated that "in this stage we observe as a wise policy India's government strategy of diversification of partners" and explained that "Argentina is already contributing to food security but can also contribute to India's energy security". Caucino recognised that since India is becoming a decisive actor in today's world and a country to which every nation is paying more and more attention to". Ambassador Caucino stated that "2025 was a historic year in our bilateral relations since we had the opportunity to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Argentina". Ambassador Caucino reminded that although distance and belonging to different geographical regions of the world, his country and India are already cooperating to a degree that Argentina has become India's main provider of edible oils, while cooperation in critical minerals is becoming strategic. https://x.com/CaucinoMariano/status/2047719869140074627?s=20 Talking about the Conclave, Caucino said in a post on X, "Participating in the Diplomatic Conclave at Woxsen University in Hyderabad with my colleague ambassadors from Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico. Held great discussions on India-Latin America cooperation, World Affairs and Education. Thanks to Woxsen University!" (ANI)
Philip Green, High Commissioner of Australia to India, said that both nations are at the highest point of their bilateral relations. Green, while talking to ANI, he said that the nations are strategically aligned through the QUAD and bilaterally have a vision for the Indo-Pacific. "We're at the highest point of our bilateral relations... We are deeply strategically aligned through the QUAD and bilaterally have a vision for the Indo-Pacific. We have a very strong complementary economy... the other part of our relationship is what we call the human bridge. More than a million people who call Australia their home are making a huge contribution to our bilateral relationship." Brigadier Damian Hill, Head of Australian Defence Staff in India, echoed Green and said, "We have long-standing ties. We're about 4 years into the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, but our ties are much greater and much longer than that." As the Middle East situation continues to ripple through the world economy in a trough, Green said that Australia has called for a de-escalation. "The Australian government is calling for de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and across the whole theatre in West Asia. This is causing ripples, shockwaves around the world. It's being felt in Australia; it's being felt here in India. For us, the negotiation process is very important and the sooner that the parties can come to a conclusion and we can resume more normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the better for all of us," he said. Hill said that peace in the region will result in peace in the Indo-Pacific too. "We're seeking to de-escalate. We're after a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific that enables us all to live in peace... we're looking for it to stabilise because it's in the best interests of the globe, that we are as peaceful a community as we can be, and indeed it impacts the globe. It doesn't just impact those in Asia or in the Middle East; it impacts everyone globally," Hill told ANI. Earlier on April 18, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for de-escalation in West Asia and the reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need to keep the route free from tolls and privatisation amid the ongoing conflict. (ANI)
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has remained largely absent from the public eye since assuming leadership following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28, the New York Times reported. According to the report, which cited an Iranian official, no video or audio recordings of the new leader have been released. Instead, his directives are exclusively shared via social media posts or read aloud on state television. The report suggested that Mojtaba is acting "consciously as he does not want to appear vulnerable or sound weak in his first public address." Security protocols surrounding the Supreme Leader have reached unprecedented levels. The New York Times stated that senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard and high-ranking government officials refrain from visiting him, fearing that Israel could "trace his location" through their movements and orchestrate an assassination. To circumvent sophisticated tracking by the US and Israel, the report detailed a rudimentary but secure communication system. Messages intended for Mojtaba are "handwritten, sealed in envelopes and passed on via a human chain" of trusted couriers. These messengers reportedly navigate highways and rural back roads on motorcycles and in cars to reach his "hide-out," with his responses following the same secure circuit. The official cited by the New York Times further revealed that while the top leader was "gravely" injured in the strikes, he remains "mentally sharp and engaged." The report alleged that the strikes "damaged his face" and left him requiring "plastic surgery." Medical details provided in the report indicate that Mojtaba's injuries are extensive. One of his legs has reportedly undergone three operations and is "awaiting a prosthetic leg," while an injured hand is said to be "regaining function gradually." Furthermore, injuries to his "face and lips" have reportedly made it "difficult for him to speak." The New York Times added that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a trained heart surgeon, and the country's health minister have both been directly "involved in his care." The leader is reportedly "mostly surrounded by doctors and healthcare professionals" at his undisclosed location. In response to the claims regarding his health, a post on Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's X account slammed the "enemy's media operations." The post accused such reports of seeking to "undermine unity and national security" following the publication of the details regarding the wounds sustained in the strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The report comes during an "uneasy ceasefire" between the US and Iran, following a period of intense fighting in the Middle East. Despite the pause in hostilities, a significant "deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz" persists. Efforts to resume diplomacy have stalled, as a second round of negotiations failed to commence. The report noted that Iran "refused to attend the negotiations in Pakistan" due to its specific demands, which include a firm "insistence on nuclear rights." (ANI)
Holona and Margherita discussed ways to expand cooperation.

In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to meet Hamoa Holona, Minister of Education and Acting Minister of Health. Discussed ways to further expand India-Tuvalu cooperation in the education and health sectors."

https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/2047905497467195429?s=20

Earlier in the day, Margherita held trade-related talks with Paulson Panapa, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade of Tuvalu.

Margherita on Friday affirmed India's steadfastness in Tuvalu's development journey.

In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to meet Hon. Paulson Panapa, Acting Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade of Tuvalu. India and Tuvalu share a deep partnership rooted in shared values and commitment. Had Productive discussions on strengthening our bilateral development cooperation, including in health and building climate-resilient infrastructure. India remains a steadfast partner in Tuvalu's development journey."

https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/2047725685788303685?s=20

Margherita also called on Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, GCMG, Governor-General of Tuvalu.

In a post on X, he said, "Honoured to call on His Excellency Reverend Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, GCMG, Governor-General of Tuvalu. Had a warm and productive discussion on further strengthening India-Tuvalu bilateral cooperation across key sectors, reaffirming our shared commitment to the progress and well-being of our peoples."

https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/2047603061015679141?s=20

Margherita also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation with Tuvalu's Minister for Home, Climate Change, and Environment, Maina Vakafua Talia.

"Happy to meet Tuvalu's Minister for Home, Climate Change, and Environment, Hon. Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia. Exchanged views on strengthening cooperation on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, sustainable development and capacity building."

https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/2047561240101503456?s=20

Margherita is in Tuvalu "for a two-day visit, where he will engage in bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other dignitaries of the country," a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. (ANI)
The long-anticipated Mercosur-European Union trade agreement is set to come into effect on May 1, signalling a transformative shift in global trade dynamics and Brazil's economic strategy. The deal establishes the largest bilateral free trade zone in the world, encompassing a combined market of 720 million people and a GDP of approximately $22 trillion, as reported by Brasil 247. According to Brasil 247, speaking to A Voz do Brasil, Minister Marcio Elias Rosa emphasised the historic scale of the agreement, noting that it connects Mercosur nations Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and soon Bolivia with all EU member states. The minister described the pact as a milestone that could redefine Brazil's vital role in international commerce. A key feature of the agreement is the gradual elimination of import tariffs on about 95% of goods traded between the two blocs. This phased approach aims to ensure economic stability while enhancing trade competitiveness. Mercosur exports, particularly commodities like meat, soy, and oil, are expected to benefit from faster tariff reductions compared to European industrial goods. Beyond trade, the agreement is also expected to boost foreign investment and deepen economic ties between the two regions. Analysts suggest that the deal could make Mercosur more attractive to many global partners, strengthening its position as a major and growing player in international markets, as highlighted by Brasil 247. The Brazilian government also anticipates positive domestic impacts, especially in employment. With over 100 million people currently employed, officials believe that increased trade and industrial policies will further drive job creation and income growth. The agreement represents not just an economic shift but a strategic realignment, positioning Brazil and its regional partners within one of the most influential trade networks in the world, as reported by Brasil 247.(ANI)
In a frantic attempt to project regional relevance, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, even as the highly anticipated second round of US-Iran peace talks in the capital teeter on the brink of total collapse. According to a statement released by the Office of Pakistan's Prime Minister on X, Araghchi arrived at the Prime Minister's House for discussions focused on the "situation in the region". Significantly, the civilian leadership was closely flanked by the military establishment, with Pakistan Army Chief Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also participating in the talks. Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a separate meeting with Munir, underscoring the military's dominant hand in Pakistan's foreign affairs amidst a deepening diplomatic deadlock with Washington. While the Pakistani leadership rolls out the red carpet, the reality on the ground exposes a nation struggling to manage its ambitious mediation efforts. In a bid to secure the visiting dignitaries, the host nation has placed its own capital under a "suffocating security lockdown." Authorities have sealed off major roads and placed the high-security Red Zone under a strict cordon. Yet, despite severely disrupting the daily lives of its citizens, Pakistan has failed to secure the one thing the lockdown was meant for, an actual meeting between the primary stakeholders, the US and Iran. Despite the heavy-handed security measures, prospects of high-stakes peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad are "rapidly fading", exposing the host nation's diplomatic impotence as Tehran refuses to meet the travelling American delegation, as per Kamran Khan, chairman of Pakistan-based news outlet ARY News. Despite going to extreme lengths to orchestrate high-profile diplomatic arrangements, the Pakistani establishment has been entirely sidelined by the actual stakeholders, reducing Islamabad to a mere spectator in its own capital. According to Khan, citing informed sources, Tehran is "still not ready to meet the U.S. delegation", which includes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner. Iran has effectively bypassed its Pakistani hosts, issuing demands directly to Washington. Tehran's precondition - that the US Navy must first lift its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports. "Prospects for the resumption of the second round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad today are rapidly fading, as Tehran is still not ready to meet the U.S. delegation," Khan stated in a post on X. This weekend's diplomatic theatre is rapidly mirroring the failures of the past. The first round of talks hosted in Islamabad--featuring US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker MB Ghalibaf--dragged on for a gruelling 21 hours without yielding a single breakthrough. As Pakistan's leaders continue to pose themselves as a mediating force with the Iranian delegation, the overarching narrative is one of diplomatic impotence. Islamabad has successfully shut down its own capital, but it appears completely incapable of bringing the United States and Iran to the negotiating table. (ANI)
Shenzhou-21 astronauts send Space Day greetings from orbit

Xinhua) 09:46, April 25, 2026

Chinese astronauts Zhang Lu (R), Wu Fei (C) and Zhang Hongzhang attend a send-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's Tiangong space station recorded a special video message on Friday to mark the 11th Space Day of China, extending their best wishes for the steady progress of the nation's space program.

"On this occasion, we wish China's space endeavors continued success and encourage all those with a passion for space to journey bravely toward the vast universe," said Zhang Lu, commander of the Shenzhou-21 mission, in the video.

Zhang, a two-time space traveler, has just set a new personal record for the most extravehicular activities (EVAs) among Chinese astronauts, witnessing and contributing to China's evolution from a late starter in space to a major space power.

Observed nationwide on April 24 each year, Space Day of China commemorates the launch of the country's first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, on April 24, 1970. The commemorative date was officially designated in 2016.

Wu Fei, the youngest astronaut to have performed a space mission in China, also shared his inspiring life story in the recorded video.

In October 2003, as a child watching the return of the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft, he wrote a simple wish on a piece of paper: "I want to go to space." In October 2025, he was unveiled as a member of the Shenzhou-21 crew, turning his childhood dream into reality.

"Living and working aboard our space station, I have come to understand more deeply that children's curiosity is the most precious fuel for space exploration, and the books they read are the tickets to the stars," Wu noted.

He delivered an encouraging message to young space enthusiasts. "The future of China's space program will one day rest in your hands. I hope you stay curious about the unknown, examine every new finding with rigorous care, and cherish your dreams as you would a precious collection," he said.

Zhang Hongzhang, China's second payload specialist to journey into space, said every day onboard the space station holds special meaning, as it combines scientific ideals with spaceflight dreams.

"With the starry sky for companion and clouds drifting nearby, our loyal hearts light up the heavens," Zhang recited a poetic verse.

"As space explorers of the new era, we express our aspirations through poetry and make them real with concrete actions, jointly building the boundless glory of China's space program," he said.

The Shenzhou-21 crew entered the Tiangong space station on Nov. 1, 2025. They have now been in orbit for more than five months and are in good condition. After a thorough assessment, their stay in orbit will be extended by approximately one month, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

A Long March-2F Y22 rocket carrying the Shenzhou-22 spaceship blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Ge Lixin/Xinhua)

PREPARATIONS FOR NEW MISSIONS

At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the country's only manned spacecraft launch site, space professionals celebrated Space Day by cautiously making preparations for upcoming missions, including the Shenzhou-23 flight.

Inside the test and launch control hall, equipment indicator lights flickered as real-time data scrolled across screens. Qiao Liqing, a rocket system commander, closely monitored each data set while delivering precise commands from the operation panel.

"For us in the test and launch sector, the best way to celebrate the Space Day is to ensure the Long March rocket ignites on time and delivers the Shenzhou spacecraft into precise orbit," said Qiao, who has participated in 15 manned space launch missions.

"The Shenzhou-23 mission is now at a critical stage," said Qiao. He is now coordinating the entire rocket test and launch process for the upcoming Shenzhou-23 mission.

The launch center has completed a series of preparations, including inspections and maintenance of ground-based rocket test and launch control equipment, propellant filling drills for the spacecraft, and emergency search and rescue drills for the mission.

China is set to launch the Shenzhou-23 and Shenzhou-24 crewed spacecraft from Jiuquan in 2026, while the Shenzhou-22 and Shenzhou-23 spacecraft will return to the Dongfeng landing site in sequence.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
According to The Taipei Times, Lai had been scheduled to travel to Eswatini, Taiwan's only diplomatic partner in Africa, earlier this week. However, the visit was abruptly scrapped after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permissions for his chartered aircraft at short notice.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an attributed the disruption to what he described as "intense pressure" from China, including alleged economic coercion directed at the three African nations.

The development has raised fresh concerns in Taipei about Beijing's expanding influence over smaller states.

At a press briefing in Taipei, MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh condemned remarks made by China's Taiwan Affairs Office and foreign ministry, saying they effectively deny the existence of the ROC and its leadership.

Liang argued that Beijing's stance reflects a broader attempt to erase Taiwan's political identity on the global stage, as highlighted by The Taipei Times.

The controversy stems from statements by Chinese officials reiterating the "One China" principle, under which Taiwan is considered part of the People's Republic of China.

A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office asserted that there is "only one China" and dismissed the notion of a Taiwanese president altogether. Similarly, China's foreign ministry claimed that the ROC presidency "no longer exists."

Taiwan has firmly rejected these assertions, maintaining that the ROC is a sovereign state with a democratically elected government, as reported by Taipei Times.

China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. (ANI)
Tibetans-in-exile in Shimla on Saturday celebrated and observed the 37th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, with prayers and offerings, expressing hope of celebrating his next birthday in his presence. The observance was jointly organised by the Jonang Monastery, Shimla chapters of the Tibetan Women's Association and the Tibetan Youth Congress. Monks, along with members of the Tibetan community, gathered at the Dingu Hill prayer site near the monastery to offer prayers for his long life and immediate release. Speaking with ANI, the Chief Representative of the Central Tibetan Administration, Lhakpa Tsering, said the day holds deep significance for Tibetans and the global Buddhist community. He stated that the Panchen Lama, born on April 25, 1989, in Tibet, was recognised at a young age by the Dalai Lama as one of the highest spiritual figures in Tibetan Buddhism, second only to the Dalai Lama. He recalled that the 10th Panchen Lama had endured hardships and had raised concerns about Tibetan rights through a detailed communication with Chinese authorities, for which he faced imprisonment. Referring to the 11th Panchen Lama, Lhakpa said that at the age of six, he and his family were taken away by Chinese authorities, and since then, there has been no information about his whereabouts or well-being. Tsering added that while Tibetans celebrate the birthday with devotion, there remains a deep sense of concern and sadness due to the uncertainty surrounding his status. He emphasised that the Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama continues to be accepted by Tibetan Buddhists worldwide, while the alternative appointed by China is not recognised by the community. He further said that Tibetan communities across the world observe the day to promote their culture, language and traditions, and to keep alive the message associated with the Panchen Lama. He also called upon the international community, including the United Nations and other global institutions, to send a delegation to Tibet to ascertain his condition and secure his release along with other political prisoners. Tenzin Nangyal, a freedom activist, said the occasion is important not only for Tibetans but also for Buddhists worldwide. He noted that despite the passage of decades, the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama remain unknown. He said the community continues to celebrate his birthday symbolically and expressed hope that future celebrations would take place in his presence. Tibetan Buddhist monks say that the cultural and spiritual importance of the Panchen Lama. Acharya Kunga Choephel described the Panchen Lama as one of the two central spiritual pillars of Tibetan Buddhism, likening them to the sun and the moon. He said prayers offered on the occasion are aimed at ensuring the continuity and preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, along with wishes for the long life of the Panchen Lama. He said that they are looking forward to meeting him someday. "This is the dream and wish of every Buddhist." According to historical records, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was born in Lhari village in the Nagchu region of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. In 1995, at the age of six, he was recognised as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama. However, China rejected the recognition and appointed its own Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu. Soon after the recognition, Chinese authorities allegedly took Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and his family into custody. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown, making him one of the world's longest-held political prisoners. Tibetan groups and human rights organisations have repeatedly called for transparency regarding his condition and for his immediate release. The Tibetan community continues to urge the international community to press for his release. The peaceful observance in Shimla, while marked by prayers and reflection, also served as a quiet but firm expression of resistance against religious suppression and a reaffirmation of faith and identity. (ANI)
Following Beijing's adoption of a controversial "ethnic unity" law on 12 March 2026, the Office of Tibet in Brussels has ramped up its outreach to European policymakers, warning of sweeping consequences that extend beyond China's borders. The legislation poses a serious threat to Tibetan identity and could institutionalise what officials describe as the "systematic erasure" of Tibetan civilisation, as reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). According to CTA, Rigzin Genkhang, representative of the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration, along with EU Advocacy Officer Tenzin Phuntsok, has led multiple high-level briefings in Brussels. These engagements have focused on raising awareness among lawmakers about the law's broader implications, particularly its potential to suppress cultural and linguistic freedoms under the pretext of national cohesion. A central concern is the law's emphasis on enforcing Mandarin Chinese as the dominant language across education and public life. Critics argue that such provisions could further sideline the Tibetan language, which is already under pressure, and may even penalise informal or community-led efforts to preserve it. Equally troubling is the legislation's extraterritorial dimension. The law reportedly allows Chinese authorities to target individuals and groups outside their borders who are deemed to be undermining "ethnic unity." This provision is being viewed as a mechanism for transnational repression, potentially affecting Tibetan activists, scholars, and diaspora communities worldwide. Despite these concerns, advocacy efforts appear to be gaining traction. Engagements with members of the European Parliament have reportedly resonated, with discussions expected to translate into formal responses in the near future, as cited by CTA. With the law scheduled to come into force on 1 July 2026, Tibetan representatives in Brussels say they will continue pressing European governments and institutions to adopt concrete measures. They argue that the urgency of the situation demands a coordinated international response to address what they see as a growing challenge to cultural rights and freedoms, as reported by CTA.(ANI)
Iran's Head of Judiciary Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i on Saturday warned the United States that incidents similar to "Isfahan and Tabas" would be repeated in the waters of the Persian Gulf if Washington does not end its naval blockade on Iran. In a strongly worded statement on X, Mohseni-Eje'i said the US does not have the capability to impose a naval blockade on Iran and warned of a firm response if pressure continues. "Americans should know that they also lack the capability to impose a naval blockade on Iran; Isfahan and Tabas will be repeated once again in the waters of the Persian Gulf," the post read. Referring to historical military incidents, he added that the anniversary of the "humiliating defeat" of US forces in Tabas carries symbolic significance for Iran. "On the fifth of Ordibehesht, the anniversary of the humiliating defeat of the American military in Tabas, today holds a different colour and scent for the people of Islamic Iran," the post added. He further claimed that recent confrontations had also resulted in Iranian military success, referring to what he described as a defeat inflicted on US-linked forces in Isfahan. "The commando forces of the wretched enemy, in the recent war, were this time grounded in Isfahan and suffered a heavy, instructive defeat at the hands of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," his post further read. The remarks come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz, where both sides have recently accused each other of aggressive actions, including naval interceptions and vessel seizures. The reference to Tabas and Isfahan made by Mohseni-Eje'i was on the back of the historical as well as recent military victories over US forces. On April 25, 1980, the US military carried out a failed rescue mission known as Operation Eagle Claw in Iran, aimed at freeing American hostages held in Tehran. The operation collapsed in the Tabas Desert in northeastern Iran, where it encountered multiple technical and operational failures. During the withdrawal phase, a helicopter collided with a transport aircraft, resulting in the destruction of two aircraft and the deaths of eight US servicemen. Meanwhile, an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iran on April 3, 2026, marking the first US crewed aircraft lost in Iranian territory during the conflict in West Asia. The crew, consisting of a pilot and a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO), ejected safely, but the WSO, a colonel, was injured and stranded in the Zagros Mountains for nearly 48 hours before US forces rescued him. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his decision to cancel the planned visit of US envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran, asserting that Tehran's proposal fell short of expectations. Speaking to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport, President Trump said, "They offered a lot but not enough," while responding to a question on whether Iran had offered anything in return to negotiate the US proposal of a 20-year minimum suspension on enriched uranium. President Donald Trump has abruptly cancelled a scheduled trip to Pakistan for his top negotiators, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The envoys were set to fly to Islamabad for a new round of talks regarding the ongoing US-Iran conflict, but the President pulled the plug on Saturday, citing long travel times, high costs, and a lack of "senior-level" engagement from the Iranian side. He dismissed the idea of sending his team on a gruelling 18-hour journey to meet with mid-level officials while the leadership in Tehran remains, in his view, fractured. "We're not going to be travelling 15-16 hours to have a meeting with people that nobody ever heard of before," he remarked, adding that the proposed meeting timeline and lack of top leadership participation made the visit unviable. Calling himself a 'cost-conscious person,' Trump said, "When they said that the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, I said, 'Tuesday! That's a long time from now'... They weren't meeting with the leader of the country. They were meeting with other people. And I said, 'We're just not going to do it. Too much travelling. Takes too long. Too expensive.' I'm a very cost-conscious person." The President doubled down on his Truth Social platform, asserting that the US holds "all the cards" and that Tehran's leadership is plagued by "tremendous infighting." Despite the cancellation, Trump revealed that the move had an immediate tactical effect. He claimed that after the trip was called off, Iran submitted a significantly improved proposal within minutes. Trump reiterated his singular objective, "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Very simple." However, he noted that a revised proposal was received shortly after the cancellation. "Interestingly, immediately when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better. We talked about the fact that they will not have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple. That whole deal is not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Very simple," he said. When asked about the possibility of a ceasefire holding, Trump downplayed immediate concerns. "Haven't even thought about it," he said, suggesting uncertainty over the trajectory of the situation. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier stated that Tehran had shared a framework aimed at "permanently ending" the conflict with the United States during discussions with Pakistani leadership in Islamabad. In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran had outlined a "workable framework" but questioned Washington's seriousness about diplomacy. The Iranian delegation departed Islamabad after high-level engagements, leaving uncertainty over Pakistan's efforts to broker a second round of US-Iran talks. According to reports, the delegation submitted an "official list of demands" concerning a broader resolution involving the US and Israel. Trump, however, maintained that Washington holds a strong negotiating position, insisting that any engagement must align with US priorities, particularly preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The cancellation comes as a blow to Islamabad, which has been acting as the primary mediator in the conflict. With the U.S. delegation now grounded, the focus shifts to whether the current ceasefire--which Trump admitted he "hasn't even thought about" extending further--will hold as the May 4 deadline for a broader peace framework approaches. "If they want to talk, all they have to do is call," the President concluded, signalling that the next phase of negotiations will happen on his terms, and likely via the White House switchboard. (ANI)
IWATE, Apr 28 (News On Japan) - The forest wildfire in Otsuchi entered its seventh day on April 28, with firefighting operations continuing as additional rainfall was forecast, raising hopes that wetter conditions could help slow the blaze.

The fire, which broke out on April 22 at two locations in the town, remains uncontained despite around-the-clock suppression efforts. Officials said smoke rising from the mountains appeared lighter on the morning of April 28 than the previous day, suggesting some improvement.

The total burned area expanded further to 1,633 hectares, up from 1,618 hectares reported a day earlier.

Firefighters said white smoke had been confirmed overnight at two locations, and helicopters were being deployed again on April 28 to conduct aerial water drops.

Rain fell across the town on April 27, bringing 1.5 millimeters of precipitation  the first rainfall since the wildfire began. However, authorities said there was still no clear prospect for full containment, as shifting winds could reignite hotspots.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Otsuchi is expected to receive around 15 millimeters of rain from the evening of April 28 through the night, with unsettled conditions likely to continue until before noon on April 29. Officials hope the added moisture will aid ground and aerial firefighting efforts.

Near the heavily damaged mountain area close to Otsuchi High School and Otsuchi Gakuen, scorched brown hillsides remain visible beside the temporarily closed campuses. White smoke could still be seen rising from the middle of the slope, although in smaller amounts than earlier in the day.

Strong winds were also reported at times, carrying the smell of burning several kilometers away and underscoring the continued risk of flare-ups.

A helicopter from the Tokyo Fire Department joined operations on April 28, with continuous daytime aerial firefighting underway.

The wildfire is already considered the second-largest forest fire in Japan since the start of the Heisei era, following the 2025 blaze in Ofunato. Around 1,500 personnel remain mobilized as authorities continue efforts to bring the fire under control.

Source: TBS
A splendid ceremony, highlighting the harmonious blend of heritage and modernity, took place Friday night in Rabat, marking the official launch of Rabat, World Book Capital 2026, an event promoting reading and intercultural dialogue.

The ceremony, preceded by a reading parade through the streets of the capital, started by Rabat receiving the ceremonial Book torch from the Brazilian capital, Rio de Janeiro, which held the World Book Capital title last year.

The ceremony featured artistic performances that melded choreography, music, drama, and calligraphy, reflecting the deep roots of reading and books in both universal and Moroccan history, and celebrating Moroccan heritage and the history of humanityfrom the earliest drawings engraved in Moroccan caves to the evolution of writing systems in the Sumerian and Pharaonic eras, as well as the Libyco-Amazigh script (ancestor of Tifinagh), Arabic script, and Latin script. The ceremony also paid tribute to books and reflected on them in multiple languages.

During the event, Alexandre Guimaraes Lopes Parola, Brazils ambassador to Morocco, delivered a speech on behalf of the city of Rio de Janeiro, handing over the title to Rabat. He emphasized that this distinction is not merely symbolic, but rather a mission to act and an expression of shared commitment () to make the book a living experience that enables dialogue between generations.

Over the past year, we embraced this responsibility by placing books at the heart of the cityin libraries, neighborhoods, and public spaces () and this year it is Rabats turn, as an African and Arab capital () to carry this forward with strength () because literature is a space of freedom where borders open () to build a shared future, enrich our collective history () and embark on a journey of words, the Brazilian diplomat said.

Speaking at the event, Charaf Ahmimed, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, observed that Rabata UNESCO World Heritage sitefully embodies the dialogue between heritage and modernity, serving as a dynamic hub for the exchange of ideas and the transmission of knowledge.

The city is well-positioned to make culture a living force, he said, praising a clear vision aimed at establishing the capital as a crossroads of cultures and consolidating the role of books in the lives of younger generations.

Ahmimed noted that books strengthen humanitys ability to navigate difficult periods and meet a real need deeply rooted in the human spirit. He welcomed the close cooperation between Morocco and UNESCO, which places culture at the heart of development.

Moroccan Minister of Culture Mehdi Bensaid on his part noted that Rabats designation is not merely an honorary title, but international recognition of Moroccos status as a beacon of thought and a bridge for intercultural dialogue.

He explained that this choice honors the vision of King Mohammed VI, who views culture as a lever for development and knowledge as a fundamental right for every citizen.

In this regard, he vowed an exceptional program aimed at bringing books out of institutional settings and into public spaces, transforming the city into an open-air library where world literature meets unique local heritage.

The Rabat World Book Capital event offers an extensive program comprising 342 diverse activities across various sites, all aimed at promoting a reading citizenship and fostering a flourishing cultural industry.

The program includes a myriad of activities organized around 12 strategic axes, notably: open-air reading sessions and literary cafes, art exhibitions and mobile libraries, literary residencies and professional conferences, and training sessions and workshops for book industry professionals.

UNESCOs designation of Rabat is based on an in-depth evaluation of historical, intellectual, and cultural criteria, drawing on the citys centuries-old connection to books and the transmission of knowledge.

This legacy, evidenced by its mosques and libraries that bear the indelible mark of a living cultural tradition, has been further enriched by modern institutions, including contemporary universities, specialized institutes, and a dynamic civil society.

The designation by the UNESCO of Rabat as World Book Capital crowns the citys thousand-year history, its long-standing commitment to culture and education, and the dynamism of its book sector.

With more than 54 publishing houses and a growing number of bookshops, Rabat is one of the key drivers of the democratization of knowledge.

World Book Capitals undertake to promote books and reading for all ages and groups, both within and beyond national borders, and to organize a program of activities for the year.

Rabat, the twenty-sixth city to hold this title since 2001, succeeds Madrid (2001), Alexandria (2002), New Delhi (2003), Antwerp (2004), Montreal (2005), Turin (2006), Bogota (2007), Amsterdam (2008), Beirut (2009), Ljubljana (2010), Buenos Aires (2011), Yerevan (2012), Bangkok (2013), Port Harcourt (2014), Incheon (2015), Wrocaw (2016), Conakry (2017), Athens (2018), Sharjah (2019), Kuala Lumpur (2020), Tbilisi (2021), Guadalajara (2022), Accra (2023), Strasbourg (2024) and Rio de Janeiro (2025).
Nigeria is finally starting to fix a long-standing imbalance: a major crude exporter that couldnt meet its own fuel demand. That shift is now materializing in hard numbersand it is being driven entirely by the Dangote refinery, which is already running close to full capacity and shows little sign of slowing. In a market starved of refined products, this rising refining giant is quickly emerging as one of the few reliable sources in the current supply squeeze, particularly for Europe. In March, gasoline exports rose to 55,000 b/d while imports fell to around 40,000 b/dthe lowest import level in a decadeeffectively flipping the country to a net gasoline exporter for the first time in history. At a moment when global refining margins are soaring, with crack spreads across diesel and jet fuel hovering at record highs, the timing could hardly be more advantageous.

The change in Nigerias refining system is concentrated in a single asset. Nigerias three state-owned refineries remain non-operational, constrained by a familiar mix of weak economics, governance failures, and infrastructure decay. Instead, the entire turnaround story rests on the 650,000 b/d Dangote refinery, which began operations in January 2024 and has rapidly scaled up operations to become the dominant force in the countrys downstream sector.

By March, the refinery was running at 94% capacity, producing around 303,000 b/d of gasoline against domestic demand of roughly 300,000 b/d. For the first time, a single facility was sufficient to cover national gasoline consumption. That alone would mark a structural break from the past. However, roughly one-sixth of gasoline output is now exported, with 45,000 b/d shipped in March primarily to neighbouring African markets such as Ivory Coast, the DRC, and Mozambique (for the first time ever). What used to be a regional redistribution model is increasingly turning into a platform for arbitrage. Related: US Oil Drillers Scale Back as Global Supply Crunch Continues

Feedstock is based on 1/3 imported crude and 2/3 domestic crude supply. In February and March, Dangote imported an average 215,000 b/d of WTI Midland and WTI grades, reflecting both pricing advantages and compatibility with its configuration. But that flow is already being tested. With WTI increasingly pulled into Asia-Pacific markets amid the disruption of Middle Eastern supply routes and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, availability has become tighter. The result is a search of alternatives: Dangote has sourced a Suezmax cargo of Guyanese Golden Arrowhead crude (36 degrees API), around 145,000 tonnes sold by Chevron, marking the first such shipment from Guyana to West Africa. It is a small but telling signal of how flexible sourcing will need to become as Atlantic Basin barrels are getting pricier and less available. Domestic crude still anchors the system. In March, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) supplied around 380,000 b/d to the refinery out of total 580,000 b/d.

If gasoline tells the story of import substitution, jet fuel reveals the export opportunity. Domestic demand stands at just 13,000 b/d, yet Dangote exported around 100,000 b/d in March. Europe has emerged as a key destination, absorbing roughly half of these volumes. The pull is obvious: jet crack spreads have been trading in a crisis-inflated range of $86108/bbl through April, while inventories in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) hub have dropped to 597,000 tonnes  the lowest since April 2020. In early April alone, 1.6 million barrels of jet fuel were loaded for Europe (already exceeding March totals) with France, Spain and the UK among the key buyers.

This creates a straightforward arbitrage logic: Dangotes owner may feel tempted to redirect flows from lower-margin African markets toward Europe. In practice, Dangote could shift as much as an additional 40,000 b/d of jet exports away from regional buyers to Europe without straining domestic supply. The constraint is not demand  it is logistics. Freight rates from West Africa to ARA have surged to $8.5/bbl for a 60 kt Aframax cargo and close to $10/bbl for 40 kt cargoes, with voyage times stretching 1722 days. At current jet margins, the economics are still clear  even with freight prices at $8.5-10/bbl of jet selling to Europe is lucrative enough; for diesel, the picture is tighter.

Domestic diesel consumption in Nigeria stood at 90,000 b/d in March, while Dangote produced around 104,000 b/d. Only 15,000 b/d was absorbed locally (as country largely runs on gasoline), leaving roughly 65,000 b/d for export, primarily to South Africa, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast. With European diesel cracks also elevated  trading in the $4555/bbl range  there is a growing temptation to pivot away from regional markets. The question is whether freight costs continue to cap that shift or whether sustained margin strength forces a reorientation regardless. So far, no diesel cargoes are heading from Nigeria to Europe.

The strategy of the company extends beyond fuels. Dangote plans to double refining capacity to 1.4 million b/d by 2028 in partnership with Honeywell, integrating petrochemical production into the complex. The project targets 750,000 t/year of propylene and 400,000 t/year of detergents, effectively pushing the refinery into higher-margin chemical value chains. Upstream integration, while still modest, is also emerging. The Dangote group currently produces around 4,500 b/d from the Kalaekule field, with output expected to rise to 15,000 b/d in the coming months. On its own, this is not transformative, but it signals a broader ambition to control more of the value chain from crude to chemicals.

Still, the story is not frictionless. The refinery may be running near full capacity, but the system around it is far less stable. Crude supply is the first issue. Pipeline disruptions and theft continue to affect flows, while Nigerias domestic crude is often too light and sweet for optimal runs, pushing Dangote to import crude to balance its feedstock. That immediately exposes it to global price volatility.

Then there is the relationship with NNPC, where supply volumes, pricing and payment structures remain inconsistent, adding another layer of uncertainty. On the export side, the constraint is simpler: freight is expensive now and is predicted to stay so even after the blockade of Hormuz is over. Moving products from West Africa to Europe can quickly exhaust the margins, limiting how much can realistically be redirected even in a tight market. And over all of this sits policy risk. Nigerias fuel pricing and supply rules can shift quickly, and the pressure to prioritize domestic needs over exports never fully goes away. The result is a refinery that works  but operates in an environment that is highly unpredictable.

And yet, even within these constraints, Dangote still stands out. Europe needs barrels, urgently and structurally, and there are not many places left to source them at scale. That leaves Nigerias new refining giant one of the more credible answers to Europes fuel shortage answers  at least where freight still makes the trade work.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Woman accused of extorting property owners of deeds charged

Chiquila, Q.R.  A woman in custody for property extortion in the Port of Chiquila has been officially charged. Berenice del Rosario N was charged Thursday for threatening two people out of their commercial property.

According to police, in May 2025, Berenice del Rosario N threatened two victims to sign over their deeds for her personal gain. The property is used commercially as a public parking lot and a convenience store.

At the location, Berenice del Rosario N and her accomplices allegedly used threats with a firearm to subdue the victim and force her to sign documents transferring possession rights and several promissory notes with the aim of appropriating the property, police reported in a statement.

Berenice del Rosario N was taken into custody on an arrest warrant by Investigative Police April 16.

At the time of her arrest police said this individual has an outstanding arrest warrant for extortion and belongs to a criminal group that generates violence in the Chiquila, Holbox area.

Members of the Centurion Group of the Secretariat of Citizen Security noticed a woman who suddenly stepped in front of them; the unit had to brake sharply to avoid an incident.

This woman began making obscene gestures, insulting the officers, and attempted to assault them. The incident occurred on Pablo Cruz Street in the Centro neighborhood of Chiquila in the municipality of Lazaro Cardenas.

On Thursday, Berenice del Rosario N was officially charged with extortion and ordered to remain jailed during her legal process.

Authorities did not say if they are expanding possible charges to include her accomplises.
At this point, we all have a pretty good idea of what to expect from a biopic of a musical icon: There will be re-created performances of beloved hits that, with any luck, will give us an enhanced experience of watching the original. The vehicle for the musical numbers, meanwhile, will be a story where the artist wrestles with either substance abuse (Ray, I Walk the Line, Rocketman) or a controlling parent/lover/manager (Whats Love Got to Do With It, Respect), or a combination of the two (Elvis, Love & Mercy, Amy).

You can see the pickle the filmmakers behind Michael, the new Michael Jackson biopic, found themselves in. On the one hand, they have access to a back catalog ripe for mining, boasting some of the bestselling albums of all time (Thriller still holds the top spot as the worlds biggest studio album), not to mention an army of still-devoted fans. On the other, a hugely gifted artist who suffers parental abuse as a child and succeeds despite being scarred by these experiences is the perfect storyline  unless the artist then becomes suspected of being not just a victim, but a victimizer.

The solution? End the film with the 1987 release of Bad, before Jackson came under a cloud of allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior with minors, thus allowing the audience, if they so choose, to separate the man from the art and uncomplicatedly immerse themselves in sheer enjoyment of Jacksons performances. And there are many to enjoy from across his long career, thanks to unsettlingly good re-creations by Jermaine Jacksons son Jaafar as the adult Michael and Juliano Valdi as the young Michael of the Jackson 5.

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Even if the movie were willing to address Jacksons alleged transgressions, it would be a legal minefield given the swirl of nondisclosure agreements and massive settlements surrounding most of the claims. According to the New York Times, screenwriter John Logans original script introduced Jordan Chandlers 1993 accusations of child sexual abuse as a framing device that discredited the Chandler family and portrayed Jackson as the innocent victim of a shakedown. However, after the film was well into production, the Jackson estates lawyers noticed that according to the terms of the settlement with the Chandler family, neither side was allowed to publicize or communicate anything about the settlement or the events leading to it outside of sworn testimony. The result was that the film had to be rewritten and reshotto the tune of $10 to $15 million, footed by the estatewith a different final act.

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So bearing in mind the rather large caveat that not only does the film not mention the elephant in the room but is legally prohibited from even acknowledging it exists, we consider whether Michael portrays Jacksons rise to world-conquering fame accurately, or if it is as much of a fantasy as his beloved Peter Pan.

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Did Joe Jackson Beat Michael With His Belt?

After a demanding rehearsal period where the Jackson brothers are relentlessly drilled by their father, Joe (Colman Domingo), he finally declares them ready to perform in public and books a gig. Theyre a big hit, with the audience particularly entranced by little Michael, who performs with an assurance beyond his 10 years. However, when the boys arrive home that night, excited and happy from the show, Joe orders them to rehearse again while any errors are still fresh in their minds. When Michael objects that hes tired and feels hes done a good job, Joe mocks him, calling him Big Nose, and then punishes Michael for challenging his authority by beating the boy with his belt.

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In a 2003 interview with BBC journalist Louis Theroux, Joe Jackson admitted using physical force to discipline Michael, although he denied beating him, saying, I never beat him. I whipped him with a switch or a belt. I never beat him. You beat someone with a sticka fine distinction that might have been lost on a 10-year-old. He also defended his tough-love approach, declaring, I got a strict raising when I was young, and Ive been able to accomplish a lot because of that. And my kids have gotten a strict raising and look what theyve accomplished. I think children should fear their parents.

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In the film, we never see Joe beating any of his sons besides Michael, although in reality they all felt his wrath if they missed a step or hit a wrong note. Even worse than the physical abuse was the elder Jacksons withholding of affection or encouragement.

None of us can remember him holding or cuddling us, or telling us, I love you,  Jermaine Jackson wrote in a 2012 memoir. He never play-wrestled with us, or tucked us into bed at night; there were no heart-to-heart father-son discussions about life. We remember the respect, the instructions, the chores and the commands, but no affection. We knew our father as he was; someone who wanted to be looked up to, and to provide for his familya mans man. Also, it wasnt only Michael who Joe singled out for ridicule and undermining, calling Jermaine bumpy face and Marlon liver lips.

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Did Michael Watch Old Movies With His Mother?

In the film, Michaels happiest moments are sitting in front of the television with his mother, Katherine (Nia Long), watching Gene Kelly in Singin in the Rain and Charlie Chaplin silents.

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This is entirely possible, but whether Jackson saw Singin in the Rain with his mother or at a later stage, Gene Kelly was definitely a big influence on him. In her memoir Stealing From the Best, Patricia Ward Kelly recalled an evening when she and her husband Gene were invited over to Jacksons for dinner, when the host stood in the living room and performed an exact rendition of Genes Ballin the Jackthe sexy, earthy version from Genes hard-to-find 1959 Pontiac television special. He had it down to the minutest detail, including the Bill Robinsoninspired cocked hat. Watching this clip, it is striking how much of his Bad-era image Jackson took from Kellys performance, particularly the white T-shirts, ankle-skimming pants showcasing white socks and black loafers, and the trilby tilted down over his face (all earlier appropriated by Bob Fosse as well), not to mention various choreographic flourishes that turn up in the Smooth Criminal video.

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I was struck by how much Gene and Michael were alike, Kelly observed. Both were sponges, taking what they needed, modifying it, and setting aside the rest. By watching everything Gene did and mimicking his moves, Michael absorbed a whole history of dancea range of influences from the simple, clog-shoe-steps of Bill Robinson, to the masculine ballet of Russian Adolph Bolm and the modern ingenuity of Martha Grahamand so much more.

Jacksons love of the great dancers of Golden Age movie musicals was confirmed by Louis Johnson, choreographer of The Wiz (in which Jackson appeared as the Scarecrow), who told Jackson biographer Steve Knopper that Jackson was a great fan of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

Jackson and his mother definitely bonded over another activity that the film doesnt mention. Katherine Jackson became a committed Jehovahs Witness in 1963 and took Michael and his brothers on her door-to-door missions to spread the word. Even after he became famous, Jackson would still occasionally go out in search of converts with his sister La Toya, resorting to disguises like fat suits and a fake mustache.

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Did Michael Visit Sick Children in Hospitals?

The film shows Michael buying loads of toys and delivering them to seriously ill children in pediatric cancer wards. More importantly, he has long private conversations with the child patients, really listening to their concerns. Later, after his hair catches fire during the ill-fated filming of a Pepsi commercial, leading to his spending several days in an ICU burn unit, he visits children in the pediatric burn ward and tells an associate he will give all the royalties from his next album to the hospital.

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If the filmmakers wanted to establish that Jackson had a long history of genuinely caring about children and spending time with them in perfectly innocent contexts, this is the kind of scene theyd invent. However, apparently Jackson did in fact make numerous unpublicized visits to children in hospitals, including those in cities he visited while on tour, such as Sydney Childrens Hospital, the Bambino Gesu in Rome, and Londons Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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Jackson did not donate the royalties from Bad to a pediatric burn unit, but he did donate the $1.5 million settlement he received from Pepsi in compensation for his scalp injury to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California, specifically to establish the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children.

Related From Slate The Real Problem With the Michael Jackson Movie Read More

Did Michael Visit a Club to Recruit Actual Gang Members for the Beat It Video?

In the movie, Michael watches TV coverage of the gang violence between rival L.A. gangs the Crips and the Bloods and becomes determined to try to reconcile the two warring gangs through music. As inconspicuously as possible, he visits a gang-frequented nightclub, where he picks up some of the latest street-dance steps. He then invites some members to the video shoot for Beat It, telling them hed like their feedback on the dancing.

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Its not clear if Jackson actually went to a club to speak to Crips and Bloods while picking up some new moves, but he did hire approximately 80 actual members of the two gangs to appear in the video to increase its authenticity and, it appears, to get them working together in the hope of peace breaking out. He employed a somewhat more official process to find his extras, collaborating with the Los Angeles Police Department to recruit them. The videos director, Bob Giraldi, recalled that tensions between the two gangs became so heated that the productions schedule had to be sped up, with all the gang scenes shot on Los Angeles Skid Row on day one.

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Did Columbia Records Boss Walter Yetnikoff Threaten to Pull All His Artists to Get the Billie Jean Video Played on MTV?

With Thriller going stratospheric on the charts, Michael and his new manager, John Branca (Miles Teller), meet with his label boss, the notably forceful and foul-mouthed Walter Yetnikoff (Mike Myers, completely walking off with the scene and possibly the entire film), to tell him that they want him to convince MTV to show the Billie Jean video. At this time, the network was famously resistant to featuring Black artists in its rotation. Yetnikoff at first demurs, but Jackson says if Yetnikoff doesnt make the call, he will take his new material elsewhere. Yetnikoff phones MTV and says that if they dont play the Billie Jean video, hell pull all CBS artists from the station. The gambit works and Billie Jean becomes the first video by a Black artist to play in rotation on MTV.

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This is largely true. When MTV was founded in 1981, its programming was aimed primarily at a white suburban audience ages 15 through 25, and it did not show videos by Black artists because it was felt the target demographic didnt want to see them. Yetnikoff is widely believed to have indeed threatened to institute a CBS boycott of the network in 1983 if it didnt show Billie Jean. The success of Billie Jean and, even more, Thriller, persuaded MTV to include some Black megastars, like Prince, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston, in their rotation, and by the mid-1980s they were prepared to dip their toes into the waters of hip-hop by featuring artists such as Run-D.M.C. and LL Cool J.

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However, three months before Yetnikoff made his call, none other than David Bowie had paved the way by calling out MTVs policy of systemically excluding Black artists while being interviewed by MTV News as part of the press junket for Lets Dance. So it may have been that Yetnikoff was pushing at a door Bowie had partially opened.

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Didnt Michael Have  Another Sister?

To judge from the movie, Michael has only one sister, La Toya. Not only does Janet, the second-most-successful Jackson sibling, not appear, she is not even mentioned, nor is the third Jackson sister, the non-showbiz Rebbie. Brother Randy is also MIA, as is half sister JohVonnie Jackson, whose mother had a 25-year-long affair with Joe Jackson. Screenwriter John Logan told the Hollywood Reporter that certain people in the family werent interested in talking and that was fine; they didnt want to be represented in the movie or dramatized in the movie, thats totally fine.
Sign up for the Surge, the newsletter that covers the most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, Slates politics newsletter that cant wait to play its weekly pickup water polo match in Trumps new American flag blue Reflecting Pool.

Wed give the politics this week a solid B+. The new Fed nominee looks like hell be confirmed, even though hes not sure who won the 2020 presidential election. The FBI director is suing a magazine. People continue to die in Congress.

Lets begin with a double blast of hot, hot, HOT redistricting-war updates.

1. Hakeem Jeffries

A win that Democrats neededand for more than just the seats.

Democrats scored a hard-fought, messy, and vital win this week in the Virginia redistricting referendum, which will likely give the party four new House seats in the state and bring it to parity withor even give it an advantage overRepublicans in the midcycle redistricting arms race that the White House initiated last year. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who poured a lot of time, money, coordination, pressure, and campaigning into the outcome, was understandably gloating following the result. He spoke of how he warned Speaker Mike Johnson last year that this gambit, which began when Texas redistricted last year, would backfire, as it now has. And he issued further warnings to Florida Republicans, who meet next week to consider new maps. Our message to Florida Republicans is, F around and find out,  he said at a press conference Wednesday. This followed his Tuesday night statement, which concluded with a promise of maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time.

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The Virginia win was about more than just picking up the seats. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, Democrats in Congress have been squeezed between a base that insists they fight at every turnand as dirty as need beand the cold, hard reality that theres not much they can do from the minority beyond a performance of fighting. The Virginia gerrymander was the sort of gloves-off retaliation against Trump that the base has been fantasizing about, and the biggest win of Jeffries still-early tenure as Democratic leader. Now it just needs to stand up in court.

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2. James Blair

Blairymandering under duress!

Dig just past the layer of outrage and cries of unfairness from Republicans following the Virginia result, and youll discover kernels of introspection. Republicans in the House and Senate were openly griping about the White Houses pursuit of midcycle gerrymandering now that they may come out the worse for it. We have to understand that for every action, there are second- and third-order effects that we could live to regret, Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack, for example, told NBC News. I dont think it was well thought out in the people pushing it. The response of North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of House Republicans campaign arm, to a question about whether the redistricting war had been worth it was telling. Its not for me to decide that, Hudson said to reporters. It wasnt my decision.

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It was Trumps decision, but the Trump aide who pushed the idea is James Blair, the Trump machines top political hand. He was the one who pitched Trump on pursuing this path last year to fortify the House Republican majority in the midterms, and became so closely associated with the plan that it became informally known as Blairymandering. So it fell to Blair to become the face of the administration spinning the loss in television hits on Wednesday. His message was: Chin up! What I expect is that when all of this redistricting sort of continues this cycle, is that there will be a narrow advantage for Republicans, Blair said on CNN. Maybe? Who knows! But what else is he going to say, really? That his signature political project this cycle may have been a failure?

3. Kevin Warsh

How independent would the Fed be under him?

The question hanging over Kevin Warshs nomination to chair the Federal Reserve is whether he would conduct monetary policy according to the presidents wishes instead of independent economic analysis. This is the question because Trumps chief criterion in his search was finding someone who would do whatever he wanted, and he landed on Warsh. Warsh also has a history of changing his mind on the need for tight or loose money that aligns closely with which party is in power, or whether theres a Fed vacancy on the horizon.

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Warsh said in his opening testimony that he was committed to ensuring that the conduct of monetary policy remains strictly independent and that this independence was essential. Well, phew, guess were all set, then. But that would-be independence may begin only after Trump loses his power to revoke Warshs nomination. When Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked Warsh whether Trump lost the 2020 election, Warsh responded, We try to keep politics, if Im confirmed, out of the Federal Reserve. When she asked again, Warsh said, Senator, I believe that this body certified that election many years ago. Not a great start, from a backbone perspective.

4. Jeanine Pirro

Finally backing down.

Who won what election against who? Blah, blah, blah. Your little questions no longer matter, Elizabeth Warren, because Kevin Warsh is now en route to becoming chairman of the Federal Reserve next month. The biggest hang-up with his nomination was not that there was a lack of organic support among Senate Republicans. It was that North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who enthusiastically likes Warsh, had nevertheless vowed to block his path out of the Banking Committee until U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro dropped her investigation into the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell. As we wrote last week, Pirro was refusing to do so, perhaps because she was trying to impress Trump into making her the next attorney general.

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On Friday, just a couple of days after publicly insisting that the probe would go on, Pirro finally caved. After getting assurances that the Feds inspector general would do a comprehensive report in short order on cost overruns of the Feds building renovations, Pirro wrote, she directed her office to close the investigation. (She did say, though, that she will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so.) We have to say: Its slim pickings assessing the most effective moments of Senate Republican pushback against Trump administration excesses. But Tillis blockade here has to be at the top.

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5. Kash Patel

Long week at the office. Time for a stiff drink?

What the hell is going on at the FBI? Lord if we know. According to a report in the Atlantic late last week, though, the answer is: drinking. Per the report, a recurring source of concern across the government has been that Director Kash Patels drinking not only impairs his ability to do his job but also makes him vulnerable to exploitation or coercion by foreign adversaries. OK, but what the article fails to mention is that excessive imbibing could also make Patel vulnerable to having a good time and feeling awesome.

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Is any of this true? Patel strongly denies it, and on Monday he sued the Atlantic for $250 million, or roughly what the Atlantic spends on new hires in a given week. While winning that case would be uphill sledding, the report may have ultimately been a useful development for him. Trump has been in a firing mood of late, with Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Lori Chavez-DeRemeroh, yeah, Trump canned her this week, whateverall gone, so all eyes were on which controversy-prone appointee he might turn to next. Its unlikely to be Patel now, because no way hes going to let the fake news media push him into a personnel change.

6. David Scott

A most egregious case of Democrats not knowing when its time to quit.

Georgia Rep. David Scott died this week, becoming the fourth House Democrat to die in office this Congress. His passing did not come out of the blue. For years, Scott has been in poor mental and physical health, closely guarded by his staff at levels akin to those of late-stage Dianne Feinstein. For several election cycles, fellow Democrats had been trying to goad him into retirement, to no avail; his colleagues finally removed him as the top Democrat on the Agriculture Committee after the 2024 election. And despite his fully, visibly deteriorated abilities, he had filed to run for reelection at 2026.

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We dont want to be uncharitable toward the recently deceased, and we should note that he logged decades of impressive years before succumbing to decline. But theres no other explanation for how he served the past few years essentially incapacitatedand now leaves Democrats down another vote in the Housebeyond selfishness. Members who tried to nudge him out perhaps should have nudged a little harder. Its difficult to describe, after what we saw with President Joe Bidens choice to run for reelection in 2024, how angry these acts of stubbornness by those well past their prime now make Democratic voters.

7. John Kennedy

Is this the last reconciliation bill?

Republicans plan for the past few weeks to solve the (ongoing, still!) lapse of congressional appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security has been a two-part strategy: to pass a bipartisan bill funding all of DHS except for immigration enforcement operations, then to load the hell up on immigration enforcement money through the partisan reconciliation process, which is not subject to a Senate filibuster. The House wont act on the former until they see the Senate act on the latter. This week, Senate Republicans kicked off that reconciliation process by passing a blueprint for it early Thursday morning. It would devote $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol over the next several years. The idea is to deliver these agencies their regular annual funding in one large bundle that can run through the rest of Trumps term.

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One of the ways that leaders have kept this reconciliation package so skinnyi.e., not loaded up with everyones pet projectsis to suggest that there will be time for all of that later, in yet another reconciliation bill. Were not so sure that will happen, and were not alone. Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy held up votes on the reconciliation blueprint for a spell Wednesday night making this case. Theres not going to be a third reconciliation bill, Kennedy said on the Senate floor. He proposed, then, that Republicans do more with the current bill beyond funding immigration enforcement. Such as: Id like to see us come up with one or two issues that will help the American people with the cost of living. Addressing the top issue for voters before an election? Its an intriguing idea, sure. But what about just giving voters more ICE mega-warehouses to overwhelm small-town sewer systems?
Sign up for Executive Dysfunction, a newsletter that highlights one under-the-radar story each week about how Trump is changing the lawor how the law is pushing back. Youll also receive updates on the latest from Slates Jurisprudence team.

On April 16, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, before taking his own life amid a divorce. Just three days later in Louisiana, a father murdered multiple children of his own and gravely injured both their mother and his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself. He was also going through a divorce.

These cases are often framed as shocking, unthinkable tragediesaberrations no one could have predicted. But I have spent more than two decades representing victims of domestic violence in family courts. I have sat across from women who were deeply afraid, and I have watched as their fears were minimized, explained away, or ignored by the very systems meant to protect them. Over and over, I have seen the same warning signs: coercive control, separation, threats, access to weapons, mental instability.

These tragedies are not unpredictable. They are patternedand they are preventable. We recognize the risk. We simply fail to act on it. This is because our institutions do not believe women when they express legitimate fear, and the consequences are catastrophic.

I say women because domestic violence is a gender-based crime, and it predominantly affects women. One in three women in the United States experiences intimate partner violence. Women are eight times as likely as men to be victimized by an intimate partner, and 85 percent of victims are women. Domestic abuse is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44, accounting for more injuries than car accidents, muggings, and stranger rapes combined. But domestic violence also affects at least a quarter of all American children by the time they turn 18and an estimated 87 percent of children in violent homes witness the abuse.

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People often ask: Why doesnt she just leave? Because victims know that leaving is the time of greatest risk. It usually feels more dangerous to leave.

The period surrounding separationdivorce, custody disputes, physical distanceis when violence is most likely to escalate to homicide. Both the Fairfax case and the Louisiana tragedy involved separation or its imminent prospect. In both cases, there were warning signs about these menrecent suicide attempts, daily drinking, accusations of sexual assault. In fact, the Fairfaxes had recently appeared in family court. Yet it seems that despite the concerns expressed by Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, Justin Fairfax was granted access to his children and to his firearms. What should have been a path to safety for her became the point of greatest danger.

Too often, courts enable danger: Across the country, family courts routinely default to shared parenting, minimize abuse allegations, and prioritize co-parenting over safety. In doing so, they actually increase abusers access to victims and children, and therefore the likelihood of fatalities.

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The pattern is unmistakable. Since 2008, nearly 1,000 children have been killed by a parentoverwhelmingly fathersoften during court-ordered parenting time.

The day after Christmas 2025, Pennsylvania mother Shantal Snowden went to pick up her three young children from court-ordered parenting time with their father. The two began arguing over custody, and the father shot Snowden, who was in the drivers seat of her car, then shot himself. The children watched the whole thing from the back seat.

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In Michigan in August 2025, Brianna Frames ex-boyfriend killed her at her parents home when he went to pick up their 10-month-old daughter; he then turned the gun on himself.

In Kentucky in July 2025, 13-year-old Malcom Kiser was killed by his father in a murder-suicide at a Comfort Inn. Similarly, in Arizona in May 2024, Brock Mater shot his 7-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter and then himself during court-ordered unsupervised parenting time. Just months before, Mater had been placed on a psychiatric hold for threatening to kill himself and his children. Yet, after that incident, the judge had still ordered shared parenting time and joint legal custody.

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It is clear from these examples that access to firearms dramatically increases the risk to women and children. Yet enforcement of firearm relinquishment remains at best inconsistent and at worst nonexistent. In both the Fairfax and Louisiana cases, access to a gun turned warning signs into fatalities.

Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Twisted Its Cop Immunity Doctrine in an Even More Violent Direction Read More

Our legal failures are compounded by cultural ones. We still call these incidents domestic disputes or messy divorces, language that obscures what they are: escalating patterns of control and violence. Public figures from Donald Trump to Emmanuel Macron have minimized domestic violence, reinforcing a broader tendency to dismiss or downplay it. Even high-profile cases involving figures like Sean Combs reflect the same cultural reflex: disbelief, deflection, delay.

At its core, this is about not believing women.

If these deaths follow a pattern, then prevention does too. We know what works: family court reform that centers safety over shared parenting presumptions; mandatory training on coercive control; limits on custody for abusive partners; strict, enforceable firearm removal; and sustained investment in survivor support.

None of this is new. None of it is unclear.

The next headline is not a question of if. Its a question of whenand whether we will finally choose to act on what we already know.
Despite a belated start from the trailing tier, Harborlite Ambrose and driver Austin Sorrie made late gains as they sailed three-wide turning for home to win the $12,500 Preferred for male pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Friday, April 24.

Harborlite Ambrose and Sorrie watched their rivals jockey for early position off the gate, cruising along second-to-last into the backstretch the first time as P L Oliver (Samuel Fillion) battled past Filly Watcher (Andy Moore) for the top spot then widened his lead by three lengths after the :28.1 quarter mark.

Nearly 10 lengths off the leader, Sorrie started to advance on the outside with Harborlite Ambrose as the field turned in front of the grandstand to complete the first lap and they picked up cover from 4-5 favourite Silverwalls (Garrett Rooney), who had forged wide to secure an early four-hole and went on the attack as P L Oliver got a breather to the half in :58.2.

Silverwalls laid on the pressure down the backstretch but only made it to P L Oliver's saddle pad as they raced by three-quarters in 1:27. Harborlite Ambrose charged three-high turning for home to join the fight up front and he kept on coming while Silverwalls hit a wall. Down the stretch, Harborlite Ambrose closed in on P L Oliver and got the best of that rival in the late stages with a :28.2 finale for the 1:55.4 score by a half a length while Wry (Paul MacKenzie) rallied off the winner's back on the far outside to snag third in a three-across finish.

Trained by Rachel Andrew, Harborlite Ambrose was a Preferred winner at The Raceway back on Feb. 13 and entered this week's top pace off a winning effort last Sunday at Flamboro Downs. The five-year-old son of Up The Credit-Mattgellan now has five wins in 11 starts this year and is 19-for-70 lifetime with career earnings just shy of $140,000 for Ralph Jardine of Arthur, Ont.

He was went postward at odds of 6-1 and returned $14.70 to his backers at the betting windows.

The Friday feature win was part of a natural hat trick during the 11-race card for Sorrie, who currently leads all drivers in Canada for wins this year.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)
A former ByteDance engineer says China's AI industry is still far behind the US.

Zhang Chi said China's model benchmarks perform well but don't translate into real-world results.

Tech leaders like Elon Musk and Jensen Huang believe China is catching up and could even pull ahead.

For all the talk that China is catching up to the US in AI, a former ByteDance engineer believes it's actually falling further behind.

"I don't even agree with the assumption that Chinese models are catching up  I believe we're still far behind," Zhang Chi, a research scientist and assistant professor at Peking University, said on an episode of the "Into Asia" podcast. "I guess the gap is getting larger, very sadly."

Zhang, who said he spent about a year at ByteDance working on AI models before returning to academia, said the differences go beyond the perceived rapid progress of Chinese startups.

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While models from companies like ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, and Alibaba may score well on benchmarks, he said that doesn't mean they work as well in the real world.

"On paper, every big tech company in China has a good model," Zhang said. "But I don't think they're good enough." He added that many teams are focused on "benchmaxxing"  optimizing for test scores rather than practical performance.

ByteDance and Alibaba have rolled out high-profile AI models  from video generators like Seedance to open-source systems like Qwen  but they've also faced backlash over deepfakes, copyright disputes, and whether those models hold up in real-world use.

A key issue, Zhang said, is speed. He said top US companies can iterate on models far more quickly.

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"Google can train or perform a full round of LLM training, both pre-training and post-training, in three months," he said. "But ByteDance  probably we can only do one iteration in half a year."

Zhang also pointed to China's structural disadvantages, including access to advanced chips, weaker infrastructure, and lower-quality training data.

"There's a huge difference between the infrastructure at Google and ByteDance," he said. "I don't think we're getting high-quality data."

He added that some companies rely on distilling outputs from leading US models rather than building their own data pipelines  a shortcut that may limit long-term progress.

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Zhang said US firms also benefit from stronger user feedback loops. Products like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini improve through constant interaction with users, which helps refine their models over time.

Chinese models, by contrast, risk falling into a negative cycle. "Chinese models started not as good, so no one really uses them for really important things," Zhang said. "And the models continue to be not that good."

Others say China is catching up

Zhang's view contrasts sharply with some of the most prominent voices in tech, many of whom say China is rapidly closing the gap and could even pull ahead.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has warned that the US risks falling behind, while Elon Musk has said that China's advantage in energy and compute could help it overtake rivals.

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AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has also said the US lead may be narrower than it appears, cautioning it could erode over time.

Others take a more nuanced view. Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai has said the race will be decided less by model strength and more by how quickly AI is deployed.

Still, Zhang's assessment reflects a more pessimistic perspective from inside China's AI ecosystem  one that suggests the gap with the US may be widening.

"To be fair, I don't think any Chinese company can catch up with them soon," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Navya Jammalamadaka joined Microsoft in 2024 as a software engineer.

She said AI tools have become central to her job and made some tasks easier.

The Gen Zer shared her top advice for using AI and breaking into the tech industry.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Navya Jammalamadaka, a 27-year-old software engineer at Microsoft who lives in Redmond, Washington. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm still fairly early in my career, but I've seen software engineering roles change a lot.

I used to go to work and code for five to six hours a day without the assistance of an AI tool. Now, my job is more like being the architect  guiding AI to write the code while I design the system.

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At Microsoft, there's definitely been a push to adopt AI. My AI usage picked up around the beginning of last year when a lot of tools were made available internally. I spent the first half of 2025 focused on experimenting with AI and learning what it could do, and the second half of the year incorporating it into my workflows, like using AI to review code.

GitHub Copilot has become my go-to tool for coding suggestions and debugging. My work still gets reviewed by a senior engineer, but AI has been really helpful.

I broke into Big Tech 2 years ago

My journey to Microsoft began in 2023, when I decided to take a shot at the dream that everybody in my industry seems to have at some point: working in Big Tech.

At the time, I was working as a software engineer at a consulting firm in Connecticut. While I was applying for Big Tech roles, the founder of a smaller tech firm reached out about a software engineer position in San Francisco that seemed really cool. I hadn't heard back from most of my Big Tech applications, so I decided to pursue the job. I eventually accepted an offer, moved to San Francisco, and started the role in January 2024.

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I was generally happy with my role, but I hadn't given up on my Big Tech dream. I began hearing back from several Big Tech applications I'd submitted in prior months  many before I'd started my new job. I moved forward with interviews at Apple, Meta, and Tesla while continuing to apply elsewhere.

That February, I applied to a software engineering role at Microsoft. I had a referral from a fellow New York University alum I'd connected with on LinkedIn. I landed an interview for the role, and the process moved quickly. After an interview with the hiring manager, I learned within a day that I'd be moving forward. I then had four more interviews, and within a couple of weeks, I received and accepted an offer.

The hybrid role required me to work from the Seattle office, so I had to leave San Francisco  a city I really liked and would have preferred to stay in. But I felt the opportunity was worth the move, so I relocated and started the role in May 2024.

Business Insider is speaking with tech workers affected by recent workforce shifts, including layoffs, AI adoption, and changing workplace expectations.

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Share your story by filling out this form, contacting this reporter via email at jzinkula@businessinsider.com, or via Signal at jzinkula.29.

How I use AI to help manage engineering pressure

Using AI tools has reduced the time I spend on tasks like navigating large codebases and writing boilerplate code. But for me, the benefits of AI are less about time savings. That's because using AI well still requires a lot of judgment  like reviewing suggestions carefully and knowing when to trust it and when not to. It doesn't make me feel like I'm just doing the same work faster; it allows me to focus my energy on higher-level problem solving.

Fortunately, I haven't suffered from "AI fatigue"  or burnout from heavy AI use  as some engineers have. But I know many engineers across the tech industry, including those early in their careers, feel extra pressure to meet deadlines now.

I think AI can help ease some of that pressure by speeding up tasks like debugging and understanding code. That doesn't mean work won't still be tiring, but it can help make things feel more manageable.

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One of the ways AI has been most useful is in helping me understand large Microsoft codebases that have been around for more than a decade. As an engineer who was new to the scale of Microsoft's systems, they were initially intimidating. But after asking AI enough questions, I was able to better understand the code.

My advice for young job seekers

I know people have questions about the future of software engineering roles, but I think human engineers are still very much needed. No matter how much you train AI, it's difficult for it to have the full context of what you're trying to accomplish.

While AI has been super helpful, it's still been important for me to have the support and guidance of more senior engineers who've worked at Microsoft for a long time.

One piece of advice I have for young job seekers is to connect with as many people as possible on LinkedIn. I've found it helpful to apply for a job and then reach out to people at the company to let them know I've applied and why I'm interested. I think this can help land interviews.

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I'd also recommend optimizing your LinkedIn profile. When a recruiter clicks on it, they might spend just a few seconds reviewing it. Make sure you have a portfolio section with your best projects highlighted. The goal is to make them think: "Oh yeah, this person is doing something cool."

Lastly, I think it's important for aspiring software engineers to remember that the role is changing quickly. You may have learned traditional coding in college without the assistance of AI and been judged on your traditional coding skills during job interviews. Those skills are valuable, but if your employer expects you to use AI, you'll want to be prepared for that.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The diversity of Tucsons housing is, on the surface, contradictory.

Local first-time homebuyers grapple with rising costs, yet out-of-state homebuyers dont blink at dropping millions into a second home.

National homebuilders remain confident in the Tucson market, and although permits for new homes have slowed, developers are preparing large swaths of land for future homes as closings on new homes hold steady.

The positive resale and new home permit data point to better days ahead, said local housing analyst Jim Daniel, with R.L. Brown Reports. The overall market is starting to see some balance as builder inventory home supply continues to decrease and new communities open.

The average new home price in March topped $500,000 for only the third time in Tucson markets history. The average price rose to $513,062 in May 2023, then settled back down before climbing to $503,375 in January 2025 before it dipped again.

March 2026 saw an average new home price of $507,282.

Sales of existing homes continue to be flat due to homeowner uncertainty about giving up long-held low mortgage rates or their willingness to budge on asking prices.

Daniel notes that major price hikes from April 2020 to May 2023 caused existing home prices to shoot up by $118,750.

During this time, institutional and home flippers competed against each other, pushing prices higher and sidelining individual buyers, he said. When mortgage rates rose, institutional investors exited, but prices have remained flat since. Damage was done.
The clinical trial for the bandages will be conducted at the UA, having patients wear them between doctors visits and collect terabytes of data from the devices, he said.

When the patient comes into the office, were using those handheld devices and were gathering all that data and then were correlating it with what happens to the patient  do they need an amputation? Do they get septic? Do they die? Gurtner said.

What we found is that even with just a moment in time using those sensors, you can predict whos going to do poorly, he said. If you had 168 hours of data  all of our theories of AI and big data and machine learning suggest that the more data you have, the better your predictive value is. But even with just one moment in time, we actually can predict whos going to end up having an infection before a doctor predicts it.

AI and health-care projects

Ebert said the UA would like to use funding from the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the state's three public universities, to create an AI-health innovation nexus to be a facilitator and central point to link artificial intelligence and health care across campus and accelerate the research.

A few of its goals include improving discovery, research and translation, having AI-powered precision medicine, increasing access to care and improving quality of care across the state, including for Arizonas rural population.
"You had low-cost hydropower that made it possible for folks to farm, (but now) it costs a lot of money to raise water out of the ground," Fuentes said. "At some point here, we're not far away from it, you get additional (water and power cuts), people will say, 'I'm turning in my contract. I'll buy power on the (open) market. It's cheaper.'

"There is a threshold for affordability to a farmer. If the costs of pumping the water are too high, they have to look to something different, whether they have to grow houses or grow another crop" that requires less water and less groundwater pumping, lowering pumping costs.

Former Reclamation official David Wegner said some of Fuentes' concerns are "a little over the top," in part because how much power rates will go up depends on how much power supplies are cut.

"I understand his position, but I think first off, there will be dialogue between other contractors. There will probably be some negotiating back and forth between other contractors over prices.

"If it's only a 5% hit to power supplies, it's not unaffordable. If it's 50%, it could be unaffordable to the lower end of the spectrum, not millionaires and billionaires. If you're poor, yes, it's unaffordable," Wegner said.

The price jumps could particularly hit farmers who are now using CAP water that cities own the rights to, but recharge on farmland to reduce the stress of pumping down the aquifer. But "if they dont have CAP water they're going to have to pump groundwater."

'Simple matter of demand and supply'
As for the call for Gallitano-Mendel to withdraw, Lunn said that isn't happening.

"Amelia's campaign is focused on talking to voters and winning the race,'' Lunn said.

Toporek said party officials, in an attempt to pacify him, offered him the same services that they were providing to his opponent's campaign. That agreement gives a candidate support on things such as staffing, fundraising and communications  but only after the candidate pays $3,000 to "buy in'' to the party's services.

That wasn't the only issue.

"They wanted to run my campaign, and they wanted to run her campaign,'' Toporek said.

Both candidates would share the same staffers, an arrangement Toporek found unacceptable since they are competitors. He said he wanted the ADLCC to stay neutral in the primary race, but was rebuffed.

That has fueled his intent to file a campaign finance complaint, although Toporek said conditions could change.

While his original goal was to get his opponent to withdraw from the race, he now sees larger issues.

One is the roundabout way in which the party's money was directed to Gallitano-Mendel's benefit. The other is that "buy-in program, which provides party services at a discounted rate.

Both, he said, are illegal.
Public broadcasters meet for DG8 in Japan

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks represented Australia at a meeting of top public broadcasters in Japan.

International public service media organisations from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Japan met in Tokyo from 13 to 14 April 2026 for their annual DG8 meeting, hosted by NHK WORLD-JAPAN.

Australia was represented by Hugh Marks, managing director of ABC, alongside BBC World Service (United Kingdom), CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada), Deutsche Welle (Germany), France Medias Monde (France), NHK WORLD-JAPAN (Japan) and SWI swissinfo.ch (Switzerland).

Participants reaffirmed the crucial role of public service media at a time of increasing global uncertainty, rapid changes in the media landscape and rising financial and structural pressures.

They agreed to collaborate even more closely at all levels, to exchange ideas, and to leverage synergies.

These were agreed principles:

Trust and Media Freedom

As media freedom is being undermined and unverified information spreads, DG8 members agreed that accurate, impartial journalism and closer cooperation among international public broadcasters are essential to supporting democratic values and global stability. Members also noted the increasing threats faced by journalists worldwide and stressed the importance of safeguarding their safety to ensure continued access to reliable information.

Platforms

Members underlined the need to broaden audience reach as media consumption habits diversify, ensuring that public service media can continue to deliver essential, reliable information needed to navigate an ever more uncertain world. They also acknowledged evolving international discussions on digital platform frameworks, underlining the critical importance of access to, and prominence on, key global digital platforms to ensure that news and emergency coverage reach as many people as possible. Reflecting the views raised during the meeting, members recognised the need to continue and further deepen their discussions, including on the relationship between public service media and digital platforms.

Artificial Intelligence

Facing the rapid expansion of AI, members discussed how AI may contribute to spreading disinformation and rendering professional media invisible, even as AI systems already make extensive use of their content. At the same time, members also reiterated that, while such new technologies enable greater efficiency and innovation, their use must be guided by clear standards that secure transparency and trust.

Crisis Response

DG8 reaffirmed the vital role of international public broadcasters in providing accurate and timely information that protects public safety, particularly during large-scale disasters and conflicts in which local media or communications infrastructure may fail.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation so that public service media can continue to operate sustainably even in challenging times.

The Presidency was handed over from NHK WORLD-JAPAN to the BBC World Service.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees U.S. international public service media networks, was not represented due to ongoing organisational circumstances.
A Vietnamese tech startup that successfully raised capital. Photo: Filum

One of the longstanding challenges faced by Vietnamese startups, particularly in the technology sector, has been accessing capital from venture funds, most of which are international.

To receive funding from foreign venture capital firms, startups in Vietnam have had to navigate complex and time-consuming procedures.

In many cases, completing these processes could take several months to a year, by which time resources were often depleted.

As a result, many Vietnamese startups chose to relocate to Singapore - effectively transferring ownership to a parent company there - where procedures for receiving investment are significantly simpler.

However, according to Hoang Duc Trung, acting executive of the Ho Chi Minh City Venture Capital Fund, the official launch of the fund (HCM VIF JSC) on April 17, with an initial scale of VND500 billion (US$20 million), along with mechanisms under Resolution 98, marks a breakthrough for tech startups operating domestically.

A key change lies in the introduction of a liability exemption mechanism, which removes psychological barriers associated with state capital. Previously, it was difficult for public funds to invest in startups due to strict capital preservation requirements.

Startups inherently carry high risks, and failures could expose fund managers to legal consequences.

Now, under Resolution 98, Ho Chi Minh City has, for the first time, allowed a risk acceptance mechanism and exemptions from civil and criminal liability for fund managers, provided that investment procedures are properly followed even if projects fail.

This shift enables the fund to confidently invest in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green technology.

Operating under a public-private partnership model, the fund also avoids excessive localization concerns. Structured as a joint-stock company, it comprises approximately 40% state capital, with the remainder from private investors.

Hoang Duc Trung noted that previous state-backed funds were often burdened by cumbersome administrative procedures. In contrast, the new fund operates under the Enterprise Law, ensuring autonomy and allowing investment decisions to be based on data and market potential rather than administrative targets.

He added that the funds establishment will help Vietnamese startups avoid the need to relocate to Singapore simply to improve their investment appeal.

By acting as anchor capital, the fund can support startups in refining products, expanding markets, and scaling operations.

With backing from the state and major domestic financial institutions, international investors are expected to feel more confident investing directly in companies headquartered in Vietnam, reducing the need for flip structures that shift ownership to Singapore.

Another notable development is the introduction of significant tax incentives for both startups and investors in Ho Chi Minh City.

Startups will benefit from corporate income tax exemptions for a certain period, typically up to five years, applicable to innovative startup enterprises.

For investors, the city plans to exempt personal and corporate income taxes on earnings from the transfer of capital contributions or rights to invest in innovative startups within the city. This is seen as a major incentive for both domestic Sharks and foreign funds to invest directly in Vietnamese entities.

With these incentives, Vietnamese startups no longer need to establish headquarters in Singapore to access tax benefits, but can instead base their operations in Vietnam, Trung said.

Le My
An automatic environmental monitoring station located in Thanh Xuan Park (Hanoi). Photo: Dinh Hieu

However, even when climate change has become evident, most visibly through the historic storms in 2024 and 2025 that caused horrific damage, we sometimes still default to the perception that environmental protection is the job of the state, or "someone else," rather than our own.

Right now, the air in Hanoi and other urban areas has become suffocating. If we do not break down these screens of lies today, our children in the future will no longer have the chance even to breathe.

In such conditions, a recent shocking incident has occurred: the prosecution of acts of manipulation and large-scale falsification of environmental data.

Digital barrier

With nearly 160 monitoring stations interfered with in multiple provinces, accounting for 55 percent of the total nationwide, this is no longer a matter of isolated violations or ordinary technical incidents.

The core of automated monitoring systems is the Data Logger, considered the brain responsible for collecting, storing and transmitting measurement data from sensors (such as BOD, COD, pH, PM dust, SO) to regulatory authorities.

Despite safeguards like sealed clamps and closed-circuit cameras, perpetrators still can use specialized software to directly interfere with source code or network configurations, adjusting parameters remotely.

This mechanism allows them to polish the data: when actual pollution levels exceed regulatory limits, the software interpolates, truncates peaks, and transmits falsified figures that remain within safe lines.

With 55 percent of the system effectively neutralized, vast quantities of untreated toxic substances may have been discharged directly into river ecosystems and the atmosphere, threatening water security and air quality, and increasing the public health burden.

More potentially dangerous, monitoring data serves as the only empirical foundation for assessing environmental carrying capacity, which in turn determines approvals of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for new projects.

When baseline data is widely distorted, socio-economic development planning based on such data risks being flawed, leading to approvals that exceed ecological safety thresholds.

What to do?

The manipulation of environmental data is a global problem, not unique to Vietnam.

In China, driven by pressure to meet green transition targets tied to officials political promotion prospects, a notable case occurred in Linfen city in 2017, when SO concentrations repeatedly exceeded 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter.

Instead of addressing the root causes, the former head of the local environmental protection bureau hired individuals wearing helmets to conceal their identities to interfere with the monitoring system software more than 100 times in a single year.

In India, the state of Gujarat has implemented an effective policy. A central fund is established by the government, into which enterprises pay fees. Authorities then use algorithms to randomly assign independent auditors to verify data. As a result, false reporting dropped by up to 80 percent.

This forced factories to genuinely invest in emission-reduction technologies, while monitoring units only provide the truth because they are responsible for this and receive money from the state. They dont face pressure from their clients.

The first and decisive step for Vietnam is to establish an independently funded auditing model similar to Indias. Legal provisions should be amended so that enterprises contribute monitoring maintenance fees into a state-managed fund. Authorities would randomly assign maintenance contractors, completely cutting the opaque financial ties between polluters and monitoring units.

At the same time, it is time to mandate the application of blockchain technology for Data Logger, encrypting data at the point of measurement so that no one can retroactively alter figures.

Furthermore, strict criminal penalties, including mandatory imprisonment, should be legislated for the creation, trade and use of software that falsifies environmental data, treating it as a national security offense comparable to ecological terrorism.

Finally, transparency creates life. It is necessary to adopt an open data philosophy and live-streaming emissions data from industrial zones onto national portals. Every citizen with a smartphone would know what nearby factories are discharging. A people-powered monitoring network would then become an unbreakable safeguard.

The case involving 74 suspects manipulating nearly 160 monitoring stations is an opportunity for Vietnam to launch a profound transformation in ecological governance, ensuring that environmental data is never just abstract numbers on a screen, but a vital guarantee for public health.

It is time for society to awaken and truly monitor its own living environment, not by delegating responsibility, but by taking ownership of every breath of future generations.

Nguyen Phuoc Thang (Hoa Binh University)
A key highlight is the recreated highland market space Colours of Lai Chau, where visitors can experience a traditional market atmosphere with folk songs, dances, games and local cuisine. Ethnic communities such as Mong, Lu, Thai and Giay will showcase regional specialties and cultural practices.

Activities will include photo exhibitions, cultural exchanges, traditional games and performances, as well as demonstrations of crafts like beeswax printing, rice cake making, and traditional weaving.

Traditional rituals will also be reenacted, including the forest worship (hau doong) ceremony of the Giay people and the buffalo spirit worshipping ritual of the Lu, reflecting indigenous beliefs and respect for nature.

In addition, about 30 Dong Ho folk paintings will be displayed, depicting scenes of rural life. Visitors can also try making these traditional prints, helping raise awareness of heritage preservation.

Daily cultural activities of various ethnic groups from across Vietnam will continue throughout the holiday, helping visitors immerse themselves in the daily life of Vietnam's ethnic groups in their common home./. VNA
Born into a Thai ethnic family, Vi Thi Luyens childhood was closely tied to the scent of cotton threads, the rhythm of the shuttle, and vividly colored brocade fabrics. According to tradition, every Thai bride must bring a dowry of skirts, scarves, blankets, and pillows woven by her mother.

However, in modern times, industrially made clothing has gradually replaced handwoven garments. Looms in many households were left unused, and traditional patterns faced the risk of surviving only in the memories of the elderly.

After graduating in Agriculture and Forestry from Hong Duc University, Luyen was elected Vice Chairwoman of the commune Farmers Association in 2007.

In 2022, from simple conversations by the fire, she began mobilizing local women to revive brocade weaving. Initially, only 19 people joined, but through persistence and dedication, the movement gradually expanded.

In April 2023, the Tay Do brocade weaving group was officially established with 26 members and nearly 30 looms, marking the beginning of a journey to awaken the old craft.

To date, the group has grown to about 50 members. The once-silent looms are now replaced by a lively working atmosphere.

Beyond restoration, Luyen, 40, sought to integrate brocade into modern life. Traditional fabrics have been redesigned into handbags, seat cushions, blankets, and pillows, retaining distinctive patterns while meeting market demand.

As a result, Tay Do brocade products are not only sold domestically but also exported to Laos, Thailand, and even France, where Thai communities reside.

In 2025, the groups revenue reached about VND400 million. This is not a large figure, but for a mountainous village, it is an encouraging result, opening a sustainable livelihood for local women, Luyen said.

Continuing to explore new directions, she has developed Tay Do herbal pillows, a combination of local medicinal herbs, natural essential oils, and traditional brocade patterns. The product is currently being prepared for participation in the provincial 3-star OCOP program, promising to enhance the value of traditional weaving.

In many localities in Dien Bien province, the Hmong ethnic community continues to quietly and persistently preserve the craft of embroidery and traditional costume making.

For the Hmong people, traditional clothing is a clear marker of community identity. From pleated skirts, front-slit shirts, aprons, and belts to intricate hand-embroidered patterns, each detail carries meaning, reflecting views on the universe, nature, and spiritual life.

In Pung Pa Kha village, Na Bung commune, Dien Bien province, a traditional Hmong costume sewing and embroidery group with about 40 members has been established. Most members are women who use their free time after farming to sew skirts, shirts, and aprons for both local and external markets.

Mua Thi My in Pung Pa Kha hamlet, head of the embroidery group, said: By joining the group, we receive technical guidance and sewing machine support, so we work faster and more consistently. Our products have buyers, so everyone feels secure continuing the craft.

Working in groups not only improves skills and ensures product quality but also creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and passing the craft to younger generations, helping maintain cultural continuity within the community.

Nguyen Van Tiep, Chair of Na Bung Commune Peoples Committee, said that preserving traditional costumes is identified as a key task in cultural and social work.

We see preserving traditional costumes not only as protecting culture but also as creating livelihoods. The commune has coordinated to develop craft groups, provide equipment, offer technical training, and connect product consumption channels for residents.

Thanks to this support, many traditional Hmong costume products have found stable markets, selling for VND900,000 to VND1.5 million per item, generating significant income for participating households. On average, members earn more than VND3 million per month, helping many families escape poverty.

Amid the changes of modern life, the image of Hmong women diligently embroidering, colorful threads gradually forming patterns on fabric remains a vivid testament to the enduring vitality of traditional culture.

Preserving traditional costumes is not only the responsibility of the Hmong community, but also requires the joint efforts of authorities and society. As long as traditional skirts are maintained and younger generations proudly wear their ethnic attire, cultural identity will continue to be preserved, spread, and promoted in contemporary life.

Hoang Quy
According to the data, 86% of users aged 18 to 24 in Vietnam are using AI, with 40% accessing these tools daily. Rather than simply absorbing viral content, they are using platforms like Google Search as a checkpoint to validate trends emerging from social media.

A telling example is the viral study until the ice melts challenge, where participants focus on studying without touching their phones until a block of ice melts. Instead of joining in unquestioningly, many young users drove a 100% surge in search queries, using AI to understand the logic behind the trend before deciding whether to participate.

From trend followers to information validators

This behavior reflects a broader transformation in how young people engage with digital content. Globally, users aged 18 to 24 now generate more daily search queries than any other age group, contributing to over five trillion searches annually, based on internal data from Google.

With the support of advanced multimodal reasoning models such as Gemini 3.1, search is evolving beyond one-way results into a more interactive experience. AI systems can cross-reference multiple sources and provide direct citations, making the verification process more transparent.

Beyond fact-checking trends, young users are also applying search tools to research brand histories, read map-based reviews and compare prices before making independent purchasing decisions.

AI as a daily companion

Sapna Chadha, Vice President of Google for Southeast Asia and South Asia, described AI as a historic turning point for search platforms.

In regions with young, digitally fluent populations such as Southeast Asia, she noted, users are engaging more deeply and treating AI as a companion - whether for learning, cultural exploration or shopping decisions.

For young users, search has become an indispensable companion. They interact more deeply, more intuitively and use voice more than any previous generation, she said.

This generational shift goes beyond familiarity with technology. It reflects a broader evolution in human-computer interaction.

An analysis of more than 3,000 queries across age groups by web marketing platform WebFX found that Gen Z tends to use longer, more natural language queries. Instead of short keywords, they phrase searches as full questions, relying on systems to interpret context such as location or intent.

A glimpse into the future of search

This conversational approach aligns closely with modern AI-powered search systems, including AI Mode, and suggests an intuitive understanding among young users of how to communicate with machine learning systems.

Experts believe that as language models become more sophisticated, this style of interaction will become the norm. Rather than forcing users to adapt to rigid keyword systems, future platforms are expected to better accommodate natural human language.

In that sense, Gen Zs search habits are not just a generational preference. They offer a preview of how all users may interact with technology in the AI era - where asking the right question becomes just as important as finding the right answer.

Du Lam
Dinh Tien Hieu, head of the Training and Student Affairs Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dinh Tien Hieu, head of the Training and Student Affairs Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that demand for psychological human resources is rising along with work and life pressures, with businesses increasingly concerned about the mental health of employees.

The demand for psychology majors is at a high level. Many businesses have recruited graduates to provide psychological support for employees or participate in human resource development activities, Hieu said.

Beyond traditional roles such as counseling or therapy, these graduates have opportunities to work in businesses, social organizations, schools, or multinational corporations.

This major is expanding its scope into areas like human resource management, organizational development, communication, education, and workplace healthcare.

Son noted that over the past 510 years, demand for psychology professionals in Vietnam has risen significantly, along with higher requirements for expertise, practical skills, and professional ethics.

This trend is driven by increased awareness of mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic, greater emphasis on school psychology roles, and rising workplace pressure pushing companies to focus more on employees mental well-being.

Additionally, the expansion of counseling and psychological therapy services, recognition of clinical psychologists within the healthcare system, and the growing number of university programs in psychology have all contributed to broader career opportunities.

Broad career opportunities

The current employment rate of psychology students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities after graduation has reached about 90 percent, with an average starting salary ranging from VND6 million to VND10 million/month.

Annually, the university receives many recruitment notices for psychology students for positions such as: school counseling at educational institutions, especially private and international schools; training and customer care staff at businesses and multinational corporations like LG or Samsung; and counseling and therapy officers at centers and hospitals.

In addition, there are opportunities at non-governmental organizations and community projects, as well as positions as researchers or lecturers at research institutes and universities.

Psychology graduates can hold many professional positions in the fields of education, health, business, and social activities. They can work in school psychology at educational institutions, and as psychological counseling specialists or clinical psychological assistants at counseling centers, hospitals, and social organizations.

Other jobs include human resource specialists in businesses in areas such as recruitment, training, human resource development, and mental health care for employees.

Furthermore, the fields of special education, behavioral communication, and market research also recruit for this major.

Many businesses have begun implementing employee assistance programs (EAP) and schools are increasing the number of school psychology specialists, while private psychological counseling and therapy centers are appearing more frequently.

Despite the rising demand, the psychology sector lacks sufficient human resources to meet needs. According to a 2021 UNICEF report, Vietnam has 143 clinical psychologists and psychotherapists (3 percent of clinicians) in public hospitals. Per 100,000 people, the number of clinical psychologists/psychotherapists is 0.15 - nearly 10 times lower than the global average.

As society increasingly focuses on mental health and the quality of human resources, Psychology students need to be equipped with not only specialized knowledge but also many important professional skills. Besides the theoretical foundation of psychology and human behavior, students need to develop the ability to observe, analyze, listen, and empathize with others.

Along with that, soft skills, communication skills, critical thinking, research, and problem-solving also play an important role in the work process. In fields such as education, business, health, and community development, these competencies help psychological personnel understand the social context, thereby providing appropriate approaches and support.

Foreign language ability and updating research methods also need to be emphasized, as they are essential factors for Psychology students to adapt to an increasingly diverse and international professional environment.

Thanh Hung
The biggest challenge will not lie in planning blueprints or the scale of resources, but in the ability to win public support. Photo: The Bang

The reaction to that figure showed a familiar problem: it is not just about planning, but the way policy is communicated and explained.

I have a friend who lives outside the Red River dyke. His house is not large, but it is the accumulated asset of a lifetime. Since hearing that this area is part of a major Red River landscape project, he has started to feel restless. If he has to leave, will the compensation for site clearance be enough to buy a decent place to live, near his workplace, and near his children's school?

A few days ago, he sent me a short message: Looks like I might be among the 860,000 people to be relocated.

The message reflects a sentiment spreading quickly as the figure of 860,000 inner-city residents who could be relocated appeared in discussions about Hanois long-term planning.

Later, the Hanoi Department of Planning and Architecture clarified that the figure was not a relocation plan, but merely an assumption used for economic calculations in the master planning process. In other words, it was a technical parameter, not a policy decision.

The correction was necessary and should be acknowledged. But it must also be said that it came rather late.

The figure of 860,000 had existed in the information space long enough to be interpreted in many different ways. From a technical parameter, it was quickly understood as a specific relocation plan.

When the information gap is not filled in time, public opinion will replace it with speculation  and in the age of social media, this process happens almost instantaneously.

This is not the first time a planning story has fallen into such a situation, and perhaps not the last if the way policy is communicated does not change.

But if we only discuss the right or wrong of a single figure, then perhaps we are misidentifying the problem.

Hanoi is being pushed to a threshold which cannot to be avoided. The area from Ring Road 3 inward has, essentially, reached the carrying capacity ceiling of a city.

In many places, population density reaches 30,00040,000 people/km. Those figures do not just exist in reports; they appear every day through long-lasting traffic jams, overloaded classrooms, crowded hospitals, and a living space that is increasingly narrowing.

In that context, population dispersal is no longer just a planning idea. It is a requirement if Hanoi wants to continue developing without further trading off quality of life.

However, for many years, programs to renovate old apartment buildings or disperse the inner-city population have progressed very slowly. The bottleneck does not lie in the planning, but in how to make people see that, after leaving, their lives will not be worse.

The core issue, therefore, is not how many people will have to relocate, but whether Hanoi can create destinations good enough that people are willing to leave. Because if the destination does not bring a more stable life, or one that is not worse, then every population dispersal plan, no matter how reasonable on paper, will be very hard to convince those involved.

Regarding the figure of 860,000, what is notable is that even as a hypothetical assumption, it quickly triggered reactions. Residents began worrying about housing and livelihoods; investors immediately shifted attention to areas such as Dong Anh, Gia Lam, and Hoa Lac; and experts raised numerous questions about resources, infrastructure, and the feasibility of a plan of unprecedented scale.

A number on paper, therefore, was enough to activate a chain of socio-economic reactions. This shows that in a modern city, planning is no longer an internal matter of authorities; it directly shapes market expectations and public sentiment, even before becoming official policy.

For this reason, how information is communicated and explained is just as important as the content of the plan itself. Hanoi did the right thing by issuing a clarification, but a further step is needed: proactive explanation from the outset, rather than allowing incomplete information to spread and then managing the consequences.

For policies that may affect hundreds of thousands of people, transparency is not only a governance principle, but a prerequisite for building public trust.

And that trust, ultimately, is the foundation that allows major changes to occur without becoming disruptive shocks.

Tu Giang
The Vietnam Red Cross Society Central Committee convened its 2026 disaster response conference in Hanoi on April 24 to review last years performance and set priorities as disaster risks intensify. Around 200 representatives from government agencies, international partners and local Red Cross units attended the hybrid event.



Throughout 2025, the Society maintained its frontline role, rolling out proactive response plans, expanding training and drills, and strengthening public awareness. Forecast-based early action initiatives were implemented in central provinces and major urban centres, contributing to reduced losses, alongside improved coordination in risk monitoring and early warning systems.



Nationwide response capacity was reinforced, with a network of over 300,000 volunteers and nearly 900 trained personnel in disaster risk management, climate resilience and first aid. Digital tools such as KoboToolbox and QGIS were increasingly applied in damage assessments, enabling the mobilisation of nearly 52 billion VND in international aid and more efficient resource allocation.



Emergency relief exceeded 153 billion VND, reaching more than 35,000 households in 22 provinces and cities, complemented by recovery programmes covering livelihoods, housing, water and sanitation.



Vu Thanh Luu, Vice President of the Society, said 2026 is likely to bring more complex risks, including severe storms, prolonged heatwaves, drought and saltwater intrusion. The organisation will therefore pivot towards proactive prevention, accelerate technology use, scale up adaptation models, enhance community resilience and expand partnerships to improve response effectiveness./. VNA
The presentation ceremony was attended by representatives of local authorities and academia, including Pamela Currie, Director of the Western Australia State Office under Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Professor Vanessa Chang of Curtin University, and leaders of community organisations such as the Western Australian Vietnamese Women's Association (WAVNWA), the AustraliaVietnam Talent Network, and the Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA).



Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Consul General Nguyen Thanh Ha highlighted Lien as a distinguished Vietnamese intellectual in Australia, noting her achievements in research and teaching as well as her meaningful contributions to the community and bilateral cooperation. She reaffirmed that connecting and empowering overseas Vietnamese intellectuals remains a key priority, particularly in education, research and knowledge transfer between Vietnam and Western Australia.



Currie said initiatives and projects led by Lien have made tangible contributions to strengthening development cooperation between Australia and Vietnam, particularly in areas such as energy transition, sustainable development and capacity building. She described these efforts as clear evidence of the effectiveness of the bilateral partnership.



Meanwhile, Randhir Amoganathan, President of the United Nations Association of Australia - WA devision, also acknowledged Liens role in connecting communities and promoting shared values, describing her as a model of combining knowledge, social responsibility and a strong commitment to community service. Her contributions, he noted, have not only benefited the Vietnamese community but also advanced the shared values of cooperation, integration and sustainable development upheld by both Australia and Vietnam.



The Certificate of Merit recognises Liens leadership in 10 Australia-funded projects implemented at Curtin University since 2022, focusing on key areas including energy transition, carbon market development, digital transformation and policy building. Notably, a capacity-building programme for around 200 Vietnamese officials and leaders has helped enhance human resources and promote practical cooperation between the two countries.



Beyond academia, Lien has been active in community work, serving as VASEA Vice President and contributing to initiatives supporting disaster-affected communities in Vietnam, raising nearly 190,000 AUD during 20242025.



Professor Vanessa Chang commended Liens role in strengthening academic links between Curtin University and Vietnamese partners, while VASEA President Professor Nghiem Duc Long described her as embodying the values of excellence, collaboration and service.



Expressing her gratitude, Lien said the recognition reflects not only her personal efforts but also the strength of cooperation among academia, governments and communities of both countries.



The ceremony highlighted the vital role of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals in contributing to national development and deepening VietnamAustralia ties, particularly in education and training, while reaffirming their role as an integral part of the Vietnamese nation./.





VNA
In Pang Cang village, nestled deep within the mountains of Van Chan commune in Lao Cai province, Sung A Henh has gradually risen to become a prosperous farmer. As a respected community figure, he has led fellow Hmong villagers in reshaping their mindset and building a new life together. A quiet pillar of the village Respected community figure Sung A Henh pioneers the introduction of cinnamon cultivation and homestay tourism in a Hmong village.

Home to a predominantly Hmong population, Pang Cang lies quietly among towering mountain ranges. For local residents, Sung A Henh is more than a successful farmer - he is a trusted source of guidance.

His role as a respected community figure extends far beyond meetings. Each day, he works alongside village leaders, going door to door to encourage people to engage in productive labor, prevent social issues, and abandon outdated customs.

One of the most difficult challenges he has faced is early marriage, once a persistent issue in the area. Despite repeated visits to households to explain the consequences, some families continued to arrange marriages for underage children in secret.

Undeterred, Henh remained patient, relying on his credibility and sincerity to gradually change perceptions among both young people and parents. Today, early marriage has been eliminated in Pang Cang.

He also regularly attends training sessions to update his knowledge. Through newspapers such as Dan toc va Phat trien and provincial publications provided each month, he stays informed about Party and State policies, as well as practical lessons in household economic development, which he then shares with villagers.

Awakening the forest land

Sung A Henh regularly attends training sessions and shares updated knowledge with villagers. Photo: CN

Continuous cycles of tea and cinnamon production help his family maintain stable income. Photo: CN

Before achieving his current success, Henhs family endured years of hardship. The turning point came from a simple yet perceptive observation.

During tea delivery trips to Tap Lang - a forest hamlet about 8km from Pang Cang - he noticed that residents there enjoyed a far more stable life. When he discovered that cinnamon cultivation was the key, his determination to escape poverty took hold.

In 2013, he made a bold decision that would redefine his future. Starting with nothing, he borrowed VND50 million (US$2,000) from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to purchase seedlings. At the time, many neighbors doubted his plan, warning of uncertain market demand.

In response, he held firm to a simple belief: even if the products could not be sold, he would still contribute to reforesting barren hills.

To protect his young cinnamon forest, he imposed penalties on those who allowed livestock to damage the trees and hired up to 20 workers daily to tend the plantation in the absence of advanced technology.

His persistence paid off. The experimental forest began to yield results, and with sharp instincts, he expanded production. Today, his family owns 14 hectares of cinnamon, generating around VND200 million (US$8,200) per hectare.

Building a diversified livelihood

Sung A Henh and his family at the Cong Trau homestay.

Beyond cinnamon, Henh has also preserved and developed traditional livelihoods. His family owns 2 hectares of ancient tea trees, providing a stable and significant income each year. He continues to follow traditional tea processing methods, maintaining the distinctive flavor of the Van Chan highlands.

In 2015, he demonstrated further foresight by becoming the first in Pang Cang to develop a homestay business. His family is now one of only two households in the village fully licensed to operate such services.

At the homestay, visitors can do more than simply rest. They are immersed in local culture - experiencing traditional tea processing firsthand, enjoying the sound of Hmong flutes and khen instruments in the mountains, and tasting dishes prepared by the host family.

Speaking about him, village head Vang A Ha expressed pride: Henh is someone who not only succeeds economically but also leads by example. As our commune shifts its economic structure toward tea and cinnamon, his pioneering role has become a crucial driving force for the entire village.

Henhs success is not measured solely by his monthly income of around VND40 million (US$1,600) or his well-built home. His greatest achievement lies in inspiring a spirit of self-reliance within the community.

For Henh himself, the guiding principle remains simple: escaping poverty is not enough - he must help others do the same. Anyone in the village wishing to learn about seedling cultivation or cinnamon farming techniques is welcomed and guided with care. By hiring local workers for his plantations, he also creates stable jobs, helping fellow Hmong villagers improve their livelihoods.

Tuan Ninh - Minh Phuong
Amid rapid global economic shifts, Vietnam can no longer rely solely on low-cost advantages if it hopes to attract a new generation of foreign direct investment (FDI). Instead, strengthening the economys internal capabilities is becoming an urgent priority.

What investors are looking for

The FDI Connect 2026 forum held on April 24. Photo: V.C

On April 24 in Bac Ninh, the provincial Peoples Committee, in collaboration with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hosted the FDI Connect 2026 forum under the theme Towards sustainable global supply chains.

From the perspective of foreign enterprises, Kim In Woo, Vice President of the Korean Business Association in Vietnam, noted that the investment environment has undergone significant changes.

Businesses are no longer focused solely on costs. They are increasingly concerned with technological capacity, supply chain stability, workforce quality, logistics efficiency and policy predictability.

Vietnam - South Korea cooperation continues to expand, with bilateral trade reaching US$94.5 billion in 2025 and targeting US$150 billion by 2030. As of the end of February 2026, South Koreas cumulative investment in Vietnam had surpassed US$95 billion.

However, Kim warned that relying on processing and assembly alone will make it difficult for Vietnam to maintain its competitive edge as technological competition intensifies. The country needs to enhance technological capabilities, quality management and develop a stronger base of engineers and managers.

In the coming period, the goal is not only to attract more investment, but more importantly to clearly define priority sectors, improve technology and human resources, and gradually elevate the quality of the supply chain, he emphasized.

From the domestic business perspective, Nguyen Trung Kien, CEO of CNCTech, said Vietnamese enterprises would struggle to break through if they continue operating in a fragmented manner and remain confined to contract manufacturing.

According to him, the key lies in building an integrated ecosystem based on three pillars: high-tech manufacturing, green infrastructure and efficient logistics.

When these three elements come together, Vietnamese firms can move beyond being suppliers to become strategic partners in global supply chains, he said.

From participation to higher positioning

Associate Professor Dr. Ho Sy Hung, Chairman of the VCCI, highlighted that a powerful wave of global supply chain restructuring is underway, with multinational corporations seeking production locations that offer not only competitive costs but also adaptive, transparent and sustainable ecosystems.

Vietnam is emerging as an attractive destination. However, to draw in next-generation FDI, the country must strengthen its internal economic capacity rather than depend solely on low costs. This includes developing domestic enterprises, particularly in supporting industries.

We need to shift from the mindset of participation to upgrading our position in the value chain, Hung said, stressing the importance of mastering technology and engaging in higher value-added segments such as design, research and development, and innovation.

Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Central Economic Commissions Strategy and Policy Department, noted that in the first quarter of 2026, total registered FDI in Vietnam exceeded US$15 billion, marking a strong increase year-on-year and reflecting sustained investor confidence.

However, he also pointed out persistent challenges, including weak linkages between FDI firms and domestic enterprises, low localization rates, limited technology absorption capacity, and a modest share of research and development activities.

In the current context, Vietnam must shift from prioritizing the quantity of FDI inflows to building a strategic national foundation for foreign-invested economic development.

Relevant authorities are now studying proposals to submit to the Politburo a dedicated resolution on developing the foreign-invested sector in the new phase.

Key orientations include selectively attracting FDI, prioritizing high technology, innovation, renewable energy, green economy and circular economy. At the same time, incentives are expected to shift from tax-based preferences to performance-based mechanisms, such as technology transfer, innovation outcomes and digital transformation.

Hong Khanh
Ho Sy Hung, chairman of theVCCI

On April 24, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Bac Ninh People's Committee co-hosted the 2026 FDI Connect Forum. The event gathered representatives from central and local authorities, as well as foreign-invested and Vietnamese enterprises.

The forum is seen as a critical moment for Vietnam  and for key industrial localities such as Bac Ninh  to redefine their position and strategy within global production networks.

Speaking at the opening session, Ho Sy Hung, chairman of the VCCI, said that the global landscape is undergoing significant transformation, reshaping how multinational corporations choose investment destinations.

Multinational corporations are not just looking for new production locations, they are increasingly prioritising ecosystems that are adaptive, transparent and sustainable, he said.

In this context, Bac Ninh has emerged as a major industrial growth pole in northern Vietnam. With well-developed industrial park infrastructure, strong connectivity and a selective foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction strategy, the province has become a destination for large-scale projects and a hub for high-tech supply chains, particularly in electronics.

However, opportunities come with challenges. According to the VCCI, one of the key issues is that linkages between foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) and domestic firms remain below potential. Localisation rates in many sectors are still low, and the number of Vietnamese companies participating deeply in value chains as Tier-1 suppliers remains limited.

To attract a new generation of FDI, Vietnam cannot rely solely on low-cost advantages but must strengthen its internal capabilities, Hung said. We need to shift from participation to upgrading our position in global value chains.

This requires a strong focus on developing domestic enterprises, particularly in supporting industries, enabling them to meet standards in quality, technology and governance. Vietnamese firms are expected to gradually master technologies and move into higher value-added segments such as design, research and development, and innovation.

Pham Hoang Son, Chairman of Bac Ninh Peoples Committee

From a local perspective, Chairman of Bac Ninh Peoples Committee Pham Hoang Son noted that the province is among Vietnams leading localities in attracting and effectively utilising FDI.

To date, Bac Ninh has attracted more than 3,500 foreign-invested projects from 46 countries and territories, with total registered capital exceeding $49 billion. In 2025 alone, the province drew $5.73 billion, ranking second nationwide; in the first quarter of 2026, it recorded $1.17 billion, maintaining its position among the top performers.

Foreign investment plays a pivotal role in the provincial economy, contributing significantly to regional GDP growth, which reached 10.27 per cent in 2025 and 9.82 per cent in the first quarter of 2026. It also accounts for a large share of export turnover and provides employment for hundreds of thousands of workers.

Bac Ninh has risen to become a regional hub for electronics and high-tech manufacturing, serving as a key link in global supply chains, he said.

Entering a new development phase, the province is shifting towards selective investment attraction, prioritising quality, efficiency and sustainability. The focus is on upgrading strategic infrastructure, including inter-regional transport, next-generation industrial parks, logistics and digital infrastructure.

Major projects such as Gia Binh International Airport and ring roads 4 and 5 of the Hanoi region are expected to expand development space and enhance competitiveness. Moreover, Bac Ninh has around 500 hectares of ready-to-use industrial land with fully developed infrastructure, available for large-scale, high-tech projects. By the end of 2026, an additional 500ha is expected to be added, creating further momentum for sustained industrial growth.

From the perspective of international businesses, Kim In Woo, vice chairman of the Korean Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KoCham), described Bac Ninh as a clear example of ongoing supply chain restructuring. Supply chain restructuring should not be seen merely as the relocation of production facilities, but more importantly as the ability to build a stable, reliable and deep industrial ecosystem, he said.

He added that Vietnam holds clear advantages, including an open economy, a solid manufacturing base and strong growth momentum. For South Korean companies, Vietnam is a production and export base, while also being a strategic market in the medium and long term.

However, to sustain its growth trajectory, challenges related to technological capability and industrial linkages must be addressed. As competition increasingly centres on high-tech industries, reliance on assembly and processing alone will not ensure long-term competitiveness.

It is essential to improve production precision, quality management systems, compliance with technical standards, and to develop a skilled workforce of engineers and mid-level managers, Woo suggested.

Policy factors are also becoming increasingly important. Businesses are concerned with investment incentives and place strong emphasis on transparency, consistency and predictability in the regulatory environment. Improving the speed and transparency of administrative procedures, along with consistent policy implementation, will be key to enhancing competitiveness, he added.

More broadly, the success of supply chain restructuring depends on the depth of industrial ecosystems at the local level. Stronger linkages between FIEs and Vietnamese businesses, alongside improved capabilities in production, quality management, delivery and technical standards, will make supply chains more resilient and competitive.

Looking ahead, the priority is to attract more investment while also identifying strategic sectors, upgrading technology quality, and developing human capital.

According to KoCham, this is a crucial moment to better align Vietnams medium- and long-term development strategies with the strategic needs of international business communities, including South Korean enterprises. With a target of reaching $150 billion in bilateral trade between Vietnam and South Korea by 2030, Bac Ninh is well positioned to become a key locality in achieving this goal through industrial cooperation and enhanced supply chain capabilities.

SLP breaks ground on ready-built factory facility in Bac Ninh On March 20, industrial and logistics real estate developer SLP broke ground on a ready-built factory project, SLP Park Tien Du in Dai Dong Hoan Son Industrial Park in Bac Ninh province.

Foxconn pumps additional $287 million into Bac Ninh facility Taiwans Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn), a key electronic supplier to Apple, has poured an additional $287.1 million into Fulian Precision Technology Component Co., Ltd, its wholly-owned unit in Bac Ninh province.
The agreement was announced on April 24, with the partnership focusing on large-scale data centres in key regions of the country. Initial capacity will be several tens of megawatts, with expansion planned in phases to meet growing demand for AI and cloud services.

With more than 20 years of experience in data centres and end-to-end capabilities spanning development, construction, and operation, GS E&C will combine its infrastructure expertise with FPTs ICT, cloud, and digital platform capabilities.

GS E&C and FPT will also collaborate on smart city solutions, including intelligent transportation, smart energy management, public safety platforms, and AI- and the Internet of Things-based urban infrastructure.

This collaboration with FPT Group represents a meaningful step towards supporting Vietnams digital transformation through data centre and smart city development, said GS E&C CEO Yoonhong Huh. GS E&C will lead project development and execution, leveraging its expertise in data centre design and construction as well as integrated smart city infrastructure solutions, while working closely with FPTs ICT and digital platform capabilities.

"The partnership would pursue a pragmatic, phased approach, starting from an initial tens of megawatts scale and potentially expanding in line with market demand. Through this cooperation, we aim to build mutual trust and create tangible value and job opportunities for both Vietnam and Korea," he said.

The partnership between FPT and GS E&C reflects the growing strategic alignment between Vietnam and South Korea, grounded in the two countries comprehensive strategic partnership in technology and infrastructure development. With our AI-first strategy and AI-augmented workforce, FPT is committed to contributing our technology capabilities to strengthen long-term digital capacity, advance technology transfer, and deepen cross-border cooperation between the two markets, said Ha Minh Tuan, CEO of FPT Korea, FPT Corporation.

Furthermore, GS E&C also signed a separate MoU with BIDV, to support financing for its development and smart city projects in Vietnam.

Through these partnerships, GS E&C aims to strengthen its presence in Vietnams digital infrastructure market and expand future growth engines in AI infrastructure, smart cities, and digital transformation.

Vietnam and South Korea roll out cross-border QR payment service BIDV has launched a cross-border QR payment service between Vietnam and South Korea, enabling QR codes in Vietnam to serve as hubs for international transactions.

Vietnam and South Korea to deepen ties on industry, investment, technology Vietnam and South Korea are set to deepen and broaden their cooperation, with a focus on three key pillars: industry, investment, and science and technology.
The signing took place on April 24 in Ho Chi Minh City, formalising a joint venture in which Nam Long Group will hold a 51 per cent stake and NNR a 49 per cent stake.

Nam Long ADC partnership with NNR to accelerate affordable housing

The deal lifts over a decade of project-level cooperation between Nam Long Group and NNR to the corporate level, with the Japanese firm set to take an active role in governance, management, and technical operations.

According to Chu Chee Kwang, senior director, JVs Operation, Partnership & Alliance of Nam Long Group, and chairman of Nam Long ADC, the strategic partnership reaffirms the companys commitment to the development of affordable and social housing in Vietnam through the EHome and EHomeS product lines, respectively.

Annual demand for social and affordable housing in Vietnam reaches approximately 100,000 units, yet actual supply remains far short of that figure. According to the Ministry of Construction, only four projects with a combined scale of fewer than 580 units were completed in the first quarter of 2026. Under this partnership roadmap, the company targets delivery of over 22,000 units by 2035, a goal set against that stark market gap, said Kwang.

Chu Chee Kwang, senior director, JVs Operation, Partnership & Alliance of Nam Long Group, and chairman of Nam Long ADC

As a strategic shareholder, NNR will inject unconditional funding into Nam Long ADC, capital the company said will be prioritised for land bank acquisition and development in the near term.

Taro Koyama, CEO of NNR, said the Japanese partner will also transfer advanced construction methods and quality standards to upcoming projects, and will assign a dedicated team of experts to assist with design optimisation, material selection, and quality control.

Nam Long commitment to delivering affordable housing perfectly resonates with NNRs core philosophy of sustainable development and a commitment to improving housing access for first-time buyers and young families. Our transition from project-based cooperation to a corporate-level partnership reflects our deep trust in their proven execution and allows us to contribute more actively to governance and operational excellence, said Koyama.

Taro Koyama, CEO of Nishi-Nippon Railroad

NNR is part of the Nishitetsu Group, one of Japans most enduring multi-sector conglomerates with over 100 years of experience across transportation, logistics, real estate, and hospitality. The group has been active in Vietnam since 2015 and has completed eight housing projects in the country to date, including Mizuki Park and Akari City in Ho Chi Minh City and Waterpoint (Southgate) in Long An province, all developed alongside Nam Long Group.

NNR had previously partnered with Nam Long ADC at the project level on the development of EHome Southgate, the affordable housing site in the Waterpoint initaitive.

Truong Cong Nghia, general director of Nam Long ADC, said it was that shared experience which gave NNR the confidence to seek a strategic alliance to develop the affordable housing product line at scale.

Strategically, the joint venture will prioritise smaller projects of 2-3 hectares and move into tier-two cities and other emerging hubs, given that the remaining land bank for affordable and social housing development in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is limited and faces regulatory hurdles. We will work to keep product pricing at a level of around $800-2,000 per square metre, said Nghia.

As of 2025, Nam Long ADC posted delivery revenue of approximately $20 million across 397 units, while sales bookings for the year reached $34.4 million covering 436 products. Key contributors included An Zen Residences, which drove the bulk of sales activity after opening mid-year and extended Nam Long ADCs presence into the northern market, alongside the completion of final tower handovers and title transfers at EHome Southgate and the rental of the last tower at EHomeS Nam Saigons 242-unit block.

The EHome and EHomeS lines together delivered 1,119 units in 2025, accounting for 56.6 per cent of Nam Long Groups total deliveries of 1,978 units for the year and representing more than a threefold increase from 351 units in 2024. Revenue from the two product lines reached $45.7 million, or 19.2 per cent of the groups total delivery revenue of $238.1 million, underscoring the growing weight of the affordable housing segment within the broader group portfolio.

Nam Long ADC is one of five core business segments of the Nam Long Group ecosystem, playing a pivotal role as Vietnam's first developer of affordable and social housing. To date, Nam Long ADC has handed over more than 10,000 affordable housing units (EHome) and social housing units (EHomeS) to the southern market, including Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh. Of these, more than 8,500 apartments have come from five EHome projects: EHome 1 and EHome 2 in Phuoc Long ward, Ho Chi Minh City; EHome 3 in An Lac ward; EHome 4 in Lai Thieu ward; and EHome Southgate Ben Luc in Tay Ninh.

Now entering a new phase of development with a solid foundation, a clear business model, and a sustainable growth strategy, Nam Long ADC plans to expand into the northern market in 2026, with two focal projects in Haiphong and Halong. For more information, visit www.namlongadc.com
The agreement between Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (Petrovietnam) was exchanged on April 22 during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Vietnam, under the witness of President Lee and General Secretary and President To Lam.

The MoU creates a basis for the entry of South Korean-designed nuclear power plants into Vietnam. The two companies began formal nuclear cooperation in August 2025, when they signed an MoU on workforce development in the nuclear sector during General Secretary To Lams visit to South Korea. The latest agreement expands that cooperation to new-build nuclear projects.

Going forward, KEPCO and Petrovietnam will work together on the nuclear supply chain and project viability analysis for the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant.

Ahead of the South KoreaVietnam Summit on April 22, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Resources JK Kim held an official meeting with Vietnams newly appointed Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung. They discussed cooperation on the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant and agreed to stay closely coordinated on resource security and to build a cooperation framework for supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals.

At a separate roundtable earlier that morning with South Korean nuclear and energy companies operating in Vietnam, companies raised two main issues  improving the institutional framework for liquefied natural gas venture financing and securing rare earth supplies.

Minister Kim asked for Vietnams interest and cooperation in addressing those concerns. He also requested support to allow more South Korean companies to participate in the construction of Vietnams crude oil storage facilities.

The two sides also agreed to hold the 15th South KoreaVietnam Joint Committee on Industry and the ninth Joint Committee on the South KoreaVietnam free trade agreement in Seoul in the first half of 2026.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources will continue to strengthen economic ties with Vietnam, South Koreas third-largest partner in trade and investment and a key manufacturing base for South Korean exports, while supporting business activity in both countries.

Russia to build 2,400 MW nuclear plant in Vietnam under new deal An intergovernmental agreement on cooperation to build the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant in Vietnam has been signed during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Moscow.

Nuclear plans develop as crucial cornerstone Vietnam is accelerating plans to develop nuclear power as a cornerstone of future energy security.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has released its annual report, highlighting not only the positives of the agency, but the missteps as well. Sheriff Darin Balaam says he is proud of the team for what is has achieved but going forward he's focusing on what they can do better in 2026.

Balaam talked about embracing technology to keep his people and the community safer, as well as reducing use of force, and continuing to push for a downward trend in certain areas.

"We had eight homicides last year. One homicide, too many. And so, although our violent crime was down by, 2% or 1%, we want to drive those downs," said Balaam. "We don't want to lose anybody in our community. And so, what we're doing there is looking at where is our violent crime occurring?"

He is working with the office's intelligence and analyst teams to answer those questions and then address them at the root, which is likely something that will require partnerships with the community and other agencies.

"At the end of the day, our number one goal is to serve this community, protect it. And so, we may have some great tools here, but so does Reno, Sparks, NHP," said Balaam. "If we bring them all together, we're serving the same community. And that's what's important is working with individuals."

For a look at the report, follow this link: State of the Sheriff's Office Annual Report.

To hear more from Sheriff Balaam, watch the video above.
Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer? We break down fees, scams, and real earnings for new freelancers so you can start earning money without wasting time.

AceShowbiz - You just finished your first freelance project. You spent hours crafting the perfect proposal, only to discover the client expects you to work for $3 an hour. Or worse, you landed a gig, completed it, and then realized the platform takes a 20% cut of your hard-earned cash. That's the reality of jumping into freelancing blind.

I've been there. When I started freelancing five years ago, I signed up for three different platforms in one weekend, convinced I'd be making thousands by Monday. Instead, I spent weeks bidding on projects that went to people with 500+ reviews, and I got ghosted by two clients who expected a full website redesign for $50. The platforms themselves aren't scams, but knowing which one fits your specific skills and experience level can mean the difference between a side hustle that pays your rent and one that just pays for your coffee addiction.

This article breaks down the four major freelance platformsUpwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHourfrom a beginner's perspective. We're talking real fees, real competition, and real strategies to land your first client without losing your mind. No fluff, no gatekeeping. Just the honest truth so you can pick the right battlefield.

Upwork: The Big Leagues with a Steep Learning Curve

Upwork is the giant of the freelance world, with over 20 million registered freelancers and 5 million clients. It's where you'll find everything from data entry to complex software development. For beginners, it's a mixed bag. The platform's reputation means clients are serious and often have real budgets, but the competition is brutal. You're not just competing against other newbies; you're up against seasoned pros with hundreds of completed jobs and five-star ratings.

The biggest hurdle for new freelancers on Upwork is the "Connects" system. You need Connects to submit proposals, and you start with a limited number each month. Each proposal costs between 2 and 6 Connects, depending on the job. If you're applying to 20 jobs a week, you'll run out fast. You can buy more Connects, but that's a cost you absorb before you've earned a dime. A practical tip: target jobs with fewer than 10 proposals. These are often overlooked by top freelancers, giving you a better shot at being seen.

Another reality check is the fee structure. Upwork takes a 20% cut on your first $500 earned with each client. That stings. If you charge $50 for a logo design, you only see $40. After you cross the $500 threshold with that same client, the fee drops to 10%, and then to 5% after $10,000. This system encourages you to build long-term relationships, but it punishes you for taking small, one-off gigs. My advice? Use Upwork for projects that pay at least $100 minimum, so the 20% fee doesn't feel like a robbery.

How to Actually Land Your First Upwork Gig

Don't just copy and paste a generic proposal. Clients can spot that from a mile away. Instead, read their job description carefully and reference something specific they mentioned. For example, if they say they need a writer for a pet blog, mention your own experience with dogs. Keep your proposal under 200 words, and attach a relevant sample. Also, set your hourly rate between $15 and $25 to start. It's low enough to attract budget-conscious clients but high enough to signal you're not a complete amateur.

Fiverr: The Gig Economy's Fast Food Joint

Fiverr flips the traditional freelance model on its head. Instead of bidding on client projects, you create "gigs" that clients buy directly. Think of it as a digital storefront where you sell your services for a fixed price. For beginners, this is both liberating and terrifying. You have full control over your pricing and deliverables, but you also have to compete in a marketplace where someone will happily design a logo for $5.

The name "Fiverr" comes from the original $5 price point, but that's changed. Today, you can list gigs starting at $5 and going up to thousands. The trap is that many beginners underprice themselves to get their first reviews. I've seen writers offer 1,000-word articles for $5, which is unsustainable and devalues the entire profession. A smarter approach is to offer a "starter" gig at $10 to $15 for something small, like a 300-word blog post, and then upsell through gig extras.

Fiverr's fee is simpler: they take 20% of every sale. So if you sell a gig for $50, you keep $40. The upside is that you don't waste time bidding on jobs that go nowhere. The downside is that you can wait weeks for your first order, especially in oversaturated categories like graphic design or writing. To stand out, optimize your gig title and description with keywords your ideal client would search for. For example, instead of "I will write articles," try "I will write SEO-friendly blog posts for pet businesses."

Building Momentum on Fiverr

Your first few orders are critical. Offer exceptional turnaround time and ask every buyer to leave a review. Even a single five-star review can boost your gig's visibility. Also, consider offering a "gig package" system: a basic, standard, and premium tier. The basic tier should be profitable but minimal, while the premium tier includes extras like revisions or faster delivery. This encourages clients to spend more without you having to negotiate.

Freelancer: The Auction House with a Twist

Freelancer operates like a hybrid of Upwork and Fiverr. You can browse projects and bid on them, or you can enter contests where clients choose the best submission. For beginners, the contest feature is a double-edged sword. It's a chance to showcase your skills without needing a portfolio, but you might do hours of work for free if the client picks someone else. I've seen writers craft entire articles for contests only to lose to a cheaper bid.

The platform's fee structure is similar to Upwork's: 10% or $5, whichever is greater, for fixed-price projects, and 10% for hourly projects. They also have a "free" membership that limits you to 6 bids per month, which forces you to be selective. A practical tip: use the contest feature only for projects where you can repurpose your work. For example, if you design a logo for a contest and don't win, you can use that design in your portfolio. Don't enter contests for custom, non-reusable work like video editing.

Freelancer's user interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming, especially on mobile. Many beginners complain about spammy client messages or "fake" projects designed to collect portfolios. To avoid this, only bid on projects with verified payment methods and a clear budget. If a project description is vague or asks for "unlimited revisions," run the other way. Your time is better spent on platforms with higher-quality clients.

Winning Bids on Freelancer

Since you have limited bids, make each one count. Write a personalized cover letter, attach relevant samples, and offer a specific solution to their problem. For instance, if they need a social media manager, outline a one-month strategy in your bid. This shows you've thought about their business, not just your own paycheck. Also, set your bid slightly below the average for your niche to attract attention, but never below $20 for a project that takes more than an hour.

PeoplePerHour: The UK-Focused Alternative

PeoplePerHour is less known in the US but dominates in the UK and Europe. It works similarly to Fiverr, where you create "Hourlies" (fixed-price gigs) and clients can also post projects for you to bid on. For beginners, the key advantage is lower competition. While Upwork and Fiverr are saturated with millions of freelancers, PeoplePerHour has a smaller, more niche community. This means your gigs are more likely to be seen, especially if you specialize in areas like copywriting, web development, or business consulting.

The fee structure is unique: they take 20% on your first 500 (around $600) earned per client, then it drops to 7.5% for earnings between 500 and 5,000, and 3.5% after that. This is actually more generous than Upwork's long-term fees. However, the platform has a reputation for slow payment processing. You'll need to wait 7 days after a project is marked complete to withdraw funds, which can be frustrating if you need cash quickly. A practical tip: build a buffer by having multiple projects in progress so you're never waiting on a single payment.

Another quirk is the "buyer request" system. Clients post projects, and you send a proposal. But unlike Upwork, you can't see how many other freelancers have applied. This creates a sense of mystery but also means you might be the only applicant. For beginners, this is gold. Focus on projects with clear, detailed briefs and a realistic budget. Avoid any request that says "budget negotiable" without a rangeit's usually a sign the client wants to lowball you.

Optimizing Your PeoplePerHour Profile

Since the platform is smaller, your profile matters more. Use a professional photo, write a bio that highlights your specific skills (e.g., "I help UK startups write website copy that converts visitors into customers"), and list your Hourlies at competitive prices. Start with a 20 Hourly for a small task, then increase as you gain reviews. Also, enable the "mobile-friendly" feature to get notifications faster, since many clients browse on their phones.

Which Platform Should You Choose First?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but here's a framework based on your personality and goals. If you're patient and want to build long-term client relationships, start with Upwork. The 20% fee hurts initially, but the quality of clients is generally higher, and you can eventually negotiate off-platform. If you prefer a "set it and forget it" approach where clients come to you, go with Fiverr. Just be prepared to compete on price and optimize your gigs constantly.

If you're a risk-taker who enjoys contests and has reusable work, try Freelancer. But limit your time there to avoid burnout. If you're based in or targeting the UK market, PeoplePerHour is your best bet. The lower competition and better long-term fees make it a hidden gem for beginners. A practical tip: don't put all your eggs in one basket. Create profiles on two platforms and dedicate two weeks to each. Track which one gives you the most responses, and focus your energy there.

One final piece of advice: never work for free. I know the temptation to take a low-paying gig for exposure or a review, but it rarely pays off. Your time and skills have value, and platforms that encourage race-to-the-bottom pricing are not serving your career. Instead, use these platforms as a launchpad to build a portfolio, then gradually move clients to direct contracts where you keep 100% of the earnings. That's the real goal of freelancingnot just surviving on a platform, but thriving beyond it.
Netflixs live-action Scooby-Doo: Origins begins filming in Atlanta. See the first cast photo of the gangwithout Scoobyand spot the hidden paw print ...

AceShowbiz - Netflix has officially started production on the highly anticipated live-action series Scooby-Doo: Origins, bringing Mystery Incorporated to life in a fresh new way. Filming is underway in Atlanta, Georgia, and to mark the occasion, Netflix released the first official image of the cast in character, offering fans a glimpse at the reboots youthful ensemble  though notably, the beloved Great Dane Scooby-Doo himself is absent from the shot.

The newly revealed image shows the core gang cautiously peering around a large wooden door. From top to bottom, the characters include Fred Jones, played by Maxwell Jenkins (Reacher); Daphne Blake, portrayed by McKenna Grace (Scream 7); Velma Dinkley, taken on by Abby Ryder Fortson (Ant-Man); and Shaggy Rogers, played by Tanner Hagen (The Pitt). While Scooby-Doo himself is missing from the image, a large paw print on the door hints at his presence within the story.

In addition to the main cast, Paul Walter Hauser (The Naked Gun) has joined the project in an undisclosed role. His involvement stokes speculation that he might portray a monster or antagonist in costume, adding a layer of mystery to the reboots narrative.

Scooby-Doo: Origins is set to explore the beginnings of the iconic groups friendship. The storyline centers on old friends Shaggy and Daphne spending their last summer at camp, where they become embroiled in a haunting mystery involving a Great Dane puppy who may have witnessed a supernatural murder. Teaming up with the quirky local Velma and the enigmatic newcomer Fred, the four form the newly minted Mystery Incorporated and set out to unravel the spooky secrets before them.

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Scooby-Doo was originally created in 1969 by writers Ken Ruby and Joe Spears for Hanna-Barbera, following concerns from parents' groups about cartoon violence. The show featured four teenagers and their talking Great Dane traveling in the Mystery Machine van, solving eerie cases that often turned out to be elaborate hoaxes perpetrated by adults in disguise.

The original series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a multitude of spin-offs, adaptations, and feature films over the decades. Unlike the more traditional mystery unmasking of villains seen in the original, some later iterations, such as The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, explored genuine supernatural elements within their stories.

The franchises live-action film debut came in the early 2000s with two theatrical releases: Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed. Directed by Raja Gosnell and written by James Gunn, these films brought the characters to life with a star-studded cast and a comedic tone. Several live-action TV movies followed, but Scooby-Doo: Origins will mark the very first live-action series installment in the Scooby-Doo saga.

The series is being helmed by writers and executive producers Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, known for their work on projects like High Fidelity, Citadel, and Everything Sucks!. Other executive producers include Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman from Berlanti Productions; Andre Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Adrienne Erickson from Midnight Radio; with Toby Haynes (Andor) directing the pilot episode.

As Scooby-Doo: Origins continues production, Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the series. Fans eager for updates should stay tuned, as more details and promotional material are expected to emerge in the coming months.

With its blend of mystery, adventure, and comedy, Scooby-Doo: Origins aims to bring a new generation into the fold while honoring the legacy of the classic animated franchise. This reboot promises to deepen the origins story of Mystery Incorporated, exploring how these four friendsand a Great Dane puppybecame the iconic crime-solving team beloved around the world.
Bethenny Frankel reveals her stage 2 chronic kidney disease diagnosis, urging fans to prioritize health screenings and proactive medical care.

AceShowbiz - Bethenny Frankel has opened up about a recent health diagnosis that surprised her and could impact her life moving forward. The former Real Housewives of New York star revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease.

In a candid video posted on TikTok on January 22, the 55-year-old entrepreneur explained that she is sharing this news not to seek sympathy but to raise awareness and encourage others to be proactive about their health. "I have a medical announcement. Not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful," she said.

Bethenny Frankel explained that her diagnosis was the result of ongoing health monitoring rather than a sudden discovery. She has been diligent about routine health testing, including blood work and bone density scans. However, repeated lab results indicated a decline in kidney function, prompting a referral to a kidney specialist.

Although she initially resisted the specialist visit, admitting, "I didn't want to go ... I didn't feel like going today," she ultimately attended the appointment and received the difficult news. The doctor informed her that she has stage 2 chronic kidney disease, which involves a mild reduction in kidney function.

The cause of the condition remains uncertain, but doctors believe it may be related to an autoimmune issue or linked to a severe allergic reaction she endured years ago. Bethenny herself suggested that the kidney damage could have stemmed from "this traumatic experience I had years ago when I almost died from an allergy attack."

Stage 2 kidney disease often can be managed with close medical supervision, including blood pressure control and lifestyle adjustments. However, Bethenny Frankel revealed that the diagnosis might already be affecting her daily wellbeing. She noted a history of recurring urinary tract infections, although these have decreased somewhat recently.

Treatment advice from her healthcare providers was straightforward but challenging for her to adopt. Despite holding a water bottle in her video, she admitted, "I don't drink a lot of water." When she mentioned that she prefers kombucha, her doctor's response was firm: "Water is your medicine. You have to drink a giant - I think he said 1.5 [gallons] - and you can put your hydration packets in it."

Along with increased hydration, her doctor gave her a list of substances to avoid, including ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, turmeric, and even ice creamthe latter of which she was eating during the video, prompting her to joke, "I remembered after."

This kidney disease diagnosis adds to a series of recent health challenges for Bethenny Frankel. In 2023, she was diagnosed with long COVID and the autoimmune condition known as POTS. She also recently fought a bacterial infection while vacationing in St. Barth's.

Despite the seriousness of the news, Bethenny chose to be transparent with her followers because she believes this condition might be a long-term issue. "Maybe this is something I'll have to deal with forever," she said, emphasizing the importance of regular health screenings.

She urged her fans to be vigilant about their health by getting comprehensive blood tests and following up on any unusual results. "Be thorough," she advised, recommending bloodwork every six months to catch any emerging issues early. "Then do the follow-ups for anything that seems like an outlier. And frankly, get your bloodwork done maybe six months and then six months later, because different stuff could come up and sometimes it's an aberration and sometimes it means something."

In her case, Bethenny Frankel explained that the abnormal lab results formed a consistent pattern that led to her diagnosis. She closed her video with a mix of honesty and humor, admitting she is still trying to fully understand the implications of her condition. "I don't know exactly what it means. Many of you will, which is also why I'm sharing with you," she said, joking about seeking advice from "part-time doctors" on TikTok.

By sharing her story, Bethenny hopes to encourage others not to ignore warning signs and to prioritize their health through regular testing and medical follow-up. Her message is clear: early detection and proactive care are essential, especially when it comes to silent conditions like kidney disease.
Kid Cudi fires back at a troll who called him "washed beyond repair," defending his legacy with a defiant, now-deleted response.

AceShowbiz - Kid Cudi recently responded strongly to a social media troll who declared the rapper washed beyond repair. The exchange unfolded on Thursday, April 23, when an X user posted a disparaging tweet about Kid Cudi and his latest music project.

The trolls message read, I respect how Kid Cudi is now washed beyond repair but still shows up and puts out music. I'll never listen to his latest garbage but I respect it. This comment clearly aimed to undermine Kid Cudis relevance in the music industry while acknowledging his persistence.

Kid Cudi fired back with a pointed, now-deleted response that left no doubt about his confidence. He wrote, Hahaha man F**K U DUDE IM THE ILLEST NI**A!!! NO ONE in this industry can do what I do. Ugly hatin muthaf**kas like u been on my d**k for YEARS and I'm still here! U gotta learn bro, I ain't NEVER give a f**k about what a troll like u has to say. U ni**as ain't stoppin nothing. I'm so wash but u just GOTTA tweet about me. Now, bum a*s, watch me shine... TOUR NEXT WEEK GET TIX!!

Currently, Kid Cudi is preparing for his upcoming The Rebel Ragers Tour, which will kick off on April 28 in Phoenix. The extensive tour will include 33 stops across major cities such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto, promising fans a dynamic live experience.

This tour follows the release of his latest EP, Have U BN 2 Heaven @ Nite?, which dropped last month and showcases Kid Cudis continued creative output despite criticism.

The rappers bold reply to the troll highlights his resilience and determination to keep pushing forward in his career, showing that negative chatter wont slow him down anytime soon.
Black Sabbath wins legal battle for their legendary lost 1969 Earth demos, reclaiming ownership of the early recordings just before Ozzy's passing.

AceShowbiz - The longstanding legal conflict concerning the early demo recordings of Black Sabbath has finally been resolved, resulting in the band members reclaiming ownership of the tracks they recorded in 1969 when they were known as Earth.

In June 2025, just weeks prior to the bands End of the Beginning concert and the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the original manager of the band, Jim Simpson, announced plans to release the Earth demos. These recordings were made by Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward at Zella Studios in Birmingham, England, months before the group changed their name to Black Sabbath.

The release, titled The Legendary Lost 1969 Tapes, was scheduled for July 2025. However, the launch never took place as Sharon Osbourne revealed a legal battle was underway between the band and Simpson regarding the ownership rights to the recordings.

In a July statement, Sharon Osbourne expressed that the band opposed the release, emphasizing that the members had not even heard the demos despite promises from Simpson to provide copies. She warned that Black Sabbath would take legal action in both the UK and the US if the release proceeded without the bands consent.

After months of dispute, Sharon confirmed on The Osbournes podcast that the issue has been settled. The original four members of Black Sabbath have regained control over the Earth recordings, according to reports from Blabbermouth.

This resolution allows the band to safeguard their early work and control how these historic demos are handled moving forward, closing a contentious chapter in the legacy of one of heavy metals most influential groups.
Apex: Charlize Theron battles nature and Taron Egerton in this intense Netflix survival thriller set in the Australian wilderness.

AceShowbiz - Apex is a gripping survival thriller that places Charlize Theron in a brutal fight against nature and a relentless hunter, played by Taron Egerton. Directed by Baltasar Kormakur, this Netflix original delivers an intense, well-crafted story set against the harsh Australian wilderness, combining nail-biting suspense with vivid action sequences.

Charlize Theron is no stranger to physically demanding roles, known for performing her own stunts in films like Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde. In Apex, she embodies Sasha, an extreme adventure enthusiast whose limits are pushed to the edge from the opening scene. The film begins with Sasha climbing the daunting Troll Wall in Norway alongside her partner Tommy, played by Eric Bana. The tension is immediate, as the director and cinematographer Lawrence Sher employ vertigo-inducing drone shots to capture the perilous ascent and the harsh conditions.

The narrative quickly establishes Sashas relentless spirit despite injuries and worsening weather, highlighting the dangerous nature of her pursuits. A tragic accident during their descent sets the stage for the rest of the story, where Sasha seeks solace in the Australian outback. At the fictional Wandarra National Park, she registers with a cautious ranger (Aaron Pederson) who warns her of the dangers lurking in the remote area, foreshadowed by a wall of missing persons posters.

Initial encounters introduce several characters, including the ominous kangaroo hunters Diesel and Ripper, played by Matt Whelan and Rob Carlton, whose unsettling presence adds to the mounting tension. However, it is the seemingly affable local Ben, portrayed by Taron Egerton, who becomes the central figure of menace. Egertons convincing Australian accent and layered performance balance charm with chilling unpredictability, making Ben an unpredictable and terrifying antagonist.

When Sashas gear is stolen, Ben appears helpful, offering her replacements and inviting her to his secluded campsite. This hospitality quickly turns sinister as Ben reveals his true intentions, initiating a deadly game of cat and mouse. The films white-water kayaking sequence, echoing the high-stakes thrills of The River Wild, marks the beginning of Sashas desperate flight. The striking Australian landscapes and dense bushlands serve as a perfect backdrop for the relentless pursuit that follows.

Apex situates itself within a tradition of Australian thrillers that use the countrys wilderness as both a character and a source of danger, reminiscent of films like Wolf Creek and Killing Ground. Director Kormakur expertly utilizes the terrain to create claustrophobic and adrenaline-fueled scenes, with Sasha sprinting through forested areas in a gripping survival chase.

Egertons portrayal of Ben incorporates unsettling humor and sadistic calmness, crafting a villain who is as psychologically complex as he is brutal. As the film progresses, Sasha is captured and held in a gruesome hideout, where the stakes escalate sharply. The film shifts into moments flirting with horror, but it is the shifting power dynamics between hunter and hunted that maintain the films tension.

Charlize Theron delivers a performance that balances vulnerability and resilience. Her character is not an invincible action hero but a woman battered and terrified, making her moments of resistanceparticularly when she uses her rock-climbing skills to escapemore thrilling and believable. These sequences cleverly echo the films prologue, tying the narrative together and reinforcing Sashas resourcefulness under pressure.

The films direction, cinematography, and score by Hogni Egilsson combine to create a charged atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge throughout its tight 95-minute runtime. Kormakurs muscular direction and Shers sweeping camerawork bring the rugged Australian setting to life, enhancing the storys tension and emotional stakes.

Released on Friday, April 24, Apex offers a brutal yet compelling thriller that showcases Charlize Theron in a physically demanding role opposite a chilling performance by Taron Egerton. The supporting cast, including Eric Bana and Aaron Pederson, contributes to the films grounded sense of realism despite its extreme premise.

Written by Jeremy Robbins, Apex stands out as a rare streaming original that feels like a fully realized cinematic experience. Its mix of survival adventure, psychological thriller, and edge-of-your-seat action makes it a noteworthy entry in the genre.

With a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes and rated R, Apex is poised to engage audiences who appreciate high-stakes storytelling rooted in both human endurance and primal fear. The films combination of breathtaking landscapes, intense performances, and a relentless plot ensures it will be a memorable addition to Netflixs catalog this year.
Wendy Osefo and husband Eddie face a legal probe as authorities confirm warrants, seize bank accounts, and uncover a secret Gmail account in an insurance fra...

AceShowbiz - Wendy Osefo and her husband Eddie are currently embroiled in a serious legal investigation after authorities confirmed the validity of multiple search warrants related to allegations of insurance fraud. The couple, known for their appearance on The Real Housewives of Potomac, had their bank accounts seized and a secret Gmail account uncovered as part of the ongoing probe.

Newly obtained court documents from the State's Attorney's Office, reported by The U.S. Sun, reveal that law enforcement conducted an extensive seizure of the couples financial and digital information. This includes access to several Gmail accounts tied to Wendy and Eddie, as well as a third Gmail account not registered under either of their names. The search and seizure warrants were served to Google, allowing prosecutors to retrieve crucial email evidence.

In addition to Google's involvement, warrants were issued to Meta for Wendys Instagram accounts, @thedrwendyshow and @wendyosefo. These accounts became a focal point after she was seen wearing a diamond ring previously reported stolen during the alleged burglary. Further digital warrants targeted Wendys Apple ID, a TextNow phone account, and home security services including Ring Protect and ADT.

Financial records were also collected from Ally Bank, American Express, and Capital One. Moreover, investigators seized purchase records from luxury retailers such as Van Cleef, Louis Vuitton, Saks, and Ascot Diamonds. The breadth of these seizures underscores the comprehensive nature of the investigation into the couples financial dealings.

Wendy and Eddie Osefo were arrested on October 9 and face multiple charges including conspiracy, providing false or misleading information, and insurance fraud. The couple has contested the legitimacy of their arrests, filing motions that claim the arrests were illegal and that the charging documents contained defects. However, prosecutors strongly refuted these claims, emphasizing that any statements made by the defendants were voluntary and that no procedural flaws exist in the charges.

The state also pushed for the couple to be tried together, arguing that neither would be prejudiced by a joint trial, and that combining the charges would be appropriate. This stance suggests that the prosecution views the cases as closely intertwined, likely due to the nature of the alleged conspiracy.

The legal case centers on accusations that Wendy and Eddie staged a burglary at their Maryland residence, a sizable five-bedroom, five-bathroom home valued at roughly $1 million. According to court documents, the couple reported the break-in to police on April 7, 2024, claiming their home was ransacked while they vacationed in Jamaica with their three children.

During the reported incident, the couple alleged that their bedroom and closets were searched, and that numerous designer handbags and jewelry pieces were stolen. Subsequently, they filed insurance claims with three separate companies for the losses. Prosecutors contend that Eddie submitted overlapping claims for some of the same items to two different insurance providers, which raised suspicion.

According to the filings, Eddie Osefo gave recorded statements to two insurers listing stolen items. When questioned about whether any items had been returned, he denied it. He also failed to disclose to Homesite and Jewelers insurance companies that he had filed a claim with Travelers Insurance for the same losses, a critical omission that contributed to the fraud allegations.

The couples claims included $2,500 in structural damage to their home and approximately $450,000 in lost personal property. Homesite denied the claim following Eddies failure to fully disclose his other insurance policies. The documents note that Eddie provided an inventory of the reported stolen possessions, complete with receipts for most items listed.

One specific item drew particular attention: Wendys diamond anniversary band. Though listed among the stolen items, law enforcement discovered that she was still wearing the ring in photos on her Instagram weeks after the burglary was reported. A post from April 27, 2024, that appeared to show the band has since been removed from her profile.

Email evidence also played a key role in the investigation. One message dated April 12, 2024, allegedly shows Eddie emailing Wendy a list of stolen items and asking if they could add additional high-value items such as Chanel shoes to the inventory, aiming to push the total claim value beyond $423,000, which was the policy maximum.

When the couple was taken into custody in October, deputies executed a search and seizure warrant at their home, where they reportedly recovered at least 15 items that had been previously declared stolen. Authorities confirmed during a press conference that Wendys diamond anniversary band was among the recovered pieces.

Aside from the joint charges, Wendy faces an additional count of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer. Both she and Eddie posted $50,000 bail each, allowing them to be released the day following their arrests.

During a recent appearance at BravoCon, Wendy briefly addressed the case before fans, stating, You know, its an unfortunate situation and right now I cant say too much. But I will say when the time is right, I will share my story with everyone. And for now, theyre just allegations. So we will continue to push forward.

The Real Housewives of Potomac continues to air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo, offering viewers a glimpse into the personal and legal challenges faced by one of its stars.
Unseen for years, the banned Leaving Neverland documentary resurfaces. Director Dan Reed fights to expose Michael Jackson abuse claims in a new sequel.

AceShowbiz - Nearly ten years ago, filmmaker Dan Reed began work on what would become the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, a groundbreaking and controversial film that laid bare the sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck. The documentary was both critically acclaimed and deeply divisive, sparking a renewed public examination of the legacy of the pop icon. Throughout his life, Michael Jackson denied the accusations vehemently.

Despite the films impact, the Jackson estate successfully sued HBO to have Leaving Neverland removed from the networks platform. According to the settlement, the documentary cannot be officially streamed or shown anywhere until the rights revert to Dan Reed in 2029.

Undeterred, Reed released a sequel to the documentary on YouTube last year and is currently planning a third installment focused on the impending civil lawsuit filed by Robson and Safechuck against corporate entities associated with Jackson. I want to see their story to its conclusion, Reed told Rolling Stone during an interview from his home in England. This will be the final chapter of my journey with these guys. Im going to make [Leaving Neverland 3] come what may.

While working on his latest documentary, Superbugwhich highlights the urgent need for new antibiotics and is slated to premiere on HBO later this yearReed shared his thoughts on the newly released sanitized biopic about Michael Jackson. Unlike his own work, the biopic makes no mention of any sexual abuse allegations.

Asked about his initial reaction as the movie prepares for a global release, Reed said the film reignited the conflicting narratives surrounding Jackson. My first impression was that it was a strange choice to make such a movie, given the subject matter, he explained. I saw an early leaked script that portrayed Jordan Chandler and his parentsone of Jacksons first accusersas manipulative and exploitative. I found it both laughable and sickening.

Reed criticized the film for attempting to paint Michael Jackson as a victim, which he called a deliberate effort to counteract the stories told by Robson and Safechuck in Leaving Neverland. It seems the inner circle around Jackson wanted to say, No, no, no, this is how it really was, he said.

When asked if he wished the new biopic had addressed the allegations directlyeven if that meant presenting a drastically different version of events from Leaving NeverlandReed expressed disappointment. Its a jukebox movie, which I find boring, he said. It would have been fascinating to see them confront the allegations head-on, despite the risks. But they didnt. They chickened out.

One significant hurdle for the filmmakers was the legal restriction preventing them from depicting Jordan Chandler or using his name, following a 1994 settlement. This limitation made key scenes shot around Chandlers story unusable. Still, Reed noted there were other avenues they could have explored but chose not to.

He described the decision to release a $150 million film with what he calls a preposterous version of Michael Jackson as either incredibly foolish or incredibly brave. They risked intense public humiliation, he said. Part of me hoped they would go there so the debate could happen openly. But they didnt.

Reflecting on the legal battle that led to Leaving Neverlands removal from HBO, Reed said he was not closely involved in the settlement discussions. It was largely handled by HBO and their lawyers, he said. I just knew it was happening, but wasnt privy to details.

When asked if the decision to pull the film was his choice, Reed was clear: No, it wasnt. HBO reached an amicable settlement with the estate. It was painfula real gut punch. But HBO was very brave to finance and back me. They fought hard, but ultimately, the estate prevailed.

Regarding the power wielded by the Jackson estate, Reed observed that it fits the larger narrative highlighted in Leaving Neverland: Power, influence, and aggressive lawyers can suppress almost anything. They suppressed allegations of abuse while Michael was alive, even during his criminal trial. Wade Robsons testimony on Jacksons behalf played a role, but the estates legal resources are formidable. Even Warner Bros., HBOs parent company, couldnt stand up to them.

Looking ahead, Reed confirmed his intention to make Leaving Neverland available again in North America once the rights revert in 2029. Theres no issue with the films integrity or truthfulness, he stressed. This is simply a contractual dispute between HBO and a third party from long ago.

For Reed, the documentary remains a timeless exploration of how trusted adults can groom and exploit children, causing lasting harm. The fact that it was Michael Jackson gave it widespread attention, but thats what the film is really about, he said.

Regarding the release of Leaving Neverland 2 on YouTube, Reed admitted it was unsatisfying. He explained, I was naive to think YouTube would be a good platform for this kind of work, which often deals with conflict and sensitive subjects like child sexual abuse. YouTubes algorithms and the backlash from Jackson fans made it difficult.

The directors experience with online backlash and the challenges of distributing such controversial material highlight the ongoing cultural battle over Michael Jacksons legacy. While the new biopic chooses to avoid the allegations entirely, Leaving Neverland and its sequels continue to confront them head-on, promising to keep the conversation alive for years to come.
Netflix's Stranger Things: Tales From '85 animated spinoff launches April 23, bridging seasons 2-3 with original kids and a new character facing a fresh Upsi...

AceShowbiz - Netflix launched a new Stranger Things spinoff series titled Stranger Things: Tales From '85 on April 23, following the original shows finale release on New Years Eve. This animated installment takes place between seasons 2 and 3 of the main series and features the original group of kids alongside a new character named Nikki. While the series operates as a standalone story, it remains closely tied to the overall Stranger Things narrative.

In Tales From '85, the kids confront a fresh supernatural threat, likely from the Upside Down but different from the Mind Flayer. This new menace creates a separate storyline, yet the shows focus on the original characters links it inextricably to the main series  including the emotionally charged and divisive conclusion to Elevens journey.

The finale of Stranger Things generated intense debate among fans. While some viewers appreciated the ending and the resolution of each characters arc, many others responded with significant backlash. The controversy even led to the "Conformity Gate" conspiracy theory, where fans speculated that the official finale was a ruse and that a secret, better ending was forthcoming. This theory was ultimately disproven but illustrates just how polarizing the finale was.

Several factors fueled this negative reception, such as the treatment of the popular "Byler" relationship (between Will Byers and Mike Wheeler) and the absence of iconic Demogorgons in the final battle. However, one of the most prominent sources of fan dissatisfaction was the ambiguous and somber conclusion to Elevens story. The ending suggested two bleak possibilities: Eleven either died when the Upside Down was destroyed or survived but remained permanently separated from her friends and family. Both outcomes struck many as deeply depressing.

The controversy intensified when the Duffer Brothers revealed that Elevens fate symbolized the end of the kids childhood, a metaphor that many fans felt dehumanized Eleven. This was especially contentious since Elevens character had endured a lifetime of dehumanization and exploitation. The backlash grew stronger when it became public knowledge, through the docuseries One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, that Millie Bobby Brown filmed her final scenes in isolation, unlike the rest of the cast who celebrated the finale together on set.

For those already unsettled by Elevens conclusion, Tales From '85 only deepens the pain. Watching Eleven interact with the group is difficult, knowing her fate looms as either death or permanent separation. Moreover, the spinoff highlights Elevens efforts to assert her independence more explicitly than seen in the original series. She challenges Mikes attempts to make decisions for her and strives to define herself on her own terms.

While this portrayal of Elevens growing autonomy is a positive development, it also exposes frustrations. Chiefly, this character growth was largely absent from the primary series, where Elevens individual agency remained limited. Max encourages Eleven to find her own identity, but the main show rarely allowed her to fully assert it. More troubling is that despite these attempts at independence in Tales From '85, Elevens ultimate choice still leads to a tragic or isolating outcome. Additionally, the finale continues to emphasize her connection to Mike over her personal identity.

This situation raises critical questions about whether the controversial ending of Stranger Things has undermined the franchises potential for spinoffs. The emotional weight and divisiveness of Elevens story arc make it difficult for audiences to engage with new installments, particularly those featuring Eleven herself. Discussions online reveal that many fans struggle to revisit the original series because they are unhappy or hurt by the ending, which could impact the longevity and success of future projects in this universe.

Ultimately, the backlash to Elevens conclusion and the reaction to Tales From '85 suggest that the finale may have unintentionally limited the franchises expansion. The painful resolution of key characters, especially Eleven, complicates the audiences ability to embrace new stories set in the Stranger Things world.

What are your thoughts on the impact of Stranger Things finale and its spinoffs? Join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum to share your perspective.
Liam Paynes girlfriend Kate Cassidy is ready to date again, 18 months after his death.

Liam Payne's girlfriend ready to find love again

Influencer Kate, 27, was left devastated when former One Direction star Liam, 31, died in October 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

But now Kate  who had been in a relationship with Liam for two years before his death  has revealed that she is ready to find love again and thinks Liam would approve.

She shared in an Instagram video: I am ready to start dating again.

It has been a year and a half since Liam passed away. I think that love after loss is a big chapter within your grief journey and I don't know how that is going to feel.

But I do know that I loved being in love. I want to have kids one day, I want to have a family and I know Liam would want that for me and if the roles were reversed I would want him to be happy and fall in love again.

I will always love Liam and that will never change no matter who I meet and who comes into my life.

'I am going to think about Liam on my wedding day, I am going to think about him everyday for the rest of my life and that goes without saying.

Kate previously insisted that any future love will need to make room for Liam in their life and said she will love him forever.

She shared on TikTok: I want to make something clear. Whoever I end up with in my future will have to accept the fact I will always love Liam.

I will always talk about Liam I will always laugh about Liam, I will always cry about Liam.

Let me tell you something, Liam Payne was my boyfriend. He wasnt just this famous figure to me.

It hurts so bad because I am just [slammed] all the time for speaking about my boyfriend that passed away, the person that I loved and still do love. I would never settle for anyone in this lifetime who did not feel comfortable enough with me speaking about Liam.

Liam was a very big part of my life. He was my best friend, somebody I really thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with and, obviously, I know one day I'm going to have to move on. I want to get married one day. I want to have kids.

When a person dies, they die twice, once when they actually die and the second time when you stop speaking about them. I'm not going to have Liam die twice on me. I will love him forever.
Lisa Kudrow reveals she finally understood Friends' greatness after Matthew Perry's death, gaining new appreciation for the show and her co-stars' talent.

AceShowbiz - Lisa Kudrow, who famously portrayed Phoebe Buffay on the hit sitcom Friends, revealed that she only truly understood the show's impact after the tragic death of her co-star Matthew Perry in 2023. The actress expressed how revisiting the series brought a new appreciation for its success and the remarkable talent of her colleagues.

Lisa, 62, explained that during the shows original run and in the years following its conclusion nearly a decade ago, she often focused on her own perceived flaws and what she thought she could have done better in her performance. However, after [strong]Matthew Perrys[/strong] passing, she watched the series again and saw the show through a different lens. She said, "Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better. But for the first time, I truly appreciated just how great it was."

She praised her fellow cast members, highlighting Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox as "amazing," along with David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc for the laughs they delivered. But it was [strong]Matthew Perry[/strong], she said, who stood out as exceptional, describing him as "beyond us all." This reflection came amidst the ongoing fallout from Perrys death, which occurred at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, in October 2023.

The loss of [strong]Matthew Perry[/strong] has deeply affected [strong]Lisa Kudrow[/strong], who became close friends with him during their decade-long work together on Friends from 1994 to 2004. In an interview with The Times, she called Perry "a genius" and spoke candidly about his struggles with addiction, which she only fully understood after reading his memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Terrible Big Thing, for which she wrote the foreword.

The memoir revealed how deeply [strong]Matthew Perry[/strong] battled with alcohol, opioids, cocaine, and ketamine, issues that predated his fame but worsened over time. This knowledge made rewatching the show painful for [strong]Lisa Kudrow[/strong], as she reconciled the joyous sitcom with the harsh realities of Perrys life off-screen.

Despite the sadness, she acknowledged the lasting legacy of Friends, stating, "Because there was a genius at work. And whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again." She also reflected on the unique chemistry and brilliance that the cast and crew brought to the series, which remains beloved by millions worldwide.

The emotional impact of Perrys death has been compounded by legal developments involving Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles woman sentenced to 15 years in prison earlier this month for supplying the ketamine that contributed to Perrys fatal overdose. Sangha, known in court as the "Ketamine Queen," was part of a larger investigation that uncovered a drug-selling operation at her residence, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax.

Sangha was the fifth defendant to plead guilty in connection with the case, which also involved doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, Perrys assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and acquaintance Erik Fleming. Prosecutors described the scene at Sanghas home during a March 19, 2024 raid as a "drug-selling emporium."

Following the sentencing, Perrys stepmother, Debbie Perry, urged the court to impose the harshest possible penalty on Sangha, emphasizing the need to protect other families from similar tragedies. She said, "Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won't be able to hurt other families like ours."

Through this difficult period, [strong]Lisa Kudrow[/strong] has found a renewed respect for the impact of Friends and the extraordinary talent of her late co-star, whose legacy continues to resonate with fans and colleagues alike. Her reflections underscore the bittersweet nature of remembering a beloved show while mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars.
Pixar confirms a new Finding Nemo short film with Ellen DeGeneres returning as Dory, over a decade after the sequel's blockbuster success.

AceShowbiz - Pixar has officially confirmed the production of a new Finding Nemo short film, marking a fresh addition to the beloved franchise more than a decade after the $1 billion success of its sequel. The upcoming project will see Ellen DeGeneres return to voice the iconic character Dory, the forgetful regal blue tang who captured hearts alongside clownfish Marlin in the original film.

The original Finding Nemo, directed by Andrew Stanton and released in 2003, follows Marlin, voiced by Albert Brooks, as he embarks on a perilous journey across the ocean to rescue his son Nemo after he is captured by divers near the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, Marlin is joined by Dory, whose memory loss challenges their adventure but also brings humor and heart to their quest. Together, they face various oceanic threats, including sharks and jellyfish, while Nemo attempts to escape captivity in a dentists fish tank in Sydney.

Despite the excitement, details about the plot of this new Finding Nemo short remain tightly under wraps. No additional cast members or creative team members have been announced at the time of this report, and the project itself has not yet been given an official title. Nevertheless, production is confirmed to be underway, fueling anticipation among fans of the franchise.

The Finding Nemo franchise has been a major success for Pixar and Disney. The original film earned approximately $941 million worldwide and secured the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Ellen DeGeneress portrayal of Dory became a standout performance, leading to the 2016 sequel Finding Dory, which also reunited director Andrew Stanton. That follow-up film surpassed expectations by grossing over $1 billion globally, ranking it among the highest-grossing animated movies of its era.

Beyond the two feature films, DeGeneres has continued to bring Dorys character to life in various other media, including Disney theme park attractions such as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland, as well as multiple short films. Pixar has a long-standing tradition of releasing original shorts alongside their feature films, a practice that began in 1998 with A Bugs Life. More recently, many Pixar shorts debut on the Disney+ streaming platform, suggesting that the forthcoming Finding Nemo project will likely premiere there as well, since there has been no indication of another full-length movie in the franchise.

As of now, Pixar has not officially confirmed a third full-length Finding Nemo movie. However, comments from director Andrew Stanton and industry speculation leave the door open for future installments. Stanton has expressed willingness to work on additional projects within the franchise but has also hinted that he might pass the creative torch to new filmmakers. Fans will have to wait for further announcements to learn more about the direction of the series.

Currently, there is no official release date for this untitled Finding Nemo short film. Meanwhile, all existing films in the franchise, including the original Finding Nemo and its sequel Finding Dory, are available to stream on Disney+, making it easy for audiences to revisit Marlin, Nemo, Dory, and their underwater adventures.

The Finding Nemo franchise remains a significant part of Pixars legacy, celebrated for its emotional storytelling, vibrant animation, and memorable characters. The new short film will add to this rich universe, continuing to explore the lives and journeys of the beloved characters that have enchanted audiences worldwide for nearly two decades.
Stuart Campbell on revisiting his intense role in HBO's raw new series Half Man, a gripping exploration of male rage and repression over three decades.

AceShowbiz - Stuart Campbell is eager to revisit his groundbreaking role in the intense new HBO series Half Man, which is set to premiere its episodes weekly starting Thursday. The show, created by Richard Gadd, is a raw and gripping exploration of male rage and repression, chronicling a complex relationship between two men over three decades.

The series has already drawn critical attention for its unflinching portrayal of dark emotions, with some reviewers calling it "the most twisted show you'll watch this year." In Half Man, Campbell embodies the younger version of Ruben, the core figure of the story, who represents a storm of conflicting feelings and violence.

Despite the characters heavy and brutal nature, Campbell expresses gratitude and a strong desire to relive the entire experience. "There's so easily another world where somebody else gets to play this part and gets to do it justice and be amazing in it," he says. "So I'm just really grateful that it got to be me."

Richard Gadd, who stars as the older Ruben and also serves as the shows creator, describes Half Man as a deep investigation into toxic masculinity. From the outset, Gadd had Campbell in mind for the younger Ruben, despite Campbells initial interest in auditioning for the gentler character Niall, portrayed by fellow Scot Mitchell Robertson and later by Jamie Bell in the older role.

Ruben is a character of stark contrast: tall, imposing, volatile, and capable of disturbing acts of violence that the series does not shy away from depicting. Campbell shares insight into accessing the intense anger Ruben embodies. "Everyone has an essential pain," he explains. "My first job was when I was 13. I've been exploring these conflicts since quite a young age - although I've usually been the victim rather than the perpetrator of the violence - so it did feel like different emotions to tap into. But that's the challenge and that's the reward."

In a candid conversation, Campbell delves into the making of the BBC and HBO collaboration, discussing the creative process behind Half Man and his close working relationship with Gadd and Robertson. He highlights the importance of chemistry between the two leads, saying the bond behind the scenes was crucial to capturing the authentic energy on screen.

Campbell recounts his audition journey, revealing that he initially pursued the role of Niall due to a sense of personal insecurity about tackling a character as intense as Ruben. However, the casting team encouraged him to try out for Ruben instead. After an initial callback and a period of waiting, Campbell received the call to join the cast in late 2024, with filming beginning in 2025.

The actor admits that stepping into the role of Ruben was both a risk and a reward. He prepared physically and mentally, even making changes to his appearance to better embody the character. "My instinct from the first reading was that I needed to be bigger and my body had to take up the space in the room," he says. "Just even reading the couple of scenes that we had for the auditions, I was like, 'He needs to fill up the space. I need to fill out the clothes.' "

Campbell also valued the creative freedom given by Gadd, who was actively involved throughout rehearsals and filming but encouraged spontaneity and honesty in the performances. This collaborative environment allowed Campbell to blend his own instincts with Gadds vision, creating a nuanced portrayal of Rubens contradictions.

One of the show's defining features is the dynamic between Ruben and Niall. Campbell describes the off-screen friendship that developed between himself and Robertson, which translated into the compelling on-screen relationship. "We instantly clicked during the readings through shared interests, shared hobbies," he notes. "Every scene feels like a short film or a short movie, so we had each other at all costs."

He also emphasizes the importance of mutual support on set. "If I'm off camera, I do everything I can to make sure that I give him everything he needs for his short, you know? Just having each other's back, we naturally build up a relationship. And now he is one of my closest friends."

When asked to sum up Half Man and his character, Campbell describes the show as multifaceted and complex. Ruben himself is a "walking, talking contradiction and juxtaposition," embodying the tensions and conflicts at the heart of the narrative. This complexity makes the role both challenging and rewarding for Campbell, who looks forward to audiences experiencing the shows raw emotional depth.
The Lanterns trailer has vanished from DC and HBO channels. Find out why only James Gunns tweet remains and what the new posters reveal.

AceShowbiz - Lanterns, the highly anticipated series inspired by Green Lantern, is currently stirring up conversations for reasons beyond its story. Although the first trailer for Lanterns had been released earlier this year, it has mysteriously disappeared from nearly all official DC and HBO outlets just recently.

Fans searching for the Lanterns trailer on the official channels of DC Studios or HBO Max will find nothing, as the video was removed from all these accounts yesterday. The motive behind this removal remains unclear. However, the timing coincides with the release of official posters and motion graphics for the series, which have sparked new discussions amongst fans and critics alike.

The only official source where the trailer still exists is on James Gunns Twitter account, where he originally shared the teaser back in March. In his tweet, he stated, "You manifested it early. The official #Lanterns teaser is here. Coming this August." This tweet remains the sole official home for the first glimpse of the series.

The new poster for Lanterns prominently features the Power Rings updated design, with the two main characters shown in shadow beneath it. But it is the tagline on the poster, "only one can wear the ring," that has really captured attention and caused fans to rethink the story teased in the trailer.

Initially, the trailer appeared to focus on Hal Jordan mentoring John Stewart to become a full-time Green Lantern. Although some tension between the characters was evident, it seemed related to their differing personalities and training challenges.

However, the tagline "only one can wear the ring" suggests a different dynamic. It implies that John Stewart might already be prepared to take on the role, but Hal Jordan is reluctant to relinquish the Power Ring. If only one ring is in play, the conflicts shown in the trailer could represent a deeper rivalry or struggle between the two characters over who deserves to wield the ring.

As for the sudden disappearance of the trailers, no official explanation has been provided. Fans can only speculate that this might be a strategic move to clear the way for a new trailer release in the near future. For now, viewers will have to wait patiently for further updates.

Lanterns is slated to premiere on HBO Max in August 2026, promising to add a fresh chapter to the Green Lantern mythology within the DC universe.

What are your thoughts on the trailers removal and the new posters tagline? Feel free to share your opinions and join the ongoing conversation in the ComicBook Forum.

Stay tuned for more updates on Lanterns and other DC Studios projects, including the recently announced Clayface series.
Alien: Earth gets a promising season 3 update as season 2 production nears. Timothy Olyphant stars in FXs hit sci-fi horror with 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

AceShowbiz - Alien: Earth has received an encouraging update regarding its potential third season as production for season 2 is set to begin soon. Known primarily for his role in FXs Justified, Timothy Olyphant stars in this sci-fi horror series created by Noah Hawley. The show expands on the iconic franchise originally developed by Ridley Scott over 45 years ago, bringing the terrifying Xenomorph menace to Earth for the first time in a television format.

The first season of Alien: Earth premiered with a remarkable 9.2 million viewers worldwide across FX, Hulu, and Disney+ within just the initial six days. This strong debut made it a significant success for FX, both critically and in audience numbers. The series currently holds a 94% rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its positive reception. Unlike previous Alien stories set in outer space or distant planets, this show focuses on a group of soldiers trying to defend Earth after a mysterious vessel crashes.

The cast includes Timothy Olyphant alongside Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, and Adarsh Gourav, among others, who contribute to the intense and suspenseful storyline. The second season is slated to start filming next month, with anticipation high for its release, though no official premiere date has been announced yet.

Speaking to Deadline, creator and showrunner Noah Hawley revealed that he envisions continuing the series well beyond season 2, depending on audience engagement and production feasibility. He shared, "It's my hope - I have a place that I'm going, but I don't know how long it will take me to get there. Assuming that the price of execution and the audience stays commensurate, we could go for as long as we want. If we nurture them, these franchises can give back for a very long time."

Despite the glowing critical reviews, the audience response has been more mixed, with the Popcornmeter audience score at 65%. The Alien brand likely drew viewers in for the first season, but maintaining interest will depend heavily on the quality and development of the story in season 2. This upcoming season will be a crucial test to see if the show can sustain and grow its fanbase.

FX has not officially renewed Alien: Earth for season 3 yet. However, Hawleys strong and ongoing relationship with FXas the creator of both Legion and Fargosuggests good prospects for the series. Legion ran for three seasons on FX, and Fargo returned for its fifth season in 2023. Hawley has also confirmed plans to create Fargo season 6 and a Far Cry TV adaptation, indicating a continuing collaboration with the network.

With season 2 production imminent and Hawleys vision for multiple future seasons, it is likely that Alien: Earth could become a long-standing part of FXs lineup. The storys Earth-bound setting and fresh take on the franchise position it uniquely within the sci-fi horror genre, promising further expansion of the Alien universe on television.

While no official release date has been announced for season 2, it is expected to premiere sometime in 2027. Fans of the series can anticipate new episodes that will further explore the battle between humans and the deadly Xenomorph creatures invading our planet. Hawleys comments make it clear that the story wont conclude in the next season, leaving room for many more chapters ahead.

As the show moves into its next phase, the industry and viewers alike will be watching closely to see if Alien: Earth can maintain its critical acclaim and audience interest. The combination of a talented cast led by Timothy Olyphant, an established franchise, and Hawleys creative vision sets a promising stage for the series future.

In summary, Alien: Earth is poised to continue evolving with season 2 production starting soon and hopeful plans for season 3 and beyond. The shows success will ultimately depend on how well it retains its audience while delivering high-quality storytelling within the beloved Alien universe.
The Boys vs. Invincible: Prime Videos superhero rivalry heats up as both series dominate in 2026.

AceShowbiz - Fans of superhero television are currently treated to a thrilling rivalry on Prime Video, where two of the platforms most popular series are competing for dominance. While The Boys continues to captivate audiences with its fifth season, a dark and satirical take on celebrity obsession and superhero culture, it faces unprecedented competition from the animated sensation Invincible, which has surged to the forefront of the streamers rankings in 2026.

Now four episodes into its fifth season, The Boys has managed to rebound from a somewhat divisive fourth season, securing strong critical acclaim this year. The series ability to maintain momentum and keep audiences engaged is evident, with its season finale set for May 20, 2026. Critics such as Nate Richard of Collider have described the ongoing season as one of the shows best, underlining its continued impact on Prime Videos catalog.

Yet, despite The Boys commanding attention, it is not the only superhero series to command Prime Videos spotlight. The animated series Invincible, now in its fourth season, has delivered a powerful conclusion with the recent finale entitled Dont Leave Me Hanging Here, which premiered on April 22, 2026. The episode, crafted by writer Simon Racioppa and director Ian Abando, has been met with widespread praise, notably for its change of pace and emotional depth. Nate Richard applauded this final installment, calling it the best chapter of the series to date, even if it was less explosive than previous episodes.

Based on Robert Kirkmans acclaimed comic book, Invincible chronicles the journey of Mark Grayson, voiced by Steven Yeun, whose story has gripped viewers continuously for four years. The shows blend of mature storytelling and vibrant animation has earned it a unique place in the crowded superhero genre, and its popularity is reflected in its current standings.

At the time of writing, Invincible ranks as the second most-watched show globally on Prime Video, trailing just behind the platforms top performer. It has achieved remarkable success across multiple international markets, including second-place positions in Argentina, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Most notably, in the United States, Invincible has surged past The Boys to claim the number one spot domestically, signaling a significant shift in viewer preferences within the superhero category on the platform.

This crossover in popularity between two of Prime Videos flagship superhero series highlights the diverse tastes of the audience and the strength of original content on the service. While The Boys offers a gritty, live-action critique of fame and power, Invincible uses the animated medium to explore complex themes and character development, appealing strongly to fans of both genres.

As The Boys heads toward its season five finale, it remains a critical and commercial success, setting a high bar for superhero storytelling on streaming services. However, Invincibles ascendancy demonstrates that animated series can compete head-to-head with live-action productions in terms of viewership and critical acclaim. This dynamic competition enriches the Prime Video catalog and offers viewers a variety of approaches to superhero narratives.

Prime Videos investment in both series reflects a broader trend within the streaming industry, where superhero content continues to be a major draw for subscribers worldwide. The contrasting styles of The Boys and Invincible provide different but equally compelling experiences, ensuring that fans of the genre have multiple high-quality options to enjoy.

With The Boys season five finale airing on May 20, 2026, and Invincible having recently completed its fourth season, Prime Videos superhero slate remains robust and competitive. The success of Invincible in overtaking The Boys domestically is a testament to the show's compelling storytelling and broad appeal.

As both series continue to evolve, viewers can expect that the battle for the top spot on Prime Video will remain fierce. For fans and critics alike, this competition has resulted in an elevated standard for superhero television, with each series pushing the boundaries of the genre in unique and exciting ways.

Overall, the current landscape of superhero shows on streaming platforms is witnessing an exciting era, with Invincible establishing itself as a near-perfect sci-fi epic that is officially beating The Boys at its own game, at least in terms of viewership and critical praise in the United States in 2026.
Young Miko wows at 2026 Billboard Latin Women in Music with a sizzling "BIAF <3" performance and takes home the Unstoppable award.

AceShowbiz - Young Miko made a remarkable impression at the 2026 Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony held on April 23, 2026, at the Telemundo Center in Miami, Florida. The event, broadcast live by Telemundo, showcased some of the most influential female artists in Latin music, with Young Miko delivering a memorable performance of her latest single, "BIAF <3," which stands for "Baby I'm a Freak."

The performance featured a relaxed urban vibe, complemented by a small group of dancers that emphasized the songs catchy rhythm and Young Mikos unique style. Her presence on stage reflected the energy and authenticity that have made her a rising force in Puerto Rican urban music.

Shortly after her performance, Young Miko was honored with the coveted Unstoppable award. The accolade was presented by fellow Puerto Rican artist and her first collaborator, Villano Antillano, who introduced her warmly as her "little sister." Villano Antillano praised Young Miko for her daring approach to music, stating that she "decided to break the rules" and emphasizing that her success is a result of vision and hard work rather than luck or asking for permission.

Accepting the award, Young Miko spoke with her characteristic calmness and gratitude. She expressed how honored she felt to be among so many powerful women whom she admires deeply. Reflecting on the meaning of being unstoppable, she said, "I don't think of someone who never gets tired or stops. Rather, it's someone with such a strong desire to create and be honest that stopping is not an option."

She acknowledged the inevitable doubts and moments of questioning that come with the creative journey but emphasized that these are part of the process. "Creating is existing, existing is creating," she stated, dedicating the award to those who supported her even when she doubted herself. She hoped her recognition would inspire others to believe that anything is possible, declaring, "From Puerto Rico to the world!"

Since her debut in 2021 with the breakout hit "105 Freestyle," Young Miko has established herself as a powerful and resilient artist. Known for her clever rap verses combined with a soft and sweet vocal delivery, she has confidently entered a genre historically dominated by men. Her lyrics often explore themes related to her queer identity, making her a distinctive voice within urban music.

Born Maria Victoria Ramirez de Arellano Cardona, Young Miko has collaborated with prominent artists such as Bad Bunny, Arcangel, Feid, Bizarrap, and Karol G. Her commercial success is evident in her chart performance, with seven entries on the Billboard Global 200, four on Hot Latin Songs, three on Latin Airplay, and two on Top Latin Albums. Notably, she made her first entry on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 in 2023 with "Classy 101," a collaboration with Feid.

The 2026 Latin Women in Music event, hosted by Chiquis, also honored other influential female artists. Rosalia was named Woman of the Year, while Gloria Trevi received recognition for her Musical Legacy. Ivy Queen was celebrated as a Pioneer, Julieta Venegas for Artistic Excellence, and Joy as an Agent of Change. Lola Indigo was acknowledged for Artistic Evolution.

This annual celebration continues to highlight the achievements and contributions of women shaping Latin music, with Young Miko standing out as one of the most unstoppable new talents driving the genre forward.
Christopher Meloni reunites with Mariska Hargitay after 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' cancellation, sharing casual dinner photos with a surprise Rachel McAd...

AceShowbiz - Christopher Meloni recently found a silver lining after the cancellation of Law & Order: Organized Crime by reconnecting with longtime colleague Mariska Hargitay. The pair, known for their roles on the Law & Order franchise, shared a warm reunion captured in photos Meloni posted on Instagram.

The actor, famous for portraying Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for 12 seasons and later reprising the role on Organized Crime for five seasons, posted images from a casual dinner gathering. The photos show the former co-stars smiling together, with an unexpected appearance by Rachel McAdams adding to the friendly atmosphere.

Meloni captioned the images with a lighthearted note, saying, "What one does on a random Thursday when still in LA and freshly unemployed. Dinner hang with pals." His post came shortly after Peacock announced the end of Organized Crime following its five-season run.

Last week, Meloni shared an emotional message on Instagram reflecting on the show's cancellation. He expressed gratitude to the fans who supported both the character of Elliot Stabler and his career over nearly 17 years. He described his time playing Stabler as a "good ride," thanking viewers for their loyalty and the opportunities the role provided.

Christopher Meloni first brought the character of Stabler to life when Law & Order: SVU premiered in 1999. After leaving the series, he returned to the franchise with the spinoff Organized Crime in 2021. The show aired on NBC for four seasons before its final season moved to Peacock.

While Organized Crime was canceled, the original Law & Order: SVU was renewed for a 28th season on NBC. Both series remain available for streaming on Peacock, ensuring fans can continue to watch the franchises enduring stories.
Young Sherlock debuts on Prime Video with a 100% RT score, following a young Holmes framed for murder with Moriarty as his unlikely ally.

AceShowbiz - Young Sherlock is making a strong debut on Prime Video as the new prequel series explores the early life of Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. The show follows a young and unrefined Sherlock who finds himself falsely accused of a murder at Oxford University. With the unexpected help of his classmate, James Moriarty, played by Donal Finn, the pair uncover a larger conspiracy while trying to prove Sherlocks innocence.

Prior to its official premiere, Young Sherlock has already secured a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven critical reviews. Although the number of reviews is still limited, suggesting the score may adjust as more feedback arrives, this initial reception positions the series as one of the most successful adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes character in recent memory.

Critics widely agree that this iteration offers a refreshing and entertaining interpretation of Arthur Conan Doyles famous detective. The series draws inspiration not directly from Doyles original novels but from Andrew Lanes Young Sherlock Holmes book series, allowing it to introduce new elements while maintaining respect for the classic source material.

Compared to previous Sherlock Holmes adaptations, Young Sherlock currently boasts one of the highest critical ratings. It surpasses the acclaimed BBC Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which holds an overall 78% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. When examining individual seasons, the Prime Video show outshines the first three seasons of the BBC series, which scored 93%, 94%, and 91%, respectively. It also fares better than the recent adaptation Sherlock & Daughter (2025-present), starring David Thewlis, which has a 77% critics score.

The perfect score of 100% also places Young Sherlock on par with the Japanese drama Miss Sherlock, which premiered in 2018 and shares the same flawless critical reception. Other adaptations, such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, do not have an official Rotten Tomatoes score to compare against.

In ScreenRants review, critic Ben Gibbons praised the series as "a masterpiece that captures the magic of Arthur Conan Doyle's original series and gives it new life." He highlighted how the show explores Sherlocks mind and origins in depth, unlocking the full potential of the iconic detective character. The dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty is particularly notable, as the series portrays them initially as friends, setting the foundation for their legendary rivalry.

The review further commends the series for balancing fidelity to the original source with bold new storytelling choices, earning it a near-perfect 9 out of 10 stars rating. This blend of respect and innovation makes Young Sherlock a worthy addition to the Holmes canon.

The success of Young Sherlock marks a significant milestone for filmmaker Guy Ritchie, who serves as executive producer and directed several episodes of the series. Ritchie, known for directing two Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, returns to the franchise after nearly 15 years. His last Holmes film, A Game of Shadows (2011), sparked ongoing talks about a third movie, but no major developments have occurred since.

During his time away from the Sherlock franchise, Ritchie directed other projects, including Disneys live-action Aladdin and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which also featured Hero Fiennes Tiffin. With Young Sherlock, Ritchies involvement has resulted in his highest-rated Sherlock-related project to date, surpassing the Rotten Tomatoes critics scores of 70% and 60% for his 2009 and 2011 Sherlock Holmes films, respectively.

It is important to note that Young Sherlock is not connected to Ritchies previous movies, and the only Sherlock Holmes movie to hold a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes remains the 1945 film The Woman in Green starring Basil Rathbone.

As the newest addition to the Sherlock Holmes adaptations, Young Sherlock is expected to be a significant part of the evolving franchise landscape. Other recent Sherlock-inspired projects include Netflixs upcoming third Enola Holmes movie, featuring Millie Bobby Brown, scheduled for release later this year. Additionally, Sherlock & Daughter has secured a season two renewal, though no release date has been announced.

Ultimately, the audiences response will determine whether Young Sherlock can stand alongside the beloved versions by Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr. Early critical acclaim and potential strong streaming viewership suggest a promising future for the show.

Besides Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Donal Finn, the cast includes Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Colin Firth, and Max Irons. The showrunner overseeing the series is Matthew Parkhill.
Paradise Season 2, Episode 4 delivers a devastating blow as Annies pregnancy takes a fatal turn. Spoilers inside.

AceShowbiz - Warning: This article contains spoilers for Paradise Season 2, Episode 4, titled "A Holy Charge."

In the gripping post-apocalyptic drama Paradise, the characters face harrowing challenges, none more tragic than the death of Annie, played by Shailene Woodley. Introduced as a bright but vulnerable medical student, Annie's journey is marked by both hope and tragedy. The series explores her relationship with Xavier, portrayed by Sterling K. Brown, as they navigate a devastated world together.

In the fourth episode of the second season, Annie and Xavier set out for Atlanta in search of Xaviers wife, Teri. Their ultimate plan involves traveling to Colorado to reach a secure underground bunker. However, complications arise when Annies medical knowledge reveals troubling signs regarding her pregnancy. Daily recordings show high blood pressure, indicating she is suffering from preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that threatens her life and that of her unborn child. Annie ultimately dies from the condition.

This development adds layers of emotional depth to the storyline, as the characters grapple with the reality of survival in a shattered world while facing personal loss and uncertainty. The cast has expressed that the portrayal of Annies struggle was both really full and really sad.

The combination of Shailene Woodleys compelling performance and the intense writing by creator Dan Fogelman makes this season particularly poignant. Fans of the show can expect more tension and emotional complexity as the characters continue their journey through this bleak landscape.
Chinese, Thai FMs hold 3rd consultation mechanism meeting

Xinhua) 10:01, April 25, 2026

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, together with Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, held the third meeting of the Consultation Mechanism between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of China and Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, April 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

BANGKOK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, together with Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, held the third meeting of the Consultation Mechanism between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of China and Thailand on Friday in Bangkok.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan and also the start of the new Thai government's governance.

Facing a volatile international situation, Wang said, China is willing to work with Thailand to give full play to the coordinating role of the foreign ministers' consultation mechanism guided by the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state.

Both sides should join hands to advance their respective modernization processes, jointly practice genuine multilateralism, create a new golden 50 years for China-Thailand friendship, and make new contributions to promoting the solidarity and development of the Global South as well as regional peace and stability, he said.

Noting that China has always placed Thailand in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, Wang said China is ready to continue to be a reliable strategic partner of Thailand, support the new Thai government in leading its people to follow a development path that suits its national conditions, and promote the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future.

It is believed that Thailand will continue to resolutely support China's great cause of peaceful reunification, he added.

Wang also called on the two sides to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen the alignment of development strategies and initiate the formulation of the new five-year action plan.

He said that both sides should intensify efforts to crack down on transnational crimes, completely eradicate gambling and fraud, strengthen multilateral collaboration and jointly implement the four major global initiatives.

China has always advocated resolving differences between countries through dialogue rather than force, Wang said, extending the hopes that Thailand and Cambodia will consolidate the ceasefire situation, resume bilateral contacts, resolve border disputes as soon as possible and maintain a peaceful and stable environment.

As a common friend of Thailand and Cambodia, China is willing to continue to build a platform for the two sides to rebuild mutual trust and improve relations, he said.

For his part, Sihasak said that Thailand will, as always, attach great importance to its relations with China, firmly pursue the one-China policy, and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Thailand is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China, deepen all-round cooperation in various fields such as connectivity, economy and trade, and combating online gambling and telecommunications fraud, and promote the continuous development of the Thailand-China community with a shared future.

He said that Thailand highly appreciates the four major global initiatives and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with China.

Sihasak expressed the appreciation for China's efforts in actively promoting peace talks and mediating the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that he looks forward to China continuing to play a constructive role.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) and East Asia cooperation, and agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation to actively build an LMC 2.0, promoting the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future to a new level.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
Lisa Kudrow has hit out at the "mean" behaviour of the largely-male writers on Friends.

Lisa Kudrow found fame on Friends

The 62-year-old actress - who became a household name playing Phoebe Buffay on the beloved sitcom - was close to the rest of the cast of the show but behind the scenes, things could be "intense", with insults hurled if an actor messed up their line and a culture of lewd discussions.

Lisa told The Times magazine: "There was definitely mean stuff going on behind the scenes."

Of the 12-15 people in the largely-male writers' room, she added: Dont forget we were recording in front of a live audience of 400, and if you messed up one of these writers lines or it didnt get the perfect response they could be like, Cant the b**** f***ing read? Shes not even trying. She f***ed up my line. And referring to assistant Amaani Lyle's failed legal action for sexual harassment, in which she alleged the writers - whose brainstorming she was tasked with transcribing - had discussed sleeping with Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, feigning masturbation and receiving oral sex, she added: "And we know that back in the room the guys would be up late discussing their sexual fantasies about Jennifer and Courteney. It was intense.

Oh, it could be brutal, but these guys  and it was mostly men in there  were sitting up until 3am trying to write the show so my attitude was, Say what you like about me behind my back because then it doesnt matter.' "

Lisa married advertising executive Michel Stern in 1995, months before Friends started and she thinks her stable home life helped her to avoid as much scrutiny as her co-stars Jennifer and Courteney.

She said: For sure, and all because I married early and outside the business.

No one was interested. There was no story."

And Lisa - who has 27-year-old son Julian with Michel - stressed her life at home was different to being on set.

She said: "And very early on I was pretty clear: actors on a big show are well paid and really looked after. But you cannot take that attitude home with you. At home its family, life, kids.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck returns to The View for a week as guest co-host, reigniting fan controversy and heated online debates.

AceShowbiz - Elisabeth Hasselbeck is making headlines again with her upcoming weeklong return as co-host on The View. The announcement has ignited strong reactions among fans who remember her dramatic departure from the show years ago. This unexpected comeback is stirring controversy and sparking heated discussions online.

The View recently confirmed that Elisabeth Hasselbeck will fill in as a guest co-host for an entire week, stepping in after the recent departure of Alyssa Farah Griffin. Griffin, who joined the program in 2022, brought a unique perspective due to her experience in the Trump administrations communications team during his first term. She left the show in early February to spend time with her newborn son.

ABC has been rotating guest hosts to cover Griffins absence, with reality TV star Savannah Chrisley and conservative commentator Amanda Carpenter among those who have appeared so far. However, the announcement that Elisabeth Hasselbeck would return as a guest host for a full week has captured the most attention.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck originally co-hosted The View for ten seasons, joining in 2003 shortly after her stint on the reality competition Survivor. She remained with the show until 2013. During her tenure, she was known for her outspoken conservative views and often clashed with fellow co-hosts. One of the most memorable moments was her heated on-air argument with Rosie O'Donnell in 2007 over the Iraq War, which escalated into a shouting match. This confrontation contributed to O'Donnells decision to leave the show that same year, with Whoopi Goldberg taking her place.

Since leaving, Elisabeth Hasselbeck has returned to The View sporadically. However, her last public comments about the program were critical; in 2023, she called the show a "sinking ship" during an interview on Fox News, openly criticizing current host Joy Behar and the shows direction.

Despite this, Joy Behar reportedly does not object to Elisabeth Hasselbecks return. Still, fans react differently. When ABC shared the news on Instagram, many viewers expressed strong disapproval in the comments section, with some threatening to boycott the show during Hasselbecks week as host.

Comments from viewers ranged from frustration to outright rejection: "Thanks for the trigger warning," "Ill be taking a break from my daily dose of The View. I cant stomach her," and "Guess Ill be missing another week! I dont understand why this is happening." Other comments included, "Ugh... Shes exhausting," and "No way, I will have to pass unfortunately. Let me know when the coast is clear to go back to view The View."

Some fans even requested that ABC bring back Amanda Carpenter instead, highlighting the ongoing division among the audience regarding the shows guest hosts. Previously, viewers also threatened boycotts during Savannah Chrisleys co-host stint, casting doubt on how much Hasselbecks return will impact the shows ratings.

The View is navigating a transitional period as it adjusts to the departure of Alyssa Farah Griffin and experiments with various guest co-hosts. The return of Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a figure known for her polarizing opinions and fiery exchanges, adds another layer of intrigue and controversy to the shows evolving dynamic.

It remains to be seen whether viewers will tune in or turn away during her week on the program. Fans and critics alike are invited to share their thoughts on this surprising development and what it means for the future of The View.

Follow the situation closely as Elisabeth Hasselbeck prepares to step back into the spotlight on the ABC talk show for a full week, a move that has already become a hot topic in daytime television discussions.
Meet the writers of SNL U.K.: Jonno Johnson leads a diverse team blending veteran talent from Parlement, Welcome to Wrexham & fresh voices.

AceShowbiz - Saturday Night Live U.K. has revealed the lineup of writers contributing to its writing team, with Jonno Johnson serving as head writer. Johnson, known for his work on Parlement, leads a team drawn from various acclaimed British productions.

The writing roster includes talent with a range of experience levels. According to Johnson, some writers are seasoned veterans while others are taking their first steps into professional writing. He expressed enthusiasm for the teams dynamic, saying the combination of fresh and experienced voices makes him excited to work on the show every day.

Saturday Night Live U.K. is gearing up to bring its unique brand of comedy to audiences, backed by this carefully curated group of writers. The team is expected to infuse the show with perspectives, drawing on the varied backgrounds of its members, including alumni from series like Welcome to Wrexham, The Late Late Show, and Horrible Science.

Johnson remarked, The number of funny, talented writers we have got to work on Saturday Night Live U.K. is ludicrous. Could not imaginably feel luckier that we get to make this show together. The shows production is poised to benefit from this creative synergy as it moves forward.
Discover why Cheap Trick invested $12,000 in a final Budokan videoa heartfelt tribute to their Japanese fans, proving some assets are priceless.

AceShowbiz - In October, Cheap Trick, the iconic rock band from Rockford, Illinois, invested $12,000 in a modest four-person film crew to capture their final performance at the Nippon Budokan, the Tokyo arena that played a pivotal role in the band's rise to fame in the 1970s. This effort resulted in the music video for "The Best Thing," a heartfelt tribute to their enduring connection with their Japanese audience.

Despite the video accumulating only 77,000 views on YouTubegenerating far less revenue than the cost of one of guitarist Rick Nielsen's signature five-neck guitarsthe bands manager, Dino Paredes, emphasizes that financial gain was never the primary motivation. "You look at it as promotion," he explains. The video serves to document the unique relationship between the band and its fan culture in Japan. While the immediate return on investment may be modest, Paredes calls the video an "evergreen" asset, predicting that in ten years, its view count will likely increase substantially.

This example highlights a broader trend in the music industry, where the traditional role of music videos has shifted but not disappeared. Although MTV, the channel credited with popularizing music videos, discontinued all its video-focused programming three months ago, billions of viewers still consume music videos monthly on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. For artists and labels, music videos remain a vital promotional tool.

Mike Chester, general manager of Warner Records, underscores their ongoing importance: "To us, they're really important. We'll always fund a great ideaand some great ideas cost money to pull off." He adds that while mega-budget videos costing $1 million are rare, budgets frequently range from $20,000 to several hundred thousand dollars. Others in the industry estimate most video budgets fall between $30,000 and $250,000, with occasional exceptions reaching $850,000.

Justin Clough, a Nashville-based director known for working with artists like Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Bailey Zimmerman, confirms that the maximum budget for a video rarely exceeds $400,000. However, Clough notes that even with smaller budgetssometimes as low as $10,000he can produce effective videos. "If somebody has a cool song and they got $10,000, let's rip it," he says.

Determining the direct financial return from music videos remains complex. Sources at two major labels disclosed that in the U.S., the blended video stream rate for premium and ad-supported official and user-generated videos was $0.0038 per stream in 2025, equating to $3.80 per 1,000 streams. Applying this metric, Taylor Swift's video for "The Fate of Ophelia," released in October 2024, would have generated roughly $1.31 million from its 345 million views. Similarly, Alex Warren's video for "Ordinary," released on Feb. 25, would have earned approximately $1.25 million from nearly 328 million views.

Despite these figures, many artists acknowledge that most music videos do not significantly impact commercial success. Last September, Lizzo admitted on TikTok that she created a video for her song "STFU" but only released it on Instagram, citing that the golden era of music videos is long over. She remarked that iconic videos such as "Thriller," "Lady Marmalade," or "Ladies Night" will never be replicated due to the fragmentation of mainstream culture and audience attention.

Reflecting this sentiment, Clough explains that record labels have shifted their video budgets in recent years, particularly for emerging artists. Instead of allocating a large sum to one video, budgets are often divided among multiple smaller projects and days of content creation. "With new artists, it's really hard to get budgets for videos," he says. "Now it's allocated to two small-to-medium-sized videos and 20 days of content shooting. Which stings a little bit."

Nonetheless, Clough remains optimistic about the future of music videos, noting that video content is more abundant than ever. The expansion of digital platforms has created numerous outlets for showcasing videos. For example, Spotify began rolling out music videos for users in the U.S. and Canada in November 2024, adding another channel for artists to reach audiences visually.

In 2024, Clough collaborated with Bailey Zimmerman on a Zoom call discussing the concept for Zimmerman's "New to Country" video. Zimmerman's initial request surprised Clough: "I want explosions!" The resulting video opens with a satirical sketch featuring a music executive complaining about the $2.3 million budget, which included $150,000 for a private jet and $12,000 for "redneck shit." Although the video accrued only 3.6 million YouTube views, Clough emphasizes that the project served a strategic purpose beyond viewsit effectively marketed Zimmerman's accompanying tour. He explains, "With certain artists, the number is less important than making sure the product is delivered properly."

Similarly, Cloughs 2024 video for HARDYs "Rockstar" earned around 7 million views but played a crucial role in positioning HARDY within the rock genre, helping him broaden his audience beyond country music.

Data from Luminate indicates that consumption of music videos has grown moderately, rising from 93 billion streams in 2024 to 96 billion in 2025, with an additional 19.4 billion streams through March 19, 2025. These figures do not include user-generated content featuring popular songs, which further expands the reach of music video-related media.

JP Evangelista, executive vice president of content, programming, and marketing at Vevo, notes that while there is now more caution regarding large budgets, the production of high-cost videos has not ceased. His team identifies approximately 30 "mass-budget" videos annually, with costs ranging from $750,000 to over $1 million. These videos typically come from top-tier artists who justify the investment and hire renowned directors for large-scale productions.
Apple TV's Sugar redefines neo-noir with Colin Farrell as a detective in an 8-part thriller featuring a mind-blowing plot twist.

AceShowbiz - Sugar is an 8-part thriller series on Apple TV that has captivated audiences with its intricate storytelling and one of the most remarkable plot twists in recent television. Since its release in April 2024, the show has redefined the neo-noir genre by blending classic detective mystery elements with unexpected narrative shifts, making it a standout in modern TV drama.

The series stars Colin Farrell as the titular private investigator Sugar, a complex figure who investigates the disappearance of a wealthy movie producers granddaughter. Drawing inspiration from iconic Los Angeles noir films like Chinatown and The Long Goodbye, the show initially embraces the familiar tropes of neo-noir through its moody atmosphere and sharp dialogue. Early episodes evoke the style of films such as Inherent Vice and Under the Silver Lake, combining dark mystery with a wry, post-modern sensibility.

Before Sugar premiered, fans of crime dramas might have recalled the mixed reception of anthology series like True Detective, especially its challenging second season in 2015. While that season featured a notable cast including Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, and Vince Vaughn, it failed to meet expectations set by its groundbreaking first installment. Farrells performance in Sugar, however, has been widely praised as a strong redemption, showcasing his commitment to the neo-noir crime drama genre.

The defining moment in Sugar arrives in episode 6, which dramatically alters the series trajectory with a massive plot twist. This revelation not only explains the enigmatic nature of Sugars character but also redefines the entire storyline. Without revealing spoilers, the show transforms from a traditional detective mystery into a hybrid narrative that incorporates elements from an entirely different genre. This genre shift is so pivotal that even naming it would spoil the surprise.

What makes this twist especially effective is how it integrates seamlessly into the story, rather than feeling like a gimmick. By the time viewers reach episode 6, they are deeply invested in the complex mystery, making the world-changing reveal feel earned and impactful. Despite this shift, the series continues to function as a compelling neo-noir tale through the remainder of its first season, balancing its classic influences with innovative storytelling.

In October 2024, Apple TV confirmed that Sugar would be renewed for a second season, with the new episodes slated to premiere in June 2026. Given how the first seasons twist altered the shows tone, season 2 is expected to explore a more heightened and surreal atmosphere. Fans can anticipate a continuation that remains rooted in detective drama but embraces even more ambitious and unconventional storytelling elements.

Colin Farrell remains deeply involved in the project, following his recent work on other neo-noir crime dramas such as The Penguin and Ballad of a Small Player. His dedication suggests that while Sugar season 2 will push boundaries, it will also deliver the gripping mystery and atmosphere that fans appreciate. This is important, as there are few television series that capture the distinct sun-drenched California noir style as effectively as Sugar.

When it debuted, Sugar was praised for refreshing the mystery genre on television. Its surprising twist only amplified excitement for the upcoming season, promising to expand on the shows unique blend of classic noir and surreal storytelling. With its June 2026 return on the horizon, Sugar is positioned to maintain its status as a must-watch for fans of smart, genre-defying TV dramas.

Overall, Sugar stands out as a neo-noir series that successfully challenges audience expectations. The combination of Colin Farrells compelling lead performance, the atmospheric homage to LA noir, and the bold narrative evolution in episode 6 makes it one of the most memorable television experiences in recent years. With season 2 set to continue this creative momentum, viewers have much to look forward to as the story unfolds further.
Discover how David Harbour's involvement inspired HBO's DTF St. Louis, a suspense series blending murder, betrayal, and hookup apps in suburban Missouri.

AceShowbiz - DTF St. Louis centers around a murder mystery but owes its existence largely to lead actor David Harbour. More than just playing the victim, Harbours involvement inspired creator Steven Conrad to develop this unique HBO limited series.

Conrad, who wrote and directed all seven episodes, told TheWrap that he had been discussing potential projects with Harbour for some time. Having focused on suspense shows in recent years, Conrad was drawn to the genres built-in tension and lasting appeal. "Suspense has a staying power that you can really contribute to," he explained.

Known for thrillers set in unexpected environments, Conrad applied this approach to DTF St. Louis, set amid the suburban sprawl of Missouri. The story weaves together themes of betrayal, love, hookup apps, and death, all in a seemingly mundane town. What truly sparked Conrads creativity was imagining Harbour at the center of such a suspenseful narrative.

Davids persona, no matter the role, carries a strange kind of loveliness, like you can see years behind his eyes, Conrad said. I wanted to explore what suspense would look like with David, especially mining the desperation of middle age. This led to the creation of Floyd, an out-of-shape American Sign Language translator whose dead body is discovered midway through the first episode.

The shows premiere reveals a complex web of relationships involving Floyds best friend Clark Forrest, a local weatherman played by Jason Bateman, and Clarks wife Carol, portrayed by Linda Cardellini. A secret affair between Clark and Carol, known to Floyd before his death, forms the emotional core of the mystery.

Detective Donoghue Home, played by Richard Jenkins, and Special Crimes Officer Jodie Plumb, portrayed by Joy Sunday, lead the investigation that quickly points to Clark as a suspect in Floyds murder. This tangled love triangle and ensuing police inquiry drive the suspense throughout the series.

Bateman cited the shows blend of dark comedy and somber moments as a major draw. Its horrifically tragic at times and absurdly funny at other times, he said. Harbour echoed this sentiment, praising Conrads ability to marry absurdist humor with sincere storytelling. Theres something about the absurdist underpinnings alongside deep sincerity that makes me feel like a kid in a candy store, Harbour remarked.

The tone of DTF St. Louis has been described by Harbour as infectiously joyous, something that has been evident since the projects inception. This joyful yet complex tone is a hallmark of Conrads style and a key reason Harbour felt compelled to executive produce the series in addition to starring in it.

Interestingly, the original pitch for the show was quite different from the final product. Harbour revealed that the initial concept revolved around Clark going on trial for Floyds murder. One quirky element from that earlier version included a lawyer named Fred Rogers who would address the jury about being a good neighbor, adding an unusual and surreal touch to the legal drama.

Despite changes in the storyline, the friendship between Clark and Floyd remained central. Conrad explained his fascination with pairing Floyd with a new friend during a quiet summer, imagining the trouble two middle-aged men might cause with too much free time. It just felt like playing with matches, he said.

That metaphorical box of matches in the show is embodied by the eponymous hookup app DTF, which targets married people seeking commitment-free encounters. Clark convinces Floyd to join the app in the series premiere, setting off a chain of events fueled by the apps promise of consequence-free fun. Conrad noted how such apps were more prominent around 2018, when the show is set, especially among married users.

Theyd say, Youre going to meet a married person who doesnt want commitment, and its all going to be good, clean fun, Conrad said, adding that most people know better. The show explores the emptiness that middle age can bring, and how such platforms can complicate already fragile relationships.

DTF St. Louis ultimately grapples with what it means to be a good neighbor, friend, lover, and spouse. It highlights the vulnerability required to sustain any relationship, whether through marriage, friendship, or intimacy. The shows narrative exposes the emotional risks and power dynamics involved in these connections.

Conrad wryly commented on the title, saying, DTF was a phrase people used in the 2010s... but its probably not an earnest promise. Thats all youre D for? The dark humor and ironic undertones permeate the series, enriching its exploration of human flaws and desires.

New episodes of DTF St. Louis premiere Sunday nights on HBO and HBO Max, inviting viewers to dive into its blend of mystery, humor, and emotional complexity.
Seth Rogen delivers a moving tribute to the late Catherine O'Hara, accepting her posthumous Best Actress award for The Studio at the 32nd Actor Awards.

AceShowbiz - Seth Rogen delivered a moving tribute to Catherine O'Hara while accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series at the 32nd annual Actor Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The award recognized O'Hara's work in the acclaimed TV series The Studio, a show she starred in before her passing.

Following the announcement that O'Hara had won Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as movie executive Patty Leigh, Seth Rogen, who co-created the show, took the stage to accept the honor on her behalf. He expressed that Catherine O'Hara would have been deeply honored to receive the award from her peers, whom she greatly respected. "She was such a big fan of all of yours," he told the audience.

Rogen reflected on the weeks since her death, emphasizing her remarkable generosity, kindness, and unwavering confidence in her talents. "She knew she could destroy, and she wanted to destroy every day on set," he said, highlighting her dedication and professionalism.

Sharing an anecdote from their time working together on The Studio, Rogen revealed that O'Hara would routinely email him and co-creator Evan Goldberg with rewritten versions of scenes the night before shooting. "Pretty much every evening before she had a shooting day on our show, she would email me and Evan an email that always was pretty similar. It said, 'Hello, I hope you'll consider the following,' and then there would be a completely rewritten version of the scene," he explained with a laugh. "100 percent of the time, it made not just her character better, but it made the scene better and the entire show better as a whole."

Rogen praised how Catherine O'Hara demonstrated that brilliance and kindness could coexist without compromise. "She really showed that you can be a genius and be kind, and one of those things does not have to come at the expense of the other in any way shape or form."

Concluding his speech, Seth Rogen urged those unfamiliar with O'Hara's work to experience her performances. He suggested showing clips like her dancing to Harry Belafonte in Beetlejuice or her memorable hobble in Best in Show, encouraging people to appreciate the joy she brought through her craft. "We were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generally shared her talents with us," he said.

During the speech, Jenna Ortega, who starred alongside O'Hara in the 2024 film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, was seen wiping away tears, illustrating the emotional impact of the tribute.

Catherine O'Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles due to a pulmonary embolism. She had also been battling rectal cancer. Her death left the cast and crew of The Studio devastated. They issued a heartfelt statement to The Hollywood Reporter, expressing their grief and admiration: "We are at a loss for words at the passing of our friend Catherine O'Hara. She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her on The Studio. She was somehow classy, warm and hilarious all at the same time. We're unbelievably saddened she is gone and send our deepest sympathy to Bo and all her family."

Out of respect, the team behind The Studio withdrew from attending an Apple TV press day panel scheduled for February 3.

The series also received further recognition during the awards ceremony, winning for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The award was accepted by cast members including Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, O'Hara, Seth Rogen, and Chase Sui Wonders.

Production on season two of The Studio is currently underway, continuing the legacy of the show that brought together such a talented ensemble.

The 2026 Actor Awards were hosted by Kristen Bell and celebrated numerous achievements in television and film, with many stars walking the red carpet and a full list of winners available through official sources.
In the Marshals premiere, Kayce Dutton moves forward, but where are Rip and Beth? Find out after Yellowstone's shocking finale.

AceShowbiz - Warning: This article contains spoilers for episode 1 of Marshals, titled "Piya Wiconi."

The latest installment in the Yellowstone universe, Marshals, brings back Kayce Dutton as he embarks on a new chapter in his life. However, longtime fans may notice the absence of Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton, two pivotal figures from the original series. After the conclusion of Yellowstone in 2024, which saw significant losses within the Dutton family, questions naturally arise about where Rip and Beth are headed as Kayce assumes his role in the new spin-off.

At the end of Yellowstone, the Dutton ranch underwent a major transition that shaped the future of the characters involved. The ranch was sold, fulfilling a longstanding narrative promise to return the land to its original owners, the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. As part of this transfer, Kayce, along with his wife Monica and son Tate, retained control of East Camp, a detail that continues into Marshals and serves as the foundation of Kayces storyline.

Meanwhile, Rip and Beth took a different path. Instead of remaining at the original ranch, they purchased a smaller ranch near Dillon, Montana. This location is approximately 40 miles west of Bozeman, where much of Yellowstone's action took place, and not far from Kayces base of operations in Marshals. This geographical separation allows the couple some distance, especially since they are poised to star in their own upcoming spinoff, Dutton Ranch. The proximity also leaves room for possible crossovers between the shows in the future, allowing the franchise to expand while maintaining distinct storylines.

The sale of the main ranch and the relocation of Rip and Beth effectively explain their absence in the first episodes of Marshals. Since this new series primarily focuses on Kayces life as a U.S. Marshal and Tates fresh start, there has been little narrative need for the other siblings to appear so far. While fans might welcome appearances by Rip and Beth, showrunners seem intent on avoiding mere fan-service cameos that lack meaningful contribution to the story.

From a practical storytelling perspective, the Dutton family dynamics also justify Rip and Beths limited involvement. The family tends to stay within their own spheres unless circumstances demand otherwise, and the new direction of Marshals centers on Kayces personal and professional challenges. This focus naturally limits the opportunities for Rip and Beth to feature prominently in the early stages of the spinoff.

Regarding future possibilities, Dutton Ranch showrunner Chad Feehan recently addressed the likelihood of crossovers between Marshals and the new Rip and Beth spinoff. While he did not rule out the idea, Feehan emphasized that both shows are currently prioritizing establishing their own identities. This deliberate approach ensures that each series can develop its unique voice and storytelling style before attempting any interconnected episodes or events.

In essence, the absence of Rip and Beth in Marshals is a strategic choice driven by both narrative focus and logistical considerations. Their move to Dillon provides a believable reason for their physical distance from Kayces activities at East Camp. Meanwhile, the franchises expansion into separate spinoffs allows the characters to grow independently, with the potential for crossovers remaining a future possibility once each show is firmly established.

For fans eager to follow every thread of the Yellowstone universe, subscribing to dedicated newsletters and keeping an eye on showrunner insights will be key to staying informed about developments regarding Rip, Beth, Kayce, and the evolving Dutton legacy. As the franchise broadens its scope, understanding each characters journey and where their stories intersect will remain an engaging aspect of this modern Western saga.
Kayce Dutton returns in the CBS spinoff *Marshals*, now a shattered single father and U.S. Marshal investigating Montana crimes after Monicas tragic death.

AceShowbiz - The new CBS spinoff series Marshals marks the return of Kayce Dutton, originally from the world of Yellowstone, but this time his life is notably different. The show follows Kayce, the youngest son of Kevin Costners John Dutton, as he becomes part of a U.S. Marshals team investigating crimes across Montana. The first episode begins roughly 12 to 15 months after the events of the Yellowstone finale, revealing Kayce struggling to move forward after the tragic loss of his partner Monica.

Monica Long, played by Kelsey Asbille in Yellowstone, was a key presence in Kayces life. However, in Marshals, she is missing due to her untimely death, which has left Kayce emotionally shattered while raising their son Tate (played by Brecken Merrill) on his own. Actor Luke Grimes, who portrays Kayce, explained during a Television Critics Association virtual press event that when the audience reconnects with Kayce, he is at "the end of his emotional road" after losing his soulmate.

I remember thinking, How is this going to work? Grimes said, reflecting on the challenge of writing Kayces storyline post-Monica. He added that the show finds a compelling way to give Kayce a new purpose, especially through his bond with an old Navy SEAL friend, alongside his commitment to his son Tate. Despite this, Kayce remains a "really lost man" as the series begins.

The premiere episode is deliberately vague about the details surrounding Monicas death. It opens with Kayce and Tate living on their small ranch in Montana, where Kayce is haunted by dreams of not finding Monica and waking up alone. The show gradually reveals more about Monicas fate through Tates involvement in a protest against toxic mining in the preservation area, which ties into the cause of her death.

Creator Spencer Hudnut confirmed that Monica became ill and died from cancer caused by water poisoning, a condition that developed during the gap between the Yellowstone finale and the start of Marshals. Hudnut emphasized that the storyline was crafted to highlight a significant real-world issue: the high cancer rates on reservations due to environmental contamination. He noted the importance for both the cast and the creators of Yellowstone to use Monicas death to shed light on this serious matter.

Hudnut explained, This is what actually pulls Kayce into this world. Monica is kind of guiding Kayce to find his new path. This narrative direction sets the stage for Kayces reluctant involvement with the marshal team, which unfolds over the course of the first episode.

By the episodes conclusion, Kayce agrees to join the U.S. Marshals team full time, launching a new procedural chapter within the Yellowstone universe. Notably, Marshals is the first project in the franchise not to be overseen daily by Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone. Still, Hudnut reassures fans that Sheridans creative influence remains embedded in the shows DNA despite his absence from day-to-day production.

Transitioning from Paramount Network cable to CBS broadcast, Marshals retains the franchises focus on deep character development rather than pure procedural elements. The series also brings back familiar faces from Yellowstone, including Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty, though one of these returning characters suffers a serious injury by the episodes end.

Hudnut discussed how the show uses weekly cases and missions not only to drive the plot but also to reveal more about the main characters. He noted, This is not a hardcore procedural where by the end of the first act, weve been through seven red herrings and are putting clues together. Its really a character-forward show.

Marshals airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Paramount+. The series expands the Yellowstone universe by exploring new storylines while maintaining the emotional depth and regional authenticity fans expect.
Tamela Mann ties Kirk Franklin with her 13th No. 1 on Billboards Gospel Airplay chart, a record for a female artist with "Live Breathe Fight.

AceShowbiz - Tamela Mann has achieved a significant milestone by securing her 13th No. 1 on Billboards Gospel Airplay chart with her song "Live Breathe Fight," maintaining the top position for two consecutive weeks on March 28 and April 4. This feat ties her with Kirk Franklin for the most No. 1s on this chart, marking the highest number ever for a female artist and the joint highest overall.

Tamela Mann has now scored seven consecutive No. 1 hits, demonstrating remarkable consistency in gospel music radio airplay. She expressed her amazement at the achievement, saying, "Thirteen No. 1s on Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart - this is amazing. To be tied with my brother Kirk Franklin, both of us from Fort Worth, Texas, it's just incredible. I'm just as grateful now as I was for my first No. 1."

Mann first topped the chart in 2012 with "Take Me to the King," which held the No. 1 spot for 25 weeks. Since then, she has remained a prominent figure on the chart with other No. 1 hits including 2017s "Change Me," which was number one for 14 weeks, 2016s "God Provides," and her 2013 cover of MercyMes "I Can Only Imagine," both topping the chart for 13 weeks.

Kirk Franklin, who most recently reached No. 1 with "Do It Again" in November, shares this record with Mann. Other notable artists on the Gospel Airplay chart include James Fortune & FIYA and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, each with 10 No. 1s, followed by Jekalyn Carr with nine, and Zacardi Cortez with eight.

Tamela Mann credits the success of her latest No. 1 to the songs meaningful connection with listeners. She explained, "What makes a gospel song work on radio today is the message. Speaking to what people are going through and encouraging them ... I really believe it's the words that connect and help songs become No. 1s."

Reflecting on her journey, Mann acknowledged the influence of gospel legends who inspired her, saying, "I think about the people who came before me - the Hawkins family, Andrae Crouch, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Clark Sisters. Those are the voices I grew up listening to and learning from."
Discover Dolly Parton's 'generational' donation to East Tennessee Children's Hospital, now renamed in her honor, and how it transforms pediatric care.

AceShowbiz - Dolly Parton has made a significant philanthropic impact with her recent contribution to the East Tennessee Childrens Hospital, which was renamed the Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital earlier this year. Known widely for her glamorous presence and music career, Dolly Parton is also deeply invested in advancing healthcare for children in her community.

In a detailed conversation with Matt Schaefer, the hospitals president and CEO, the extent of Partons donation was described as both generational and transformational. Schaefer emphasized that the donation exceeds expectations and will be a crucial support system for the hospitals mission for many years to come.

Although the exact amount of the donation was not disclosed, Schaefer revealed that the funding places the hospital and surrounding community in an enviable position. This financial boost will be allocated to various areas within the hospital to enhance both patient care and medical services provided by physicians.

Schaefer highlighted that the goal is for children and families in the region to access top-tier care without having to leave their community. Among the key areas of development supported by the donation are neuroscience, with a focus on epilepsy treatment, pediatric gastroenterology, and pediatric otolaryngology (ENT). These specialties currently lack the capacity needed to meet the communitys broad healthcare demands.

Furthermore, Schaefer expressed hope that the association with Dolly Partons name will encourage greater interest in residency programs and aid in recruiting pediatricians and other medical professionals to the region. He views this partnership as a catalyst that will enable the hospital to expand its reach and improve pediatric care beyond what was previously possible.

This transformative gift from Parton not only elevates medical care standards but also strengthens the hospitals ability to attract talent and resources, promising a brighter future for childrens health in East Tennessee.
To celebrate the release of both Harry Wild Series 4 & Series 1-4 box set on the 27th April on DVD and Digital we are giving you the chance to win Harry Wild Series 4 in a free to enter competition.

Harry Wild Series 4 on DVD

HOLLYWOOD LEGEND Jane Seymour (The Kominsky Method, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) is back for more perplexing murder mysteries with a literary twist, in the highly anticipated Harry Wild Series 4.

The first class detective drama has been a hit with audiences across the globe since its launch on Acorn TV, and now, fans can dive into more endlessly entertaining mysteries with Harry Wild Series 4 and Series 1  4 Box Set which is set to arrive on DVD and digital on 27 April 2026, courtesy of Acorn Media International, following its transmission on U&Drama. Seymour is joined by a stellar returning cast with Rohan Nedd as her trusty partner, alongside Kevin Ryan, Rose O'Neill, Samantha Mumba Paul Tylak and theres a new face this season as Aoife Mulholland takes on the role of Orla.

In series four, business is booming for the eponymous sleuth Harry Wild (Seymour) and her young protege, Fergus, as a slew of brand-new cases see the formidable duo travel far and wide. With a serial killer on the loose, detective Charlie Wild, enlists his mothers help to crack the case, meanwhile, Fergus hopes of going to college with Charlies daughter, Lola, are threatened when she gets an incredible offer to study abroad.

This series sees Harry hired by her friend  a former wild child turned nun  who suspects foul play at her convent; investigate a racetrack sabotage that ends in tragedy; crack a strange case of disappearing dancers; solve the murder of a Harry Wild doppelganger and more killer mysteries.

With a magnetic lead, dynamite supporting cast and a delightful mix of mysteries, witty dialogue and light- hearted humour, Harry Wild is the sleuthing sensation you wont want to miss. With a fifth series on the way, now is the perfect time to catch up on this much-loved crime caper with a box set binge-watch.

Competition

prize providers Aim publicity

To be in with a chance of winning the prize of a Harry Wild Series 4 on DVD all you need to do is answer the question below, then complete and submit the attached entry form.

Question: In series 4 Harry is hired by her friend, what is the former 'wild child' is she now as an adult

A. A Police Detective

B. A Nun

C. A Sweet Shop owner

by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk



Tagged in DVD

Closing Date : 4th May 2026
One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of ones house.

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James Otis, patriot

As an American citizen, whenever legislators deploy the ever-flimsy progressive banner of public safety, I feel decidedly unsafe.

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Newly proposed and enacted legislation targeting 3D printers and CNC machines would impose restrictions more severe than those the Supreme Court rejects for actual guns. In conjunction with restrictions on tools, states would create a category of computer source code illegal to possess.

The excuse? Ghost guns!

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Theres abundant hair-on-fire rhetoric, even written into legislation. Washingtons recently enacted HB2320 states, Undetectable and untraceable firearms and firearms components presents a growing threat to public safety. The author of Californias AB 2047 testified, These firearms are incredibly dangerous because they are not part of our regular flow, meaning they are not marked, they are not permitted, they are made in someones home, and we dont even know they exist. Not actual use, but private possession frightens this lawmaker.

Plain text on the ATFs website states that personally manufactured firearms (PMFs) are legal to own and make, even with 3D printed components.

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California, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington lawmakers are generating restrictions on certain tools and computer code, used to create millions of items unrelated to guns every day, to thwart Americans attempts to make a gun its legal to make.

In August, Colorado will forbid using a 3D printer or CNC to make any firearm or part, along with sale or distribution of digital firearm-making instructions to anyone but a student or instructor in an approved gunsmithing program.

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Massachusettss General Laws Section 121 D bans 3D printers or CNC machines primarily used for making or assembling firearms.

California bill AB 2047 would outlaw 3D printer use to make an illegal weapon, or the manufacture of any firearm using a 3-dimensional printer, as specified. Any firearm? Like legal PMFs?

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More sinister is targeting of source codes. States intend to maintain databases of source code they declare to be firearms assembly blueprints and illegal to possess.

Makers and sellers of 3D printers and CNC machines would be required to preinstall software to prevent machines using forbidden code or generating forbidden shapes. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Bernstein decision says source code is protected speech.

Washington bill 2321 would require machines to handshake a government website to confirm code as innocent before initiating a print. New York lawmakers are going farther, considering background checks to purchase a 3D printer. Washington States recently passed HB2320 includes preinstalled future encroachment. The attorney general will adopt any rules or regulations to further establish standards for software control processes.

The transcript of the April 14, 2026 hearing, memorializing member Ash Kairas words and muddled grammar, displays the unconstitutional intentions.

And by the way, the law has been on the books for over two years and hasnt been overturned yet under Second Amendment grounds. In regards to their privacy concerns, I think there are there [sic] if theres a substantial public interest, the it [sic] does allow for limited legal legally justified restrictions on privacy rights. I do think there is a substantial public interest, and this is clearly going to be challenged in the courts. And well let the courts decide whether were right or not on that.

That individual swore to uphold the Constitution.

Lets put legally homemade firearms into a larger context. There are an estimated 300 million guns in the U.S. The ATF estimates that Americans created 45,240 personally manufactured firearms, about 7,500 per year between 2016 and 2021. Approximately 692 of those PMFs were used in a homicide or attempted homicide (about 115 per year).

Between 2016 and 2021, there were 116,876 homicides  about 19,500 per year. Homicides have been decreasing since  down 6% in 2022, 13% in 2023, 15% in 2024, and a projected 20% in 2025.

When judging a restriction on firearms, the Supreme Court applies the standard of text, history, and tradition. Text refers to conforming to the plain words of the Constitution. History and tradition refer to conforming to the restrictions imposed on firearms when the Constitution was adopted.

Consulting a handy timeline of firearms regulations, from Massachusettss 1633 ban on transferring firearms, gunpowder, and ammunition to Indians to the 2024 Rahimi decision upholding the federal ban on domestic abusers possessing guns, guess what we dont see: restrictions on tools used to make firearm.

Home and small business use of 3D printers has been increasing for over a decade, and CNC machines, since the 1970s. In 2024, approximately 2.1 million 3D printers were sold in the U.S. About 1.4 million Americans owned one. Approximately $1.25 billions worth of medical, surgical and dental 3D prints will be made in 2026.

The ATF doesnt report how many PMFs include any 3D printed material, but even if all the estimated 7,0008,000 produced annually included some 3D printed part, that would be a vanishingly small percent of the total firearms available in the U.S., and an even tinier portion of items Americans 3D print every day.

Many who use 3D printers see the problem as proposed controls that cant accomplish the stated goal. Source codes are instructions for geometry, not intent. A tube could be a gun barrel or a segment of tension pole for a shower shelf unit. Too many ordinary prints would be blocked.

There are several increasingly common features of these tools that are already compatible with expansive government intrusion into our private spaces. The control screens of many 3D printers alert the user to firmware updates. If the user clicks, the manufacturer remotely, and quickly, installs updates. A machine capable of remotely accepting firmware is capable of remotely accepting firmware from the government. And many 3D printers and CNC machines feature cameras for users to remotely view, or control, printing in progress.

The case of Nancy Guthrie recently revealed startling information about doorbell cameras packaged with instructions saying a subscription is required or images and video wont be stored. Nancy hadnt subscribed, yet investigators acquired images of her property from prior to her disappearance.

I look at my 3D printer, which has received firmware updates by the manufacturer and can be outfitted with a camera (which I skipped). I consider what multiple American legislators have set in motion, on the excuse that, among the millions of objects 3D printed in America every day, a minuscule percentage might be attached to a homemade firearm  a firearm Americans are legally entitled to make.

I see firmware updates of the Intolerable Acts. British colonial bureaucrats had been granted authority to enter any house, shop, cellar, warehouse or room or other place. Modern legislators would have for themselves not just authority, but a permanent virtual wormhole into any house, shop, cellar, warehouse or room or other place containing a 3D printer or CDC machine.

Looking at a tool I use to make things, I suspect they see a telescreen, and theyre preparing for the opportunity to see what Winston Smith might be up to.

Image via Pexels.
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From Wikimedia Commons: Batalla de las Navas de Tolosa (Francisco de Paula Van Halen, 1864)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose wife has recently been charged with corruption, is having his way with the destiny of his homeland. A socialist and social engineer at heart, he reserves the right to legalize a civilian invasion by Muslims.

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So far, the Muslim population has swollen to an estimated 2.4 to 2.5 million soulsroughly 5% of the nations totalfueled overwhelmingly by immigration from North Africa, above all Morocco, which accounts for 65% of the Muslim immigrant cohort. These communities cluster with ominous symbolic precision in the ancient strongholds of al-Andalus: Andalusia and Granada alone shelter some 400,000 Muslims, while Madrid, that later-born capital, now harbors 100,000. Fertility differentials compound the shift; children born to at least one Muslim parent represented 11% of all Spanish births in 2024, a rate that mocks the anemic native birth figures.

From a historical perspective, this is no neutral migration. It is a slow-motion reversal of the Reconquista, a reconquest not by scimitar but by womb and ballot box. And yet polite discourse still clings to the saccharine fable of al-Andalus as a lost paradise of harmonious convivencia between Muslims, Christians, and Jews. That fable is a liea dangerous, ahistorical lieand the gathering tensions in present-day Spain expose it as such. The impending conflict between post-Christian, secular Europeans and the resurgent Muslim Arab (and Arabized Berber) populations is not a fever dream of the far right; it is the inexorable consequence of incompatible civilizations colliding once more on the same soil.

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The myth of al-Andalus must be dragged into the light and eviscerated. For centuries, European romantics and modern multiculturalists have peddled the image of a tolerant Islamic Iberia where Jews and Christians flourished under benevolent Moorish rule. This is historical malpractice of the highest order. From the Umayyad conquest in 711 until the final fall of Granada in 1492, non-Muslims existed as dhimmisprotected but explicitly subordinate subjects under the Pact of Umar and its variants. They paid the jizya, a humiliating poll tax that bought mere survival. Public display of their faith was curtailed; new churches and synagogues were forbidden; distinctive clothingoften yellow badges for Jews, dark robes for Christianswas mandatory. Testimony in court weighed less than that of a Muslim; a dhimmi who struck a Muslim faced execution.

Far from idyllic coexistence, the record is littered with pogroms: the 1066 Granada massacre that slaughtered thousands of Jews, the 1013 Cordoba fitna that saw Christians and Jews butchered amid civil war, and the Almohad invasions of the twelfth century that forced mass conversions or exile under pain of death. Maimonides himself fled Andalusia to escape such persecution.

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The very term dhimmi denotes not equality but contractual inferioritya permanent reminder that the House of Islam tolerates the People of the Book only on condition of acknowledged subservience. The Reconquista was not unprovoked aggression; it was the eight-century-long answer of a conquered people refusing to remain second-class forever. To romanticize al-Andalus is to spit on the graves of those who bled to reclaim their homeland. It is, moreover, a grotesque inversion: the same Islamic legal framework that governed medieval Spain now travels, via mass migration, into twenty-first-century Europe.

That framework is not ancient history. It is alive in the demographic surge now reshaping Spain. The concentration of Moroccan Muslims in Granada and Andalusia is not accidental; it is freighted with historical memory. These are the very cities where the last Moorish kingdom fell, where the Catholic Monarchs planted the cross in 1492.

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Nowadays, Moroccan flags flutter from balconies, minarets rise beside cathedrals, and calls to prayer echo across plazas once cleansed by the Reconquista. The Spanish governments January 2026 announcement of a mass regularization of 500,000 undocumented migrantsmany from the same North African shoreshas only accelerated the process. Critics rightly warn of a pull effect: an open invitation that will overload hospitals, schools, and welfare systems already groaning under the weight of native demographic collapse. Yet the left dismisses such objections as maurophobia, a convenient neologism that conflates legitimate historical wariness with racism.

The data tell a different story. A 2025 study found that 47.5% of Muslims surveyed reported experiencing racist attacksan unsurprising backlash when integration fails so spectacularly. Muslim women face workplace and housing discrimination over the hijab; neighborhoods self-segregate; parallel societies form where Spanish law yields to informal sharia patrols. These are not anomalies. They are the predictable fruits of a creed that has never accepted the secular separation of mosque and state.

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The passions now stirring among Spaniards are not irrational prejudice but the immune response of a civilization sensing existential threat. Right-wing parties such as Vox have surged precisely because they articulate what the bien-pensant class refuses to name: the incompatibility between a post-Christian Europe that prizes individual liberty, gender equality, and secular governance, and an Islamic worldview that subordinates all to divine law.

Fertility rates tell the tale: native Spanish women average below 1.3 children; Muslim households in Europe routinely exceed 2.5. At current trajectories, Muslims could comprise 10% of Spains population by 2040 and far more in the southern heartlands. Rather than benign diversity, this is population replacement in process. And it carries cultural corollaries. Honor-based violence, female genital mutilation (though officially banned, still reported in clandestine networks), and demands for halal-only school meals are not fringe excesses; they are assertions of supremacy.

When Muslim associations in Granada petition for greater public recognition while simultaneously decrying Islamophobia, they reveal the double standard at the heart of the dhimmi contract: tolerance is expected from the host, but criticism of Islam is branded blasphemy. Secular Europeans, heirs to Voltaire and the Enlightenment, find themselves cast once more in the role of second-class citizens in their own landspressured to accommodate a faith whose canonical texts still speak of jihad and the subjugation of unbelievers.

Nor is Spain an outlier. The same dynamics convulse France, where banlieues have become no-go zones; Sweden, where sexual assaults spiked with the arrival of young male migrants from Muslim-majority countries; and Germany, where parallel legal systems operate in migrant enclaves. The post-Christian West, having shed its own religious certainties, confronts an adversary that has not. Islam does not negotiate with modernity; it seeks to Islamize it. The polite fiction of moderate Islam collapses under scrutiny: poll after poll across Europe shows majorities of young Muslims prioritizing sharia over national law. Integration, we are endlessly told, is the solution. Yet integration presupposes a willingness on the part of the newcomer to adopt the host culture. When that culture is itself derided as colonial or Islamophobic, and when mosques funded by foreign powers preach separatism, integration becomes surrender.

The political response in Spain is therefore beyond electoral; it is existential. Vox and allied regional parties channel the fury of a people watching their cathedrals turned into tourist backdrops while new mosques proclaim the ummahs advance. The regularization plan is a betrayal: it rewards illegal entry, erodes social trust, and accelerates the very transformation that erodes Spanish identity. Critics who warn of overloaded services are not fearmongers; they are realists. Public housing queues lengthen, hospital waiting lists swell, and native families flee neighborhoods where Arabic dominates the streets. This is not harmonious multiculturalism. It is the slow conquest by demographics that Islamic doctrine has always understood as divine will.

Europes secular elites, drunk on guilt over colonialism and the Holocaust, have disarmed themselves ideologically. They preach tolerance while ignoring the intolerance imported in the name of diversity. Christians and Jews, once dhimmis in al-Andalus, now risk becoming dhimmis againthis time in the lands that their ancestors reclaimed at such cost. The conflict is not impending; it has already begun in the quiet calculus of birth rates, the no-go zones, the political polarization. Spain, cradle of the Reconquista, may yet become its final battlefield.

Spaniardsand Europeans more broadlymust abandon the narcotic myth of Andalusian harmony and confront the demographic and cultural realities before them. To pretend that a faith founded on submission can coexist indefinitely with a civilization founded on liberty is to court civilizational suicide. The choice is stark: reclaim the inheritance of 1492 or prepare for a new dhimmitude. History does not forgive those who forget its lessons. The Reconquista was won once by steel and faith; its reversal will be resisted, or it will be endured. There is no third path.
Ive been reading war news on iranintl.com. Lots of the info seems straightforward. The reporting style is good  not as slanted as that of U.S. liberal media.

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Since I knew nothing about the site, I decided to dig deeper. This revealed another level on the maneuverings of Persian Gulf nations.

Here is what Wikipedia says:

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Iran International (Persian:  , romanized: Iran Internasnal) is a Persian-language satellite television channel and multilingual digital news operation based in London, United Kingdom. Established in May 2017 and funded by Saudi Arabia, it actively promotes former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the next ruler of Iran. It is aimed at Iranians and people interested in Iranian news, culture, politics, society and sports.

The start-up funding was a quarter of a billion dollars from a rich Saudi.

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It is reasonable to view this site as a Saudi propaganda tool against Iran. Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim. Iran is Shia Muslim. These two rivals are the largest denominations of Islam. Both believe that Allah commands Muslims to conquer all humanity. Shiites are much more active as terrorists against the West.

Many of the terrorists who committed the 911 attacks on the USA were Saudis from the Wahhabists, another of the many violently fanatic Islamic sects.

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Iran International has been accused of promoting Saudi interests, and serving as a political platform of former Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. In response, Iran International states it adheres to strict international standards of impartiality, balance and accountability.

It is silly to condemn a nations rulers for funding news and propaganda that promote that nations goals. Every nation does it, as does each and every one of us. Just imagine how effective your personal propaganda campaign would be if it were kicked off by a $250-million donation.

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Saudi Arabia understands that Irans fanatical Shia mullahs want Iran to dominate the Middle East, particularly Persian Gulf petroleum resources. Saudi Arabias king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, obviously does not want to be dominated. Also, the Saudi king wants the son of the former Shah of Iran, former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, to overthrow Irans religious dictatorship and rule Iran. The son would owe his restoration to Saudi influence, thus making Saudi Arabia, not Iran, the dominant Persian Gulf nation.

Im guessing that the USAs fairly good relationship with Saudi Arabia makes Saudi regional dominance an acceptable replacement for the terroristic, nuclear missileseeking ambitions of Irans mullahs. Its not as though there is an abundance of good choices. Were darn lucky to have one strong, competent ally in Israel. Thats more than weve got in all of Europe.

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There are also mentions that Israel may back the wannabe young Shah. Im guessing, again, that an Iranian ruler backed by Israel, no matter how subtly, creates a host of instabilities for the new ruler.

Im strongly against the Shahs son as Irans new ruler. His dad was deposed for running a pretty brutal police state. There was massive jubilation among Iranians for Ayatollah Khomeini kicking the Shah out, and massive mourning for Khomeini when he died.

Trump talks of regime change. I cant see any realistic path for Iranians to an alternative government. A constitutional monarchy sounds nice, but it is doomed if its the Shahs son. If and when the war ends, some of those with power now, like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, will likely still have power. Thats why it is vital that Iran loses its ability to make nuclear bombs and that the USA seizes and keeps control of Irans Kharg Island petroleum export facility, which funds Irans military ambitions.

Many of us think of U.S. politics as a can of worms. Islamic politics appears to be a can of crazed, cannibal scorpions.

Trump seems aware of the multiple levels of difficulty. Though what hes doing sometimes appears chaotic or counterproductive, he also seems to have the big picture firmly in mind. Thats about what youd expect when trying to subdue crazed scorpions.

Texas Hughes: Born in WWII, Army Security Agency Morse code intercept, MBA statistics, computer programmer, software/budget analyst, small business owner, support contractor for U.S. Army Air Defense, intelligence, and logistics operational evaluation testing. Been poor, been well off.

Image: Ninara via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Leftist elites are a spoiled, entitled, bunch and as a result, have little contact with the real world and all the havoc their ideas create there. They call for crime, they get crime, and then they call for more crime, blaming President Trump.

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But there's something else weird that might be worth a second look, particularly on this strange pro-crime stance which has cropped up on the left in the past twenty years: The criminal pasts of their parents.

Noam Blum, who is a podcaster and contributor to Tablet and Commentary magazines, put his finger on it, citing the case of New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino, who proudly said in a New York Times podcast a few days ago that she had shoplifted numerous times from Whole Foods as her social-justice protest.

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Jia Tolentino is the second leftist I know whose thoughts about "the rich" getting away with crime should be viewed through the prism of their parents being criminals who didn't get away with it. The second being Wajahat Ali.  Noam Blum (@neontaster) April 24, 2026

Perhaps childish people are abnormally attached to their parents, and in a funny way, want to defend them -- by making the consequences for crime the bad guy, not the crime itself.

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In Tolentino's case, she claimed her parents had been innocent victims of bureaucratic paperwork foul-ups, but those who follow the human trafficking trade said her parents' deeds were doozies.

According to MEMSNYC, a Queens, New York City-based nonprofit that combats human trafficking:

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In Jia Tolentino's blog post, she talked about her parents work to set up an agency that gave Filipinos jobs as nurses and teachers in the United States. Though upon first glance, this work may seem positive, an opportunity for immigrants to gain employment, but as she highlights, any business involving immigration is inherently unethical." These labor agencies, especially Filipino owned ones, are the modern manifestation of institutionalized trafficking. Her parents stole almost 2.75 million USD and indicted on 40 counts of money laundering, conspiracy to smuggle immigrants, and visa frauds. They charged each Filipino teacher $10,000 for a visa, but less than 100 of the 273 teachers brought to the USA had jobs. Jia's parents are simply one example of the common and modern trend of trafficking, particularly the labor trafficking of Filipino migrants. Jia is the example of the culture normalizing and excusing trafficking because it is does not match history's depiction. Advertisement

Apparently, they were exploiters, taking thousands in fees from hopeful Filipina teachers and nurses who sought employment in the U.S., forcing them to take out loans, and reportedly pocketing 50% of their salaries. They got busted and had to pay hefty fines.

They mostly got away with it. They signed a plea deal that dismissed the human trafficking charges and merely plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government and served no jail time. They had to pay big fines, though, and it meant that Tolentino grew up less money than she https://t.co/RVCANZJOxH Advertisement April 24, 2026

Jia Tolentino defended her parents in 2020 after they were literally arrested in 2004 for human trafficking. They had lured Filipino slaves to the US under false pretenses, made them take out huge loans at 60% interest, and then stole 50% of their wages.  Summer Snow  (@SummerSnowUSA) April 23, 2026

It's not surprising she considers the system 'bad' then, if mom and dad, boots on the necks of migrants, are always 'right.'

Another one named in that vein was Wajahat Ali, a New York Times and Atlantic contributor whose schtick is that Americans are anti-Muslim racists with completely unreasonable suspicions about Muslims who hate America. Get a load.

He, too, is all in for crime, because his parents did this:

Soon after 9/11, his parents, who sold academic software, were arrested and imprisoned for mail fraud, wire fraud and other counts as part of a large Microsoft anti-piracy criminal indictment. They spent nearly five years in prison.

Sound like the kinds of migrants who should be allowed in to 'diversify' our American values?

Ali thinks so. And if they do something fraudy, well then America is the problem. He's said in various interviews that they were targeted for their stealings because they were Pakistani Muslims, rather than because of anything they did, so the system, see, was racist.

He's quite a piece of work.

Another one whose name came up on the thread was Chesa Boudin, the former San Francisco district attorney and Hugo Chavez translator, whose parents were literally domestic terrorists, and served long jail terms, while Bill Ayers was left to raise him in his "guilty as sin, free as a bird -- America is a great country" values.

Was it loyalty to mom and dad that made him let every criminal off the hook, and got himm recalled by San Francisco's lefty voters as a result? One wonders if he had an axe to grind.

There also are a couple of overseas examples of this resentment fueling leftwing pro-crime stances.

Chilean actor Pedro Pascal had parents who were doctors and radical leftists who fled Chile after the 1973 Allende dictatorship fell. They got asylum first in Denmark, then here in the states, then his father began a checkered medical career in Southern California. According to Wikipedia:

His parents returned to Chile in 1995 after his father Dr. Jose P. Balmaceda was accused of stealing fertility patients' eggs and embryos and implanting them in other women without their knowledge and consent.[21] After his mother's death, he began using his maternal surname professionally as a tribute to her and because he felt that people in the US had difficulty pronouncing his paternal surname, Balmaceda.[19]

Really? More likely, his dad was an embarassment. But none of this got him to stop his pro-crime left-wing activism.

There also was Rafael Correa, the former president of Ecuador. Young Rafael was the son of an illegal alien in the states who dealt drugs, got deported, and ended up raising young Correa in Ecuador. He grew up to be president of Ecuador on an anti-American ticket, aligned himself with Hugo Chavez, and left Ecuador -- once a very pleasant place -- a crime pit that it's still trying to clean up after.

There's probably some meaning to this pattern of childish leftists with guilty parents hating justice for criminals in all these examples found largely among the intelligentsia of the various elites. There's also a strong ungrateful migrant thread running through most of it (Boudin, of course, was from an anti-American communist background, the rest were the children of migrant criminals). The conclusion here is that the U.S. needs to vet its migrants more closely for nothing else to prevent producing people like these.

It seems significant that many of those who hate U.S. justice seem to be seeking to avenge their criminal parents as only resentful children can.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay Content License
In the 1920s in Britain, during the heyday of the bright young things, who were the fast, hard-drinking, promiscuous, wealthy young people who grew up in the shadow of WWI, one began to see a very specific type of young man, usually described as louche. It was an interesting expression, because it meant young men who, even by the standards of the bright young things, were more than usually unsavory, with an air of decadence and debauchery.

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Hasan Piker, despite his expensive, clean Polo shirts and his khaki pants, is louche. He is decadent, debauched, and unsavory. And I dont mean that as a comment on his personal morals, about which I know nothing. I mean that about the essence of who he is. This gives just a taste:

(The video is queued to begin at 13:45, but I recommend Shapiros entire discussion.)

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What interests me more is how Piker came to be a star. He has no charisma. Hes not a leader, a creator, or an interesting speaker. In flat, often pressed tones, he mostly recites Marxist cant, complete with the usual helping of hatred for America, Israel, and Jews. When you get right down to it, hes nothing more than a common grifter.

But grifters manage to do well (and hes doing very, very well, with his Brentwood mansion, fabulous clothes, etc.) when they are selling something that others want to buy. He is a symptom, not a cause, someone cleverly capitalizing on a movement of young college graduates who have been trained to hate the same society that created them.

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And nothing illustrates that more than the two young women in a New York Times video interview with Piker. Theyre very expensive young women, living in a very rarefied, privileged world, one that few Americans get to experience.

The woman hosting the interview, which ran in The New York Times Opinion section, is Nadja Spiegelman. Her father is cartoonist Art Spiegelman, who wrote the graphic novel Maus, and her mother is Francoise Mouly, whos been an art editor at the New Yorker for over three decades.

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Maus, based on Art Spiegelmans conversations with his own father, uses mice and other animals to tell the story of the Holocaust. It won the Pulitzer Prize and was a massive worldwide bestseller. Young Nadja, like her parents, has built her entire career in the publishing world.

The other young woman, Jia Tolentino, was born in Canada, to Filipino parents, although she grew up in a Houston Baptist community. She went to the University of Virginia and then got an MFA at the University of Michigan. Since writing my newsletter essay, Ive learned that Tolentinos parents and grandmother were indicted for running a very profitable and, apparently, criminal business trafficking Filipino workers to America. Her father and grandmother both pleaded guilty. So she grew up in an affluent crime family, which finally got nabbed when she was in her late teens. Nothing seems to have changed her moral compass since then (including that Baptist upbringing).

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Like Najda Spiegelman, Tolentino has spent her entire working life cloistered in the publishing world, aside from a year in the Peace Corps. Shes a big star in that world, so one can assume a certain degree of affluence.

While I dont recommend watching the whole video (its too painful), you should definitely watch a little. These are three affluent, and immoral people, who freely encourage others to commit what arewhen stripped of political verbiage and posingnothing more than ordinary acts of theft.

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Whats striking, however, is that both women are absolutely giddy to be in Pikers presence. Thats strange. He isnt very handsome, hes got cold, dead eyes, hes a virulent, open antisemite, which youd think might bother Spiegelman, and its quite obvious that he has nothing but disdain for the women. Every time they say something stupid and immoral, he eggs them on to be more stupid and immoral. This is a con man who hates those hes conning, even as he revels in the money and power from the grift.

But these affluent, cloistered, utterly selfish and amoral women are fine with that.

Heres an analogy. In the 1920s and 30s, Englands Mitford family was very famous. The head of the family was the 2nd Baron Redesdale. He came from an ancient and honored lineage and had a large estate where he raised his six daughters and one son. Because he was incredibly eccentric (to the point of probable mental illness), the girls were never formally schooled. Instead, they grew up wild in a home with distant parents. They became famous because they were titled (Honorables), beautiful, and eccentric.

Jessica became a communist, married Winston Churchills nephew (who died early in WWII), and relocated to America. Nancy became a famous writer. Pamela raised poultry. Deborah married a duke and became the gracious chatelaine of Chatsworth. But the other three siblings all became fascists.

Diana, after divorcing the heir to the Guinness fortune, married Sir Oswald Mosley, Britains homegrown little Hitler. Tom, despite a long affair with a Jewish woman, refused to fight the Nazis and was sent to Burma, where he was killed (allegedly by his own men). And UnityUnity was devoted to Hitler and was rumored to have been his lover. She was utterly besotted by that grotesque little man and tried to commit suicide when he declared war on Britain.

Spiegelman and Tolentino have that same besotted affect. Like Unity, they come from rarefied backgrounds. Like Unity, they hate their culture. Like Unity, they have an overwhelming sense of entitlement. And like Unity, they fall down and worship before a dead-eyed, power-hungry, socialist antisemite.

The tragedy of Spiegelman and Tolentino isnt that they are loathsome, ungrateful, unprincipled, shallow young women. The tragedy is that theyre representative of a generation of young women just like them, women who are at the heart of the Democrat party. These Democrat women, when theyre not giggling and posturing like dogs in heat, are depressed, shrill, hysterical, angry, vicious, and very, very dangerous to Americas well-being.

This essay, in slightly different form (because videos cant get embedded in emails and because I learned new information about Jia Tolentino), originally appeared in the weekly subscribers-only American Thinker newsletter, which contains unique essays from American Thinkers editors. If you subscribe, in addition to the newsletter, youll get an ad-free experience, be able to comment on content, and have a choice about your home screen display.

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North Carolina is a gorgeous state, one with dazzling natural and historic sites. However, for decades now, its been a politically divided state that seesaws back and forth between conservative and leftist values. This is unusual because in most states, one side or another has already won the political war within the state. Recent stories highlight this divide and serve as a microcosm of the battles across America.

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During the Civil War, North Carolina was officially a Confederate state, although it had a strong cohort of Union sympathizers in the Appalachians and some coastal regions. When Reconstruction ended, North Carolina, like the rest of the South, mostly went Democrat. Unlike other southern states, though, it periodically elected Republican governors, doing so in 1896, 1972, 1984, and 2012. All the other governors have been Democrats, including the current governor.

While the governors are Democrat (reflecting the voting heft of urban areas), the state assembly is mixed. In both houses, Republicans hold the majority (30-20 in the Senate and 71-49 in the House). Nevertheless, the Senate President is a Democrat.

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North Carolinas political schizophrenia is also visible at the federal level. Except for the Reconstruction era, it mostly elected Democrats, although it sent a Republican to the Senate in 1896, the same year it elected a Republican governor. The pattern repeated in 1972, when it elected Jesse Helms and a Republican governor. Beginning with President Reagan, North Carolina began sending a steady mix of Republicans and Democrats to the Senate. The two current senators are both Republicans, but Thom Tillis is a burr in Trumps saddle.

This is what North Carolina looked like when it voted in the 2024 federal election:

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As with so many red states, on a square-mile basis, most of the state is conservative. However, all the urban areas are Democrat, with many of them being radical, something strongly supported by academia. Ive annotated the above map to identify which counties dominate the blue areas, and which have universities:

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Its pretty obvious that academiaDuke and UNCis closely tied to a countys level of progressivism. The more major educational institutions there are, the more left a region will be.

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Here are several recent stories from North Carolina that show what leftism does and how the states conservative regions, through their legislatures and local governments, are fighting back.

August 2025: Iryna Zarutska was slaughtered on a Charlotte light rail by a recently released, mentally ill recidivist criminal.

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December 2025: A public library in Randolph County, a red county due south of true blue Greensboro, insisted on keeping a pro-trans book in the childrens section of its library, only to have the county dissolve the board overseeing the library.

April 2026: In the face of the refusal by Chapel Hill-Carrboro (Durham County) schools to remove pro-LGBTQ books from the childrens shelves, Republican lawmakers are trying to ban all such books. The schools currently put the burden on parents to request that their child be barred from borrowing specific books, but place no limits on what children can see while in the library, and many of these books allegedly violate existing law about sexualized books available to K-4 students. The issue also extends to whether schools can hide their childrens neo-pronouns.

April 2026: Also in Chapel Hill-Carboro, school superintendent Rodney Trice calmly announced that a kindergarten book showing two men kissing while wearing bondage gear was fine, given that it was certainly something a child would see in their community.

North Carolina school superintendent testifies that he sees nothing wrong with kindergartners reading an LGBTQ book depicting two men kissing while wearing BDSM attire:



Thats certainly something a child would see in their community. pic.twitter.com/I8hRYp8GWE  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 24, 2026

April 2026: Asheville, a popular tourist destination in the Blue Ridge mountains known for its charm and proximity to the Biltmore Estate, one of Americas top tourist attractions, is now overrun with homeless people:

For years, Asheville, North Carolina, marketed itself as a mountain escape known for breweries, boutique hotels and Blue Ridge views. But residents and critics say a different reality has taken shape in the wake of Hurricane Helene: panhandling at intersections, public intoxication, encampments and an unsafe downtown.

This was not an accident, but flowed from civic policies:

Asheville began its efforts to address homelessness at least three decades ago. This effort accelerated in the early part of this century with the first Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, [Carl] Mumpower told Fox News Digital. That plan was ill advised but passed with a super-majority. At the time, I suggested to the council that any plan that removed personal accountability from the helping equation was doomed to fail.

Mumpowers concerns are real:

Data from the groups 2026 Point-in-Time survey found 824 people experiencing homelessness, a 9.1% increase from 2025. That included 334 people living unsheltered, up 1.8% from the prior year. Nearly 500 others were in shelters or transitional housing, a rise the Continuum of Care attributed partly to expanded emergency shelter and transitional housing capacity.

All those are recent events. Going a little further back, one also gets all the racial craziness. For a decade, the government has been pushing back against the creeping leftism emanating from academia and infecting the communities around those institutions. These battles include the war over CRT and DEI, the attacks on North Carolinas history, and the question about Nikole Hannah-Joness tenure.

For those who have forgotten, she created the famous, but highly inaccurate, 1619 project. The state eventually caved, giving a permanent seat to a woman who is much less interested in history than in race-based leftist indoctrination.

The culture war in North Carolinaand the fact that local legislatures matter so muchis a reminder that its not just the top of the ballot that counts. Every vote, all the way down the ballot, makes a difference. After all, thats how leftists, slowly but steadily, took over blue state legislatures. Its time to push back.

Even if youre worried about the federal government, you need to keep an eye on local politics. So, vote in your primaries because they matter. And go to the polls in the fall to vote for your preferred state politicians. And while youre at it, even if youre piqued about something Trump did, vote Republican. The alternative is much, much worse.

Image created using AI.
What happened to three-year-old Amelia Perez in San Antonio last week is the stuff of nightmares: A man high on an incredibly potent illegal drug literally tried to eat her face. Its an awful story, but how the man came to be in that park, and how the San Antonians in that park responded, all convey important messages about bad politics, constitutional rights, and the greatness of the American people.

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Here are the basic facts: The Perez familymom Gabriella, dad Xavier, grandfather Richard Ariaza, and little Ameliawas enjoying a day in San Antonios Espada Park, along the San Antonio River. As they were preparing to go home, Gabriella took Amelia to the restroom.

When they came out, Arharva Vyas, 24, lunged at the mother, grabbed her by the hair, and punched her in the face. Gabriella instantly put Amelia on the ground, reasonably believing that the attack was against her, not her child.

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However, the moment Amelia was out of her mothers arms, Vyas dropped to all fours, pinning Amelia beneath him, dug his fingers into her eye sockets, and, quite literally, began to eat her face. He ripped out two of Amelias front teeth and left her with bloody bite marks and bruises on her face. This photo shows Amelia, who was so traumatized she was beyond even tears, in the ER:

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GoFundMe.

A crowd quickly joined Gabriella as she fought to get Vyas off her daughter. He was subdued and arrested.

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Well, thats an awful story, but why did I say it has five important messages? Because of the details. (In each instance, any quotations are from the New York Post report on the Perezs ordeal.)

1. The peril of open borders. Vyas wasnt just a guy. He was an illegal alien from India. He is what happens when a nation is denied the ability to vet the people it allows to enter and remain.

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2. Bidens border policies are directly responsible for Amelias trauma:

The Department of Homeland Security told The Post Vyas first entered the country from India in August 2023 on a student visa. Advertisement Three months later, he was arrested on the University of Texas campus for felony assault. The college contacted ICE, but the feds under President Joe Biden determined the crime was not egregious enough to warrant visa revocation.

Since Vyass assault on Amelia, the Trump administration has revoked Vyas visa and lodged a detainer request with San Antonio police  asking the local cops to turn him over after he faces the American justice system.

3. Why we must aggressively police illicit drugs. The tendency across Democrat-run cities (and San Antonio is run by Democrats) is to be incredibly lax about illegal drugs. In some of the worst cities, the city gives users clean needles and safe spaces for their drug use. In other cities, as long as drug users arent actively committing other crimes, city policies encourage police to leave them alone. (I dont know what San Antonios policies are; Im just talking about Democrat norms.)

Theyre only harming themselves, were often told. Thats bull fecal matter.

Theres a reason certain drugs are illegal. (And frankly, Im really unhappy that Trump is buying votes by lowering the legal status of marijuana.) Drugs destroy human beings, and its never isolated. Just as surely as the knee bones connected to the thigh bone, drug users are connected to others, whether family, hapless strangers, or communities as a whole. Their mental and moral collapse radiates outward.

Thats how you get this: Vyas was allegedly under the influence of wax, a highly concentrated cannabis product  with one dose akin to smoking 15-20 joints, authorities said. Two points: One, marijuana is psychotropic, so when you use a lot, you go crazy. Two, because Vyas could get this drug, a little girl was almost permanently mutilated or even killed.

4. The Second Amendment matters. When bystanders ran to rescue Amelia, two of them had guns. This was, after all, Texas.

Horrified witnesses surged forward, dragging the attacker off Amelia while Perez screamed for Xavier until he finally heard the commotion and raced to the scene. Someone called 911. Two men pulled out guns.

I have no idea what Gabriellas politics are, but she knew what to do to protect her baby:

I was screaming Shoot him! Shoot him,' remembered Gabriella.

Damn right.

5. Law-abiding Americans can be trusted with their guns. Despite Gabriellas perfectly reasonable plea, the two people with the guns did not shoot Vyas. They recognized that using their weapons was inappropriate and held their fire. Vyas was subdued, and killing him once he was subdued would have been manslaughter or even murder.

In other words, the gun owners behaved exactly as a free and moral people exercising their inherent right to self-defense should behave. It was a perfect example of why we have a Second Amendment, and why Americans, for the most part, can be trusted to use it responsibly.

Theres no doubt that criminals use their guns irresponsibly, with horrible outcomes. An innocent young woman was slain in Baton Rouges Mall of Louisiana yesterday when she got caught in the crossfire after gangbangers got into a fight.

But heres the thing: the bad guys will always have guns. That Pandoras box is open. The guns are out there. Depriving the good guys of guns, as the leftists want to do, is a form of insane, murderous collective punishment against law-abiding citizens.

The useful idiots, wallowing in mindless emotion, havent thought this through, of course. The powers behind the useful idiots have...and they dont care.

Their goal is powerand no government is truly powerful when its law-abiding citizens are armed. If theyre disarmed, though, as in Europe, you can ship in a whole new population of violent third-worlders, and the law-abiding citizens cant do a thing about it.

Conclusion.

What happened in San Antonio was a vile reminder of evil in the world, including from our Democrat-run federal government, but also a reminder of whats good about America. Dont forget either lesson. And if youd like to help out the Perez family, you can donate here.
Adam Thomas has been crowned King of the Jungle in the live final of Im a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here! All Stars, concluding a series marked by tension both on and off screen.

Adam Thomas has been crowned King of the Jungle in the live final of Im a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here! All Stars, concluding a series marked by tension both on and off screen

The 37-year-old actor was announced as the winner by hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in the first live final of the All Stars spin-off on Friday night (24.04.26.)

Olympic athlete Mo Farah finished as runner-up, while Harry Redknapp placed third.

Earlier in the evening, Craig Charles was revealed to have finished fourth.

The final brought together the full cast, including David Haye and Jimmy Bullard, despite earlier disputes during the series.

Beverley Callard was absent due to ill health following a breast cancer diagnosis.

The result followed a series characterised by confrontations among contestants, culminating in an on-stage dispute during the final.

Sinitta and Gemma Collins were reported to have left the stage, while Ant and Dec became involved in a disagreement with David Haye and Jimmy.

Adam was crowned in what was described as an awkward atmosphere.

Craig spoke about the experience during an appearance on This Morning.

He said: It was deeply traumatic. It was very upsetting. Adam was so wound up, so aggressive, like a coiled spring.

It looked like he was going to attack Jimmy, he was dropping f-bombs and c-bombs.

Craig added: They couldnt broadcast it, I get that, Im not blaming ITV, they edited it out.

They had to water down what wed really seen but they didnt water down mine and Harrys responses.

Reports from unnamed sources suggested some contestants felt the broadcast edit did not fully reflect events, with claims parts of Adams confrontation with Jimmy were omitted.

According to the accounts, the aired footage focused instead on Adam speaking to Scarlett Moffatt about wanting to make his family proud.

The series has prompted discussion online regarding ITVs handling of the footage and duty of care towards participants, following Craigs remarks about the scale of the argument and its impact on those involved.

Adam has built a successful career in British television, rising through roles in popular soaps before expanding into reality TV, earning recognition for his charisma, resilience, and connection with audiences before his Im a Celebrity controversy.
There are, in this fallen world, many mutually contradictory terms, things like jumbo shrimp, trans women, pregnant men and above all, progressive Christianity. Thats not to suggest that political progressives cant have at least a semblance of Christian faith, only that their secular, political faith inevitably tends to overrule Christianity, which is why many of our mainline denominations are split asunder. One side insists that God, and His Word, are eternal, everlasting, unchanging. The other side doesnt. After all, if the Constitution is a living document, changeableor ignoredat the whim of Democrats, why not God?

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Thats a question little asked in Texas, among Americas reddest states, where one James Talarico, a former middle school English teacher and Democrat state representative is the Texas Democrat Partys nominee for the US Senate. Hell run against either current US Senator John Cornyn whose RICO moves have Texans wary of reelecting him or current Texas AG Ken Paxton. Talarico is in the race because hes currently a seminary student and Democrats apparently think his progressive Christianity might attract the Christian Texas vote.

Talarico is affiliated with the PCUSA, a liberal Presbyterian denomination, the liberal part being something of an understatement. Suffice it to say for such people, Democrat social policy takes precedence over Gods word, historical fact and common sense, like this:

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Graphic: X Post

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Talarico himself anticipates he might have a tough time with Christians who annoyingly insist on taking God at His Word about His Word:

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Graphic: X Post

Ill note only that most Christians would likely take exception to Talaricos opinion on the Ten Commandments and their supposed lack of historical basis in American history. Theyre certainly taking exception to his assertions about the non-binary God and multiple genders. Though he may have some Biblical backup in Genesis 1:27:

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So God created man in his own non-binary image, in the image of a non-binary God created he him; male and female created he them and multiple other genders to be later announced by a minor Texas political candidate.

OK, OK, so maybe Im taking a bit of the poetic, political license people like Talarico take in ignoring or misinterpreting the Scriptures. Here are Gods actual words (King James Version):

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So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

As one might imagine, that didnt set so well with Texans, but Talarico doubled down on stupid:

Well, I understand that that comment is a little provocative. I said it on the House floor when the extremists in the Republican legislature were picking on school kids who were different. But I don't think it's controversial theologically. Most Christians would acknowledge that God is beyond gender. In fact, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, said that in Christ there is neither male nor female. And so if someone's got a problem with that statement, they shouldn't take it up with me; they should take it up with the Apostle Paul.

Theology teaches God is beyond our understanding, transcending the twoonly two--genders He created. To try to define God is to limit him to what man can imagine and comprehend. Trying to define God with contemporary, woke, Democrat ideology is blasphemy, a term Talarico would surely find quaint and inapplicable to his progressive faith. Im sure Talarico is like many Democrats: often wrong, but never in doubt.

Talarico is also taking Paul badly out of context. In Galatians 3:28 Paul makes the point that nothing, not gender, not nationality, nothing else keeps us from being one in Jesus, from uniting us with Him, not that God is a 2026 Democrat.

One would think a seminary student would know that, and/or his teachers would correct him on so fundamental a misunderstanding, but perhaps not in the seminary hes attending. One can be certain a great many Texans lacking Talaricos apparent theological education will be happy to correct him, some perhaps a bit more fervently than others. And for their pains, they will surely be labeled Christian Nationalists, which is a bit of Democrat wordsmithing for Normal Americans/Republicans we hate.

One can search far and wide without finding any Christian who identifies as a Christian Nationalist or who might know one. Few, if any Christians know what one of those might be. They tend not to say things like theyre more religious than others and wisely understand that people who feel compelled to announce their piety tend to have little. The same applies to Christians who imagine God as non-binary in the contemporary woke sense, or who think the Ten Commandments have no place in Christianity or Judaism and no place in American history, to say nothing of the idea that displaying the Commandments, handed down to Moses on stone tablets writ by the hand of God, causes violence to either faith.

Talarico is Democrats idea of what might appeal to Christians, or at least what might fool them long enough to get him elected. Thank God.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Donald Trump is set to welcome King Charles next week who he has known for years - Yui Mok

Donald Trump is going to be receiving a visit next week from his old friend (Ive known him for years), King Charles. To hear the president tell it, you might take this to be a personal gesture from the monarch to a favoured confidant. In fact, of course, it is a planned commemoration of the independence of the United States and its longstanding amicable relationship with the colonial power from which it won liberation.

The recent embarrassing estrangement from the present UK government might have made this meeting awkward were it not for the fact that Mr Trump appears not to recognise that this rift is with His Majestys government, that the Kings reign is the responsibility of Sir Keirs office, and that this trip would only have occurred with the agreement of the prime minister. (Hence, its status as an official visit.)

Nonetheless, this encounter is going to be quite an exercise in diplomacy and tact at which British monarchs are, fortunately, known to excel. There will be private conversations between the president and the king, which will remain confidential, as well as the full-blown ceremonial, which will certainly be a splendid show.

The personal conversations will provide an opportunity (which I am sure he will take) for the president to make it clear that his regard for Britain is undiminished in spite of the unpleasantness of the moment. Then there will be a formal address by the King to the joint Houses of Congress, which will, you can be certain, maintain the highest and most far-reaching tone about the undying relationship between the two nations.

The King and Trump will have private conversations, most likely about the undying relationship between the two nations - Kevin Lamarque

So the spectacle will all go magnificently, although it will have little effect on the reality of the struggle for global influence between Europe, as represented by its two major powers, France and the UK, with the US. That looks at the moment like a fight to the death, but in truth, it will last only as long as the Trump presidency. Or perhaps only until the mid-term Congressional elections. The longstanding and crucial interdependence between the US and the UK in military intelligence will carry on - as it has gone on right through this bizarre episode of belligerent insults.

Amidst his familiar torrent of hyperbole, Mr Trump has made some exceptionally misinformed claims. Keir Starmers failure to support the US attack on Iran and particularly his initial refusal to allow US forces to use the Chagos Island base was a betrayal without precedent, said the president - unlike anything that had happened between our countries before. This is patently untrue.

In fact, this European failure to offer support is an almost perfect reverse replica of what the US, under president Eisenhower, did to the British and the French during the Suez crisis of 1956. When the Egyptian president, Gamal Abdul Nasser, seized control of the Suez Canal, the joint attempt by British, French and Israeli forces to invade and remove him was repudiated in uncompromising terms by the governments of America and the Soviet Union. The resulting failure of the mission proved to be a catastrophe for Britains credibility as a global power, and a (literally) fatal blow for its then prime minister, Anthony Eden.

Given the wealth and overwhelming military power of the US, such an instantly calamitous result is almost inconceivable, but how much of the countrys global credibility is being lost in this farrago? Will the cumulative effect of the ignominious abandonment of Afghanistan, political destabilisation in Iraq, and now perhaps, a failed attempt to replace the ruling regime of Irans terrorist state create a sense that the American hegemony is finished? And what, then, will fill the vacuum? China? Or a China-Russia duopoly with outlaw powers like Iran riding shotgun?

Trump will be gone in a couple of years - as all the grown-ups in the room keep reassuring themselves. But where will he leave the moral status of the United States? And even assuming the grown-ups have managed to reconstruct their economic priorities in a way that permits proper spending on defence, will they remember how to pick up the pieces and accept their joint responsibilities? Does any sane adult want to run the world?

Which brings us to another dimension in this encounter next week, which will not be acknowledged in any official way but which has to be significant. It is something that will have been apparent to almost every perceptive British visitor to the US. Some years ago, a friend of mine returned from a six-month-long stay in America, greatly impressed by its energy and dynamism. When I asked him if there had been anything he missed about life in the UK, he replied grown-upness. However compelling he had found American enthusiasm, it seemed somehow childlike by comparison to the attitudes he was accustomed to at home.

What is important for our purposes here is how Americans appear to see British people. I noticed on my own trips back to the US the effect that my acquired Britishness - the result of having spent most of my adult life here - had on Americans. I may have grown up in New York, but now, as soon as I began to speak in what my listeners took to be an impeccable English accent, I was treated with what I can only describe as a mix of respect and mild intimidation. Many British friends have reported similar encounters. Sometimes this phenomenon evokes resentment: the British voice is considered snobbish or wilfully superior. Its inherent calmness and irony can be seen as patronising or dismissive.

But even the hostile response reveals a truth: there is a grown-upness that Americans can remember and respect even if they find its codes of behaviour perversely opaque. The contrast in public behaviour used not to be so great. There was not such a dramatically perceptible difference between the manners and speech of a Franklin Roosevelt and a Harold MacMillan. The divergence now is, perhaps, just an idiosyncratic feature of this particular presidency, but it must say something about the state of Americas political development that such a man - speaking the way he does - can be elected.
Javier Milei, the Argentine president, said last year that reclaiming the Falkland Island was non-negotiable - Luis Robayo

Argentina has called for renewed talks over the future of the Falkland Islands after the US suggested it could support Buenos Airess claims of sovereignty.

Pablo Quirno, the Argentine foreign minister, has demanded an end to British colonialism and new bilateral negotiations to achieve a peaceful and definitive solution.

He repeated the assertion that Argentina had sovereign rights to the islands, adding that British occupation violated its territorial integrity.

It emerged on Friday that the Pentagon was considering reviewing the UKs claim to the territory as punishment for a lack of support for the war in Iran.

The Falklands government rebuked Donald Trump, pointing out that 99.8 per cent of the islands population voted to remain a British Overseas Territory in 2013.

British veterans of the Falklands War accused the US president of bullying.

A visitor at a museum in Stanley looks at photos of British soldiers killed in the Falklands War - Ricardo Mazalan

Argentina views the 2013 independence referendum as a sham, having accused the UK of implanting voters on the island.

On Saturday, Mr Quirno said: We reject the British invocation of the principle of the free determination of peoples.

The current inhabitants of the Falklands have never been recognised as a people by the United Nations. It is not acceptable for the islands inhabitants to become arbiters of a territorial dispute in which their own country, as an implanted population, is a party.

He said it was for this reason that the 2013 referendum was invalid.

The Argentine Republic once again expresses its willingness to resume bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom, Mr Quirno added.

He said he hoped negotiations would allow for finding a peaceful and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute and bring an end to the special and particular colonial situation in which [Britain] is immersed.

Pablo Quirno, the Argentine foreign minister, called for renewed bilateral negotiations over the islands sovereignty - Matias Baglietto

The Falklands government said it had complete confidence in the UK to uphold its right to self-determination.

A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer added that it could not be clearer that the islands were British and that the Government would defend its rights.

Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the islands right to self-determination is paramount, they said.

Argentina periodically reasserts its right to the Falklands. The issue was raised earlier this week after a leaked Pentagon email showed a US review of British sovereignty on a list of potential punishments to counter Natos lack of enthusiasm for the war in the Middle East.

The email stated that one of the options under consideration to punish members of the alliance would be to reassess diplomatic support for long-standing European imperial possessions, such as the Falklands.

Another policy option would be to suspend difficult allies from Nato  primarily Spain, which has refused to grant the US access to its airbases.

British Overseas Territories

The Telegraph also revealed earlier this week that Washington had forced Britain to accept a deal to arm Argentina with F-16 fighter jets.

Foreign Office officials were told in no uncertain terms not to oppose the weapons deal, despite concerns about the Falklands, sources told this newspaper.

Argentina took delivery of American F-16s from Denmark last year in a rare example of Western allies arming Buenos Aires.

Britain has a strict ban on exporting any weapons or components to Argentina because of competing sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands.

Although Britain had no veto over the F-16 deal, it could have raised objections in Washington to try to prevent the transfer going ahead.

Javier Milei, the Argentine president, said last year that he would not relinquish his countrys claim over the Falklands, also known as Las Malvinas.

He described reclaiming the territory as non-negotiable, despite saying he wanted to rekindle relations with London.

Earlier this week, Mr Milei told an Argentine media site that his government was doing everything humanely possible to bring the islands back into Argentine hands.

The US had initially remained neutral during the Falklands War, but later offered use of military bases and intelligence to support Britain.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said the UK needed to back the Falklands and protect the British Overseas Territory.

This is absolute nonsense, the Falkland Islands are British, she told Sky News. They have been for a very long time. The sovereignty is British sovereignty.

This is one of the things that worries me about the changing world: Im not like Keir Starmer, giving away the Chagos Islands and surrendering British territory. We need to make sure that we back the Falkland Islands. I dont know what Donald Trump is talking about.

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, added: The Falkland Islands are British  sovereignty rests with the UK, self-determination rests with the islanders.

The Telegraph has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.
Previously officials welcomed the throng of tourists but the current mayor says Athens risks over-saturation. Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)

In the heart of ancient Athens, on narrow streets and around archaeological sites, visitor groups appear to be everywhere, snaking their way behind tour guides.

At other times, officials would have welcomed such scenes. But for Haris Doukas, the socialist mayor who is determined to reclaim the capitals congested city centre for its citizens, the start of the tourist season leaves much of its historic heart at risk of over-saturation. Entire neighbourhoods, he believes, are in danger of losing their authenticity because of uncontrolled tourist development.

Athens cannot operate as if it were a giant hotel, he said in an interview. Restrictions and rules are needed. Cities must also have a say in the way they develop.

Last year, more than 8 million people visited Athens, a record for a metropolis that not long ago was regarded as a pit stop to the Greek isles. In short-term rentals alone, overnight stays in the popular Plaka district beneath the Acropolis have more than doubled since 2018, a study commissioned by the municipality recently revealed.

In the citys neo-classical town hall, officials say time is of the essence if Athens is not to fall victim to its own success. The warning signs are everywhere: from soaring property rents that have priced out local people, to overstretched infrastructure buckling under the pressure.

All of Athens is being dug up so that we can cope, said Doukas, who was a climate energy professor before he went into local government. Were building electricity infrastructure, water systems, new drainage, 5G networks. When you have around 700,000 residents and 8 million visitors, the pressure is enormous. Every month more staff, more equipment, more machines were being taken on to meet the challenges.

Doukas assumed the post in 2024 after unexpectedly cruising to victory with the support of the main opposition Pasok party, on a pledge to green what is widely seen as the continents hottest capital. An estimated 3,855 trees have been planted in the historic centre of the 15 sq mile (39 sq km) municipality under his watch.

But as Athens appeal has grown, the mayor has found himself coming head-to-head with the forces he blames squarely for runaway development in prime tourist spots. Doukas has had his sights on construction companies that are determined to erect multi-storey buildings at the foot of the 5th century BC Acropolis, as well as property investors and entrepreneurs. He is also taking aim at the proliferation of often unlicensed roof-top bars and eateries.

The battle intensified this week as Doukas told the Guardian he would use a tourism land-use bill, currently under debate, to call for a blanket ban on new business activity in the citys historical centre.

Well be stopping all tourist investment in Plaka, which I am on a mission to save. Theres no more room. Not for short-term rental, not for serviced apartments, not for hotels, or any other tourism use. The area is over-saturated, he said. We want to say enough is enough in a bill that is enshrined in law. Investors, he said, should head to other less congested areas of the capital.

The mayor has also floated the idea of freezing construction permits for new hotels. That would follow a similar ban, introduced by the centre-right government, curbing short-term rentals in neighbourhoods within view of the Acropolis.

To his surprise, this week he won support from an unexpected quarter. At an event promoting the capital on Tuesday, the head of the powerful hoteliers association, Evgenios Vassilikos, also raised the prospect of a cap on hotel construction, citing the example of Barcelona, which has not issued licences for new hotels since 2017. We dont need to reinvent the wheel, said the hotelier, adding that the moment had come for the capitals tourism sector to seriously contemplate where it wanted to be in 10 or 15 years time.

The mayor said: When the whole of Athens centre is turning into a hotel zone, I cannot be the only one saying it. Now that the president of the hoteliers association has weighed in, the discussion has officially begun. Athens cannot become [another] Barcelona.

Doukas has clearly been emboldened by Jaume Collboni, his left-wing counterpart in Barcelona, who recently announced a complete ban on short-term rentals from November 2028, when permits for more than 10,000 apartments will be rescinded in an attempt to make the city more livable for its residents. Both Athens and Barcelona are among 15 cities whose mayors have joined a European housing action plan that has urged the EU to take bold initiatives to address the crisis.

Like Collboni, Doukas has described access to affordable housing  impossible for many because of short-term rental pressure  as the municipalitys biggest problem.

Weve created a social housing office to identify buildings and apartments that we can renovate with EU funds, he said. We want to incentivise young couples to remain in the centre. While other cities are moving toward cement and skyscrapers, were moving in an altogether other direction, and that includes demolishing buildings to create public space for parks and playgrounds. Athens is for its people. It is not only for those who simply want to exploit it.
Gen Alpha has gone nuts for a cheap landline-inspired device that connects them with their friends.

In a time when everyone is eyeing the latest $1,000 iPhone, a $100 colorful can-shaped phone for kids is sweeping the nation.

The Tin Can is a WiFi-enabled device that allows kids to talk to their friends and reach the police in emergencies while avoiding strangers, scammers and social media.

It doesnt have apps, texting, or gamesjust real conversation with friends, neighbors, Grandma, or whoever you add to your approved contact list, an online description of the device reads.

The Tin Can has gone viral since debuting in April 2025 as schools and nostalgic parents embrace an old-school alternative to a smartphone.

Gen Alpha has gone nuts for a cheap landline-inspired device that connects them with their friends (Tin Can)

The response from both parents and kids has been incredible. Entire communities are coming together to get Tin Cans for every child, and schools are eager to bring them to their students, Tin Can CEO Chet Kittleson told The Independent.

The chief executive added, I think its resonated so much because kids are craving connection and autonomy and, until now, there hasnt been a safe, fun option that they actually want and that parents can feel good about.

Its not uncommon for the phone to start ringing within minutes, Justin Finn said of the Tin Can shared by his two elementary school-aged kids.

There is a real excitement around it that we have not seen with many other additions within the home, he told Bloomberg on Friday.

The Tin Can is a WiFi-enabled device that allows kids to talk to their friends and reach the police in emergencies while avoiding strangers, scammers and social media (AFP via Getty Images)

Hundreds of thousands of Tin Cans have been sold so far, mostly due to word-of-mouth, Bloomberg reported, citing the company.

Schools, including the Finn kids Nativity Parish School outside of Kansas City, are handing out the devices for free to prevent children from becoming addicted to social media, according to the outlet.

YouTube and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, were recently found liable in a Los Angeles case where a young woman testified that her early use of social media caused her to become addicted and worsened her mental health.

The Tin Can has gone viral since debuting in April 2025 as schools and nostalgic parents embrace an old-school alternative to a smartphone (Getty Images)

Not only may parents be drawn to the Tin Can for its social media blackout, but also for the nostalgia it brings.

We could have built some modern device and made it look all kid-ified, Kittleson said in Bloombergs article. But I wanted this to be something immediately relatable to the buyer, the parent  something understood inherently that reminded them of their simple childhood because that's what we're all yearning for.

Tin Can told The Independent that it hopes to bring the product to the UK sometime this year.

Were focused on keeping up with demand and giving every customer a truly magical experience, Kittleson told The Independent.
Actress Tracy Shaw, one of Coronation Street's most popular former stars, has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

In a video posted on Instagram on Friday night, Shaw, 52, told fans she is due to start chemotherapy for five months.

The actress, who famously played Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap between 1995 and 2003, said: "I have come on just to explain a situation that is happening in my life.

"I've been diagnosed with breast cancer."

She explained she was originally going to have surgery in two weeks, but test results means she's going to undergo chemotherapy for five months "before then hopefully surgery to have lumps removed and take the lymph glands out".

Appearing visibly emotional, the actress thanks her friends and fans for messaging to "check how I am", explaining she had been off social media for an extended period.

She adds: "I want to send all my love to all the women who are going through this at the same time or have just gone through this process.

"And all the women who have gone through this in the past, who have shown the light and the path for us to follow."

Corrie star Tracy Shaw attending the British Academy Television Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel on May 13, 2001 (Getty Images)

Several of Shaw's co-stars have rallied round the mother-of-two with messages of support on social media.

Samia Longchambon, who has played Maria Connor in the soap since 2000, said: Sending love to you Tracy. Another former Corrie star Sally Ann Matthews, who portrayed Jenny Bradley, wrote: Love you baby girl x.

Shaws character was at the centre of one of Coronation Streets most gripping storylines when the hairdresser was murdered by Richard Hillman, played by Brian Capron.

An estimated 17.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the episode.

As well as appearing in Coronation Street for seven years, the actress has also been in several other TV dramas and stage plays, including The Blue Room in 2003.

In February, fellow Corrie legend Beverley Callard revealed she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

She had been starring in Im A Celebrity South Africa, but had to leave days before the final on the advice of medics, telling campmates she didnt feel well after having a bit of a funny turn.

In an update earlier in April, the 69-year-old she said the cancer was successfully removed but had spread to her lymph nodes.
Pastor Fabian Arias speaks with a woman at US immigration court in New York City in 2025. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/Reuters (Photograph: Kylie Cooper/Reuters)

The Trump administration has long tried to wrap itself in Christianity, with Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, invoking warfare in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ. Trump even recently posted an AI image of himself as a Christ-like figure (later claiming he thought it was a doctor) and streamed himself reading the Bible.

But in reality, faith leaders have been some of the loudest and most consistent voices organizing against the administrations policies.

Since the first time Trump was in office, Christian groups have protested the militarization of ICE in American communities, provided physical shelter to migrants, hosted vigils and coordinated mutual aid. They are outraged by the administration waging war in the name of Christianity and are mobilizing as an expression of their faith, said Rev Dr Liz Theoharis, founder and executive director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice.

According to Theoharis and others heralding the efforts of progressive and social justice-motivated Christians, more people are joining them. They want to stake a claim to a version of Christianity thats in opposition to Trumps and Hegseths.

One of the things that was pretty stunning and pretty clear from the very beginning of this Trump administration is how hungry people are to hear faith voices and to see faith leaders pushing back against this heretical theology and the weaponization of faith, said Theoharis. People are demanding both  to push back against this horrible theology and to live their faith in the public square.

Related: Trump cannot bear the judgments of Pope Leo | Sidney Blumenthal

Social justice Christians are not inventing something novel

In the second Trump administration, faith-based resistance has been perhaps most visible in protecting immigrants.

In the fall, imagery of clergy and faith leaders thrown to the ground and handcuffed while protesting at a detention center outside Chicago made international headlines. During the January economic blackout organized by residents of Twin Cities residents, 99 faith leaders from across the country were arrested at the Minneapolis airport while protesting ICE operations. After Trump ended immigration enforcement protections for places of worship, Christian, Jewish, Sikh and other faith denominations, representing thousands of churches, sued the administration.

Christian leaders are also hosting continuing events in their local communities, such as Good Friday marches to ICE detention facilities. In El Paso, Texas, two Scalabrinians Sisters, Leticia Gutierrez Valderrama and Elisete Signor, coordinate a migrant accompaniment program that has supported over 1,000 people in immigration court and more than 300 in ICE detention. They are also undertaking symbolic efforts of solidarity: in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Catholic Workers made themselves wearable ankle monitors in support of local migrants in an ICE alternatives to detention program.

Many of these traditions are decades, if not centuries, old. Just look to the 1960s civil rights movement, led in part by Black Christians  from Dr Martin Luther King Jr to Bayard Rustin.

Christians that are interested in social justice now and want to confront the Trump administration are not inventing something novel, said Jonny Rashid, a pastor with West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship and a national organizer with Mennonite Action. Christians have been navigating against injustice for a long time  we stand on their shoulders.

Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement in 1932, was arrested dozens of times protesting against war and marching with farmworkers. The Berrigan brothers  two Catholic priests federally convicted as part of the Catonsville Nine, who burned nearly 400 draft cards in 1968 amid the Vietnam war  later helped launch the Plowshares, an anti-war Christian movement that damaged nuclear weapons in factories and led to arrests and jail time.

Over the last two centuries, houses of worship have provided shelter  from their role in the Underground Railroad to those resisting the Vietnam war draft. The first sanctuary city was established in Berkeley, California, in 1971, after an organizing effort by local churches to protect draft dodgers. The sanctuary movement later kicked up in the 1980s when US proxy wars in Central America led to a crisis for undocumented migrants seeking asylum and churches took them in.

Generations of organizers have been guided by the 20th-century emergence of Black liberation theology, Latin American liberation theology and Catholic social teaching  traditions that honor the basic dignity of human life and speak out against war and in favor of a social safety net.

Amid repeated cuts to social services, churches have provided basic needs through food kitchens, houses of hospitality and mutual aid. In January, Minnesota church Dios Habla Hoy, under pastor Sergio Amezcua, delivered more than 14,000 boxes of groceries to migrants sheltering in their homes from ICE.

Traveling the country and witnessing community uprisings against ICE in the past few months, Theoharis said: The real heroes and heroines, the real saints of this world, are emerging. Theres really beautiful organizing happening right now, and I want the world to know about it.

Reclaiming Christianity from the right

Faith-based organizing has also called for an end to war.

Faith leaders who have held Moral Monday actions for years  marching to call for funding for the poor and marginalized and away from war  rallied outside the White House last month against the war on Iran. In mid-April, yet more faith groups held a pray-in for nonviolence in DC, including the Kairos Center, Catholic Workers, Mennonite Action DMV and Churches for Middle East Peace.

Other iterations of their organizing are necessarily interpersonal. The Dorothea Project, whose name honors Dorothy Day and Sister Thea Bowman  the only Black woman in her convent at the time and who is credited with helping to desegregate the American Catholic church  was formed last spring. The women-led group organizes Catholic laywomen against injustice by hosting prayer circles, sharing educational resources about Catholic social teaching to pressure church leaders to condemn ICE. It also creates scripts to call and write Vance, who is Catholic, to end the war in Iran.

We do this work collectively, said Chrissy Kirchhoefer, a Catholic Worker, but our small actions really can have a big impact.

This weekend, Kirchhoefer is protesting with fellow Catholic Workers at a nuclear weapons part-making factory in Kansas City, Missouri. Her Catholic Worker house is also hosting a vigil over the war in Iran.

Multiple faith leaders told the Guardian they understand why people may not associate progressive organizing with Christianity. Rashid pointed to centuries of Christianity used as a tool of empire and repression, from manifest destiny and racialized chattel slavery to funding the fall of Roe v Wade. Communities impacted by those legacies, like LGBTQ+ people, may not feel comfortable joining them  though they too have predecessors in Christians such as Episcopal priest Pauli Murray.

While the right has organized some Christian denominations into a powerful voting bloc and Christian nationalism has grown in recent years, Rashid argues that it is not true Christianity: Christian nationalism is fascism and authoritarianism decorated with Christian symbolism. It is a racist, xenophobic, authoritarian, fascistic ideology that gets sold as Christianity.

Two-thirds of Americans are either skeptical of or against Christian nationalism. And most of Americas millions of Christians, from various backgrounds and denominations, have never been all in on Trump: according to Pew Research polling from February, white Evangelicals are the only large religious group in which a clear majority approve of Trumps job performance. Most Americans dont see him as religious at all, according to recent Pew Research polling.

Even political candidates are seeking to reclaim the narrative that Christianity is not the property of Republicans or the right.

James Talarico, a Texas Democratic senate hopeful, has built his platform on a progressive vision of Christian faith, saying God is nonbinary on the Texas state house floor, where several anti-trans measures have passed over the past few years. The majority of Christians support LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access, both of which Talarico has also used Christian rhetoric to support. More clergy are also running as pro-social justice candidates while citing their faith  a sign people are calling for an alternative within the political sphere.

In response to Trumps and Hegseths Christian nationalist rhetoric, Pope Leo XIV wrote this month, God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.

Of Hegseths call for no mercy for Iran, Kirchhoefer said: That is a radically different orientation that is so counter to the message of Jesus  of nonviolence, turning the other cheek.

 This article was amended on 25 April 2026. The opening of an earlier version referred to Christians and Catholics mobilizing in opposition to Trump administration policies; the intent was to refer to Catholics being among those Christians who are taking such action, as the article goes on to report.
Damon Albarn has thrown his support behind one of west Londons last remaining pie and mash shops, which is facing closure after a landlord demanded to more than double its rent.

During a visit to Cockneys in Notting Hill, the Blur frontman said it was outrageous that the traditional family-run businesses could be shut down over rocketing costs.

Owner Ruth Phillips has been serving up food from the Portobello Road shop for more than 30 years.

But last month she was told her rent was being hiked from 31,500 a year to a completely unaffordable 64,000, an increase she says will force her out.

Thousands of people have now signed a petition, set up by Kensington and Bayswater MP Joe Powell, in support of Cockneys.

Damon Albarn visited Cockney's with Kensington and Bayswater MP Joe Powell (right) (.)

Albarn, who is a regular at the pie shop, said: London will always be the sum of its parts. It is a truly cosmopolitan city because of the Londoners who come from all over to live and work within its boundaries.

I have lived and worked in and around this community for most of my adult life, so its very important to me to meet with Ruth and speak up in support of the campaign to save Cockneys.

The musician and songwriter added: Its outrageous that the costs are being pushed up to the extent that it is becoming unsustainable for independent and family-run businesses such as Cockneys to continue.

These are the people and institutions who give the area its local identity, Kensington and Chelsea must do everything they can to protect them from redevelopment.

Thousands of people have signed a petition in support of the shop (.)

Cockneys and Bush Pie & Mash, in Uxbridge Road, are the last two remaining traditional pie and mash shops in west London.

Ms Phillips runs the shop with the help of her family and uses a recipe that is more than 100 years old.

She told the Standard she was devastated when she received the increased rent demand.

I know the amount I can afford and its certainly not 64,000, she said.

Nobody else is paying these high rents. They go between 30,000 to 40,000.

She added that every five years she had had a rent review, with payments going up 5,000 each time.

But because new people have moved into the area... they are hellbent on putting my rent up from 31,500 to 64,000, Ms Phillips said.

Joe Powell MP said it was difficult to speak to the landlord directly because the building appears to be owned by a company registered abroad.

He told the Standard: It was great that Damon came down to support this crucial part of Portobello Road, one of the last remaining traditional, long-standing businesses.

Ruth has been pragmatic. She has had her own survey done and she knows the rent has to go up, but she can't do more than doubling it.

Because we don't know who the landlord is, we dont know what information is going back and forth.

But there is a lot of pressure on the agent to come to a fair solution to this.
Penne alla vodka hits lots of comforting notes. Photograph: Alleko/Getty/iStockphoto (Photograph: Alleko/Getty/iStockphoto)

Despite most traditional Italians considering it sacrilegious, penne alla vodka is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand Italian dishes.

Previously popular in suburban Italo-American restaurants during the 80s, the dish is now enjoying a widespread resurgence that is being driven by several factors including nostalgia and social media.

Featuring a tomato and cream base with a splash of vodka, the silky smooth sauce sits somewhere between coral and carrot on the colour wheel. The Guardians Rome-based food writer Rachel Roddy describes it as luxurious and a bit racy.

Dara Klein, a chef and founder of Tiella Trattoria in London, says the dish hits lots of comforting notes, comparing it to a slightly more grownup take on the Italian childhood favourite pasta al pomodoro which is eaten from day dot.

From New York to London, youll now find penne alla vodka as a beloved fixture on menus spanning budget eateries to fine dining.

At Marks & Spencer, you can buy a ready-meal version of the dish for 4.60, while at Waitrose, the retailer sells tubs of its own take on the sauce for 3.75. A spokesperson for the retailer says sales are up 65% year on year.

Meanwhile, at the London outpost of Carbone, the cult New York cucina with a three-month waiting list for weekend reservations, its kitchen serves up more than 120 orders of the rich, glossy pasta each night.

Theres an alchemy to the dish, says its co-founder and chef Mario Carbone. His recipe features chilli flakes and uses fresh rigatoni, instead of penne, because it cooks quicker. Its creamy, spicy and chewy, Carbone says. It is quite addictive to eat.

Rather than diners posting a photo of the Carbones smart mosaic floors, gleaming leather banquettes or neon signage, a snap of the plated pasta has become a sort of insider humblebrag on social media. You dont even need to add the name or location, notes Carbone. Its hugely flattering that something Ive made has taken on that effect.

While the dish has been given an Italian name, there are doubts that it is in fact Italian. Some say the dish originated during the 1960s at Fontana Di Trevi in New York. Some claim it was invented around the corner at Orsini in the 70s. Others allege it stemmed from Dante Casaris restaurant in Bologna, while some peg it to Alla Vecchia Bettola in Florence.

Carbone, who grew up in Queens to parents of Italian descent, says it wasnt a dish served at home. My grandparents were born in Italy and that is not a dish you are going to find there. They definitely would have kind of turned their noses up at that idea. Instead, he first experienced it as a child in a neighbourhood restaurant. When he suggested putting it on the restaurants debut menu in 2013, he said the team chuckled. Many doubted that the retro dish would work for a fancy restaurant, but from the opening night it was an instant hit.

By the 80s, vodka pasta had become ubiquitous in the US. It became popular in nightclubs earning the nickname disco sauce.

Ian MacAllen, the author of Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American, isnt surprised to see it having a comeback almost four decades later. The world is falling apart right now, he says. The warm embrace of this very rich, comforting food is what people are looking for right now.

Related: How to make perfect pasta alla vodka  recipe | Felicity Cloake

For gen Z, penne alla vodka has become their equivalent of the 70s prawn-cocktail dinner party, with recipe and serving suggestions on TikTok amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Some refer to it as the Gigi Hadid pasta  a nod to the model who posted her own take on the trend.

Part of the appeal is that it can be made relatively cheaply and quickly, but for the cohort who is largely sober curious, it also offers a way of experimenting with alcohol without actually consuming it.

Tiella Trattoria says the vodka can help add body to the sauce as it acts as an emulsifier between the cream and tomatoes. Carbone says it doesnt add any flavour, describing its use as more ceremonial than anything.

MacAllen says many of todays versions have been gentrified in some respects, pointing to New Yorks Don Angie that does a lobster alla vodka take.

The author says it reflects a changing attitude towards the idea of authenticity. In the 90s, it was all about finding original recipes. Nowadays, they are adapted and evolve over time, MacAllen said.

For some that means even pivoting away from pasta. In worrying news for traditionalists, pizza alla vodka and chicken alla vodka sandwiches are now gaining momentum in the US.
Elon Musk is now teasing the arrival of Tesla's next-generation electric vehicle, the Cybercab, which is believed to be starting production at Tesla's Giga Texas plant.

These self-driving cars were teased by Elon Musk for the longest time but were officially unveiled in 2024 alongside the confirmation of its Robotaxi service's launch.

Musk: Cybercab Enters Production in Giga Texas

Cybercab has started production pic.twitter.com/MAeswanf96  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 24, 2026

According to a post by Musk, the Cybercab autonomous electric vehicle has now entered production over at its Gigafactory Texas, which is located in Austin. The short post features a reshared teaser video from the official Tesla account on X, which shows several Cybercab vehicles rolling out on their own.

The video starts with the cabin of the Cybercab, which clearly shows that it no longer has the steering wheel and its column on the dashboard. It doesn have the Tesla Infotainment system featuring the "Cybercab" logo.

Later in the clip, Tesla also shows off the Cybercab from an outside perspective, showing it going out of the production line, followed by another unit of the electric vehicle. They then head out of the plant and drive out on to real streets.

The video then shows the different times and roads that the Cybercab drove on autonomously, presumably in Texas.

When Will the Cybercab Roll Out Publicly?

Musk and Tesla did not share any additional information regarding the Tesla Cybercab's rollout. The company did not reveal when the Cybercab will be available to be used by the public whenever hailing a ride via the Tesla Robotaxi service.

It also remains unconfirmed what the production volume of the Cybercab within Tesla's Giga Texas plant will be. It has also not been revealed how many of the autonomous EVs can be produced and anticipated.

That said, the Cybercab is already behind schedule as Musk previously said that it would be potentially available as early as 2025.

Originally published on Tech Times
The family residential center in Dilley, Texas, seen in 2019. Photograph: Eric Gay/AP (Photograph: Eric Gay/AP)

An Egyptian family of six has been taken back into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, days after they were released from a detention facility in Texas on Thursday, according to their attorney Eric Lee.

Lee said Saturday morning that Hayam El Gamal and her five children were on a private jet in Denver bound for Egypt because of a court order violation.

This is a very live situation  an absolutely brazen violation of separation of powers, Lee said.

On Saturday, the familys attorneys filed an emergency motion to block the deportation. The US district judge Fred Biery of the western district of Texas, who had ordered the familys release earlier in the week, granted the motion.

Its unclear what court order the family was accused of violating. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security could not immediately be reached for comment.

In June 2025, El Gamal was arrested in connection to her then husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Federal authorities say Soliman threw molotov cocktails into a crowd at an event drawing awareness to hostages in Gaza. The firebombing attack injured more than a dozen people, including an 82-year-old woman who later died from her wounds. Soliman is facing an attempted murder charge in addition to federal hate crimes.

The El Gamal familys case has drawn national attention. They had been detained at the much-criticized Dilley detention center for 10 months, a term believed to be the longest of any family during Donald Trumps second administration. Dilley, a facility in a remote part of Texas near San Antonio, that has been scrutinized following reports of inadequate medical care and rotting or bug-infested food.

Prior to the familys release, El Gamals legal team released a statement saying the facility had denied her and her children proper medical attention. In one medical episode, El Gamal had been experiencing excruciating pain. An ER doctors recommendation for her to receive an ultrasound was denied.

The lawyers also said her five-year-old child was not able to see a dentist to address 13 cavities and that when her 16-year-old son had acute appendicitis, he was instructed to take Tylenol as a remedy.

ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the alleged mistreatment.

In July 2025, when a federal court dismissed a lawsuit to release the family, then DHS secretary Kristi Noem hailed the ruling.

Just like her terrorist husband, she and her children are here illegally and are rightfully in ICE custody for removal as a result, Noem said then. We are investigating to what extent his family knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it, or if they provided support to it.

After the arrest, El Gamal filed to divorce Soliman. The pair arrived in the US with their five children in August of 2022, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Later that year, they sought asylum.
Falklands veteran Simon Weston has hit out at reports the US could review its position on the South Atlantic territory in retaliation for Sir Keir Starmers lack of support for the war in Iran, branding it a cruel joke.

An internal Pentagon email set out options for Mr Trumps administration to punish Nato allies for refusing to join the US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

The memo, first reported by Reuters, suggests reassessing US diplomatic support for imperial possessions such as the Falklands.

Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and invaded them in 1982 before being defeated in a short but bloody war.

Writing for The Independent, Mr Weston  who was injured serving in the conflict during the bombing of the RFA Sir Galahad  described the shifting position of the US as unnecessary and unfair, warning that Mr Trumps words could spark his friends in Argentina into restarting another similar conflict.

Simon Weston said Trumps latest intervention is a cruel joke (PA)

The potential shift in US policy has prompted Argentina to call for talks with the UK over the territory, although Downing Street has insisted the islands sovereignty was not in question.

Mr Weston wrote: To have the legacy that the islanders have created, the peace, tranquillity, the success financially and economically, and everything else that goes with it, thrown into turmoil and uncertainty by the words of a man who is the self-proclaimed leader of the free world, it beggars belief. Its so unnecessary. Its so unfair.

Its got to be classed as a cruel joke. The Falkland islanders are innocent pawns in a political game. Everyone can see that the islands have nothing to do with Mr Trump, and he cannot play the role of schoolyard bully forever.

He added: We lost 48 men aboard the Sir Galahad. Most of them I knew. They were my good friends. The attack killed another 10 or so outside of the ship, so over 60 men died that day...

What was it all for if somebody 44 years later can bring all that back? Everything that, and all my injured colleagues, and all the friends and families of the dead soldiers and airmen, all the Argentinians who needlessly died, the three civilians who died. What was that for?

Unfortunately, Mr Trumps words could spark his friends in Argentina into starting something like that again. I despair.

Mr Weston also told BBC Twos Newsnight that he hopes the King can convince Mr Trump to back down over the Falkland Islands during his state visit next week.

He said: I would hope that he [the King] would just kind of get him [Mr Trump] to back down and calm down over the Falklands.

What we dont need is Mr Milei [Argentine president Javier Milei] to raise his sleeves and believe that aggression may work because that would just cost more lives.

The veteran added: The King is an incredible statesman, hes a great ambassador for this country, hes somebody thats world respected and I think he can hopefully smooth some of this over so that we wont end up in a situation that we find ourselves where, we are allies, allegedly, but this is bringing it to a different point in the relationship.

Mr Westons intervention came after Admiral Lord West of Spithead  the commanding officer of HMS Ardent, a frigate that was sunk in the Falklands conflict  told The Independent the reports were an insult to the autonomous, self-reliant and free people of the Falkland Islands.

The row is the latest sign of the strains in the increasingly fractious US-UK relationship in the wake of the Iran war.

But this week, the US president said he thinks next weeks state visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla could absolutely repair relations with the UK, amid a growing rift with Sir Keir Starmer.

Asked about reports of a possible shift in US position on the Falkland Islands on Friday, the prime ministers official spokesperson said: The Falkland Islands have hugely voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and weve always stood behind the islanders right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK.

The spokesperson, asked if Britain was ready to defend the islands from any threats, replied: The question of the Falkland Islands and the UKs sovereignty and the islanders right to self-determination is not in question, and weve expressed that position clearly and consistently.

Pressed further as to whether the UK could defend the Falklands, they described the question as a hypothetical, adding: That is not the situation we are in.

Meanwhile, the Falkland Islands government said it had complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination.
The FBI has joined local California investigators in the ongoing probe into the disappearance of 74-year-old Naiping Hou (pictured in both images), the father of hedge fund and cryptocurrency investor Wen Hou (FBI)

The FBI has joined an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a Southern California grandfather, which his family believes could be tied to their success in the cryptocurrency business.

Federal authorities recently became involved in the probe for missing Rancho Cucamonga resident Naiping Hou, 74, who is the father of noted hedge fund and cryptocurrency investor Wen Hou. The son serves as the chief investment officer at Coincident Capital. In 2022, Wen Hou and his wife, who live in Las Vegas, contributed $1.1 million in cryptocurrency to the USC Keck School of Medicine to help fund research on heart disease.

Naiping Hou was last seen in his hometown on March 18, 2025. He was officially reported missing on May 4, 2025, after which detectives determined someone impersonated him using his cellphone for over a month.

"Possible foul play is suspected, as his bank accounts were depleted prior to law enforcement being notified about his disappearance," the FBI officials said in a news release.

His loved ones previously told KABC that the kidnapping could be tied to the family's success in crypto.

The FBI has joined local California investigators in the ongoing probe into the disappearance of 74-year-old Naiping Hou (pictured in both images), the father of hedge fund and cryptocurrency investor Wen Hou (FBI)

"I miss him a lot," Wen Hou said about his father in July 2025. "He's sort of a guide to my life."

In a previous LA Times interview, Wen Hou said he became concerned about his father in April 2025 when his text messages in the family group chat began to feel robotic. Naiping Hou became increasingly withdrawn through the messages, less communicative and refused to visit his grandchildren, he claimed.

Wen Hous concerns escalated around his fathers May 3 birthday when he began to suspect that someone else may have been controlling his phone. He said his father declined to travel to Las Vegas to see family and did not respond to calls. Instead of reacting warmly to a gift of handmade Chinese noodles sent to his Rancho Cucamonga home, a text from Naiping Hous phone simply read, Yes I received it.

The out-of-state son asked family friends to check on his father the following day. Upon arrival, they reportedly found the unopened noodle package left on the doorstep. Inside the home, they discovered that the residence appeared to have been largely cleared out, with all furniture removed and a poorly done interior paint job.

Investigators determined that someone had been using Naiping Hous phone to impersonate him and carry out extensive fraudulent bank transactions, including purchasing gold bars online. Wen Hou said that was unusual since his father was not tech-savvy and had never bought gold before.

A tip website Wen Hou created to find his missing father remains active, offering a $250,000 reward.

Anyone with information on Naiping Hous case is asked to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
The five Nineties trends that are back this season  and how to wear them

If your feeds have felt like a time capsule recently, youre not imagining it: Nineties minimalism is firmly back in fashion.

The renewed fascination with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedys iconic wardrobe has seen queues forming outside New Yorks C.O. Bigelow for her signature tortoiseshell headband.

After a long stretch of trend-heavy dressing, people are craving something more refined, says luxury stylist Oriona Robb.

They want pieces that feel expensive rather than attention-seeking.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedys simple style has become iconic (Alamy/PA)

So why is Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy at the centre of this shift? Her pared-back wardrobe has become a reference point thanks to FXs Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.

She had a very clear point of view, Robb explains. There was never too much going on, no over-styling, no unnecessary extras, just really well-chosen pieces worn with confidence.

So which Nineties staples are worth revisiting now? Stylists give their five top picks:

1. The slip dress

Few pieces capture Nineties minimalism quite like the slip dress. Long associated with Bessette-Kennedy  most famously on her wedding day  it has re-emerged as a key silhouette this season. Todays version is more about how its styled in order to bring it into 2026.

Slip dresses work best when theyre layered, says stylist Elsa Boutaric, a blazer or a soft knit instantly makes them feel more wearable.

The focus should remain on simplicity with a clean silhouette, minimal detailing and fluid fabrics like silk or satin.

M&S Autograph Satin Strappy Long Chemise, 35 (Marks and Spencer)

While monochrome tones still feel the most timeless, newer iterations have been seen in sky blue, baby pink and lime green.

Zara Satin Lace Camisole Dress in Ecru, 69.99 (Zara)

Worn under an oversized blazer or paired with a lightweight knit and ballet flats, Boutaric says the slip dress becomes the staple white t-shirt of dresses.

2. The double-breasted blazer

While the tailored boxy blazer has been a wardrobe staple for years now, the Nineties is bringing back a double-breasted version of it.

Seen across recent runway collections from Prada to Jil Sander, the silhouette has moved towards something more refined, with bigger shoulders and more buttons.

Robb says that when working with simple pieces, proportion becomes everything. A blazer can make or break the outfit, she says, it should look effortless, but never accidental.

John Lewis Double Breasted Linen Blazer in Dark Navy, 99 (John Lewis and Partners)

To make it look more chic, Robb says to pair the double-breasted blazer with straight-leg jeans or tailored trousers in the same material, with block-heeled sandals and minimal jewellery.

3. The white shirt

The white button-down shirt has always been a wardrobe staple, but its latest revival comes in a cooler, more louche take.

It works best when you take it away from anything too corporate, says Robb, for example, try not to pair it with a blazer.

John Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (Alamy/PA)

Choose something slightly oversized, worn open at the neck, maybe paired with a sleek skirt or relaxed trousers, she says, a la Bessette-Kennedy.

Robb says to push the sleeves up and loosely tuck the hem so the overall look feels effortlessly undone.

Massimo Dutti Flowing Total Look Linen Blend Shirt, 69.95 (Massimo Dutti)

Boutaric describes it as part of a wider move towards quality basics  a movement that invests in pieces that can be styled in multiple ways.

Whether worn with slim trousers or blue denim, the white shirt remains one of the most versatile pieces from the Nineties.

4. The clean-cut low-rise

Low-rise trousers have slowly been threatening their comeback for several seasons now, with only a few hopping on the trend with ultra-baggy low-rise jeans.

But this season, the silhouette is taking a more mature turn in tailored cuts, subtle flares and cleaner lines, as demonstrated on Demnas Gucci runway at Milan Fashion Week in March.

Robb warns against going too literal when wearing this trend. The mistake is [when people] try to recreate the Nineties exactly, she says. The moment it feels like a full throwback, it loses its edge.

Zara ZW Collection Low-Rise Capri Trousers, 39.99 (Zara)

Instead, low-rise styles work best when balanced with more current pieces like a fine slim-knit over layered tanks or an asymmetric blazer over a simple sleeveless roll-neck. As Robb notes, low-rise doesnt have to mean baring your midriff.

5. The everyday clutch

While Bessette-Kennedys headband and skinny sunglasses have been making waves, the biggest accessories trend to come back is the casual clutch bag.

On runways from Victoria Beckham to Celine, oversized leather and suede clutches were carried bundled under the arm, creating a sense of business-smart to otherwise simple and pared-back outfits.

The appeal lies in their simplicity. Without straps or excess hardware, they align perfectly with the Nineties minimalist focus on clean, uninterrupted lines.

And Other Stories Soft Leather Clutch, 139 (And Other Stories)

Boutaric notes that accessories play a key role in elevating these pared-back looks. Refined and simple [bags] make all the difference.

Whether paired with tailoring or casual denim, the clutch adds structure and intention to an outfit without overpowering it.
A former UFC fighter in New Mexico is facing charges after police say he punched his 17-year-old daughter in the face and headbutted her during an argument over household chores.

Tim Means, 42, was taken into custody after the April 21 incident and charged with a felony count of child abuse. He was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday and released Friday, according to court records.

Deputies with the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office responded to a home on Camino De Avila in Tijeras after a report of a physical altercation, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Albuquerque Journal.

When they arrived, Meanss teenage daughter told police she had been arguing with her father about chores when he allegedly headbutted her in the nose.

She told police that Means continued to get in her face, so she pushed him away, according to the complaint. The two ended up in the kitchen, where Means allegedly grabbed the teen by her neck in a strangulating manner and held her against the counter.

UFC fighter Tim Means is accused of headbutting his 17-year-old daughter and punching her in the face during an argument over chores on April 17 (Metropolitan Detention Center)

The teen said Means then grabbed a potato and threw it at her face. She said she began pushing and punching him in an attempt to get free.

As she was trying to gather her belongings to leave, she said thats when Means punched her on the right side of her face with a closed fist, according to the complaint.

Let it be known that there were visible hand and red marks on (the teens) neck, indicating she was strangled, the complaint states.

There was blood on and in her nose where she was head-butted and several red marks indicated she was hit in the face and on her cheek.

Means, known in the ring as Dirty Bird, has fought professionally since 2004 (Getty)

Means, known as Dirty Bird, has fought professionally since 2004, but lost five of his most recent fights and has not fought since October 2024.

He was previously released by the UFC in 2013 after repeated failures to make weight, but returned the following year and continued competing in the welterweight division.

In 2016, he was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, but he was reinstated six months later after the result was attributed to a tainted supplement.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth says the countrys military deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize every year.

Addressing press at an Operation Epic Fury operational update yesterday (24 April) Hegseth was asked whether he would consider changing the title of the United States Department of War to the Department of Peace, in line with the Trump administrations stated aims.

The one institution that should win the Nobel Peace Prize every single year is the United States military, replied Hegseth.

We are the guarantor of the safety and security, not just of our country, but of a lot of people in this world.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has laid out Tehrans demands for ending the war with the US during talks in Islamabad, according to reports.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual fixture in Washingtons social calendar since its inception shortly after the First World War, has evolved into a unique spectacle. It now serves as a red-carpet event for the capitals journalistic elite, political staffers, and a diverse array of US business leaders and celebrities, all gathered to witness the US president and a comedian deliver their respective roasts.

While some years fade into obscurity, others produce indelible moments  whether humorous, cringeworthy, or undeniably tense  that resonate across social media and endure in public memory. As Donald Trump prepared for his first attendance as president, a look back at some of these defining moments offers insight into the dinner's complex history.

Reagans somber address

As a former Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan, the 40th president, possessed a magnetic stage presence and an easy command of humour. It was during his presidency that comedians became an annual fixture at the dinner. In 1983, satirist Mark Russell, a PBS staple, offered relatively gentle jabs at Reagan. "There is another speaker following me," he began, "and so it is quite an honour for me to be doing the warm-up for my chief writer here."

However, when it was the president's turn, Reagan demurred. He reminded the audience of a "sad journey" earlier that day to Andrews Air Force Base, where he had received the remains of Americans killed in the 18 April bombing of the US Embassy in Lebanon. "I realise the original plan was that I would, in a sense, sing for my supper. In fact, I was prepared, not really to sing, but to do what you expected," Reagan stated, explaining that it would be inappropriate to deliver humorous remarks. "If youll forgive us," he concluded, "Ill keep my script, and I hope youll give us a rain check, and itll still be appropriate next year."

President Ronald Reagan watches as first lady Nancy Reagan comments from the podium during the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner 1983 (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)

A rare friendship: Bush and Carvey

Presidents have been lampooned on NBCs Saturday Night Live since Chevy Chase first depicted Gerald Ford in 1975. Yet, the dynamic between Dana Carvey and President George HW Bush set a unique standard. Carvey, also known for his iconic Church Lady character, masterfully exaggerated the 41st presidents nasal tone and patrician air to caricature his signature phrases: "Not gonna do it. Wouldnt be prudent."

Bush became a fan of the impression. He and Carvey sat together at Bush's final dinner as president in 1992. After his defeat to Bill Clinton that November, the president invited Carvey to the White House for a Christmas party, and the two maintained a friendship.

Comic Dana Carvey, left, shows President George H.W. Bush how to imitate himself (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

George W Bushs WMD joke

In 2004, US forces remained in Iraq following the 43rd presidents order for an invasion, based on assertions that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons threatening US security. By the time of the annual dinner, it had become apparent that these claims were overblown. Bush made light of the situation, presenting pictures of himself searching the White House for Saddams weapons.

"Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be here somewhere," he quipped, as one slide showed him looking under furniture in the Oval Office. The audience responded with laughter and applause. However, some veterans, including then-Senator John Kerry, the 2004 presidential nominee, were not amused. Bush went on to defeat Kerry that November.

Colbert skewers Bush and the media

Not long into his second term, George W Bush endured an uncomfortable evening as Stephen Colbert, then a Comedy Central host, delivered an unusually aggressive monologue for the dinner. "The greatest thing about this man is hes steady," Colbert declared in 2006. "You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change; this mans beliefs never will."

He sarcastically urged Bush to disregard his approval ratings, then in the low 30s: "We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in reality. And reality has a well-known liberal bias." Colbert also lambasted the dinner hosts, suggesting Washington media had protected the Bush administration. "Over the last five years you people were so good  over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didnt want to know," Colbert said, "and you had the courtesy not to try to find out."

President George W Bush laughs as comedian Jay Leno tells jokes at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, on May 1, 2004 (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A dinner without Trump

During his first White House term, Donald Trump broke the long-standing tradition of presidential attendance. Despite his absence, comedian Michelle Wolf targeted him directly. "Its 2018, and Im a woman, so you cannot shut me up  unless you have Michael Cohen wire me \$130,000," she joked, referencing payments made to prevent an adult film star from disclosing allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump. When the audience groaned at her crassness, Wolf retorted, "Yeah, shoulda done more research before you got me to do this."

With Trump absent, his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders (now Arkansas Governor), sat at the head table and became the focus of Wolfs routine. Wolf compared Sanders role for Trump to a character in "The Handmaids Tale," a dystopian novel depicting an authoritarian, misogynistic society. Her harshest barb riffed on a famous Maybelline mascara advertisement. "I actually really like Sarah. I think shes very resourceful," Wolf said. "But she burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Like maybe shes born with it; maybe its lies. Its probably lies."

Trump, who was in Michigan, called the routine "disgusting." Within hours, the Correspondents Association issued a statement asserting that the dinner is meant to celebrate "our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honouring civility, great reporting and scholarship winners," adding that Wolfs monologue "was not in the spirit of that mission." Sanders later rekindled the moment at Washington Gridiron, another annual politics-journalism event, stating: "Im proud to note that colour has really taken off. In fact, its the exact same thing worn by Vice President JD Vance."

Trump traveled to Michigan to speak at a rally on the same night as the White House Correspondent's Dinner, the second straight year Trump skipped the event (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Obama vs. Trump

Despite not yet attending as president, Donald Trump had his own memorable moment at the dinner. In 2011, he was a prominent figure in the "birther" movement against then-President Barack Obama, using social media and frequent Fox News Channel appearances to push the false narrative that the first Black president was born in Kenya and was not a natural-born US citizen.

However, at the Washington Hilton, Obama held the lectern  and he used it with Trump sitting directly in front of him. "Tonight, for the first time, I am releasing my official birth video," Obama deadpanned, before showing the opening scene of Disneys The Lion King, depicting the royal cub Simba being presented on the savanna.

Obama then turned his fire directly on the reality television star. "No one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald," Obama said. "And thats because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter. For example, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?"

Barack Obama makes a face as they show his video during his speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2011 (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

As cameras captured a visibly dour Trump, Obama mocked Trumps role on Celebrity Apprentice. "We all know about your credentials and breadth of experience," the president said, marvelling that Trump had to decide who to blame when "the mens cooking team cooking did not impress the judges from Omaha Steaks." "These are the kind of decisions that would keep me up at night," Obama concluded. "Well handled, sir. Well handled."

Trump glared icily. By November 2012, as Obama prepared for his second term, Trump had filed a trademark application for the phrase he would emboss in the national culture four years later: "Make America Great Again."
The burnt out vehicles at the Jewish Community Ambulance service in in Golders Green in March - Jamie Lashmar/PA

Iranian state television journalists working in the UK should register as foreign agents, MPs have said.

Under the foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS), anyone working on behalf of hostile states attempting to influence UK politics is expected to report themselves to the Home Office. Failure to do so risks a prison sentence of up to five years.

The scheme, which came into force last year, is designed to bolster national security by clamping down on covert influence campaigns.

Iran and Russia have been put on the enhanced tier of the scheme, meaning they are deemed to be hostile states.

Sanctioned elsewhere

Press TV, the English-language channel of Irans state broadcaster, has a studio in west London.

It was launched in 2007 to break what Irans state broadcaster called a Western stranglehold over the worlds media and has long been accused of acting as a propaganda arm for the Iranian state.

The channel has been sanctioned by the EU, Australia, Canada and the United States. It is not sanctioned by the UK Government, but had its licence to broadcast in Britain revoked by Ofcom in 2012 and has also been banned from YouTube.

However, it continues to use social media sites including Instagram, Facebook and X to promote its shows and has more than one million followers across those channels.

The channel is said to have effectively created a target list for terrorists with its reports on Jewish charities, schools and community organisations.

Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, said: Press TV is Iranian state propaganda. Full stop. We Conservatives introduced world-leading laws in the National Security Act requiring foreign state media like Press TV to register their activities in the UK or face criminal liability.

Ms Kearns said she had filed a formal police report setting out Press TVs links to the Iranian regime, adding: The law is clear. The evidence is there. Anyone working for Press TV who has not registered their activities on behalf of Tehran is potentially a criminal. It is time for the law to actually be enforced.

The FIRS scheme came into force last July, under the National Security Act. Individuals and organisations initially had a three-month grace period to register under the scheme.

Failing to register if eligible is a criminal offence under the act, punishable by up to five years in prison.

David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: Ofcom has taken away Press TVs licence, but this is clearly not enough. They are still able to broadcast hate and pay people to do it  presenters are being paid to spout hate.

Employees evidently should have to register [under FIRS]. They are working for a body whose boss is appointed by the supreme leader.

Press TV is controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, an organisation whose leader is appointed by the supreme leader, who is the first foreign power-controlled entity on a list specified under FIRS.

Earlier this year, The Telegraph reported on accusations that Press TV was being used by the Iranian regime as a front to recruit agents.

Strong case

After The Telegraphs investigation, it emerged that the Home Office was threatening legal action against the studio under the act.

Lord Walney, the former extremism tsar, said: There is surely a very strong case for individuals who are regularly paid by Press TV to be signed up to the [FIRS] scheme.

FIRS is a step in the right direction but is woefully lacking in the teeth that it needs to sufficiently control malign Iranian influence in the UK. There is a strong case for the default position that this should become a public register.

A spokesman for the Community Security Trust, a charity that protects the Jewish community in Britain, said: Press TV is the Iranian state literally pumping anti-Semitism into Britains anti-Israel movement. It has been very damaging.

We would hope and expect that the British authorities would be looking very closely at whether all Press TV employees ought to be registered under FIRS.

Robust measures

A Home Office spokesman said: We have a robust package of measures to tackle threats from the Iranian regime, which we keep under constant review.

This includes FIRS, which strengthens our national security whilst maintaining the UK as an international hub for business.

We take a balanced and proportionate approach to supporting organisations to comply with the scheme. But we will not hesitate to take decisive action where there is a clear risk to our national security.

Home Office officials said where there was evidence of a criminal offence, including failure to register with FIRS, they would refer the matter to the police. Press TV was contacted for comment.

A Met Police spokesman said: Any allegations relating to possible terrorism or national security related offences will be passed to officers within Counter Terrorism Policing, who will assess the details and take any further action as appropriate.
Labours expected London losses at the local elections could make life much tougher for Sir Sadiq Khan, it has been warned.

Recent polls suggest both the Green Party and Reform UK are set to make gains across the capital, while both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats could also cause Labour trouble in one or two boroughs.

Analysis from pollsters More in Common claimed the Greens are heavily favoured to win some inner London areas, such as Hackney and Lewisham, while Reform could leapfrog the Conservatives in outer London areas such as Bexley, Bromley and Havering.

This was backed up by this weeks MRP poll from YouGov, which suggested that Labour, which currently controls 21 of the capitals 32 town halls, will only have the largest vote share in 15 of them come May.

They predict the Greens will have the highest number of councillors in four boroughs, Reform UK in three, the Conservatives in five and the Liberal Democrats in four.

Labour currently controls 21 of London's 32 boroughs (More in Common)

Sir Sadiq said polls suggesting Labour is set to be decimated in London scare me as he made a heartfelt plea to voters not to take their frustrations with central government out on Labour council candidates.

While Londoners will have to wait until 2028 to vote for the next Mayor and members of the London Assembly, the results of the local elections in the capital could have a significant impact on Sir Sadiqs legacy.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) dictates the regional strategy on major issues such as housing, transport and policing but it is often up to councils to implement such policies.

The next two years, however, could see a political battle of attrition between City Hall and various London boroughs over contentious matters such as major developments and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

Bullish opposition parties have pledged to hold the Mayors feet to the fire after May 7 if London ends up a lighter shade of red.

Sir Sadiq Khan (PA Wire)

The Liberal Democrats London spokesperson, Luke Taylor MP, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): From the housing crisis and transport cuts, to the rise in neighbourhood crime, Londoners have been let down by Labour for far too long.

We were promised that a Labour Mayor and Government working together would get a better deal for residents, instead we have seen broken promises and we are at risk of managed decline.

Across the capital people want local champions who stand up for their communities and deliver on the issues that really matter, not just chat about culture war soundbites.

We will continue to hold the Mayors feet to the fire on the issues affecting Londoners, demanding more bobbies on the beat to keep our streets safe, fighting against the cuts to bus services and calling out their failure to fix our pothole riddled roads.

Reform and the Green Party are hoping for gains across London (More in Common)

A City Hall Conservatives spokesperson added: Sadiq Khan continues to let down Londoners by neglecting the responsibilities of his job and refusing to take being Mayor of London seriously.

Sir Sadiq told the Standard he hopes voters will not use the local elections as a way to air their frustrations with central government.

What I would say respectfully to Standard readers is dont use May 7 as a referenda on how perfect or imperfect the Labour government is, and I appreciate in two years they have not done all you wanted them to do, he said.

A Labour council working with a Labour mayor and a Labour government can do more than a party that uses a town hall to protest, Sir Sadiq argued after some Green and independent candidates based their campaigns around the war in Gaza and the governments response to it.

Luke Tryl from More in Common said: The Greens will be going after inner London boroughs, the Tories will want to win back their flagship boroughs and we expect Reform to make their biggest gains in the south east of London.

The Greens could do very well, taking advantage of the disaffected progressive vote. We expect to see significant change in Hackney, where Labour have dominated for a long period of time.

We could see Labour reduced to single digits [on the council], while the Mayoral contest adds an extra layer of complexity.

The capital isnt one of Reforms strongest areas, but they could cost the Conservatives in places like Bexley and Bromley, and do well in Havering, as well as in the Labour stronghold of Barking and Dagenham.

The elections will also have an impact on London Councils, a cross-party organisation that represents Londons 32 borough councils and the City of London.

Polls have predicted a poor night for Labour on May 7 (More in Common)

City Hall and London Councils, which are both chaired and dominated by Labour officials, currently work closely on the implementation of housing, transport and environmental policies across the capitals boroughs.

On June 16, however, a new Chair and Executive Committee will be elected on a politically proportional basis, meaning the Mayor of London could have to work with a very differently politically aligned organisation.

The Mayor has accepted that, whatever the outcome, he would work with the new batch of local leaders to continue to serve London.

Im there for all Londoners, which means representing all of London, whether you voted Labour, Conservative, Green, Lib Dem, Reform, or any party, big or small, he told the LDRS last week.

Similarly, I try to work with all council leaders, whether youre a council leader whos from my party, or Conservative, or Lib Dem. Or a Green, or a Reform, going forward after May 7.

Its really important we come together as Team London to work for the common good  and as long as Im here, Ill carry on working with politicians from all parties for the common good, which is our constituents.
The UK could seek talks with the Taliban to send failed asylum seekers back to Afghanistan for the first time since the fall of Kabul, the home secretary has signalled.

Shabana Mahmood said the UK was monitoring very closely what other countries were planning to do amid reports that European nations are planning to explore talks with the Taliban about possible deportations.

Afghans were the most common nationality arriving by small boat to the UK in the year ending June 2025, with 6,360 arrivals, 18 per cent higher than the previous year.

Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 30,000 Afghan nationals claimed asylum in the UK.

The UK government does not recognise the Taliban administration, which is a barrier to sending back those not granted refugee status.

Shabana Mahmood said the UK was monitoring very closely what other countries were planning to do (AFP/Getty)

But speaking to reporters, Ms Mahmood said: Were monitoring very closely what is happening in terms of other countries, whether thats European partners or others, and conversations they are having with other countries, including Afghanistan.

Im not going to get into any additional discussions that are happening in government  well have more to say about that in the future  but of course we monitor closely and we work with our partners in terms of the efforts that we all need to make collectively to try to get agreements.

Im not ruling it in or out. Im not going to give a running commentary on additional conversations that are happening.

Such a move, which would be an active reversal of current policy, would spark outrage from humanitarian groups.

Just last month, the United Nations warned Afghanistan was a graveyard for human rights that enforces gender apartheid using torture and corporal punishment, with women and girls over the age of 11 excluded from formal education and banned from most paid employment.

But the government is facing growing pressure to take drastic measures to bring down migration in the face of growing public anger over the issue and the growing political threat posed by Reform UK.

So far this year, more than 6,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after making the journey, down 36 per cent on the number this time last year.

As part of an attempt to escalate the migration crackdown, the home secretary on Thursday signed a new three-year 662m agreement with France, which the government hopes will see French police remove hundreds of migrants from French beaches every year.

The latest developments come despite the High Court this week hearing that families trapped in Afghanistan approved for sanctuary in Britain have stopped being evacuated, 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.

Mahmood and France's interior minister Laurent Nunez and French police officers at the construction site of a new illegal migrant detention centre in Dunkirk (AFP/Getty)

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.

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.
Korean television series "Mojamussa" or "Everyone Is Fighting for Their Worthlessness," aired by JTBC, has rapidly climbed to become the number one rated television program in South Korea and even internationally through Netflix.

Per DAUM, the series debuted on April 18, 2026, featuring Koo Kyo-hwan and Ko Yoon-jung. It was penned by Park Hae-young, the acclaimed writer behind hits such as "My Mister" and "My Liberation Diary." The series deals with themes of envy, jealousy, and the human search for peace when feeling left behind compared to successful peers.

The combination of Koo Kyo-hwan, Ko Yoon-jung, and Park Hae-young was highly anticipated even before the first episode aired. Director Cha Young-hoon, known for "When the Camellia Blooms," also contributes to the project.

Regarding the characters and story, initial audience reaction has been mixed. A lot of people struggled to sympathize with Hwang Dong-man (Koo Kyo-hwan), who was getting ready for his directorial debut after 20 years, because he appeared too pitiful. Some wondered about the rationale behind Byun Eun-ah's (Ko Yoon-jung) support for such a character when she played the role of an efficient planning PD.

READ MORE: Koo Kyo Hwan Reveals He Didn't Want To Be An Actor Here's Why

On the other hand, some people responded positively. People commended the actors for their brilliant performances and said that their acting made it easy for viewers to get absorbed in the show. They also stated that the role played by Oh Jung-se as Park Kyung-se would lighten up the drama.

Per Zapee, "Mojamussa" started with a 2.2% nationwide viewership rating and maintained that in its second episode. Although ratings on Saturdays were affected by competing dramas like SBS's "Law Office of the Gods" and MBC's "The Grand Prince's Wife of the 21st Century," Sunday broadcasts did not show significant improvement despite less competition.

In contrast, on Netflix, the drama quickly soared to No. 1 in Korea's "Today's Top 10 Series" category from its second day on air. According to FlixPatrol, an OTT platform analytics site, "Mojamussa" ranked within the top 10 series in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia just one day after release. It has since gained traction in countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore.

Industry watchers are now focused on how the series will perform in the official Netflix global rankings scheduled for release next week.

"Mojamussa" airs Saturdays at 10:40 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 p.m. on JTBC.

READ MORE: Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung's Behind-the-Scenes Moments Are Making Everyone Swoon
Mgeni, a mother of five who lives in the village of Mwavi in Tanzanias Bagamoyo District, has told The Independent that participation in a vaccine trial has transformed malarias impact on her community (Nick Ferris)

One noise that seems ubiquitous in Tanzanias villages is a revving motorbike, often making its way across a difficult dirt road while overloaded with farm produce to sell. A recent study found that nearly 90 per cent of vehicles on rural Tanzanian roads are motorcycles, or boda bodas, with their riders a critical part of the local economy.

So when the motorbike mechanic in the village of Mwavi, in the Bagamoyo district of Tanzania, fell ill with malaria and died a few days later, a keystone of the community was gone. He told us he had a terrible headache, so he went to the hospital, and they gave him some pills, explains Mgeni, a mother of five who lives in Mwavi. When he didnt improve, he went back, but they told him it was too critical, so he was lost. It is very sad because he was such a big part of the community.

Tanzania is a country where the mosquito-borne disease remains endemic, with its population of 70 million accounting for roughly four per cent of global malaria deaths. The latest figures say that in 2024, there were 9.4 million cases and 26,000 deaths. This is in spite of the fact that numerous effective treatments exist for the disease, and the fact that the risk is significantly reduced if you sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net.

The global picture suggests that factors including climate change and antimicrobial resistance are pushing outcomes in the wrong direction, with worldwide deaths increasing from 598,000 in 2023 to 610,000 in 2024. A particularly cruel aspect of the disease is that three-quarters of those deaths were children under five.

Motorcycles are a critical economic lifeline to the outside world - so Mwavi took a big hit when the villages motorcycle mechanic died from malaria (Nick Ferris)

In recent years, though, Mwavis experience of malaria has taken a significant turn for the better. I would say the number of people infected with malaria has fallen maybe 90 per cent over the past five years, says Mgeni.

The major reason for this change has been the villages participation in a field trial for a malaria vaccine, known as R21, which was developed by Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute and first approved by WHO for use in 2023. Mgenis six-year-old daughter has participated in the trial, and her claim that the vaccine has transformed malarias impact on the village is confirmed by Dr Angela Gwakisa, the clinician overseeing the work across the Bagamoyo district.

We have definitely seen a reduction in malaria in our data over the past five years, and that has only improved as we have given out booster doses, Dr Gwakisa explains. While only children were in the trial, it has also reduced malaria in adults because the vaccine blocks malaria parasites from spreading the disease. Most people get malaria when bitten by an infected mosquito carrying the malaria parasite. For the mosquito to become infective, it must bite a person already infected with malaria parasites. About one week later, that same mosquito will bite the next person and subsequently inject the parasites via her saliva. And the cycle of infection continues.

Such has been the villages appreciation for the vaccine that one mother gave her a gift of 21 pineapples, Dr Angela says, which is the main crop grown by smallholder farmers around Bagamoyo.

Ever since the trial of malaria vaccine started, there has been a massive reduction in the frequency of the illness, especially in the children who took part in the trial, says Amina, another resident of Mwavi, and a mother of two whose youngest child participated in the trial. This is something we truly appreciate because malaria was such a big problem here.

Amina, like Mgeni, says that participation in a vaccine trial has had a hugely positive impact on malaria in their community (Nick Ferris)

A smallholder pineapple farm in the village of Mwavi. The fruit is the main crop grown in the region, and Dr Angela Gwakisa, the lead clinician overseeing the vaccine trial, said that she was once given 21 pineapples as a token of gratitude for the trials success (Nick Ferris)

However, the success of the trial is tempered by the wider picture around aid for such programmes. Tanzanias health service has been hit extremely hard by foreign aid cuts, particularly from the US but also from countries like the UK, with HIV/Aids, maternal health, and malaria particularly reliant on donor support. The closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) resulted in $216m lost in aid to Tanzania alone, according to one analysis. Meanwhile, some 5,000 healthcare workers involved in HIV and malaria prevention programs were affected, according to another.

Both Mgeni and Amina report that the USAID-branded vehicles, which would have driven through the village distributing mosquito nets, no longer come, while some malaria medication that was formerly available at the dispensary is now not always there.

With the Bagamoyo vaccine trial nearly at its conclusion, the results will soon be sent to medical authorities for assessment. Given that the vaccine is already being rolled out in countries including Nigeria and Ghana, it seems likely that it will be approved. However, the big question is whether the government is able to afford to include the vaccine in Tanzanias routine childhood immunisation programme, particularly given the impact of aid cuts on the country.

In terms of safety, I can 100 per cent testify as the lead clinician of the study that the vaccine is safe, she says. The question that is hanging over us is how ambitious the government will be in terms of their aim to eliminate the disease, and how much they are prepared to budget in order to reach all the remote parts of the country.

Dr Maxmillian Mpina, a Tanzanian research scientist who is overseeing a trial for RTSS  another malaria vaccine developed by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline  adds that Tanzanias health system is set to continue feeling the impacts of aid cuts in the years to come.

We expect to see impacts continuing in the years to come because the government messed up its budget in order to cover the sudden loss of funding from the aid cuts, he explains. The government has just started reorganising its finances to respond to that hit, and the country is struggling with the impacts of this reorganisation.

Angela Gwakisa, Maxmillian Mpina and Aina-Ekisha Kahatano, research scientists overseeing vaccine trials in Tanzania (Nick Ferris)

The story of aid cuts threatening Tanzanias ability to fight malaria is also not unique to vaccines.

Both Dr Gwakisa and Dr Mpinas vaccine trials are being overseen by Tanzanias Ifakara Health Institute, one of Africas leading disease research organisations, with programmes spanning tuberculosis, rabies and HIV. Like similar organisations in the global North, Ifakara relies on a mix of philanthropic and public funding to sustain its work  a funding model that has recently come under strain following the termination of a USAID programme worth $15m per year, which had employed around 800 people.

There is a strong sense upon speaking to scientists at Ifakaras research campus in Bagamoyo town that people are worried that the reduced funding could impact both research into high-tech malaria solutions, as well as the rollout of malaria control products.

There was a trickle-down effect from USAID ending their funding, because foundation money from other projects was redeployed, which meant that some research streams that were never funded have been put on hold, says Dr Brian Tarimo, a research scientist working on Transmission Zero, which is a project producing genetically engineered mosquitoes that are unable to pass on the malaria parasite.

Dr Sarah Moore, who works to counter antimicrobial resistance by evaluating mosquito-control products like bed nets and repellants, says that research funding has been decimated across the institute. I have sat in on meetings with the Tanzanian government where we have been trying to figure out how to get enough bed nets to cover the population, she says. I have halved my consultancy fee for the WHO, and I have taken on fewer PhD students because there just isnt any money any more.

Even before the impact of aid cuts, the $3.9bn that was being invested in malaria eradication annually is less than half the $9.3bn needed to put the world on track for eradication, according to the WHO, and all the evidence points to that number now falling considerably as a result of cuts to foreign aid.

Dr Moore says that risk factors, including population growth, climate change, which increases the prevalence of standing water where mosquitoes breed, and growing resistance to insecticides, all mean that malaria research programmes require consistent high funding across multiple research areas in order to keep ahead of malarias spread. Any suggestion that a groundbreaking new technology might be able to fill the gap left by the aid cuts does not stand to reason, she adds.

Even if a major technological breakthrough happens, we still need a lot of money to invest in production and have the boots on the ground to actually implement it, she says. Look at polio: we have a vaccine that is lifelong, yet we still have not managed to do the last mile because of how challenging this is.

Beyond novel technologies to prevent the infection, the other part of the malaria response puzzle that requires healthy levels of funding is the research into developing medicines to keep treating the disease as the parasite develops immunity to older products.

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is an organisation that has been at the heart of this particular endeavour since 1999, developing 19 new antimalarial drugs through a public-private partnership model that works with pharmaceutical companies and philanthropic or pubic donors  including the UKs Foreign Office  in order to develop medicines that the companies would otherwise not have any incentive to produce.

These drugs from MMV have treated and protected an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide  and they speak to the absolute necessity of grant-based financing in malaria treatment programmes, according to MMV CEO Martin Fitchet.

We rely on partnership with the pharmaceutical industry because their expertise is essential, and on donors to ensure the medicines we co-develop are affordable for the communities they serve, he says, speaking to The Independent over Zoom from Switzerland. But its not just about developing new medicines; health systems also need sustained financing to deliver them.

If you stop funding the health systems, people will die today, and if you stop funding the R&D, people will die tomorrow. And thats not a choice we should be making.

This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
Zohran Mamdani has become embroiled in a row with billionaire Ken Griffin after he filmed a video promoting his tax the rich policy outside the hedge fund managers New York penthouse.

The New York Mayor caused controversy last week when he filmed a video titled Happy Tax Day, New York. Were taxing the rich in front of Mr Griffins $238m (190m) property overlooking Manhattans Central Park.

Weve secured a pied-a-terre tax, Mr Mamdani said in the video. This is an annual fee on luxury properties worth more than $5m, whose owners do not live full-time in the city. Like for this penthouse, which hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin bought for $238m.

Mr Griffin, founder and chief executive of Citadel, a fund management company, was appalled that Mr Mamdani chose his home as the backdrop for the video, triggering a threat to re-evaluate his firms investment in the city.

Zohran Mamdani used Ken Griffins 190m penthouse as the backdrop to a video - Jeenah Moon/ 2019 Bloomberg Finance LP

In an email sent to employees, Gerald Beeson, Citadels chief operating officer, raised the possibility that the company might not move forward with a new Midtown construction project.

We are about to commence the redevelopment of 350 Park Avenue, creating 6,000 highly paid construction jobs and supporting the creation of more than 15,000 permanent jobs in mid-town New York, wrote Mr Beeson on Thursday. The project  if we move forward  will entail more than $6bn of spending.

It is shameful that he used Kens name as the example of those who supposedly arent carrying their fair share of the burdens associated with New York Citys often costly and wasteful spending, Mr Beeson added.

Ken Griffin is the founder and chief executive of Citadel - MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS

Despite the prospect of losing a $6bn (4.8bn) economic development project in his city, Mr Mamdani has refused to apologise.

When asked on Friday whether he was concerned about the possibility of Citadels reversal on the project, he said: I want New Yorkers to succeed. I want them to build businesses, to grow our economy and to create good paying jobs. And Ken Griffin has been a part of that. Hes an important employer and business leader in our city, and as I do with every New Yorker, I do want him to succeed, as Mayor.

I will continue to work with business leaders, including Mr Griffin, as partners in building a city that continues to be the economic engine, not just of this state, but also of this country, he added.

The tussle between the two sides coincides with Kathy Hochul, the New York state governors, proposal for a new tax on second homes worth over $5m (4m), which Mr Mamdani has backed.

The so-called pied-a-terre tax is aimed at supporting Mr Mamdanis efforts to close New York Citys budget gap.

Mr Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, pledged during his campaign to increase taxes on the citys millionaires and corporations. However, only the governor and state legislators have the power to make those changes.

Zohran Mamdani pledged to increase taxes on New Yorks millionaires - Evan Agostini/2025 Invision

Daniel Loeb, the hedge fund billionaire, accused Mr Mamdani of stirring up class warfare and said he was doxxing Mr Griffin with his video of his Manhattan penthouse.

You cant tax a city into prosperity and you dont attract capital by demonising philanthropists, Mr Loeb said.

Donald Trump also weighed in on the proposed measure to tax second homes, writing on Truth Social: Mayor Mamdani is DESTROYING New York! . . . the TAX, TAX, TAX Policies are SO WRONG.

Mr Griffin, who owns a number of properties in the US and London, paid $238m in 2019 for his penthouse condominium overlooking Central Park in a deal that set a record for a US home sale at the time.

Bill Ackman, the billionaire investor, also expressed solidarity with Mr Griffin after Mr Mamdanis video.

We should be applauding Ken for spending $238 million in NYC, not attacking him for doing so, he wrote on social media.

Importantly, non-resident owners of NYC apartments who leave their apartments vacant for much of the year are not a burden to NYC schools, services, or other resources while they drive growth in retail sales, restaurants, theatre, and other important drivers of our economy.

Mr Ackman added: Kens company is a major employer in NYC of very high paying jobs which drive a considerable amount of our tax base. We wouldnt want him to move even more employees to Miami.

In February, the Mayor was forced to backtrack on his promise to throw his support behind an affordable housing initiative providing vouchers to families struggling to afford accommodation.
Kamonnan Thiamphanit suffered stab injuries (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Wire)

A teenager charged with the 2024 murder of a woman in London has appeared in court after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

Enzo Bettamio is accused of stabbing Kamonnan Thiamphanit, also known as Angela to her friends, to death at her home in the Bayswater area on 6 April 2024, Westminster Magistrates Court heard on Saturday.

Bettamio, 18, of no fixed address, was extradited on a flight from Dubai to the UK on Friday. He appeared in court wearing a grey, prison-issue tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

No plea was entered, and Bettamio was remanded into custody to appear at the Old Bailey on April 28.

Prosecutor Frances McCormack told the court: The defendant is charged with murder. The defendant was extradited from the UAE to the United Kingdom. He arrived and was charged yesterday.

The charge relates to the stabbing of the 27-year-old, which took place in Westminster in 2024.

The circumstance of the murder was that the deceased was found at her home address, which was in Stanhope Place, on April 8 2024

She was located with multiple stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation was launched, and the defendant was noted as wanted. He was then extradited on April 24, yesterday, and arrived on a flight from Dubai.

The charge follows a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and specialist lawyers in the Crown Prosecution Service, she added.
The Met said corruption was the most consistent offence detected, with misconduct related to abuse of the IT system that rosters shifts by police officers for personal or financial gain. Photograph: Cliff Hide General News/Alamy (Photograph: Cliff Hide General News/Alamy)

The Metropolitan police have launched investigations into hundreds of officers after using an AI tool built by the controversial tech company Palantir to root out rogue cops.

The software was deployed by the Met over the course of a week, surveilling staff members using data the force has ready access to, unearthing rule-breaking ranging from work-from-home violations to suspected corruption and even criminal allegations such as rape.

The Met said as a result of the software, evidence had been found tying a small number of officers to serious cases of misconduct and criminality, resulting in the arrest of three officers for offences including abuse of authority for sexual purposes, fraud, sexual assault, misconduct in public office and misuse of police systems.

According to numbers cited by the Met, corruption was the most consistent offence detected by the AI software, with 98 officers being assessed for misconduct related to abuse of the IT system that rosters shifts by police officers for personal or financial gain, while another 500 had received prevention notices in relation to the same offence.

The Met said that 42 senior officers, with ranks ranging from chief inspector to chief superintendent, were being assessed for misconduct for serious noncompliance for sometimes falsely claiming to have been in the office when they had been working from home or otherwise away from the office for excessive periods of time, when the Mets guidelines state that in-office attendance cannot dip below 80%.

The software also found officers who had failed to state that they were Freemasons  now a declarable interest within the force  with 12 officers under investigation for gross misconduct for keeping their membership of the group private, and a further 30 officers receiving prevention notices for suspected but uncorroborated undeclared membership.

The implementation of the software is the latest case of the Met embracing AI, with the force recently entering negotiations to buy tech from Palantir to aid in criminal investigations.

Palantir has connections to ICE, Donald Trumps immigration enforcement programme, and to the Israeli military and earlier this month MPs demanded a 330m contract between Palantir and the NHS be scrapped.

Related: Met police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigations

The Met said the software would help build trust, reduce crime and raise standards in the UK, citing the introduction of other technologies such as drones and live facial recognition (LFR) as having helped to keep people safe and reduce crime.

The Met commissioner, Mark Rowley, said: Criminals are constantly adapting how they use technology and policing has to keep pace, not just on the streets but within our own organisation.

This is the Met using technology, data and stronger legal powers to confront poor behaviour, raise standards and fix our foundations as our communities would expect.

The vast majority of our officers and staff serve London with dedication and integrity and rightly expect us to act firmly against those who abuse their position or undermine public trust, particularly in leadership roles.

By bringing together the information we already lawfully hold, we can identify risk earlier, act faster and be fairer and more consistent. Alongside new vetting powers, this gives us the tools we need to remove those who should not be in policing and strengthen culture for the future.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday, Pakistan's foreign ministry said, adding that he did not plan to participate in direct talks with the US.
I miss our land. Chernobyl broke us: The families who lost their homes after worlds worst nuclear accident

Olena Maruzhenko remembers her mother sobbing when Soviet police told them to evacuate their home in the village of Korogod in northern Ukraine.

Just 12km away, a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant had exploded, sending a shaft of blue light into the night sky and throwing clouds of radioactive material into the surrounding area.

Local authorities told Olena and their mother that they would only need to leave their home for three days. They had no idea that the worst nuclear disaster in history had unfolded.

We believed we would definitely return, Olena recalls to The Independent as the world marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

The 26 April, 1986, is a date that is forever etched in my memory with black sadness. We could not imagine leaving our homes without knowing where to go.

Olena and her mother were among 350,000 people who were evacuated from the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Hundreds of buses were sent to ferry workers from Pripyat, an industrial city created to house workers from the nearby plant located around 100km north of Kyiv.

Olena was evacuated from her hometown of Korogod on 4 May 1986 (Olena Maruzhenko)

The disaster began when reactor number 4 at the power plant exploded at 1.23am, after a test went catastrophically wrong.

In the days that followed, a massive and uncontainable release of radioactive material spread across Europe. Firefighters and workers were exposed to lethal radiation as they attempted to contain the blaze. Thousands of animals were mercifully slaughtered as residents were evacuated from nearby towns.

The Soviet government sought to downplay the scale of the accident.

In the 40 years since Chernobyl, thousands of people have suffered devastating health consequences due to high radiation exposure, including thyroid cancer.

Vast areas were contaminated by the radiation, devastating the regions environment. Luscious green forests turned a reddish brown, while vital soil for agriculture was polluted for decades.

A picture taken from a helicopter in April 1986 shows the destroyed 4th power block of Chernobyls nuclear power plant a few days after the catastrophe (AFP/Getty)

Korogod was once a town surrounded by forests, rivers and lakes that provided rich sources of mushrooms, berries, fish and herbs sold in bustling local markets. After the disaster, it became a grey and decrepit ghost town in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a 30km area restricted to human habitation.

The official Soviet death toll, given in 1987, was 31. But after including those who suffered lasting health effects, the toll is significantly higher.

The husband of Natalia Dykun, another resident of Korogod, was one such person. He was diagnosed with cancer after the disaster and eventually died from the disease.

We became hostages of the Chernobyl disaster, she says. The treatment did not help and he died very young. In almost every house near us, someone from the family began to get sick, and later almost every family lost a relative to cancer.

Bumper cars sit idle at an overgrown amusement park in Pripyat, Ukraine, a town left abandoned following the nearby 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster (AP)

Natalia was 28 at the time of the explosion. She recalls the silence from the Soviet authorities causing great harm, with residents completely unprotected, both morally and physically.

Most residents from the towns near Chernobyl only truly understood the scale of what had happened when they discovered new towns were being built to house them.

Natalia says she was devastated to see a new village being built in an open field with no forest or water nearby. Her home used to be surrounded by nature.

A ferris wheel in the ghost city of Pripyat near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 23 (AFP/Getty)

Olga Mikhalova was only 15 when she learned she would never be returning home. The accident and evacuation changed us forever, she says.

Family ties were broken, neighbourly ties. We would not wish this on anyone.

Olena, who was living with strangers in the aftermath of the tragedy, watched the news in tears when she found out new homes were being built. I still dream of my village, my native house. I miss our land. The Chernobyl accident broke us.

Olga Mikhalova was just 15 when told she would not be returning home (Olga Mikhalova)

Slavutych, a planned city on the western bank of the Dnieper River, still houses around 20,000 people. It was built for those evacuated from the abandoned city of Pripyat, perhaps the most famous of those evacuated after the explosion. Chilling images of Pripyat, including its haunting abandoned fairground, are an enduring symbol of the lives and communities lost in just a matter of hours.

When we realised that we would not return home, it was very difficult for us, the young, to come to terms with this, and it was even more difficult for the older generation, says Olga. This is a tragedy for many generations.

As war rages in Ukraine, with Russian forces playing fast and loose around Chernobyl and the southern Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, experts have told The Independent that we are closer than ever to another nuclear disaster.

The outer shell of Chernobyls reactor number 4 was struck by a Russian drone last year (International Atomic Energy Agency)

For those who have suffered the most catastrophic effects of a nuclear accident, this is unthinkable.

As a person who survived the evacuation, I feel especially acute anxiety when war touches nuclear facilities, Olena says. This causes fear and incomprehension, why humanity, having had such an experience, is taking risks again.

Natalie fears for the future generations. This irresponsibility of the enemy and the risks for the surrounding world of a repeat of the disaster are very frightening and we are in constant stress and fear. We are no longer afraid for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren.

Irresponsibility and insecurity in relation to nuclear energy and infrastructure is a crime before the whole world.
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Paramount Skydance executives hosted President Donald Trump and other top administration officials for a private dinner in the nations capital on Thursday  as the corporation awaits federal approval on a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a new report.

Trump spoke to guests for almost an hour, as business titans and federal brass mingled at mixed tables inside the U.S. Institute of Peace, The New York Times reported, citing people informed of the exclusive gathering.

Among those in attendance were: Paramount CEO David Ellison, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The antitrust division within Blanches Justice Department is set to scrutinize the proposed $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros., which would hand CNN and other outlets to Ellison  who already controls CBS News. Warner Bros. shareholders signed off on the deal earlier this week, but it wont be finalized until the government approves.

Such a summit between federal officials and corporate leaders  on the cusp of a titanic transaction  is considered rare, The NYT noted.

President Donald Trump joined David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, for a private dinner on Thursday as the company awaits federal approval to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a new report (Getty)

Multiple unnamed CBS News reporters expressed shock at the dinner, fearing it may fuel perceptions of undue friendliness between the newsroom and the administration.

Critics argue this perception is already well-entrenched. Since Weiss became editor-in-chief last year, she's faced accusations of tilting CBS News coverage to favor the administration. In early 2026, she spiked a 60 Minutes segment on a brutal Salvadoran prison where the administration sent deported immigrants.

Weiss, the founder of The Free Press, has said her editorial decisions are hers alone and that she has not been influenced by Ellison of the administration.

Weiss and her wife, as well as first lady Melania Trump, were in attendance on Thursday, The NYT reported (Getty)

Following the dinner, some Democrats were quick to express outrage.

Ellison and the information oligarchs should enjoy it while they can because when Democrats win power we are going to break these anti-consumer, anti-free speech media conglomerates into pieces, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X.

Representatives for Paramount and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent.
Anzac Day has been marked in London with the Princess Royal attending a dawn ceremony at Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner.

Organised by the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions, Anne arrived for the service shortly before it started at 5am.

Anzac Day commemorates the 1915 Gallipoli landing of Australian and New Zealand troops in the First World War.

The Princess Royal attends a dawn service commemorating Anzac Day at the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner (David Parry/PA)

Anne laid a wreath against Wellington Arch during a service that included a reading of the John McCrae poem In Flanders Fields and concluded with the national anthems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

Services were also held across New Zealand, Australia and Gallipoli on Saturday morning.

The occasion was also marked in Villers-Bretonneux, a village in the Somme region of France, which Australian units helped defend during the First World War.

Today is #ANZACDay  which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. pic.twitter.com/rB2oy95b9m  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 25, 2026

A post on the Royal Family X account on Saturday morning read: Today is #ANZACDay  which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The Princess of Wales is due to attend the Anzac Day wreath-laying and parade service at the Cenotaph and a service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey later on Saturday.
The Princess of Wales lays a wreath during a service to commemorate Anzac day at the Cenotaph in central London

The Princess of Wales has laid a wreath at Anzac Day commemoration services.

The ceremony was held on Saturday in tribute to Australians and New Zealanders who have lost their lives in conflict.

The Princess took part in the wreath-laying ceremony and parade at the Cenotaph followed by a service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Prayers were read during the service by children of each country and a Maori waiata song was performed by London-based Ngati Ranana.

The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by a service of commemoration at Westminster Abbey - Jeff Moore

At the Cenotaph the ring of poppies with white flowers on top had a note signed Catherine and William that read: In memory of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The high commissioners for New Zealand and Australia, Hamish Cooper and Jay Weatherill, then walked in tandem to lay their wreaths.

The Princess of Wales laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London - David Parry

Rev Dr Lyndon Drake recited from The Fallen by English poet Laurence Binyon: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

A Royal Marines Portsmouth Road Band trumpeter played the last post and a one-minute silence followed.

The Princess Royal had earlier attended a dawn service at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, where the Last Post and Reveille were played.

The Princess Royal lays a wreath at the New Zealand Memorial in Hyde Park

Anzac Day has been observed in London since King George V attended the first service at Westminster Abbey in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.

More than 11,000 Australians and New Zealanders lost their lives in the Gallipoli campaign, which saw trench warfare, heat and disease inflict a toll as the Allies tried to take control of the Turkish straits against the forces of the Ottoman Empire.

Veterans were among those attending a dawn service at Hyde Park Corner

An amphibious landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula began on April 25, 1915. However, after eight months fighting and approximately 250,000 casualties on each side, the land campaign was abandoned and the invasion force withdrawn.

The campaign is considered by some to be the beginning of Australian and New Zealand national consciousness and Anzac Day, the anniversary of the landings, is the most significant commemoration of military casualties and veterans by the two countries.
Princess of Wales lays wreath at Cenotaph to mark Anzac Day

The Princess of Wales laid a wreath at The Cenotaph during a ceremony and parade to mark Anzac Day.

The day commemorates members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who have died in conflict.

Wearing a navy dress with white lapels and a poppy, Kate stood alongside the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Hamish Cooper, before placing a wreath at the memorial.

Princess Anne had laid a wreath earlier during a dawn service at Wellington Arch.

Anzac Day was originally established to commemorate the 1915 Gallipoli landing of Australian and New Zealand troops in the First World War.
South Korean actor Ki Tae-young has opened up about his disciplined yet family-centered lifestyle, where he is exceptionally strict with his own spending but spares no expense when it comes to his wife and children.

On April 22, during an appearance on MBC's "Radio Star," Ki Tae-young described how his daily routine and priorities have centered entirely around his family for the past 15 years.

He spoke about how his schedule is always made around his family, "I planned everything to fit my family, and I have been doing that for 15 years," revealing that his entire daily routine revolves around his children. In particular, he asserted, "I plan everything around my family, so I have absolutely no appointments after 6 PM."

What drew particular attention was his personal frugality. He revealed that he neither drinks nor smokes and only allows himself gifts on special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries.

MyDaily reported that Ki Tae-young shared a striking detail about his clothing choices: "The clothes I am currently wearing were bought for 6,000 or 8,000 won (approximately $4.00 - $5.50 USD) during a sale." He added, "I am fine wearing a 6,000 won T-shirt. I maintain my figure so I can wear simple cotton T-shirts and jeans. If I live like that and my wife and children can enjoy what I have built well, that is my happiness."

The studio cast was surprised to learn about the actor's modest annual allowance. When asked by Kim Gura about how much he spends on himself, Ki Tae-young disclosed that it is only between 1 million and 1.5 million won (approximately $675  $680 USD) per yeara figure representing yearly spending rather than monthly.

READ MORE: 'Scandal' Ki Tae Young Becomes a Ghost 'Furious at Outcome'

According to Naver, while Ki Tae-young saves on himself, he has shown extraordinary dedication to his daughters' education. His eldest daughter Ro-hee attends Songdo International School, one of Korea's most prestigious institutions. Tuition fees alone amount to approximately 600 million won from kindergarten through high school graduation. To support this, Ki Tae-young and his wife relocated their residence to Songdo to provide better access and support for their daughter's schooling.

He also highlighted the importance of discipline and early education in raising his children. "I am always grateful for the time I have spent with my children." He personally teaches his daughters essential life skills including how to judge character, brush their teeth properly, manners, and safety education.

Ki Tae-young's affection for his wife Eugene was also evident during the interview. He openly expressed his admiration and loyalty. "I say that even if I were born again, I would meet my wife. She is the best woman I could meet. She is a really good person." He finds greater satisfaction in the happiness of his wife and children than in any personal achievement.
A new experimental treatment could offer relief for millions of flat-faced dogs long plagued by serious dog breathing problemsbut veterinarians say it also highlights a much larger issue.

Flat-faced, or brachycephalic, dog breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs are especially prone to airway disorders caused by their shortened skulls. These dogs often struggle with snoring, overheating, and severe exercise intolerance. Now, Australian researchers are testing an injection designed to improve airflow without invasive surgery, raising both hope for affected pets and new questions about how these health issues became so widespread in the first place.

What Is Snoretox-1?

A new collaboration between the biotechnology company Snoretox and RMIT University in Australia aims to reduce the severity of brachycephaly in dogs by improving muscle tone in their mouths. The treatment involves injecting a 'modified tetanus toxin' called Snoretox-1 into the roofs of dogs' mouths to strengthen muscles and reduce airway crowding.

RMIT School of Science biotechnologist Professor Peter Smooker explains, "In short-snouted breeds, the soft tissue in the upper airway hasn't adapted to the shorter skull. This leaves excess tissue crowded into a smaller space, which can obstruct airflow. The therapy strengthens the muscles at the front of the airway, helping support the throat and maintain airflow during breathing.

Close up of pug snoutImage via Shutterstock/Firn (Image via Shutterstock/Firn)

Early-stage trial results show promise, although they are limited. Six Bulldogs who were previously unable to complete a three-minute walk were able to do so comfortably after receiving the Snoretox-1 treatment. Some of these dogs had not responded well to previous surgeries for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), leading researchers to believe that this medication may offer a successful alternative to surgery, which is currently the primary treatment for this genetic canine condition.

Why So Many Flat-Faced Dogs Struggle to Breathe

Due to their blocked airways, brachycephalic dogs struggle to breathe and regulate their body temperature during even basic activities, even while sleeping. As Professor Smooker explained, the internal anatomy of the airway stays the same regardless of how long or short a dog's snout may be, but why are these dogs' airways so short?

Many dog breathing problems, including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, are the result of genetics. More specifically, they are the result of selective breeding. Humans have bred certain dog breeds for increasingly short snouts, prioritizing appearance over health.

Related: Brave Yellow Labrador's First Bark After Losing His Nose to Cancer Has People Sobbing

An elongated soft palate, a narrow windpipe, and congenitally small nostrils that collapse inward with breath are just a few ways BOAS can develop. Pet parents may notice a number of concerning symptoms in their flat-faced dogs, such as:

Snorting, wheezing, or severe snoring

exercise intolerance

gagging when eating or drinking

labored, open-mouth breathing

grey, purple, or blue tint in the gums (due to lack of oxygen)

heat intolerance

What Dog Parents Should Know Right Now

As promising as initial research may sound, Snoretox-1 isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for dog breathing problems. It's still in the early stages of testing, and it could be expensive when it eventually hits shelves. However, with 15 years of research already dedicated to this helpful medication, dog parents have plenty of reasons to feel hopeful.



SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

In fact, people without pets have reason to feel hopeful, too. Professor Russell Conduit, from RMITs School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, can see a future where Snoretox-1 has important uses in human medicine, too. Conditions caused by poor muscle tone, such as pelvic floor dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea, may also benefit from this medication.

Snoretox-1 may offer relief for flat-faced dogs with breathing issues, but it doesnt solve the root problem. Lasting change depends on more responsible breeding, with the health of both parents and puppies put first. Until then, these dogs will continue to need medical fixes for a condition that could be prevented.

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
I was in a state of near shock, says Volodymyr Kholosha as he recalls the moment that he first saw the burnt-out reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on the day it exploded.

What I witnessed that day defied every scenario we had ever practised. The first few days were spent simply trying to comprehend what had actually happened.

Forty years on from the worlds most serious nuclear accident, Ukraine is fighting Russia in and around its nuclear power plants, including the worlds largest in Zaporizhzhia. Just last week, Russia launched drones and missiles along the flight paths near Chernobyl itself.

Mr Kholosha warns that Vladimir Putin is bringing Ukraine to the brink of another disaster.

Russia has failed to learn the lessons of Chernobyl, he says. Russia may believe these actions serve their geopolitical goals, but objectively, ignoring the lessons of Chernobyl endangers not only Ukraine but regional and global security.

Chernobyls reactor No 4 was completely destroyed in the explosion (AFP/Getty)

Russian forces have repeatedly played fast and loose around Ukraines nuclear sites since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

On Wednesday, Ukraine accused Moscows forces of repeatedly launching drones and missiles on a flight path near the Chernobyl plant, risking a major nuclear accident.

The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, situated right on the front line in southern Ukraine, last week experienced its 13th blackout since Russias invasion began more than four years ago.

Last year, a Russian drone pierced the protective outer shell around Chernobyls reactor No 4, which prevents the release of radioactive contaminants and protects the remains of the destroyed reactor.

Alexandra Bell, the president of the Bulletin for Atomic Scientists, says that 40 years on, the failures by world leaders to engage in dialogue to reduce the multitude of nuclear risks, from nuclear war to attacks on nuclear sites, are a dereliction and duty in both Washington and Moscow.

We are extremely close to any number of potential catastrophes in the nuclear space, she says, accusing Moscow and other world leaders of having not learnt the necessary lessons about the potential dangers and putting ourselves in a position to potentially repeat that catastrophe [in Chernobyl].

Russian forces occupied the Zaporizhzhia power plant in March 2022 (AFP/Getty)

What were seeing right now is not a lack of understanding among policymakers around the world about the potential dangers, it is a lack of urgency and will to take on these challenges.

Zaporizhzhia at the heart of the nuclear risk

An attack on Zaporizhzhia would potentially lead to infrastructure failure, if not a meltdown, Ms Bell, who formerly served in several nuclear-related roles in the US government, tells The Independent.

Its astounding that they would take such actions against a facility that could cause quite a dangerous accident.

A Russian drone attack last year pierced the outer shell of Chernobyls reactor No 4 (International Atomic Energy Agency)

They have occupied the Zaporizhzhia plant since 3 March 2022, when they attacked Ukrainian troops in a battle which saw both the outer shell of reactor No 4 and a transformer at reactor No 6 struck by gun and artillery fire.

Experts and watchdogs have warned that a collapse in safety maintenance at the plant, including ineffective regulation and a hugely reduced workforce, makes the Zaporizhzhia plant a safety risk.

Mr Kholosha, who is now the president of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society (UkrNS), was working onsite when the power plant exploded in 1986. He has since worked in ministerial roles for nuclear protection in the Ukrainian government.

He warns that Russias actions around Zaporizhzhia threaten to cause direct damage to the facility, which could cause an uncontrolled radiation release. This, he says, would pose a lethal threat not only to Ukraine but to all neighbouring states.

Fire at a cooling tower of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia plant (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)

All six of the plants reactors are currently turned off. Although this reduces the risk of a major disaster, experts and campaigners still warn that the situation is highly concerning.

Despite being shut down, Zaporizhzhia requires a continuous power supply for its safety functions to work, which has been lost several times. Necessary maintenance and repairs required at the plant are not being done, Mr Kholosha warns, causing a gradual failure of vital equipment.

The plant is also highly understaffed, with most workers from Russian facilities rather than Energoatom, the Ukrainian state nuclear company that operated the plant before Russian occupation.

Mr Kholosha says the Zaporizhzhia site and its power units have been mined with explosives, significantly increasing the risk of an accidental or intentional explosion.

Moscow, along with its nuclear state corporation Rosatom, has also made clear its plans to connect the plant to the Russian electricity system.

A Russian serviceman patrols the territory of the Zaporizhzhia plant in Energodar (AFP/Getty)

Rosatom must be prevented from trying to restart one or more of the reactors, says Shaun Burnie, senior nuclear specialist at Greenpeace Ukraine.

The overall priority of the international community, European governments, and the IAEA must be to end Russias illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant  they must not be permitted to retain control of the plant under any circumstances.

A new nuclear age

Mr Kholoshas entire life has been inextricably linked with Chernobyl. Forty years on, his fears of a repeat of the worlds worst nuclear accident have increased. At the heart of these concerns are world leaders who, he says, appear far more ready to engage in nuclear threats than in de-escalation.

We are seeing a dangerous lowering of the threshold for nuclear blackmail. When leaders openly threaten the use of nuclear weapons, it undermines the global system of deterrence, Mr Kholosha says.

In Ms Bells view, we are entering a new nuclear age, one in which world leaders are making no active efforts to reduce the risks posed by nuclear weapons and attacks on nuclear facilities.

The Doomsday Clock, a measurement by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists of how close the world is to the manmade destruction of the planet, was placed at 85 seconds to midnight in January 2026. This is the closest the clock has ever been set, since the bulletin was founded by scientists including Albert Einstein and Robert J Oppenheimer.

Bumper cars sit idle at an overgrown amusement park in Pripyat, Ukraine, a town left abandoned following the nearby 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster (AP)

Weve seen dangerous periods in our history over and over again, but weve also seen leaders take the effort to reduce these risks even despite the difficulties of making agreements with adversaries, Ms Bell says.

Every time the clock has turned back, which it has many times in its history, it has been because theres been a public demanding action from leaders and leaders empowering experts to find ways to reduce risks and eventually eliminate them.

Even at the darkest days of the Cold War, we were always talking about strategic stability, about nuclear risks. We dont see any of that right now, she adds.
Two RAF jets were scrambled in the early hours of Saturday morning to respond to the threat of Russian drones on the Nato border.

The Romanian defence ministry said it recovered drone fragments in the southeastern city of Galati after an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, with an electricity pole and a household annex damaged.

It is understood that two Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from Borcea Air Base in Romania, which shares a 650-km land border with Ukraine and has seen Russian drones repeatedly breach its airspace as Moscow attacks Ukraine ports on the other side of the Danube river.

British Eurofigher Typhoon Fighter Aircraft Fly From RAF Coningsby (Getty)

However, UK Ministry of Defence sources stressed that RAF Typhoons did not enter Ukrainian airspace, nor did they engage any Russian assets. The two aircraft have now returned to base.

Romanian emergency services were forced to evacuate the area where drone fragments were recovered over fears they could contain explosives. The fragments will now be disposed of in a secure location.

While drone fragments have routinely fallen on Romania, Saturday marked the first time property had been damaged.

"The defence ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasises that these represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area," the Romanian defence ministry said in a statement.

"Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of Nato."

It comes amid mounting tension along Europe's eastern flank in recent months after suspected Russian drones breached the airspace of several Nato states.

Romanian law allows it to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk, but it has not yet done so.

Overnight on Saturday, Russian forces launched more than 600 drones and 47 missiles across Ukraine, the countrys air force said.

At least four people were killed and more than 30 wounded across Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said, calling for immediate and decisive action from partners.

Defence secretary John Healey speaks to military personnel who are gathered at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London (PA)

It comes amid fears that Vladimir Putin could make progress in his offensive in Ukraine as the worlds attention is diverted to the Middle East, with the Russian president profiting off soaring gas and oil prices caused by the Iran war.

Last month, defence secretary John Healey confirmed that the UK and allies tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines loitering over critical undersea cables in the North Atlantic for a month before they retreated.

He said Putin had sought to capitalise on the world being distracted by the Iran war and that he poses the primary threat to UK security.

Mr Healey told a press conference in Downing Street on Thursday that in the past few weeks  while many eyes were trained on the Middle East crisis  the UK, in partnership with Norway and other allies, responded to increased Russian activity in the Atlantic north of the UK.

Addressing the Russian president, Mr Healey said: We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.
RAF Typhoons. Romanian officials said the fighter jets took off at 2am on Saturday in response to a possible Russian drone threat. Photograph: Simon Maycock/Alamy (Photograph: Simon Maycock/Alamy)

Two RAF Typhoons have been scrambled from a Romanian air base to engage Russian drones close to Nato airspace, although they did not open fire.

British defence sources said the fighter jets did not enter Ukrainian airspace, contradicting reports that Russian drones had been shot down by the RAF there, an event which would have represented a major escalation in hostilities between the western alliance and Moscow.

Romanian officials reported that the Typhoons took off at 2am on Saturday in response to the drone threat, established radar contact on the targets and had authorisation to engage if necessary.

A shooting down of Russian drones inside Ukraine would be significant because it is not a member of Nato and the west has consistently refused to police its skies to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia.

The Typhoons are based in Romania as part of a rotating multinational Nato air mission to protect eastern European countries from Russian drone incursions that might spill over from the war in Ukraine.

The RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft operated strictly within Romanian airspace in accordance with the national and allied rules of engagement, officials said, and did not enter Ukrainian airspace at any point during the mission.

A spokesperson from the Romanian defence ministry said the pilots had received authorisation to engage the drones if they were to breach Romanian airspace, which they did not. The mission remained one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness to respond if required.

The spokesperson said: Ground-based radar systems tracked multiple aerial targets approaching the area near Reni [Ukraine], where explosions were subsequently reported.

After that moment, contact with the drones was lost. Half an hour later, residents of Galati [in Romania] reported, through the single emergency service 112, the fall of an object in an area on the outskirts of the town.

Allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture, contributing to enhanced situational awareness and the protection of Nato airspace.

The UK Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.
Concerns about the threat to MPs from extremists, including the far right and Islamists, have risen. Photograph: osterman/Getty Images/iStockphoto (Photograph: osterman/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The security company that provides bodyguards for MPs has tightened its vetting processes after it sent a bodyguard with far-right links to protect a politician who was under threat from extremists.

Mitie, which has a 31m contract for the work, is updating its CPO (Close Protection Operative) vetting processes to include regular social media checks. There will also be random checks on the social media activity of those already taken on.

Concerns about the threat to MPs from extremists  including Islamists and the far right  have risen, with elected representatives facing a level of threat not seen since the campaign mounted by Irish republican terrorists in the 1980s and 70s.

Mities contract followed the assassination of the Conservative MP David Amess by an Islamist terrorist in 2021. This came five years after the killing of the Labour MP Jo Cox by an extreme rightwing terrorist.

Harassment and crimes against MPs have reached record levels, with cases doubling in two years to nearly 1,000 annually as of March, according to the latest figures.

Cases include that of the Green MP Hannah Spencer, who needed a police escort when she was targeted by men who disrupted a protest against the far right.

Contacted by the Guardian after MPs privately raised their concerns, a Mitie spokesperson, said: Our priority is the safety of the people under our protection, and we hold our close protection officers to the highest standards. If those standards are not upheld, we take appropriate action as soon as practicable.

All of the companys close protection officers have Security Industry Authority licences, the mandatory legal requirement for individuals working as security guards, door supervisors and CCTV operators.

Social media checks were part of the vetting process but Mitie is understood to have tightened up this kind of vetting earlier this month.

Last month, a minister told parliament that threats against female MPs were having a chilling effect on women thinking of going into politics.

This week, a 42-year-old man from Blackpool was handed a 12-month restraining order and fined 120 after disrupting a jobs fair organised by Chris Webb, the Blackpool South MP. Webb said afterward that the case was not an isolated incident and he had received a barrage of constant threats, including death threats from the far right since winning a byelection for Labour in 2024.

This escalation is not simply about the safety of MPs  it represents a serious and growing threat to the health of our democracy, he said, adding that colleagues had experienced a rise in threats.

Attempts to intimidate or silence those in public service are an attack on the rights and freedoms that underpin our political system. We must do more to ensure the safety and security of MPs and their families, or we risk further tragedies.

Webb and MPs from a range of parties shared their experiences and concerns for their safety and that of colleagues in a debate in parliament last month. They were updated on the work of the Defending Democracy taskforce, which works across government to protect democratic institutions.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister who chairs the taskforce, said: The volume, breadth and tempo of threats against elected representatives is unprecedented.

Jarvis said he and MI5s director general had discussed the issue with chief executives from political parties and referred to a grim reality of assaults, vandalism, stalking, blockading and a blizzard of online abuse that has also affected families.

He added: Women and ethnic minority representatives report the highest volumes of abuse, including overtly sexualised and racially charged threats, which have a chilling effect on who feels able to stand for public office.

MPs raise concerns about their security with the office of the speaker, who liaises with the parliamentary security department set up in 2016 to provide personal advice to politicians and their staff.

A review of security measures for MPs was commissioned after the murder of Amess in 2021 and additional measures were developed, including security for constituency surgeries and events and security training.

A spokesperson for the parliamentary authorities said: The ability for members and their staff to perform their parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the estate, is fundamental to our democracy. Abuse and intimidation is completely unacceptable.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer testifies at her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on 19 February 2025. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images (Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The secretary of the Department of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, resigned this week after several controversies surrounding her brief tenure at the helm of the agency. But labor officials say even though her troubled reign is over, the US labor authority remains in a state of constant turbulence.

Chavez-DeRemer was under investigation over claims she had an affair with a subordinate and allegedly misused travel funds, and that her aides allegedly steered grants to politically connected figures. Her husband was banned from the agencys headquarters over allegations of sexual assault by at least two staffers.

In a post on Instagram and X announcing her resignation, Chavez-DeRemer denied the allegations and claimed the allegations against me, my family, and my team have been peddled by high-ranked deep state actors who have been coordinating with the one-sided news media and continue to undermine President Trumps mission.

Related: Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation

Chavez-DeRemer is the latest official in the Trump administration to leave their leadership role in recent weeks, following the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, and the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem.

Omar Algeciras, vice-president of AFGE Local 2391, which represents workers at the Department of Labor, where Algeciras also works, criticized Chavez-DeRemers statement on her resignation.

Labeling these workers as deep state dismisses the mission and the people who carry it out every day, said Algeciras.

Career staff have kept this agency moving despite constant turbulence. As a union leader, I see first-hand how employees continue to deliver for workers across the country under difficult conditions, he added. This resignation creates an opening, but without stable leadership, respect for the workforce and a clear commitment to the mission, the challenges facing the department will continue.

He claimed Chavez-DeRemer never signed a harassment policy statement for the agency, despite it being a requirement. The Department of Labor did not respond for comment on this allegation.

Under Chavez-DeRemer, the US Department of Labor shed about 20% of its workforce due to buyouts, resignations and firings. The agency also eliminated millions of dollars in international grants.

Last year, several workers at the agency told the Guardian that morale had plummeted amid the cuts, deregulatory efforts, and threats to and intimidation of staff, including a memo threatening workers for speaking to the media.

In January 2026, the Guardian spoke with union leaders who criticized the Department of Labors shift on social media to posts that they said echoed Nazi rhetoric. After the criticisms, the social media staffer at the agency was moved to the Department of Homeland Security.

Labor experts and leaders also criticized Chavez-DeRemers leadership at the labor department, where she oversaw significant cuts to the agencys workforce and rollbacks of worker protections and regulations.

Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer sat by as her departments budget was slashed, as worker protections for other agencies were dismantled, supported the Trump administrations attempt to annihilate the federal workforces unions and placed a three-story portrait of the president on the [labor department] building, said Cathy Creighton, director of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Buffalo Co-Lab, in a statement.

Creighton cited a deregulation agenda announced by the agency in July 2025 that included rescission of overtime and minimum wage protections for homecare and domestic workers, rolling back farm worker labor protections, and withdrawing a rule that would prevent employers from paying workers with disabilities a sub-minimum wage.

Congressional Labor caucus co-chairs Donald Norcross, Mark Pocan, Steven Horsford and Debbie Dingell issued a joint statement strongly criticizing Chavez-Deremers leadership at the agency.

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer advanced the administrations anti-worker agenda, facing removal only for the scandals she was involved in, and not the decisions she made that reduced oversight of workplace safety and enforcement of labor laws, leaving workers more vulnerable to injury, wage theft and exploitation, said the congressional members in a statement. Her tenure leaves workers with less protections and greater economic insecurity.

Chavez-DeRemer was nominated with strong support from the Teamsters, with the unions president, Sean OBrien, pushing her to be nominated to the position shortly after Trump won the 2024 election in November. Trump was photographed with Chavez-DeRemer and OBrien during the announcement of the nomination.

The Teamsters are grateful to President Trump for putting American workers first by nominating Representative Chavez-DeRemer to this important role, said OBrien in a statement in February 2025.

The Teamsters did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Chavez-DeRemers resignation.

The US Department of Labor did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer has often helped out allies and people with connections to him with job appointments - Ian Forsyth/Getty

Sir Keir Starmer swore his premiership would be marked by honesty and integrity.

The Prime Minister, less than five years ago, attacked Boris Johnson for having one rule for his mates, another for everybody else.

But now Sir Keir is learning not to throw stones in glass houses.

It emerged on Tuesday, during Sir Olly Robbinss damning testimony before MPs, that No 10 had secretly pushed for Lord Doyle, the Prime Ministers former director of communications, to be awarded an ambassadorship.

It is not the first time that people with connections to the Prime Minister and his allies have been put forward for plum jobs.

Labour MPs are taking note of the Prime Ministers history of promoting friends while seemingly excluding other, less well-connected talent.

Sir Keir admitted that he considered giving Lord Doyle, above, his former spin doctor, a job as an ambassador - Alamy

One Labour source told The Telegraph: Democratic structures in the Labour Party are a sham. Its more of a monarchy with Starmer, the king, working with a handful of counsellors at the top, like [Morgan] McSweeney, who basically stuff all the best jobs for them, their wives, their friends, their colleagues and their mates.

Another remarked that Sir Keirs track record of cronyism since coming to power undermined the faith that I once had in the administration.

Concerns around cronyism emerged shortly after Sir Keir assumed power in July 2024.

In September 2025, just over a year into his premiership, Sir Keir launched a full reshuffle of the Government following the resignation of Angela Rayner as deputy prime minister after The Telegraph exposed her tax scandal.

Some 19 junior ministers were sacked, many replaced by those with familial or long-standing relationships with members of Sir Keirs inner circle.

Among those almost immediately promoted to Sir Keirs government was Imogen Walker, the wife of Mr McSweeney, the Prime Ministers former chief of staff who stepped down over the Lord Mandelson scandal.

The MP for Hamilton and Clyde Valley was appointed parliamentary private secretary to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and later promoted to assistant whip.

At the time, her appointment caused much consternation among MPs, who raised frequent concerns about Sir Keirs decision to appoint family members of his closest allies to key positions.

One Labour MP told the i Paper: Putting Imogen in the whips office has gone down appallingly.

In light of the latest chumocracy revelations, many are revisiting this moment.

I think at this point everyone understands the cronyism in the party, one frustrated MP said.

It started with the junior ranks in 2025 and then they [the leadership] became complacent, and thought that nothing could touch them, which is something you can see in the appointment of Mandelson.

People might not have noticed if they [Sir Keir and his team] had been a bit more savvy, a bit more competent and a bit less greedy, they concluded.

Sir Keir did not stop there. Also promoted in 2025 to the role of climate minister was Katie White, married to Sam White, his former chief of staff from 2021-22.

Liam Conlon, Sue Grays son, was appointed to a plum role following his election as an MP

Liam Conlon, a Labour MP, is the son of Sue Gray, the former civil servant turned former Downing Street chief of staff, who also stepped down following a full-blown briefing war with Mr McSweeney and a row over her pay.

After his election, Mr Conlon was immediately made a parliamentary private secretary to the Department for Transport.

Meanwhile, Jake Richards, who is married to Liz Bates, the special adviser to Steve Reed, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, is the brother of Amy Richards, a long-time adviser to Yvette Cooper, turned new political director for No 10.

Ms Richards is married to Gregor Poynton, a 2024-intake Labour MP.

Both Mr Poynton and Mr Richards were appointed assistant whips in the 2025 reshuffle.

Remarking on this pattern, a Labour source told The Telegraph: Theres a militant faction that has entered the Labour Party.

Entryists, who have taken over a party, taken over the machinery of that party, installed all their loyalists and cronies into every position, whether theyre capable or not.

Georgia Gould, the daughter of a peer, was given a prestigious job at the Department for Education - Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty

Also related to long-standing Labour royalty is Georgia Gould, who was made minister for school standards at the Department for Education in the 2025 reshuffle.

She is the daughter of the late life peer Philip Gould, Baron Gould of Brookwood, a Labour polling adviser and strategist to Lord Mandelson five times from 1987 to 2005.

Meanwhile, Hamish Falconer, the minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, is the son of Charlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, who served as Lord Chancellor and justice secretary under then prime minister Tony Blair from 2003 to 2007.

Other recently promoted MPs include Blair McDougall, who worked as a special adviser in the Blair and Gordon Brown governments, Jade Botterill, who spent more than six years working for Ms Cooper before standing as an MP, and Kirsty McNeill, who worked as an adviser to Mr Brown.

Those associated with Starmer-backing think tanks such as Labour Together were also swiftly rewarded with jobs.

Josh Simons was rewarded with a Cabinet Office role before he had to step down over an alleged smear campaign - Roger Harris

Josh Simons, the former director of Labour Together, was appointed parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office before being forced to step down for commissioning APCO Worldwide, a global advisory and advocacy firm, to investigate a Sunday Times story.

One Labour source described the demotion of scores of MPs for no reason to make way for legacy Labour appointees as unfair.

[The reshuffle] was disappointing because I thought a Labour government would have a different kind of politics, they said.

It really set back our mission to achieve what was wanted when the Government moved so many ministers who were experts in their roles.

Another said: I think it is curious that we have people who have substantial experience in a specific field who are being overlooked.

It is like this government is wearing the clothes of the Conservatives and is focused on self-promotion and loyalty to the establishment.

As Labour braces itself for the local elections, it feels that Sir Keirs tenure appears increasingly precarious, as does the cadre of friendly appointees who benefited from knowing him.

No 10 has been contacted for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer faces growing pressure to introduce under-16 restrictions on social media - Abstract Aerial Art/Getty

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of deceiving parents about his commitment to a social media ban for children.

The Prime Minister promised in February to fast-track a law restricting childrens access to social media, saying action would be taken in months, not years.

However, a Government amendment to the childrens wellbeing and schools bill, published on Friday night, reveals that ministers are willing to commit to passing legislation only within three years.

Ministers suggested the timeline as a last-ditch attempt to see off a rebellion in the Lords, led by Lord Nash, the former Tory schools minister, about the social media ban.

Members of the Lords are trying to force the Government to commit to introducing an Australian-style ban within a year.

Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, told The Telegraph: We already know you cant trust a word Keir Starmer says. Now hes trying to deceive parents into thinking hes taking action when all he is offering is years of delay.

Should under-15s be banned from social media?

Instead of delivering change now, the Governments so-called compromise allows up to three years before any possible change. It is a pathetic response to a serious problem and leaves so many more children exposed to harm.

Three years takes us to the next general election and reveals that this government would rather pass the buck than act.

Labour has been embroiled in a row with the Lords about the peers demand for a social media ban for under-16s, which threatens to derail Sir Keirs flagship schools bill.

The Lords call for a ban as part of Labours childrens wellbeing and schools bill could scupper the entire legislative package, including compulsory free breakfast clubs for all primary schools.

Lord Nash said the Governments compromise offer was frankly shocking, adding: We have been told repeatedly by the Government, from the Prime Minister down, that it would be months, not years, before they acted.

And yet this amendment gives ministers the power to act in whatever way they choose  including something as limited as parental controls  within three years. A timetable so long that it may fall to the next Government, whoever that is, after the election, to act. That isnt leadership, its just an abdication of responsibility.

Sir Keirs government is confident the bill will pass during this parliamentary session, which ends on Tuesday - Toby Shepheard/Getty

He said a three-year timeline was an insult to bereaved parents who have campaigned for this in memory of their children, as well as to health professionals, teachers and senior police officers who may have believed the Governments warm words.

He said he planned to bring his amendment back to the Lords on Monday. This will intensify the parliamentary ping-pong battle between the Lords and the Commons by forcing the Prime Minister now to tell his MPs again to vote down the peers amendment and send the bill back for a fourth time to the Lords.

Government sources told The Telegraph they were confident the bill would pass during this parliamentary session, which ends on Tuesday.

But there is now a serious risk that the Government could run out of time to pass the bill before Parliament is prorogued at the end of this month, before the Kings Speech on May 13, which will set out Labours legislative plans.

If the bill runs out of time, Sir Keir will either have to drop it completely, reintroduce it from scratch or secure backing under a parliamentary motion to carry the legislation over into Parliaments next session.

The proposed legislation covers not only social media and the schools phone ban, but also creates a children not in school register, requires qualified teachers in all classrooms and gives councils more power to manage school admissions.

A Government spokesman said: Weve been clear that we will take action to make sure children have a healthy relationship with social media. This isnt a question of whether, but how we will act.

This is a complex issue with no overall consensus. Thats why we have launched a consultation looking at everything from age limits and safer design features to a social media ban, as well as pilots with hundreds of UK families, to ensure we take the best approach, based on the latest evidence.

We know parents and children want us to act fast, and through the childrens wellbeing and schools bill, we have taken new legal powers to do exactly that  so we can move quickly once the consultation concludes.
Angelina Hicks was arrested in Davidson County on April 22, and is being held on a $10 million bond (Davidson County Sheriff's Office)

A tip sent to law enforcement uncovered an alleged plan by a North Carolina teenager to carry out a mass-casualty attack at a synagogue in Houston, according to the FBI's Charlotte field office.

Angelina Hicks, 18, of Lexington, was arrested in Davidson County on April 22 and faces felony conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury and conspiracy to commit murder.

Agents received information on Tuesday that Hicks was believed to be targeting members of the Jewish Community for a potential act of violence, according to a Davidson County Sheriffs Office news release.

Evidence recovered from her Lexington home pointed to a plan that involved Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, the FBI said. Details of what was found was not revealed.

The attack was allegedly planned for April 21, 2028, according to a court order obtained by The Houston Chronicle that stated, The conspiracy is to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation at a synagogue.

Angelina Hicks was arrested in Davidson County on April 22, and is being held on a $10 million bond (Davidson County Sheriff's Office)

An unnamed 16-year-old in Harris County, Texas, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder, according to the Houston Police Department.

Investigators say Hicks allegedly conspired with two individuals referred to as Teegan and Angel, whose last names are currently unknown, to commit murder against members of the synagogue, according to warrants obtained by FOX 8 News.

But the alleged plan was foiled when authorities received the tip earlier this week.

This is an exceptional example of when you see something concerning, you say something to law enforcement, the FBI said, noting the importance of public reporting.

Hicks parents dispute the allegations, saying their daughter lacked both the means and intent to carry out such an attack. They described her online activity as role-play and fantasy  not a plan for murder.

Its ludicrous. Its a fantasy game, her father, Dannie Hicks, said in an interview with WFMY. And thats the way she looked at it as a fantasy game online.

It wasnt no doggone terror attacks, Dannie Hicks continued. How in the world would you pull something like that off? She dont drive. She aint got a car. She dont have guns. She dont know how to use a gun. She never shot a gun. Hows she gonna get to Texas? Its nuts what theyve done to her.

Hicks parents described the teen as a well-liked student who was weeks away from graduating from Valley Regional Academy while enrolled in a dual-enrollment community college program.

She was supposed to graduate in two weeks, her father said.

Hicks is being held on a $10 million bond. She is set to appear in Davidson County District Court on May 13.
In Sussex, the 7 May local elections have the potential to shake loose decades of political certainty in the South East, and could serve as a bellwether for how the political winds are blowing across Britain.

Home to more than 1.7 million people, the county stretches all the way from Hampshire in the west to Kent in the east and makes up 137 miles of the UKs south coast. Major local government changes are already set to redraw the political map in 2028, with East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton all due to be united under a new Mayoral Combined County Authority. But before all that, this round of local elections could throw up some surprises  not least because its been a while.

In May, voters will be able to elect councillors to East and West Sussex county councils for the first time since 2021. On top of that, some borough and district councils are holding partial elections, allowing voters in Worthing, Hastings, Adur and Crawley to elect new councillors.

Much has changed since 2021, when the UK was reeling from the Covid-19 lockdowns and Boris Johnson was still prime minister.

Stormy skies over Hastings: the May local elections could shake up politics across Sussex (Getty)

Back then, Nigel Farage was in political retirement, Reform UK were yet to become a political force, and Sir Keir Starmer had been Labour leader for just a year. Meanwhile, the Green Party had two leaders but just one member of parliament  Brightons Caroline Lucas.

This means anticipation over what happens in Sussex is keen. Nationally, support for the standard-bearers of the two-party system  the Conservatives and Labour  has plummeted, with both parties taking a battering in the poll. Left- and right-wing contenders are outflanking them in the form of a revitalised Green Party under Zack Polanskis leadership, and the Farage-helmed Reform UK.

But will this picture hold true locally? Both East Sussex and West Sussex have been held by the Conservatives at county level for 25 and 29 years respectively  and at the district and borough level, all but one of the councils where elections are happening are held by Labour. The outlier is Hastings, where the council is run by the Green Party, after the Labour-led administration collapsed in 2024.

In Worthing, which has two Labour MPs and whose council is also under Labour control, the party appears to have little to fear in the way of a Conservative challenge, but can it see off the growing Reform-Green threat?

When The Independent visited Worthing on a blustery March day, peoples concerns, support and contentions covered most of the political spectrum.

James, 44, fishing from the pier, said the state of politics in the UK is disgusting, and everybody I talk to wants to see a Reform government, because it might get a little bit better on the immigration front.

All these people arent coming here for refuge. Its a f***ing army, he claimed, gesturing at a great expanse of empty sea.

Lou, also fishing off the pier, said: As long as the Greens or Labour dont get in, I think most people will be happy.

Jilly Piper, who runs an art gallery in the centre of Worthing, told The Independent: At the last election, the only people out canvassing and door-knocking were Labour, adding that she had voted for them last time, but this time she hasnt seen anyone. Since then, she said the council had been wasting money, and hoped neither Reform nor the Greens would make gains in Worthing, saying she hadnt been impressed by the Greens anti-car policies in Brighton.

Retiree Rory Curry told The Independent he hoped Labour would retain leadership of the council. People talk about Reform all the time, but I dont like Reform. I dont like their policies. Im a liberal, so I wouldnt vote for them at any point in time.

Jilly Piper runs Sabotage art gallery in Worthing, and says she doesn't want the Greens or Reform to take control of the council (Harry Cockburn/The Independent)

Another retiree, Arif, said he voted Labour at the last election but wont be voting for them again, and probably wont vote. Im a Muslim from Cyprus, and I grew up in England, lived in Worthing for 41 years, he said. Most of them [politicians] promise you things, but then they dont do it. He said he would be concerned if Reform did well because they want to send the immigrants back.

Disillusionment with Labour was a key consideration for Tony Lockwood, a retired toolmaker, who told The Independent he would be voting Green. The leader seems to have real heart and passion, he said, speaking about Polanski. Despite his own enthusiasm, he said he remained unconvinced people in Worthing would rally around the Greens, as locals were set in their ways, but added that if Reform were voted in, the country would go to rack and ruin.

Lou, fishing on Worthing Pier, claims most people in Worthing will be happy if Labour and the Greens dont triumph (Harry Cockburn/The Independent)

The atmosphere in Worthing was perhaps best summarised by Mirko Laganaro, the manager of Bites coffee shop in the centre of town. I think weve got a mixed bag of nuts here at the moment, he told The Independent. Im seeing more and more people pull towards a right-wing ideology despite Worthing having a pretty left-wing history  they kicked Oswald Mosley out. So coming from that and going towards a more right-wing mentality is quite strange.

In Shoreham, a few miles east of Worthing, and the heart of the Adur council area, one local, Terri Jezeph, a retired nurse, described the coming elections as a farce, as the whole area is going to be reconfigured.

She told The Independent: Im a socialist, but I have very little regard for the British Labour Party, who cant organise a p***-up in a brewery. I can see that Reform might get a hearing. Id be horrified. They have no organisation and no policies.

Another resident, Richard ONeil, said he wouldnt be voting for Labour or the Tories. I think therell be an upset to the norm, he said. People are getting tired of the same political spin and rhetoric. Reform are definitely making ground and the Green Party are thriving as well. Restore Britain as well  I dont know if theyve got any sort of representation round here, and I think Rupert Lowe talks a lot of sense on some policies, and not so much on others.

If Reform did well, Id probably leave, said Kathy Davis, who has lived in Shoreham for four years. But Id like to think people have got more sense. It is a worry because the right-wing press slag off the Labour government. Id love the Greens to win  its the way forward.

Reform and the Greens are making inroads in Shoreham  run by Adur council  suggests Richard ONeil (Harry Cockburn/The Independent)

The leader of Adur council, Labours Jeremy Gardner, admitted that it would be daft not to have concerns, given we can obviously see the national opinion polls.

He added: Locally, if people actually look at our record, what weve done in the last two years, we should be OK. If its on local issues, then we are confident. The Tories are haemorrhaging councillors, he said, adding that one Conservative had tried to defect to Reform, but the party hadnt let him in.

Heading further east, to Hastings, where the council is controlled by the Greens, talk of a 7 May local election was news to many people, but among those who were aware, there was confidence the Greens would retain power, as well as concern about the rise of Reform nationally.

Chris King, a music promoter, told The Independent the Labour-led council in Hastings, which collapsed in 2024, had been terrible for years and that the Greens have been a bit better. I dont want Reform to get in, but I think they might stand a chance.

Jane Carey, who is retired, told The Independent: The Greens are doing a good job, and said their national momentum could give them an edge in Hastings. However, she added: The national papers and broadcasters have really been pushing Reform, and Im really fed up with it. Its outrageous. Theyre making people believe that Reform is going to win.

Shoreham-by-Sea, run by Adur Council. It would be daft not to have concerns, says Jeremy Gardner, leader of the Labour-led council (Harry Cockburn/The Independent)

Council leader Glenn Haffenden said: In Hastings, its going to be a clear race between Reform or Green. Labour arent doing very well nationally at all.

People do see the difference between national and local politics, I do believe that. We had a Labour council for a very long time, so having a Green council and seeing the difference in what that actually means is going to have a huge effect for us  the Greens  locally.

He added: Zack being our leader is the best thing thats ever happened to the Green Party nationally. For the first time nationally and locally, people are seeing the Greens as a party that can win, and do win.

He suggested that a good showing for the party at the local elections could also have implications for the next general election and the partys chances of adding to its roster of MPs.

Local gains for Reform would be awful, Haffenden said. We celebrate our diversity in Hastings. My biggest fear of having Reform in is that they are against that. They dont celebrate diversity. They dont celebrate what makes Hastings different and what many residents are proud of about living in Hastings.

Hastings, where the council is currently run by the Green Party (Getty)

Less than two weeks away from the elections, the political future for Sussex looks more alien than at any other time in the past three decades.

Sussexs unofficial motto is We wunt be druv  local dialect for we wont be driven  a reminder that the county has long prided itself on doing things its own way. Today, the question remains whether that independent streak will once again make itself felt at the ballot box  and in which direction people wunt be druv.
Joao Palhinhas 82nd-minute tap-in earned Tottenham a first Premier League win of 2026 with a 1-0 victory at Wolves but they remain in the relegation zone.

Spurs looked set for a painful afternoon at Molineux after Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons were forced off due to injury until Roberto De Zerbi watched Palhinha slide in at the back post from a scuffed

Richarlison shot to secure a first league success in 16 matches.

It momentarily took Tottenham out of the bottom three, but a late winner for West Ham has kept the gap to two points with only four games left.

Wolves relegation was confirmed on Monday night and a Spurs team desperate not to join them started strongly before Solanke had half-hearted penalty appeals waved away after a slight push by Hugo Bueno.

Randal Kolo Muani was preferred again by De Zerbi despite one league goal all season, but fired well wide in the 12th minute after a mistake by Andre.

Pedro Porro sent an effort wayward soon after which halted Tottenhams momentum and Wolves forced two corners in quick succession to lift the Molineux crowd.

Solanke blocked a volley by Rodrigo Gomes soon after and it sparked the visitors back into life, with Xavi Simons firing wide after good work by Rodrigo Bentancur.

However, the north London clubs injury curse struck again with eight minutes of a drab first half left when Solanke went down and held the back of his left leg.

Solanke was forced off and Yves Bissouma looked set to endure the same fate when he was caught by a strong tackle from Andre, but was able to start the second half.

Dominic Solankes injury is a concern for Tottenham (Nick Potts/PA) (Nick Potts)

The same could not be said for Kolo Muani, who was hooked by De Zerbi, and the Italian should have watched Spurs go ahead in the 51st minute.

Porro brilliantly spread play out wide to Xavi, who cut inside but Matt Doherty got back enough to force the Tottenham attacker to blaze over from eight yards.

Minutes later and Xavi was the next away player to suffer an injury at Molineux after a collision with Hugo Bueno.

Xavi immediately dropped to the floor and even though he returned to his feet, he collapsed after a run down the touchline off the pitch and a stretcher was subsequently required.

With West Ham ahead at home to Everton, Spurs were now four points from safety and Antonin Kinsky had to be alert to beat Adam Armstrong to a loose ball before the visitors found a second wind.

It was a welcome three points for Roberto De Zerbi (Martin Rickett/PA) (Martin Rickett)

A snapshot by Tel was deflected wide and Porros resulting corner found Rodrigo Bentancur, but Jose Sa made a flying save with 21 minutes left.

Armstrong headed over next for Wolves and then, as Tottenhams away support tried to rally their team, the breakthrough followed in the 82nd minute.

Tel won a corner after he chased down a lost cause and Porros delivery dropped for Richarlison, who watched his scuffed effort turned in by Palhinha at the back post.

Palhinha charged off into the Spurs fans and news soon filtered through that Everton had equalised at West Ham.

Tottenham were briefly set to go out of the bottom three but celebrations by Wolves fans signalled a late winner at London Stadium and De Zerbi was indebted to Kinsky for a stunning one-handed save from a Joao Gomes free-kick in stoppage time to secure a much-needed three points.
Trader Joes customers have sued the popular grocery chain claiming there is not enough caffeine in their coffee.

The lawsuit filed in California Thursday alleges that Trader Joes deceived customers into believing its French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee had significantly more caffeine than it did.

"It is so common that it is now cliche that coffee drinkers depend on the caffeine contained therein to provide them with the energy they need to get through the day, the lawsuit said, according to several media outlets.

But when the coffee was tested, it was found to contain half the caffeine of a regular blend, according to the lawsuit.

Trader Joes customers have sued the popular grocery chain, claiming there is not enough caffeine in their coffee (Getty Images)

The French Roast Low Acid coffee has 51 percent of the caffeine of Trader Joes Dark French Roast coffee and 45 percent of the caffeine of Trader Joes House Blend coffee, NBC News reported, citing the lawsuit.

The Independent has reached out to Trader Joes and the customers attorney for comment.

Its standard not to indicate the amount of caffeine in coffee on a products label unless some process is used to reduce the amount of caffeine, the lawsuit said.

For example, full caffeinated coffee does not have any special labeling denoting that it is fully caffeinated, but 'decaf' and 'half-caff' coffees are labelled as such," the lawsuit said.

Trader Joes deceived customers into believing its French Roast Low Acid whole bean coffee had significantly more caffeine than it did, the lawsuit alleges (Getty Images)

Trader Joes customers claim the French Roast Low Acid coffee "does not disclose that it is 'decaf' and 'half-caff' coffee.

Since the coffee is not labeled as such, customers were led to purchase the product believing that it is fully caffeinated when it is not."

The lawsuit seeks to bar Trader Joes unlawful sales and marketing of the product, according to the New York Post, as well as monetary damages.

Trader Joes is also facing a separate lawsuit, in which a Portland woman claims she found a fingertip from a rubber glove in the grocery chains orange juice.

Julee ONeil was 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, the lawsuit said, according to multiple outlets.
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pictured behind US vice-president JD Vance, had been due to fly out to Islamabad on Saturday - Jacquelyn Martin

Donald Trump has cancelled sending his top envoys to Pakistan for a second round of peace negotiations with Iran this weekend.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been due to depart for Islamabad on Saturday, despite conflicting reports from Tehran about whether direct talks would go ahead.

However, Mr Trump said he had cancelled the trip because he didnt see the point of sending his envoys on an 18-hour flight to just sit there.

The United States president said the Iranians can call them if they want whilst insisting Washington had all the cards.

I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is [sic] Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! he wrote on Truth Social.

Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their leadership. Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!

There have been conflicting reports about whether direct talks would go ahead at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad - Aamir Qureshi/AFP

Minutes earlier, the US president told Axios that cancelling the visit doesnt mean he is going to resume the war with Iran, adding: We havent thought about it yet.

I see no point of sending them on an 18-hour flight in the current situation [of the negotiations]. Its too long, Mr Trump said.

The cancellation is the latest sign that the warring countries are far from reaching any deal. Iran is refusing to curb its nuclear programme or hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium, the material needed to make a nuclear bomb.

Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister who is considered a relatively moderate official, arrived in Islamabad on Friday night and was expected to meet the US envoys.

However, after holding talks with Pakistani leaders, he and his delegation flew out of Pakistans capital on Saturday with a military jet escort, government sources said. It was not immediately clear if or when he would return to Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistans prime minister (left), greets Iranian official Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad on Saturday. Mr Araghchi flew out of the city later in the day - EPA/Shutterstock

Mr Trump claimed on Friday that Iran planned to make an offer aimed at satisfying US demands, but that he did not know what the offer entailed.

He declined to say who Washington was negotiating with, but were dealing with the people that are in charge now.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the US had seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hoped more would come this weekend.

Mr Trumps position is that the US has all the time in the world to make a deal, while the clock is ticking for Iran.

On Saturday, Mr Araghchi said that it remained to be seen whether the US was truly serious about diplomacy.

In a post on X after leaving Islamabad, he said he had shared Irans position concerning [a] workable framework to permanently end the war, but he had yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy.

Tehran, meanwhile, retains its major source of leverage: control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

Iran has said it would not reopen the waterway until the US abandons its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The White House has made clear the blockade would end only once a peace deal is signed.

The stand-off threatens major fuel shortages and risks pushing the world into a global recession. Oil prices remained volatile on Friday, as traders weighed potential disruption from the worst oil shock in history against the prospect of further talks.

Since the truce began, Irans military has seized two cargo ships in the strait and attacked three others.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, has asked Iranians to cut back on their electricity consumption as the US blockade continued to bite.

I ask our dear people who are ready and present on the ground to reduce their electricity and energy consumption, he said, speaking during a visit to the interior ministry on Saturday, according to the official news agency, IRNA.

The enemys aim in targeting infrastructure and imposing a blockade is to create public dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has ordered the military to forcefully strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, according to a statement from his office on Saturday evening.
President Trump has reserved the honour of the first state visit of his second term for the King, The Telegraph understands - Evan Vucci/AP

Donald Trump decided Britain should be the first country he hosts for a state visit during his second term because of his personal friendship with the King, according to a US source involved in the planning.

His Majesty will fly to Washington on Monday for a four-day visit amid hopes he can smooth relations following a spate of bitter political rows involving the Falkland Islands, the Iran war and the Chagos Islands.

A palace source said the state visit would be a success if it could help stabilise the bilateral relationship even a fraction.

Visiting leaders have received the White House pomp and pageantry when meeting Mr Trump in his second term. But each trip has fallen short of a full, official state visit because the president reserved that honour for the King, The Telegraph understands.

Its been in the works for several years as a concept, a source involved in the planning said.

The state visit would be a success if it could stabilise the special relationship even a fraction, a palace source said - Anna Moneymaker/Getty

The decision is understood to reflect the warm relationship between Mr Trump and the Royal family, which has seen him visit the UK twice for a full state visit: first at Buckingham Palace with Elizabeth II and again at Windsor Castle with King Charles.

The Kings visit comes on the back of calls from Pablo Quirno, the Argentine foreign minister, for renewed talks over the future of the Falkland Islands, after the US suggested it could support Buenos Airess claims of sovereignty to the South Atlantic archipelago.

President Trump has also criticised Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, robustly and regularly for his stance on the Iran War, the state of the British Armed Forces, and lack of investment in defence. He has pointedly called him no Winston Churchill.

The Prime Minister, earlier this month, said he was fed up with Mr Trumps jibes.

A palace source conceded the state visit was not without its complexities, but added: Its an amazing opportunity for the nation and the King, and we will be leaning into it in the spirit of positivity and optimism.

If the bilateral relationship can be made even a fraction more stable, thats a great thing for the UK, they said.

The King is going at the request of the Government and the whole team will do their best to make the visit a success in the best interests of the country.

The King and Queen Camilla will land in Washington DC on Monday, and will undertake a programme of events including tea with the Trumps, a White House dinner, and the Kings speech to Congress.

Its an honour, said a palace source of the invitation.

A British Government source told The Telegraph that the state visit will be used to showcase the strength and breadth of UK-US partnership and will show that the relationship is not built on nostalgia but rather is a dynamic and enduring alliance with a bright future.

They said there are three main themes that the visit will emphasise: the strength of trade links between the two nations, the importance of security and intelligence sharing, as well as shared historic and cultural links.

Mr Trump with the late Queen in 2018 on his first of two state visits to Britain - Matt Dunham/Getty

Just days before the visit, a leaked Pentagon memo showed that the US administration is considering punishing its long-standing allies by reassessing diplomatic support for imperial possessions, such as the Falkland Islands.

The King, who is head of state for the Falklands Islands because it is a British Overseas Territory, is expected to try to smooth the path for Mr Starmer by re-establishing diplomatic bonds with Mr Trump in person.

For the White House, the occasion is a welcome respite from the war in Iran, which has dominated Washington headlines. With the president locked in daily war meetings, the task of making the White House fit for a king has fallen to Melania Trump, the first lady.

On Tuesday, the King will be given the rare honour of addressing the joint session of Congress, in a speech which will make careful reference to current affairs as well as Britains long diplomatic ties with the US.

That evening both Mr Trump and the King will deliver speeches at a formal White House dinner.

The King and Queens visit, designed to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, will last until Thursday.
Tucker Carlson says he doesnt hate his former close friend, President Donald Trump, but feels betrayed by the administrations recent military actions in the Middle East.

Carlson, the former Fox News host and one of the most influential conservative media voices in America, was once closely aligned with Trump and even served as an informal adviser.

Now, Carlson has become one of Trumps most vocal conservative critics, especially over the presidents foreign policy and military actions in the Middle East.

He recently apologized for helping Trump get elected, saying Trump has moved away from his earlier America First promise to avoid foreign wars and has instead taken a more aggressive approach.

I dont hate Trump. I hate this war and the direction that the U.S. government is taking, Carlson told The Wall Street Journal in an interview released Saturday. I feel betrayed.

Carlson said he believed Trumps campaign promise of no new wars, especially in the Middle East, was sincere. He now argues that Trump has since been influenced by neoconservatives and Israel, and has moved away from that original anti-war position.

Tucker Carlson told The Wall Street Journal Saturday that he doesnt hate President Donald Trump, but strongly opposes the war and the direction of U.S. policy, saying he feels betrayed (AFP/Getty)

Carlsons latest criticism of Trump comes days after he apologized for helping Trump get reelected as president in 2024 (AFP/Getty)

Why cant the U.S. government act on behalf of its own citizens? Carlson asked the WSJ. This is a generational problem that didnt start with Trump. If anything, Trump just proved the system was stronger than him.

Carlson has also faced his own criticism. Last October, he hosted Nick Fuentes, a known Holocaust denier, on his podcast and accused some U.S. politicians who support Israel of being overly influenced by a brain virus, which led to accusations of antisemitism and calls from some conservatives to distance him from the movement.

At the same time, Carlson had been privately and publicly urging Trump for months not to enter another war in the Middle East. He reportedly visited the White House three times to speak with Trump directly and stayed in frequent contact with him.

Despite those efforts, Carlson told the WSJ he failed to change Trumps direction. He points to February 28 as the breaking point, the day U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move that, in his view, deeply divided conservatives who believed Trumps America First stance meant avoiding new wars.

Carlson described the man he helped elect to a second term as charming, intelligent, and an existential threat to self-government.

Trump has proven his own point, unfortunately, which is that the people running your government are only about themselves, he said. You can run an authoritarian system that way. You cannot run a liberal democracy that way.

On his end, Trump has dismissed Carlson and other former MAGA allies as having a low IQ for criticizing his handling of the Iran war. Carlson responded to that remark earlier this month in an interview with Newsmax, calling Trump a slave who cant make his own decisions.

"Ive always liked Trump and still feel sorry for him, as I do for all slaves, Carlson said April 10. Hes hemmed in by other forces. He cant make his own decisions. Its awful to watch."

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
Why has nothing been done to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?

The answer is simple  as his advisers will have told Donald Trump before he attacked Iran, it is almost impossible to clear a passage through a minefield when the shoreline is held by the enemy, without being prepared to take significant casualties. And this, it seems, the US is not prepared to do.

It is one thing to bomb a less technologically sophisticated enemy from the air, but quite another to get involved in a real fight at sea level with an opponent who has been planning this form of asymmetric warfare for a very long time.

History gives a stark lesson on why America needs to tread warily  a page from the First World War.

It was March 1915. The straits concerned were the Dardanelles  the narrow passage linking the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and giving access to Istanbul. The Turks were the defenders, the British and the French the attackers.

They were in the middle of a shooting war. A vital waterway, which would normally be open for the worlds commerce, was closed because of the actions of Turkey, the bordering power. The coastline was heavily defended, and there was a high probability that mines had been laid to block the channel.

HMS Irresistible, abandoned in the Dardanelles, in northern Turkey, on 18 March 1915. She hit two mines, the second of which destroyed her main engines, and 600 men had to be rescued (Library of Congress/Royal Navy)

A decision was made by the British and French that the straits were to be reopened by force  and a very considerable force was assembled for that purpose.

It comprised no fewer than 14 capital ships (in those days battleships and battlecruisers) supported by escorts and a large force of minesweepers.

The plan was a good one. The capital ships would stand off in clear water and bombard the shore defences. When these had been silenced, the minesweepers would go ahead and sweep another clear area.

The capital ships would then move forward again into swept water and recommence their bombardment  successive waves of big ships moving up, but always into water which had been swept for mines. In this way, the whole channel would be cleared, and the straits reopened.

The big push commenced on 18 March 1915. To start with, it all went well. Four capital ships  HM ships Queen Elizabeth, Agamemnon, Lord Nelson and Inflexible  formed the first attacking line.

The second line was composed of four French ships, Gaulois, Charlemagne, Bouvet and Suffren. They, in turn, were to be supported by six more British ships  HM ships Ocean, Irresistible, Albion, Vengeance, Swiftsure and Majestic  which would form a third line to pass through and relieve the French in line two.

The bombardment was started by the RN ships in line one at 11am. By 12.20pm, the French ships of line two had steamed through the first line to take up their advanced positions.

By 1.45pm, the fire from the shore batteries had slackened under the onslaught of the guns of the eight capital ships, and it was deemed safe enough to send in the minesweepers for the next phase. The third line of six ships was also called up to move the force forward.

However, 15 minutes later, everything started to go wrong. FS Bouvet hit a mine, and in a matter of minutes, she capsized and sank. There were only 75 survivors out of a ships company of 718.

The action continued. HMS Irresistible of the third wave was bombarding the forts when she, in turn, struck a mine at 3.14pm. She developed a severe list but continued with the action until she hit another mine, and her main engines were put out of action completely.

An attempt was made to take her in tow, but the situation was hopeless, and the order was given to abandon ship. More than 600 men were taken to safety.

Meanwhile, shortly after 4pm, HMS Inflexible struck a mine. She remained capable of steaming slowly and was ordered to withdraw. However, she had a 30ft x 26ft hole below the waterline and had to be beached to save her from sinking. She was later towed to Malta for repairs and was out of action for three months.

A Royal Navy cruiser painted in dazzle camouflage in the Dardanelles, 1915 (Getty)

After these disasters, Vice-Admiral John de Robeck, the British admiral in charge of the Allied naval forces during the crucial stages of the campaign, finally decided that the waters which had been considered to be safe and swept of mines were anything but.

Accordingly, at 5.50pm, less than seven hours into the operation, he signalled a General Recall to withdraw the ships and return to the safe waters outside the straits.

Fifteen minutes later, at 6.05pm, HMS Ocean struck another mine, developed a major list and was deemed not to be capable of being saved. The ships company were taken off and she was left to her fate. Both Irresistible and Ocean later sank.

Fourteen major warships had attempted to force the straits. Within four hours, three of them had been sunk and one had been so badly damaged that she was out of action.

This one day of disaster was the end of trying to take the Dardanelles passage by solely naval means. The attempt was never repeated.

USS Abraham Lincoln conducts US blockade operations related to the Strait of Hormuz on 16 April 2026, in the Arabian Sea (US Navy)

From that day on, the focus shifted to boots on the ground to conquer the Turks on land  but as is well known, this likewise failed.

A relatively weak opponent had defeated the combined forces of the two largest navies in the world by its use of asymmetric warfare and, most importantly, by the deployment of mines.

A lesson for our times, Mr President.

John Clark is a former Royal Naval Reserve officer who commanded various minesweepers and minehunters during his service
Klaudia Zakrzewska was injured on Argyll Street in Soho at around 4.30 am on Sunday, April 19 (Instagram)

A social media influencer has died six days after being struck by a car outside a nightclub in central London.

Klaudia Zakrzewska, 32, from Essex, was injured on Argyll Street in Soho at around 4.30 am on Sunday, April 19, and was pronounced dead on Saturday.

Former X Factor finalist Gabrielle Carrington, 29, appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with the attempted murder of Ms Zakrzewska, a TikTok and Instagram influencer known online as Klaudiaglam, outside the Inca nightclub.

The Metropolitan Police said on Saturday that the charge will be upgraded to murder following Ms Zakrzewskas death.

Former X Factor finalist Gabrielle Carrington appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with the attempted murder of Ms Zakrzewska (Instagram)

Carrington, of Broadfield Road, Manchester, is also accused of dangerous driving, being nearly twice the drink-drive limit and causing injuries to two other people  a third woman and a security guard  who were also hit by her Mercedes.

A 58-year-old man suffered life-changing injuries after being hit by the car.

She made it to the X Factor live finals in 2013 as one of the three members of Miss Dynamix and now has more than 365,000 followers on Instagram under the handle RIELLEUK.

Carrington  described in court as social media influencer who makes regular trips to the United Arab Emirates  made a heart sign with her hands towards friends and family in the packed public gallery as she was led out of the dock and back to the cells.

She did not enter any pleas during the hearing and will next appear at the Old Bailey on May 19.

Family and friends of Ms Zakrzewska also attended the court hearing.

Nearly 18,000 had been crowdfunded for Ms Zakrzewskas treatment and her familys legal fees.

The GoFundMe, said to be set up by her mother, said: If at any time things take a turn for the worst, additional funds will go towards funeral costs and continuous support for the family.

Her mother, Kinga, said on the page: Those who know me understand how much I love my daughter and what a special bond we have, and I cannot give up on my baby girl.

She added: Anyone who knew my gorgeous daughter knows how truly wonderful she is. She has touched so many people with her pure heart and kindness, and she deserves every chance to keep fighting.

Footage of the incident circulating online shows a woman getting into a black car before it surges forward, striking Ms Zakrzewska who goes under the vehicle.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, said: We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Klaudias family and friends in light of this tragic update.

Our thoughts are also with everyone impacted by this incident.

We recognise that this case has generated significant interest and discussion on social media; however, we would urge the public to refrain from further speculation.

She added: We also ask that people do not share graphic footage out of respect for Klaudias loved ones and for those who have been injured.

The circulation of such material could also undermine our ongoing criminal investigation and potentially prejudice future court proceedings.
More than 50 countries are meeting in Colombia to discuss how to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Photograph: Jon Cherry/Getty Images (Photograph: Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

A panel of global experts has been launched to provide scientific input for countries that want to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and manage the growing risks of high oil prices, geopolitical conflict and extreme weather damage.

The initiative was announced on the opening day of a groundbreaking climate action meeting in Santa Marta, where the Colombian hosts set out a draft roadmap for their own national energy transition.

It marked a high-ambition start to the first global conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels. The event, from 24-29 April, has brought together more than 50 nations, dozens of subnational governments and an estimated 2,800 civil society representatives in a coalition of the willing aimed at reinvigorating international efforts to reduce planet-heating emissions from oil, gas and coal.

The new science panel for global energy transition is intended to add intellectual weight to those efforts. Experts in climate, economics and technology will offer advice to policymakers looking to create roadmaps out of the fossil fuel era.

Based partly on the model of the UKs climate change committee, it includes national and sector-level milestones for eliminating fossil fuels in line with scenarios that return global heating to 1.5C by the end of the century.

The panel will be chaired by Vera Songwe, the Cameroonian co-chair of the High Level Expert Panel on Climate Finance; Ottmar Edenhofer, the German director and chief economist of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research; and Gilberto M Jannuzzi, a Brazilian professor of energy systems at Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

Jannuzzi said there was still time to bring about an energy transition. Technically, there is no problem. The problem is how to disseminate the information and secure the financing, he said.

The panels formation follows calls by the president of Cop30 in Belem to establish roadmaps for accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels and deforestation.

We encourage governments and institutions to draw on the panels analyses, policy briefs and country-level engagement to strengthen nationally determined contributions, inform sectoral strategies and accelerate implementation of just and orderly energy transitions across different national contexts, Andre Aranha Correa do Lago said.

The Colombian and Dutch hosts of the Santa Marta meeting have also expressed support for the initiative, which has been convened by Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Carlos Nobre of the University of Sao Paulo.

Rockstrom said the presence of a third of the worlds countries at Santa Marta would help keep the transition from fossil fuels on the global agenda and demonstrate how it can be achieved. These are solvable problems that can create better futures for local communities, he said. The science panel can play a unique role in providing updates on what needs to happen year by year.

The 54 countries that are attending the fast track transition conference include major fossil fuel producers such as Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil and Angola, for whom giving up a major source of income will be challenging.

Those challenges, and their possible solutions, were outlined in the new draft roadmap for Colombia, which gets about half of its export revenues from fossil fuels. Drawn up by global experts with Colombian officials, the plan says that a rapid switch to cheaper and more efficient renewables would bring long-term benefits to energy security, health, the climate and the economy.

Reducing fossil fuel use by 90% by 2050 would allow energy demand to continue growing while generating direct economic benefits estimated at $280bn over the next 24 years, the roadmap calculates. Considerable upfront investment is needed to achieve this transition, but by the early 2040s, this delivers annual net savings to the Colombian economy, the plan states.

The authors stressed this outline needs to be debated and refined, but they hoped it could help to inform the national debate.

We are really excited about the roadmap, said Prof Piers Forster, director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at the University of Leeds. It shows that it is cost effective to phase out petrol and diesel. And also very cost effective to build renewables. And now we all appreciate the importance of energy security.

He said he hoped other countries would follow suit and develop their own roadmaps and climate councils. We want to work with countries to build internal capacity to do it themselves because they understand the opportunities, roadblocks and political sensibilities within their countries.

 This article was amended on 27 April 2026. An earlier version said about half of Colombias export revenues came from coal; this should have said fossil fuels.
Klaudia Zakrzewska, from Essex, died on Saturday - Instagram

An Instagram influencer has died after being hit in central London by a car allegedly driven by a rival social media star.

Klaudia Zakrzewska, known as Klaudiaglam on Instagram and TikTok, died on Saturday, six days after the incident in Soho.

Gabrielle Carrington, 29, known as RIELLEUK on social media, had been charged with attempted murder over the incident outside the London Palladium in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The charge will now be upgraded to murder, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said.

A court heard earlier this week that Ms Carrington, a former X Factor contestant, was understood to be in an ongoing dispute with Ms Zakrzewska.

Ms Zakrzewska, from Essex, was among three people hit by a car after she was believed to have attended Inca, a bar and restaurant near the Palladium.

Gabrielle Carrington has had her charge upgraded from attempted murder to murder

Ms Carrington, of Manchester, is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Anoush Chyche, actual bodily harm to Latisha Armstrong and drink-driving.

Ms Carrington, who has 365,000 followers on Instagram, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday, where district judge Nina Tempia remanded her in custody.

Ms Carrington, who reached 10th place in The X Factor as part of girl group Miss Dynamix in 2013, has amassed more than 360,000 followers on Instagram and more than 400,000 likes on TikTok.

She did not enter any pleas during Tuesdays court hearing and is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on May 19.

Ms Zakrzewska, from Essex, was among three people hit by a car

Det Ch Insp Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, said her deepest sympathies were with Ms Zakrzewskas family.

We recognise that this case has generated significant interest and discussion on social media; however, we would urge the public to refrain from further speculation, she said.

We also ask that people do not share graphic footage out of respect for Klaudias loved ones and for those who have been injured. The circulation of such material could also undermine our ongoing criminal investigation and potentially prejudice future court proceedings.
The Police Federation has racked up more than half a million pounds in legal fees after being accused of trying to stifle free speech.

The organisation, which represents 145,000 rank-and-file officers, brought in a team of top lawyers after unlawfully suspending two branch officials over comments they made about race.

A legal review ruled in favour of the two officials and the federation spent more than 500,000 on legal fees fighting in the courts, according to documents released under Freedom of Information laws.

Rick Prior, who was the head of the Metropolitan Police Federation, was suspended when he warned that his members were nervous about challenging people from some ethnic minorities for fear of being labelled racist.

He was subsequently sacked when he gave an interview to The Telegraph about the situation.

Richard Cooke was the head of the West Midlands Police Federation

Richard Cooke, his colleague in the West Midlands, was also suspended when he posted a comment online disputing suggestions that his force was institutionally racist.

The federation argued the mens comments were potentially discriminatory and risked bringing the organisation into disrepute.

After a crowdfunding campaign organised by the Free Speech Union (FSU), both men brought a judicial review to challenge their treatment.

The federation hired a top law firm and leading criminal barrister to fight the case.

The right to comment

In January, the High Court ruled that the federation had acted unlawfully in its treatment of the men and had breached their Article 10 right to freedom of expression.

In the ruling, the judge said that, as elected representatives, they had the right to comment on matters of public interest such as race relations, policing standards and officer confidence.

But details released following a freedom of information request reveal the federation, which is funded by officer subscriptions, spent 326,427 on solicitors and a further 201,480 on barristers fees, which included a Kings Counsel.

Having lost the case, the federation lodged an appeal, but in March announced it was dropping the action.

The federation is also understood to be liable for the costs of Mr Prior and Mr Cooke, meaning the overall legal bill for the action is likely to be close to 840,000.

Rick Prior was chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation

Mr Priors suspension came after he gave a television interview warning that his members were increasingly worried about using force for fear of becoming the subject of vexatious racism complaints.

His comments followed a number of high-profile incidents, including a constable being convicted of assault after challenging a woman who refused to show a valid bus ticket.

The conviction was quashed on appeal, but Mr Prior said that such incidents were eroding the confidence of his members.

He explained: There seems to be an assumption of racism right from the off, particularly when its a white officer and a member of the public from a minority ethnic community.

And it almost seems as if the onus is then on the police officer to prove that the interaction wasnt racist.

But the next day he was suspended over the comments that the Federation said were allegedly discriminatory.

In a follow-up interview with The Telegraph he suggested he might expect better treatment in North Korea, comments for which he was sacked.

Mr Cooke, who represents 7,000 officers in the West Midlands was suspended last year, following a remark made on the X social media platform in which he rejected a suggestion that racism and misogyny were widespread in the force.

He wrote: I dont recognise these attitudes. They do not represent us  we are an anti-racist organisation.

The suspensions meant neither officer was eligible to stand in last years Police Federation of England and Wales elections.

Mr Prior said: The Police Federation has squandered approaching a million pounds on this failed judicial review, all to silence elected representatives and override the democratic choice of rank-and-file officers.

Mr Cooke said: What a waste of money this has been. And lets not forget this is money given in good faith by tens of thousands of hard-working colleagues. It ought to be spent on officer welfare and campaigning for enhanced pay and conditions, not abused in this way.

Dr Bryn Harris, the chief legal counsel of the FSU, said: The union is dismayed and disappointed to learn that the Police Federations misconceived defence of its unlawful actions cost half a million pounds  money paid by the taxpayer and from the subscriptions of hard-working police officers.

Parliament has legislated clearly that the federation must protect the public interest in representing police officers. We fail to see how the Federations obdurate and ultimately self-defeating stance has been in the interest of the public or indeed of anyone.

A spokesman for the federation said: We have a legal and ethical obligation to properly address complaints about conduct and behaviour. In both of these cases we were the defendant and the rulings did not identify that the federation was incorrect in seeking to act on those complaints.

Jonathan Hinder, a Labour MP who served in the Met, said: Frontline officers will be rightly furious that 500,000, funded from their subscriptions, has been spent on this.

It is bad enough that the national leadership of the Fed have purged elected officers for doing their job, but this use of members money just rubs salt in the wound.

Our brave police officers must be given the opportunity to form and join a body that can give them genuine representation, and I continue to push government to change the law to allow this.
The directors of Shrubland Hall said it was chosen ahead of Londons Excel centre and the NEC in Birmingham - Paul Grover/For The Telegraph

A Suffolk village is braced for the arrival of up to 100,000 Muslim pilgrims at a festival organised by a fundamentalist mosque.

Residents of Barham, near Ipswich, have demanded the cancellation of the Islamic meeting at Shrubland Hall, a Georgian manor house, in July.

Muslims are expected to travel from around the world to attend the three-day ijtema, or gathering, which is being organised by an ultra-conservative Dewsbury mosque.

Two of the July 7 London bombers attended prayers at the Sunni place of worship, and it was home to a school that Ofsted reprimanded in 2021 after a book calling for gay people to be killed was found in its library.

Locals have now called for the festival to be cancelled, arguing the village of 1,600 people cannot host so many people and that nearby roads will be gridlocked.

Robert Stanper, 69, told The Telegraph: I hope it doesnt happen because theyre on my doorstep. The environment would suffer because of all the things people leave behind, intentionally or unintentionally.

That amount of people on this road and infrastructure and with the potholes weve got would be catastrophic for some cars.

Robert Stanper fears the environment would suffer - Paul Grover/For The Telegraph

Michael and Elaine Evans, 63 and 65, said the stately home and the village could not handle that many attendees.

They cant get 100,000 people in there, Mr Evans said. Theres two entrances  youve got a single track coming in and coming out. This place definitely cannot handle it. Everyone will tell you it cant.

Mrs Evans added: For three days, this isnt the sort of area that can really cope with something like that.

Michael and Elaine Evans say that the location is not equipped for such numbers - Paul Grover/For The Telegraph

At the Sorrel Horse Inn, opposite the halls main entrance, landlord Neil Jackson fears his trade will slump during the event between July 10 and 12.

Its an awful lot of people, said Mr Jackson, 51. If it blocks the roads, people wont be able to come in and out. And if people cant get to us, then our trade will be down.

A lot of the big estates do things like Latitude Festival these days. Its income for them, isnt it? Its usually just Indian weddings at the hall.

It would impact trade because people couldnt get here. But on the other hand, they might stop. Theyre not going to drink, though, are they?

Neil Jackson, landlord of the Sorrel Horse Inn, is concerned about the impact on trade - Paul Grover/For The Telegraph

Jim Garwood, 49, said locals were not opposed to the Islamic nature of the gathering, only its size.

The traffic will be a nightmare, he said. Its not the sort of place where there are many Muslims but we dont reject them. Were very open-minded people. I just think theres a bit of shock about the amount of people that could be coming down.

Event organisers have claimed in promotional material that more than 100,000 people could attend. However, they have since said 10,000 guests at most are expected.

Chris Chambers, who represents Barham on Suffolk county council, said: Its still a large number for where it is, so I dont think that will help ease residents concerns by much at all.

Its still an awful lot of people to have in a small village over a very small period of time.

Chris Chambers, a local councillor, pictured at the site of Shrubland Hall - Paul Grover/For The Telegraph

The event, which will involve prayer, communal meals and religious lectures, is being organised by the Markazi Mosque in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, a Sunni place of worship that is the headquarters in Europe of the Tablighi Jamaat sect.

The sect has up to 80 million adherents worldwide, estimates claim, and is an ultra-conservative group.

Two of the 7/7 suicide bombers  Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer  visited the Dewsbury mosque for prayers, although the mosque has previously denied they were regular worshippers or that it played a role in their radicalisation.

The since-closed Islamic Institute of Education, a school based at the mosque, failed an Ofsted inspection in 2021 after inspectors found the book Islam on Homosexuality, which calls for gay people to be killed, in its library.

The book was removed from the library after the inspection and the school said at the time that Ofsteds criticisms had been rectified.

The Markazi Mosque in Didsbury, West Yorkshire, is organising the event in Suffolk - Lorne Campbell/Guzelian

Local authorities have been frustrated by event organisers because it was advertised without an event management plan, having been approved by the local safety advisory group  Suffolk Police, Suffolk county council, Mid Suffolk district council, the East of England Ambulance Service and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service  which can rule that events are not safe to go ahead.

There has been some initial contact but no actual formal details have been submitted by the organisers, said David Penny, a local district councillor.

Locals have also witnessed lorries delivering marquees to the estate that are thought to be for the event.

The directors of the estate have said the event is lawful, peaceful and has been responsibly organised, adding that Shrubland Hall was chosen as its venue ahead of Londons Excel centre and the NEC in Birmingham.

The event has been planned with careful attention to all relevant local authority requirements, including health and safety, security, traffic management, and regulatory compliance, the directors said in a statement to the East Anglian Daily Times.

Appropriate measures are in place to ensure the wellbeing of attendees and to minimise any impact on the surrounding area.

A spokesman for the Markazi Mosque in Dewsbury said one of our paramount priorities is to ensure a peaceful event, and that a large number of volunteers would work to ensure the area will not be affected by the festival.

We are a peaceful organisation with a very good reputation and one of our core aims is to promote peace and community harmony, the spokesman said.

The event itself will help all attending persons and specifically the youths in becoming not only good human beings and citizens, as our religion Islam teaches us, but also how they can help and support and integrate with all aspects of society in a positive and harmonious manner.
John Peach was told he would have to prove that he was Leigh and Jasons father in order to proceed with a claim - Tony Buckingham

A father whose two sons died in the infected blood scandal fears he will die before he sees a penny of compensation.

John Peach, 81, is still awaiting compensation over the death of Leigh and Jason from Aids-related illnesses two years after the Infected Blood Inquiry concluded.

More than 3,000 people died having contracted HIV and hepatitis from contaminated blood products and transfusions administered by the NHS in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr Peachs sons received contaminated Factor VIII while attending Lord Mayor Treloar School in Hampshire, where young patients with haemophilia were enrolled in unethical trials. Jason died in September 1993, aged 23. Leigh died in January 1994, aged 27.

Their fathers compensation case is deemed a high priority because of his age, but after two years, hes yet to be invited to claim.

He told The Telegraph: Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, which makes the stress hard to cope with. I am in my 81st year and time is short. I would like to see some justice before its too late.

Copy of The infected blood scandal in numbers

The inquiry into the UKs worst treatment disaster concluded that avoidable mistakes had been made and that the infections should never have happened.

In a 2024 report, the inquiry criticised a 30-year cover-up of the scandal and recommended that the Government pay compensation immediately.

Some 11.8bn was set aside, but after a string of delays, only 2bn has been paid out to date.

Mr Peachs sons were among the 1,250 people with haemophilia who had been infected with HIV by NHS treatment, and among at least 90 pupils who attended the school from 1970 to 1987 who have died.

They died from Aids-related illnesses within five months of each other. I had to nurse them through the last few years of their lives, said Mr Peach. The last four years were horrendous.

Their mother, Mr Peachs, wife died from cancer a decade earlier, shortly before her sons received their HIV diagnoses.

She missed that, thank Christ, said Mr Peach. As a bereaved parent, I feel I am on a sick merry-go-round. To date, I have received nothing.

Leigh and Jason Peach died from Aids-related illnesses within five months of each other - Tony Buckingham

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority, which is overseeing the payouts, dealt with claims from infected survivors first. It has now started receiving applications from the estates of people who have died and their bereaved relatives. But bureaucracy has bogged down the process.

Julie Taberer, a lawyer at Collins Solicitors, which represents more than 1,000 claimants, said the process was nightmarish.

A lot of the elderly are having problems with it, said Ms Taberer. I was on a call with somebody the other day in her 90s and theyre asking for evidence she lived with her child. Its more than 70 years ago. Theres got to be another way to work around that.

Mr Peach was horrified to learn he would have to prove he was Leigh and Jasons father. And he is concerned about how taxing the process will be.

This month, the Government announced it would increase some of the compensation amounts following complaints. This includes a 50 per cent uplift for children who died from infections before turning 18. Patients who were enrolled on unethical trials will receive 45,000, while ex-pupils of Treloars who were experimented on will get 60,000.

The additional money will require parliamentary approval and will add yet more delays.

Victims of the scandal, which has been dubbed the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, protest outside Westminster amid growing frustration with waiting for compensation - Victoria Jones/PA

Its shoving another huge delay in the system, said Des Collins, founder of Collins Solicitors.

For Mr Peach, the news had a bitter sting. Jason and Leigh were diagnosed with HIV as teenagers, but died in their 20s after long battles with Aids-related conditions.

Its ridiculous, said Mr Peach. They were children to me.

Ms Taberer described the cut-off as unfair. A child is still a child no matter what age they die at, she said. Theyre putting a premium on a childs life but its no more distressing for a parent.

Ultimately, for Mr Peach, the monetary amount isnt the issue. Although compensation will be some kind of justice, nothing will replace having my family stolen from me, he said.

A spokesman for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) said: Those impacted have waited decades for recognition and to get the compensation that they deserve. Thats why our priority is to pay every eligible person as quickly as we can, whilst also getting this right for everyone.

While we cannot comment on individual circumstances, we are processing claims across all groups. We are prioritising claims based on recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry, starting with people who are sadly nearing the end of life, followed by older age groups.

We would ask anyone who thinks they may be eligible but has not yet registered for compensation to do so by visiting the IBCA website.
A split-image photo of Citadel CEO Ken Griffin and his NYC penthouse

A political clash in New York City is quickly turning into an economic flashpoint, and it could have real consequences for jobs, development and even housing affordability.

Billionaire hedge fund founder Ken Griffin is pushing back after Mayor Zohran Mamdani featured his $238 million penthouse in a social media video promoting a proposed pied-a-terre tax on luxury multiple homes (1).

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In the video, Mamdani points to ultra-high-value properties being taxed more to help close the city's budget gap.

An internal email reviewed by The Wall Street Journal revealed Citadel COO Gerald Beeson calling the mayor's move "shameful" and warning the company may reconsider a planned multi-billion-dollar project, 350 Park Avenue, which is expected to generate 6,000 construction jobs and more than 15,000 permanent roles (2).

This highlights a growing tension in major cities: how to tax wealth without driving it  and the investment that comes with it  elsewhere.

Griffin has already shown a willingness to relocate. In 2022, he moved Citadel's headquarters from Chicago to Miami, citing concerns about crime and political leadership, according to Bloomberg (3).

The risk to a $6 billion New York project shows how sensitive major investments are to tax policy (2). And that can impact everyday consumers when these projects help drive job creation, local economies, tax revenue and housing supply.

The tax debate at the center of it all

The proposed pied-a-terre tax would apply to high-value second homes, which are typically owned by wealthy individuals who don't live in the city full-time (2).

Supporters say it could raise revenue from those least likely to feel the impact. New York City is already under fiscal pressure. It faces a projected budget gap of roughly $7 billion by 2028, CBC New York reports (4).

But the policy risks backfiring, according to critics and some economists, who warn larger taxes can influence where high earners live and invest. The Tax Foundation notes these folks are more likely to respond to tax changes by moving or shifting assets (5).

And the broader trend is shown in an IRS analysis cited by CNBC, which found that New York has lost billions of dollars in income to other states in recent years, with many high earners relocating to lower-tax states like Florida and Texas (6).

Read More: Almost 50 with no retirement savings? Heres why you shouldnt panic

A broader trend: cities vs. wealth

New York isn't alone in trying to tax wealth more aggressively. For example, in California, lawmakers have proposed wealth taxes targeting ultra-high-net-worth residents (7). In Canada, the federal government has a luxury tax on underused homes (8).

But the Griffin dispute shows how delicate that balance can be.

Supporters argue these policies improve fairness. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reports the top one percent pay a lower effective state and local tax rate than many middle-income households (9).

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Critics  including billionaire investor Bill Ackman  counter that these individuals already contribute heavily through things like taxes, spending and philanthropy.

"Non-resident owners of NYC apartments who leave (them) vacant for much of the year aren't a burden to NYC schools, services or other resources while they drive growth in retail sales, restaurants, theater and other important drivers of our economy," Ackman posted to social media (10).

The impact on everyday Americans

The standoff between Griffin and New York's mayor is a clear example of how quickly politics, wealth and real estate can collide, and how the outcome can shape the economic landscape far beyond billionaires' penthouses.

Even if you're not directly impacted by a pied-a-terre or similar tax, these policies can still shape your finances. If companies like Citadel scale back projects, the effects could ripple outward.

Reduced investment can weaken job growth

Business investment is a key driver of job creation and wage growth at the local level, meaning reduced investment can weaken labor markets.

According to the New York Building Congress, the construction sector alone supports around 140,000 city jobs and generates tens of billions in economic activity annually (11).

Tax shifts can affect who ultimately pays

Property taxes are New York City's largest single source of revenue, according to the NYC Comptroller (12).

According to the Congressional Budget Office, changes in business and high-income taxation can be partially passed on to workers and consumers through wages and prices over time (13).

Slower development can tighten housing supply

Slower development is linked to rising home prices and rents that have outpaced income growth in recent decades. And those effects can take years to reverse, Congress.gov reports (14).

The bottom line

Ultimately, delays or cancellations could mean fewer jobs, less tax revenue and slower economic growth and community resources.

At the same time, if cities successfully raise new revenue and retain their tax base, that money can support public services and infrastructure  a key factor in long-term affordability and quality of life.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick appears before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick isn't ready to offer an olive branch, much less an apology, to Canada for the Trump administration's rhetoric. Testifying Wednesday on international trade and economic growth before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Lutnick did not back down from recent criticisms of Canada's trade strategy.

Asked by Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) how "insulting our closest ally and neighbor" helps companies who have suffered because of the loss of Canadian business and tourism, Lutnick doubled down (1), saying "Canada's economy leans on the incredible $30 trillion economy of America" and complained about Canada not putting U.S. spirits on their shelves.

Must Read

That came just days after Lutnick said "they suck" (2) when asked about Canada's negotiation strategy. The U.S. Department of Commerce later said that comment referred to the trade imbalance between the two countries.

The inflammatory comments, understandably, angered many Canadians. But when it comes to the topic of Canada's economic dependence on the U.S., he's not entirely wrong.

Half of Canada's economy is built on trade with U.S.

When U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney signed a free trade deal in January 1988, it did away with tariffs on goods that crossed the U.S./Canada border. At the time, 75% of Canadian exports went to the U.S. Today, it's 80%  and trade has grown to make up two-thirds (3) of the Canadian economy, with half of that coming from the U.S.

America, meanwhile, sees just 3% of its economy coming from Canada-U.S. trade.

Canada, technically, could export its products to other nations, but right now, the country doesn't have the rail or port capacity to match what it sends to the U.S. American ports handle 2.3 billion (4) tons of freight each year. Canadian ports handle around 351 million (5).

Canada sends 4 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S each day, but doesn't have the infrastructure or pipelines to send them elsewhere.

Supply chains, meanwhile, are intertwined in a manner resembling a Gordian knot. Vehicle parts cross the border multiple times at different stages of construction, making it difficult to reduce Canada's dependency on the U.S. when it comes to the auto industry.

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Overall, the U.S. is responsible for 45% (6) of the foreign direct investment into Canada. That's less than the 61% it used to be, but still a commanding amount.

Read More: Almost 50 with no retirement savings? Heres why you shouldnt panic

Trade winds chilling, but slow to shift

Canada, of course, can build out additional port capacity and construct east-west pipelines. And it can look for new trade partners. But doing all of that takes both a lot of time and a lot of money.

Some parties think the better course of action is to wait out the two remaining years of the Trump administration and see if things go back to normal with whoever next occupies the Oval Office. In the meantime, though, it's likely going to remain challenging to get a bottle of Kentucky bourbon in Canada and the war of words is unlikely to find any sort of detente.

But while Canada might be dependent on the U.S. economy, there are several areas of the U.S. that rely heavily on Canadian spending, including tourism in border towns and cities with major attractions. And while Canadians are canceling trips to the U.S., Americans who aren't buying into the rhetoric are coming to see their Northern neighbors.

Between 2024 and 2025, U.S. visits to Canada increased by 10% (7). Early data indicates that number could increase to 26% in 2026.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Small businesses in New York City with their security gates rolled down.

A 17-year-old law is about to go into effect in New York City  and small business owners aren't happy.

In 2009, the New York City Council amended a law to restrict what types of storefront gates small business owners could use (1). The law requires gates to be transparent, with "at least 70%" visibility for the area the gate covers.

Must Read

But many small business owners say they didn't know about the bill until now, and they won't be able to afford to make the swap in time. Here's what to know about enforcing this storefront gate law and how it affects New York businesses.

Why this law is a burden to small business owners

Because of the expense associated with replacing a storefront gate, council members gave business owners until July 1, 2026 to make the required changes.

"The typical gate, with regular maintenance, lasts anywhere from 10 to 15 years," says Jeffrey Haberman, a lawyer for the City council (2). "Most businesses that have roll-down gates now will have replaced their gates over the normal course of business by 2026."

But in order for that plan to work, small business owners would have to know about this rule in the first place. The executive director of the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District, Yelena Makhnin, says only 12% to 15% of local businesses currently meet the law's requirements (3). She also says none of the six businesses she talked to had seen flyers informing them of the law.

According to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president Randy Peers, those numbers are likely representative of business compliance throughout New York City.

Read More: Almost 50 with no retirement savings? Heres why you shouldnt panic

Replacing a storefront gate could cost thousands of dollars, and companies that offer replacement services will be hard to book if every noncompliant business tries to replace their gates all at once (4).

This change comes at a time when businesses are already struggling. According to the New York Fed, the business climate index ticked down to -49.3 in April, indicating a much worse business climate than normal (5).

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If businesses fail to update their gates in time and are notified that they're in violation of the law, they'll have 90 days to fix their gates without penalty. After that, they'll have to pay at least $250 for a first offense and at least $1,000 for every subsequent offense (6).

Making matters worse, some small business owners who already have compliant gates are concerned that the transparency leaves their business more vulnerable.

"I'm afraid for my glass, actually," Eric Piker, owner of Eric's Health Food Shoppe, told CBS News (7). I'm afraid that somebody is going to just, like, poke something into it and just break it."

Reasons for the storefront gate law change

There are two major reasons the storefront gate law was implemented: to make things easier for first responders and improve city aesthetics.

In 2009, shortly after the new law was signed, Councilman Peter F. Vallone Jr. said police officers and firefighters prefer partial gate visibility to completely hidden storefronts when responding to calls (8).

He also said the metal gates made New York City streets look worse. The opaque metal gates block light and are easier to vandalize than partially-transparent gating options.

Solid metal gates also might give pedestrians the impression that the area is unsafe, if store owners felt they needed thick metal gating to protect their storefronts at night. Partially transparent gating might look less severe.

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A photo of the Starbucks logo with a man working on a laptop

Starbucks may be pouring its next big investment far from home, and it's not just oat milk that's leaving Seattle. (1)

Just five months after Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson publicly urged a boycott of Starbucks at a workers rally (2)  telling the crowd, "I am not buying Starbucks, and you should not, too"  the company announced it will invest $100 million in a new Southeast headquarters in Nashville, bringing up to 2,000 jobs with it (3).

Must Read

The company, however, is framing the move as a strategic expansion. In a statement, chief partner officer Sara Kelly said the move is driven by practical advantages.

"Our new office in Nashville reflects three key advantages: proximity to key suppliers; access to a deep and growing talent pool in the region, notably in technology; and alignment with where we expect future coffeehouse growth," she wrote. (4)

Seattle worries about what comes next

As Starbucks expands into Nashville, questions are already surfacing for the roughly 3,000 corporate employees based in Seattle's SoDo headquarters. (5)

The company said it would offer relocation opportunities to some Seattle staff, but Tuesday's announcement provided few details beyond plans to build a workforce of up to 2,000 in Nashville and potentially shift additional "teams and roles" over time.

For many, Starbucks remains deeply tied to Seattle's identity, from its global headquarters to the original Pike Place Market location that draws tourists year-round (6). But the expansion comes as the company recently laid off 69 Seattle-based employees, including baristas and shift supervisors, and announced additional store closures in the city, raising fresh concerns about its long-term footprint at home (7).

"They are the rock here of Seattle," Edward Bunker, chef and owner of Lingon restaurant, told KOMO News (1). "We really need businesses to stay in Seattle."

While that uncertainty is building in Seattle, leaders in Tennessee are embracing the move as a clear economic win. At a press conference, Gov. Bill Lee said the investment would bring new opportunity to the region's workforce, calling it "an announcement that they'll all be envious of." (8)

"When a company like Starbucks decides to make this kind of an investment into our community, our people are going to benefit from that," Lee said.

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Read More: Almost 50 with no retirement savings? Heres why you shouldnt panic

Nashville's gain could be Seattle's loss

While the mayor's remarks may have added tension between Starbucks and city leaders, the company's decision also appears to come down to dollars. Ryan Frost, director of budget and tax policy at the Washington Policy Center, said relocating employees to Nashville could reduce Starbucks' tax burden by roughly $12,000 per worker each year compared to Seattle.

"Seattle has such a higher tax burden than Nashville does," Frost told Fox 13 Seattle, noting that Washington's business and occupation (B&O) tax is applied to gross receipts rather than profits  a structure that can increase costs for large companies regardless of earnings. (2)

Starbucks isn't alone in eyeing the region. Oracle has been expanding its presence in Nashville (9) and has signaled plans to shift its world headquarters there, with Chairman Larry Ellison citing the city's growing health-care sector and business-friendly environment (10). In 2021, Metro Council approved a $1.2 billion investment for a 65-acre campus in East Nashville, a project expected to create about 8,500 jobs over the next decade.

The move also fits a broader corporate trend. Headquarters relocations have picked up in recent years, with 465 moves recorded since 2018, most often driven by business climate and lower taxes, followed by efforts to streamline operations. The tech and manufacturing sectors have led the shift, while Texas has attracted the largest share of relocations. (11)

For Starbucks, the $100 million investment points to a similar playbook balancing lower costs and long-term growth opportunities against the rising expense of staying in legacy hubs.

Moneywise reached out to Starbucks, but the company did not immediately respond with a statement.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Recent violence has rekindled tensions in the northeastern Indian state, scene of a bitter conflict for the past three years. Ethnic Kuki-Zos now accuse the Nagas, who had remained neutral during the confrontation between Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis. The newly elected Yumnam Khemchand Singh administration is facing the difficult task of reconciliation.

Imphal (AsiaNews)  The situation is tense again in the state of Manipur, which has been rocked by violence for almost three years. Three people died and at least four were wounded in Ukhrul, as the conflict between ethnic Kuki-Zos and Nagas intensifies.

A "volunteer" from a Naga self-defence group and two Kuki-Zos were killed in a gunfight yesterday in Ukhrul district. Seven people from both tribes have been killed in the past month, with each side blaming the other for the deaths.

The hostilities between the Nagas and the Kukis have opened another fault line in the three-year-old Manipur conflict. Until recently, the Nagas had remained neutral while the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos fought each other.

The hostilities between the two groups represents a further challenge for the new government of Yumnam Khemchand Singh, which is faced with a conflict that has already cost more than 260 deaths and displaced some 60,000 people since May 2023.

Police in Ukhrul confirmed the incident, stating that the body of the Naga victim was sent to Ukhrul and those of the two Kuki-Zos to Kangpokpi.

Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered at the Litan police station under Sections 326 (causing personal injury), 103 (murder), 109 (attempted murder), 118(2) (causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons), and 310/3(5) (robbery) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Naga volunteer has been identified as Horshokmi Jamang, 29, and the two Kuki volunteers as Letlal, 43, and Paominlun Haoli, 19. According to a press release issued by the Naga Village Guard, a volunteer group formed to protect Naga villages, the four people wounded belong to their group.

The Naga and Kuki-Zo groups blame the other for the incident. In a statement, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) organisation said that heavily armed Nagas descended upon the Kuki village of Mulam in the early hours yesterday. As a result, Letlal and Haoli lost their lives while trying to defend the village.

The Naga Village Guard denied the accusation, claiming that its volunteers, while patrolling Sinakeithei and Sirarakhong, two predominantly Naga villages near Mulam, were attacked by armed militants despite the suspension of operations agreement in force.

It stated that there had been "repeated attacks on Sinakeithei village " and "constant tactical movements" by Kuki militants in the areas surrounding the villages.

Kuki groups led by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) signed a ceasefire agreement, known as the Suspension of Operations (SoO), with the central and Manipur governments in 2008.

Since the conflict broke out in 2023, these groups have been negotiating with the Ministry of Home Affairs over the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate union territory with its own legislature.

Kuki Inpi Manipur said that the continued attacks and the resulting inaction by the relevant authorities could lead to further deterioration of the situation.
25 April 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijans industrial story has long been told through the language of energy, such as barrels, pipelines, and export routes. However, beneath this dominant narrative, a quieter ambition has persisted for decades: to build a domestic manufacturing base capable of reducing dependence on imports and projecting economic resilience. The recent agreement between the Ganja Automobile Plant and two Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers signals that this ambition is not only alive but evolving into something more concrete.

To understand the significance of this development, one must look back at Azerbaijans uneven but persistent efforts to establish an automotive industry. The foundations were laid during the Soviet era, when industrial production was centrally planned, and Azerbaijans role was largely auxiliary. After independence in 1991, the country faced economic disruption, institutional gaps, and a lack of capital, all of which constrained large-scale industrial projects. Still, the idea of domestic vehicle production did not disappear. The establishment of the Ganja Automobile Plant in the 2000s marked a renewed attempt to revive this sector, even if initially on a modest scale.

In its early years, the plant focused on assembling tractors and trucks in partnership with foreign manufacturers, particularly from Belarus. These projects were less about innovation and more about capacity buildinglearning how to operate assembly lines, manage supply chains, and maintain quality standards.

The new agreement with Chinese partners should be seen as the next step in that evolution. Chinas automotive industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, moving from low-cost production to technological sophistication, particularly in electric vehicles and commercial transport solutions. By aligning itself with Chinese firms, Azerbaijan is not merely importing components; it is positioning itself within a global supply chain that is increasingly shaped by Asian manufacturing power.

There is, of course, a pragmatic logic behind this move. Azerbaijans domestic market alone cannot sustain large-scale vehicle production. The countrys population and purchasing power impose natural limits. However, the strategic value lies in regional integration. If managed effectively, Ganja could become a hub for assembling and distributing commercial vehicles across the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and potentially parts of Eastern Europe. This would transform Azerbaijan from a consumer of industrial goods into a participant in their circulation.

Skepticism remains warranted. Assembly-based production carries inherent limitations. Without deeper localizationsuch as the production of key components, investment in research and development, and the cultivation of a skilled workforcethe country risks remaining dependent on foreign technology and supply chains. The experience of other nations suggests that without deliberate policy support, assembly plants can stagnate, offering limited economic spillovers.

Yet dismissing the initiative outright would be equally shortsighted. Industrial policy is often a balancing act between ambition and feasibility. Azerbaijan does not currently possess the technological base to design and manufacture vehicles from scratch. What it can do is leverage partnerships to gradually build that capacity. Each agreement, each production line, and each trained technician contributes incrementally to a broader industrial competence.

There is also a geopolitical dimension that cannot be ignored. Azerbaijan has carefully navigated its relationships with major powers, maintaining a degree of strategic autonomy. Deepening economic ties with China, particularly in manufacturing, reflects a broader shift in global economic gravity. It allows Azerbaijan to diversify its partnerships beyond traditional Western and regional actors, reducing vulnerability to political and economic fluctuations.

At the same time, the governments emphasis on rebuilding territories regained after the Karabakh conflict creates an additional layer of demand for commercial vehicles. Infrastructure projects, logistics networks, and construction activities all require reliable transport solutions. Local assembly could therefore serve immediate domestic needs while laying the groundwork for future export capacity.

Ultimately, the success of this initiative will depend not on the signing of agreements but on their implementation. Industrial development is measured in years, not headlines. It requires consistent investment, regulatory clarity, and a willingness to move beyond symbolic projects toward substantive economic transformation.

Azerbaijan stands at a familiar crossroads. It can treat this agreement as another isolated venture, or it can integrate it into a coherent industrial strategy that prioritizes long-term capability over short-term gains. The history of its automotive sector suggests that progress has often been incremental, even fragile. But it also shows a persistent desire to move beyond the constraints of a resource-dependent economy.

If that desire is matched with strategic discipline, the assembly lines in Ganja may one day represent more than just imported parts coming together. They could become the early chapters of a broader industrial narrativeone in which Azerbaijan is not merely adapting to global economic shifts, but actively shaping its place within them.
25 April 2026 15:41 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine have developed steadily over the years, grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. While political and economic ties remain important, recent developments highlight a growing emphasis on the humanitarian dimension of bilateral cooperation.

Azerbaijan has increasingly focused on strengthening humanitarian cooperation with Ukraine, reflecting its broader foreign policy approach. Having experienced the long-term consequences of conflict itself, Azerbaijan demonstrates a consistent commitment to supporting regions and populations affected by war.

One of the most visible forms of this support is the rehabilitation of Ukrainian children impacted by the ongoing conflict. Azerbaijan regularly hosts rehabilitation programs aimed at addressing the psychological trauma that war imposes - especially on younger generations. Plans are also underway to extend similar initiatives to Ukrainian students, further broadening the scope of humanitarian engagement.

In addition, Azerbaijan has responded to the destruction of Ukraines energy infrastructure by providing essential assistance, including the delivery of electricity generators. These efforts have been particularly critical for civilians and medical institutions facing severe disruptions.

Humanitarian ties are reinforced by strong people-to-people connections. A significant Azerbaijani diaspora resides in Ukraine, playing a vital role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two societies. These human links contribute to the resilience and depth of bilateral relations.

Azerbaijan is a country with a unique experience in the field of restoration and construction in the world. In the future, Azerbaijan can share its experience with Ukraine in the implementation of restoration and construction projects.

Ukraine was one of the few nations to consistently support Azerbaijans territorial integrity during the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

Azerbaijans foreign policy is guided by national interests and adherence to international law. It consistently supports the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity - values it regards as essential for global stability and peaceful coexistence.

In the context of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Azerbaijan maintains a balanced and neutral stance. It does not participate in the conflict and avoids any military involvement. Instead, Azerbaijan advocates for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Positioning itself as a regional diplomatic hub, Azerbaijan could potentially offer a neutral platform for future peace discussions.

Economic ties between Azerbaijan and Ukraine also hold significant potential, particularly in the energy sector. Azerbaijans state energy company, SOCAR, operates fuel stations in Ukraine, contributing to local markets and strengthening business relations.
25 April 2026 12:28 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Trade relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia continued to expand in the first quarter of the year, with both export activity and overall turnover showing notable growth, AzerNEWS reports.

In January-March, total trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia reached $264.7 million, an increase of $59.3 million, or 28.9%, compared to the same period of the previous year.

In the reporting period, the trade turnover with Georgia amounted to 2.81% of the total turnover of Azerbaijan. Thus, Georgia ranked 7th in the list of countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the largest volume of trade transactions during this period.

In January-March of this year, exports of products from Azerbaijan to Georgia in the amount of $ 235 million were recorded. This is $54.3 million, or about 30% more than in the same period last year.

A significant portion of this trade was made up of non-oil products. Non-oil exports to Georgia totaled $120.7 million, making Georgia the third-largest destination for Azerbaijans non-oil exports, with a 14% share.

Compared to the same period last year, non-oil exports increased by $40.1 million, or 49.7%, reflecting strong demand for Azerbaijani non-energy goods in the Georgian market.

In the reporting period, Azerbaijan carried out import operations from Georgia in the amount of 29.7 million US dollars, which is 5.1 million US dollars or 20.7% more compared to the same period in 2025.

It should be noted that in January-March of this year, Azerbaijan conducted trade operations with foreign countries in the amount of 9.407 billion US dollars. This is $2.642 billion, or 21.9% less than in the same period last year.
25 April 2026 10:26 (UTC+04:00)

On April 24, 2026, Mingachevir State University, in collaboration with the Psychology Scientific Research Institute and the Modern Azerbaijani Psychologists Public Union, launched the conference titled "Multidisciplinary Scientific Research in Psychology," AzerNEWS reports.

The event is being held at the Heydar Aliyev Center and marks the first large-scale scientific platform in the region bringing together diverse fields within psychology.

The opening ceremony brought together prominent officials, academics, and experts, including Mingachevir City Executive Authority Head Ilham Ismayilov, Mingachevir Municipality Chairman Anar Ismayilov, Chairman of the Mingachevir branch of the New Azerbaijan Party Bakhtiyar Mustafayev, Rector of Baku Slavic University Anar Nagiyev, Rector of Mingachevir State University Anar Eminov, Chairman of the Psychology Scientific Research Institute Elnur Rustamov, as well as representatives of law enforcement agencies, scholars from 27 institutions, psychologists, researchers, students, and media representatives.

Participants began by paying tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev, laying flowers at his monument. The official ceremony continued with a minute of silence in honor of Heydar Aliyev and fallen martyrs, followed by the national anthem of Azerbaijan.

Opening the event, Ilham Ismayilov emphasized the importance of organizing such scientific platforms in the regions, noting that research in psychology plays an increasingly vital role in ensuring societal well-being, strengthening family structures, and supporting sustainable development. He added that a multidisciplinary approach enhances integration across fields and contributes to practical solutions.

Rector Anar Eminov described the conference as a significant step toward expanding the universitys research activities and strengthening international cooperation. He noted that a total of 265 scientific papers from 27 institutions - including higher education institutions, secondary schools, and other organizations - were accepted, reflecting growing interest and intensified research in psychology.

Rector of Baku Slavic University Anar Nagiyev highlighted the importance of such conferences in fostering academic dialogue, sharing experiences, and identifying joint research directions. He praised the organizers and stressed the growing relevance of psychology in addressing modern challenges.

Elnur Rustamov expressed gratitude to the university for organizing the conference at a high level, emphasizing its importance for advancing psychological science, uniting the academic community, and addressing current issues. He also expressed confidence that the outcomes would contribute to practical applications.

Narinj Rustamova, founder of the Narinc Psychology Center, spoke about the increasing importance of psychology in modern society. She underlined the value of multidisciplinary collaboration in solving real-world problems and highlighted the role of such platforms in developing young psychologists and strengthening ties between academia and practice.

Video messages from Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tunc Bozbura of Bahcesehir University and Vice-Rector Dr. Akmal Akhatov of Samarkand State University were also presented, with both congratulating the organizers and wishing success to participants.

Representatives of partner universities touched upon the importance of the conference and congratulated the organizers and wished the speakers success.

According to the program, the conference will proceed with panel discussions, section meetings, and practical sessions. The first day includes a panel on changing social roles in family relations moderated by Elnur Rustamov. On the second day, discussions on inclusivity, equality, and psychological well-being will be moderated by Aydin Karimov.

At the same time, section meetings on topical areas such as general and Social Psychology, developmental psychology, inclusive education, clinical psychology and digital transformation are organized within the framework of the conference.

Workshops led by Narinc Rustamova and psychologist Sabina Eyyubova will focus on modern psychological approaches and practical skills development.

It should be noted that the conference, which covers April 24-25, serves as an important platform for promoting multidisciplinary scientific approaches in the field of psychology, sharing scientific results and expanding academic cooperation.
25 April 2026 13:50 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Azerbaijan for a working visit, AzerNEWS reports.

On April 25, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held one-on-one and expanded meetings with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Gabala.

During the conversation, the presidents fondly recalled their previous meetings. Confidence was expressed that the Ukrainian Presidents visit to Azerbaijan would provide a good opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation. The sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in many areas, including energy, discussed agricultural cooperation, and touched upon the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijans humanitarian support to Ukraine, as well as the attention and care shown by the Azerbaijani state to Ukrainian children. It was emphasized that a group of Ukrainian students is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan soon for rehabilitation purposes and to become acquainted with Azerbaijani culture and art.
25 April 2026 13:56 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered press statements in Gabala on April 25.

The President of Azerbaijan made the statement first.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Honorable Mr. President, distinguished guests.

I once again sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. Welcome to Azerbaijan.

Our meetings have a regular character. This is our seventh meeting over the last four years. Our recent meetings took place on the sidelines of international organization events. However, I recall that you first visited Azerbaijan as President in 2019. Our personal relationship also began at that time and continues successfully today. I also remember my visit to Kyiv in January 2022. The exchange of views we held and our subsequent contacts have elevated UkraineAzerbaijan relations to a higher level.

Our cooperation has a very strong political foundation. In 2008 in Kyiv and in 2011 in Baku, two documents on strategic partnership were signed, and these are very important political documents. These documents reflect mutual respect for our countries territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan and Ukraine supportand will continue to supporteach others sovereignty and territorial integrity in all international organizations.

Two important events took place last year: consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission were held in Baku. During our conversation today, we also exchanged views on holding these events in Ukraine in the coming period. In short, we are successfully cooperating in many areas today, and this cooperation was reaffirmed once again.

Among the issues discussed, in addition to political dialogue, I would especially like to mention cooperation in the field of energy. There are both existing achievementsSOCAR has been operating successfully in Ukraine for many yearsand, at the same time, excellent prospects and joint projects. Joint initiatives, including investment-related matters, were discussed in detail today. Naturally, the issue of further increasing trade turnover is also at the center of the agenda. Our trade turnover has exceeded half a billion dollars; however, I hope this figure will grow further in the coming years, as there are strong opportunities for that.

An exchange of views was also held regarding military-technical cooperation, and there are significant prospects in this area as well. The military-industrial complex is developing in both Azerbaijan and Ukraine, and there are excellent opportunities for joint production, as well as for joint production in the industrial sector as a whole. This was also discussed in detail today, and we aim to further deepen our cooperation in all other fields.

As I mentioned, the holding of seven meetings at the presidential level over the past four yearsthe last meeting being two months ago in Munichis a clear indicator. This speaks to how dynamic our relations are. Today, we speak of mutual respect and the safeguarding of mutual interests. I am confident that todays visit will make another important contribution to the development of AzerbaijanUkraine friendly relations.

Once again, I sincerely welcome you and all our Ukrainian guests.

x x x

Then, the President of Ukraine made the statement.

Statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

- Dear Mr. President, thank you very much.

I would like to express my gratitude to you. I am also thankful for the attention shown to our delegation.

We have had meetings on various international platforms. During our meetings last year, we noted that we have always supported one another. I mentioned that we have always supported the territorial integrity and independence of Azerbaijan, and likewise, we have seen the same attitude toward Ukraine.

Of course, this is my first visit to Azerbaijan since the war began, and I have come here with my delegation. I thank you.

Today we signed six documents. Our delegations will unequivocally exchange views regarding their details. Regarding the sectors discussed today, the number one field is security. Concerning growth in the defense industry, Ukraine has demonstrated its strength of resistance arising from the conditions of war, and we would like to share our expert knowledge. Today our experts are in Azerbaijan, providing support to their Azerbaijani colleagues. We will continue this partnership hereafter and begin joint production.

There are other important sectors. Of course, these contribute to the security of our peoples and countries, and in the true sense of the word, we would like these ties between our countries to be enhanced further. Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. President for the fact that our partnership continued even during those very harsh winter conditions. At the same time, of course, we have taken air defense measures. Nevertheless, regarding energy supplies, during such a very difficult period, we received 11 aid packages from Azerbaijan. We express our gratitude for this assistance. We have spoken at length about this. Mr. President, we also specifically thank you for helping our children. Those children, our sons and daughters, come from frontline regions. They have faced hardships and have suffered from the war. We thank you for your support. More than five hundred Ukrainian children are here, and we are grateful to you for this humanitarian support.

First, we discussed the energy sector and reviewed our cooperation. Today, this represents a major challenge not only for Ukraine but for the entire world, including Europe. A war is ongoing with Iran. In such circumstances, we need reliable partners. We therefore express our gratitude to you. We are also very pleased that Azerbaijani students, in most cases, choose Ukraine as their destination for education. We are grateful for this as well.

At the same time, we discussed peace efforts. It is extremely important for Ukraine that the war eventually comes to an end. Of course, we are grateful to the partners mediating this process. We are grateful to the President of Azerbaijan. We have had negotiations in trilateral and other formats. Some took place in Turkiye, and later we met with our American partners in Geneva; we would also like to conduct our negotiations in Azerbaijan  provided that the Russian side also chooses this diplomacy.

Mr. President, I believe that when it comes to the defense industry, security is a field where we can establish very deep cooperation, and we must work hard to achieve this goal.

Regarding the production of weapons, this can bring stability to our peoples. Our countries have sufficient capacity to withstand and address all challenges. If we take any country, even in theory, if it faces aggression, it must be capable of conducting military operations and defending itself. In this regard, we wish Azerbaijan success on its path toward stability and peace. We also extend the same wishes to ourselves.

Today, we are in the most difficult and severe conditions of war. To be honest with you, Mr. President, I saw a report. Russia has launched new airstrikes in various locations. The destruction is visible. They are attacking railways, energy infrastructure, and civilian facilities. Unfortunately, some individuals have already lost their lives today, and there are those who have been injured.

Mr. President, I am grateful to you for expressing your condolences. Thank you very much for organizing this entire visit

x x x

The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Ukraine then held a brief conversation.
25 April 2026 16:52 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Aykhan Hajizade has condemned the statement of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide," AzerNEWS reports.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press secretary in a statement on his X account emphasized that, public figures should act responsibly, refrain from spreading misinformation, and contribute to reconciliation rather than deepening division through politically motivated and historically false statements.

"We reject your inflammatory statement. Such remarks demonstrate a lack of understanding of history and realities of the region, and distort facts for political narratives," he wrote.

The spokesperson underscored that during the 2020 conflict, Azerbaijan acted within its internationally recognized sovereign territory, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also referred to the 2023 developments, stating that Azerbaijans counterterror measures restored constitutional order following what it describes as three decades of illegal occupation.

"Claims of "expulsion" ignore the fact that Armenian residents were offered reintegration, full equal rights, and security guarantees. It is particularly troubling that an elected official promotes one-sided narratives while ignoring ethnic cleansing and massacres against hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis during the occupation period, as well as destruction of cultural and religious heritage," he stated.

The official added that such reckless statements are unacceptable and should be removed without delay.
25 April 2026 17:59 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

A group of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has sent an open letter to New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, responding to his recent statements on the social media platform X, AzerNEWS reports.

In the open letter, the organizations stressed that statements made by a high-ranking public official should not be based on one-sided interpretations of events and must take into account historical and political realities.

The authors of the letter also emphasized the need for a more balanced and measured approach when assessing sensitive historical and regional issues.

"We - a group of civil society representatives from Azerbaijan - consider your statements on the X platform regarding the so-called Armenian genocide of 1915, as well as Azerbaijans efforts to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty in 20202023, which are far from reality, to be unacceptable. Unfortunately, in line with the spirit of the Biden-Blinken era, you have hurt the feelings of millions of people with this political statement, which is incompatible with your mandate as the Mayor of New York City," the letter said.

Earlier the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Aykhan Hajizade has condemned the statement of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide".

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press secretary in a statement on his X account emphasized that, public figures should act responsibly, refrain from spreading misinformation, and contribute to reconciliation rather than deepening division through politically motivated and historically false statements.
25 April 2026 18:59 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

An Azerbaijani delegation led by Javid Gurbanov took part in the "Kyrgyzstan  Regional Hub: Connecting Continents" International Transport Forum held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The delegation also participated in the 9th Meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), where key regional transport issues were discussed.

Discussions focused on changes in international logistics chains, the growing importance of alternative transport routes, and advancing cooperation on the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route), highlighting its key role in ensuring sustainable and diversified regional transport connections.

As part of the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation also held talks with Durmus Unuvar, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkiye,to explore further opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the transport and infrastructure sectors.
25 April 2026 20:25 (UTC+04:00)

The Ukrainian side hailed this step as an embodiment of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

During the working visit of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani government has donated five electric buses to the city of Irpin as humanitarian aid, AzerNEWS reports.

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25 April 2026 20:52 (UTC+04:00)

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A video highlighting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to Gabala, Azerbaijan, has been shared on the social media accounts of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, AzerNEWS reports.

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

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Thank you!
25 April 2026 21:56 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

As part of the visit of the President of Ukraine to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Gabala, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation across political, economic, energy, and humanitarian sectors. They also explored opportunities to enhance trade, connectivity, as well as collaboration within international organizations.

The sides exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming mutual support for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the importance of continued high-level dialogue and partnership between Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

Ministers also co-signed an Agreement between Azerbaijan and Ukraine on Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, which will further strengthen the legal framework underpinning bilateral relations.
25 April 2026 23:57 (UTC+04:00)

Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4

A video highlighting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to Gabala, Azerbaijan, has been shared on the social media accounts of Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
25 April 2026 09:57 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Azerbaijan exported 1.641 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Turkiye in JanuaryFebruary 2026, generating revenue of $421.1 million, AzerNEWS reports, citing the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan.

Compared to the same period last year, the value of exports to Turkiye declined by $24.7 million, representing a 5.5% decrease. However, export volumes increased by 73 million cubic meters, marking a 4.6% rise year-on-year.

Overall, Azerbaijan exported a total of 4.381 billion cubic meters of natural gas to eight countries during the first two months of 2026, with total revenues reaching $1.285 billion.

While export volumes grew by 193.7 million cubic meters, or 4.6%, the total value of exports dropped significantly by $265 million, reflecting a 17.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
Antique Chinese landscape paintings on display in Macao

Xinhua) 10:10, April 25, 2026

MACAO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition featuring landscape paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) opened on Friday at the Macao Museum of Art (MAM), showcasing the artistic achievements of Chinese literati and the aesthetics of landscape travel.

Titled "Duet of Nature: Ming and Qing Landscape Paintings from the National Museum of China," the exhibition is jointly organized by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government's cultural affairs bureau and the National Museum of China, with MAM as the executive organizer.

The exhibition presents 65 sets of landscape paintings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It is divided into two sections and highlights the evolution of landscape painting and artists' expression of personal sentiments through depictions of nature.

Leong Wai Man, president of the cultural affairs bureau, said in her opening remarks that during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the traditional Chinese art of landscape painting reached its pinnacle. The exhibition, she underlined, not only enhances Macao's influence in the artistic world at home and abroad, but also contributes to Macao's image as a "base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist."

Blending traditional art with modern technology, the exhibition also features immersive and digital displays. According to the organizers, a series of outreach activities, such as lectures, workshops and guided tours, will be held.

A Macao resident surnamed Zhao told Xinhua that she values the opportunity to see traditional art pieces up close, adding that the city's long-standing blend of Chinese and Portuguese influences fosters an open and appreciative cultural environment. She also believed that the cultural events regularly held in Macao enrich public life.

The exhibition runs through July 26 at MAM, with free admission.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
A DNA discovery unveiled the Huaxi Green Pitviper, scientifically named Trimeresurus lii, lurking in Sichuan's misty forests for decades. Researchers long dismissed these vivid green snakes as common bamboo pitvipers, but genetic testing exposed a distinct species thriving in biodiversity hotspots like Giant Panda National Park. This breakthrough adds the 58th member to the Trimeresurus genus, spotlighting hidden reptile diversity in well-explored regions.

The story grabbed attention through ScienceDaily's coverage of the April 2026 findings from Chengdu Institute of Biology experts. It challenges how scientists identify cryptic speciesthose blending perfectly with their environment. Natural camouflage and subtle trait differences kept T. lii under wraps until now.

How Scientists Found Trimeresurus lii

Fieldwork in western Sichuan sparked suspicion when green pitvipers showed odd scale patterns and behaviors unlike known relatives. The team sequenced mitochondrial DNA from genes like 16S, cytb, and ND4, revealing a unique Viridovipera clade. Genetic distances topped 6.5% from the bamboo pitviper (T. stejnegeri), far exceeding typical variation within species.

Published in Zoosystematics and Evolution, the study by Bo Cai and colleagues used integrative taxonomyblending genetics with physical exams. Smooth head scales, absent in look-alikes, sealed the case for Trimeresurus lii. Inshorts highlighted the DNA discovery's role in spotting this Huaxi Green Pitviper, often overlooked in humid evergreen zones.

This method mirrors other revelations, like past Chinese pitviper finds where morphology alone failed. Here's what drove the identification:

Genetic markers : Monophyletic grouping outside T. stejnegeri's lineage.

: Monophyletic grouping outside T. stejnegeri's lineage. Morphological clues : 21-21-15 scale row formula and 152-168 ventral scales.

: 21-21-15 scale row formula and 152-168 ventral scales. Habitat sampling: Specimens from Mt. Emei and Xiling Snow Mountain.

Such precision prevents misclassification in rainforests teeming with green serpents.

Distinct Traits of the Huaxi Green Pitviper

Trimeresurus lii stretches up to 80 cm, its grass-green body fading into foliage for ambush hunting. Sexual dimorphism stands outmales sport bold red-white ventrolateral stripes and amber eyes, while females display faint yellow stripes with orange-yellow eyes. An extended postocular streak in males adds flair, aiding mate recognition amid dense vegetation.

Unlike banded relatives, this pitviper lacks crossbody patterns, enhancing its uniform camouflage. Heat-sensing loreal pits between the eye and nostril detect warm prey like frogs and birds. Spinose hemipenes in males and a prehensile tail support its semi-arboreal life.

Zoosystematics and Evolution detailed these features in the original paper, noting smooth cephalic scales as a key differentiator. The Huaxi Green Pitviper's adaptations suit mid-elevation forests, where mist clings to mossy rocks.

Key trait differences from the bamboo pitviper (T. stejnegeri):

Body Pattern : Uniform green, no bands (vs. faint crossbands possible).

: Uniform green, no bands (vs. faint crossbands possible). Head Scales : Smooth (vs. keeled).

: Smooth (vs. keeled). Male Stripes : Bold red-white (vs. subtle or missing).

: Bold red-white (vs. subtle or missing). Eye Color (Males) : Amber (vs. variable green/gold).

: Amber (vs. variable green/gold). Max Length : 80 cm (vs. up to 90 cm).

: 80 cm (vs. up to 90 cm). Scale Rows (Midbody): 21-21-15 (vs. 21-23-19).

This comparison underscores why DNA discovery proved essentialvisual overlaps hid the split.

Habitat and Range Insights

Western Sichuan's West China Rain Zone cradles the Huaxi Green Pitviper, from Giant Panda National Park's Chengdu section to nearby peaks. It thrives in humid broadleaf forests at 1,000-2,500 meters, slithering over damp rocks and low branches. Mossy understory provides cover, with streams nearby for hydration.

As the second Viridovipera species here, T. lii signals untapped diversity. ScienceDaily noted its presence near protected panda trails, raising awareness for hikers. Narrow distributionspanning Mt. Emei to Xiling Snow Mountainmakes it vulnerable to logging or tourism pressures.

Behaviorally, it's nocturnal and elusive, curling on branches or rocks during daylight. Prey includes small vertebrates drawn to the humid warmth. Limited sightings suggest small populations, confined to less-disturbed pockets.

Key habitat features include:

Evergreen broadleaf canopy for shade and humidity. Rocky outcrops with moss for basking and ambush. Proximity to elevation gradients supporting insect and frog abundance.

These niches explain its long invisibility.

Why DNA Discovery Matters for Pitvipers

Traditional taxonomy relied on visible traits, but Trimeresurus lii exposed limitations. Mitochondrial sequencing clustered it separately, with nuclear markers reinforcing the divide. Physical corroborationlike subcaudal counts (63-75)followed, but genetics led.

This DNA discovery echoes global trends: cryptic snakes in Southeast Asia often emerge via barcoding. In China, at least 36 undescribed species lurk, per prior surveys. For the Huaxi Green Pitviper, it prevented forever labeling it as T. stejnegeri.

Inshorts captured the excitement: a "rare new pitviper" both genders sharing bright green hues. Such tools now scan museums and field samples, promising more finds.

Read Also: Baby Armored Dinosaurs Show Ankylosaur Hatchlings With Natural Armor and Powerful Early Protection

Venom Profile and Human Encounters

Pitvipers like T. lii pack hemotoxic venom, disrupting blood and tissue via enzymes. Loreal pits lock onto infrared signatures of prey, striking with precision. Though no bites are documented, its size and trail proximity demand respectsimilar species cause regional medical cases.

Antivenom from bamboo pitviper relatives likely cross-reacts, but testing lags. Nocturnal hunts minimize daylight risks, yet climbers on Emei report green snake glimpses. Zoosystematics cautioned caution without overhyping threats.

Ecologically, it regulates frog populations, bolstering forest balance. Arboreal drops onto passersby remain theoretical, tied to defensive strikes.

Safety steps for visitors:

Stick to marked paths in Sichuan parks.

Avoid handling green snakesassume venomous.

Learn ID: watch for red-white male stripes.

Protecting Trimeresurus lii Long-Term

No IUCN rating exists yet for the Huaxi Green Pitviper, but habitat loss looms. Giant Panda protections help indirectly, shielding shared forests from clear-cutting. Climate shifts could squeeze its mid-elevation band, drying preferred humidity.

Researchers call for range-wide surveys and genetic banking. Naming after LaoziLi Erevokes harmony, urging sustainable tourism. ScienceDaily stressed expanded monitoring to gauge numbers.

Community efforts, like park ranger training, spot early threats. Linking reptile conservation to panda fame draws funding. Future work might map venom for medicine or track migrations via radio-tags.

Key Takeaways on Huaxi Green Pitviper Findings

This DNA discovery of Trimeresurus lii rewrites Sichuan's reptile roster, proving genetics unlocks nature's secrets. From smooth scales to amber eyes, the Huaxi Green Pitviper embodies adaptive elegance in misty wilds. Ongoing vigilance ensures its place in China's rich biodiversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Huaxi Green Pitviper?

The Huaxi Green Pitviper (Trimeresurus lii) is a newly discovered venomous snake from Sichuan, China, identified as the 58th species in its genus through DNA discovery. It features a vivid grass-green body for camouflage and lives in misty mountain forests like those in Giant Panda National Park.

2. Where was Trimeresurus lii found?

Researchers spotted it in western Sichuan's West China Rain Zone, including Mt. Emei, Xiling Snow Mountain, and the Chengdu section of Giant Panda National Park. This biodiversity hotspot hosts humid evergreen forests at mid-elevations.

3. How did DNA discovery reveal this species?

Mitochondrial DNA sequencing (genes like 16S, cytb, ND4) showed over 6.5% genetic distance from the bamboo pitviper (T. stejnegeri), forming a distinct Viridovipera clade. Morphological traits like smooth head scales confirmed the split.
25 April 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official spokesperson said on Friday that "sovereignty rests with us" over the Falkland Islands, AzerNEWS reports.

"We could not be clearer about the UK's position on the Falklands. It's longstanding, it's unchanged," the spokesman said.

"The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining an overseas territory. We have always stood behind the right to self-determination," he added.

The remarks follow an internal Pentagon email outlining options, including suspending Spain from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and reviewing US support for Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands over the Iran war, as Washington weighs steps against "bad" NATO allies. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez earlier dismissed the reports, saying, "We do not work on emails." The spokesperson also reiterated that the UK will not be "pressured" or "dragged" into the war.
25 April 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday that her country will retaliate for the 20th sanctions package recently adopted by the European Commission, AzerNEWS reports.

"Russia strongly condemns any illegitimate unilateral coercive measures," Zakharova said. "We will also take retaliatory measures. They will be tough, and they will be developed and implemented in accordance with our interests," she added.

The spokeswoman also commented on European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas' statement that the bloc is already preparing for the 21st sanctions package, and stated that it was "another scene from this Western theater of the absurd."
25 April 2026 10:58 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Saturday that top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Pakistani capital, and no direct engagement with the US is planned, AzerNEWS reports.

"No meeting between Iran and the United States is planned," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson wrote on social media X.

He clarified that Irans top diplomat Abbas Araghchi will hold meetings only with senior Pakistani officials.

Earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to hold talks with Iranian representatives.

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.

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.

Image: Iran MFA
25 April 2026 11:59 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

The United States has carried out a strike on a vessel suspected of being used by drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific, AzerNEWS reports, citing United States Southern Command.

The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated on the social media platform X that intelligence identified the vessel as operating along known drug trafficking routes and actively involved in suspected narco-trafficking operations.

The strike was ordered by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, SOUTHCOMs commander, and carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear against what it described as a vessel operated by a "designated terrorist organization."

According to the report, two people were killed as a result of the strike. No injuries were reported among U.S. military personnel.

The operation came as part of the Trump administrations intensified military activity in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since last September in the name of combating narcotics trafficking.
25 April 2026 13:23 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

A growing share of global hunger is becoming entrenched in a small group of conflict-hit countries, with two-thirds of people facing acute food insecurity concentrated in just 10 nations, AzerNEWS reports.

The 2026 Global Report on Food Crises, released by an alliance of UN agencies, the European Union, and international partners, reveals a worsening global hunger situation, with 266 million people across 47 countries experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025.

According to UN press service, this figure represents nearly a quarter of the population analyzed and marks a dramatic increase compared to 2016, when the share was almost half as large. The findings highlight a troubling shift: hunger is no longer driven solely by temporary shocks but is becoming a persistent and structural global challenge.

"Acute food insecurity today is not just widespread  it is also persistent and recurring," said UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu, warning that the crisis has become structural rather than temporary.

Conflict remains the primary driver, accounting for more than half of all people facing severe hunger.

Ten countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen - accounted for two-thirds of all people facing high levels of acute hunger.

At the most extreme end, famine was confirmed in 2025 in Gaza and parts of Sudan - the first time since the report began that two separate famines have been recorded in a single year.

More than 85 million people were displaced across food-crisis contexts last year, with displaced populations consistently facing higher levels of hunger than host communities.

Children are among the most affected. In 2025, 35.5 million children were acutely malnourished, including nearly 10 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition - a life-threatening condition that dramatically increases the risk of death.

Image: Getty Images
25 April 2026 15:17 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Turkiye could contribute to clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz if a peace agreement is reached between Iran and the United States, AzerNEWS reports.

Fidan made the remarks after completing a two-day visit to the United Kingdom, where he spoke to Turkish media representatives about regional security developments, including tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. He said Turkiye maintains regular contact with all sides and closely follows ongoing diplomatic efforts.

He welcomed a recent two-week ceasefire, noting that it has helped reduce tensions in the region. According to Fidan, only a few unresolved issues remain and these could still be overcome through negotiations.

"There are one or two stuck issues, and we believe they can be resolved," he said, expressing cautious optimism about the possibility of reaching a broader agreement.

Fidan emphasized that if a comprehensive agreement is reached between Iran and the United States, the removal of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz could become a key priority. He noted that such an operation would be humanitarian and technical in nature rather than a military alignment with any side.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.
25 April 2026 17:25 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

The extensive use of advanced missile systems during recent conflicts has placed a significant financial burden on the defense architecture of the United States, AzerNEWS reports.

Systems that form the backbone of U.S. military capabilities have proven highly effective on the battlefield - but at a steep cost.

According to analyses by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, thousands of high-end missiles have been deployed, each costing millions of dollars per launch. Among the most notable are Tomahawk cruise missile, with a unit cost of approximately $2.6 million, and Patriot missile system interceptors priced at around $3.9 million each. Even more expensive are the SM-6 missile, costing about $5.3 million per unit, and the THAAD system and SM-3 missile interceptors, which can cost between $15.5 million and $28.7 million per launch.

The large-scale deployment of these systems has driven operational costs into the billions within just a few weeks. Reports indicate that more than 850 Tomahawk missiles were launched during the conflict, while the number of Patriot interceptors used reached into the thousands.

Beyond the immediate financial impact, a more pressing concern lies in the time required to replenish depleted stockpiles. The report highlights that production limitations in high-tech defense manufacturing could delay restocking for up to four years in some cases.

In response to soaring costs and dwindling inventories, Washington has increasingly turned to more affordable alternatives in later stages of the conflict. These include JDAM smart bombs and systems integrated into unmanned aerial vehicles.

However, analysts remain cautious about the effectiveness of these lower-cost options. While they offer financial relief, they often fall short in key operational areas such as range, precision targeting, and flexibility. As a result, they are not considered full substitutes for advanced cruise and interceptor missiles.

Image: Reuters
25 April 2026 19:32 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the European Unions decision to include Chinese companies in its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce of China said on Saturday, AzerNEWS reports via Xinhua.

According to the spokesperson, the move comes despite repeated representations and objections raised by Beijing. China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions.

The ministry also criticized what was described as the EUs "long-arm jurisdiction" over Chinese companies and individuals.

China has called on the European Union to immediately remove Chinese enterprises and individuals from the sanctions list, urging both sides to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.

It is not specified which companies were included in the list.

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: Dado Ruvic / Reuters
25 April 2026 19:58 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump has said in an interview with Fox News that he canceled the planned trip of his envoys to Pakistan, AzerNEWS reports.

The decision comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.

"I told my people, when they were preparing for the flight - you're not going to fly 18 hours, we hold all the cards. They can call us whenever they want, but you're not flying 18 hours to sit and talk about nothing," Trump told the correspondent.

Earlier, Washington had announced that special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad to participate in negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions and potentially securing a broader ceasefire.

Image: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images
25 April 2026 22:28 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

The Czech power company CEZ has signed agreements with Rolls-Royce SMR to develop and construct new small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), marking a significant step in Europes transition toward cleaner energy sources, AzerNEWS reports, citing Associated Press (AP).

According to reports, the first pilot mini nuclear power plant is planned to be built in Temelin. The project is expected to serve as a testing ground for future deployments of SMR technology across the country.

CEZ chief executive Daniel Benes said that the work includes the project plan and licensing documentation necessary for issuing building permits for the reactor.

Benes said the company hopes to have all the approvals by 2030. The small nuclear reactor will be built at the site of the existing Temelin nuclear plant.

It schould be noted that CEZ has a 20% share in Rolls-Royce SMR and the companies had signed a deal about a strategic partnership, which should result in up to 3 gigawatt energy sources installed in the Czech Republic.

The Czech state has an almost 70% stake in CEZ and the government is taking steps to acquire full control of the company.

Image: Petr David Josek / AP
North Carolina Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban LGBTQ-themed books from elementary school libraries statewide and impose financial penalties, including withholding pay tied to superintendent salaries, on districts that violate the state's "Parents' Bill of Rights" law.

The legislation, House Bill 1043, was filed on Apr. 24, 2026, by House Majority Leader Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) immediately following a nearly three-hour oversight hearing in which Republican lawmakers grilled Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Superintendent Rodney Trice over the district's library book policies.

This was the second such hearing in five months, following a similar session in December 2025 where Jones tossed a book titled "Santa's Husband" over his shoulder, calling it "trash," according to NC Newsline.

The CHCCS Act

Jones named the legislation the "CHCCS Act", standing for "Curriculum, Honesty, Compliance, and Child Safety Act", a direct reference to the school district at the center of the controversy.

The bill seeks to expand the 2023 "Parents' Bill of Rights," known as Senate Bill 49, which already prohibits instruction on gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual activity in kindergarten through fourth grade.

The new proposal would explicitly classify elementary school library materials as curriculum, meaning books with LGBTQ themes would fall under the same restrictions.

Under the bill's enforcement provisions, parents would be allowed to sue school districts for civil damages of up to $5,000 per violation. The state auditor's office could launch independent investigations and give districts a 45-day window to fix violations. If a district fails to comply, the state could withhold funding tied to central office administration and superintendent salaries.

"This bill strengthens accountability by tying compliance to central staff salaries," Jones said. "If a superintendent chooses to disregard these requirements, they do so with full awareness of the consequences."

The bill has already drawn support from House Speaker Destin Hall. The NC Values Coalition, a Christian advocacy group, also publicly backed the measure. "It is high time that these sanctimonious school administrators and school boards be held to account," said Tami Fitzgerald, the group's executive director.

CHCCS officials pushed back, maintaining that all books in their school libraries comply with existing state law. Trice argued that a book being on a library shelf is not the same as it being used for classroom instruction, which is what the 2023 law regulates.

Just as our district does not provide instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality to K-4 students, we also do not provide instruction on how to play video games, the biographies of professional athletes, or stories about ghosts, subjects of numerous popular titles in our school libraries," Trice wrote in his testimony.

He also noted that despite serving around 11,000 students, the district had received only one formal parental complaint about a library book in recent years, WRAL reported.

Democratic lawmakers called the hearing a distraction. House Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham) said in a statement: "It's clear to me that Republicans think if they jangle enough culture war trinkets in front of our faces, that we will forget about the fact they haven't done the simple tasks they were elected to do."

Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe) said some of the flagged books contain nothing more than a character with two mothers, and argued that referencing same-sex families is no different from referencing opposite-sex families.

The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina warned that book bans have faced legal challenges in other states, noting that under the First Amendment, public officials cannot bar access to ideas simply for political or partisan reasons. Jones said he aims for the bill to be enacted before Jul. 1, as per Chapelboro.
25 April 2026 23:15 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker carrying 17 crew members off the coast of Somalia, in what security officials describe as a troubling sign of renewed maritime insecurity in the region, AzerNEWS reports.

The vessel, identified as Honour 25, was seized late on Wednesday by six armed men while sailing approximately 30 nautical miles offshore, according to multiple officials who spoke to BBC.

The tanker was transporting around 18,500 barrels of oil and was en route to Mogadishu. Authorities warn that the incident could heighten concerns in the capital, where fuel prices have already surged sharply amid broader regional instability linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to officials from Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia, the ship had departed from Berbera on February 20. It later traveled toward the coast of the United Arab Emirates before changing course. Data from maritime tracking services indicates that the tanker lingered near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz before turning back on April 2 and heading toward Somalia.

Under pirate control, the vessel is now anchored close to the Somali shoreline between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.

The crew consists of 17 sailors of various nationalities, including 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan, and one from Myanmar. Their condition remains unclear.

Image: AFP
North Carolina's new Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mo Green is not only the most partisan but also the most leftwing person to ever hold that office. Now his "eight pillar plan" for NC education is under attack for going light on academics.

"The plan currently contains no yearly targets for raising state test scores," noted Locke Foundation education expert Brice Fiedler. Scores on reading and doing math at grade level "took a nosedive during Covid and have struggled to recover," he noted.

Before running for superintendent, Green headed the far left Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a major funder of leftwing causes in North Carolina., akin to the Soros network on the national level. Green funded the infamous "Blueprint" plan years ago that sought to manipulate our state into a leftwing Democrat stronghold modeled on Colorado. In education, he also funded groups that pushed woke sexually oriented books into elementary schools and opposed School Resource Officers in our schools.

https://www.carolinajournal.com/critics-greens-new-education-pillars-lack-academics-focus/
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Sunshine early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
An article on the May 7 annual town meeting warrant would allow the Select Board to negotiate a lease for a carrier to locate an antenna on the existing tower at the new public safety complex.
The state quietly cut benefits from its housing voucher program, including stopping the state's payment of security deposits and reimbursements for utility costs. Massachusetts cites high program costs as the reason for the cuts, but housing officials say passing those costs to tenants will keep some people out of housing.
New polling results show strong support among voters for legislation restricting social media use among kids and teens.

The Bay State Poll released Thursday and conducted by The University of New Hampshire Survey Center found 72% of respondents either somewhat or strongly support legislation banning social media use for all kids under 14 and requiring parental consent for children aged 14 to 15. On April 8, the House voted 129-25 to pass a bill with those provisions (H 5366) that also bans student cellphone use during the school day.

Pollsters found 17% of respondents were strongly or somewhat opposed to the social media restrictions. Meanwhile, 7% of respondents were neutral or expressed no opinion and 4% were unsure. Support was strongest among independent respondents, with 89% saying they strongly or somewhat supported the legislation, according to the poll. Democrat and Republican respondents expressed similar levels of support with 68% of Democrats and 65% of Republicans saying they strongly or somewhat support it.

Republican respondents expressed more opposition to the bill with 22% saying they strongly oppose it and 3% reporting they are somewhat opposed. Pollsters found 11% of Democrat respondents strongly opposed the legislation and 6% were somewhat against it.

The poll was based on survey responses from 721 Massachusetts residents, including members of a probability-based web panel of Bay Staters, between April 16 and April 20. The margin of the survey's sampling error is plus or minus 3.6%. Pollsters also asked respondents about upcoming elections and several initiative petitions making their way to the 2026 ballot.

Less than a week after the House passed its bill, Gov. Maura Healey unveiled her own legislation, filed within a supplemental budget (H 5377), that limits social media use for users under 18 and requires parental consent to change default settings for users who are 15 years and younger. Healey said her social media proposal is "complementary" to the House bill.

Healey's proposal bans addictive algorithms that target content towards young users based on what they've previously viewed. Representatives added language to the final House bill also aimed at addressing addictive feeds and protecting certain vulnerable groups.
Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing the federal government to increase its investment in child care, warning that flat or declining federal support has left tens of thousands of families on waitlists even as the state steps up its own spending.

On Apr. 24, 2026, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York visited Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury, Boston, alongside Mayor Michelle Wu, to call attention to the need for a stronger federal commitment to early childhood education.

During a roundtable with educators and a story hour with preschool-age children, the lawmakers urged Congress to treat child care as an essential national investment, according to the Boston Globe.

Providing Early Childhood Education

"Providing high-quality, accessible early childhood education is essential to the success of our babies, families, and communities," said Pressley, who called out President Donald Trump for prioritizing defense spending over child care.

Trump's proposed 2027 budget keeps Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant at flat funding levels while eliminating the Preschool Development Block Grant Birth through Five program. Trump has argued that child care is a responsibility for individual states, not the federal government.

Read more: NYC Schools Turn to TikTok Ads and Social Media Marketing as Falling Birthrates and Family Flight Shrink Enrollment

The urgency behind the lawmakers' visit is tied directly to the end of pandemic-era federal relief. Congress had allocated $24 billion in child care stabilization funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, which began sunsetting in 2023.

Massachusetts became the only state in the country to fully replace that expired federal aid with its own money, continuing its Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program and funding it at $475 million in both FY2025 and FY2026, MassBudget reported.

Despite that state commitment, more than 29,000 children remain on the waitlist for income-based child care financial assistance in Massachusetts, a figure that has not meaningfully improved because the available funding only covers families already receiving subsidies. The waitlist has been effectively frozen since March 2024, and state officials have said that current funding levels will not allow them to reopen it.

Head Start, a federally funded program serving low-income children, has lost 1,300 child slots in Massachusetts over the past three years as its federal funding has plateaued. The program is now asking the state for an additional $4.6 million in grants to keep up with rising costs.

Ocasio-Cortez said the federal government's reluctance to invest more in early education is damaging not just to families but to the broader economy. "The country is better when we invest in our children, when we invest in their care, when we invest in their parents," she said, as per WCVB. Wu echoed that message, noting that child care, housing, and workforce development are not separate issues.

Massachusetts loses an estimated $3 billion per year due to inadequate child care, according to a 2025 Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation report, which also found that the state's early education workforce continues to suffer from high turnover and low wages.

The same report noted that between 2020 and 2025, state funding for early education and care grew by $858 million, a 125 percent increase, reflecting how much the state has been forced to compensate for the absence of sustained federal investment.
Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has confirmed his intention to run in the Dublin Central by-election.

He said he will return to Ireland from Lanzarote to sign nomination papers in the coming days.

Hutch lost out on a seat in the general election, finishing in fifth spot in a four-seat constituency.

Ill go over, pay my fee, and sign on the dotted line and then the race is on, Hutch told the Irish Independent.

I think Ive as equal a chance as anyone else whos in it.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald was asked whether it will damage her party's candidate in her own constituency.

McDonald replied: "Every candidate has to go out and fight their campaign. These are competitive processes, with all due respect.

"So wheoever chooses to go ahead, they're entitled to, that's their business. My focus is on our campaigns."

Speaking at her party's Ard Fheis in Belfast, McDonald also dismissed speculation about her leadership.

Asked directly if she would lead Sinn Fein into the next general election she said: Yes.

The Dail seat became available when Fine Gaels Paschal Donohoe stepped down to take up a position at the World Bank.

The deadline for registering as a candidate is May 1st and the by-election will take place on Friday, May 22nd.
The UK government is taking a dangerous path with amendments to the Legacy Bill, John Finucane has said.

The Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast said he has received no assurances on changes to the framework, which risks becoming veterans legislation.

On entering government in 2024, Labour pledged to repeal and replace the previous Conservative governments Legacy Act which ended police investigations into Troubles-related killings and established a new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Labours Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.

Last week, the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn pushed back the Governments Troubles Bill, saying it will return to Parliament with substantial amendments including additional protections and reassurances for veterans.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said the Governments Troubles Bill will include additional protections and reassurances for veterans (Liam McBurney/PA)

Finucane said he was very concerned about the updates to the long-awaited legislation.

He told the Press Association at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Belfast: You would be forgiven for forgetting that this is actually a victims legislation, youd be forgiven for thinking that this is actually veterans legislation.

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It was a very partial, partisan statement by the British government to further embolden and protect a body of people that were actually victim-makers in our conflict here.

And I think to elevate one section of people above another is very dangerous and, precedent has shown us, not the wisest way to go about dealing with legacy.

There has to be a process put in place that can deliver for everybody and to elevate one section of people above another is a very dangerous path.

He added: There are a lot of victims of state violence, state violence can take the form of people in a uniform or people not necessarily in a uniform, and they are being asked to entrust in a process where the very British government that is legislating for this is going out of their way, bending over backwards, to very cynically protect veterans as a result of their own self interest.

The UK Government is taking a dangerous path with amendments to the Legacy Bill, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has said (Claudia Savage/PA)

Finucane said he had personally spoken with the Northern Ireland Secretary to ask for further clarity on what the new measures will entail.

Well wait and see what exactly is in the detail, but certainly as a direction of travel this is something that has caused concern, not just to us politically, but certainly to a lot of people who we represent, he said.

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He added: Theres nothing that the Secretary of State has said that would provide me with any assurance having listened to what he has said publicly this week.

A public inquiry is due to get underway into the murder of Finucanes father, Pat Finucane, and he reiterated his partys call for a full public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown.

Brown, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones GAA Club in the Co Derry town of Bellaghy, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

His widow Bridie Brown, who has led a decades-long campaign for answers about her husbands murder  which an excess of 25 people have been linked to, including several state agents  was in attendance at the first day of the Ard Fheis.

I cant think of another family who have had the endorsement of five High Court judges and a PSNI Chief Constable in calling for a public inquiry, Mr Finucane said.

Ireland Mary Lou McDonald dismisses leadership speculation at Ard Fheis Read more

I think its shameful that a woman whos nearly 90 is being brought to the Supreme Court in London over what is essentially an academic legal point.

I think the British government have the power to grant a public inquiry, they have the ability to do that efficiently and effectively, and they are refusing to do so.

And that feeds into the wider confidence in the legacy context for lots of families who maybe are not the Brown family, but look to the Brown family as inspiration, look to the Brown family and see if thats how theyre being treated, how would we be treated.
Mary Lou McDonald has pledged she will lead Sinn Fein into the next general election, saying she has the confidence of party colleagues and membership.

Ahead of the second day of their Ard Fheis in Belfast, the current Sinn Fein president said the party has great pep in our step and is at its strongest since the partition of Ireland in 1921.

McDonald has led the party since 2018, taking over the reins from Gerry Adams.

Speaking to the media outside the ICC, flagged by party colleagues from both sides of the border including the First Minister Michelle ONeill, McDonald sought to pour cold water on reports of desire for a change of leader.

Mary Lou McDonald has pledged she will lead Sinn Fein into the next general election (Brian Lawless/PA)

Sinn Fein is at its strongest point since partition, there is a great pep in our step, she said.

We have built since the last general election. Were ahead with the polls. Thats always a good place to be.

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We were instrumental in the election of Uachtaran Catherine Connolly, that was a huge achievement for us as an organisation.

And of course, we are working hard preparing with our eye on the next general election in the next number of years. I want us to be ready. I want us to peak at the right point.

The party is contesting two by-elections, one in Galway West, and the other in McDonalds home constituency of Dublin Central.

The Sinn Fein candidate for Dublin Central is Janice Boylan, a councillor who failed to get elected as Ms McDonalds running mate in the 2024 election.

McDonald said far from feeling any pressure she is looking forward to the by-elections.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald after being elected in 2024, with Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan (Brian Lawless/PA)

Were a strong party, were ahead, as I say we lead the polls, and were in a very, very strong position, so we go out and we fight those elections in that spirit, she said

And Im very proud to lead this party. Im very proud to enjoy the confidence of my colleagues and the broader membership. So as you may try to seek a story in that, there isnt a story there.

Im the leader of the party, we are a collective leadership, and we are in a very, very good place.

So well fight the by-elections, and I think theyre going to be fascinating contests, actually, in both constituencies. I think itll be a brave person who would predict the outcomes of them.

Asked directly if she would lead Sinn Fein into the next general election she said: Yes.
Argentina has called for talks with the UK over the Falkland Islands after reports the US could review its position on the South Atlantic territory in retaliation for Britains lack of support for the war in Iran.

The British government had earlier insisted the sovereignty of the Falklands was not in question.

That came after an internal Pentagon email set out options for President Donald Trumps administration to punish Nato allies for refusing to join the US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

The memo, first reported by Reuters, suggests reassessing US diplomatic support for imperial possessions such as the Falklands.

Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and invaded them in 1982 before being defeated in a short but bloody war.

Downing Street said the UKs stance on the Falklands was not going to change.

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The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and weve always stood behind the islanders right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK, a No 10 spokesman said.

The question of the Falkland Islands and the UKs sovereignty and the islanders right to self-determination is not in question, and weve expressed that position clearly and consistently.

Argentinas foreign minister Pablo Quirno posted on X in response: The Argentine Republic once again expresses its willingness to resume bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom that will allow for finding a peaceful and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute and bring an end to the special and particular colonial situation in which they are immersed.

The Falkland Islands government said it had complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK Government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination.

The row is the latest sign of the strains in the US-UK relationship as the British King and Queen prepare for their state visit on Monday.

Downing Street said it was confident the trip would showcase the very best of the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Falklands war veteran Simon Weston said he hoped the King would be able to get the US to calm down.

Asked what message he hoped Charles would deliver to Trump, he told BBC Newsnight: I would hope that he would just kind of get him to back down and calm down over the Falklands.

What we dont need is Mr Millei to raise his sleeves and believe that aggression may work because that would just cost more lives.

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The US president is an ally of Argentinas president Javier Milei, while his relationship with Britains prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has deteriorated dramatically since the start of the Iran crisis.

Starmer has refused to give the US free rein in its use of British military bases to conduct the bombing campaign against Iran.

Limited permission was granted for bases  including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory  to be used in defensive actions against Irans missile sites and installations threatening the Strait of Hormuz, but only after Tehrans retaliatory actions began.

The US State Department describes the Falklands as administered by the United Kingdom, claimed by Argentina and uses the Spanish name Islas Malvinas alongside the English name.

The potential for a shift in the US position has been considered in the Foreign Office although it has been treated as a hypothetical scenario.

Ben Judah, who was a special adviser to former UK foreign secretary David Lammy, said the potential shift had been considered as a hypothetical scenario when he was working in the Foreign Office, and that the Milei issue is actually a concern.

He suggested converting the islands from overseas territories to overseas kingdoms, represented by MPs elected to Westminster.

If this were already the case, His Majesty would be visiting Washington to see Trump this week as King of the Kingdom of the Falklands, he said.

The Pentagon email expressed frustration at Nato allies reluctance to grant access, basing and overflight (ABO) rights for the Iran war.

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It suggested Spain could be suspended from the Nato alliance over its refusal to allow bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran.

Downing Street backs Spains membership of the absolutely critical alliance.

Reform UKs Nigel Farage said he would raise the issue of the Falklands personally with the Argentinian president when he visits him later this year and tell him their status is non-negotiable.

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch said the US stance was absolute nonsense and compared it to Mr Trumps comments on Greenland.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the Kings visit to the US should be cancelled, adding: The state visit should clearly be pulled  this unreliable, damaging president cannot keep insulting our country.
US President Donald Trump said he has told envoys not to go to Pakistan for more talks with Iran, shortly after Irans top diplomat left Islamabad late on Saturday.

Mr Trump told Fox News that they can call us any time they want.

The White House on Friday said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to Pakistans capital to attempt to revive ceasefire negotiations.

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told the Associated Press.

Mr Araghchi had met with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Irans red lines for negotiations, and said Tehran would engage with Pakistans mediation efforts until a result is achieved.



Paramilitary soldiers and police officers stand guard at a checkpoint on a barricaded road for the US and Iran talks (Anjum Naveed/AP/PA)

Iran had said talks would be indirect.

An open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting, but the economic fallout grows with global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertiliser and other supplies disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Iranian officials have openly asked how they can trust the US after talks last year and early this year over Tehrans nuclear programme ended with it being attacked by the US and Israel.

Islamabad was in near-lockdown ahead of the expected talks and residents struggled to commute even short distances due to checkpoints, road closures and diversions.

Pakistan has been trying to get the US and Iran back to the table since Mr Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, honouring Islamabads request for more diplomatic outreach.

The first round of talks in Pakistan, led on the US side by Vice President JD Vance, lasted more than 20 hours and were face to face, the highest-level direct talks between the long-time adversaries since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.



(PA Graphics)

Mr Araghchi and Mr Trumps envoys held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on February 27 but walked away without a deal. The next day, Israel and the United States started the war.

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is still nearly 50% higher than when the war began because of Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil passes in peacetime.

Iran attacked three ships this week while the US maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Mr Trump has ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines.

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German defence minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday his country is sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end.

The squeeze on shipments through the strait has rippled through global maritime trade, including through the Panama Canal nearly halfway around the world.

Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and more than 2,490 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 US service members in the region and six members of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Mr Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
US envoys are expected to travel to Pakistan in a new bid to salvage ceasefire talks with Tehran.

But Iran ruled out direct negotiations with US representatives as its top diplomat arrived in Islamabad on Friday.

The latest effort to broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.





The White House said President Donald Trump was sending Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to meet Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Shortly after Mr Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, his ministry said any talks would be indirect, with messages conveyed between the two sides by Pakistani officials.

Pakistans capital appeared to be in a near-lockdown on Saturday morning, hours after Mr Araghchi arrived.

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The week-long security restrictions have disrupted daily life, with hundreds of thousands of residents struggling to commute even short distances. Checkpoints, road closures and diversions have become routine sights, particularly around sensitive zones.



Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar upon his arrival in Pakistan on Friday (Iranian foreign ministry via AP)

Mr Araghchi met Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and army chief field marshal Asim Munir overnight, shortly after arriving in Pakistans capital Islamabad, officials said.

Mr Araghchi met military and political leaders again on Saturday. Photos released early on Saturday by Pakistans foreign ministry showed Mr Araghchi sitting with Mr Dar, Mr Munir and Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Mr Araghchi said on Telegram that he explained Irans views on ending the war.

He did not offer further details, but said Tehran will continue engaging in the Pakistani-led mediation efforts until a result is achieved.

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Mr Araghchi later on Saturday at the prime ministers office in Islamabad.

Mr Sharifs office issued a statement saying the meeting was ongoing.

Pakistan also is preparing to receive special envoy Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner for the start of the renewed talks, although officials have not specified when they are due in Islamabad. Vice President JD Vance will not attend, the White House said.



Security personnel walk past posters of US and Iran talks near a possible venue in Islamabad (Anjum Naveed/AP)

Egyptian and Pakistani foreign ministers on Friday discussed efforts to launch the new round of talks between the United States and Iran.

Badr Abdelatty of Egypt spoke by phone with his Pakistani counterpart Mr Dar.

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The Egyptian foreign ministry said the diplomats affirmed that negotiations are the best way to end the war.

On Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehrans international airport for the first time since the conflict with the US and Israel began.

Irans state-run television reported that flights took off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran bound for Istanbul, Omans capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina.

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month amid a ceasefire with the US which halted fighting between the two countries.

It came as Irans president urged people to reduce their use of electricity after American and Israeli strikes damaged the countys energy infrastructure, state media reported.

Masoud Pezeshkian said the government aims to control consumption of electricity, according to the Iranian state television.

Also on Saturday, Germanys defence minister Boris Pistorius announced the country will send minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean so they are in place to remove mines Iran has placed in the Strait of Hormuz once the hostilities end.

And the Trump administration announced it is placing economic sanctions on a major China-based oil refinery and roughly 40 shipping companies and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil.

The move appeared to be part of the administrations threat to impose secondary sanctions on entities doing business with Iran in order to cut off Irans oil exports, a key source of its revenue.
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Donald Trump has said he plans to talk to Britain's King Charles about everything during the royal state visit, including the Iran war which has strained transatlantic relations.

The US president also said he would raise the thorny issue of Nato, which he has lambasted throughout the conflict.

The American leader made his comments to Reuters as fresh controversy flared over reports the US could review its position on Britains claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for Keir Starmers lack of support for the military action against Tehran.

The latest dispute comes just days before Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in the US for a four-day state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain.

As well as meeting with Trump, the British royal couple will be guests of honour at a White House banquet and the monarch has been invited to address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

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In addition Charles and Camilla will also visit Virginia and New York.

Trump said: Im going to talk about everything.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has further fuelled tensions (Asghar Besharati/AP)

Among other topics he was set to raise with the king was the UKs digital services tax on American social media firms.

The president has threatened to impose a big tariff on Britain unless it drops the 2 per cent levy on the revenues of several major US tech companies.

The tax targets companies whose worldwide revenues from digital activities exceed 500 million, with more than 25 million of the revenue from UK users.

According to a 2025 Treasury review, the levy raised more than 800 million in 202425, up from 678 million in 202324.

Trump has previously said that the royal trip could absolutely mend relations with the UK and hailed Charles a great man.

This is in stark contrast to his view of the UK prime minister, who he has derided as weak and indecisive.

Tensions show no sign of abating as US defence secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed efforts being led by the UK and France to ensure the future security of the Strait of Hormuz as silly.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth (Kevin Wolf/AP)

He argued Europe should start having less fancy conferences and get in a boat, as he rebuked Britain and other countries for their response to the crisis in the critical Gulf waterway.

In pointed comments, Hegseth said America deserved allies who are loyal and understood the partnership was not a one-way street.

The strait, which is a major supply route for oil and gas supplies, had been open prior to the US and Israel launching strikes against Iran.

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In retaliation, Tehran effectively closed the shipping lane.

And although Trump extended an uneasy ceasefire, the strategic shipping lane remains a flashpoint, with both the US and Iran imposing their own blockades, bringing the movement of vessels to a virtual standstill, further fuelling a global energy crisis that has seen prices rocket.

However, hopes have been raised of talks to resolve the conflict, with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner being sent to Pakistan on Saturday to hear the Iranians out.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is currently in Islamabad, although foreign ministry spokesman Esmael Baqaei said on X that no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US.

He said officials from Pakistan would convey messages between the two sides.

World Republicans retool midterm strategy: Trump's policies, but less Trump Read more

But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: Were hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal.

Weve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days.

While vice president JD Vance was not going, Leavitt said he and secretary of state Marco Rubio were on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary.
Drowning in plastic: How hard can it be to live for a week without plastic?

Single-use plastic is ubiquitous, but alternatives are growing. It should be simple for an environment reporter to live for one week without it, right? Wrong.

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Here are some places microplastics have been found: human breastmilk and human semen. Antarctic penguins and the lungs of wild birds in Japan. Fresh fruit and vegetables. Bottled water. Clouds. The world creates around 450 million tonnes of new plastic each year, about half of which is designed to be used for moments before being thrown away. Less than 10 per cent of it is recycled. Which got me thinking: how hard would it be to avoid using any single-use plastic for a week? Couldnt I just opt out of the entire thing? Preparation Ive long been a bit of a hippie. Ive got a soft spot for patchouli and natural fibres, and a reflexive dislike of waste. I use beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap, refuse to use plastic produce bags in supermarkets, and avoided plastic shopping bags even before packaging companies skirted the ban on single-use by making them thicker and rebranding them as reusable. This should be a breeze, I think. Its not like Im trying to replicate A.J. Jacobs experiment for The New York Times, when he tried to go without even touching plastic for an entire day; going so far as to take a wooden chair onto the subway, and handwriting his observations by candlelight. To prepare for my week without single-use plastic, I head to Ceres, a sprawling environmental hub in Melbournes inner north.

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I stock up on tooth powder in a glass jar ($20.95) and a toothbrush ($4.95), a shampoo bar ($13.95), conditioning bar ($20.95), and soap ($7.50). Despite my editors weird insistence on me using a hog-bristle toothbrush for the week, I can find no such thing. The bamboo toothbrush comes with plastic bristles, and so Ive failed before Ive even begun. Plastic isnt just ubiquitous, its cheap. My haul costs $68, more than double what youd expect to pay for equivalent mass-produced products encased in single-use plastics. Day one The tooth powder is awful. The cream-coloured powder contains various clays and salts, and ingredients like lime, clove, lemon myrtle, pepper berry and liquorice. Its cardboard packaging promises Ill be able to brush my teeth 200 times with the powder, saving 2.5 plastic toothpaste tubes from landfill. (It also promises to detox my breath and support my brain function; promises strangely lacking any scientific evidence.)

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Using the powder is a disconcerting experience. I wet my toothbrush as directed, and dunk it into the powder. The salty and pungent powder adheres to the toothbrush and quickly turns to clay in my mouth. The flavour makes me gag and, when I spit out the paste to rinse, the whole mess has turned into a greyish-green mush. The prospect of doing this a further 199 times does not appeal. Later, my daughter and I head to the Queen Victoria Market to shop for fruit and veg. Im smug in the knowledge my cloth bags and metal nanna cart, as she calls it, will make skipping the ubiquitous plastic packaging found in supermarkets a breeze. Related Article Explainer

Pollution Why is there still so much plastic in the world  and what could replace it? We load up on fresh produce, and then  to her eternal mortification  I take my clean glass containers to the deli section, where store holders obligingly fill them without batting an eyelid. Maybe more people do this than Id realised. So far, by avoiding supermarkets and planning ahead, avoiding single-use plastic has been a breeze. But the day is not yet out. A friend comes over to deliver a beautiful, handmade recycled timber loft bed hes passing on to my son. Theres only one problem.

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While my son had been sleeping on a double bed, this bunk has only space for a single mattress. I head over to a big box shop to pick up a new one, chosen both for the softness of the mattress, and also because it comes packaged in a cardboard box. Opening it at home, I discover the thing is wrapped in metres upon metres of thick plastic packaging. Its more plastic than I would bring home from a supermarket in weeks. Day two I have better luck with the shampoo, conditioner and soap bars, which are straightforward to use and lend the sweet and familiar scent of patchouli and rose. But then its time to walk the dog. This throws up a serious ethical and moral conundrum. Do I take the usual single-use biodegradable bags (which are designed to break down in landfill but still contain plastic) to pick up her droppings? Or do I follow A.J. Jacobs lead and bring along a metal spoon? Even by the standards of the inner north, this would mark me as a certified weirdo.

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I often wonder  as Im getting yanked along on a walk by our highly strung dog  what generations to come will make of us when they start excavating all the billions of bags of dog poop we have so carefully interred in plastic. Will they think we were trying to preserve it? Either way, my conundrum is resolved when, as Im walking the dog with a metal spoon secreted up the sleeve of my jumper, she poops on a nature strip while theres no one in sight. We run for it. Day three The whole family is on board with the no-new plastic challenge. Tooth powder now coats our bathroom, and whenever one of the kids spills water onto the cabinetry, grey clay patches form. Unable to find glass bottles of milk, weve switched to milk cartons. They probably contain small amounts of plastic, but its the best I can find. Im failing in small but frustrating ways, despite the fact single-use plastic is living rent-free in my head (its probably in my brain for real, according to a 2024 US study that showed microplastics comprised about 0.5 per cent of the weight of an average brain). The most irritating single-use plastic, my editor and I agree, are the fruit stickers we both so detest. Its only as I peel a sticker off my Nashi pear  smugly bought at the market on day one that I realise theyve cost me failure number three.

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This story is part of the April 25 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories .

Long before Mothers Day was popularised by American social activist Anna Jarvis in 1908, in honour of her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis, women wore gold not for show, but for what it signified. Protection. Permanence. Life, given. Jewellery still operates in that register. A ring, a pendant, a small, deliberate object that holds more than it declares. It sits close to the body, quietly carrying memory, sentiment, and time itself. Never just an accessory, but something felt, then kept, then passed on.

Photo: Frances Mocnik

1. Georg Jensen Offspring bangle in sterling silver, $1400.

2. Class A Jewellery oval locket in 9-carat gold, $1150 (not including chain).

3. Stephanie Said 2mm square silk chain necklace in sterling silver with square facets, $590.
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Perspective PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government A fragile truce, and a funeral, launch parties scramble for Stafford Matt Dennien April 25, 2026  1:05pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Agreement among political parties is a rare thing in an election campaign. Queensland, with its winner-takes-all culture, is no exception  even in a single-seat byelection. But, sometimes, it does happen. Hence, the campaign truce struck between Labor and the LNP on Wednesday as mourners farewelled the late Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan. Whether the truce held is another thing. While there was a notable absence of activity on the ground and on social media, inside the walls of parliament it was a different story. Premier David Crisafulli at Grange petrol station media conference last Friday, within the Stafford electorate, to announce the byelection date and share detail of discussions about a potential new fuel refinery in the state. Matt Dennien Within an hour of MPs filing into the chamber for the later sitting, talk of the May 16 byelection  the snap nature of which caught those outside government off-guard  was in the air.

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First out of the gate was Greenslopes Labor MP Joe Kelly, deputy chair of the government-controlled health, environment and innovation committee, with venom levelled at its chair. The LNPs Rob Molhoek, Kelly said, had agreed to postpone a private meeting of the committee set down for that day and Kellys arrangements for a substitute to attend a public one. Mourners entering former Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivans funeral at Little Flower Church in Kedron on Wednesday. Felicity Caldwell Instead, an extra public briefing appeared on the schedule with the Metro North Hospital and Health Service for 11.30am  during Sullivans funeral, who Kelly said he considered a friend. That meeting was ultimately pushed back to Thursday. But Kelly said to have sprung such a meeting on the committee under such circumstances was dishonest and disgraceful.

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A few minutes later in question time, Crisafulli was peppered  as he was every day this week  with questions about the electoral enrolment particulars of Sports Minister Tim Mander. Related Article Queensland government He has found the peace that eluded him: Hundreds farewell MP Jimmy Sullivan Responding to one from deputy opposition leader Cameron Dick about when he was first informed of the relationship between Mander and cabinet colleague Amanda Camm, Crisafulli detoured. After what the premier said was an interjection by Dick during his answer which used the word Stafford, Crisafulli launched into his thesis of what the pursuit of Mander was about. Those who understand politics understand the reality of byelections and what they mean for governments, but in this case we have an opposition that is not going very well at the moment  it is not travelling all that well  and it has a leader who is hanging by a thread, Crisafulli stated.

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The truth is: keen observers of history will know that the last time there was a byelection in Stafford the opposition secured an 18 per cent swing towards it. Crisafulli then reiterated the double-digit swing benchmark he has imposed on Opposition Leader Steven Miles lest his Labor leadership come undone. The LNPs Fiona Hammond, Labors Luke Richmond, and Greens Jess Lane are among a field of nine contesting the Stafford byelection. LNP, Queensland Labor, Queensland Greens Both Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens later also took jabs at Labors candidate, and assistant state secretary, Luke Richmond. Richmond, a lawyer with a health policy background, will be joined on the ballot paper by eight others, including the LNPs 2024 candidate and former Brisbane councillor Fiona Hammond.

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Announcing the full suite of nominated candidates after the cut-off and ballot draw on Friday, Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen noted such a showing was a strong field for a byelection. Other previously known candidates include Liam Parry, the first person charged under the LNPs Palestinian protest slogan ban  endorsed by the yet-to-be-registered Queensland Socialists. Jess Lane, who polled 18 per cent for the Greens in 2024, works in education and wears a pro-Palestinian watermelon pin in her campaign material, announced on Friday she would also recontest. These two alone likely help describe the marginal Labor inner-northern suburbs seats demographics to those unfamiliar: younger and with higher levels of renters and uni grads than the average.

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Even before Lanes candidacy was announced, Crisafulli was already batting away questions in parliament about any deal for One Nation to run by calling on Labor to reveal any deal for appearance on how-to-vote cards of the Greens, which he described as an antisemitic movement. Crisafulli and his ministers used the week marking almost 18 months since their return to government to tout successes across crime, health, housing and cost-of-living. Fuel security also remained high on the list of talking points and announcements, as new polling for this masthead showed the LNP losing some skin (even if Crisafulli continues riding high). Labor continued its push for more immediate action on affordability concerns, and has focused much of the campaigning on expansion plans for the local Prince Charles hospital.

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Across the 23 for Queensland parliament back to 1996, the average swing against the government has been 4.2 per cent, while the average swing against the incumbent party has been 5.9 per cent. Two of the most recent, for comparison, have produced the biggest shifts in voter support. The high-water swing against a government was 21.5 per cent against Labor in Inala in early 2024, after the resignation of former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Meanwhile, the biggest swing to a government came late last year, when the LNP prised Hinchinbrook from the Katters Australian Party with a swing of 16.87 per cent. But those keen observers of politics and history invoked by Crisafulli are likely to know exactly those byelection realities for governments of which he spoke about on Wednesday.

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InspirationUSA The quirky, little-known US town that should be a famous destination Rob McFarland April 25, 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

Only two men were killed the day I arrived, reported a newcomer to Elko in 1869. Back then, this dusty settlement in north-east Nevada was a rough and ready cowboy town, newly accessible by the Central Pacific Railroad and gripped by gold rush fever. It had 45 bars and probably just as many brothels. Elko, a surprising find in Nevada. iStock Today, people still come for gold (one of the northern hemispheres largest gold mines is nearby), but less so for iniquity. Youre also unlikely to be challenged to a gunfight for double-parking your horse. Im in Elko out of sheer curiosity. When I was deciding where to stop in Nevada while taking the California Zephyr Amtrak train from San Francisco to Chicago, my only criteria was that I wanted to go somewhere I knew nothing about. Having spent two days here, Im astonished that Elko isnt more renowned. Thanks to an influx of Basque shepherds from the Pyrenees in the late 1800s, it offers an intriguing fusion of Western and Basque culture, plus its flanked by the stunningly scenic Ruby Mountains, an Alps-like explosion of soaring peaks and glacial valleys. The drive into Lamoille Canyon is especially spectacular.

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Its also endearingly quirky. The city centre is dotted with 36 colourful 1.8-metre-high cowboy boots, all decorated by local artists to celebrate Elkos centennial in 2017. There are also more than 100 murals, ranging from photorealistic portraits to artworks celebrating the citys cowboy, mining and railroad heritage. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Inside the Northeastern Nevada Museum. Travel Nevada The Silver State Stampede is the oldest rodeo in Nevada. Travel Nevada /Sydney Martinez The oddities continue in the Northeastern Nevada Museum, where alongside first editions by celebrated Western author Will James is a mountainside diorama of more than 180 stuffed animals, including lions, musk ox and polar bears. There are more surprises downstairs in the History Gallery, where its revealed that celebrated crooner Bing Crosby was such a fan of Elko that in 1948 he was made honorary mayor. Although youre more likely to spot a mining truck cruising through downtown than a cowboy on horseback, western culture is still celebrated at events like the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, where 6000 people descend on the city every January for a week of music, crafting and story-telling.

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Elko also hosts the states oldest rodeo, the Silver State Stampede, in June, and it still has traditional outfitters like JM Capriola, a 96-year-old store that specialises in artisan leatherwork. When I drop in, Oscar is putting the finishing touches to a $US6000 ($8656) saddle. Originally from Mexico, hes worked here for 45 years and proudly shows me a photo of the most expensive saddle hes made  an elaborate custom commission that sold for $US40,000. Saddle-making at JM Capriola Co. Sydney Martinez Pioneers remembered at the California Trail Interpretive Centre. Travel Nevada Basque culture is also alive and well. Many descendants still speak the regions original dialect and the annual National Basque Festival in July is a high-spirited gathering with folk dancing, wood chopping and strength contests. The cultures most enduring legacy is its hearty, family-style cuisine, which you can sample at several restaurants, including the Star Hotel and Toki Ona. My visit to the Star Hotel begins with a Picon Punch, a knee-buckling concoction containing grenadine, brandy and Picon Amer bitters, followed by a buckle-straining platter of cabbage soup, spaghetti, Basque beans, French bread, pasta, slow-cooked beef and fries. Its delicious, but having not spent the day mustering sheep, I can manage only half.

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My final stop before re-boarding the train is the California Trail Interpretive Centre, an immersive museum that depicts the hardships endured by the 250,000 pioneers who attempted the gruelling 3200-kilometre westward trek in search of a better life. Related Article USA The ass end of the US, where donkeys rule the Wild West Its something I ponder later as I recline in my air-conditioned private roomette on the Zephyr, the Nevada high desert rushing past in a scenic blur outside. Transcontinental travel still has the same intoxicating allure as it did in the mid-1800s, but thankfully its now a hell of a lot easier. THE DETAILS TRAIN

Departing daily from San Francisco to Chicago (and vice-versa), the California Zephyr makes three stops in Nevada, including Elko. See amtrak.com

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STAY

Located in the city centre, the Ramada Hotel at Stockmens Casino has spacious rooms from $US90 ($130) a night, breakfast included. See wyndhamhotels.com FLY

Delta Air Lines flies to Elko via Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. See delta.com The writer was a guest of Brand USA and Travel Nevada. See visittheusa.com.au; travelnevada.com

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North America After abandoning a sensible career in IT, Rob McFarland now divides his time between Sydney, the US and Europe. Hes won seven writing awards, including Australian Travel Writer of the Year, and offers writing courses for tourism operators, PR professionals and aspiring travel writers. While not averse to a 5-star hotel, his most memorable travels include scaling the mountain behind Machu Picchu and rafting Patagonias Futaleufu River. Follow his travels on Instagram @mctraveller. Connect via email
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have until May 1, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: APO) ("Apollo" or the "Company"), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 10, 2021 and February 21, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Apollo and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-apo/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by May 1, 2026 .

About the Lawsuit

Apollo and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company's leadership figures, including defendants Marc Rowan and Leon Black, frequently communicated with Jeffrey Epstein in the 2010s regarding the Company's business; (ii) as a result, the Company's assertion that Apollo Global had never done business with Jeffrey Epstein was untrue; (iii) because of the entanglement between Apollo Global's leaders and Jeffrey Epstein, the harm to the Company's reputation was more than a mere possibility; and (iv) as a result, the Company's statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times.

The case is Feldman v. Apollo Global Management, Inc., et al., Case No. 26-cv-01692.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

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NINETY-ONE diazepam tablets were found hidden in a mans trouser leg after gardai were called to a hotel disturbance, Carlow District Court heard.

Gary Costigan (27) appeared before Carlow District Court, where his solicitor Joe Farrell entered a guilty plea on his behalf to possession of the tablets.

The court heard that on 11 February 2023 at 8.55pm, Garda Moulton responded to a call from the Woodford Dolmen Hotel reporting that a male was refusing to leave the premises. When gardai arrived, Mr Costigan of Brockna, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow was standing outside the entrance to the hotel and had left in a peaceful manner with his girlfriend.

Garda Moulton stopped to speak to Mr Costigan and noticed a smell of cannabis off him. He carried out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act and discovered 91 diazepam tablets concealed in the defendants trouser leg.

Mr Costigan made a full admission to possession of the tablets for personal use. A Forensic Science Ireland analysis confirmed the tablets were benzodiazepines, valued at 1 per tablet.

The defendant has 14 previous convictions, only one of which relates to a misuse of drugs offence.

In mitigation, Mr Farrell told the court that his client had suffered a serious car accident in recent years and was currently on disability.

Judge Geraldine Carthy directed that a probation report be prepared for early June. She indicated that the matter was being treated seriously, telling the court: Given the nature of the offence, I am considering custody.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Gordon Deegan

Acute hospital admissions for mainly young adult males presenting with neurological consequences due to the misuse of Nitrous Oxide (NO), or laughing gas, have increased fourfold on a quarterly basis over four years.

In a new study published in the just published April edition of the Irish Medical Journal (IMJ), medics warn that a multi-targeted harm-reduction strategy is needed to reduce preventable harm and to lessen the burden on acute care services.

The paper entitled Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use: A Growing Trend with Unintended Consequences by medics at the Acute Medicine Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin found that admissions to Irish hospitals with neurological consequences of inhaled NO misuse have greatly increased over the last four years, and this issue is predominantly affecting very young adults.

The medics state that the multi-targeted harm reduction strategy should consist of highlighting the need for youth-targeted prevention, awareness campaigns, and multidisciplinary follow-up pathways.

The medics state that it is the first study to describe the increase in acute hospital admissions in Ireland and say as clinicians, we have observed an increase in cases of neurological symptoms in young people in our clinical practice, in association with NO abuse.

The medics found that there were 63 cases identified over four years between Q1 2020 and Q2 2024 and state that there was more than a four-fold increase in quarterly admissions when comparing Q1 2020 with Q4 2023.

The report shows that admissions reached a peak in Q2 2023 with 11 admissions.

The report states that the study shows the rising trend of nitrous oxide use over a very short time, showing a significant increase from Q3 2022, peaking in Q2 2023.

They state that this aligns with the clinical observation we had made regarding the increased prevalence of nitrous oxide use.

The various descriptions of the cases as a result of the inhalation of Nitrous Oxide including 'poisoning by and exposure to unspecified gases and vapours' and accidental poisoning by and exposure to chemicals and noxious substances.

The report found that the mean age of those admitted was 19.68 years and 71.4 per cent were male with 28.6 per cent female.

The average length of stay in hospital was 6.26 days contributing to 394.5 total bed days.

The study found that most patients, at 87.3 per cent, were from the Dublin area.

The report states that NO leads to a short-lived euphoric sensation when inhaled.

They state that typically, recreational NO users transfer the gas from highly pressurised canisters into balloons, and inhale from these.

The paper states that recreational NO abuse can cause harm to users where the NO canisters decrease to a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius when opened, and direct contact can cause freeze burns to lips, hands, and throat.

The medics state that more insidiously, inhalation of NO can also trigger inactivation of vitamin B12, which is a crucial nutrient for nerve tissue health, brain function, and red blood cells.
By Claudia Savage, Press Association

Mary Lou McDonald has pledged she will lead Sinn Fein into the next general election, saying she has the confidence of party colleagues and membership.

Ahead of the second day of their Ard Fheis in Belfast, the current Sinn Fein president said the party has great pep in our step and is at its strongest since the partition of Ireland in 1921.

McDonald has led the party since 2018, taking over the reins from Gerry Adams.

Speaking to the media outside the ICC, flagged by party colleagues from both sides of the border including the First Minister Michelle ONeill, McDonald sought to pour cold water on reports of desire for a change of leader.

Mary Lou McDonald has pledged she will lead Sinn Fein into the next general election (Brian Lawless/PA)

Sinn Fein is at its strongest point since partition, there is a great pep in our step, she said.

We have built since the last general election. Were ahead with the polls. Thats always a good place to be.

We were instrumental in the election of Uachtaran Catherine Connolly, that was a huge achievement for us as an organisation.

And of course, we are working hard preparing with our eye on the next general election in the next number of years. I want us to be ready. I want us to peak at the right point.

The party is contesting two by-elections, one in Galway West, and the other in McDonalds home constituency of Dublin Central.

The Sinn Fein candidate for Dublin Central is Janice Boylan, a councillor who failed to get elected as Ms McDonalds running mate in the 2024 election.

McDonald said far from feeling any pressure she is looking forward to the by-elections.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald after being elected in 2024, with Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan (Brian Lawless/PA)

Were a strong party, were ahead, as I say we lead the polls, and were in a very, very strong position, so we go out and we fight those elections in that spirit, she said

And Im very proud to lead this party. Im very proud to enjoy the confidence of my colleagues and the broader membership. So as you may try to seek a story in that, there isnt a story there.

Im the leader of the party, we are a collective leadership, and we are in a very, very good place.

So well fight the by-elections, and I think theyre going to be fascinating contests, actually, in both constituencies. I think itll be a brave person who would predict the outcomes of them.

Asked directly if she would lead Sinn Fein into the next general election she said: Yes.
By Claudia Savage, Press Association

The UK government is taking a dangerous path with amendments to the Legacy Bill, John Finucane has said.

The Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast said he has received no assurances on changes to the framework, which risks becoming veterans legislation.

On entering government in 2024, Labour pledged to repeal and replace the previous Conservative governments Legacy Act which ended police investigations into Troubles-related killings and established a new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Labours Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.

Last week, the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn pushed back the Governments Troubles Bill, saying it will return to Parliament with substantial amendments including additional protections and reassurances for veterans.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said the Governments Troubles Bill will include additional protections and reassurances for veterans (Liam McBurney/PA)

Finucane said he was very concerned about the updates to the long-awaited legislation.

He told the Press Association at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Belfast: You would be forgiven for forgetting that this is actually a victims legislation, youd be forgiven for thinking that this is actually veterans legislation.

It was a very partial, partisan statement by the British government to further embolden and protect a body of people that were actually victim-makers in our conflict here.

And I think to elevate one section of people above another is very dangerous and, precedent has shown us, not the wisest way to go about dealing with legacy.

There has to be a process put in place that can deliver for everybody and to elevate one section of people above another is a very dangerous path.

He added: There are a lot of victims of state violence, state violence can take the form of people in a uniform or people not necessarily in a uniform, and they are being asked to entrust in a process where the very British government that is legislating for this is going out of their way, bending over backwards, to very cynically protect veterans as a result of their own self interest.

The UK Government is taking a dangerous path with amendments to the Legacy Bill, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has said (Claudia Savage/PA)

Finucane said he had personally spoken with the Northern Ireland Secretary to ask for further clarity on what the new measures will entail.

Well wait and see what exactly is in the detail, but certainly as a direction of travel this is something that has caused concern, not just to us politically, but certainly to a lot of people who we represent, he said.

He added: Theres nothing that the Secretary of State has said that would provide me with any assurance having listened to what he has said publicly this week.

A public inquiry is due to get underway into the murder of Finucanes father, Pat Finucane, and he reiterated his partys call for a full public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown.

Brown, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones GAA Club in the Co Derry town of Bellaghy, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

His widow Bridie Brown, who has led a decades-long campaign for answers about her husbands murder  which an excess of 25 people have been linked to, including several state agents  was in attendance at the first day of the Ard Fheis.

I cant think of another family who have had the endorsement of five High Court judges and a PSNI Chief Constable in calling for a public inquiry, Mr Finucane said.

I think its shameful that a woman whos nearly 90 is being brought to the Supreme Court in London over what is essentially an academic legal point.

I think the British government have the power to grant a public inquiry, they have the ability to do that efficiently and effectively, and they are refusing to do so.

And that feeds into the wider confidence in the legacy context for lots of families who maybe are not the Brown family, but look to the Brown family as inspiration, look to the Brown family and see if thats how theyre being treated, how would we be treated.
A BRAZILIAN national was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of theft at Carlow District Court.

The court heard that Crislaine DeSantos (32) of 219 Charlotte Rooms, Charlotte Street, Carlow had, on 20 March 2025, obtained the injured partys bank card with permission to pay a solicitor for a court case. However, Ms DeSantos spent over 1,100 through a series of transactions that she did not have permission for including a 250 cash withdrawal, 167.37 at Tesco, 128 at Electro City for an ESB top-up and 30 on a mobile phone top-up.

On 8 October 2025, Ms DeSantos did not show up to court and a bench warrant was issued. On 25 November, she pleaded guilty to the four charges. Her case was meant to be heard on 4 February, but she made no appearance and was then arrested on 18 February.

Alex Rafter for the defence said that the court must be frustrated with my client as she had not engaged with the probation services after Judge Gerladine Carthy ordered a probation report.

I have given this lady every opportunity, Judge Carthy said.

Mr Rafter said that she had travelled home to Brazil in December because her father had died and she had only come back a few weeks ago. In response, Judge Carthy said that Ms DeSantoss first non-appearance had been in November.

The court heard that Ms DeSantos has no previous convictions.

Mr Rafter told the court that the aggravating factor in sentencing Ms DeSantos was that a gentleman she knew had offered her help and assistance. He said that the victim is a good, charitable person and his client had taken advantage of that.

Mr Rafter said that Ms DeSantos had arrived in Ireland in 2012 and had not got into trouble before this instance, that she made full admissions in an interview and had co-operated with Det Garda Kieran Shields during the investigation.

Mr Rafter said that Ms De Santos accepted that she did not have permission to spend the money, was willing to engage in community service and wanted to pay the money back. The court also heard that Ms DeSantos currently works in Dunnes Stores.

Mr Rafter told the court that there were still options open to keep her on the right path and, while acknowledging that the court was frustrated with the lack of a probation report, he asked the court to consider what the benefit to the injured party would be from imprisoning her.

At sentencing, Judge Carthy said that Ms DeSantos had made no engagement with the probation services despite their attempts. She said that the matter before the court was serious, that she had been entrusted to pay a bill and had breached the injured partys trust on four occasions to benefit herself.

I can only do so much, Judge Carthy said, as there was no evidence of remorse before the court.

As Ms DeSantos had not engaged with the probation services, Judge Carthy ruled that community service was not appropriate and that Ms DeSantoss behaviour had left the court in a corner. Judge Carthy convicted and sentenced Ms DeSantos to eight months imprisonment on one count of theft, with the other three counts taken into consideration.

A short while after that sentence was handed down, during a break in court proceedings, Mr Rafter asked if Judge Carthy might fix recognisance for his client.

Im not minded to, Judge Carthy said.

Mr Rafter pleaded on behalf of his client, telling the court that she had three children who needed picking up from a creche later that afternoon and that her phone was out of battery. He said that Ms DeSantos had been in tears.

Judge Carthy said: For you, Mr Rafter, I will.

She fixed recognisance at 500 own bond, 200 cash and ordered Ms DeSantos not to contact the injured party directly or indirectly.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
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When Wizards of the Coast set out to promote its latest Magic: The Gathering collaboration with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the result was not a conventional trailer. Instead, the company partnered with Scottish studio Eyebolls to produce a hybrid short that combines hand-drawn 2D animation with live actors, a technically demanding approach that reflects both the visual identity of the Turtles and the playful, social experience of Magic.

At a glance, the short films premise is straightforward: the Turtles inhabit a live-action world and assist in the R&D process of creating their signature cards. But beneath that simplicity lies a carefully considered strategy for merging two long-running intellectual properties without diluting either.

Its quite unusual that a studio can do both, especially hand-drawn 2D traditional animation with live action and then combining the two. So that was obviously hugely exciting for us and played right into our strengths, said Rhona Drummond, executive producer and co-founder of Eyebolls.

That hybrid capability shaped the production from the outset. While crossover campaigns often lean into spectacle or fan service, the Eyebolls team focused on integration and tone, seeking to make the coexistence of these worlds feel natural rather than over-the-top.

We wanted to ground the live action and animation and make it relatable. It felt like a step too far to show the Turtles with existing Magic characters, for example, said director Phil Hawkins (Star Wars: Origins). The contrast between showing game designers interacting with the Turtles created opportunities for great comedic moments.

The decision to embed the Turtles in the R&D offices frames the crossover, and the short plays out like a love letter to both franchises. Hawkins confirmed that everyone approached the project with that same mindset. Everyone who worked on this is a huge fan of the Turtles franchise, and a lot of us are huge fans of Magic. So we approached this as fans as well as filmmakers.

That dual perspective, fan and filmmaker, informs many decisions in the piece. On a structural level, it ensures that neither property overwhelms the other. On a scene level, it manifests in small details: the cadence of dialogue, the familiarity of game in-jokes, and the tonal balance between humor and sincerity.

Hawkins directing approach also played a key role in selling the hybrid illusion. Rather than treating the Turtles as visual effects elements to be integrated after the fact, he framed them as performers within the scene. I always thought of the Turtles as fellow actors in a scene how would I naturally want to direct them in the scene instead of worrying about how were going to animate that later.

The interactions between actors and animated characters are set against a massive glass window boasting a warm sunset. Eyelines are suggestive yet connected, and physical actions are staged to imply presence without overcompensating for the technical challenge. The result is a seamless integration that avoids the uncanny dissonance sometimes associated with mixed-media projects.

Achieving that level of cohesion required a complex production pipeline that extended well beyond Scotland. While the live-action component was shot locally, the animation team was distributed across multiple regions. With the skill of hand-drawn 2D, we do pull on talent globally really to make that happen, Drummond said.

This global approach reflects both necessity and specialization. Hand-drawn 2D animation remains a resource-intensive process, and assembling the right team often means sourcing talent internationally. It also speaks to Eyebolls position within a broader network of artists who continue to work in traditional animation techniques, even as much of the industry has shifted toward 3D pipelines.

The most significant technical challenge, however, lies in the compositing stage, and art director Garry Marshall was tasked with this challenge. Preserving the integrity of hand-drawn animation while embedding it convincingly into live-action footage requires a delicate balance between enhancement and restraint. Theres so much stuff going on just to make it feel like theyre really 2D characters, yet theyre really in the space, said Marshall.

That stuff includes a range of subtle interventions: lighting adjustments that align animated characters with the scenes environment, edge treatments that maintain visible linework without flattening the image, and compositing techniques that introduce depth cues without compromising the 2D aesthetic. The goal was not to disguise the animation, but to situate the 2D characters convincingly within the physical space.

At a broader level, the project highlights the evolving role of animation in commercial contexts. Branded content of this kind increasingly demands both technical sophistication and narrative coherence, particularly when dealing with massively established IPs and their respective fan bases.

By prioritizing performance, grounding, and visual integration, the Eyebolls team has produced a piece that functions as more than a promotional asset. It operates as a demonstration of how traditional animation techniques can be adapted to contemporary production environments without losing their distinctiveness. That, and a whole lot of pizza.
Last November, the School of Visual Arts (SVA) community gathered for a rare opportunity to celebrate Lonely Magic, a musical journey created by alumna Rebecca Sugar (BFA Animation 2009), alongside her creative partners and fellow alumni Ian Jones-Quartey (BFA Animation 2006), Alex Myung (BFA Animation 2009), and Chris Burns (BFA Animation 2003).

The SVA Theatre was filled with students, alumni, faculty, industry friends, and animation enthusiasts, all eager to learn about their extraordinary collaboration, their shared memories as students at SVA, and the creative process behind Lonely Magic. The event featured screenings of three Lonely Magic music videos  Ice Water, This Is a Love Song, and Hill to Die On  followed by a panel discussion moderated by BFA Animation chair Hsiang Chin Moe. The day concluded with a powerful acoustic performance by Rebecca Sugar, leaving the audience profoundly moved by love and respect.

You could feel the excitement in the air hours before the event started, said current senior Noreen Sullivan. It felt like this year my peers truly came together to enjoy the experience, and this event played a massive role in fostering a sense of community. When the panelists talked about the friends they made in college and how amazing it was to still, over two decades later, create art together, I could see everyone in the crowd get misty-eyed and look at their friends.

One of the most tender highlights of the day was Rebecca Sugars acoustic performance. Senior Sasha Rojer shared, Rebeccas performance was a love letter to the extremes of an artists life: the beauty of inspiration and the anguish of competition. Ice Water and Love the Way It Feels spoke to the journey of animation students and the countless sacrifices we make for this craft. Freshman Ian Ortiz added, We are in a turbulent time right now, where young animators are uncertain if they will get a chance to tell a story like Rebecca or Ian did. When I attended Lonely Magic, I was reminded of the power of art.

This event represents the essence of the SVA community, one that supports its members far beyond the classroom. As SVA prepares to welcome a new cohort of students for Accepted Students Day, the BFA Animation program is taking this opportunity to share documentation of the Lonely Magic event with Cartoon Brews audience and beyond.

Watch the 20-minute recap video on SVA BFA Animations YouTube channel to experience the power of art and animation that defines the SVA community. Its amazing to be back here with my friends after all this time To be able to make art with the people I met here, its the best part of my life, said Rebecca Sugar at SVAs Lonely Magic homecoming event.

SVA BFA Animation continues to grow and strengthen its community at this years Accepted Students Day on April 11, 2026. Future #AniFam are invited to join us at the SVA Theatre for a day of imagining and shaping their creative futures. RSVP here today.
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the leading trade association of the payments industry, applauds the leadership of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in issuing interim final rules preempting the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA).

The payments industry provides tremendous value, delivering fast, secure payments, while generating $354 billion in US GDP last year and supporting 2 million jobs in the U.S.

The IFPA would force all parties to the payments industry to disrupt this efficient global system.

"The OCC recognizes the value of the national/global payments industry to consumers, merchants - especially small merchants- and the U.S. economy," said Jodie Kelley, CEO of ETA.

"Today's action by the OCC provides critical clarity, stability, and legal certainty for the U.S. payments system," said Jodie Kelley. "By confirming that the IFPA is preempted, the OCC has upheld the rule of law, preventing a patchwork of state-level requirements that would disrupt commerce nationwide."

"This rule reinforces what courts, Congress, and regulators have recognized for generations," continued Kelley. "A fragmented, state-by-state approach to national payment activities would undermine efficiency, increase costs for consumers and businesses, and jeopardize the reliability of secure electronic payments."

The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) is the world's leading advocacy and trade association for the payments industry. Our members span the breadth of significant payments and fintech companies in the U.S. and around the world. ETA members make commerce possible by processing approximately $57 trillion annually in purchases and P2P payments worldwide and deploying payments innovation to merchants and consumers.

MEDIA CONTACT

Scott Talbott, ETA, EVP

[email protected]

SOURCE Electronic Transactions Association (ETA)
Throughout this year weve been treated to the Democrat version of bills passing through the Tennessee Senate by Brandon Puttbrese, Senate Democrat Caucus Press Secretary. What is important to know is who did or did not vote for some vital legislation popular with Tennessee voters.



Take for example SB1709. That bill requires Tennessee drivers license tests to be in English. The bill passed in the Senate 26-5 with the votes opposed to drivers license tests being in English from five of the six Democrats.



Another key piece of legislation vital to the safety and well-being of you, your children and grandchildren on Tennessee highways was SB1748. In the Tennessee Senate it passed 26-6 with all six Democrats voting against requiring truckers who drive Tennessee highways to be proficient in English in order to be issued a Commercial Drivers license.



Tennesseans have expressed their support for the removal of dangerous illegal aliens. We have seen so many cases of our citizens being murdered by those allowed to enter under Bidens open border policy. SB2223 passed the Tennessee Senate 25-5. Twenty five Senate Republicans voted to require sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, while five Democrats opposed their cooperation with Immigration Enforcement.



Why would anyone oppose laws that would make Tennesseans safer? This may explain why Republicans are a super majority in the Tennessee Legislature not Democrats as they once were decades ago.



Voters need to remember who voted for our safety and who didnt.



Ralph Miller




Of the 3,533 military recipients of our nations highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, amazingly, there are 19 U.S. service members who have received two Medals of Honor. Among them, 14 received two Medals for separate actions of valor, and five WWI servicemen received both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor for the same action. Following WWI, regulations were changed so that two different service branch Medals of Honor would not be awarded for a single action.





I have previously profiled two notable Marine double recipients for different actions, MajGen Smedley Butler and SgtMaj Daniel Daly.





Among the WWI double recipients is another Marine, Private John Kelly.





Kelly was a Chicago native who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1917, after the U.S.declared war against Germany in the third year of World War I.





In September after completing boot camp, he joined 7th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Quantico, Virginia. He transferred to 78th Company, and in January of 1918 the 78th embarked from Philadelphia on the USS Henderson, arriving in St. Nazaire, France, on February 5.





Kelly saw action at Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive.





It was at the battle for Blanc Mont Ridge on 13 October 1918 that he would earn a Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.





War historian William Welsh notes: "The Marine attack on Blanc Mont Ridge began at 05:50 on October 3. After an initial five-minute barrage, the lead units stepped off. They fought their way steadily up the slopes towards the crest behind a rolling artillery barrage. As anticipated, the Germans in the Essen Hook poured heavy machine gun fire into the left flank of the advancing Marines. The Americans were mortified that the troops of the French 21st Division did not attack the Essen Hook as directed."





Next, as affirmed by Kellys MoH citations from both the Army and Navy: "Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage 100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with eight prisoners."





Welsh concludes: When he saw his fellow Marines, Kelly greeted them with a matter-of-fact pronouncement. Just what I told you Id do, he shouted.





Kelly received his Medal of Honor in a battlefield presentation by General John Black Jack Pershing, Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces. At the time, Pvt Kelly was assigned to the Army of Occupation.





Notably, Kelly was also the recipient of four Silver Stars for his actions while serving with the 78th in the battles of Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June-10 July 1918; Thiaucourt, France, 15 September 1918; and St. Mihiel, France, 12-16 September 1918. He was also the recipient of the World War I Victory Medal, five Bronze Stars, and the French Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre.





Kelly died in 1957 at the age of 59 and is buried at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.





Pvt John J. Kelly: An ordinary man faced with extraordinary circumstances, he summoned the greatest measure of courage to place his life in imminent peril to save others. Your example of valor  a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty  is eternal. Live your life worthy of his sacrifice.





"Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends." (John 15:13)





Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen -- standing in harm's way in defense of American Liberty, honoring their oath "to support and defend" our Constitution, and for the families awaiting their safe return. Pray also for our Veterans, First Responders, and their families.





Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support our historic hometown National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Make a check payable to National MoH Sustaining Fund and mail to:

Generosity Trust,

345 Frazier Avenue, Unit 205

Chattanooga TN 37405.




Afghan refugees. | Screenshot: YouTube/ FRANCE 24 English

An evangelical refugee resettlement organization has voiced strong opposition to a reported plan by the Trump administration to relocate Afghan allies to Central Africa.

World Relief, a leading evangelical aid agency, criticized the proposal to send more than 1,000 Afghans  many of whom supported U.S. military operations during the war in Afghanistan  to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A report published Tuesday by The New York Times, citing an aid worker familiar with the situation, detailed the administrations alleged plan involving Afghans currently housed at Camp As Sayliyah in Doha.

Those affected include former interpreters who worked with U.S. forces, members of Afghan Special Operations units, and relatives of American service members.

Many of these individuals have remained in Qatar for over a year after being evacuated during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was followed by the Taliban regaining control of the country.

Although they were initially expected to be resettled in the United States, refugee admissions  including those involving Afghans  were largely suspended after President Donald Trump took office in January 2025.

The administration also introduced a policy requiring additional interviews for refugees who had previously been cleared under the prior administration, citing security concerns after an Afghan national admitted during the Biden administration was accused of killing a National Guard member in Washington, D.C., last November. A visa ban affecting Afghans was also implemented.

According to the report, Afghan refugees in Qatar may be given a choice between relocation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo or returning to Afghanistan.

If these reports are accurate, the administration is considering sending hundreds of individuals from Afghanistan  the top country of origin for refugees resettled to the United States last year  to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the number two country of origin for refugees resettled to the United States in fiscal year 2025, said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief, which operates under the National Association of Evangelicals.

World Relief is among several nonprofit organizations that partner with the U.S. State Department to assist in refugee resettlement efforts.

Greene sharply criticized the reported proposal, describing it as cruel and shortsighted, while emphasizing that Afghans who risked their lives to stand alongside the U.S. military were promised protection.

To abandon them now  either to the Taliban forces whom they fled or to a separate country beset by war, conflict and extreme poverty  is morally wrong, and I hope and pray that the administration will not pursue this reported plan, Greene said.

He added that the organizations long-standing work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has given it direct insight into the countrys humanitarian challenges.

Having operated in the DRC for roughly 25 years in partnership with local churches, World Relief has a firsthand perspective on the stark humanitarian challenges facing the country. The DRC, which has been plagued by conflict and war for decades, needs the prayers and support of the American people, not additional refugees from an entirely separate conflict.
Home News Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart's new hobby shocks followers: 'Embracing my chance at life'

Elizabeth Smart, a kidnapping survivor who was abducted at knifepoint at age 14 from her Salt Lake City home in 2002, shared her latest bodybuilding endeavor in a post online, saying that she wants to "celebrate" her body, which has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience.

The now 38-year-old child safety advocate and founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation posted a photo on social media on Tuesday showing her on stage in a bikini at a bodybuilding competition. Smart took first place in her category, "Fit Model Novice," at the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, earlier this month, competing under her married name, Elizabeth Gilmour.

"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!,' Smart stated in the caption for her photo.

The advocate and mother of three has quietly taken up bodybuilding as a hobby, writing in her social media post on Tuesday that she has competed in four competitions so far.

Even though the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness competition was not her first time participating in such an event, Smart admitted she was scared to post about her latest life update.

"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 wrote.

During the competition, however, Smart said that she realized how similar these thoughts and feelings are to what trauma survivors experience.

Smart was kidnapped in 2002 and held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Ileen Barzee. During her captivity, Smart endured starvation, daily rapes and physical and psychological abuse.

Since her rescue in March 2003, after a local resident recognized Smart and called 911 to report spotting the girl with her captors, Smart has worked to help other child-victim survivors and founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to help prevent crimes against children.

In 2012, Smart married Matthew Gilmour, with whom she shares three children.

I think its easy to be labeled as one thing," she said in her Tuesday Instagram post in response to people only thinking of her as a kidnap victim, "and honestly, thats not me nor do I think its any of us. [W]e are more than just one topic, one idea, one label.

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, she wrote. 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.

Reflecting on her new hobby, the survivor said that bodybuilding was a big change, but it pushed her and challenged her to not give up.

I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it, the childs safety advocate declared.

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 continued.

I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can, she added. I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness.
Home News Leader of Hindu nationalist group RSS denies 'anti-Christian' claims amid rising persecution 'Hindus have nothing to apologize for'

WASHINGTON  A leader of a prominent Hindu nationalist paramilitary organization in India that has been flagged by international religious freedom watchdogs denied claims that his group is anti-Christian earlier this week.

Dattatreya Hosabale, who has served as general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since 2021, said during an interview at the Hudson Institute on Thursday that such a characterization of RSS is one of many American misconceptions about India.

"The narrative that has built over decades  knowingly, unknowingly or as part of [an] agenda, whatever it is  is that RSS is Hindu supremacist, or that it is in any way anti-Christian, anti-minority, anti-development and woman, anti-modernization," he said during a conversation with Hudson scholar Walter Russell Mead.

"A narrative has been built over decades about the RSS in America. That it is Hindu supremacist, anti-Christian, anti-minority and anti-modernization. It is portrayed like the Indian version of the Ku Klux Klan, which it is not," says RSS General Secretary Hosabale in America pic.twitter.com/JBDIZHoT6Z  Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) April 24, 2026

Founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, an Indian physician who was heavily influenced by the revolutionary Hindu nationalist Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, RSS is an influential volunteer organization that boasts more than 4 million members and holds more than 83,000 gatherings throughout India daily.

Though widely known for its social service and disaster relief efforts, RSS has long faced allegations from critics of seeking to suppress religious minorities while promoting Savarkar's Hindutva ideology, the view that Hindu culture forms the core of Indian nationhood.

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), established in 1980, is considered the political wing of the RSS, and many top Indian leaders are long-time RSS members, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi, who served as the chief minister of the Indian state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, was banned from entering the U.S. in 2005 under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act amid allegations of "severe violations of religious freedom" and complicity in large-scale anti-Muslim riots in 2002.

The ban was not lifted until Modi became prime minister in 2014, and he has since become a frequent visitor to the White House and addressed a joint session of Congress twice.

Dismissing the idea that RSS is an "Indian version of the Ku Klux Klan," Hosabale claimed Thursday that supremacist ideology of any kind is antithetical to true Hinduism.

"The Hindu philosophy and Hindu culture doesn't tolerate supremacism, because we see that the whole world is one family, and all are brothers and sisters, and there's no question of supremacy there," he said. "And we see the oneness in everybody, living and non-living things."

"So when that is the basic philosophy of Hindus, the supremacist nature of Hindus cannot be there," he claimed. "And also, in history, Hindus have never invaded any country. Hindus have never enslaved any people."

"Hindus have nothing to apologize for," he added.

Hosabale's portrayal of RSS contradicts the assessment by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which has drawn allegations of bias from the Indian government after recommending the U.S. designate India as a Country of Particular Concern for seven consecutive years.

In a report released last November, USCIRF characterized the Hindutva ideology of the BJP and RSS as a major source of systematic religious persecution against religious minorities in India, including Christians.

In its most recent annual report, USCIRF called on the U.S. government to impose targeted sanctions on RSS, claiming the organization is one of the entities responsible for "severe violations of religious freedom" in the country.

Persecution against Christians in India has steadily risen since Modi's BJP assumed power at the federal level in 2014, with 2025 reportedly marking the most violence against them since Indian independence in 1947, according to data by the United Christian Forum.

The latest annual report by the Evangelical Fellowship of India's Religious Liberty Commission documented nearly 750 incidents against Christians last year, including public beatings, church vandalism, service disruption, threats against worshipers or other forms of abuse.

Human rights lawyers and advocates have pinpointed the misuse of India's increasingly strict state-level "anti-conversion" laws as a key factor in enabling such attacks. Last year, Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife became the first Christians in India to be convicted and sentenced to prison under such legislation, prompting fears from Christian activists and lawyers that their case could set a precedent.

Some members of the Indian Parliament have also pushed back against a proposed amendment to the country's foreign donations law, which prompted outrage from Christian leaders who said it would allow the government to seize the assets, funds and property of Christian organizations. A vote on the amendment was postponed earlier this month until July.

India ranked 12th globally on Open Doors' World Watch List 2026, with the Christian persecution watchdog noting that much of the persecution against the roughly 72 million Christians in India comes from Hindu nationalists.

The organization noted that formerly Hindu believers bear the brunt of persecution in India, and face constant pressure to abandon Jesus Christ by returning to Hinduism.

In 2016, Open Doors reported that RSS stood accused by religious minorities of attempting to make India an exclusively Hindu nation, and that Christian leaders were suspicious of RSS proposals that year to create a Christian structure in the organization, fearing a potential "hidden agenda" to subvert Christianity.

Hosabale's remarks this week came during the Hudson Institute's "New India Conference," an all-day event near the White House that focused on India's rising geopolitical role, its economic transformation under Modi and the future of U.S.-India relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is slated to visit the country next month amid increased diplomatic strain.

The event at the Hudson Institute came the same day that President Donald Trump posted transcribed remarks to Truth Social by conservative podcaster Michael Savage, who called India a "hellhole" and accused Indians of abusing the U.S. immigration system. Delhi condemned such sentiments as "uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste."
Home News Man who murdered Ariz. pastor crucifixion style requests plea deal after parents killed in plane crash

Adam Sheafe, the California man who admitted to killing a New River, Arizona, pastor in a crucifixion-style attack, has asked prosecutors to offer him a plea deal that would result in a natural life sentence rather than the death penalty he had previously sought.

Advisory council attorneys representing Sheafe sent a formal plea offer to prosecutors this week, about two weeks after his father and stepmother died in a plane crash at Marana Airport on April 8, according to 12 News.

Sheafe, 51, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of William Schonemann, 76, pastor of New River Bible Church, who was found dead inside his home last April.

Sheafes father, Chris Sheafe, and stepmother, Jacque Sheafe, died after their single-engine Piper PA-32R-301T went off the runway while attempting to land and caught fire. Chris Sheafe had been a longtime member of the Rio Nuevo Board, a tax increment finance district created by voters in 1999 to revitalize downtown Tucson.

The accused's offer was presented after Sheafes advisory attorney, Denise Dees, said he would plead guilty to all counts and all aggravating factors in exchange for a natural life sentence, AZ Central reported.

Prosecutors said they had received the request but had not yet approved or denied it, as it needed to go through the capital review process, including consultation with the victims next of kin.

Prosecutors told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Starr their office could complete its review by April 29. After that, County Attorney Rachel Mitchell would need about two weeks to decide whether to press ahead with the death penalty. Starr set the next hearing for June 5.

In previous jailhouse interviews, Sheafe told 12 News he had traveled from California to Arizona with plans to kill religious leaders throughout the state. He admitted to murdering Schonemann inside his home and crucifying his body to a wall, placing a crown of thorns on his head.

Sheafe was initially charged with one count of first-degree murder and several additional offenses, including first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, second-degree criminal trespass, and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Authorities linked Sheafe to the killing through evidence recovered from Schonemanns home, items connected to a nearby burglary committed days earlier, and materials found in Sheafes backpack and a stolen truck.

He was arrested in Sedona last April while being investigated for separate crimes, including matters involving the FBI.

At a prior court hearing, Sheafe told the court the crime was deliberate and that he had never contested the facts. Its an undisputable fact that the victim, Pastor Bill Schonemann, was over 70 years old. Its an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I intended it to be heinous, Sheafe said. He added that continuing proceedings would only prolong the process for the victims families.

Sheafe told Arizona Family in an interview last year that he had planned to kill pastors or priests in multiple cities, including Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle, Billings, Detroit, New York, Charlotte, Mobile, Beaumont and El Paso. He said he intended to target religious leaders when they were alone so as not to harm others. Authorities believe his plan involved targeting as many as 14 pastors or priests across the U.S., and that Schonemann was chosen because of his Christian faith.

Schonemann had led New River Bible Church for decades. He was discovered after investigators responded to his home and found his arms outstretched and his hands pinned to a wall in a position authorities said resembled crucifixion.

Sheafe previously lived in Oceanside, California, and had worked at a restaurant in Carlsbad. He filed a lawsuit against a trading platform and later sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2024 after losing more than $40,000.
Home News Street preacher arrested in England vows to 'never stop preaching the Gospel'

Footage has circulated online of a Christian pastor being arrested while street preaching last weekend.

The footage shows Steve Maile, the senior pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford, being arrested by three officers while preaching the Gospel in Watford.

During the incident, Maile repeatedly protests that no offense has been committed. One of the police officers appears to say that Maile allegedly assaulted someone, which Maile denies.

Maile was later released and posted a video on Facebook thanking supporters for their prayers.

In the video, Maile claims he was absolutely brutalized and victimized by the British police and that he was in excruciating pain.

Pastor Steve Maile Arrested By British Police While Preaching In The Street, Claims He Was 'Brutalised And Victimised' In Front Of His Wife And Children pic.twitter.com/ovYHu9maYe  Britannia Daily (@BritanniaDailyy) April 19, 2026

Maile said that he has been released on bail and that the allegations against him are totally false. Adding a note of defiance to his post, he added, You will never ever stop Steve Maile from preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said in a statement: "On Saturday, April 18, a man aged in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault and a Section 5 public order offense (racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behavior).

"He has been released on bail while inquiries into the public order offense continue. No further action is being taken in relation to the assault."

Maile is not the first street preacher to have had a run-in with the police after complaints by disapproving members of the public.

Pastor Dia Moodley was arrested in Bristol last November on suspicion of inciting religious hatred. According to Moodley, he was arrested after publicly discussing the differences between Islam and Christianity. He said he was assaulted by a group of Muslim men, who he said had injured him and threatened to stab him. Although he was arrested, none of his alleged assailants were.

Not all incidents have ended this way. In February, a video emerged online of a female police officer surrounded by Muslim men complaining about an unidentified street preacher in Whitechapel. Despite the men suggesting that the preacher should not be allowed to preach in a predominantly Muslim area, the police officer said she would be taking no action against the preacher because he was exercising his freedom of speech.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
FORSYTH, Ga., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildfires are causing significant damage across South Georgia, threatening homes, forestland, property, and rural livelihoods. In response, the Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) is launching the Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund to provide direct, practical support to communities, forest landowners, and rural families impacted by wildfire and related disaster recovery needs. The Foundation will seed the fund with an initial investment of $10,000. Those interested in supporting the effort may donate online at www.gffgrow.org/wildfire-recovery.

As of April 23, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County was estimated at 31,307 acres and 10% contained. In Brantley County, the Highway 82 Fire had burned more than 5,000 acres and was 15% contained. Across the affected area in Brantley County, 90 homes had been lost, and an estimated 700 homes were threatened. Hundreds of brave firefighters, wildfire experts, and cooperating agencies are actively working to contain these fires. Drought conditions, downed timber from Hurricane Helene, low humidity, and high winds are making suppression efforts especially difficult.

"When disaster strikes rural Georgia, we have a responsibility to support," said Tim Lowrimore, President & CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Forestry Foundation. "These wildfires have already caused real losses for families, landowners, and communities across South Georgia. This fund gives people a practical way to help, and it allows us to direct support where it can make a meaningful difference."

Gifts designated to the Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund will be used to support Georgia forest landowners, families, wildland firefighters, first responders, and communities impacted by wildfire. Support may include direct recovery grants, cleanup and restoration assistance, reforestation support, or other immediate needs connected to damage and recovery.

Funds will be distributed through a documented review process based on need, impact, and eligibility. The Foundation will also work with state agencies, local community leaders, and partners to help ensure support reaches affected families, landowners, and communities as directly and responsibly as possible.

While recovery efforts are beginning, wildfire response remains active and dangerous. On April 22, Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency for 91 Georgia counties in response to the ongoing South Georgia wildfires and directed the Georgia Forestry Commission and other state agencies to mobilize necessary resources to assist with active response efforts. The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless renewed. The emergency declaration is in addition to the State Forester's burn ban order for the same 91 counties, which prohibits prescribed burning, yard debris burning, and agricultural burning in the affected area during the order period.

The State of Emergency also allows the Georgia Department of Defense to mobilize Georgia National Guard troops and resources for response and recovery efforts. Federal Emergency Management Agency Fire Management Assistance Grant declarations have been approved for the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch and Echols counties and the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County. State agencies, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol, and Georgia Department of Agriculture, are also supporting wildfire response efforts.

Make a gift today to support wildfire recovery for Georgia's forestry communities by visiting gffgrow.org/wildfire-recovery. GFF is grateful to the Georgia Forestry Commission, firefighters, first responders, local officials, state and federal partners, and community volunteers working to protect lives, property, and forestland. For active wildfire information, emergency updates, or to coordinate supply or resource donations, please visit the Georgia Forestry Commission's Current Wildfire Information and Resources page.

About the Georgia Forestry Foundation

The Georgia Forestry Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the long-term sustainability of Georgia's working forests and the communities that depend on them. Through education and leadership development, market development, landowner outreach, and research, the Foundation works to strengthen the connection between the state's 22 million acres of working forests, strong rural economies, and a sustainable future for Georgia.

Media Contact:

Matt Hestad

[email protected]

SOURCE Georgia Forestry Foundation
Home News 4 key moments from Turning Point USA's Faith Forward Pastors' Summit

GRAPEVINE, Texas  Pastors and ministry leaders gathered this week in North Texas to confront cultural compromise in the Church and honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder assassinated last September while speaking at a college outreach event in Utah.

The TPUSA Faith Forward Pastors' Summit at Fellowship Church featured several speakers, including Kirks widow and TPUSA CEO, Erika Kirk, along with a number of pastors and evangelists who praised Charlie Kirks influence as an ambassador for the Gospel, particularly among younger people.

Led by Pastor Lucas Miles, senior director of TPUSA Faith, the Faith Forward Pastors' Summit provided a diverse lineup of practical teaching for ministry leaders on topics ranging from church growth and biblical masculinity to engaging the culture for Christ and confronting the teachings of Islam.

Here are four key moments from the conference.
Home Opinion The American Church is undergoing a season of exposure: The only biblical response

The Evangelical Christian church in the United States is undergoing one of the most thorough and sobering seasons of exposure and cleansing that I have ever seen.

This has been percolating for some time, but in recent months and years, the scope of the exposures has substantially increased. The cleansing is across several denominations and expressions, in churches large and small.



Much of the current exposure is due to social media and independent investigative podcasters with large online followings. While there are pitfalls to these particular means of exposure, the dark secrets, cover-ups, and manipulative tactics of corrupt leaders in churches can now be aired more quickly and more thoroughly than was possible in previous decades, and I consider it a net good.

What to make of all of this? And why now?

Gods timing is the greatest mystery of faith for me, but whats occurring is a sovereign move of His hand. The LORD has determined that the present moment is His appointed time to clean house.

For sincere Christians in every stream, it is wrenchingly painful to watch this purification process unfold. I speak from both personal and professional experience, having been affiliated with groups plagued by scandal and having seen the wrongdoing firsthand while reporting on these issues.

Many, myself included, have asked: How was I so gullible as not to discern and see the wickedness and deception at work there? and How did that profane leadership misconduct manage to be covered up for so long?

The spiritual vertigo is especially disorienting for lowercase-o orthodox Evangelicals in churches that aim to adhere to biblically rooted teaching in a time when many have bowed to progressive revisionism and the spirit of the age. For believers desiring to remain anchored in their convictions, its a humbling (if not downright humiliating) experience to have perceptions shattered and realize that esteemed people they thought were godly actually were not. Wolves are usually skilled communicators, masters at hiding their destructive patterns until they finally become so visible as to be undeniable.

And if a church environment turns out to be a mixture of good and bad, of truth and deceit? Spiritual cognitive dissonance besieges the minds of people who are often already confused and hurting as they struggle to understand how Gods Word might have been faithfully proclaimed from the pulpit and taught within its ministries, yet indisputably rotten fruit appeared in the lives of leaders. Many wonder: How did the Gospel truths they espoused not yield transformative change where it truly mattered?

Barna research reveals that over a quarter of American adults report that past experiences with religious institutions fuel doubt in Christ. As Teasi Cannon aptly noted last week, many such people exit churches in self-preservation, not rebellion, forced to conclude with genuine sorrow: If this is Christianity, I cant survive here.

Not to diminish the severity of the current scandals, but gross compromises and distorted doctrines among God's people are not new. The New Testament records how sexual immorality and the abuse of the Lords Supper existed in the early Church among the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and 11:17-34). The Galatians were called foolish, having been bewitched into another Gospel (Galatians 3:1). Individual wolves in the Church are not new either, as the Apostle Paul had to turn Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:20).

Churches and ministries dealing with a dreadful mixture of righteousness and grievous sin are also not new. Among the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation, some had exhibited remarkable faithfulness to God in ways He commended them for (Pergamum, Thyatira, and Ephesus), but He also had to rebuke them for their compromises. (Revelation 2:1-29).

Many centuries later, as the contemporary West convulses, the Judeo-Christian norms and ethics that have long undergirded society have eroded. A significant contributing factor to this erosion is pervasive distrust and rejection of religious institutions that have simultaneously furthered and covered up sins that have wounded people, the same sins that the churches claim to oppose doctrinally.

As the exposure continues, it leaves many newly sobered Christians thinking and asking: "This is terrible. This cannot be the abundant life in the Kingdom about which Jesus spoke. What should we do now? What can we do? Where do we even go from here amid this fierce heartache and countless people harmed in God's name?

The only response that makes any sense to me, and maybe it sounds simplistic, is genuine repentance. In Acts 3:19, Peter speaks to the men of Israel about how they had rejected the Holy and Righteous One (Jesus), saying: Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

We, too, have forgotten the holiness and righteousness of God. We would do well to rend our proverbial garments and earnestly cry out to Him, even if we have not been directly involved in or impacted by such a scandal.

If youre a believer in Jesus Christ who is grieved to the core by the rampant sin in the camp that is manifesting nowadays, continue to search your heart before the Lord, and repent of anything and everything that would grieve Him. Each one of us needs it. Pray that a fervent love for Gods righteousness resurges in the Church, and that reverential fear of the Lord return in great measure to His House. Intercede that His people remember the awesomeness of a holy God, and that He is not mocked (Galatians 6:7).

Our sin is great, and we do not deserve His mercy. But His mercy is vast, and it triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

Because if I know what animates committed Christians who are clinging to Jesus amid this disruptive chaos, it is an earnest yearning for another Great Awakening, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and revival  the precursor of which is repentance. May it sweep our land like wildfire; it's our only hope.

Perhaps then, as seen in the pattern of Scripture, God may grant us the times of refreshment in His presence that the remnant longs for in this sin-saturated world.
Home Opinion The FACE Acts broken promise: Why equal access requires equal protection

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act was created with a clear purpose: to protect access to care. It was written to apply equally to all, safeguarding both abortion providers and pregnancy help organizations, as well as places of worship.

But a newly released Department of Justice review raises a difficult and necessary question. What happens when a law designed to protect everyone is not applied that way in practice?

For those of us serving in the pregnancy help movement, the findings are not surprising. They are, however, clarifying.

Pregnancy help organizations have quietly and consistently served women facing unexpected pregnancies for decades. Today, that includes nearly 3,000 pregnancy help centers in the U.S offering various services like pregnancy tests, limited ultrasound, material assistance, and ongoing support. These centers are here to ensure that no woman feels alone or without options.

At the same time, many of these same life-affirming organizations have experienced vandalism, threats, and intimidation, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision. Yet, as the DOJ report details, those incidents were often ignored, downplayed, or received far less attention than similar claims from abortion providers.

Heartbeat International was part of direct conversations with the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division during this time. We welcomed the opportunity to represent our network and share what we saw on the ground. Our message was simple: the law must be applied evenly, and pregnancy help organizations must be recognized for the legitimate, life-affirming care they provide.

The report also highlights a troubling imbalance in engagement. Federal officials maintained ongoing, close (even chummy) coordination with abortion advocacy groups, while outreach to pregnancy help organizations came later and with less consistency. When one set of voices is consistently shaping the conversation, it inevitably influences outcomes.

Recent events further underscore these concerns. Pro-life activist Mark Houck was awarded a seven-figure settlement, more than $1 million, after a widely publicized early morning FBI raid on his home in 2022. Houck, a Catholic father of seven, had been charged under the FACE Act and was later acquitted. The settlement raises serious questions about how federal power was exercised and reinforces the need for accountability.

Perhaps most concerning are the broader implications for free speech and religious freedom. The report documents instances where pro-life individuals and groups were monitored, even when engaging in constitutionally protected activity. Regardless of where one stands on abortion, Americans should agree that peaceful expression and advocacy must remain protected.

As I have said before, every day is a battle against Big Abortion. This report shows how big Big Abortion actually is, with power players embedded in the Department of Justice looking to do the handiwork for abortion profiteers. Women deserve justice from the Department of Justice, not ideological politics masquerading as law enforcement. Kudos to the Trump Administration for calling out the weaponization of a powerful federal agency against grassroots efforts desiring only to help women avoid the physical and emotional perils of abortion. Peaceful, pro-life citizens, whether in pregnancy centers or on sidewalks, should never fear their own government. Every woman deserves love and compassion during her pregnancy, not a politically powerful abortion lobby.

This is not about asking for special treatment. It is about expecting equal treatment.

Pregnancy help organizations are not, inherently, political actors. They are community-based ministries and medical providers who walk with women in some of the most difficult decisions of their lives. They offer ultrasounds, parenting education, housing support, and connections to long-term care. They serve without charge, without pressure, and without judgment.

Every day, they demonstrate what it means to provide real choice.



The DOJs findings present an opportunity. Not to revisit past grievances, but to ensure that moving forward, the FACE Act is enforced as it was intended. Equally. Fairly. Without political bias.

But equal enforcement requires more than acknowledgment. It requires accountability.

The report notes that, where appropriate, the Department of Justice may refer current or former employees for criminal prosecution. We have already seen personnel changes tied to these concerns in the past several days. The question now is whether that is enough to ensure this never happens again. That newly minted DOJ lawyers in a future administration will not intentionally imbalance the scales of justice.

Accountability is not about retribution. It is about restoring trust. It is about ensuring that no administration, regardless of political leaning, can manipulate the federal government's power to favor one set of voices over another.

Women deserve a justice system that does not punish the path to motherhood. That includes access to the compassionate, life-affirming services offered by pregnancy help organizations. If we are serious about supporting women, then we must be serious about protecting everyone who serves them.
Home Opinion Lies, fraud, and the KKK: The SPLC is facing a crisis of credibility

For decades, the Southern Poverty Law Center has presented itself as a moral watchdog, an institution that claims to identify and expose extremism in American life. It has positioned itself as a defender of justice, a guardian against hate, and a trusted authority for media, corporations, and even government agencies. That reputation has given it extraordinary influence over public perception. It has also allowed it to shape narratives that carry real consequences for individuals, ministries, and entire movements.

What happens when that authority has been abused?

In recent years, a growing body of criticism has emerged from across the political and legal spectrum, challenging the credibility and conduct of the SPLC. Journalists, former employees, and legal analysts have raised concerns about its fundraising practices, its internal culture, and its controversial hate map, which has labeled mainstream conservative and Christian organizations alongside genuinely dangerous groups. Critics have warned that such labeling is not merely descriptive. It is punitive. It carries reputational consequences and, in some cases, has been linked to real-world threats.

One of the most widely cited examples came in 2012, when a gunman targeted the Family Research Council after discovering the organization on the SPLCs hate map. The attacker later admitted his intent was to carry out mass violence. While the SPLC condemned the attack, the incident exposed a dangerous reality: words, labels, and public designations can have unintended but very real consequences.

At the same time, internal turmoil within the SPLC itself has raised additional questions. In 2019, the organization faced a major scandal involving allegations of racial discrimination and misconduct within its own ranks. The fallout led to the firing of its founder, Morris Dees, and prompted public apologies from leadership acknowledging serious internal failures. For an organization that built its identity on moral accountability, the revelations were deeply damaging.

In my bookLiving Fearless in Christ, I covered how the FBI even relied on the research of the SPLC reports to pursue an investigation into supposed radical Catholics back under the Biden administration.

These documented issues alone warrant scrutiny. They reveal an institution that wields significant power while facing credible questions about how that power has been used or, in some cases, abused.

Now, new allegations in the Department of Justice federal indictment introduce even more damning concerns. The government claims that the SPLC engaged in deceptive financial practices, including using donor funds in ways not disclosed to the public. It further alleges that individuals connected to extremist groups were, at times, financially compensated or directed while those same groups were being publicly condemned by the organization.

The indictment reads in part:

The SPLC's paid informants (field sources) engaged in the active promotion of racist groups at the same time that the SPLC was denouncing the same groups on its website. The SPLC also had a field source who was a member of the online leadership chat group that planned the 2017 Unite the Right event in Charlottesville, Virginia. That field source made racist postings under the supervision of the SPLC and helped coordinate transportation to the event for several attendees.

The events of Charlottesville in 2017 remain one of the most defining and painful moments in recent American history. The violence that occurred and the tragic loss of life rightly drew national condemnation. No decent person defends some of what happened there. No Christian can justify hatred or violence.

Yet the aftermath of Charlottesville extended far beyond the individuals directly responsible. The incident became a sweeping indictment used to define broader segments of the conservative movement. A narrative took hold that blurred distinctions, assigning collective guilt in ways that were neither precise nor just. Many Americans who had no connection to extremism found themselves grouped into a category they did not belong to.

These allegations, if substantiated, would expose something far more serious than inconsistency. They would point to the deliberate shaping of a narrative that carried destructive national consequences. If individuals connected to extremist groups were being influenced or compensated in ways hidden from the public, while their actions were used to define an entire movement, then the line between reporting and engineering perception was deceptively and dangerously blurred.

That possibility demands careful, serious examination.

This is not about rewriting history to excuse wrongdoing. It is about ensuring that the truth is fully known. Justice requires accuracy. It requires that responsibility be assigned correctly, not broadly. It requires that narratives be built on facts, not assumptions or selective information.

From a biblical perspective, the standard is even higher. Scripture commands us not to bear false witness. It calls us to pursue truth with integrity and without partiality. It warns against the misuse of power and the manipulation of others for personal or institutional gain. Proverbs reminds us that dishonest scales are an abomination, while accurate weights find favor with God.

These principles apply equally to every institution, regardless of its stated mission.

If the SPLC has misused its platform to unfairly target individuals or organizations, that is a serious injustice. If it has operated without transparency in its financial practices, that is a breach of trust. If it has contributed, directly or indirectly, to narratives that misrepresent reality, that must be confronted.

This is why the conduct of the SPLC matters. When an organization claims the authority to define who is extreme and who is not, it shapes public perception in ways that carry real consequences. That kind of influence demands transparency and accountability. Yet the pattern we see  from controversial labeling to internal scandal and now serious allegations  raises a different question: has the SPLC applied the same standard to itself that it so aggressively applies to others?

The influence of the SPLC did not emerge overnight. It has been built over the years through strategic positioning, cultural alignment, and the trust of donors and institutions. That makes accountability all the more important.

No organization should be above scrutiny or immune from questioning. Moral authority is not something that can be claimed indefinitely. It must be earned continually through transparency, honesty, and consistency.

The American people deserve clarity. Donors deserve honesty. Those who have been labeled and targeted deserve to have their reputations restored.

Truth is not a partisan tool. It is a standard that must be applied across the political spectrum. A standard applied only to others is not justice; it is hypocrisy. Scripture is clear that the measure we use will be measured back to us. The Southern Poverty Law Center has spent years sitting in judgment. The time has come for it to stand in that same light.
Home Opinion Uproar over an Israeli soldier destroying a statue of Jesus: What are some lessons we can learn?

In times of prolonged conflict, perspective can be hard to maintain. After more than two and a half years of war involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran, we have grown accustomed to a constant stream of accusations, images and narratives. There is often a reflex to condemn Israel over any allegation, whether true or false.



Our experience has shown that not every viral image or report reflects reality, and judgment is sometimes best reserved until the facts are clear  even if the judges, juries and executioners have already rendered their verdict: Israel guilty.

It was in this spirit that initial reports surfaced of an Israeli soldier destroying a statue of Jesus in a Christian village in southern Lebanon. At first glance, it seemed plausible that the image might be another piece of misinformation, designed to inflame tensions and deepen hostility toward Israel.

Unfortunately, further details showed the incident was indeed real.

People quickly seized on the incident as fresh proof of Israeli ethnic cleansing, persecution of Christians, and other familiar accusations. For those already looking for reasons to blame Israel, its a welcome fuel for an existing fire. However, for most Israelis  especially those of us who work to build bridges with Christians  its a shameful act that deserved the widespread condemnation it received.

The good news is that within a day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigated the incident, removed two soldiers from combat duty, sentenced them to jail, disciplined others who were present and restored the statue in coordination with the local Christian community.

Still, the incident is troubling on multiple levels. It involved not only the destruction of private property but also the desecration of a religious symbol sacred to millions. And even setting aside the moral offense, one would think that in a war against Islamic terrorists in Lebanon, these soldiers had better things to do.

For those of us who work to foster Jewish-Christian understanding, this incident is especially painful. But even beyond interfaith relations, the behavior was a clear violation of basic moral and ethical standards. No justification can make such conduct acceptable.

At the same time, the response offers an important counterpoint. The IDF acknowledged the incident and addressed it immediately, signaling that the act does not reflect Israeli values. As much as I condemn what happened, I am encouraged by the broad response, which reinforced the principle that wrongdoing must be confronted. That willingness to admit fault and pursue accountability is, for many, a defining strength  especially in contrast to actors in the region who rarely acknowledge their own abuses, much less the widespread persecution of Christians elsewhere in the broader Islamic world.

Many Christian friends have asked how and why this could happen. The episode highlights deeper gaps in understanding that extend beyond a single soldier. Most Israelis, for instance, have little or no direct interaction with Christians, whether locally or globally. Despite the growing number of Christian Israelis serving in the IDF, and despite strong political and spiritual support from Christian communities worldwide, these relationships often remain abstract.

More often than not, when Christians come to Israel and connect with the land, that experience runs parallel to Israeli society rather than through meaningful engagement with it. Although Israels Christian population is the only one in the Middle East able to practice and worship freely  and the only one growing annually  most Israelis have never met a Christian.

When I speak in churches and before Christian groups, I often explain another part of this reality. We are a people who still celebrate our liberation and exodus from Egypt 3,500 years ago. For Israelis who do not know Christians personally, who do not have the kind of substantial relationships I do, and who do not understand the depth of Christian support for Israel, the dominant historical memory of Christianity is different: persecution of Jews in the name of Jesus dating back to the early days of the Church, less than 2,000 years ago. Without meaningful connection to Christians today, it is easy for older assumptions to remain in place. Changing those attitudes takes time and intentional effort.

That disconnect contributes to a broader lack of understanding about Christianity, its practices and the meaning of its symbols. To be clear, none of this justifies destroying a statue of Jesus. But a lack of knowledge or relationship can help explain how someone might wrongly think there is nothing wrong with it. I have faced reactions from Jewish acquaintances ranging from negative to openly hostile because of my work building bridges with Christians. I have also seen moments of genuine awakening from others who are eager to understand the reality today and are encouraged by it.

The broader reaction to the incident also revealed a complex dynamic. Many voices, inside and outside Israel, moved quickly to condemn it  an entirely legitimate and necessary response. But others used the event to generalize about Israel or the Jewish people as a whole. That tendency to extrapolate from individual misconduct to collective guilt raises serious questions about fairness and consistency. Honest observers cannot help noticing that similar outrage is often absent when Christians face systemic persecution and violence elsewhere in the world, suggesting a troubling selectivity.

That does not diminish the seriousness of what happened in Lebanon, nor should it. But credibility in the pursuit of justice requires the same willingness to confront abuses regardless of the perpetrator or context. If someone is outraged by the destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier, yet says nothing about the widespread, state-sponsored persecution of Christians elsewhere in the broader Islamic world, that response reveals more hostility toward the Jewish state than concern for Christians well-being.

Ultimately, the distinction between individual actions and national policy is crucial. One soldiers behavior, however disgraceful, does not define an entire nation or its moral framework. At the same time, it does demand introspection and corrective action. The true test of a society lies not in the absence of wrongdoing, but in how it responds when wrongdoing occurs.

Painful as this moment is, it also presents an opportunity. It can serve as a catalyst for deeper dialogue, stronger interfaith relationships and more robust ethical standards within institutions. It can encourage both Israelis and Christian allies to move beyond assumptions and engage one another more directly and respectfully. Even among Christians quick to malign Israel, this can become an opening for honest conversation.

Neither the destruction of the statue nor the attempt to use it to defame Israel can be undone. But what follows  accountability, reflection and renewed commitment  will determine whether it remains an isolated act of shame or becomes the foundation for something better.

The goal is not merely to prevent future incidents but to foster genuine understanding rooted in mutual respect. Please join me in that effort.
WVCBA Membership Strengthens Ties in Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and the Greater West Ventura County Region for Camarillo-Headquartered Goldenstate Landscapes.

CAMARILLO, Calif., April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldenstate Landscapes, a trusted commercial landscaping provider in Ventura County and neighboring regions, has officially become a member of the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA), the chamber of commerce representing businesses throughout Camarillo, Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

This new affiliation strengthens Goldenstate Landscapes' local business engagement and underscores its commitment to contributing to the regional economy and business community. Through WVCBA membership, Goldenstate Landscapes will access enhanced networking, advocacy, and community resources, positioning the company to grow connections with business peers and community leaders.

"We're excited to join the West Ventura County Business Alliance, especially with the purchase of our new building in Camarillo within the Flynn Road Business Park built by TOLD Corporation," said Robert Olsen, President/CEO of Goldenstate Landscapes. "This WVCBA membership demonstrates our dedication to being a proactive community partner and aligns with our mission of building strong relationships with businesses and organizations across Ventura County."

The WVCBA is a dynamic business alliance that advocates local business interests, supports economic development initiatives, and fosters collaboration across sectors within the Camarillo, Oxnard and Port Hueneme business communities. Goldenstate Landscapes looks forward to engaging with the WVCBA's events and committees, sharing its expertise, and contributing to collective successes.

"We are so pleased to have such a reputable and quality commercial landscaping business like Goldenstate Landscapes as part of the WVCBA," said Andy Conli, President & CEO of the West Ventura County Business Alliance. "Robert has jumped right in to take full advantage of his membership and Goldenstate will be a phenomenal resource to the many businesses we serve throughout Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and beyond."

Goldenstate Landscapes welcomes opportunities to connect with fellow members and local stakeholders through upcoming WVCBA activities and events.

About Goldenstate Landscapes, Inc.

Founded in 2008, Goldenstate Landscapes provides full-service commercial landscaping solutions, emphasizing quality workmanship, sustainability, and client collaboration. The company's offerings include landscape maintenance, irrigation and water management, installations, and landscape lighting services across Ventura County and the greater Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.GoldenstateLandscapes.com.

About the West Ventura County Business Alliance

The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) is the Chamber of Commerce serving the cities of Camarillo, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme in California. The WVCBA is the voice for the interest of business with government, promotes economic development, works to improve the regional economy, and protects the business interests of the communities.



In March 2021, the membership of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce voted to unite with the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce and form the WVCBA. In January 2026, WVCBA formed a partnership with Port Hueneme to be recognized as the city's chamber of commerce. For more information, visit www.wvcba.org.

Media Contact:

Frank Tortorici

VP of Media Relations

Marketing Maven

[email protected]

(908) 875-8908

SOURCE Goldenstate Landscapes, Inc.
As a kid, I moved around a lot. I was born in California, but I've lived in Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Montana and Oklahoma. I never had the chance to call anywhere "home" for too long. So if you'd told me back then that I'd end up in China, I would've laughed. I visited China for the first time in 2016. I was 27 years old and got a job as an English teacher in Shenzhen, a fast-growing tech hub just across the border from Hong Kong. I sold my car and used the money to buy a plane ticket from North Carolina. I had never been outside the U.S. before. Over the next four years, living in Asia gave me the chance to travel to places like Cambodia and Thailand. I loved traveling because it was a profound chance to test my courage and resilience, find meaning and expand my worldview. Today, I live in Shenzhen with my wife and our two kids. Here's why it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

1. I met my wife and started a family

My wife was born in Tahiti and both her parents are from China. When we met, she was working here as a French teacher. When the pandemic hit, we'd been living in China for three years and were on vacation in the U.S. With the borders closed, my wife and I decided to relocate to Tahiti to be closer to her parents. Five years later, we had two kids under five. There were parts of our life in Tahiti that we liked, but something was missing. China still felt like our true home and we returned to Shenzhen in June 2025.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards My kids playing in Shenzhen Talent Park. Photo: Bradley Krae

I still feel so grateful for that first teaching job. Landing it was something of an accident, but without it, I wouldn't have my family and the life I have now.

2. I spend less money than I would in the U.S.

After we got back to Shenzhen in 2025, I continued my career as an English teacher, making around $4,000 a month. We rent a three-bedroom apartment for around $1,000 a month. Internet costs about $29, and electricity averages $100. We spend roughly $100 a month on groceries for our family of four. When we eat out, it's rare to spend more than $10 total. We also pay about $90 a month for healthcare.

My wife and I enjoying an evening out. Photo: Bradley Krae

All told, I'm paying about a fourth of the cost of what I used to pay for my monthly expenses when I lived in the U.S.  and that was when I was living by myself.

3. I feel like I'm living in the future

To me, Shenzhen is like if Silicon Valley and New York City had a baby in China. It is a bustling tech capital with surprises on every corner.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards One of the many surprises you can find walking around Shenzhen. Photo: Bradley Krae

Flying drones deliver food in 15 minutes or less and autonomous taxis drive on streets awash with sparkling neon lights. There is a real cyberpunk energy here.

Shenzhen is one of the most vibrant places I've ever called home. Photo: CNBC Make It

Public transportation is also great. The subway goes everywhere and they build the lines so quickly and efficiently. You can take the subway all the way across the city for about $0.30. I also don't generally walk around with a wallet or keys. If I need to pay for something, I use my phone, scan a QR code or use biometrics, like a hand print. It's super convenient.

Technology feels both advanced and accessible here. Photo: CNBC Make It

4. My job is flexible and pays well

When we lived in Tahiti, I also taught English and I made a few videos about that. But in 2025, my wife suggested that I start posting consistently on TikTok to give people a look at what life is like in China. I started an account, the videos took off and before I knew it, I was something of an influencer. This led to more opportunities, which landed me a full-time job as a marketing manager in February.

When we lived elsewhere, we always missed China. It's great to be back. Photo: Bradley Krae

It's a more traditional job than what I'm used to, and it does pay a little bit less than my teaching gig. Now I'm making closer to $3,500 a month, plus roughly $1,200 a month from my side gigs. But I'm not stuck at a desk all day. My company is flexible with hours, which gives me time to pursue other side hustles and interests, and I can take work home with me.

5. I feel like I can safely raise my kids here

Shenzhen is very family-friendly, with plenty for kids to do. The city has more than 1,000 parks, thousands of indoor play spaces and a wide range of community activities for families.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards There are so many fun activities for kids here. Photo: Bradley Krae

I have no need or desire to become a helicopter parent here. I'm not worried about things like gun violence. My main safety concern is the electric scooters flying down the sidewalks. My kids are also growing up trilingual. My wife speaks French with them, they speak English with me, and they learn Mandarin at their school, a public Chinese kindergarten. That costs around $300 per semester for both kids, including food.

Shenzhen is very walkable, and has some of the best public transportation. Photo: CNBC Make It
As geopolitical tensions ripple through global energy markets and a deal to end the U.S.-Iran war remains elusive, oil prices have soared, but there's an even better trade on energy volatility that investors have flocked to: the cost of moving crude.

The Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET ), a little-known exchange-traded fund tied to crude oil tanker freight rates, has surged more than 600% year-to-date as war and disruption in key maritime corridors drive shipping rates sharply higher.

"I started getting a lot of questions about this ETF, like, what is up with it? What kind of performance is this?" Cinthia Murphy, VettaFi director of research, said on this week's CNBC's "ETF Edge."

BWET is a $30 million portfolio that launched in May 2023, in an ETF market that has over $13 trillion in assets.

Murphy explained the scale of the move has forced the market to rethink where the real leverage in energy resides. Rather than focusing only on oil prices, which have been extremely volatile this year, investors may be looking toward infrastructure that the world relies on to move energy commodities.

"It really is a story about shipping costs," Murphy said. "Anytime you have some big disruption to shipping ... freight futures skyrocket and there's one ETF that captures pretty much that performance better than anybody else."
Pakistan's Army Chief and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (3rd R) meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (3rd L) upon his arrival in Islamabad on April 25, 2026.

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he has canceled plans to send U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan after Iran's chief negotiator left Islamabad after speaking only to Pakistani officials.

Trump said he canceled the U.S. delegation's trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians.

"Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their "leadership," the president wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards; they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!

Before boarding Air Force One for a return flight to Washington, Trump said Iran had improved an offer to resolve the conflict after he canceled the visit, "but not enough."

Witkoff and Kushner, the president's son-in-law, had been scheduled to head to Pakistan earlier in the day to engage in "direct talks" with their Iranian counterparts, according to the White House.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with the head of Pakistan's military, Asim Munir, the Iranian embassy in Pakistan said in a post on X on Saturday. A senior Iranian official said his government's representatives had no plans to meet with U.S. negotiators.

"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a post on X late Friday.

Reuters, citing two Pakistani government sources, said the Iranian delegation had flown out of the country on Saturday.

Araghchi, in a post on X, praised Pakistani leaders but appeared to dismiss talks with the Americans.

"Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value," he wrote. "Shared Iran's position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy."

Trump had told Reuters in a phone call on Friday that Iran would be "making an offer," adding that he did not yet know what it would be and that "we'll have to see."

Araghchi, earlier Friday, said he was "embarking on a timely tour" of Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow in order to "closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments." He made no remarks indicating that a meeting with U.S. officials was planned.

Oman's ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq met with Araghchi in Muscat, Oman's foreign ministry said Sunday in a post on X. Oman has been another mediator during the conflict.

The first round of peace talks, held two weeks ago in Islamabad and led on the U.S. side by Vice President JD Vance ended with no deal. Vance was not expected to accompany Witkoff and Kushner on Saturday's trip to Pakistan.

A U.S. delegation, including Vance, had been expected to travel to Pakistan earlier this week for further negotiations, but the trip was delayed after Iranian officials reportedly said they would not attend.

Much of the mutual disagreement has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, the major oil-shipping route that has seen traffic slow to a trickle amid Iranian threats and, as of last week, a retaliatory U.S. naval blockade.

Trump told Reuters that the U.S. will not lift its blockade of Iranian ports until a deal with Iran is struck.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Impresa Legal Group filed a consumer class action lawsuit on behalf of Jason Nufio and others against Aubrey "Drake" Graham, Adin Ross, Livingston "DJ Akademiks" Allen, George Nguyen, Stake, Kick and others. The complaint alleges that Drake, Ross, DJ Akademiks and Nguyen colluded together, with facilitation by Stake, to use its illegal gambling platform to discreetly transfer money to each other to finance fraudulent music botting campaigns.

The lawsuit, filed in Monmouth County Superior Court on behalf of a New Jersey Stake user, alleges that all Defendants have worked together to finance a campaign to create fraudulent streams of Drake's music, falsely inflate his popularity and notoriety, distort recommendation algorithms, disparage competitors and music label executives, and ultimately ensnare New Jersey residents in an unlicensed, online gaming platform. The complaint alleges that Stake's gaming platform is an illegal sweepstakes "real money" casino operating in violation of New Jersey's ban on sweepstakes gaming which passed overwhelmingly in 2025.

The complaint describes how the parties are strategically leveraging Stake's encrypted "tipping" feature to disseminate payments to bot operators and amplifiers in a way that is discreetly hidden from the public and regulatory view.

The lawsuit specifically points to public posts and leaked chat logs that document DJ Akademiks and Nguyen's collective coordination of funds through different payment platforms and the creation and paid promotion of narratives on social media that it alleges create fictitious praise for Drake and Ross and their music. Livingston "DJ Akademiks" Allen is a resident of Monmouth County.

Nguyen, an Australian national, is alleged to act as the facilitator to convert Stake-based cryptocurrency into cash and subsequently use those funds to execute integrated paid clipping campaigns and liaise with bot vendors to coordinate narratives.

As the complaint alleges, Stake has "outright rigged its own games in favor of Drake and Ross, in order to increase the promotional value of Drake's use of the Stake platform and make Stake.us seem more enticing to users and potential consumers."

The lawsuit seeks refunds of all wagers made by the class members, payment of all taxes owed for the ongoing illegal gaming, as well as a permanent injunction barring Stake from operating its gaming platform in violation of New Jersey law.

About Impresa Legal Group: Impresa Legal Group is a boutique law firm founded by seasoned legal practitioners with years of experience who share the goal of providing practical legal solutions to the problems its clients face. The firm advises national and international clients in the areas of litigation, government contracts, and corporate transactions. For more information please visit: impresalegal.com or email: [email protected]

SOURCE Impresa Legal Group
The Trump administration said on Friday it had imposed sanctions on an independent "teapot" refinery in China for buying billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil, as Washington and Tehran head into another round of peace talks over the weekend.

The Treasury Department targeted Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, which it said is one of Iran's largest customers of crude oil and petroleum products. The department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said it also imposed sanctions on about 40 shipping companies and vessels that operate as part of Iran's shadow fleet.

China has said it opposes "illegal" unilateral sanctions.

On Friday, its embassy in Washington said normal trade should not be harmed and called on Washington to stop "abusing" sanctions to target Chinese companies.

"We call on the U.S. to stop politicizing trade and sci-tech issues and using them as a weapon and a tool and stop abusing various kinds of sanction to hit Chinese companies," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

Last year, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical.

That created some hurdles for the refiners, including difficulties receiving crude and having to sell refined products under different names. Teapots account for a quarter of Chinese refinery capacity, operate with narrow and sometimes negative margins and have been squeezed recently by tepid domestic demand.
USP Sacramento, Inc. allegedly failed to accurately record employees' time during their shifts. Allegedly, this resulted in violations of various California Labor Codes.

**THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT**

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that USP Sacramento, Inc. violated the California Labor Code. The USP Sacramento, Inc. class action lawsuit, Case No. 26CV007218, is currently pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed

According to the lawsuit filed, USP Sacramento, Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, (f) failed to pay sick wages, and (g) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

The lawsuit further alleges that Defendant failed to provide all the legally required off-duty meal and rest breaks and failed to compensate Plaintiffs for missed meal and rest breaks. These employees, from time to time, were denied their first rest periods of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of at least two (2) to four (4) hours, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of ten (10) hours or more, from time to time. Defendant allegedly paid Plaintiffs less than they would have been paid had they been paid for their actual recorded time rather than "rounded" time. Allegedly, Defendant violated Cal. Lab. Code  1194, 1197, and 1197.1 .

For more information about the class action lawsuit against USP Sacramento, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

**THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT**

Media Contact

Nicholas De Blouw

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP

(800) 568-8020

[email protected]

https://www.bamlawca.com/

SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP
Mozambican exporters hail China's zero-tariff policy to boost agricultural trade expansion

Xinhua) 10:35, April 25, 2026

A South African exhibitor (L) speaks to a visitor at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 23, 2026. China's zero-tariff policy will significantly boost African exports by slashing trade costs and enhancing the price competitiveness of products, said Mozambican exporters on Thursday at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, April 23 (Xinhua) -- China's zero-tariff policy will significantly boost African exports by slashing trade costs and enhancing the price competitiveness of products, said Mozambican exporters on Thursday at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city.

Starting next month, China will implement duty-free access for goods from 53 African nations with diplomatic ties, including Mozambique, a move that has generated significant buzz and optimism among exhibitors across the trade fair venues.

Mozambican producers of avocados, lychees and other agricultural products hope to penetrate the lucrative Chinese market and benefit from the policy, said Alves Vicente, a provincial delegate from Mozambique's Zambezi Valley Development Agency (ZVDA), an organization that promotes investment.

"The market is asking for more, demand is huge, and Mozambique can export those products to China," he said.

By removing trade barriers, African agricultural products and manufactured goods will be more attractive to Chinese consumers as the zero-tariff policy enhances price advantages over other regions, he said.

Vicente emphasized the positive-circle effect of the policy -- increased export volumes translate directly into higher incomes for local farmers and broader economic growth for Mozambique. As farmers aim to export to China, partnerships with Chinese enterprises can broaden opportunities and increase market access.

"Many enterprises need support, and we are trying to do our best to help them. Right now, the President of Mozambique is in China searching for investment, and Mozambique is a potential country for investment," he said.

To prepare for this influx of demand, the ZVDA is already providing farmers with specialized credit lines, modern equipment, and technical expertise.

Running from April 20 to 25, ZITF acts as Zimbabwe's premier platform for local and international businesses to showcase products, network and explore investment opportunities.

About 15 Mozambican enterprises are exhibiting at the trade fair, with a strategic focus on expanding their export footprint in the region.

People walk by the Mozambican pavilion during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 23, 2026. China's zero-tariff policy will significantly boost African exports by slashing trade costs and enhancing the price competitiveness of products, said Mozambican exporters on Thursday at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

An Ethiopian exhibitor showcases leather products at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 23, 2026. China's zero-tariff policy will significantly boost African exports by slashing trade costs and enhancing the price competitiveness of products, said Mozambican exporters on Thursday at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
XI'AN, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiyang News, a globally authoritative photovoltaic media outlet, officially released its April 2026 edition of the "TOP SOLAR MODULES LISTING". LONGi's EcoLife series modules (LR7-54HJD-510M), built on HIBC technology, have firmly claimed the top spot with a mass production efficiency of 25%. This milestone marks international recognition of LONGi's innovation strength in the back-contact (BC) technology pathway and ushers in a new "25%+" era for PV module efficiency.

Since 2022, Taiyang News has published its monthly "TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing," now widely recognized as an authoritative efficiency ranking in the global PV industry. The ranking imposes stringent inclusion criteria: only products that have achieved large-scale mass production, have complete technical data, and deliver conversion efficiency of 21.5% are considered. Moreover, all data must come from commercial products already delivered to end customers. With "real and deliverable" as its baseline, the ranking holds high industry reference value and credibility, serving as a barometer for global PV module efficiency levels. LONGi's top position proves that its HIBC products have reached the world's highest efficiency in real mass production.

Behind this achievement lies LONGi's persistent efforts in BC technology. HIBC (High-temperature/Low-temperature Hybrid Interdigitated Back-Contact) cell technology is a major innovation along LONGi's BC roadmap. It combines the high passivation performance of heterojunction (HJT) technology with the superior light utilization of the back-contact structure, achieving the world's first mass production of such modules. In April 2025, the ISFH (Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin) certified LONGi's HIBC cell efficiency at 27.81%, setting a new world record for this technology and approaching the theoretical limit of single-crystalline silicon cells.

Li Zhenguo, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of LONGi, commented: "This is another peak that LONGi has reached in technological innovation, as well as another major breakthrough in our BC technology journey. We have taken PV module efficiency to a significantly higher level, fully demonstrating the high scalability of BC technology and the substantial room for further efficiency gains."

The EcoLife series modules, designed specifically for residential applications, deliver a maximum power output of up to 510W. The EcoLife series modules increase the cell-to-module area ratio from 93.2% to 95.1%, thereby significantly enhancing light absorption. To address shading issues, the modules feature a unique quasi-bypass diode structure that enables current routing. Under shading, power loss is reduced by more than 70% compared to TOPCon products, making them highly resistant to soiling and shadows. With a leading power density of 250W/m, the modules effectively solve the challenge of generating more power on limited roof areas, substantially reducing household electricity costs.

Martin Green, known as the "Father of PV" and a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia, has praised the technology: "On the 'Solar Cell Efficiency Tables' list, LONGi's HIBC technology dominates, taking the number one spot. This is also attributable to LONGi's persistent efforts on the BC technology track."

To date, LONGi's HIBC and BC series modules have gained extensive market validation worldwide. In January 2026, the LONGi EcoLife won the German Excellence Award 2026 in the "Energy & Environment" category. The jury's citation read: "LONGi EcoLife: Higher Power Generation, Higher Safety  Modules for an Uncertain Climate Future," specifically acknowledging the product's technical leadership and application value. In February, LONGi renewed a three-year framework agreement with Energy 3000, a well-known European energy solutions provider, to continuously supply a total of 2GW of high-efficiency PV modules, focusing on HPBC 2.0 and LONGi EcoLife modules based on HIBC technology.

At present, HIBC cell technology has already achieved large-scale mass production. LONGi has built a complete BC technology matrix ranging from HPBC 2.0 to HIBC. Moving forward, LONGi will continue to drive technological innovation, further boost module efficiency and power density through its BC technology platform, deepen global market applications of high-efficiency products such as HIBC, and strive to deliver more valuable clean energy solutions to customers worldwide, contributing to the global energy transition and the realization of carbon neutrality goals.

SOURCE LONGi
Imagine their panic, the sudden rush of adrenaline. It was May 14, 2004, and a patrol of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were in some dodgy territory near Amarah in southern Iraq  and they were ambushed.

They came under fire from about 100 soldiers of the Mahdi army, a brutal group of insurgents trained and funded by Irans Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The position of the British soldiers was bad. Their communications were down. The battle lasted three hours and, for the first time in decades, British troops were obliged to fix bayonets and to charge across open ground.

It was bravery that was ultimately rewarded with victory. Though several were wounded, British forces ended up killing 28 of the enemy and scattering the rest.

The Battle of Danny Boy  as it was called after a local checkpoint  was a heroic engagement, and one of the UK soldiers was later, rightly, awarded the Military Cross. The smoke of battle had hardly cleared, however, before Left-wing lawyers in London started to accuse these men of war crimes.

It was a ruthless, cynical and dishonest campaign that exploited the insanity of human rights law to ruin the lives of brave and innocent people.

An ambulance-chasing solicitor called Phil Shiner  now a convicted criminal  sent paid intermediaries to Iraq, to find anyone who felt that their human rights had been abused; and it didnt take long to build the case.

By February 2008, Shiner had enough to go public, and he gave a press conference in which he accused the heroes of Danny Boy of capturing, torturing and killing innocent Iraqi civilians.

The gallant veterans of Danny Boy were dragged through hell, for years, over false allegations

The claims of UK war crimes were so shocking to the British public that in 2009 the Labour government set up what became known as the Al-Sweady Inquiry  after one of the alleged victims. After five years and up to 31 million in costs, the whole thing collapsed.

It was a pack of lies. There were no summary executions. There was no torture. The claimants were not innocent Iraqi civilians, as they claimed.

They werent out shopping for yoghurt or tending to their crops. They were lying, cozening members of the Mahdi Army, exploiting the extraordinary willingness of the British legal system to attack and undermine the very people who keep our country free.

The gallant veterans of Danny Boy were dragged through hell, for years, over false allegations. Worse, it is now clear that Shiner and his ambulance-chasing colleagues were warned  with ever-increasing certainty  that the allegations were false.

And the most shameful and disgusting aspect of the whole affair is that Shiners legal counsel  the man who advised him how to handle the case  is now serving as a key Cabinet minister, as Attorney General, in Starmers government.

Thanks to the disclosure of thousands of documents, we know that Richard, Lord Hermer, was at the heart of these calumnies  and actually advised Shiner & Co how to make the most of them. The crucial email is from February 17, 2008.

You need to make more of the summary executions, he says. You need to get this on the Today programme  and, with breathtaking cynicism, he recommends leaving some wriggle room in case it turns out not to be true. He egged them on. He hyped it up  even though he obviously suspected already that the case might not be well-founded.

It now turns out that it was Hermer who was the impresario behind that infamous press conference, and who encouraged Shiner to make accusations about British Armed Forces  even though doubts were clearly already surfacing.

When the whole thing was on the point of disintegrating, and the fraud was surely becoming obvious, Hermer refused to give up, according to a new cache of 25,000 documents. He calculated that the MoD could still be bullied into paying settlements to the Mahdi Army soldiers, even though their claims were worthless.

He urged the solicitors to pursue the Army for hundreds of thousands of pounds, for allegations that were deeply discrediting to the UK, and that were completely without foundation and which  this is the crucial point  he by now must have suspected were almost certainly without foundation.

Lord Hermers spokesman has said that any suggestion he acted for individuals with knowledge that their claims were false is categorically untrue. But to me his behaviour looks not just shameful but positively treasonable, consciously acting against the interests of this country and of its armed services.

He didnt have to take this case, against British troops. He did it on a no-win, no-fee basis because, I believe, he instinctively sympathised with the objective  the humiliation of his own country.

Lord Hermer didnt have to take this case, against British troops. He instinctively sympathised with the objective  the humiliation of his own country, writes Boris Johnson

'Starmer, Shiner, Hermer: they are all of them part of a cabal of Left-wing lawyers whose starting point is that Britain is in the wrong'

Why is this man still in the Government? The answer is that Hermer is Starmers most dependable political ally and closest ideological kinsman  and the result is that as a legal team they are now leading the most unpatriotic government in British history.

It was Starmer and Hermer, working together in the mid-2000s, who helped expand the remit of the European Convention on Human Rights so that it could be applied to the actions of UK forces overseas. Starmer not only took a critical role in developing this concept of lawfare  he actually co-wrote a book with his crooked chum Phil Shiner, on the Iraq War and International Law (which is still available).

Starmer, Shiner, Hermer: they are all of them part of a cabal of Left-wing lawyers whose starting point is that Britain is in the wrong.

They believe implicitly that if British troops are sent overseas, they will be engaged in the abuse of human rights; and no matter how slender or even fallacious the evidence may be, they will be happy to persecute these soldiers to the end of their days.

Even now, the Starmer government is removing the protections (put in by the government I led) for UK Northern Ireland veterans, so that old, failed prosecutions can be re-started against men in their 80s  who were once just frightened young men, trying to do their duty on the streets of Londonderry and Belfast  and so that they can face more pointless years of legal misery and uncertainty.

This Government is recklessly corroding the bond of trust between armed services and the state. It is no wonder SAS soldiers are resigning in droves.

It is no wonder we struggle to recruit. How can you send people into battle if they think they are going to face prosecution and decades of misery, just for trying to protect themselves and their comrades and defend their country?

How can we hope for more powerful and effective Armed Forces if we have to waste billions on lawfare? Starmer and Hermer are making it all but impossible for Britain to fight, at a time when we desperately need to build up our defences.

We need now to restore protections for Northern Ireland veterans. We need to stop the ridiculous and one-sided application of human rights law to UK forces overseas.

All those lying Iraqis, recruited and funded by Phil Shiner  were they ever prosecuted for trying to fleece the UK taxpayer, or to ruin the lives of innocent British soldiers? Of course not. How the hell could we arrest them, even if we found them?

As for the lefty lawyers behind it all, and who run the Government, well, it looks as though Starmer will go before too long. But on the basis of his vomit-inducing willingness to denigrate brave British troops whom he was warned were almost certainly innocent, I believe Hermer should go today.
On February 9 this year, Keir Starmer was handed one final chance to save himself and his premiership. After a weekend of soul-searching, the Cabinet emerged one by one on social media to express their loyalty. Their messages of support isolated Labours Scottish leader, Anas Sarwar, who at precisely the same moment was arriving at a press conference to call on the Prime Minister to stand down.

The immediate crisis over Peter Mandelson duly abated. No 10 announced another reset. Starmer would, they insisted, now be able to move on from scandal. He would begin to drive forward stage three of his agenda (whatever that actually was) and slowly transform his partys fortunes.

It was a fantasy. As the events of the past week have brutally proved, Starmer is never going to be able to move on from Mandelson. He is never going to be able to relaunch his accursed premiership. And unless he sets out a clear timetable for his departure from office, his government, his party and the country are simply going to fall apart.

On Friday I spoke to a senior Cabinet minister who, although not a strong supporter of the Prime Minister, had consistently rubbished suggestions that he would be ousted in the short term. He has now completely reversed his view. Its all changed this week, he said. To be honest, Keirs always been on shaky ground. It was never going to take much to push things over the edge. And thats whats happened. Now its going to get very messy.

Its not simply going to be messy. Unless Starmer can be made to see sense, anarchy is going to descend on his administration.

First, the phoney war that has been waged for months on the Labour benches is going to be conducted in the open. Over the past 48 hours I have spoken to allies of all the major high-profile leadership contenders. Each confirmed the contest to replace Starmer is under way.

Andy Burnham ally: Its been death by a thousand cuts for Keir. Thats over now. Ive been told to gear up for May 8.

Angela Rayner ally: Ideally she wanted to wait for the tax issue to be sorted. But she came to the view that if it all kicked off shed have to throw her hat in the ring. And its all kicking off.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leaving 10 Downing Street, London, after his announcement in February that he wouldn't be resigning

Following the departure of Morgan McSweeney as chief of staff, Starmer has found it impossible to entice anyone of stature to pick up that poisoned chalice, writes Dan Hodges

Wes Streeting ally: What the local election results are going to graphically underline is how we need someone who is capable of building a broad coalition. We have to be able to build support on both flanks of the party. At the moment were losing everywhere.

Then there is the wider Cabinet. Among senior ministers a view is forming that a greybeard, or whatever the female equivalent is of a greybeard should be inserted to counteract the dysfunctionality that is tearing apart Downing Street. The idea is a candidate would be settled upon, and endorsement sought from the wider Parliamentary Labour Party.

Names under discussion include John Healey, Pat McFadden, Hilary Benn, Yvette Cooper and Bridget Phillipson.

But while these discussions are taking place, there is a danger they will be overtaken by events. Rumours are circulating that at least one high-profile minister is preparing to resign. And when that happens, another minister told me, everything will move very quickly.

But all this pales into insignificance when set against the utter carnage that will ensue if Starmers last allies in the No 10 bunker are able to deploy the increasingly crazed strategies currently being contemplated to try to save the Prime Ministers skin.

One of the issues leading to last weeks political implosion is that no one is actually in charge of Downing Street. Following the departure of Morgan McSweeney as chief of staff, Starmer has found it impossible to entice anyone of stature to pick up that poisoned chalice. With catastrophic consequences.

The decision to sack Olly Robbins without taking the time to gather all the facts surrounding Mandelsons vetting is viewed by the Cabinet as nothing short of an act of corporate insanity on the part of Starmers aides.

A similar view has been taken of his teams decision to send the Prime Minister into the chamber to read selective  and, in one case, completely false  quotes from Robbins committee testimony.

Olly Robbins was dismissed in April 2026 over the controversy around Peter Mandelson's appointment

Former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson after he was released following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office

On Friday, a senior Starmer adviser was reduced to literally screaming down the phone at journalists who had chronicled the contradiction between Robbins statements and the Prime Ministers incredible PMQs assertion that no pressure had been brought to bear on civil servants.

And things are only going to get worse. Tomorrow its widely believed that the Speaker will grant a request from the opposition parties for a vote to refer Starmer to the House of Commons Privileges Committee.

At which point, according to senior Labour sources, he is being urged by his officials to threaten to bring down the entire government by turning the issue into a confidence motion.

As one MP said: That would be a f****** disgrace. Imagine how it would look to the country? Keir spent all that time trying to drag Boris Johnson to the committee. Then when hes in the frame he threatens to machine-gun his own party and MPs. But potentially most destabilising of all, there is what his aides are urging as the final throw of the dice.

With the axing of Robbins, there was a perception Starmer had no one left to cast aside. But according to senior Labour sources, he is preparing one more ritualistic sacrifice by announcing a reshuffle in which Rachel Reeves, Peter Kyle and Liz Kendall will be thrown to the wolves.

As another Labour source observed: This is the last gasp of a dying man. Hes going to have to be dragged out of No 10 with his fingernails clinging to the wallpaper.

Until last week, the line from the PMs allies was that the dangerous international situation, plus other momentous challenges facing the country, meant this was no time for his removal.

But now that argument has come back to haunt him.

Its obvious to everyone that Starmers authority has collapsed to the point where he is no longer capable of doing anything other than focus on his own personal survival and stagger through another 24-hour media cycle.

Similarly, the campaign to replace him is already under way. But if it continues to be conducted outside of a formal election framework, it will quickly degenerate, as the candidates begin to turn flame-throwers on the Prime Minister  and on each other.

Two months ago Starmer was handed one final chance to save himself. He blew it, and his fall is now inevitable.

The only question is whether he insists on dragging his government, his party and his country down with him.
Martin Fordham remembers very clearly his words to his mother Janet as she packed up her life in Devon and prepared to depart for Ghana. If you get on that plane Ill never see you again, he said.

How he wishes he could turn back time to that moment in October four years ago and shout louder, protest more vociferously, do anything in his power to dissuade his mother, then 69, from setting off on her single-minded and fatefully misguided mission.

For, as the Daily Mail revealed this week, Janet Fordhams journey to Ghana was to end in the wreckage of a car crash at the side of a dusty road, four months after landing in the West African country.

The circumstances of Janets death remain a source of unrelenting pain for her family. They remain convinced that the crash was no accident  and that she was murdered. Janet had travelled to Ghana to meet Kofi, a man shed met online, who she believed could help her recover the fortune shed lost to romance scammers.

Im sorry but she didnt die in a car crash, there is no doubt in my mind, said Martins wife, Mel, this week. We believe she was killed, she was murdered. It is perhaps understandable that Janets bereft family would lash out as they try to make sense of their mothers death but it must be stressed that an inquest at Devon Coroners Court on Wednesday concluded that she died from severe head injuries, probably sustained in the crash.

She hadnt been wearing a seatbelt when the car she was travelling in left the road and flipped on to its roof and was still breathing when the wreck happened.

The crash represented the final, tragic twist in a desperately sad six-year saga in which widow Janet was fleeced of up to 1 million in a series of romance frauds perpetuated, police believe, by a single criminal gang, operating from multiple countries.

That her death came on Valentines Day, in 2023, feels like a particularly cruel end note.

Janet Fordham packed up her life in Devon for Ghana to meet Kofi, a man shed met online, who she believed could help her recover the fortune shed lost to romance scammers

Her journey to Ghana ended in the wreckage of a car crash at the side of a dusty road, four months after landing in the West African country

Sitting at the kitchen of his family home in Honiton, the same home Janet left, Martin, 50, is still battling to unpick the trail of devastation wreaked by the callous scammers who exploited his much-loved mothers loneliness, bleeding her of every hard-earned penny of her savings and plunging her further and further into debt.

Family photos depicting happier times hang on the walls as Martin and his childminder wife Mel  who have five daughters who have lost a beloved grandmother  describe the nightmare that haunts them.

They are bewildered by it all, not least how that crash unfolded and how Janet sustained the head injury that killed her. They learned this week that police in Ghana did open a murder inquiry in the wake of Janets death, which was swiftly abandoned. It has left Martin deeply suspicious.

He returns to that fateful conversation he had with his mother before she left the UK  on a quest, she believed, to recover her fortune, with the help of yet another dashing knight in shining armour shed met online.

I felt she was going to get knocked over the head trying to get her money back but she said, Ive got no other choice. We were trying to shock her into understanding but she was so blinkered.

Martin, a farrier, couldnt face going to the inquest, so Mel went on the couples behalf.

She told the court how vigorously theyd tried to help Janet, to stop her leaving when their own suspicions were high. As she says: Since the inquest Ive read hurtful comments online about us, saying where was her family when she was giving away all her money.

If only they knew the years of stress we went through. We want to raise awareness about these scams. For somebody like Janet who was switched on to fall so badly for this, I dread to think how easy it is with other people.

Janet was not a lavish spender nor, insist her family, was she a fool. People might find it hard to believe but she was a very shrewd woman, says Mel, the type who would darn her own socks and boil the bones of a chicken carcass for the next days meal.

Such frugality was doubtless shaped by the tragedy of her early life. She was just 22 when her plumber husband Roger was killed while working on their first home together, in the East Devon village of Offwell; he was digging a well when the earth collapsed on top of him.

Janet became a single mother to two children  Martin, one, and his sister Julie, two  and threw herself into giving them all she could. Mum brought my sister and me up together, recalls Martin. We moved to Honiton where we started riding and Mum had two jobs in order to pay for horses. She worked really hard, six or seven days per week.

There was a second chance at love in a 20-year relationship with another man, Gerald, but that too ended in tragedy when he developed dementia and died.

Lonely and working long hours as a housekeeper for a wealthy family with children, it was in 2017 when Janet first got an online dating account, suggested by Mel and Martin  something they now bitterly regret.

It wasnt long before she had the first of a series of fateful encounters. First, she fell for a man who claimed to be a sergeant in the British Army, working in Syria, who would soon be retiring to the UK. Before long they were in love.

I remember her happily telling us all about it and I was thinking it sounds like b*****ks, says Mel.

I remember saying, Janet we have no soldiers there, this doesnt add up. I joked that the next thing hed be asking for money to buy a house. Whatever you do, dont give him any.

It wasnt until years later that Mel and Martin discovered that was exactly what Janet had done. The fraudster, using a ruse about needing help to get gold bars back to the UK, had persuaded Janet to part with 140,000.

Not that she told them. Shame, guilt or pride meant she kept it to herself and only reported her own fears to police. How it escalated from there we wont ever know, says Mel. Because she wasnt forthcoming with us once she knew what we thought.

As Martin adds: She knew she was being scammed but didnt want to admit it. She really was a stubborn woman.

They have pieced together the escalation of events from investigations that have been conducted and know there were more scams, further identities, yet more stories of ruthless scammers targeting this vulnerable woman.

The inquest was told a large scale operation had been identified, involving online activity with people in Ghana, Germany, the US and UK.

Martin says that his mother 'knew she was being scammed but didnt want to admit it'

It was in 2017 when Janet first got an online dating account  only to later fall victim to romance fraudsters who persuaded her to part with her money

Janet sold a valuable tranche of land, used all her savings, maxed out credit cards and borrowed tens of thousands of pounds from other family members as the noose tightened.

She wouldnt tell us anything, sighs Martin. She started driving off to send [cash] via money transfers. We would get places to bar her and she would go further afield.

After another scam by a man posing as a diplomat, Janets bank account was frozen. Later her account was restricted so she could only pay direct debits and go to Tesco but couldnt make large transfers.

Her response? She started making up stories, says Mel.

[The bank] would have to ring the police because she was kicking off, demanding her money. She told them she wanted 17,000 for a horse; they rang me because she was getting so irate and I had to rush in and take her away.

Janet sold land she owned for 240,000. Within hours of it hitting her account, it had left it again  into the hands of scammers.

This couple have wrestled with why Janet did what she did. She never thought we were helping her. She saw it as us getting in the way. If anything, we were stopping her making a profit, says Martin.

But who was the man driving the car when Janet died?

As the inquest heard, he first contacted Janet in 2018 saying he was a doctor in Ghana, working part-time in a friends mobile phone repair shop.

Kofi, 52, told Janet he believed she had been scammed, after seeing messages on a phone he was working on. Whether she genuinely believed what she was being told, we will never know, Mel says.

We tried everything to stop her. We tried to take her to her doctor but because she was of sound mind they wouldnt do anything. We tried to get power of attorney but her exact words were over my dead body.

Janets family could only watch, helpless, as the relentless cycle of fraud continued.

Janet wouldnt tell us much, so we started opening some of her mail and discovered that she had cashed in a chunk of her pension, Mel told the inquest. She was withdrawing the maximum 500 a day, we believe to stockpile, and then transferred cash as the banks had stopped her doing electronic transfers.

There were, they know, meetings with fraudsters in London, during which she handed over thousands of pounds.

It all put a terrible strain on the family, who went to the police in 2020 and 2022. Officers spoke to Janet, who by then was living in a caravan at Martin and Mels home, having sold her own home years before, keeping the proceeds as a nest egg; police couldnt investigate further because she wouldnt engage. But what they told Janets family was enough to heighten their concerns.

Mel was terrified. One time when she was living in a caravan beside our house, Id just had a baby and she casually said, Im expecting a delivery from Kofi, you dont need to know what. I was furious shed given our address to him. The police tried to get her to realise the danger. She gave away everything.

She got to the point she lost so much weight because she wasnt eating so she could send every penny she was earning to the gang.

She had no rent, no mortgage, no bills, no hobbies. She was earning over 20 an hour, working 50-hour weeks housekeeping but her accounts were overdrawn and credit cards maxed out. She sold a really old Land Rover and sent all the money straight to them.

The police worked out she borrowed 150,000 from friends and family and sent that.

By 2022, Janet was making plans to fly to Accra in Ghana. We found out she would be flying when she told us a delivery was coming and wed need to sign for it, says Mel. The delivery? A visa for travel to Ghana. As soon as I saw the van I rushed out like a shot and signed for it because I am Mrs Fordham then threw the bloody thing in the bin, recalls Mel. She was so angry because she had a flight booked the next day and couldnt go.

But she got another one sorted within days. At no point did she say she was going for love or romance, she said she was trying to get her money back.

The family spent 16,000 repatriating Janets body  but they say the biggest loss is of the woman they loved so dearly

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.

Before she left, in August 2022, Martin had that prescient conversation with his mum. Her response to him was to say: Ive got no other choice.

Its clear that whatever Janet claimed about her reasons for leaving, she felt differently in Ghana.

She sent a video to her son on WhatsApp, next to a smiling Kofi  a younger man wearing a confident smile with his arm wrapped around her; there was another one of men pouring concrete for a home. Kofi is building a new house, she said.

It was the last contact mother and son ever had. Martin learned of his mothers death in the most appalling of ways, on February 14, 2023.

Kofi, he says, sent him four separate videos  the first of a car wreck, the second of Janets limp body with medics performing CPR, the third of her corpse on a table and the fourth, her body in a mortuary drawer. Accompanying the videos was a request to send 10,000 to cover medical fees.

Im not sure what he was thinking when he sent it or what it was to bloody do; was it to prove shes there and hes trying to get her care? says Martin, in disgust. He keeps a tight lid on the emotional undercurrent, struggling to remember anything but the shock.

There was more communication, Mel says, when Kofi began contacting Janets elderly brother, also asking him to send money. It felt like he was trying to squeeze every last penny out of us, she says.

Kofi was arrested in Ghana and told police he had been driving with Janet to get approval from a family member to marry when the car swerved on an undulating road and flipped on to its roof.

He admitted driving offences, receiving a suspended prison sentence and a fine.

When approached by the Daily Mail, Kofi insisted he and Janet were in love. I loved Janet, she was my girlfriend and we were very much in love. We were planning to get married when she was killed. She wanted to make a life in Ghana with me. She was happy here with me. The family are wrong to say I was involved; I think about what happened every day. It was an accident.

But Janets family remain deeply suspicious. Coroner Philip Spinney concluded that Janet died as a consequence of a head injury that was probably sustained in a road traffic collision.

Home Office pathologist Dr Deborah Cook could not say how the death had been caused nor how Janet got the depressed skull fracture. After the autopsy, they kept a quarter of her brain, says Mel. The only bit that could definitely tell us how she died.

We believe she was murdered. Why else are police reports inconsistent? Why did they say they are investigating it as a murder then suddenly change their minds? Why did they keep the only part of her brain that could tell us what happened? Its highly suspicious.

The family spent 16,000 repatriating Janets body  but the bigger loss is of the woman they loved so dearly. We feel let down by everybody, adds Mel. This didnt need to happen. It could have been stopped. People are so easily scammed there needs to be another layer of protection for people who slip through the net.

We were crying out for help to so many people and nobody could do anything. We just had to say goodbye and let her go.
On a special episode of the Daily Mail's Trial podcast, veteran crime reporters Caroline Cheetham and Nick Fagge sit down with Dr Emma Katz, a world-leading expert in abusive relationships and the crime of coercive control.

Dr Katz, a senior lecturer in criminology at Edge Hill University, reveals that around two million cases of domestic abuse occur in England and Wales every year and that 97 per cent of those convicted of coercive control are male.

Coercive control is a sustained pattern of psychological abuse, isolation and intimidation designed to strip a victim of their independence. It became a criminal offence in 2015, yet despite nearly 50,000 offences recorded last year, fewer than 900 people were convicted.

Asked by co-host Fagge how to identify abuse in a loved one's relationship, Dr Katz said to focus on the suspected perpetrator's 'actions rather than their words.'

Dr Katz reveals that around two million cases of domestic abuse occur in England and Wales every year and that 97 per cent of those convicted of coercive control are male

Asked by co-host Fagge how to identify abuse in a loved one's relationship, Dr Katz (pictured) said to focus on the suspected perpetrator's 'actions rather than their words.'

Listen to the full interview with Dr Emma Katz by subscribing to The Crime Desk

This is because the overwhelming majority of abusers deploy what psychologists call DARVO, a calculated three-step manipulation strategy so common among perpetrators that Dr Katz describes it as their 'default' behaviour.

'It stands for deny, attack and reverse victim and offender,' Dr Katz explained.

'They will deny that they have been abusive. They will attack the credibility and character of the victim to all the people around her who might be able to help.

'For example, saying she's mentally ill, that she's addicted to drink or substances, so that we can't believe a word that she says because she's not credible.

'Then, they will try to imply that they are the real victim. That they are the ones who have suffered, who have been harmed. For families who do believe the victims it's so challenging.'

A report by the National Police Chiefs' Council, discussed in the podcast, suggests the true figure could be closer to 1,500 women a year dying by suicide as a result of coercive control.

Dr Katz describes leaving an abusive partner as 'one of the most difficult things a human being can ever do'

Dr Katz says the most important thing friends and family can do is remain patient, reminding them that you are there whenever they are ready.

She describes leaving an abusive partner as 'one of the most difficult things a human being can ever do' and warns that it may take several attempts.

True 'allyship', she says, means resisting frustration and ensuring the victim never feels more isolated than they already are.

'The advice I would give is just to be there for them without judgement,' Dr Katz said.

'It takes victims often many attempts to leave before they are able to finally do it.

'They are resisting huge amounts of psychological abuse and manipulation, as well as physical threats. All things that keep sucking them back into the perpetrator's web of control.

'Try and stay patient and let them know that you are ready for them whenever they are ready.

'If they want practical help, tell them that you will be there with money. That you will be there with a car. That you will give them that help when they're ready for it.'

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247. The line is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Listen to the full interview with Dr Emma Katz by subscribing to The Crime Desk. Subscribe today for access to the Trial+ podcast, ad-free listening and a host of other member benefits.
In October 2016, at the height of the Islamist terror wave that had already claimed my friend Theo van Gogh, the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists, the Bataclan concertgoers in Paris and the patrons of a Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the Southern Poverty Law Center sat down in its offices in Montgomery, Alabama, and published a document called 'A Journalist's Manual: Field Guide to Anti-Muslim Extremists.'

My name was on it.

So were activists Maajid Nawaz, Daniel Pipes, David Horowitz and a dozen others whose only alleged sin was insisting that Islam, like every other tradition of ideas, should be subject to criticism, reform and public debate.

I want to be precise about that moment in 2016. I was not, at that point, an anonymous person. In fact, I was already in hiding.

The assassin who shot, stabbed and decapitated Theo van Gogh, the Dutch filmmaker, on an Amsterdam street had pinned a note to Theo's chest with a knife promising I would be next.

I had already lived under police protection on two continents. There was already, quite literally, a target on my back. What the SPLC did was paint a bigger one over it and offer a standing invitation to every would-be jihadist with a laptop and a grievance.

The 'Journalist's Manual' was framed as a warning to the public. To me, it was a hit list.

The assassin who shot, stabbed and decapitated Theo van Gogh, the Dutch filmmaker, on an Amsterdam street had pinned a note to Theo's chest with a knife promising I would be next (Pictured: Van Gogh murder scene in 2004)

An injured person is transported to an ambulance after a shooting at the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo's office in Paris, France in January 2015

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Founder of AHA Foundation and Contributor to the Restoring the West Substack

The SPLC has, for a decade now, trafficked in something I recognize from the Islamist milieu of my youth: the blacklist.

When Theo was assassinated in broad daylight, he was on a list.

When Bangladeshi secularist bloggers were hacked to death by machete in 2015 in Dhaka, they were on a list.

The mechanism is not obscure. Some authority publishes the names; the zealots do the rest.

Why had the SPLC, founded in 1971 to protect the hard-earned gains of the civil rights movement and which had once sued the Ku Klux Klan into bankruptcy, begun to traffic in such methods of intimidation?

Now, we may know. By 2014, the SPLC appears to have abandoned its mission and become a fundraising machine that required a steady pipeline of enemies to justify its existence.

The US Department of Justice alleged in an indictment on Tuesday that for eight years, the SPLC covertly paid more than $3 million to members of Ku Klux Klan, National Socialist Movement and other similarly abhorrent organizations to become their informants.

These hate-group insiders allegedly feed the SPLC with information that the SPLC then used to drum up more donations.

The DOJ has charged the SPLC with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and making false statements. The group denies all the charges and has pledged to defend itself in court.

The DOJ has charged the SPLC with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and making false statements (Pictured: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel announcing indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center on April 21

The US Department of Justice alleged in an indictment on Tuesday that for eight years the SPLC covertly paid more than $3 million to members of abhorrent organizations

According to the indictment, the SPLC transferred $270,000 over several years to one individual it internally designated 'F-37.' F-37 allegedly sat in the online leadership chat that organized the 2017 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, authored racist posts 'under the supervision of the SPLC' and helped arrange transportation for rally attendees.

Let me restate this in plain English, because the gravity of it depends on being understood: the organization that put my name on a journalist's blacklist for criticizing political Islam appears to have been, during those same years, writing checks to a man who helped stage a tiki-torch parade through the streets of Charlottesville, during which marchers chanted 'Jews will not replace us.'

Donor money from liberals in Brooklyn and Berkeley  money given, they presumably believed, to fight hate  was allegedly routed through shell entities with names like 'Fox Photography' and 'Rare Books Warehouse' to help stage a Nazi rally, so that the SPLC could then raise money condemning the Nazi rally.

At the end of the last fiscal year, the SPLC's endowment exceeded $730 million.

It is difficult to invent a more perfect closed loop. If Kafka had lived to see it, he would have retired from satire on the grounds that reality had made him redundant.

And that, of course, was only part of the SPLC scheme.

For if the actual Klan wasn't producing enough supply, well, there were always reformist Muslims, evangelical Christians, and conservative mothers to draft into the role. But by expanding the definition of 'hate' to include me, the Family Research Council, Moms for Liberty, and PragerU, the SPLC sabotaged their own fight against bigotry and injustice.

When everything is hate, nothing is.

According to the indictment, the SPLC transferred $270,000 over several years to one individual it internally designated 'F-37,' who sat in the online leadership chat that organized the 2017 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville (pictured)

When a Somali ex-Muslim campaigning against honor killings is placed in the same taxonomy as the National Socialist Movement, the category becomes a joke and the truly evil are the only ones laughing.

I have watched, with sickened recognition, as figures like Nick Fuentes, a genuine, self-identifying admirer of Hitler who denies the Holocaust on camera and tells his young male audience that Jewish people are the enemy, have ridden the confusion into the mainstream.

The SPLC did not create Fuentes. But by crying wolf for decades at every conservative grandmother with a Bible study, it helped ensure that when a real wolf arrived, half the country had exhausted its capacity to be alarmed.

I have spent twenty years being told by people, many of them intelligent and well-meaning, that my fears about ideological blacklists were overwrought. That the people building these lists were the good guys. That I should trust the institutions.

But two decades ago, the idea that the country's premier 'anti-hate' organization would write checks to the actual organizer of Charlottesville would have sounded like the rantings of a man shouting at pigeons.

Today, it is in a federal indictment.
Is red-hot Sydney Sweeney at risk of being blacklisted in Hollywood?

It's a legitimate question given the backlash brewing over the 28-year-old's latest flesh flashing excesses in HBO's teen drama Euphoria.

Even by the show's usual trashy standards we've been seeing a whole lot more of Sweeney thanks to her character Cassie Howard's new side hustle: pandering to the pervs on OnlyFans.

Dressed as a 'sexy dog' led around by a leash and licking from a bowl, she has also appeared nude with hands only just preserving (what's left) of her modesty along with close ups of ice cream dripping on bare boobs.

But it's cosplaying as a baby in a fetish roleplay with a dummy, white nappy-style diaper and legs akimbo, where the sexploits are really over-milked.

'That's (Cassie's) version of the American dream,' Sweeney has said in response to criticism she's gone too far though many are unconvinced.

'She will definitely regret this. It's embarrassing,' said one user on Instagram.

'Can't see any female actresses ever doing scenes like this and humiliating themselves It's ridiculous at this point.'

The backlash is brewing over Sydney Sweeney's latest flesh flashing excesses in HBO's teen drama Euphoria

It's Sweeney's cosplaying as a baby in a fetish roleplay with a dummy, white nappy-style diaper and legs akimbo, where the sexploits are really overmilked

Added another online comment: 'I can't believe she stooped to that role, alright, 'work is work,' right? But everything has its limits and hers should've been at the doghouse scene.'

Hold the outrage for a second. Yes, it's demeaning fluff but in many ways (highly paid) business as usual for the Washington native.

The Anyone but You star has never been shy. In fact, this boobs out, bullet-proof bravado has both propelled her to the big league, with a reported $40 million net worth, and batted away a string of controversies including the woke backlash to her American Eagle jeans campaign last year.

No doubt she'll also brazen out her recent axe from The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Whether its hawking Dr Squatch Body Wash, her own underwear range or erotic thriller The Housemaid, Sweeney is reminder that sex sells.

And in many ways, it's all an unapologetic antidote to her more po-faced peers who have tried to dress up their own kit as a worthy statement around female empowerment.

Not to mention those long past their skin-showing prime who try to reframe past nudity in some sort of victimhood they had zero control over.

That said, Sweeney's tacky exhibitionism is ruffling feathers, and she'd be wise to take stock. No one is immune to Hollywood's freeze out.

You see when it comes to screen sex and nudity, history reminds us of there's a fine line between those who thrive and the ones judged more harshly when taking risks.

In the newest season of Euphoria, Sweeney dresses as a 'sexy dog' led around by a leash and licking from a bowl

Nicole Kidman's star turn in Baby Girl, for example, as an uptight CEO enjoying after-hours kinks with a young intern, reeked of 'still got it' self-indulgence but she still scored plenty of plaudits.

Yet former rom-com darling Meg Ryan's edgy nudity in The Cut in 2003 saw her fast-tracked into oblivion. or as she liked to spin it 'a mutual separation from Hollywood.'

Meanwhile, Demi Moore survived the stilted gyrations and airing her new boob job as single mom stripper in the 1993 sleazy shocker Striptease.

Yet Saved by the Bell's Elizabeth Berkley's career tanked when channeling a similar vibe in Showgirls, the camp cult classic heavy on the lip liner and cat fights.

Nicole Kidman's star turns in Baby Girl, for example, as an uptight CEO enjoying after hours kinks with a young intern reeked of 'still got it' self-indulgence but she still got plenty of plaudits

Demi Moore survived the stilted gyrations and airing her new boob job as single mom stripper in the 1993 sleazy shocker Striptease

As a reminder (and you'll need one given her recent lean spell) the former sitcom star was a wholesome, popular TV face when she gambled on the role of Las Vegas pole dancer Nomi Malone.

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, who had transformed the fortunes of Sharon Stone with a lead role Basic Instinct, three years earlier, no doubt Berkley was eyeing a similar kind of reinvention.

Well, she showed a different side. Not to mention every possible angle writhing around like a demented dolphin in a hot tub with former Twin Peaks Kyle MacLachlan or having her nipple inspected by the dance instructor.

'The job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do,' Berkley reflected later.

'No one associated with the film spoke up on my behalf to protect me. I was left out in the cold, and I was a pariah in the industry I had worked so hard for.'

Well, no one forced you to do it.

Yet Saved by the Bell's Elizabeth Berkley's career tanked when channeling a similar vibe in Showgirls, the camp cult classic heavy on the lip liner and cat fights

Like Sweeney, Berkley was a blonde, cookie cutter beauty with the world at her feet.

Of course, Sweeny's latest Euphoria outing doesn't hit quite those lows or the same bad overacting, but it should serve as a stark reminder.

To date, much of Sweeney's success is down to be being smarter than she looks but bombshells always have a sell by date.

For career longevity, you need versatility and, as her beefed up makeup free turn as lesbian boxer Christy Martin in flop biopic, Christy, proved that's been trickier for Sweeney.

Perhaps for now she's just sticking to what she does best: making hay while the sun shines and ignoring all the detractors.
Just in time for the Kings mistaken visit to Donald Trump, which starts tomorrow, comes a new and spiteful threat from our supposed best friends, the Americans. Leaked to the respectable Reuters news agency, it is a warning that, if the Falkland Islands are threatened again by Argentina, we shouldnt count on Uncle Sam for help.

Reuters revealed: An internal Pentagon email outlines options for the United States to punish Nato allies it believes failed to support US operations in the war with Iran. A War Department official told Reuters that these include reviewing the US position on Britains claim to the Falkland Islands.

The Pentagon document insultingly describes the islands as an Imperial possession. Bilge. Whoever wrote this stuff must know that the Falklands are British by the free choice and firm will of the people who live there.

This is more than can be said for the indigenous inhabitants of the USA, the Native Americans, who are American only after being driven from their homes, militarily crushed, cheated by broken treaties and crammed into reservations.

The threat is made in a document complaining about Britain (and other countries) dragging their feet over US demands for Access, Basing and Overflight rights  known as ABO  for the stupid, dangerous and disastrous Iran war. Sir Keir Starmer, in one of the few good things he has ever done, was at first reluctant to let Mr Trump bomb Iran from British bases. Alas, he later gave in on the pitiful pretext that B-52 bomber raids on Iran are defensive. But for Mr Trump, anything less than Yes, Sir! Immediately, Sir! is not good enough.

So here we are, on the Presidents naughty step. And His Majesty, our King, must still smile charmingly at Mr Trump, ignore the growing evidence that his mind is rambling, pretend to admire his tasteless gilding of the White House and laugh at his jokes. Who knows what awful embarrassing things might happen if he was as cold to the President as he has every right to be?

The King's state visit to the US next week comes on the back of mounting tensions between Britain and America over the war in Iran

British troops in the Falklands in June, 1982, near the end of the conflict that lasted just over two months

Can we hold the Falklands without American support? Well we did before, but in days when our Navy was a good deal bigger than it is now. For the then President Ronald Reagan, despite his smiling outward appearance, was not all that keen on helping us back in 1982. But I would rather stand alone in any new conflict than be shoved about like this.

If Mr Trumps America chooses to treat us like a defeated and subjugated country, then we need to explain to them that this is exactly what we are not.

The only sensible response to this rudeness, which Frances Charles de Gaulle would have made, would be to order the closure and removal of every American military base in the country unless the threat is withdrawn, bag and baggage, ABO and all.

Meanwhile, it is not too late to do as I have suggested before and cheekily divert the Kings plane to Canada, where he and Camilla will have a far more pleasant time.

Was Letby case biased from the start?

Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies at Countess of Chester Hospital and eight counts of attempted murder

I have had many dealings with Cheshire Police about the worrying prosecution and conviction of nurse Lucy Letby, sentenced to a long slow death without any evidence being produced that she did anything wrong.

Most of these encounters have ended with them declining to comment and/or urging me to pursue the matter endlessly through the Freedom of Information Act. They have tried quite hard not to respond.

But I have grown ever more worried by one thing. Was their long investigation of deaths at Countess of Chester Hospital impartial? Or did they have a suspect in mind from the start? Are their generally gruff responses to me a symptom of this problem? They know I think Ms Letbys conviction is unsafe and I am worried the prosecution and trial were unfair.

Should that affect their behaviour towards me? They are a police force financed by the taxpayer, not a political body. Public criticism is part of the lot of such organisations. Should they treat me the same as a less critical inquirer? Surely the treatment should be identical.

This is why I continue to be disturbed by the appearance, on the website of the distinguished legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg, of a copy of a letter Cheshires Chief Constable wrote to Sir David Davis MP about the Letby case. Surely it is worrying if a senior police officers letters are not secure? Cheshire Police told me this letter was private and they would not show it to me. Last week I asked them: Are you investigating how this private letter (private by your own definition) from a senior police officer to a Privy Counsellor and MP became public? If not, why not? If so, what shape is that investigation taking?

At first, they did not respond at all. Then at last, after I repeated my query, they told me they would not be commenting. This is a major issue, involving a possible miscarriage of justice on a terrifying scale. I think public authorities should handle it with the utmost fairness.

PM who's become a human sponge

I feel a bit sorry (only a bit) for all the various Sir Barnabys and Dame Emmas in the Civil Service, or whatever their names are, who will be collecting large payments after being sacked for some incomprehensible mis-step in the Mandelson affair. They were probably only doing their jobs, whatever they are.

But isnt it obvious that our Prime Minister has become a Human Sponge, doomed to absorb all the abuse being poured over him until local election day comes round on May 7 and he can finally resign?

The rest of this stuff doesnt justify the electricity bill for lighting the rooms where it takes place.
Sheeraz Henderson had just arrived in France on holiday when she noticed her foot was swollen. Shed travelled on the Eurostar, so I wondered if it was from not moving around enough, she says.

But the foot swelling didnt go down and she had to swap her usual shoes for Crocs.

On her return home to Shropshire two weeks later Sheeraz, 53, went to her doctor. By now her foot was swollen with a constant dull ache.

The doctor asked me if Id done anything to it or if I exercised a lot and had sprained it, but I said no, she says.

Blood tests came back positive for raised levels of inflammatory markers  but nothing else was done, says Sheeraz.

I was referred to a rheumatologist but there was a years waiting list. My foot remained swollen for more than a year and over the course of that year my skin became dry and sensitive. My hair thinned too.

Her mouth also became so dry the skin peeled, and she developed a hoarse voice  I was always having to sip water  as well as aches and pains in her legs and jaw.

Just before her appointment with the consultant, she was referred for physio as she was suffering badly with hip pain.

Sheeraz Henderson, 53, was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body's moisture-producing glands

I was also quite fatigued making usual activities more of a challenge. I used to love walking but I felt too tired to go on long walks.

Finally, after the year-long wait, in October 2023 Sheeraz saw a rheumatologist who ran more complex blood tests.

A few days later he sat me down and told me I had Sjogrens syndrome, she says. I was stunned.

Sjogrens is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the glands that produce moisture in the body.

As Ben Fisher, a professor in rheumatology at the University of Birmingham, explains: Patients very often get problematic dryness of the eyes and mouth; and the skin and vagina can also be affected.

Around 30 to 40 per cent of patients also experience inflammation in the joints, causing joint pain and stiffness; in the lungs, causing a cough or difficulty breathing; and nerves, causing numbness, he says.

Its a condition that affects mainly women. A lot of autoimmune diseases have a bias towards more women than men and Sjogrens is probably the most sex-biased autoimmune disease; its at least nine to ten times more common in women than in men, adds Professor Fisher.

Ben Fisher is a Professor in Clinical Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham. Symptoms of Sjogren's can overlap with other conditions making it difficult to diagnose, he says

This may be because some of the genes linked to autoimmune conditions are located on the X (i.e. female) chromosome  women have two X chromosomes.

Sex hormones also influence how our immune cells function, leading to a difference between men and women and at different phases of life, he adds.

And because Sjogrens has been much less researched compared to other autoimmune diseases, we know far fewer of the genetic risk factors for it than for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example.

But even then, the vast majority of Sjogrens patients dont have a family history of the disease and we dont know what triggers the disease in most cases.

And because the symptoms can be quite subtle, or overlap with other conditions, it can lead to a delayed diagnosis.

Its like a jigsaw of lots of different symptoms, all of which can be quite vague on their own, says Professor Fisher.

For example, patients can get a gradual onset of dryness of the eyes and mouth, and fatigue but there are many other things that cause these symptoms such as eye conditions like blepharitis [inflammation of the eyelid] and other causes of tear loss. Fatigue is common to many chronic illnesses, he explains.

Youre putting the pieces of the jigsaw together.

Sheeraz was eventually prescribed hydroxychloroquine, an anti-rheumatic drug, which eased her symptoms within days

Sheeraz is now able to manage the incurable condition with medication and support from charity Sjogren's UK

Diagnosis is often based on symptoms, and blood tests for a specific antibody and/or a biopsy of the salivary glands.

Antibodies are produced by our immune system to help clear bacteria and viruses but in some people antibodies bind to proteins in our own body - several autoantibodies are seen in Sjogrens.

But a doctor needs to recognise the symptoms and the possibility of Sjogrens to even order these extra tests. He adds: Even awareness of Sjogrens itself may be low because it is less common than some other autoimmune diseases and because of the competing pressures and demands in primary care.

Delayed diagnosis can cause long-term complications. Over time, left untreated, Sjogrens can lead to gland damage and a progressive loss of tears and saliva (which in turn can lead to dental decay, for example).

One in 20 patients may go on to develop a type of blood cell cancer known as lymphoma due to uncontrolled inflammation.

Research conducted by the Sjogrens Foundation in the US found the average time it used to take people to be diagnosed was around six years. This has gone down to just under three years, but there are of course still many people who wait a long time for a diagnosis.

Once Sheeraz was diagnosed, her consultant gave her eye drops for the dry eyes and a saliva spray for dry mouth.

Each symptom is treated separately, explains Professor Fisher: There arent any therapies that can be used to control the way that Sjogrens affects the whole body, so in the majority of people its really about using symptomatic treatments.

For example, artificial saliva for dry mouth, which is often not that effective, and artificial tears which dont work for everyone and some people need to use them every hour to try and obtain relief, which is not convenient or pleasant.

Immunosuppressants and drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (which regulates rather than suppresses the immune system) are used when Sjogrens affects other organs such as the joints or lungs.

Sheeraz was prescribed hydroxychloroquine and within days I could walk faster and for longer, it was amazing, she says.

Professor Fisher says there is hope of new drugs on the horizon: There are a lot of clinical trials going on, so we are in a very different place than we were even ten years ago.

We have four or five drugs globally that are in late-stage clinical trials and the results of these may be available in the next one to three years.

These drugs are targeted at suppressing parts of the immune system that seem to be overactive in Sjogrens, he explains.

Although they are mainly focused on treating organ involvement outside the moisture-producing glands, the hope is that they will also improve the symptoms and signs of dryness as well as fatigue.

While there is no cure for the condition, Sheeraz is managing it thanks to her medication and support from the charity Sjogrens UK, through which shes met others with the condition.

I am relieved to have a diagnosis but do wish more in the medical profession were aware of it. Hopefully my story will help someone else.

Visit The British Sjogren's Syndrome Association for more information: sjogrensuk.org
HRS late-breaking data: Interim results highlight six-month outcomes for patients treated with the Sphere-9 catheter for sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT)

Breakthrough device designation granted for use of the Sphere-9 catheter for treatment of VT; U.S. pivotal trial approved by FDA

New at HRS: data show consistent durability for the Sphere-360 catheter across patient anatomies; Sphere-360 approved in CE Mark geographies

First patients enrolled in Conquer-AF trial to evaluate the Sphere-9 catheter for repeat atrial fibrillation procedures

GALWAY, Ireland and CHICAGO, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic plc, (NYSE: MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced continued momentum for the Affera family of technologies for cardiac arrhythmia treatment, including promising data presented at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Annual Meeting and the start of a new trial to evaluate a broader population of atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients. With ongoing positive physician feedback and global commercial expansion, Medtronic continues to invest in clinical research to study the Affera mapping and ablation system for potential new indications.

Results from the ongoing early feasibility study evaluating the Affera mapping and ablation system and the Sphere-9 catheter for treatment of recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) after a heart attack were presented as a late-breaking clinical trial. Patients treated at centers across the U.S. were followed for six months post-ablation. Results showed 65.5% of patients remaining free from VT recurrence at six months.1

VT is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast. VT patients are treated with medications and often receive life-saving therapies from implanted defibrillators in the form of pacing or shocks.2 Catheter ablation for VT is an established treatment option; however, outcomes have remained suboptimal with little ablation tool innovation in recent years. As a result, a significant unmet need exists to improve patient care.3, 4

In recognition of this critical unmet need, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Device Designation for the Sphere-9 catheter for the treatment of VT, providing an expedited regulatory pathway for the technology.

"Physicians urgently need better tools for VT that are safe, effective, and increase procedure efficiency, so it's exciting to see sustained outcomes for ischemic patients treated with the Affera mapping and ablation system and the Sphere-9 catheter after six months," said Vivek Reddy, M.D., Director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. "Moving this research forward to the IDE trial and expanding the patient population to include non-ischemic patients are positive next steps for VT patients."

The Affera mapping and ablation system with the Sphere-9 catheter is an all-in-one, dual-energy pulsed field (PF) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation and high-definition mapping system for use in cardiac electrophysiology ablation procedures.

Also at HRS, a new sub-analysis from the Sphere-360 European study demonstrated positive results related to durability of lesions in AFib procedures in patients with left common pulmonary veins. Results showed 100% lesion durability, highlighting consistency across patients with varied anatomies. Previously reported durability data showed 98% per vein and 93% per patient durability through invasive remapping at 75 days post-ablation. The Sphere-360 catheter is an all-in-one mapping and single-shot pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter for treatment of paroxysmal AFib that is approved in Europe and investigational in the U.S., with the U.S. IDE trial underway.

Medtronic also announced the first patient enrollment in Conquer-AF, a prospective, multi-center, interventional, non-randomized study to characterize the safety and effectiveness of the Sphere-9 catheter in patients with recurrent paroxysmal or persistent AFib who have previously had an ablation procedure. The study is enrolling patients in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.

"Our robust clinical research program reinforces our commitment to advancing safe, effective, and efficient therapies to help physicians treat a wide range of cardiac arrhythmias and improve patients' lives," said Khaldoun Tarakji, M.D., MPH, vice president, chief medical officer, Cardiac Ablation Solutions business, which is part of the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic. "The encouraging results shown in this VT study underscore the versatility of the Sphere-9 catheter in treating a variety of different arrhythmias and the potential to advance care and outcomes for patients whose disease is often complex. With the Sphere-360 catheter, consistent durability across a wide range of patient anatomies is good news for patients and for physicians' workflow."

The Sphere-9 catheter is approved in multiple geographies including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan. Indications vary by geography. The Sphere-9 catheter is not approved for VT in any geography. The Sphere-360 catheter received CE Mark in January 2026, and the Horizon 360 IDE trial is enrolling patients in the U.S.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission  to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life  unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Reddy VY, et al. Six-month outcomes from the Sphere-9 ventricular tachycardia early feasibility study: Dual-energy lattice-tip mapping and ablation catheter for ventricular tachycardia treatment. Late-Breaking Clinical Trial, Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting, April 25, 2026; Chicago IL. Sciria,C. et al. Trends and Outcomes of Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Ischemic and Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy. Circ: Arr. and Elec. 2022; vol.15, no. 4. Cronin EM, et al. 2019 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS expert consensus statement on catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias. EP Europace. 2019 Aug 1;21(8):1143-4. Zeppenfeld K, et al. 2022 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Eur Heart J. 2022 Oct 21;43(40):3997-4126.

Dr. Reddy is a paid consultant for Medtronic.

Contacts:

Leslie Williamson

Public Relations

+1-612-227-5099

Ingrid Goldberg

Investor Relations

+1-763-505-2696

SOURCE Medtronic plc
The text message landed like a punch to the stomach: 'Hey... you have given me gonorrhea.'

Robert Johnson stared at the screen in disbelief.

He was 41, a father-of-one, and had only recently taken a sexual health test that told him he was clear.

He had no symptoms, felt perfectly well and believed he was doing everything right.

So this accusation  arriving out of nowhere from a woman he had been dating for two years  had to be wrong.

Embarrassed, rattled and certain there had been some mistake, Johnson immediately fired back proof: his negative STI results. Surely that settled it.

Instead, the reply that flashed back would turn his confidence upside down: 'Did you get your throat swabbed?'

That single question exposed a blind spot in modern sexual health testing  one that doctors warn may be helping fuel America's spiraling STI crisis.

Robert Johnson, now 46, believes he passed on gonorrhea after he was not offered a throat swab

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Because many people assume a negative STI result means they are entirely infection-free.

But experts say testing should be based on what kind of sex someone has had  and the part of the body exposed may be the very place an infection is hiding.

If someone has had oral sex, they may need a throat swab. If they have had anal sex, they may need a rectal swab. If they have had penetrative sex, genital testing will be required.

Miss the site of infection, doctors warn, and the disease can be missed altogether.

The warning comes as the US battles what specialists describe as an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections.

More than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in 2024, the latest year available.

While that was down nine percent on the year before, it remains more than 60 percent higher than levels seen three decades ago.

Experts say a rise in casual sex after Covid restrictions, reduced condom use, delayed testing and the spread of symptom-free infections have all helped drive the surge.

The father-of-one had no symptoms, felt perfectly well and believed he was doing everything right

The above shows the test result he received in early December, which showed he was negative for gonorrhea

But just over a month later he would get an oral swab, which would reveal that he had a gonorrhea infection

Some also point to a more relaxed attitude toward sexual risk following the arrival of drugs that dramatically cut the risk of HIV transmission.

Dr Steven Goldberg, chief medical officer of HealthTrackRx, told the Daily Mail: 'STIs are at epidemic levels in the US, and we are really trying to encourage people to get care.

'One in 10 Americans are unaware that STIs can occur with no noticeable symptoms and, at least in the US, a meaningful number of people wait a while before coming forward for testing and treatment.'

For Johnson, the lesson came in the most humiliating way possible.

At the time, he was part of what he describes as 'the consensual non-monogamy community'  where people remain in committed relationships while agreeing that sexual or romantic relationships with others are permitted.

Johnson has been happily married for 20 years and said he did not pass the infection to his wife.

He had also been seeing another woman for around two years, and said the relationship seemed to be going well.

They would meet regularly at her home in suburban Chicago. He was optimistic about the future. Then came the text.

Doctors say that STI testing should be exposure led, and that if a patient has oral sex, they should also receive a throat swab

The woman told him she had slept with her husband, who was aware of the relationship, after seeing Johnson  and that her husband had suddenly developed dramatic symptoms.

The text message Johnson received continued: 'I am symptom-free, but my husband has exploded with symptoms. All the signs point back to you.'

Johnson said: 'I was surprised [by her text], because almost at that exact moment, I had just gotten an STI test... so, as far as I knew, I was negative,' he said.

He immediately sent her the results of his recent screening. But the more he thought about it, the less comfortable he became.

What if he had infected somebody else? What if he had unknowingly put his wife at risk? What if the test had missed something?

That was when the woman asked about the throat swab. Had he had one during the STI screening? The answer was no.

On December 1 2020, Johnson had taken an STI test that only checked his genitals. That result came back negative for gonorrhea.

But no sample had been taken from his throat.

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Shortly before seeing the woman, Johnson says he had oral sex with another partner and now believes that is how he contracted the infection.

Like many people, he had no idea gonorrhea could be sitting silently in the throat.

After the confrontation, Johnson said he saw three doctors before he found one willing to do the extra test.

Finally, on January 12 2021  just over a month after being given the all-clear  the result came back positive for gonorrhea in his throat.

By then, the woman's husband had also tested positive. Johnson said he was told the man had painful urination and discharge from the penis. The woman also tested positive.

Gonorrhea, commonly known as 'the clap', is the second most common STI in the US after chlamydia. It is spread through bodily fluids and can infect the genitals, rectum and throat.

The problem, doctors say, is that throat infections are notoriously easy to miss.

Around 90 percent cause no symptoms at all. Someone can feel completely healthy while still carrying the bacteria and passing it on through oral sex.

By contrast, infections in the genitals are more likely to trigger warning signs such as burning during urination, unusual discharge, bleeding between periods or pain during sex.

That mismatch means people often seek treatment only when the infection reaches a site more likely to cause misery.

Johnson said the real shock was realising how preventable it all was.

'I felt bamboozled, and I felt like I infected somebody else when it was completely preventable. That's the part that upset me.'

He added: 'I was humbled by not understanding oral swabs, that was embarrassing to me. I did a quick Google search, and was like, 'Oh, that is a thing, and Robert, you didn't even know about that'.'

'I was the culprit in this situation. I didn't even feel sick. I got an injection and I was cured.'

He was treated with antibiotic injections into the backside, which cleared the infection.

But while the bacteria disappeared quickly, the embarrassment did not.

Johnson said he now always makes sure every exposure-linked area is tested, rather than relying on a single swab.

And the experience had such an impact on him that he decided to build a business around what he says is a glaring gap in the market.

He founded Shameless Care, an STI testing company based in Chicago that offers what he calls comprehensive screening.

For about $280, customers are sent kits including genital, throat and anal swabs, which are then processed in the firm's lab. Results are returned within three days.

He refuses to offer cheaper $99 'quick check' tests that only examine one site.

'I consider those unethical,' he said.

'They are telling people they are not infected when they have not done the testing properly.

'That means they could pass on the disease to others.'

Out of the more than 1,000 patients tested so far, he claims 86 percent of gonorrhea infections his company detects are found in the throat.

Whether or not that figure reflects the wider population, experts agree on one point: infections outside the genitals are frequently missed if they are not specifically looked for.
When I told my friends I was getting Botox, I was met with a few raised eyebrows.

At 24, with a face that still gets me mistaken for a teenager, it sounded like a cosmetic choice. It wasn't.

I don't know exactly when it started, but in recent years I've caught myself constantly tensing my jaw and grinding my teeth - at work, in the evenings, even in my sleep.

I'd wake up with a headache, my jaw already aching before the day had begun.

It got to the point where my subconscious habit was getting on my boyfriend's nerves. He started shouting 'jaw!' whenever I was being particularly loud.

I tried everything: stress balls, holding my mouth open, gua sha for lymphatic drainage and chewing through endless packets of gum. Nothing worked.

After hearing horror stories about people cracking their teeth from clenching so hard, I started looking for something that would actually make it stop.

That's when I came across masseter Botox - a procedure where Botox, most commonly used as an anti-wrinkle treatment, is injected into the jaw muscles to relax them.

A plastic surgeon drew the incision points on my jawline before injecting the Botox

The masseter muscles are rectangular muscles on either side of the jaw, responsible for chewing. In my case, they had become unusually strong after years of clenching.

Botox works by temporarily relaxing muscles by blocking nerve signals, preventing them from contracting. Results typically last three to six months before a top-up is needed.

Reduction in jaw tension can begin within the first two weeks, with full results developing between six and twelve weeks.

For me, it felt like an easy decision. I've never had an issue with needles, and the idea that a quick, non-surgical procedure could relieve the constant pain in my jaw was hard to ignore.

I was invited to try the treatment at The Aesthetics Doctor clinic in Mayfair, London, where sessions start from 350 and typically require 25 to 40 units per side.

In comparison, in the UK, the cost of dental crowns for broken teeth typically ranges from 600 to 1,800.

There, I met Dr Katerina Kyprianou, who talked through my reasons for wanting the procedure before examining my jaw - pressing along the muscle as I clenched and released.

She confirmed that I had very strong masseter muscles (not quite the compliment it sounds like) and said the treatment would likely bring some relief.

I was given a medium dose of Botox, as a lower dose was unlikely to be effective in my case.

Teeth grinding - also known as bruxism - is the involuntary clenching or gnashing of teeth, often caused by stress, anxiety or sleep disorders

Bruxism can lead to worn-down or broken teeth, which can cause increased sensitivity

I felt a sharp pain when the needle went in, but it was no worse than a routine injection at the doctor's.

Masseter Botox is often referred to as a 'lunchtime treatment' because it's quick and non-surgical, usually taking no more than half an hour.

I was able to stop by the clinic after work and was home eating dinner by 8pm. I was relieved to hear that - unlike when I previously had injections for dental work - I'd be able to eat as normal straight away.

It took around three days before I noticed I wasn't clenching my jaw as much, and by the two-week mark, the pain had significantly eased.

I still occasionally feel the urge to clench, but it no longer happens subconsciously.

Any changes to my face shape have been subtle, with a gradual softening rather than a dramatic visible difference.

I'm currently two weeks in and interested to see how the results continue to develop.

The effects are temporary, as the muscle gradually returns to its previous size over time, so I plan to return for a repeat treatment in three to six months.

For now, I'm just relieved to have found something that finally eased the constant tension I didn't even realise I was carrying.
Experts are warning that your favourite tea bag could be releasing billions of microscopic plastic particles into your daily cup, raising fresh concerns about potential long-term health effects.

Scientists say tea bags can shed large numbers of microplastics and nanoplastics when steeped in hot water, although the full impact is still being investigated.

A new review of 19 studies by researchers in Iran and the UK suggests a single dry tea bag may contain around 1.3 billion plastic particles. When brewed, that figure could rise to as many as 14.7 billion as heat breaks materials down into even smaller fragments.

Tea bags made from nylon and PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, were found to release particularly high levels of particles when exposed to near-boiling water. Researchers believe contamination may come from the tea bag material itself or from manufacturing processes.

Microplastics have already been detected in human blood, lungs, liver and other tissues, prompting questions over whether repeated exposure could lead to accumulation in the body over time.

Scientists stress that the long-term health consequences are not yet fully understood, but laboratory studies have suggested possible links between microplastic exposure and inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular damage. However, no direct causal link to specific diseases has been confirmed.

One of the main routes of exposure is through eating and drinking. Tea brewed with plastic-containing tea bags may therefore be one source of ingestion.

Once inside the body, microplastics are small enough to pass through the digestive system, and in some cases may interact with tissues. However, researchers say the extent of absorption and any long-term effects remain unclear.

Experts warn that your favourite tea bag could be releasing billions of microscopic plastic particles into your daily cup

A 2024 study from scientists at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that polypropylene tea bags were among the worst offenders, releasing approximately 1.2 billion particles per millilitre under laboratory conditions, with some particles small enough to interact with cells.

Most were absorbed by mucus-producing cells in the small intestine, while some were reported to be small enough to potentially reach the cell nucleus, where genetic material is stored.

Although many of the UK's most popular tea brands describe their products as 'plastic free', a recent analysis from Which? suggests this is not always accurate.

Of 28 popular brands examined, only four were found to be fully plastic free.

Historically, tea bags were sealed using a small amount of oil-based plastic called polypropylene to keep them intact. Many brands have moved away from this, but it has often been replaced with polylactic acid, or PLA, a plant-derived bioplastic.

While PLA is marketed as biodegradable, experts note it is still a form of plastic. Consumer groups say this means some 'plastic free' claims may be misleading.

More controversially, some products are also labelled 'microplastics free', despite PLA potentially breaking down into microscopic particles when exposed to hot water.

The analysis identified PLA in own-label tea bags from major supermarkets including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose.

Research from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona warns that one tea bag can shed billions of microplastics and most of them are taken up by mucus-producing cells in the gut

Your browser does not support iframes.

Well-known brands including PG Tips, Tetley, Typhoo, Yorkshire Tea, Teapigs, Brew Tea Company and Good Earth were also flagged as using plastic-related materials in at least some products.

Which teabags contain microplastics? Aldi

Asda

Birchall

Brew

Clipper pillow bags

Dragonfly pillow bags

Dorset

Good Earth

Lancashire

Lidl

M&S

Morrisons

PG Tips Original

Sainsbury's

Teapigs

Tesco

Tetley black tea and Tetley herbal

Tick Tock

Thompson's

Twinings Tea (everyday tea bags)

Typhoo

Waitrose

Yorkshire Tea * as of October 2025 Which? investigation

By contrast, brands such as Dragonfly, Hampstead, Pukka and some Twinings tea bags were identified as plastic free in certain formats.

However, even within brands offering plastic-free options, some tea bags were found to contain PLA in specific designs such as pyramid or pillow-style bags.

Tetley herbal tea bags were among the few products found to contain conventional polypropylene plastic.

Researchers say concern centres on what happens during brewing, when tea bags are exposed to heat, water and agitation.

Some studies suggest PLA may break down more readily in hot conditions, potentially increasing the release of microscopic fragments.

Previous laboratory research from scientists in Spain found that polypropylene tea bags could release extremely high numbers of particles under controlled conditions, some small enough to interact with cells.

Microplastics are currently being studied for potential biological effects, including oxidative stress, inflammation and disruption of the gut microbiome.

However, researchers emphasise that evidence in humans is still limited and the long-term health impact remains uncertain.

Scientists say microplastics are now widespread in the environment and cannot be avoided completely, but exposure may be reduced by switching to loose leaf tea or choosing tea bags confirmed to be plastic-free.
A simple bedside test could help doctors predict whether a person is likely to die within 24 hours, researchers say.

The technique involves checking the corneal reflex  the automatic blink response that happens when the surface of the eye is gently touched.

Scientists found patients who had lost this reflex were far more likely to die within the next day, raising hopes the method could help families prepare for a loved one's final hours.

Experts said recognising when death is close is one of the most difficult parts of end-of-life care, yet one of the questions relatives ask most often is how much time remains.

The study, published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, was led by Dr Jung Hun Kang, director of the hospice centre at Gyeongsang National University Hospital in South Korea.

He said: 'Family members often place great importance on being present at the moment of death.

'That often leads to difficult and urgent questions about how much time remains.'

Doctors and nurses already look for signs that a patient may be nearing death, including changes in breathing, bluish skin caused by poor circulation and reduced consciousness.

A simple bedside test could help doctors predict whether a person is likely to die within 24 hours, researchers say

Your browser does not support iframes.

Previous research suggests identifying these warning signs can indicate a 95 per cent probability of death within 48 hours.

But the new study suggests the corneal reflex may narrow that window further.

Researchers monitored 112 hospice patients with advanced cancer who had been judged to have only one to two weeks left to live.

Nurses checked the corneal reflex three times a day by approaching from the side  in order to avoid triggering a visual response  and gently touching the cornea with a sterile cotton wisp or strand of gauze.

Responses were recorded as intact, diminished or absent.

Of the 112 patients, 110 died within seven days.

Those with an absent corneal reflex were more than five times as likely to die within 24 hours than patients whose reflex was still present or only diminshed.

The 24-hour mortality rate among patients with no reflex was 70.7 per cent.

Dr Kang said loss of the reflex may reflect worsening failure of the brainstem  the part of the brain that controls basic life functions such as breathing and consciousness  during the natural dying process.

He added that while the sign may strongly support a prediction of imminent death, its presence does not rule it out.

The researchers also found the test was especially useful when combined with another measure known as the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, which assesses alertness and sedation.

Among deeply sedated patients, 71.2 per cent of those whose corneal reflex was absent died within 24 hours, compared with 37.1 per cent whose reflex remained.

David Hui, director of research for supportive and palliative care at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who was not involved in the study, said the results were comparable to other recognised late signs of dying.

However, he cautioned that the research was relatively small and involved only hospice patients with advanced cancer.

The team now plans larger studies in a broader range of patients.

Experts said if confirmed, the test could become a valuable tool to help clinicians give families clearer answers and allow patients to receive more peaceful and dignified care in their final hours.
As soon as Lisa Sullivan came round from having a tummy tuck and breast-lift at a clinic in Istanbul, she knew something was wrong. Id gone into shock; I was freezing cold and in so much pain, she says.

Drifting in and out of consciousness, she was told she had required a blood transfusion during the operation. I never got a clear explanation about why, which made me feel scared and very vulnerable, she says.

Then later, as she began to heal, came a devastating realisation. One of her breasts was significantly higher than the other, the implants were too big, and they had hardened, creating ridges at the sides near her armpits. They looked awful, even under clothes, she says.

Lisa, 60, from Rochester in Kent, is one of a rapidly growing number of British people to undergo cosmetic surgery abroad. The most recent Office for National Statistics figures estimate that in 2024, 524,000 people travelled overseas for medical treatment, of which cosmetic procedures such as dentistry, rhinoplasty, breast implants and liposuction  the most common choices  form the largest share. Turkey is the most popular destination, with nearly 200,000 visits, while other cosmetic hotspots include Poland and Hungary.

The primary reason is financial: while an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, can cost as much as 10,000 and more, and a breast lift and augmentation around 8,000 in Britain, Lisa paid just 7,000 for both procedures. In many cases, the cost abroad is a third of the price it would be here.

Convenience is another selling point. A quick Google search returns a dizzying array of enticing holiday packages with a nip and tuck included. Flights, airport transfers, hotel stays and post-operative care are all sorted, part of an experience marketed as stress-free, even luxurious. Girls trips and Mummy makeovers are frequently used terms. So popular are these packages that visitors to upmarket hotels in Antalya and Istanbul have had to get used to sharing the breakfast buffet with heavily bandaged post-op patients. Watch out for other guests if you have a weak stomach you get to see people with bandages, open wounds, warns one Tripadvisor review.

But earlier this year, an audit published in BMJ Open warned that the boom in surgical tourism is placing a significant burden on the NHS, due to the vast number of botched cosmetic procedures. Each patient who needs care back in Britain after surgery has gone wrong  some of whom are left requiring intensive care  costs the NHS up to 20,000.

The analysis has shone a light on the risks of cut-price surgery abroad. At least 28 British people died after undergoing surgery in Turkey between 2019 and 2024, among them Kaydell Brown, 38, who died in Istanbul during a Mummy MOT involving liposuction and a Brazilian bum lift. A further seven deaths were recorded last year. Far larger numbers return to Britain with serious complications, or work requiring extensive revision.

This is a growing and very concerning problem, says Dr Nora Nugent, president of The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Almost every colleague I know has treated patients who have returned to the UK after cosmetic surgery and needed to seek urgent medical attention.

Consultant plastic surgeon Mo Akhavani, co-founder of The Plastic Surgery Group, has revised many botched procedures, both in his private practice and in the NHS, at Londons Royal Free hospital. We often see abdominoplasty and breast surgeries, in particular, which have gone wrong, he says. Normally, there will be quite severe infections that can cause the wound to open up. In some cases, these can lead to sepsis or necrosis, in which the flesh dies and must be cut away.

The NHS always provides urgent care for patients with life-threatening conditions, including infections. Well do everything we can to save them, he says. However, it has no obligation to repair substandard cosmetic work that does not pose a significant health risk, as in Lisas case. When she had her surgery in Turkey in 2024 the low cost was the main appeal. Yet, following successful revision surgery at The Ghanem Clinic in London, she admits, Ive ended up spending more to correct it.

Lisa was drawn to the idea of cosmetic surgery after losing a vast amount of weight following a gastric bypass, which left her with loose, sagging skin. I did a lot of research and chose a company someone I knew had been to, which had great reviews, she says.

Where many clinics dispatch patients to hotels the day after their operations, this one offered a five-day stay in the hospital. It was beautiful there and everyone was very friendly, but most staff didnt speak English, she says. My surgeon spent seven hours operating on someone else before me, which worried me, but I handed over the money  in cash, which they insist on  and went ahead. Lisa spent the days after her operation crying, thinking, What have I done?

Her experience underlines the major drawback of surgery tourism: Its much harder to know what youre getting, says Dr Nugent. In Britain, patients typically meet a surgeon face-to-face long before going under the knife. Its easy to check they are listed on the General Medical Council specialist register and affiliated with professional bodies such as BAAPS. Its very hard to know that youre going to a fully affiliated surgeon in another country, what that means there, and what your rights are if things go wrong, she says.

Revising poorly performed work is expensive and challenging.

Dr Yannis Alexandrides, of 111 Harley Street, who was previously a trauma surgeon in Miami, recently performed revision surgery for a young woman who had gone to Turkey for a rhinoplasty. Once there, she had also been talked into buccal fat removal in her lower cheeks. It was not done properly and had left her with obvious scarring indentations in the middle of her face, he says. It was very difficult to revise.

Often, a disastrous outcome requires more than one revision surgery, adds Mr Akhavani. It is classed as complex work, so the fee is always higher, and its not always possible to get a perfect result at that stage.

BAAPS says it is very disturbed by the aggressive advertising of cosmetic surgery from companies in other countries, which do not fall under the oversight of any clear regulatory body. It is in discussion with the Advertising Standards Authority to address misleading adverts.

Dr Nugent advises anyone considering surgery abroad to research their surgeons credentials thoroughly, for instance checking they are a member of TSPRAS (the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons), as well as checking the clinics aftercare arrangements. Read the fine print about what exactly is covered and think about the what-ifs, so youre prepared if anything goes wrong, she says.

She also strongly advises against combining surgery with a holiday, saying: Many of these procedures are major surgery, and nobody should be in a pool or sunbathing when recovering.

Lisa is finally happy with her appearance, but says, I wish Id never been to Turkey. Her warning to others like her? If what theyre offering seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Dear Caroline,

My dad died recently. He was very controlling and resisted putting my 92-year-old mum with dementia into a care home, which made her more spiteful and violent. He died suddenly, not long after she was forcibly moved into a home by social services.

My sister and I have been clearing out my parents house. My father was secretive and a hoarder, and we were never permitted to be alone there. Shockingly, we have discovered naked, sexualised photographs of us as children, and explicit ones of my mums mother. There was clearly an affair between my dad and his mother-in-law. It explains why my grandfather banned him from their home. I dont know what to feel.

My doctor is very concerned and has referred me to counselling and prescribed antidepressants, but Im beyond normal grief. I am so detached that it worries me. What has surprised me is a new protectiveness towards my mother. She was cold, selfish and critical. But I have moved past this, even the sense that she knew and blamed us. I feel sorry for her because I realise everyone in her life betrayed her.

This must all die with her, as I cannot carry these unbearable feelings forward.

Caroline says: This is a painful legacy for you and your sister. What your father did amounts to sexual abuse and is a terrible thing to discover. It is a profound betrayal of everything a parent should be.

Alongside this is the discovery that he had a relationship with his own mother-in-law  your grandmother  which is another layer of deception for you, your sister and your mother. The perception you had of your grandmother  a woman you perhaps loved  has been deeply shaken.

It says a great deal about you that you are able even now to feel compassion for your mother, despite how she treated you and what you now suspect she may have known. It is no wonder you feel overwhelmed. That sense of detachment can happen when the mind is faced with too much; it is a way of protecting you.

I understand your doctors concern. Remember that antidepressants can take several weeks to work, so if you feel at risk, contact your GP urgently or Samaritans (on 116 123). In the meantime, you need support. Counselling will help and do also ask your doctor about trauma-related conditions, including PTSD, so that you can get appropriate treatment. Mind.org.uk has information about this. Also contact napac.org.uk, which supports people affected by childhood abuse. With the right help, this monumental grief and despair will ease.

How can I say no without seeming rude?

Dear Caroline,

My husband and I have been friends with another couple (who we met through a sports club) for about 15 years. However, while he still gets on with the husband, I have become completely fed up of the wife.

Our youngest adult child has mental health issues and I have an elderly father in need of support. Her life is deciding where to go on their next holiday or whether to go to the gym or shop for designer clothes. She is always asking me to do stuff with her and now they want us to go on holiday with them, which I would never choose to do. How can I get her to back down without being rude?

Caroline says: Im feeling rather fed up of this woman too  and I havent even met her! To give her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she is being generous in wanting to include you, but without understanding the complexities of your life. However, she does sound disappointingly shallow.

I suspect also you are feeling overwhelmed because you have a great deal going on with both your father and your child, so the contrast between her life and yours creates a gap. It is awkward as your husband remains friends with hers, but you are absolutely allowed to decline.

Say, without additional explanation, that you are really struggling at the moment and just want a holiday alone with your husband. If she is offended, that is her problem, not yours.
When in the late 90s I was made editor-in-chief of Marie Claire  at the time I was deputy editor of The Sunday Times Style  I at first turned down the job. I was terrified. The publisher persuaded me to meet her in a bar at the top of the OXO Tower for a drink and a chat, hoping she could change my mind. I sat there, all of London laid out below me, and as she outlined the package (expense account, dress allowance, a car, a pension, sick pay!) and told me that, Its a great big, exciting world out there, I finally said yes. But I still had to shore myself up by reading Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway, swallowing copious amounts of St Johns Wort along the way.

I was more than capable, as the deputy editor I inherited pointed out after the first ideas meeting (the staff dreaded Mondays, when Id turn up with a whole weekends worth of cracking projects). But the fear led to me not sticking up for myself, fighting, say, for a gold embossed logo on the Christmas issue when I had shot Natalie Portmans face, close up, in black and white, only to be told the gold colour was too expensive. Of course, the issue sank without trace. Or not speaking up about occasions of negligence and obfuscation and ineptitude I faced on a daily basis as some people insisted on travelling business class to interview a Hollywood star, turned up late or not at all.

I was assured I would get a bonus if the magazine made money (I made 8 million profit in the first year) only to learn, Oh no, we meant the whole publishing division going into the black, including Fishing Rod Weekly et al.

Now I have had to face up to yet another fear: of my horses. With Nic having dislocated her shoulder (she has been told its cracked, and there is nerve damage; she cant type or drive for six weeks, let alone look after horses, and will have to undergo physiotherapy and attend a fracture clinic) Im having to cope on my own.

I dont want to be that person, always trembling, stomach churning: I want to be Linda McCartney, bareback and hatless aboard an Appaloosa. To retrieve the horses  my two mares and Nics 30-year-old  from the paddocks for their feed, supplements, medication, not to mention regular farrier and worming, all performed during the persistent stormy weather (which is why Nic got knocked down by Pocket), Ive been donning my old hard hat and wearing gloves. Its like going into battle. I sing, as well, mostly the Beach Boys, as

Ive been told this calms my breathing; horses are expert at picking up stress, can tell even if your heart rate is slightly heightened. I am coping but after leaving Mini for four hours yesterday morning (the poo picking takes hours; if you dont do it the grass becomes soured, and encourages infestation)

I returned to find her stuck upside down and soaked in urine, desperate for a drink of water. I am trying to take it day by day, but I cannot allow her to suffer. There are so many drawbacks to working from home  no office gossip, no camaraderie, no after-work drinks, no IT department  but the main plus is that my dogs arent left. Until now.

Ive never asked for help from someone unless Im paying them. But I have nowhere else to turn. And so, heart in my mouth, cap in hand, I text Him. Hi, I know you are still smarting. But can I ask you a favour? Can you come and stay for a few weeks to help look after Mini? Nic has dislocated her shoulder so Im out six hours a day doing her job.

Him: Of course I will. I can drive up late tonight, be there first thing?

Me: There will be no me making my signature cauliflower and chickpea balti, no lunches at Middleton Lodge.

Him: Understood. I will do a big shop on the way

JONES NO MOANS... WHAT LIZ LOVES THIS WEEK
A year into her second marriage, TV anchorwoman and podcaster Tamsen Fadal asked her husband what he'd like for Christmas. 'I just want you, tied up in a big, red bow,' he told her. So Fadal obliged. 'I found a big red bow, wrapped myself up naked, and there I was,' she says.

'But when, the following Christmas, Ira told me he would love the same gift again. my response was: "You're crazy,"' Fadal told the Daily Mail. 'All I wanted to do was stay in bed and watch Netflix.'

At the age of 52, Fadal's menopause had sent her hormones into such a spiral that she had no libido whatsoever. 'I really loved my husband,' she said. 'But it wasn't as if it was just "not tonight" - I had stopped thinking about sex at all.

'Something just clicked off. There was a kind of flatness to everything, as if someone had just turned the volume down a bit.' Fadal no longer had energy for exercise, or for the career in the newsroom she loved so much.

Fadal is the author of the New York Times bestselling How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better Than Before.

A 12-time Emmy award-winning journalist and producer and anchor of PIX11 News in NYC, she lives with her TV executive husband Ira Bernstein between New York City and Santa Monica.

Now 55, she is making it her mission to tell the truth about menopause to other midlife women - and to empower them so they don't have to suffer the way she did.

She is part of a burgeoning, and starry, movement to demystify and destigmatize it. Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz have all become champions of menopause awareness and products designed to help ease the symptoms which sometimes accompany it.

At the age of 51, Tamsen Fadal no longer had energy for exercise, or for the career in the newsroom she loved so much

She lives with her TV executive husband Ira Bernstein between New York City and Santa Monica

At the point her libido crashed, Fadal was already taking estrogen and progesterone for her menopause. 'It had taken me a long time to start on these hormones,' she said. 'Even in my early 40s, no-one was talking about the menopause. Maybe there were jokes about "hormones" or "The Change" - which you weren't allowed to mention.

'But because I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was 20 and she was 51, it was never a conversation in my family. I'd certainly never heard the word "perimenopause."'

Perimenopause, or 'around menopause,' is the period when a woman's hormones start to fluctuate, starting in her 40s, sometimes earlier. A woman is officially in menopause when she goes 12 consecutive months without a period.

'Even though I worked in news, I had no understanding of menopause at all,' said Fadal.

In her mid 40s, Fadal started to feel anxious, muddle-headed, constantly waking up at 3am and unable to go back to sleep.

She went to see her doctor, who prescribed her Lexapro, an antidepressant. 'I later looked back at my notes, which said "patient complaining of weight gain and moodiness,"' said Fadal. 'So many of us have been there: sitting in a doctor's office, feeling dismissed and handed a prescription for antidepressants, when the real issue is menopause.'

Matters finally came to a head in 2019, when, after weeks of poor sleep and brain fog, Fadal had a debilitating episode in the middle of a broadcast. 'I felt a hot blast from inside, an epic eruption that superheated the surface of my skin,' she said. 'I thought I was going to fall over. In the commercial break, I went and laid down on the cool floor of the bathroom, germs be damned. "What is this?" I thought.'

Fadal went to see her OBGYN. 'Later, I visited the patient portal to find the words: "in menopause: any questions?" written there,' she said. 'And that is how I found out. I was mortified: I didn't understand - I was only 48. How could this be menopause?'

She started visiting doctors to discuss hormone therapy (HT) with them and was prescribed estrogen and progestogen.

This combination helped Fadal at first. 'I started sleeping again, the hot flashes resolved and I started feeling like myself,' she said. 'But then, two years in, I noticed my drive and libido had gone through the floor.'

Always keen on fitness, Fadal now found herself reluctant to work out. 'I used to get up super-early to exercise, but during that year I had nothing,' she said. 'I felt sluggish and went from a regular gym-goer, to only going once a week - even finding any excuse to get out of that, to stay in bed.'

In her mid 40s, Fadal started to feel anxious, muddle-headed, constantly waking up at 3am and unable to go back to sleep

And so, Fadal decided to seek medical guidance once more. 'Now what? I thought,' she said. 'What's wrong with me?'

It took a while for Fadal's new concerns to be taken seriously. Her first doctor - a woman - suggested Fadal see a sex therapist. 'She made me feel that there was something wrong with me - that it was a psychological disorder to want sex,' she said. 'I later discovered this isn't that uncommon - there is a feeling that (unlike with men) sex is a luxury. Women aren't talking about it enough, and this has to change.'

Meanwhile, during conversations with doctors and friends, Fadal started to hear mentions of testosterone therapy as part of menopause treatment. 'I didn't know much about testosterone,' she said. 'I thought, "That's for guys." All I could think about was these huge, grunting men, with their sweaty muscles and no hair. I wasn't even aware that women had testosterone in their bodies: I thought estrogen was in the female column and testosterone in the male column.'

But having Googled and overcome her fears of getting 'acne, male pattern baldness and an Adam's apple,' Fadal came to understand that testosterone is part of a woman's normal hormonal make-up: vital for drive and libido.

In 2023, at the age of 52, she visited a new doctor who gave her a blood test revealing she had zero testosterone in her body. (Normal testosterone levels for women are typically between 15 and 70 nanograms per deciliter).

'This doctor was happy to talk to me about testosterone, and she gave it to me in the form of pellets, which were implanted in my hip,' she said.

The problem was that this method worked perhaps too well - and then not at all. 'For two months I was crawling all over my husband, attacking him,' said Fadal. 'Then my libido just crashed. One night he reached for me in bed, and I said, "Get away from me."'

She finally saw a new OBGYN who 'didn't treat me like there was something wrong with me and was willing to talk the subject through properly.'

After some trial and error, Fadal found her balance.

She now takes a daily pea-sized dollop of testosterone gel, which she rubs into the back of her leg every morning. 'I had heard of people overdoing it - if you take too much, side effects can include palpitations or growing new hair, but these have never happened to me,' she said. 'My advice is: follow the rules.'

Fadal is a 12-time Emmy award-winning journalist and producer and anchor of PIX11 News in NYC

Fadal is the author of the New York Times bestselling How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better Than Before

For Fadal, testosterone has been a 'game-changer.' 'A few weeks after I started treatment, something in my brain clicked back on,' she said. 'My libido and energy came roaring back. These days, I'm more energetic: I want to have sex, and to think about having sex. I went from hating the gym to being back in the gym.'

And she's certainly active, walking an hour and a half before work every day, strength training in the gym three times a week, plus a session of yoga or Pilates on weekends.

'All this is great for my mind and body,' she said. 'Being on testosterone has certainly helped the definition come back into my arms and my body is much closer to its pre-menopause state. No, I'm not going to be 25 or 35 again but, in some ways, I feel better than I did then. The most important thing is that I'm in control of my body. I'm doing great: I'm back, baby!'

What would she say to midlife women who find themselves in the same position, exhausted, sleeping badly and with no libido?

'When it comes to your menopause - whether it's HT in general, or testosterone in particular - the most important thing is to get educated and take control,' Fadal said. She believes that all women of menopausal age should insist on a proper hormone test from their OBGYN.

'Don't accept it when your doctor says they "can't do it" or they "don't understand," she said. 'Don't give up. Don't think there aren't solutions - because there are.'
Wendy Duffy bowed out of life in the way she always insisted she would: with a smile, happy to be off. Onwards and upwards. Ta-ra, Flower, she told me in the last conversation we had before she left her Swiss hotel and checked into the assisted suicide clinic from which there would be no return. Just hours later I got confirmation that she was dead.

The Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars song Die With A Smile  her choice  had played her out of this world. I am told that she asked for it to be turned up to full volume as she was fading away. Which was very Wendy.

Im going out with a bit of a bang, arent I? she told me during our designated goodbye call on Thursday night.

She had been blown away by the reaction to this newspapers interview with her, which ran that day, and had felt the tsunami of affection for her even from sterile Switzerland.

The 56-year-old was aware that she was leaving us as debate over the Assisted Dying Bill was reaching its end in the House of Lords, and that her story had been a hugely important one. Controversial, too.

Wendy was touched that so many people supported her, even if they disagreed fundamentally with what she was doing.

Wouldnt it be a boring world if we all agreed? she said.

She was in what can only be described as buoyant form as we spoke, just before 11pm on Thursday. She messaged to say she had to charge her mobile phone first. Its been red-hot. Ive had to charge it four times today. Everyone has been phoning to say goodbye, all my brothers and sisters, nephews, friends. You wouldnt believe it.

Wendy Duffy bowed out of life in the way she always insisted: with a smile, happy to be off

Wendy's beloved Marcus was only 23 when he died in a freak accident, choking on a halved cherry tomato in a sandwich shed prepared for him

I would, Wendy. I really would.

Shed eaten her last proper dinner  a veggie falafel burger  had enjoyed a long shower and was going to do a bit of meditation, then pack.

That wasnt going to take long. Shed taken only a small case to Switzerland. When a foreign national dies at the suicide clinic Pegasos, their belongings cannot be returned to the family and everything is donated to an animal charity. Wendy wanted to leave it neat for them.

There isnt much. The case. Some clothes. They might be able to sell my ear buds, and my phone. Im going to reset it, take it back to factory settings.

Will you sleep, I asked her, knowing that I wouldnt.

Probably not, she said. But thats OK. There will be plenty of time to sleep where I am going.

The car was booked to pick her up from her hotel at 9am, and she wanted to be prompt. This was not a lady who liked to mess anyone around. I dont know for sure, but Ill wager that she made her bed before checking out.

Will you be having breakfast before you go, I asked.

Oh yes, she assured me, laughing about how even an appointment with death would not stop her getting her moneys worth from the buffet breakfast.

Its a lovely hotel, this, she marvelled, rejecting my clutching-at-straws suggestion that if the hotel was so nice, she could just stay a bit longer.

It was the most British death, while at the same time being the least British death. It felt all wrong to me but entirely right to Wendy. Let me go, she said. As if I could stop her. For 40 minutes we chatted, before her final words to me: Onwards and upwards. Ta-ra, Flower.

Flower was a new one. In the three months I had known Wendy, shed always managed to surprise me with the sheer range of her breezy terms of endearment, all delivered in a thick Brummie accent.

Sweetheart was a favourite. Mate or Matey came at the end of every other sentence. Blossom popped out occasionally.

Id gone into this journey with Wendy, incredulous at first, certainly tentative. This couldnt be for real, could it? A perfectly healthy British woman, just a year older than I am, who had been given the green light to die in a Swiss clinic and who wanted to explain why before she went.

Before I even called her there were concerned conversations with colleagues on this newspaper. She must be, we all agreed, disturbed, fragile, weird.

I prepared to tiptoe carefully on that first testing-the-waters phone call.

Did you think Id be nuts, Matey? she said during it. I assure you Im not. I have full mental capacity.

It was a subject we would return to several times over more telephone chats and then an in-depth, in-person interview.

It would go like this: shed assure me she was entirely sane; Id say something like: Psychiatric wards are full of people who think they are entirely sane, Wendy,; she would laugh and say: Well, I am, Sweetheart.

The thing is there was nothing, ever, to suggest that she wasnt entirely sane. This was a bright, clever, warm woman, just one who was utterly broken by the loss of her only child. Her beloved Marcus was only 23 when he died in a freak accident, choking on a halved cherry tomato in a sandwich shed prepared for him.

She had already attempted suicide since his death. She was doing this  by grisly means if it came to it. But shed rather have her gentle death in Switzerland, and since that opportunity existed for her, why the hell not?

And hadnt all the psychiatrists already confirmed that Wendy was indeed of sound mind?

What I had to remember, she told me repeatedly, was that by the time I met her shed been planning her death for a year. Ive got my head around it. Its what I want, and Im going to get it.

Last month, after several long phone conversations, we did our big interview. She turned up in a taxi at a nice country hotel to meet me and photographer Murray Sanders. There were sandwiches and coffee. She had us in stitches at times; tears at others.

Murray has dealt with all manner of difficult stories in his 45-year career. He has reported from war zones, covered murders, photographed difficult celebrities and Prime Ministers. He stays calm in the face of, well, anything.

But he had never met a Wendy. He was choked enough on that day, simply unable to comprehend how someone who had so much to live for  her vibrancy there, in clear proof, on his camera  could be so determined to die.

Wendy said that it was 'better this way' to go through the clinic as she would not be 'leaving a mess behind'

By the time I spoke to Wendy on Thursday, shed already had her goodbye call with Murray. Theyd done, she told me, that thing of saying You put the phone down. No, you do first.  He had insisted she must end the call, because he couldnt.

Once Id ended my final call with her, I paced up and down my own kitchen and called Murray. He had been driving at the time Wendy called him and had pulled over to a lay-by. He was still sitting in the car, shedding a tear.

I share this with Murrays permission  even if, as he puts it, it makes him look soft  because it illustrates a wider point. Wendy went to her death calmly, coherently, almost serenely. She coped better with it, frankly, than anyone else did.

But this, I fear, is the thing about assisted dying. Without sounding too brutal, it is easy for the person who wants to exit; less so for everyone else around them.

I think we saw this with the huge reaction to Wendys story. I have been fielding calls all week  not just from TV stations and journalists, but from readers, friends, my own family.

Just minutes after Wendys story went online I was contacted by a lady called Katja Faber, another bereaved mum I had interviewed some years ago. Katjas son Alex Morgan had been murdered in the most awful circumstances at a Swiss chalet. He was 23 when he died  the same age as Wendys son Marcus. She told me her heart had gone out to Wendy, and she wanted to help.

She was in Zurich. Did Wendy want her to go to the clinic and sit with her as she died, so that she wasnt alone? No judgment, she assured me. No attempt to change her mind.

I asked Wendy, secretly hoping that this could happen and that Katja could change her mind. Wendy was so, so touched.

But she declined. I wouldnt put anyone through that, she says. Similarly, shed told her siblings not to even consider making a last-minute dash to Switzerland.

And what of Wendys family? I thought of them often on that last night, wondering what they were doing, thinking, feeling.

Im glad they have each other, Wendy said, insisting she felt like a weight was taken off her shoulders once she had told them she was in Switzerland and, while shocked, they did not try to stop her. They know me, she repeated. They know this is what I want.

Whatever Murray and I were feeling on that last night would have been multiplied a hundred-fold, more, by Wendys family, who knew her and loved her.

This is the thing. The pacing around the kitchen, watching the clock, wondering if youd done enough will be familiar ground for any family who discover their loved one is in Switzerland, about to end their life.

If this is happening to one British person a week at Pegasos alone  which the founder tells me is the case  that leaves a lot of families feeling helpless, powerless and utterly distraught. The law cannot help here. This was something Wendy and I talked about several times, including the night before she died. Its better this way because Im not leaving a mess behind, she said.

You are, Wendy, I said. Its just a different type of mess.

I know I have to put my family through pain to alleviate my pain. I know thats selfish, she admitted. But its my life.

There were so many moments where the what ifs seemed to drown out her words. What if Marcus hadnt choked on that tomato? What if shed had better bereavement support, earlier?

There was a chilling moment when she was singing the praises of the Pegasos staff.

Id tell you if they were toerags, honest, sweetheart, but theyve been so helpful and so lovely. Theyve been much better than the NHS. When someone loses a child or relative there needs to be more support. The NHS cant cope with what its got, it really cant.

Not that she blames the NHS. Im not blaming them. Im not blaming anyone. My decision. Mine only.

I got word that Wendy had gone at lunchtime yesterday. She hadnt gone through with the threat to take a bottle of Champagne into the room with her. (She told me the procedure was booked for early in the day, too early for even me to start drinking.)

I was reminded of something she said on that last night of life, justifying for the nth time why she wanted to go. Before Marcus died, Id always been that bubbly bottle of pop, you know the one where you take the top off and it fizzes everywhere.

But my sparkle went the day I lost Markie. It really did.

It didnt, Wendy. The rest of us saw it; you just could not.
Dear Bel,

My mother met my stepdad in the mid-1950s. She was deeply in love but he wasnt ready to settle down. She then met my dad, and they married even though she wasnt in love. I was born in 1963. In 1966, she went back to her career as a secretary and re-met her first love.

When I was seven Mum picked me up from my friends, told me to get into her car (all packed up with bags and stuff) and we drove ten minutes away, where she pulled into a driveway. She got out of the car, and, after a couple of minutes, I did too  to witness Mummy kissing a man Id never seen before.

I was then introduced to him. He announced we were all on a big adventure! and led us into his house, where I was shown my new bedroom.

So, my life had completely changed in under half an hour. I had to go to a new school where I was bullied for three years. I was so unhappy that eventually Mum felt a guilt she never admitted to, and I was sent to another school where I was very happy.

So my stepdad had taken me on as a seven-year-old girl. To be fair, he treated me like an absolute princess when I was a kid. So I was pretty stunned at what was later to happen. Mum and my stepdad used to hold a lot of parties; their friends were aunties and uncles who had also known me since I was seven; a lot of adults seeing a little girl grow up.

When I reached 17, my stepdad started to dance smoochily with me, saying: Im teaching you how to dance like men will dance with you. Stupid me just accepted it. Then, one night, he was dancing with me close and tight as usual then suddenly stuck his tongue deep into my mouth. Obviously I was stunned, but carried on at the party like nothing had happened. It seems all those aunties and uncles never saw a thing, and I didnt know where my mum was.

I often wonder if she was told and whom shed blame  me or him. She was a mans woman and adored the ground he walked on. I often wonder if she would put her own pride  those female Have I lost my looks? concerns  before the fact that her husband had just sexually abused her daughter.

I blocked all this out for years and was brainwashed, well into my 30s, into agreeing how wonderful my stepdad was. Then I read something about sexual abuse not necessarily meaning just penetration, and, since then, what my stepdad did to me is always there in my mind. What are your thoughts?

OLWYN

Bel Mooney replies: Needless to say, my first thought is how horribly selfish adults are  so careless with the emotions and stability of their children.

I feel nothing but pity for the seven-year-old presented with a new house, bedroom and strange dad  all at once. I wonder if your mother stopped to think for one second that this might not be fair.

You say little about your biological father (did you see him?) and what fallout there must have been, but I can only deduce that you had to endure much more emotional turmoil at home as well as at school.

I know people fall in love and thats a form of madness, but Im old-fashioned enough to believe that once you have a child, that child has to come first, even if that means postponing your own wishes, at least for a while.

Reading between the lines, it sounds as if your besotted mother always put you second and gave little thought to how you were being brought up.

Those rackety parties stuffed with irresponsible adults might have seemed fun to a young teenager, probably allowed to stay up late and take a sip of booze and sneak a drag on a fag.

That was the zeitgeist for many of us in the 1970s, and I cant say Im proud of it. I raise my eyebrows at that absolute princess stuff (it can be a form of grooming) and find the image of a grown man dancing smoochily with his 17-year-old stepdaughter utterly revolting  a form of sexualising absolutely inappropriate, even before he stuck his tongue in your mouth.

And, yes, it does count as sexual abuse. You had no choice. Somebody should have intervened.

But, just as when you were seven, the irresponsible adults in your life confused, neglected and exploited your obedience/passivity as events unfolded beyond your control.

Was that the only time he did that? And Im wondering why you tell me nothing of your life since then  for example, work, your attitudes to men and whether you married.

Whatever happened to you, I assume you went on seeing your mother and stepfather during their lifetimes and perhaps, in order to do so, made yourself forget his behaviour.

Your uncut letter says you played Very Good Stepdaughter. Perhaps that was just as well. Now current awareness of various types of abuse has given you an understanding of the wrong that was done.

But your letter seems to show that the long-term hurt caused by your mothers carelessness weighs more heavily on you than your stepfathers disgusting behaviour. She was your mum but, in thrall to the man in her life, she neglected you.

Can you forgive her? Perhaps it would be good to write all your feelings down in a proper letter to her, then burn it. That exercise can help.

Grief is bitter, but slowly it can heal you

Dear Bel,

One minute we are young and everything is possible, life and dreams are there to be had. I grew up in a loving family and hoped to marry and have my own family.

I was shy  very few boyfriends. One got away, and one turned out to be violent and abusive. Once free of him I knew Id never have another relationship.

So I focused on work, travel, family and friends. Next minute (or so it seems), the years had gone. My lovely dad fell ill and I took early retirement to help Mum care for him. How she grieved after 72 years together.

Then Mum had several falls, was diagnosed with Alzheimers and needed 24-hour care. I moved in. She never lost her gentleness or positivity, and her smile was my daily dose of sunshine. She died in my arms last autumn but I knew Dad was waiting for her; that was my comfort.

But I remain devastated. I have some close friends and cousins, but none live nearby. No husband, children, nieces or nephews to help me. No one to give me a cuddle or say they love me.

I can chat with people but when I shut the front door I am overwhelmed with sadness. I dread each day. I do have faith and know I will see my parents again. But its coping with the here and now thats daunting.

Outside the birds are singing and the daffodils blooming. But how do I find consolation in what I see?

JILL

Bel Mooney replies: The beautiful, mournful opening sentence of your email struck right to my heart. Because its so fleeting, isnt it our time to walk this earth?

Im sure countless readers will identify with that feeling. They will also feel deep sympathy for you in your grief and loneliness.

I know you have found it helpful just to write things down, and feel glad that this column is able to help in that way. A listening ear, thats all.

And I wouldnt dream of spouting feel-good bromides to jolly you along. These days people take refuge in too much therapy-speak  telling fibs about trauma and closure.

Regret, grief and loneliness are real, and a sad but normal part of the human situation. You remind me of a long poem called Dejection by the great (and greatly troubled) Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Quote of the day

Lets celebrate St Georges Day, The dragon in repose; The brilliant lark ascending, The yew, the oak, the rose. From The True Dragon, by Brian Patten (English poet, 1946  2025)

He describes gazing on the western sky, and observing the beauty of clouds, stars and crescent moon  but his eyes are blank: I see them all so excellently fair, / I see, not feel, how beautiful they are!

Thats what you mean by your last sentence. You witness the beauty of spring but it fails to touch your heart.

All I will say, very gently, is that your beloved mother died recently, and your first spring without her is bound to be bittersweet. I hope (even predict) it wont always be.

You endured terrible disappointments when young, but surely the great achievement of your life was loving and taking care of your parents? Their memories are your blessings.

Whats more, you are fortunate in your faith that they are together and you will see them again. That being the case, can you listen to them telling you, right now, how beautiful those daffodils are? Can you hear their voices in birdsong?

Take deep breaths, look and listen. Allow yourself cleansing tears.

And I pray that in time you will be able slowly to start going out, and perhaps find some volunteering role  because you have kindness in your soul thats needed by our world.

And finally... Why I fly St George's flag with pride

This week weve marked our late Queens 100th birthday and St Georges Day as well. Im flying a flag for both  and that cheers me in these worrying times when this country, including its parliament, feels taken over by aliens.

I have two images of St George at home, both on little hand-painted icons from Ethiopia. The Christian saint is their national patron, greatly revered as a symbol of defiance and victory.

In the 1980s I visited the astonishing underground church of Beta Giyorgis in Lalibela, a sacred site in northern Ethiopia. I liked it that St George belongs to Ethiopians as well as the English. Let his flag fly high.

Since the Middle Ages the image of St George on his horse vanquishing the dragon has symbolised the victory of good over evil. Its a part of Christian tradition, fluttering on our church towers, as well as of English nationalism. Yes, defiance and victory. Whats wrong with that?

Theres always fuss made by Left-liberals and ignorant wokies when people want to fly the red cross on a white background from lampposts.

The nationalist Scots are allowed pride in their Saltire (St Andrews cross), while the Welsh love their fabulous Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) representing history, independence and national identity. But our own English flag is rejected by progressives. Such nonsense.

The flag of England was just fine for our late Queen as part of official royal, naval and national displays. She was a wondrous unifier, but Im sure she had a soft spot for Englishness too.

She defined my whole lifetime and remembering her is a great source of pride  and so, actually, are all the flags that represent Great Britain. I promise you, this merry, stubborn, positive patriotism does wonders for my mental health.
Testing.com data reveals AI is reshaping how Americans approach diagnosis, lab testing, and primary care

BOTHELL, Wash., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- One in three U.S. adults say an AI tool identified a health condition their doctor had previously missed or dismissed, and 9 in 10 of those conditions were later confirmed by a healthcare provider, according to a new survey of 1,000 Americans from Testing.com.

The survey, which polled adults who visited a healthcare provider in the past 12 months, found that AI is no longer a curiosity for patients. It is actively changing how they interact with the healthcare system, from challenging their doctors to ordering their own lab work to skipping primary care altogether.

Key Findings

AI is catching what doctors miss, and patients are getting confirmation. 30.3% of Americans say AI identified a condition their doctor missed. Of those, 90.1% say the condition was later confirmed by a healthcare provider. The most commonly caught conditions were vitamin or mineral deficiencies (48.8%), high blood pressure or cholesterol (29.4%), mental health conditions (28.7%), skin conditions (22.4%), and hormone imbalances (21.1%).

Younger Americans are leading the shift. Half of Millennials (50.8%) and nearly half of Gen Z (46.5%) say AI has caught something their doctor missed, compared to 24.4% of Gen X and 8.1% of Boomers. For adults under 35, 64.3% say they have challenged or wanted to challenge their doctor based on AI, compared to 40.3% of those 35 and older.

Patients are ordering lab tests specifically for AI to analyze. 1 in 4 U.S. adults (25.7%) say they order lab tests specifically for AI to analyze. The rate among adults under 35 is 44.3%. Among those who order labs for AI, 80.2% also say AI has caught a condition their doctor missed. The most commonly self-ordered categories include sexual health panels (STD testing, herpes test, chlamydia test), hormone tests, allergy testing, and full blood panel screening.

A growing share of Americans have replaced their primary care doctor with AI. 16.6% of adults say they skip primary care and manage their health through AI, with some relying on AI combined with urgent care or telehealth. The rate for adults under 35 is 26.2%. Among those who skip primary care, nearly 30% estimate they save over $1,000 per year.

Expert Commentary

"AI can be helpful in identifying patterns or suggesting possibilities based on symptoms or data entered. It may flag issues like cholesterol concerns or prompt someone to consider screening for common deficiencies," says Toni Brayer, M.D., an internal medicine doctor and member of Testing.com's medical review board. "However, these are suggestions, not diagnoses. More complex conditions, such as hormone imbalances or mental health disorders, require a comprehensive, individualized evaluation."

Dr. Brayer also expressed concern about the trend of patients dropping primary care: "What concerns me is the loss of continuity. Primary care is not just about treating problems as they arise. It is about knowing the patient over time. There is also a false sense of savings. Skipping primary care may reduce short-term costs, but delayed diagnoses or unmanaged chronic conditions can lead to more expensive care down the line."

Methodology

In April 2026, Testing.com surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who visited a healthcare provider in the past 12 months, using the Pollfish survey platform. Pollfish uses Random Device Engagement to reach respondents through in-app surveys rather than opt-in panels, helping reduce fraud and duplicate responses, broaden sample diversity, and improve response quality. Attention checks and other fraud-detection tools were used to identify invalid responses. The margin of error is approximately 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Results are based on self-reported responses.

The full report is available at: https://www.testing.com/news/1-in-3-americans-say-ai-diagnosed-a-health-problem-their-doctor-missed/

About Testing.com

Originally launched in 2001 as Lab Tests Online by the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM, formerly AACC), a global scientific organization of more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, Testing.com was acquired by OneCare Media in 2021 and merged with HealthTestingCenters.com, which has provided direct consumer access to laboratory testing through LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics since 1980. Today, Testing.com enables consumers to order lab tests directly, including STD testing options (chlamydia test, herpes test, and gonorrhea test, and complete STD panel), hormone tests, food sensitivity testing, allergy testing, and full blood panel screening, without requiring a doctor's order. Drawing on more than two decades of clinical laboratory expertise, Testing.com publishes original survey research on how Americans navigate diagnosis, testing, and health decisions. All medical content and research are reviewed by a board-certified physician advisory board.

SOURCE Testing.com
CNN's Dana Bash was left blushing after a guest from TMZ revealed that one of her colleagues has a crush on her.

TMZ's executive director Harvey Levin spilled the beans when he appeared on CNN's Inside Politics on Friday.

Levin revealed that one of his Washington DC correspondents had a not-so-secret crush on the anchor.

'As long as we're talking, I just want to tell you one thing. So Charlie, you know, the Australian with the long hair,' Levin began, referring to TMZ correspondent Charlie Cotton.

'I talked to him about 20 minutes ago and he said, "I heard you're doing Dana's show," and I said, "Yeah," and he's like, "Oh my god."

'He said, "I want to - that's like my role model," he said, and, "I think she's so hot." So I just had to convey that. Charlie's smitten.'

The moment left Bash, a longtime CNN anchor and political correspondent, too stunned for words as she hid her face in her hands.

'Okay, I don't even know what to say to that but thank you,' she responded.

TMZ's Harvey Levin appeared on CNN's Inside Politics with anchor Dana Bash where he spilled that one of his Washington DC correspondents had a not-so-secret crush on her

Levin told Bash live on-air that TMZ reporter Charlie Cotton thought of her as a 'role model' and that 'she's so hot'

The moment left Bash, a longtime CNN anchor and political correspondent, too stunned for words as she hid her face in her hands

She added that she would text Levin after the show ended about the moment, before she was heard saying, 'Oh my god.'

The pair had spent the segment discussing TMZ's DC correspondents and their coverage of politicians in tabloid media.

'We're just kind of going to be who we are, and where are we going next? The Grindr party tonight,' Levin said during the segment.

The discussion followed TMZ's appearance at a Pentagon briefing this week.

Cotton is married to Erin Beaudoin, 34, and they appear to share two children together.

The notable news reporter and co-managing editor for the tabloid also staked a question to Hegseth on Friday and asked if the administration would change the name of the Department of War.

'Would you consider changing the name again to the Department of Peace, since that's what we're all after?' Cotton queried.

Hegseth cracked a smile and took the 'great question' in stride, saying that 'the one institution that should win the Nobel Peace Prize every single year is the United States military.'

'You go from defense to war because you want to be proactive about peace through strength,' Hegseth said.

Charlie Cotton, a Washington DC correspondent for TMZ, seen above

TMZ's appearance at the briefing marked a push for the tabloid's newfound angle, as Hegseth referred to them as new members of the press pool.

The Daily Mail has contacted TMZ, CNN and Cotton via social media for comment.
David Jackson is the founder of Squelch, a fine wine marketplace.

Fine wine has had a difficult few years, with prices tumbling.

Having hit an all-time high during the lockdowns of the pandemic  demand went through the roof whilst we were all stuck at home treating ourselves to better bottles  the market then gave way to the longest correction in history.

Three years of falling prices driven by China's sluggish post-pandemic recovery, disastrous en primeur (new vintage release) campaigns, and US tariff uncertainty.

Prices started rising again in late 2025; a trend that looks likely to continue helped along by an EU trade deal with India  one of the fastest growing fine wine consumers on the planet  which will see import duty slashed.

A similar mobilisation of wine buyers in China in 2008 saw prices soar by several hundred percent.

So right now, at the bottom of the dip, would seem an excellent moment to make an investment or re-stock the cellar.

Here are my top 10 tips for those who may be completely new to wine investment, or who are dab hands. One suggestion, though: if you buy wine as an investment and keep it at home, its important you dont drink it.

Opportunity: Fine wine has had a difficult few years - could now be a great time to buy?

Bordeaux

Chateau Pape Clement 2020 - 40 per bottle in bond

Gorgeous, jammy Pessac-Leognan from a magical vintage with high 90s scores from most critics. Timing is everything.

This wine came to market en primeur in the final throes of that crazy covid market at over 60. Today its yours for just 40.

Its one of the greatest current bargains in the entire wine market. This particular bottle requires patience, however, as it wont be ready to drink until at least 2030, but it feels to me like it will be sporting a three-figure price tag by then.

David Jackson is the founder of Squelch, a fine wine marketplace

Pontet Canet 2018 - 65 per bottle in bond

In the 1980s, Pontet Canet had fallen so far from grace that it was the plonk you were served on an SNCF train, the French equivalent of an intercity.

Today, under new management and utilising biodynamic farming techniques, it is one of the most consistent, desirable and investible Bordeaux wines.

Its fantastic too  this 2018 is all flowers, truffles and spicy wood. And at 65 it is an utter bargain. The similarly acclaimed 16 is (just) into its drinking window and already nudging 100. The 09 and 10 add another 30. This ones next.

Chateau dYquem 1996 - 120 per bottle (37.5ml)

Admittedly these are half size bottles, but its not often you can get the best of the best at this price point  Yquem being the undisputed world heavyweight champion of dessert wines.

And at 30 years old, this ones just getting into its stride. Expect orange marmalade and wild honey in spades.

And now that its firmly into its prime drinking window, expect prices to shoot up too. No hurry to drink up, either  this stuff will outlive us all.

Lafite Rothschild 2006 - 370 per bottle in bond

Investing in First Growths isnt as straightforward as it seems. The 'brand bonus' is all too often fully built into the price, and youre generally better off with something further down the food chain. Not so here.

2006 was a funny vintage where critics couldnt quite agree on whether it was stellar or middling-to-fair.

Regardless, Lafite was outstanding, once garnering 97 points from His Royal Bobness, wine guru Robert Parker. From a high of over 700 to 370 today, the value is outstanding for such a highly rated First Growth  but be warned, at 20 years old the corks are being pulled and its disappearing fast. Prices will only go one way.

Chateau Pape Clement 2020 has made it to the list of recommendations

Italy

Tenuta Sette Ponti 'Oreno' 2020 - 40 per bottle in bond

The SuperTuscans  a band of DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) rule-breaking Italian rebels and mavericks  have been one of the great investment success stories of recent time.

Most Sassicaias (the ultimate Super Tuscan vintage), for example, have doubled or even trebled in value in recent years, and now sit in Bordeaux First Growth territory.

Even historically accessible Tignanello is now into 3 figures. Wonderful Oreno is, qualitatively, easily their equal but currently bringing up the rear pricewise. Act quickly  it wont stay an outlier for long.

Tignanello 2023 - 90 per bottle in bond

To frame the SuperTuscans in the terminology of Bordeaux, Masseto would be a Petrus, the most famous and sought-after of French wines, and therefore in standalone price territory.

Sassicaia, by contrast, would be a First Growth. And Tignanello is the very best of the Super-Seconds.

On that basis, Id suggest theres another 50 of growth available here to close the ratio to more Bordeaux-esque terms before Tig even breaks into a sweat. Dont worry that you missed it at 60 per bottle.

As one of the most recognisable brands not just of Tuscany, but of the entire wine universe, this has some way to go.

Champagne

Piper Rare 2006 - 73 per bottle in bond

One of the most beautiful bottles of any wine, let alone just Champagne.

A visual showstopper, but one that manages to remain elegant and graceful, avoiding the gaudy shoutiness of certain other gold bottled fizzies folk are drinking. The quality is there to back it up, too.

And the market is noticing. Claiming an ever-elevated place amongst Champagne royalty, this is certainly a sparkler to punt on. Less than a third the price of 06 Krug, and for the moment even cheaper than the less special Dom Perignon.

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2013 - 93 per bottle in bond

Not your Tesco Taittinger, this, but their flagship. Rarer than Dom Perignon, better than Cristal. Understated sophistication.

Rarely do I get more astonished glances into the glass than when I serve this wine  surely this cant be Taittinger! This glorious 2013 is an oh-so complex explosion of apricots, hazelnuts and lemons.

As one of their latest offerings (these wines stay on the lees for an incredibly long time) this was released in tricky times and sits as quite the bargain at a price below 100.

Napa

Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena - 108 per bottle

Napa wines, from the Napa Valley in California, have a nasty habit of commanding prices of several hundred pounds.

Often four figures. Ouch. So its refreshing to find a renowned and sought-after offering at such a bargain price  relatively speaking, of course.

With critic scores in the very high 90s across the board, this vintage is a very special drop, too.

Its notable that vintages of a similar quality but with a bit more age are closer to 200. Thats surely where this wine is headed.

Be careful! If you buy wine as an investment and keep it at home, its important you dont drink it

Opus One - 231 per bottle in bond

Higher end Napa wines often stack up as investible on paper, but they can have a tricksy secondary market because of their tiny productions and cellar-door distribution models. In plain English, they can be hard to sell and often catch out the unwary.

Opus One is different. With its Mouton Rothschild affiliation and Place de Bordeaux distribution, Opus trades as well in the secondary market as any old-world offering. This is First Growth Bordeaux quality and desirability for half the price.

Bonus Outlier Chateau Latour 1982 - 1,900 per bottle

Ahem. A 'little' out of budget for most of us mere mortals. But whilst it might seem nonsensical to recommend anything at this price for investment, I reckon this has got plenty left in the tank.

82 Latour is a contender for the title of the greatest Bordeaux ever made, and features on every well-heeled oenophiles to-die-for list.

Price growth will be driven by extreme and increasing rarity as the last of the available stockpile is rapidly consumed.

Condition varies wildly at this age, but theres a rare mint case available right now on Squelch.

Pro tips: If your interest is exclusively for investment, then how you store matters for resale.

Buy only sealed cases and store in an HMRC bonded warehouse (in bond).

Remember to factor in ownership costs. Its 80 or so to store & insure a case of wine for 5 years regardless of value.

So your 200 Pape Clement has to go some just to cover these costs from its profits. Thats why most investment wines are north of 1,000 per case. Avoid Burgundy for now. Its a house of cards.

If youre a drinker and the investment angle gives you the perfect excuse to buy wines at a price you otherwise couldnt justify, go ahead and get them delivered to your home.

Drink half and sell the rest on a peer-to-peer platform. If you catch the next Sassicaia and it doubles in value, youre drinking for free.
Not so long ago, the Magnificent Seven were global stock market darlings. But there is now more critical scrutiny of these US technology titans  Alphabet (owner of Google), Amazon, Apple, Instagram owner Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla.

These 'Mag 7' corporations, with their billionaire bosses, are under pressure to demonstrate payback from their expenditure on semiconductor chips and every other element of artificial intelligence (AI).

Billions are being lavished on data centres, or 'AI factories', as Silicon Valley calls them.

Ahead of these firms' first-quarter results next week, the clamour for proof that spending will ensure pre-eminence has been amplified by the appointment of a new chief executive at Apple, which has not been splashing the cash on AI.

Tim Cook, who has presided over a 20-fold rise in the shares during his 15-year tenure, will become Apple's chairman. His replacement is John Ternus, Apple's hardware chief.

In this role, Ternus has assured Apple's supremacy in beautifully-designed devices such as iPhones, iPads and Macs. Ternus may be particularly lauded for his contribution to AirPods, a global hit.

Moving on: Tim Cook has presided over a 20-fold rise in Apple shares during his 15-year tenure

But sleek, AI-enabled products will not satisfy those who want to see advances in AI from Apple, or its peers including Alphabet, which has been dubbed the 'Full-Stack AI King'. Such is its preparation for battle.

The debate over who will emerge as AI winners concerns direct holders of Mag 7 companies and the thousands more who own them through general funds, like the F&C trust.

I am certainly engaged as an investor in two tech trusts  Allianz and Polar Capital.

The companies have already changed our lives. But which are more likely to yield life-changing rewards?

Bet on chips

The cautious may decide that it is too early to know, as history shows early front-runners can finish nowhere.

Stephen Yiu, manager of the Blue Whale fund, says: 'Google Search now dominates. But

how many other search companies foundered along the way? Who remembers pioneers like Alta Vista?'

The outcome being unclear, Yiu's strategy is to bet on the companies that provide the AI 'picks and shovels'.

In the 1848 gold rush more equipment suppliers made fortunes than prospectors.

The quintessential picks and shovels player is Nvidia, the $4.9bn (3.6bn) behemoth whose reassuringly expensive chips remain AI must-haves, although the competition is hotting up.

Yiu says: 'The valuation metric we look at is free cash flow (FCF)  that's the cash left for shareholders after capital spending. In 2026, Nvidia's FCF of $180billion (133billion) is about double the FCF of Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla combined  $90billion (66.5billion).'

Nvidia shares have leapt by 97 per cent over the past 12 months to nearly $210  21,857pc above their level of a decade ago. But they are still seen as a 'buy'; analysts have set an average target price of $286.

Yiu is enthusiastic about semiconductor firm Broadcom. Its shares are up nearly 22p so far this year.

Again, analysts rate them a 'buy'. Yesterday the price was just over $421.

Alphabet

Alphabet is a $4trillion (3trillion) entity encompassing Google and businesses like the Android operating system, YouTube and driverless taxi service Waymo.

Another asset is the DeepMind AI research business. Since its acquisition a decade ago, it has provided a foundation for Alphabet's AI ventures, as Carolyn Bell, who is the manager of Stonehage Fleming's Global Best Ideas fund, explains

Bell points out that Android and Google's billions of users are a ready-made audience for Alphabet's AI services.

She says: 'AI-enabled Google searches are already producing higher engagement levels, bringing more revenue.'

What's more, Alphabet makes its own Tensor chips, with Broadcom, meaning it is less exposed to Nvidia's steep prices  'the Nvidia tax' as it is known in Silicon Valley-speak.

No wonder then that analysts consider Alphabet shares a 'buy' at $424. One analyst is even targeting $730.

Amazon

As many as 68 analysts follow Amazon, the $2.6trillion (1.9trilion) group which is the world's largest online retailer. Some 49 regard Amazon as a 'buy' at its current price of $262.

This stems from the AI-driven expansion of the cloud computing arm  Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Among those relying on AWS and Amazon's Trainium chips is Anthropic, whose Claude system is seen as an AI disruptor. Amazon invested $5billion in the start-up this week and may commit more to a firm set for a stock market debut this year.

Apple

Apple shares dipped on the announcement that Cook was stepping back.

But JP Morgan reiterated that the shares are a 'buy' at $272. The broker's target price is $325. Another 23 brokers share that view, but 14 see it as a 'hold'.

This highlights the sense that Ternus faces an AI reckoning. The company may be about to unveil its AI-enabled smart glasses in four styles, but investors may want more.

Meta

Shares in Meta could rise from their current $677 to $1,015. Or so forecasts one of the 47 analysts who views them as a 'buy'.

Just last month, Meta was at the centre of what was dubbed a 'Big Tobacco moment' over the harmfully addictive nature of its apps: Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Some declared the company to be 'uninvestable'.

But others appear persuaded that bumper returns could flow from the prodigious outlay in AI by Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

This week he said that 10 per cent of the company's employees would lose their jobs to fund the spending spree.

Meta is felt to be winning the smart glasses war with 7m pairs of Raybans sold last year.

But, once more, evidence of more substantial achievement must soon emerge.

Microsoft

The 13 per cent drop in Microsoft shares to $420 so far this year highlights the concern that this $3.2trillion (2.4trillion) corporation could be an AI laggard, despite its Azure cloud computing business and its close links with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.

The dip means that analysts have trimmed target prices for the shares.

But most have maintained 'buy' recommendations, sending out a message that no one is prepared to predict the winners, so it makes sense to spread your bets.

Tesla

As this week's better-than-expected results revealed, Tesla is reinventing itself as an autonomous taxi, robotics and all-round AI leader, in an apparent bid to retain its membership of the Magnificent Seven.

The $1.5trillion (1.1trillion) electric car maker has seemed a poor fit in this charmed circle.

The verdict of analysts probably reflects the way in which Tesla chief executive Elon Musk divides opinion: 29 among a pool of 52 contend shares should be held or sold.

But Musk believers say the shares are a 'buy' and could even rise from $375.70 yesterday to $600, which would make the world's richest man even more of a winner.
She's been dubbed 'America's worst mayor' after repeated allegations of misconduct and Tiffany Henyard faces yet more controversy around her political comeback following her move from Illinois to Georgia.

The former Democratic Dolton mayor is now running for election in next month's primary for County Commissioner of the 5th District in Fulton County after flipping to the Republican ticket.

But her bid faced scrutiny this week as she was probed by the Fulton County Board of Elections over her finances and how long she has been resident in Georgia.

During questioning she admitted she was living in Georgia while still holding elected office in Illinois, as records show she continued to collect thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded paychecks from the northern state.

Public records show Henyard received $12,007 from the Village of Dolton between March 7, 2025, and May 2, 2025, despite having already lost her mayoral primary election on February 25 last year.

She is also estimated to have collected $8,614 from her second role as supervisor of Thornton Township during the first two weeks of May, bringing her total taxpayer-funded earnings during that period to $20,621.

The payments came as Henyard, 42, allegedly failed to attend a single public meeting after her election defeat.

Henyard, who served as mayor of Dolton from 2021 to 2025, remained in office until her successor was sworn in on May 5, 2025 and continued in her township role until May 19.

Tiffany Henyard infamously dubbed 'America's worst mayor' has been given the green light to proceed with her bid for County Commissioner of the 5th District in Fulton County

Henyard is seen smiling widely when she met former Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024 at the White House. She has since flipped to the Republican ticket

At the hearing Henyard said her residency in Georgia started by May 2025, citing her daughter's school enrollment, a local business and a residential lease that took effect on May 1 last year.

In Georgia, candidates for county commissioner must live in the district for at least one year prior to the election.

The Fulton County Board of Elections voted 3-1 to allow her candidacy to proceed, determining she met the statutory threshold.

After the hearing Henyard addressed the controversy in a statement to Daily Mail.

'I want to address the residency challenge that has been raised against me. It is baseless, politically motivated, and without merit,' she said.

Henyard maintained there should have been no question about her eligibility, saying: 'Let me be clear: there is no legitimate question about my residency in Fulton County, Georgia.'

She added that she had secured a lease and established a business locally, arguing: 'Residency is established by where a person actually lives and intends to remain.'

Addressing criticism over holding office in Illinois while relocating she had previously said she was 'a lame duck.'

Public records show Henyard received more than $20,000 of taxpayers money while she was living in Georgia. She claimed she did nothing wrong and was 'a lame duck'

She is running unopposed in the Republican primary that will be held next month

In the statement she added that it was 'simply a matter of timing during the transition period before the duly elected successors could be sworn in and officially assume their terms.'

She continued: 'And let me address the ELEPHANT in the room directly: YES, I am running as a Republican. I am not running to satisfy anyones assumptions about what I should believe, how I should think, or what party I should belong to.

'I am running because the people of Fulton County deserve honest leadership, safer communities, and public officials who are willing to confront hard truths instead of hiding behind politics.'

Henyard is now running unopposed in the May 19 Republican primary for the District 5 seat.

She is expected to face a Democratic challenger in the general election in November in what is considered a heavily blue district.

Dejia Felicity Swindell, one of the Democratic candidates in the race, told the Daily Mail that voters have raised serious concerns about Henyards candidacy.

'Many voters have reached out with serious concerns and I have received considerable communication from voters who express profound concern about the integrity of the process and outcome surrounding Ms. Henyard, particularly when measured against the established facts.'

She added that the situation raises broader questions about the system itself.

Rival candidate Dejia Felicity Swindell revealed voters have voiced 'profound concern' over the integrity of the process surrounding Tiffany Henyards candidacy

Democratic candidate Sojourner M. Grimmett said voters expect 'clarity, consistency and accountability' from anyone seeking public office

'While I remain a firm proponent of democratic processes, as do my supporters and the broader District 5 community, the procedural gaps and structural inconsistencies revealed by this case warrant careful examination.'

Swindell called for further scrutiny and accountability across both states.

'That said, this situation merits a comprehensive investigation and sustained public discourse to ensure that voters and citizens in both Fulton County's District 5 and Illinois are afforded the representation, transparency and accountability they rightfully deserve.'

'Democratic legitimacy requires not only substantive honesty with the principles of just representation and electoral integrity but also procedural compliance.'

She added: 'As the youngest commissioner of Fulton Countys District 5, I promise to honor every voters voice. Running for office is not a career move for me; its an action deriving from the collective voice of young people across our great nation who are fed up with bureaucracy.'

Another Democratic candidate, Sojourner M. Grimmett, emphasized the importance of accountability when asked about Henyard's candidacy.

'Voters expect clarity, consistency and accountability from anyone seeking to serve,' she told the Daily Mail.

'Leadership should always be grounded in integrity, transparency and accountability. Those are non-negotiable values in public service.'

Henyard joined the brawl and witnesses said at one point she lost her wig in the melee

Her campaign website currently directs visitors straight to a donation page, with little additional information about her platform or policies.

Political scientist Andra Gillespie had previously said that Henyard faces an uphill battle in the race, pointing to the district's political makeup and her high-profile controversies.

But Gillespie told Daily Mail that Henyard's candidacy is unlikely to gain traction, warning that 'there is a lot about her candidacy that is problematic.'

She noted the district is 'overwhelmingly Democratic,' adding that Henyard 'is a Republican running in an overwhelmingly Democratic district,' a mismatch that significantly weakens her chances.

'She's a newcomer running against experienced politicians who are known quantities in their communities,' Gillespie said, pointing out that local candidates have 'deeper roots' and established voter bases.

Even without the controversies surrounding her time in Illinois, Gillespie said Henyard would still struggle, adding: 'I don't think that she would be a factor in this particular race.'

She went further, describing the bid as largely symbolic: 'Her candidacy is inconsequential it will be treated like a vanity campaign more so than anything else.'

While Henyard may coast through the Republican primary unopposed, Gillespie said the general election presents a far steeper challenge, noting it is 'highly unlikely that she would be competitive.'

Tiffany Henyard's mugshot following a July 2016 arrest on a charge of criminal trespass to vehicles in Dolton, Illinois

Ronald Henyard, 65, was shot in the neck in an alley in the 1300 block of South Kedzie Avenue in the citys North Lawndale neighborhood last month

'The novelty of the candidacy gets her media attention. I don't think it gets her votes,' she added.

Henyard's tenure in Illinois was marred by allegations of financial mismanagement, legal disputes and federal scrutiny.

In February 2025, she lost her re-election bid by a landslide when her opponent Jason House securing 88 percent of the vote.

The election came a month after Henyard joined in a brawl at a town meeting after a frequent critic of Henyard took to the podium and launched an aggressive tirade at the mayor that ended with him calling her a 'b***h'.

The activist accused Henyard of 'sleeping her way to the top' and being a 'half-a**ed mayor.'

But before he could return to his seat, Henyard's boyfriend charged at the activist. At least one other man stepped in to the fracas and the massive brawl broke out.

Henyard was seen bolting into the melee herself, at one point losing her wig, according to multiple witnesses.

She faced a number of controversies during her time in Illinois. Her administration had been subject to multiple investigations, including an FBI inquiry into the handling of public funds, as well as lawsuits alleging misconduct and retaliation against political opponents.

She shared selfies with Biden in the background during a visit to the White House in January 2024

Henyard announced on social media that she had been cleared to appear on the ballot for Fulton County commissioner. She issued a follow-up statement to the Daily Mail

Henyard has continued to promote herself under the hashtag #supermayor despite all the controversies

She was also ordered to pay $10,000 in a dispute with a landlord who accused her of failing to pay rent while in office.

In a separate personal development last month, her father, Ronald Henyard, was shot in the neck in Chicago.

He survived and she posted online that he was an innocent victim of this random and heartbreaking violence.

She said the shooting further highlights what many of us already know about gun violence in Chicago and called for stronger action and meaningful solutions.

Henyard urged Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to seriously reconsider federal assistance from President Donald Trump.

Henyard was also arrested in July 2016 for criminal trespass to vehicles in Dolton. Since she came into public office her mugshot from that arrest has circulated.

The controversies earned her the nickname 'America's worst mayor,' despite continuing to promote herself under the hashtag #supermayor.
A national Amish leader has been arrested on allegations of torturing, enslaving and sexually abusing participants of his counseling retreat.

Sam Shetler's case has put the secretive and fastgrowing Amish and Mennonite communities under the spotlight like never before.

No trial date has yet been set for the 42yearold, who faces at least 15 years in prison if convicted on two counts of trafficking for forced labor and one count of sodomy. He has also been charged with one count of firstdegree involuntary manslaughter and has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

He stands accused of using his residential program in Missouri to exploit vulnerable Amish and Mennonite teens and adults, including some who are disabled and severely mentally ill.

Investigators say in their probable cause statement that he drugged and psychologically manipulated them, and demanded unpaid labor to maintain control of his flock.

Those allegations alone seem shocking enough when it comes to folks who are known for shunning conflict and cell phones, and still get around in horsedrawn buggies.

But victims' advocates say Shetler's March 25 arrest lays bare a much broader pattern of abuse at dozens of unregulated Amish and Mennonite treatment programs nationwide, warehousing not only female abuse survivors but also male attackers.

'Many of these facilities are nothing but organized crime  men making money exploiting the bodies, labor and emotional needs of members,' said Jasper Hoffman, a former Mennonite who advocates for Amish women and hosts The Plain People's Podcast.

'People don't really choose to go to these places. They get put there like concentration camps.'

Sam Shetler, 42, was arrested in Missouri in March and is now charged on counts of human trafficking and sodomy

Jasper Hoffman is a former Mennonite who advocates for Amish women and hosts The Plain People's Podcast

Amish farms dot the countryside in the Missouri Ozarks (file image)

Shetler is a horse and mule trainer, farmer, businessman and leader within the Swartzentrubers  the most conservative and restrictive subset of Amish Americans who separate themselves not just from modern society, but also from other Amish groups.

They follow strict social rules that generally prohibit electricity, plumbing and technology, and are sometimes mocked as hillbillies by more modern Amish and Mennonites.

Shetler lives in a Schwartzentruber enclave in Boonville, Missouri, roughly midway between Kansas City and St. Louis. He has served on the board of the Hoffnung Organization, a national nonprofit named after the German word for hope.

It funds services for socalled 'plain' communities that adhere to a lifestyle of simple dress, separation from modern culture and devout faith.

In addition to raising their own brood of children, records show that around 2009 Shetler and his wife Ida opened an informal boarding program for teenagers perceived to be 'morally or mentally disabled and or in need of counseling or therapy services.'

Some had diagnosed mental and behavioral health conditions, but others were merely rebellious or had been kicked out of their houses for resisting or speaking out about sexual abuse.

Shetler's program started with five participants but grew to more than 20, so he gleaned donations and volunteer labor to build a new nonprofit. The Mercy & Truth Retreat launched in 2022 with a steady stream of participants sent there by the Hoffnung Organization and various church ministries, mostly in the Midwest.

Its vision: 'To provide care and hope for struggling individuals within our Plain Communities in a Christ like way with little or no cost to the individual person.'

Hoffman (pictured) said many treatment facilities are fronts for 'organized crime  men making money exploiting the bodies, labor and emotional needs of members'

Shetler lives in a Schwartzentruber enclave in Boonville, Missouri, roughly midway between Kansas City and St. Louis

'We only charge for lab work, supplements, and actual medical expenses. Food, care, therapy and your stay at Mercy & Truth Retreat is free of charge,' the program boasted.

'Our goal is to provide a "primitive" family type setting that is as close to real life as possible with a whole person perspective of Body, Mind, Spirit.'

The program reported having 93 residents who stayed an average of 90 days for the year in 2023. It employed eight fulltime workers, none of whom were making more than $35 a day, a report to the retreat's donors shows.

Shetler is believed to have no formal training or license as a mental  or behavioral healthcare provider. Still, records show that at the 2023 opening of a new retreat center on his property, he gave a lecture about 'childhood trauma and the results of losing a hearttoheart connection'.

Other records show that in 2024 he led a training for 'ministers, mentors, support groups and parents who are personally and/or directly involved with dealing with sexual abuse victims/survivors.'

Yet a multiyear investigation by the Cooper County Sheriff's Department found he had unorthodox and even disturbing ways of trying to help.

Prompted by numerous calls about his 'cultlike' behavior, the probe found Shetler told three teenage women that they were 'demon possessed' and he was the only one who could control the 'evil spirits' within them. During counseling sessions, he rubbed oil on their bodies, including on their pubic areas, as a form of exorcism, according to a fivepage probable cause statement.

'The three females arrived at the facility when they were 15 years old and are now believed to be 19 to 20 years old. They travel everywhere with Sam and follow Sam everywhere he goes,' it reads.

According to the statement, one victim told police that, when she was a young teen, Shetler subjected her to inappropriate 'counseling' sessions in which he sexually abused her multiple times under the guise of treatment, including laying on top of her and whispering: 'You're so lucky to be here.'

Court documents also allege that Shetler forced some residents to take 70 to 100 pills a day, many of which he personally compounded at home. One witness reported seeing him 'wrestle down' a female resident who refused to take her pills, sit on her chest, force tablets and capsules into her mouth and hold it shut until she swallowed them.

Shetler's arrest has led to the secretive and fastgrowing Amish and Mennonnite communities coming under the spotlight like never before

Shetler is accused of using the Mercy & Truth retreat to exploit vulnerable Amish and Mennonite teens and adults, including some who are disabled and severely mentally ill.

Another witness reported that an Amish man with disabilities was kicked in the genitals and locked for weeks in a 'safe room', tied with his hands behind his back and punished with pepper in his eyes.

The statement quotes residents saying they were forced to work at Shetler's farm, horse and mule training operations, sawmill and pallet business, or leased as laborers on his neighbors' farms, often for long hours and without being paid. Some were not receiving counseling or therapy from Shetler, which ostensibly was their reason for being at Mercy & Truth.

At the 2023 opening of a new retreat center on his property, Shetler gave a lecture about 'childhood trauma and the results of losing a hearttoheart connection'

'The retreat was under the control of one individual who took advantage of his position in the Amish Community to control, manipulate, coerce, and force vulnerable people for his own profit in different forms,' Cooper County Sheriff Chris Class said when announcing charges in March.

Liberty Ridge Farm, a rehabilitation center for troubled youth operated by Mennonites in eastern Pennsylvania, was similarly accused by former residents of labor, human trafficking and severe abuse.

Reports indicated that older 'mentors' or staff forced residents to lie facedown on the ground and restrained them with zipties for extended periods, sometimes for days or weeks. A judge has ruled against Liberty Ridge for violating labor practices.

Shetler  who hasn't posted his $100,000 bond and could not be reached in jail  has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

His lawyer, Adam Dowling, did not respond to the Daily Mail's request to discuss the case.

A woman who answered the phone at Mercy & Truth hung up on us when we asked about the allegations against her boss.

The Daily Mail spoke with three former residents of the retreat  one of whom, a Mennonite young man, said his family 'dragged' him there when he started questioning his faith at age 16.

'I was there to get reprogramed by Sam,' he said of the man he claimed forced him to work with his livestock and in his sawmill for months without pay.

A young woman told the Daily Mail Shetler forced her to swallow dozens of pills each day without specifying what they were supposed to treat. She said some of the medications and supplements  for which her family paid thousands of dollars  'tasted like the smell of ammonia' and that she worries they'll someday 'give me cancer or keep me from having babies'.

Another young woman is in her late teens, but says she feels like she's 50. From as far back as she can remember, when she first spoke out about sexual abuse by her father, she bounced between the homes of her grandparents, aunts and uncles and distant relatives, with occasional stints at retreats like Mercy & Truth.

She was labeled 'unpious' and 'unsuitable' for the Swartzentruber way of life and repeatedly told that she was 'possessed by demons,' she said:

'I was a potato, thrown around like I was too hot to handle. And I'm not the only one,' she told the Daily Mail.

Like other facilities the two said they were also forced into, they noted that the retreat housed not just victims of sexual abuse, but also perpetrators.

The Daily Mail has verified through court records claims that at least one serial sexual predator was placed at Mercy & Truth.

'There were boys and men who shouldn't have been there,' one of the young women told us.

A Pennsylvaniabased victims' advocate who asked to be identified only as Rebecca toured the retreat in June 2024. She said a staffer there, Regina Miller, told her the retreat generally doesn't report abuse incidents.

'I found that to be problematic, obviously,' she said.

Attempts to reach Miller were unsuccessful.

Shetler's arrest has put the secretive and fastgrowing Amish and Mennonite communities under the spotlight like never before

Amish communities traditionally shun modern conveniences such as motor vehicles while most Mennonites embrace technology

Investigators in Shetler's case found internal guidelines instructing staffers and residents at his retreat to clam up if questioned by law enforcement. Shetler's court records show that police could not fully investigate several reports about his misconduct 'due to cultural differences'.

'They're insular,' one law enforcement official told us. 'It's hard to get them to talk.'

It appears that members of Shetler's own community had been raising questions about his treatment practices long before his arrest.

A transcript of a January 2025 phone call including Shetler, the longtime head of a treatment center in Pennsylvania Amish country, and several highlevel clergy members shows Shetler being challenged about locking up one resident in a 'safe room' and cuddling another resident in the course of what he claimed was attachment therapy. He was also taken to task for purporting to have been trained on attachment therapy, when he wasn't.

Insiders told us that internal disagreements about Shetler's conduct forced a rift in Boonville's Schwartzentruber Amish enclave. In April 2025, the community split between a north district of 22 families allied with Shetler and a south district of 16 families critical, among other things, of the way he ran his retreat.

Hoffman, the podcaster and former Mennonite, said she has spoken with hundreds of girls and women from Plain communities who have been abused by fathers, husbands, brothers, other relatives and clergy members and placed in retreats like Mercy & Truth for what she claims is bogus treatment by unlicensed therapists and counselors such as Shetler.

'They're sent, usually against their will, to be isolated and controlled. It's supposed to scare them, to make them obedient and quiet,' she said.

As she sees it, the Amish and Mennonite don't crack down on their male sexual predators, hoping they'll simply pray their sin away.

She points to the case of David Stoltzfus Smucker, an elderly Amish man in Pennsylvania who has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing four girls between four and nine years old for several years from 2014 to 2018.

His victims were removed from their homes and placed in other households and facilities, accused of 'sexually acting out', as if they deserved their abuse.

Shetler is accused of two charges of sex trafficking and one of sodomy. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty

Rather than awaiting trial behind bars, Smucker was allowed to live at Whispering Hope, a retreat similar to Mercy & Truth where children are allowed to visit.

Another treatment facility called the Gilead Balm Wellness Center in the heart of Ohio Amish country has also come under fire, including for promoting alternative remedies over more proven, scientificallybased mental health and psychiatric treatments, even for its sickest clients.

Daniel Hershberger, 32, was placed there after other failed attempts to treat his schizophrenia and depression. After at least two reported suicide attempts during his stint there, he wandered away from the facility and killed himself in a corn field in October 2023.

Ruth Miller, an Amish mother who also attended Gilead Balm, suffered acute psychosis and mania that led her to drown her 4yearold son in an Ohio lake in 2025. She has since been found not guilty by reason of insanity, prompting watchdogs to ask why Gilead Balm didn't provide the care she clearly needed.

'It's heartbreaking,' Hoffman said. 'How many people need to suffer before something's done about these facilities?'
A Sydney woman has divided public opinion after revealing she uses her ADHD diagnosis to have parking fines and late fees waived - even enlisting her doctor to back her up.

Designer Zoe Sheehan says her medical condition means she should not be penalised for her genuine lapses in memory, insisting she is 'not a criminal, just confused.'

Ms Sheehan, who was diagnosed with ADHD in recent years, said even her psychiatrist agrees, and has written her a 'leniency letter' to support any appeals.

She added that she is starting a petition to make it mandatory.

'It's not just being forgetful, ADHD is clinically impairing. It impacts executive function, memory, time blindness, organisation and impulse control, which are the exact things our systems rely on to avoid fines, late fees, missed payments and subscriptions slipping through,' Ms Sheehan told the Daily Mail.

'People with ADHD can end up paying thousands a year just trying to function on top of therapy costs, medication etc. We're actively trying to manage it but the system still penalises us for key symptoms of the condition.'

It is estimated that one in 20 Australians live with ADHD, and avoidable financial obligations related to the condition have been dubbed the 'ADHD tax'.

'ADHD tax includes leaving your car in zones past the time they need to move, forgetting to transfer money into an account and getting charged overdraft fees, and forgetting to check the mailbox and missing a paper bill for car rego renewal or insurance.'

Zoe Sheehan has divided public opinion after revealing she uses her ADHD diagnosis to have fines and late fees waived

Ms Sheehan said even her psychiatrist agrees and has written her a 'leniency letter' to support any appeals

Recalling one incident, Ms Sheehan explained how she drove to a shopping centre, parked in a 30minute zone, and went inside for a coffee before completely forgetting she had arrived by car.

'I went back and obviously I got fined. So these are the kinds of situations where a leniency letter helps.'

Sharing her experience on social media, Ms Sheehan's comment section was flooded with hundreds of people thanking her for the advice, with many vowing to try it themselves.

'I've just had to have my psychiatrist write me a report for Fines Victoria because I have accumulated 20k of fines since 2012 without knowing,' one said.

Another said: 'The amount of money this would have saved me if I knew this was possible, literally got a $,fine, a court date and a suspended licence because I forgot to renew my licence.'

A third shared a similar story: 'I parked in a loading zone, forgot and it stayed there over a four day long weekend and got a ticket every hour over the entire weekend resulting in almost $7k worth of parking tickets with 25 days to pay then they basically doubled due to non payment.

'I moved and forgot about court and police showed up to my house and, temporarily, arrested me for failure to appear.

Hundreds of people admitted to having fines for forgetting to pay bills on time

Designer Zoe Sheehan says her condition means she should not be penalised for her genuine lapses in memory, insisting she is 'not a criminal, just confused'

'I had my licence suspended again and am still to this day paying the cost of simply forgetting I parked my car in a different spot for a few days.'

Ms Sheehan was so moved by the responses that she has started sharing templates of the letters people can use to appeal, and is now planning to launch a petition calling for businesses to be legally required to consider ADHD when making decisions about fines.

'We need to create a petition to say we get reimbursed the fines we received before we were diagnosed and medicated, because it is not fair that we are copping the most extortionate fines.

'Options would include flagged accounts for neurodivergent users, additional reminders before penalties, discounted fines or late fees, grace periods, or structured support pathways when someone has a diagnosis.

'I've had to start building my own apps for finance reminders, regulation and health check tracking because the current tools and support don't exist.'

While Ms Sheehan's comments were largely met with praise her opinions have also sparked backlash.

'You guys need to start setting reminders on your phone and stuff,' one said.

'I live in America and they'd laugh in my face,' a second said.

Ms Sheehan was so moved by the responses that she has begun sharing templates of the letters people can use to appeal

Connor Greene told Daily Mail that a diagnosis should not automatically be seen as a free pass

ADHD speaker and educator Connor Greene told Daily Mail that a diagnosis should not automatically be seen as a free pass.

'It genuinely has me torn,' he said.

'ADHD tax is very real. It can be incredibly overwhelming and costly over time, no question. But I don't think that means we're absolved of responsibility.

'We might need more support, more systems and more understanding, but we can't take on things beyond our capacity and then not be accountable for how that impacts others.'

Mr Greene also pointed out that there are already measures in place to help people with ADHD in these situations, including payment plans, fee reductions and, in some cases, the removal of late fees.

'I think reasonable adjustments make sense,' he said.

'But not when it comes at the cost of other people's safety or wellbeing.

'Whether that's parking, driving, our duty of care to others, or even workplace responsibilities, the impact still matters.

'ADHD explains the struggle, it doesn't remove the outcome, so the focus has to be on finding what works for you, not expecting the world to absorb it.'
An e-bike business owner whose shop burned to the ground after a battery exploded, has issued a stark warning to Australians using the increasingly popular mode of transport.

Twisted wrecks, charred ruins and a $635,000 damage bill are all that remain of Freedom Machine Byron Bay, in northern NSW, after the blaze swiftly took hold on April 16.

Owner Liam Kelly told Daily Mail a lithium-ion battery that had been placed on a charger ahead of testing sparked in his workshop and set off a horrifying chain reaction in which about 60 bikes, worth an average of $6,000 each, with some models priced up to $20,000, were destroyed.

He revealed the bike that exploded was bought online from overseas.

Mr Kelly warned those in the market for an e-bike to avoid international sellers such as Temu, as well as buying from social media marketplaces and Whatsapp.

'There are Chinese factories dumping cheap bikes and saying they are a quality product, but the problem with that is there's no origin story (of the battery), there is no accountability,' he said.

'People should buy from reputable Australian brands.'

Until recently, Freedom Machine did not service e-bikes purchased from overseas due to their unreliability, but demand in Byron Bay, where there is no public transport and backpackers need cheap transport to get around, had caused the store to relax the rules.

Byron Bay businessman Liam Kelly's shop was destroyed after a battery exploded

His showroom and workshop were razed in the blaze

Very few bikes survived the explosion, with damages reaching more than half a million dollars

'We prioritise workers over people who have a bike for recreational purposes,' he said.

Mr Kelly said there were three staff members on the premises when it went up in flames, but no one was hurt.

In a devastating twist, Mr Kelly was boarding a plane home from Sydney when he received a phone call about the fire, and described viewing the smoking building from the sky.

'I'm embarrassed that this happened, people have lost things, and I'm embarrassed that it happened in a shop that was designed to be a safe workplace,' he said.

'I'm just glad everyone got out.'

According to Mr Kelly, the local fire brigade took 37 minutes to arrive at his store, despite a fire station being less than 1km away.

'It's not manned full time,' he said.

Freedom Machine on Johnson Street in Byron Bay was Liam's life's work

Charred, twisted bicycles are all the remains on the showroom floor

The fire, on April 16, was caused by a faulty battery on an imported e-bike

Had Mr Kelly been in Byron Bay when the fire broke out, he believes he would have died trying to save everything he'd worked for.

'If i had been there I would be dead - worse than dead, I'd be alive with burns all over my body,' he said.

'I'm grateful I don't have the trauma of watching my bikes that I collected - I used to be a racer - and all my historical bikes going back to the 90s, burnt to the ground. They melted.'

Mr Kelly, together with his son Xavier have launched a GoFundMe, aiming to raise $35,000.

It's a small fraction of the total damages, but Mr Kelly is hoping to pay back customers whose new, paid-for bikes had just arrived but were destroyed.

Beyond that, he vowed to rebuild the business himself.

Xavier said: 'Due to the nature of the fire, insurance won't cover it. There's no relief fund. There's no safety net.

'This business isn't just our job, it's our life. We don't own a house. Every dollar we've ever made has been reinvested back into the shop to try and grow and serve our community better.'

An image of the showroom taken before the fire shows the extent of the damage

Liam and his son Xavier have launched a Gofundme to help cover a small portion of costs

As the Kellys counted the cost of the explosion, they revealed another blow.

Looters have been stealing items, including bike parts, from the rubble.

'Some of them are kids, posting about it on TikTok. I know their parents,' Mr Kelly said.

The Kellys, who have been involved in e-bikes and sustainable charging in Byron for 10 years and have owned Freedom Machine for four years, have vowed to reopen.

'It is the business that I've got, so I've got no choice now but to try and find a way to get going again,' Mr Kelly said.

'I've done startups in the past, so I can do that. I work really, really hard, so I can do it.'
A woman who married her own father after meeting him for the first time as a teen has rebuilt her life with a new man, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Samantha Kershner, 28, met her biological father Travis Fieldgrove when she was 17 years old.

They maintained a father-daughter relationship for three years but eventually it turned sexual, with the pair having intercourse for the first time in September 2018.

They got married a month later, as police investigated the incestuous relationship and kicked off the new year by publicly announcing their nuptials on Facebook.

But their marriage quickly came to an end with Fieldgrove, 47, being jailed in January 2020 after pleading no contest to a charge of attempted incest.

Kershner no longer associates with her convicted sex offender father and maintains a happy life with her daughter and fiance in a quintessential village in rural Nebraska.

'Hell no,' she told the Daily Mail when asked if she was in contact with Fieldgrove. 'I talk to no one from that side of the family.'

Reflecting on the relationship with Fieldgrove, a convicted pedophile, the young mother admitted that he groomed her and 'took advantage' of her teenage naivety.

Samantha Kershner married to her biological father Travis Fieldrove, pictured together, in October 2018. She has now suggested that the convicted pedophile groomed her and 'took advantage' of her teenage naivety

Kershner, 28, now has rebuilt her life with a new man, pictured together, and is no longer in contact with her biological father

Fieldgrove and Kershner got married in October 2018, a month after police began investigating the incestuous relationship. They publicly announcing their union on Facebook in 2019

'I'm doing a lot better now,' Kershner, who studied cosmetology, said. 'A lot better.'

Kershner, who on social media hails her husband-to-be as a 'wonderful man,' added that she is looking forward to getting married next year.

She commemorated their one-year dating anniversary on Facebook last November, saying that he treats her and her young daughter in an 'amazing' way.

'I'm so lucky to have him in our lives,' she wrote of her fiance. In another post, she added that her daughter 'loves her daddy' and is 'hanging all over him all the time.'

While Kershner's life has seemingly changed for the better, Fieldgrove has continued on his lifelong path of criminality and recently landed himself back in jail.

Fieldgrove was sentenced to three years behind bars in November 2025 after he was convicted of making terroristic threats, state corrections department records showed.

He was previously convicted of the same offense in 2021 and 2014, according to court records obtained by the Daily Mail.

Kershner said she was unaware of his most recent conviction or incarceration. She declined to comment further on the matter.

Fieldgrove, seen in a recent booking photo, is back behind bars after he was convicted making terroristic threats in November 2025

Kershner, with her fiance and daughter, is getting married next year. She told the Daily Mail that she is doing 'a lot better' now and has distanced herself from the Fieldgrove family

Fieldgrove has a prolific criminal record dating back to the mid-1990s and has spent decades in and out of jail, records showed.

His rap sheet includes a long list of crimes, including forgery, theft, shoplifting, driving under the influence, domestic assault, violating probation and more, records showed.

But most shocking is the fact Kershner was not his first teenage victim.

Fieldgrove was charged with sexual assault in January 1999 after he had sex with a 15-year-old, according to the court filings.

He accepted a plea deal that reduced the charge to child abuse and was jailed six months.

Kershner was just one year old at the time of the alleged assault, and Fieldgrove was not yet involved in her life.

The pair connected 17 years later after Kershner told her mother that she wanted to know who her biological father was.

Her mother identified Fieldgrove and arranged a meeting, which resulted in the pair having a father-daughter relationship for three years.

According to charging documents, Fieldgrove and Kershner admitted to police that they had sex for the first time in September 2018. They did not reveal how their father-daughter relationship turned sexual

They told police they had sex for the first time in September 2018 but would not reveal how the relationship became sexual, court documents said.

According to charging documents, Kershner told police that she had a 'jealous competition' with her half-sister about who could have sex with their father first.

The pair may have fallen victim to a phenomenon called genetic sexual attraction, where long-lost family members experience intense romantic feelings or attraction if they meet for the first time as adults.

Kershner's mother notified police about their relationship that very September.

Fieldgrove married his daughter the following month after they found out they were being investigated for incest.

Under Nebraska law, both parties need to provide the full names of their parents before a marriage license can be approved.

But Fieldgrove is not listed as Kershner's father on her birth certificate.

The couple went on to publicly announce their union to their loved ones on Facebook despite Kershner's mother having reported their relationship to police.

When they were questioned by police, Fieldgrove said that he didn't believe Kershner was his daughter because his name wasn't listed on her birth certificate.

A paternity test that Fieldgrove and Kershner agreed to undergo in January 2019 determined there was a 99.999 percent probability that he was her father.

A paternity test that Fieldgrove and Kershner agreed to undergo in January 2019 determined there was a 99.999 percent probability that he was her father

Fieldgrove during his sentencing in January 2020 after pleading no contest to a charge of attempted incest

They were each charged with one count of incest.

Prosecutors had reduced the charge to attempted incest in exchange for Fieldgrove's no contest plea. He was jailed for two years in January 2020.

Kershner struck a deal months before that saw the incest charge against her dropped after she pleaded no contest to misdemeanor false reporting.

Fieldgrove is currently being held in Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in connection with his most recent conviction.

A post on his Facebook page told his friends that he says 'hi' and plans to 'see everyone when he gets out.'
Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's big spending behind the scenes is under scrutiny after a wild million-dollar 'mistake' on her financial disclosure form.

Now, there is increased scrutiny on her expenses. As a member of the progressive 'Squad,' Omar, from Minnesota, has been a vocal advocate of defunding the police.

Despite that, she's spent $168,575 campaign dollars on security services since 2017, per Federal Election Commission Records.

Notably, in her first campaign from 2017 to 2018, that number was zero. The first expenses came during the 2019-2020 campaign cycle.

That security spending number is potentially double the amount of total assets revealed to be shared by Omar and her current husband whom she married in 2020, Tim Mynett, in their amended financial disclosure.

After a flurry of scrutiny, Omar and Mynett revealed that they share a total amount of assets between $18,004 to $95,000.

That is a stark difference from the range of assets estimated between $6 million and $30 million that the duo filed in a previous financial disclosure.

Congressional financial disclosures do not contain exact amounts, only ranges. Omar was scrutinized by the non-partisan Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) for the initial error-filled filing.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar speaks onstage as Hundreds of Thousands Protest as part of the No Kings Rallies on March 28, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota

Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, left, and Tim Mynett arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of Kenya's president William Ruto hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, May 23, 2024

A DC lawyer representing Omar sent a letter to the OCC stating that the erroneous filing was not done on purpose.

'As the busiest of people, it is very common for members and their spouses to rely on learned professionals like accountants to make calculations and determinations that appear on public filings,' the letter said, per the Wall Street Journal.

'While the error is of course unfortunate, there is nothing untoward and nothing illegal has occurred.'

'The amended disclosure confirms what we've said all along: The congresswoman is not a millionaire,' said Jacklyn Rogers, an Omar spokeswoman, earlier this month. 'The congresswoman amended her disclosures voluntarily as soon as the discrepancy was identified.'

The discrepancy reportedly came from an accountant working with Mynett's businesses, California-based winery eStCru Wines and his venture-capital management firm Rose Lake Capital.

Omar claims that she simply trusted the number that was given to her, and didn't question it.

But California business records now show that eStCru Wines ceased operations on April 4, two months after the congressional probe into the couple's finances began.

Mynett launched eStCru Wines and Rose Lake Capital in 2021.

Ilhan Omar has hired her own security detail despite wanting to defund the police

Tim Mynett's company eStCru Wines ceased operations on April 4, according to California business records reviewed by the Daily Mail

Mynett's eStCru Wines was named a 'hot brand of the year' in 2022. But by 2023 the firm had been plagued with scandal, with winemakers and former employees alleging they were not getting paid

The wine brand was named a 'hot brand of the year' in 2022. But by 2023 the firm had been plagued with scandal, with winemakers and former employees alleging they were not getting paid, the Minnesota Reformer reported.

Mynett and his long-time business partner Will Hailer were accused of fraud in 2024 and hit with multiple lawsuits from their investors.

Shoppers also began to question the legitimacy of the firm with many claiming in online reviews that they could not find a single distributor that carried eStCru Wines.

The brand did not operate a physical winery but instead subcontracted winemakers throughout the West Coast to bottle its wines.

Although the eStCru Wines social media pages remain active, the domain for the firm's online store is no longer active.

The firm appears to have been defunct for several months now, with a spokesperson having told the New York Post in February that the 'winery is dead.'

Travel expenses are also a frequent charge to Omar's campaign accounts, which have racked up 1,758 total charges in the 2,881 days since she first announced her candidacy on June 5, 2018, for an average of about one charge every one and a half days.

Those charges also include reimbursements to campaign staff and consultants, including Omar's now-husband Mynett.

Ilhan Omar and husband Tim Mynett attend 'Power To The Patients' live performance in 2023

Omar shouts during US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in the chambers of the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC on February 24, 2026

Tim Mynett and Ilhan Omar in a June 27, 2023 post Mynett made on X

Although Mynett was Omar's consultant before they got married in 2020, the two travel reimbursements made directly to him came in June of 2021, for $417, and in August of 2022, for $117.

The total sum of travel expenses for Omar's campaign since the 2017-2018 cycle was $710,919.74, or about $248 per day, since she announced her candidacy.

The largest amount was a $12,295 payment to Travel Ease Inc, a New York-based travel agent, made in November 2022.

Hotel charges are split between a variety of chains and brands, and Airbnbs were also used numerous times by the campaign for lodging expenses.

Delta Airlines purchases are also frequently appearing for amounts around $500, which is about the cost of a last-minute flight from Washington, DC to Minneapolis. Those charges aren't much of a surprise given that MSP airport in Omar's home state is Delta's second-largest US hub behind Atlanta.

Republicans set their sights on scrutinizing Omar earlier this year after according to Omar's earlier filed federal financial disclosures, Mynett's business Rose Lake Capital LLC, went from being valued between $51,000 to $250,000 in 2023 to $5 million to $25 million in 2024.

In a February post on X, Republican House Oversight Chairman James Comer shared that he was appalled by the seemingly sudden increase.

'I'm demanding financial information from companies linked to Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar's husband [Mynett],' Comer posted on social media in the first week of February.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, on Monday, February 9th, 2026

'His companies reportedly went from $51,000 to $30 MILLION in one year - with zero investor information. So we want to know: Who's funding this? And who's buying access?'

Omar, a member of the Somali community in Minnesota has fallen under further increased scrutiny this year after a highly publicized crackdown on fraud in her home state.

Federal prosecutors have noted at least 57 people connected with the Feeding Our Future program billed the federal government $250 million, claiming to buy meals for children during the COVID pandemic.

Instead, the defendants allegedly used the stolen money to buy Lamborghinis, Porsche SUVs, beachfront property in Kenya and private villas in the Maldives. The vast majority of those convicted in the case are Somali.

Investigators then found that around $9 billion in federal Medicaid funds supporting 14 Minnesota programs since 2018 may have been stolen, US Attorney Joe Thompson announced on December 18.

Eighty-two of the 92 defendants in the child nutrition, housing services and autism program scams are Somali, prosecutors say.
He was once dubbed 'Australia's most hated man', and now, six years on, Richard Pusey is reminding everyone how he earned that moniker.

Victorians were trapped in the grips of thenpremier Dan Andrews' worldrecordbreaking Covid19 lockdowns when Pusey became a household name across Australia for all the wrong reasons.

Officers Glen Humphris, Kevin King, Lynette Taylor and Joshua Prestney were all hit by truck driver Mohinder Singh while impounding Pusey's car.

While Singh caused the crash, Pusey's behaviour immediately afterward disgusted Australians.

''There you go. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. All I wanted to do was go home and have my sushi,'' he said as he filmed Leading Senior Constable Taylor clinging to life.

'And now you f**ked my f**king car.'

That was April 22, 2020.

Fast forward to today and Pusey is now gearing up for another crack at those fallen police through a Supreme Court of Victoria writ.

Richard Pusey claims four officers who died after pulling him over had no-one to blame but themselves

In a nutshell, the multimillionaire mortgage broker claims police directed him to stop his vehicle in an unsafe location on the Eastern Freeway.

Pusey had been pulled over at about 4.51pm in his Porsche after being clocked travelling 149km/h in a 100km/h zone.

Senior Constable Taylor and Constable Humphris intercepted Pusey and almost immediately called for backup.

Senior Constable Taylor activated her camera at 5.06pm and recorded her conversation with him.

An alcohol breath test was negative, but the drug test came back positive, and Pusey was directed out of the vehicle.

Constable Prestney and Senior Constable King arrived at about 5.35pm and got out of their police cars to assist.

They had parked behind the first police car in the emergency lane.

Both vehicles had their flashing lights activated as they questioned Pusey on the side of the road.

Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and Constable Joshua Prestney were all killed

Pusey's Porsche was destroyed in the crash

Pusey had been relieving himself when the truck hit about 5.42pm - 36 minutes after Senior-Constable Taylor activated her camera.

He later told police he saw the whole thing happen before his eyes.

In a statement of claim lodged with the Supreme Court, Pusey claims the officers failed to redirect him to a safer location, such as a nearby exit.

They also failed to implement adequate traffic control or safety measures while he was under police direction, his claim stated.

As a result, police exposed Pusey 'to a foreseeable risk of collision'.

That risk materialised when Singh's truck ploughed into the police vehicles and Pusey's Porsche, destroying it and exposing him to a traumatic crash involving multiple fatalities.

'At material times and including when initially stopped by police, the Plaintiff was subject to the direction and control of police officers,' the writ alleged.

'The Defendants owed the Plaintiff a duty to take reasonable care to avoid exposing him to a foreseeable risk of injury.'

Emergency services work at the scene of the deadly collision in 2020

Pusey's Porsche (left) had been captured on dashcam speeding along the highway before he was intercepted

While the exact dollar amount Pusey believes he's entitled to remains unclear for now, his legal team claims his Porsche was worth about $450,000.

'The Plaintiff's vehicle was destroyed and the Plaintiff was exposed to a traumatic crash,' Pusey's lawyers complained.

Aged 44 at the time of the crash, Pusey now claims his subsequent arrest the following day was a sham.

'The arrest was unnecessary and disproportionate in the circumstances,' Pusey's legal team alleged.

Court documents state Pusey had been cooperative, posed no flight risk, and that police knew he had been willing to attend a police station voluntarily.

Pusey had been paraded in handcuffs by police before a waiting media pack outside his Fitzroy mansion.

His decision to leave the scene, and the emergence of images on social media captured by him, had enraged police at the time and still does today.

Former Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton struggled to contain his anger while addressing media at the time.

Victorians had been locked down at the time due to 'Dictator' Dan Andrews' (pictured) world record breaking Covid-19 lockdowns

'To flee the scene of an accident is an indictable offence,' Mr Ashton said.

'As chief commissioner, to have four officers killed last night with someone who has clearly been driving erratically on the freeway with an extensive criminal history, it disgusts me.

'Today when I'm spending time with the family members of those deceased officers I can tell you it will absolutely disgust them.'

Mr Ashton said 'to leave the scene is a very, very low act', which was compounded by sharing the photos.

'If I wasn't wearing the uniform of Chief Commissioner, I would give you far more colourful language,' he said.

Over the next year, Pusey would continue to anger police and the wider community with his antics as he progressed through Victoria's court system, which had been reduced to a crawl due to 'Dictator Dan's' Covid lockdowns.

It was during that process where County Court of Victoria Judge Trevor Wraight acknowledged the wider public was 'outraged' by Pusey's actions after the crash.

'He's probably the most hated man in Australia,' the judge said.

Pusey continued to shock Australians throughout 2021 as his legal proceedings dragged through court

It was a title Pusey despised and in the years to follow would routinely send legal letters to media outlets demanding he stop being referred to as such.

Pusey eventually pleaded guilty to charges relating to filming and mocking the dying officers and was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment.

With time already served, he was released just days later.

But Pusey's time in the spotlight would remain ongoing for years to come.

He was back behind bars within months after being convicted of unlawful assault and using a carriage service to menace.

In November 2021, Pusey was accused of attaching graphic photos of the dying officers to a complaint sent to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

He was sentenced the following year to a further 10 months in jail.

Pusey popped-up again in 2022 over various bail breaches and further allegations of online harassment via telecommunications.

Pusey had filmed the dying officers immediately after the horrific crash

It was during that period Pusey told a magistrate he was transitioning into a woman from behind bars.

'I've got discussions with some clinics in Melbourne in relation to my gender reassignment surgery,' he said then.

'My pronouns are they/them,' he insisted from a prison phone after his matter was called.

The despised pest then fell off the radar - a nasty stain on Victorian history most hoped would be lost and forgotten forever.

But in 2024 he returned, this time during a Supreme Court of Victoria civil hearing in which he appeared wearing novelty red sunglasses, an oversized bow tie, blue wig and an 'I love Elon Musk' T-shirt.

This week, Stuart Shulze, the husband of Leading Senior Constable Taylor, didn't mince words about Pusey's current lawsuit.

'No comment. No interest. No oxygen required,' he said.

With the matter set to hit the Supreme Court sometime over the coming months, Pusey is set to cement claim to 'Australia's most hated man' all over again.
NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. ("OPY") today announced that its principal operating subsidiary, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ("Oppenheimer"), reached an agreement to settle the previously disclosed litigation styled Liberty Capital Group, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. , No. 1:25-cv04822-JSR which was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in June of 2025 (the "District Court").

This case is one of approximately 25 cases filed against various financial institutions concerning their "cash sweep" programs pursuant to which idle customer cash was "swept" into a bank demand deposit account that provided insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), liquidity and access through check-writing.

On December 8, 2025, the District Court issued its decision granting class certification (the "Class") on plaintiff's causes of action for breach of contract and other ancillary claims. The case had been placed on an accelerated schedule and was set to begin trial in June of this year and would be decided by a jury. Oppenheimer was one of the last financial institutions to be sued on matters relating to its sweep program, but the first of these cases scheduled to go to trial.

Based on assertions made by the Plaintiff in discovery, the Company expected that the Plaintiff would seek damages in the class action in excess of $440 million. Given the lack of precedent in other cases and the inherent risks of a jury trial where the outcome could be worse than a negotiated settlement, the Company concluded that it was in the best interests of the Company, its employees, stockholders and other stakeholders to enter into an agreement to settle the claims.

The terms of the agreement are set forth in a binding term sheet ("Settlement Term Sheet") executed by representatives for plaintiff and Oppenheimer. Pursuant to the agreement, Oppenheimer has agreed to pay $70 million in full settlement of the claims asserted in the litigation. The settlement amount would be paid into an escrow account ten business days after receiving preliminary approval by the District Court of the settlement which the Company expects will take up to ninety days. The Settlement Term Sheet provides that the Company will receive a release from any and all claims arising from the facts and circumstances alleged in the litigation. The settlement remains subject to approval by the District Court. The parties have agreed to finalize formal settlement documentation and file a Stipulation of Settlement and motion for preliminary approval with the District Court within 60 days of execution of the Settlement Term Sheet. The settlement contemplates that the resolution of the matter would be without any admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company.

The period in dispute in the case began in 2022 and the settlement will cover the period up to when the final approval of the District Court is received. The Company believes that during the period under dispute the rates offered to its clients were competitive with those offered by its major competitors. The program was designed for the short-term deposit of client funds in a highly liquid FDIC insured account.

The agreement is subject to the negotiation, execution, and delivery of a definitive settlement agreement and both preliminary and final approval by the District Court. There can be no assurance that a definitive settlement agreement will be executed or that the District Court will approve the proposed settlement on its current or any other terms. If a definitive settlement agreement is executed and District Court approval is obtained, the settlement would resolve all claims asserted against the Company in the litigation.

The reserve for the settlement will significantly impact the Company's earnings to be reported for the first fiscal quarter of 2026 which the Company expects to release next week. Although the agreement was not reached until after the quarter ended, accounting rules require that the charge be taken in the first quarter. The Company expects that the amount of the settlement will be fully tax deductible.

The Company expects to report earnings on a timely basis on Friday, May 1 and file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 with the SEC at or about the same time.

Company Information

Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading middle market investment bank and full service broker-dealer that is engaged in a broad range of activities in the financial services industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (corporate and public finance), equity and fixed income research, market-making, trust services, and investment advisory and asset management services. With roots tracing back to 1881, the Company is headquartered in New York and has 88 retail branch offices in the United States and has institutional businesses located in London, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. OPY cautions that a number of important factors could cause OPY's actual future results and other future circumstances to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to the factors identified in "Factors Affecting 'Forward-Looking Statements'" and Part 1A"Risk Factors" in OPY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. OPY does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements made by it to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.
This is the dramatic moment an Asda supermarket worker confronted a shoplifter but was then sacked after 25 years' loyal service for trying to prevent him from getting away.

Gavin Ramsay, 49, worked as a porter collecting trolleys and shopping baskets at the Asda supermarket in South Shields when he saw a group of rowdy young people emerge from the store with bottles of alcohol they had stolen.

He was dismissed for gross misconduct two weeks after the incident for not adhering to the retailer's policy that staff should not physically challenge shoplifters.

His case comes in the week details emerged of the sacking of Sean Egan, 46 a supermarket manager at Morrisons in Aldridge, West Midlands, for challenging a serial shoplifter who stole two bottle of Jack Daniel's worth 50.

Mr Egan, a married father, told how his life had been destroyed following 29 years of service with the company.

In the latest video, Mr Ramsay can be seen walking with some trolleys he had just collected when he sees one of the youths pull out a bottle of Absolut Vodka from his trousers which still had a security tag on it.

Pushing the trolleys away, the Asda worker instinctively grips the youngster from behind as he attempts to take the bottle from him, leading to a tussle.

Seconds later the young shoplifter can be seen crashing to the floor as Mr Ramsay pulls away having secured the bottle.

Gavin Ramsay, 49, worked as a porter collecting trolleys and shopping baskets at the Asda supermarket in South Shields when he saw a group of rowdy young people (pictured) emerge from the store with bottles of alcohol they had stolen

He was dismissed for gross misconduct two weeks after the incident (pictured) for not adhering to the retailer's policy that staff should not physically challenge shoplifters

Mr Ramsay (pictured) told the Daily Mail: 'I wasn't trying to be violent, I just reacted in a way that any decent human would'

As he steps back, two other youths confront him with one of them pulling out another stolen bottle of alcohol from his pocket which he menacingly threatens Mr Ramsay with by waving it in his face.

Other video footage then shows the youths follow Mr Ramsay into the store where they confront him and violently push him onto a moving walkway.

Mr Ramsay told the Daily Mail: 'I wasn't trying to be violent, I just reacted in a way that any decent human would. I've put up with shoplifters for quite a long time now, seeing them get away with it and being on the end of their abuse.

'When I saw these kids and how cocky they were about stealing bottles of alcohol something just kicked in. I thought to myself: 'I've had enough and I'm not letting you get away with it.' It was just me trying to do the right thing, that's all.'

Mr Ramsay conceded that the video could be interpreted as him being aggressive, but he insisted: 'I didn't want to hurt this kid, I just wanted to get the bottle he had stolen off him. He ended up with a cut lip and fell on the floor but really, he was the criminal, not me but I've ended up paying a high price for this.'

Mr Ramsay revealed that he earned 1,000 per month for doing a 'thankless job' but that his quarter of a century of service to Asda was not taken into account following an eight-hour disciplinary hearing.

He has a long-term partner but no children and lives at home with his elderly parents in South Shields. He is currently out of work for the first time in his life, is surviving on benefits of 90 per week and has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Mr Ramsay said: 'My job was not the sexiest in the world. For all those years I collected trolleys and shopping baskets and tried to do it in the best way that I could. I'm a proud man and have always worked, no matter what the job is. But now I'm not even able to pay any rent to my parents.

'When it came to it, Asda just discarded me like a piece of rubbish. I devoted my life to the company doing a job that many people would not do but none of that seemed to matter.'

Mr Ramsay added: 'I know that there is a policy of not engaging physically with shoplifters. But they didn't need to sack me, they could have given me a written warning, given my years of service of doing a very mundane job.'

The incident that led to his dismissal took place in August 2025. A year before that, Mr Ramsay was beaten up by an irate customer at the Asda petrol station adjoining the store which led to him sustaining a black eye, broken nose and tooth.

He said: 'I literally put my life on the line for this company, but they didn't take any of that into consideration during my disciplinary hearing.

'Over the years, I've seen attitudes towards supermarket workers change. There's no respect anymore, kids are feral, and customers think they can talk to you as if you are a piece of rubbish.'

On the UK's shoplifting epidemic, he said: 'Things are out of control. Shoplifters have been given a green light to come into stores and just help themselves to stuff because they know that nobody is going to challenge them.

'I've seen it going on for quite a while now and I'd just had enough. I snapped, I wanted to take a stand.'

Join the discussion Should shop workers ever step in to stop thieves - or is it too dangerous in todays climate?

The former porter (pictured) is now out of work for the first time in his life, is surviving on benefits of 90 per week and has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety

'When it came to it, Asda just discarded me like a piece of rubbish. I devoted my life to the company doing a job that many people would not do but none of that seemed to matter,' Mr Ramsay said. Pictured: File photo

Reflecting on his time at Asda, Mr Ramsay revealed that when he first started at the South Shields store staff were encouraged to detain shoplifters and call the police.

He said: 'I once chased a shoplifter through the carpark and sat on him until the police arrived. The management actually thanked me for it.

'But now the management sack you if you even go near them. And there's no point in calling the police because they can't be bothered to turn up. I don't understand how things have come to this?'

An Asda spokesperson: 'The footage shown does not show the whole incident. We have clear policies in place to prevent and deescalate incidents in our stores. The former colleague - as he acknowledges - had received previous warning for aggressive behaviour. On this occasion, the police had already been called and yet he continued to use excessive force and show aggression outside the store towards bystanders who were not involved in the incident. It is that that led to the decision to dismiss.'
A wealthy entrepreneur behind a high-profile vegan meat startup has been accused of strangling his influencer girlfriend inside one of New York Citys most expensive hotels.

Ben Pasternak, 26, was arrested Tuesday over allegations that he physically assaulted his then-girlfriend, 27-year-old Evelyn Ha, inside a $2,000-a-night room at the luxury Baccarat Hotel in Midtown last month.

A criminal complaint obtained by The New York Post revealed that Pasternak allegedly choked Ha and repeatedly slammed a door on her, leaving her bruised and requiring medical attention for difficulty breathing.

The Australian businessman claims that his petite Korean-American ex was actually the aggressor throughout their relationship, including on the night of the alleged hotel incident.

'She was emotionally and physically abusive, very jealous and threatened him if he ever dared leave the relationship,' Dini von Mueffling, Pasternak's spokeswoman, told the outlet.

'Our fears are now coming to fruition,' she added. 'Shes now making good on her threats.'

Meanwhile, Ha revealed that she walked away from Pasternak the night of the alleged attack, saying she feared for her safety.

'There were serious boundaries that were crossed and I decided to move away from that relationship for the sake of my safety and my wellbeing,' the influencer said in a YouTube video released Thursday.

Australian entrepreneur Ben Pasternak, 26, is accused of strangling his influencer girlfriend 27-year-old Evelyn Ha. He has denied the charges

A criminal complaint obtained by The New York Post revealed that Pasternak allegedly choked Ha and repeatedly slammed a door on her

Pasternak was arrested Tuesday over allegations that he physically assaulted Ha while staying at the luxury Baccarat Hotel in New York City last month

Pasternak was ultimately charged with one count of second-degree strangulation and one count of assault with intent to cause physical injury, according to court records reviewed by the Daily Mail.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his lawyer Josh Kirshner maintaining that he is 'indeed innocent,' according to The Post.

'The complainants account is inconsistent and unsupported by reliable corroboration,' Kirshner told the outlet. 'We expect the facts to demonstrate that these charges are unwarranted.'

The charges filed against Pasternak, co-founder of the plant-based company Simulate, followed the alleged violence that unfolded on March 31.

He allegedly became enraged after Ha tried to film him inside the upscale Manhattan hotel and squeezed her neck with both hands, according to the criminal complaint obtained by The Post.

She allegedly began experiencing 'redness to her neck, pain to her throat and difficulty breathing,' which led her to seek medical attention.

The fake meat mogul is also accused of slamming a door on Ha several times, 'causing substantial bruising to both of her arms and both sides of her hips,' according to the documents.

Pasternak was taken into custody Tuesday, weeks after the alleged assault, and released on his own recognizance despite prosecutors requesting $30,000 bail.

Pasternak claimed that Ha was actually the aggressor throughout their relationship, including on the night of the alleged attack

Pasternak pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree strangulation and one count of assault with intent to cause physical injury

Ha said she began experiencing 'redness to her neck, pain to her throat and difficulty breathing' after Pasternak allegedly choked her with both hands

Ha said that she walked away from the relationship the night of the alleged attack, claimig she feared for her safety

Though he has not spoken publicly about the charges, he has denied them through his spokeswoman von Mueffling, who has doubled down on his innocence.

Von Mueffling, who described herself as a longtime friend of the entrepreneur, claimed Ha was the one who 'flew into a rage' and 'attacked' Pasternak that night in the hotel.

'As Ben Pasternak's friend of a decade, as well as someone who represents survivors of sexual assault, I am writing this statement on his behalf,' von Meuffling said in a statement to People, adding that the couple's relationship ended that night.

'Ben unilaterally denies the accusation Evelyn Ha has made against him,' she added.

In a separate statement to The New York Post, von Meuffling claimed: 'Throughout their relationship, Evelyn physically attacked Ben.'

'As heartbreaking as it is to see Bens name smeared, as his friend, I am grateful that he is no longer in physical danger,' she said.

Kirshner, Pasternaks lawyer, told the outlet that his clients actions during last months incident were 'limited to lawful self-defense and efforts to disengage.'

Ha, an influencer with more than six million followers across her social media platforms, shared a life update in a YouTube video posted to her more than 530,000 subscribers just days after Pasternaks arrest.

Pasternak allegedly hit Ha with a door several times, 'causing substantial bruising to both of her arms and both sides of her hips'

The alleged incident happened inside the luxury New York hotel where rooms cost $2,000-a-night

'It's still really raw for me to be completely honest, and right now I'm just spending time with my friends and family and just trying to take everything day by day, hour by hour, and just try my best to just be in the moment,' she said.

It has also been revealed that the vegan mogul was allegedly staying at the pricey New York hotel at the time in an effort to avoid allegations that he scammed investors in his crypto company, according to The New York Post.

Investors claimed that he illegally diluted the value of crypto coins sold on his platform, Believe, according to court papers obtained by the outlet.

In the lawsuit filed on March 23 in Manhattan federal court, investors Joshua Lee and Pierre Montmeas wrote: 'Consumers lost nearly everything.'

While Pasternak has yet to respond to the allegations, court records show process servers eventually located him and served him with a summons on April 17 - weeks after the alleged assault. He is due back in court in that case on June 11.

Pasternak dropped out of high school to focus on building companies full-time, according to 2016 reporting by The New York Post.

He ultimately co-founded Simulate, known for its meme-style vegan chicken nuggets once dubbed the 'Tesla of Chicken' in 2024, according to Axios.

The company, once valued at $250 million, was taken over by Ahimsa Companies after Simulate opted to sell rather than seek more funding in a difficult plant-based meat market.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Ha and Pasternak's spokeswoman von Mueffling for comment.
Greggs has scrapped front of store food and drink fridges in a drastic new measure to tackle shoplifting.

Customers at the popular bakery chain can usually grab a range of bottled soft drinks, sandwiches and other food items from the shelves themselves.

But several branches across the UK have now been fitted with a so-called theft-proof counter, with all products stored behind it, out of reach of diners.

The company's shop in West Croydon, south London, is among those which have been renovated and has now reopened its doors to customers in recent days.

Stores in nearby Croydon and Peckham, Whitechapel and Upton Park in east London, Birmingham, and Wilford, Nottinghamshire, have also all been transformed.

The pilot scheme will be expanded across its some 2,735 branches across the country if it helps slash crime, tackle violent against staff and protect customers.

One customer at the West Croydon branch said the only items that could be taken without paying now are sugar, napkins and coffee stirrers.

'It's a bit grim but they've clearly had enough of shoplifters,' they said.

Greggs has scrapped front of store food and drink fridges in a new measure to tackle shoplifting - a thief is seen raiding near Norwood Junction in south London in November 2024

A trio filled their bags with sandwiches, baked goods and bottles of drink at the bakery chain's South Ruislip branch in south-west London in February this year

A worker at the store said they have previously had boiling hot tea thrown in their face - while a security guard was once targeted by a thief with a belt.

Another employee explained: 'The branch has struggled because of all the homeless outside taking drugs and drinking alcohol who come in and help themselves.'

A worker at the shop in Peckham, meanwhile, admitted the redesign, which sees staff hand out all products, 'does make life easier'.

The move comes amid fears of a shoplifting epidemic across Britain, with offences reported to police in England and Wales more than doubling in five years.

Total thefts rose by 133 per cent from 228,128 in 2020/21 to 530,457 in 2024/25, according to House of Commons Library data analysed by the Liberal Democrats.

But just 19.8 per cent of offences in 2024/25 resulted in a charge being made - with the worst rate coming from the Metropolitan Police, which was only 6.5 per cent.

Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson, its home affairs spokesperson, said: 'Our communities deserve better than the surge of shoplifting that's ransacking our local high streets.

'For years, the Conservatives quietly dismantled community policing and this Labour Government has failed to properly restore it.

'Retail workers have in too many cases been left to fend for themselves as hundreds of thousands of shoplifters get away scot-free.'

Greggs has suffered more than its fair share of attacks in recent times, with one especially prolific shoplifter stealing close to 20,000 worth of items from the bakery.

Greggs has suffered attacks in recent months, with one especially prolific shoplifter (pictured) stealing close to 20,000 worth of items from the bakery

Adam Gosling (pictured), 39, who staff nicknamed 'Hamster', targeted a store in Greenford, west London, some 38 times between December 30, 2025, and February 10

Gosling (pictured) pleaded guilty to 38 counts of theft from a shop - but was spared jail after he was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for one year

Adam Gosling was convicted of shoplifting from a Greggs branch in Greenford, west London

Just a week later, a security guard was brutally attacked (pictured) at another Greggs store in London by a thug who had attempted to shoplift

Adam Gosling, 39, who staff nicknamed 'Hamster', targeted a store in Greenford, west London, some 38 times between December 30, 2025, and February 10.

The value of the thefts ranged from 12.30 to 100 per visit and on some days, the homeless man would target the branch multiple times.

Prosecutors told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in February that Gosling's theft spree amounted to 1,817.50.

Footage released by the store shows the hooded man ransacking the self-serve fridges as he sweeps countless Lucozade energy drinks into a bag.

In another clip, he returns with a mask on and proceeds to shamelessly stash multiple orange juice bottles in a Co-op bag in front of helpless employees.

The thief is later spotted by a staff member who appears to walk over to him - but Gosling simply walks past and exits the shop, leaving the fridge door open.

He was eventually arrested on February 10 after the CCTV footage was shown to police.

Gosling pleaded guilty to 38 counts of theft from a shop - but was spared jail after he was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.

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Just a week later, a brave security guard was viciously attacked at another Greggs store in London by an attempted shoplifter.

The thief repeatedly kicked and punched the bouncer while one of his friends brazenly dashed off with a food item from the Croydon shop.

Raiders have continued to shamelessly swipe items from shelves, with one captured on camera helping himself to several Dr Pepper drinks and food items in February.

Wearing an all-black ensemble the thief took his time as he browsed the fridge shelves at a branch in Archway, north London, with what appeared to a be a warm baguette in hand.

Despite being recorded by an onlooker, the man took his time browsing the shelves before hastily making an exit from the branch in broad daylight.

The came a week after three brazen thieves targeted a Greggs branch in South Ruislip as shocked staff and customers helplessly watched on.

The greedy gang filled their bags with sandwiches, baked goods and drinks at the bakery chain's South Ruislip branch on February 17 at around 2pm.

In the footage captured by an onlooker in store, one of the shoplifters can be seen taking a bag full of Coca-Cola bottles.

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After the woman, wearing a long grey coat and hat, filled her bag she heads towards the exit as two others continue to empty the bakery's fridge.

A second woman in a pink coat continues to take items from the fridge as one worker looks on from behind the till.

Another employee can also be seen on the phone while the trio target the fridge in front of the counter.

The third person, a man in a black coat and bucket hat, can be seen shoveling several bottles into his bag during the incident.

The footage has been posted on TikTok where it has been viewed more than 980,000 times.

Last July a shoplifter was caught pillaging goods from one of the bakery chain's stores on Deptford High Street, Lewisham, whilst staff and customers alike stood aghast.

Footage of the incident, shows a grey-haired man wearing a black top with white stripes and black tracksuit bottoms piling prodcuts from the hot cabinet into a large laundry bag without even pausing for a moment.

When that has been completely cleared, he then made his way over to the fridges and starts grabbing at the sandwiches and filled rolls.

Elsewhere, the chain's flagship Leicester Square store has been forced to hire a former serviceman as a security guard to protect their pastries.

Greggs staff have even started to wear body cameras, which can record for up to 90 minutes, in some of their busiest stores.

The scheme has been rolled out in hopes it will deter thieves following the concerning rise in thefts and attacks on staff.

A Greggs spokesperson said: 'This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a very small number of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

'Customers can expect to see our full range of great value and tasty Greggs favourites available from behind the counter.'
An Ohio florist exploded in a racist and misogynistic tirade against a female Uber driver following a misunderstanding over a return.

Raymond Valentine was caught on camera hurling vile insults at the woman after she entered his store in Columbus.

The heated exchange culminated in the owner calling the driver a 'n*****' and a 'c***.'

Valentine has since apologized after the footage was shared online and his business, Valentine Florals, was deluged with negative reviews.

Shocking video of his outburst was posted to TikTok on Tuesday by Antonio Moss, whose mother Kimberly was trying to complete the exchange.

The clip showed an irate Valentine repeatedly screaming at Moss to 'get out' of his store.

As she tried to reason with him, Valentine's retorts turned toward racial slurs.

'You're a f***ing disgrace. You can kiss my white a**. Get the f*** out!' Valentine yells.

Ohio florist Raymond Valentine was caught on camera hurling vile racist and sexist insults at a female Uber driver

The driver's son Antonio Moss expressed fury over the incident. He shared footage of the exchange to TikTok where it went viral

When Moss asked why she would do that, he responded: 'B****, I'm telling you, get the f*** out!'

Moss finally retaliated by saying that Valentine's 'mother's a b****' before he erupted one more time, the language growing more and more outrageous.

'Your mother's a w****! You n***** c***!'

She then told him she was going to get the police before Valentine responded: 'That's why you're delivering for Uber, b****.'

According to Moss, Valentine called the authorities and told them his mother was armed.

'My mother was returning a floral order (requested by Uber) and this was the reaction she received from the belligerant [sic] store clerk. He then called the police and told them she had a gun,' the caption of the video read.

The backlash led Valentine's florist to disconnect their voicemail box, as the store's rating on Google dropped to 1.3 out of five, according to 614 Now.

A similarly named flower shop in faraway Houston, Texas was forced to take to Facebook to beg users to stop giving them negative reviews after being confused for Valentine's business, WSYX reported.

Valentine has since apologized, claiming he's 'not racist' but that what happened 'came across as being racist'

Moss was furious at his mother's treatment.

'It's my mom, you know? My mom's the sweetest woman I've ever met. Like Mother Teresa, I never heard anybody speak to my mother like that, so it was complete anger,' he said.

Valentine attempted to do damage control in an interview Thursday with ABC6.

'I have many friends of color. I'm not racist. What happened yesterday came across as being racist. And I deeply apologize. And I wish I could make it up to her. But I probably won't be able to. And that's something we'll have to live with,' he said.

He promised to undergo anger management classes and customer service training.

Valentine claimed that he has received death threats, in addition to hundreds of negative comments which led to his flower shop being delisted from Google.

Both parties have gone to police and attorneys to try and find a resolution.

Moss said that he understands the threats are wrong but still feels that there should be some consequences for Valentine.

'That's unnecessary, bombing his house. I feel like he should just be exposed. Shut his business down. Share it, let the world see how much of a monster he is.'

Valentine owns Valentine Florals in Columbus, Ohio. The business was inundated with negative reviews following the backlash

His mother, Kimberly, on the other hand, wants to move on from this and even wishes Valentine well.

'I want this person to be successful, I want this person to succeed at what he's doing and I also want him to be accountable for his behavior,' she said.

The Daily Mail approached Valentine through his business' social media account for comment.
Donald Trump has escalated his feud with Candace Owens, delivering some of his most explosive insults yet.

The president took to Truth Social on Friday to blast the right-wing commentator, who he branded an 'extremely low IQ individual.'

He shared an image of a mocked-up Time magazine cover bearing an unflattering image of Owens with the title: 'Vile Person of the Year.'

The riff on the Time Person of the Year cover contained other fake headlines claiming Owens 'lies,' and 'uses rich white men.'

The image also contained outlandish claims that Owens 'protects sex offenders' and has a '0% fact check ratio on all credible fact checking sites.'

Trump slammed Owens amid her ongoing legal feud with French First Lady Brigitte Macron after she repeatedly and falsely asserted that Macron was born male.

'Candace Owens' stock, which was never very high, has fallen a long way,' Trump wrote in a caption alongside the magazine cover.

'Her attack on the First Lady of France is despicable. I believe, in this case, without verification, she is an extremely low IQ individual!'

President Donald Trump jumped on Truth Social to slam Candace Owens, 36, amid her ongoing legal feud with French First Lady Brigitte Macron after she claimed Macron was born male

Phrases including, 'Candace Owens lies, lies, lies,' '0% fact check ratio on all credible fact checking sites,' 'protects sex offenders!' and 'uses rich white men!' were featured alongside a mock up of a Time magazine cover featuring Owens

Owens is currently involved in an ongoing legal battle after she repeatedly claimed to her millions of social media followers that French President Emmanuel Macron's wife was born a man.

Owens was previously a staunch and vocal supporter of the president, but their relationship has soured over the last year following her criticism of Trump's handling of the situation with Iran.

The tensions spilled over into a full-blown feud after Owens said she was 'embarrassed' to support the president.

Her criticism only mounted following the outbreak of the conflict with Iran and the two have been trading jabs ever since.

Just days ago, Owens questioned if Trump was 'gay' during a monologue on her show, suggesting the president had sex with the French First Lady 'when he was a man,' Mediaite reported.

Her comment came after the president dismissed her as 'crazy.'

'"Crazy" Candace Owens, who accuses the Highly Respected First Lady of France of being a man, when she is not, and will hopefully win lots of money in the ongoing lawsuit,' Trump wrote online.

'Actually, to me, the First Lady of France is a far more beautiful woman than Candace, in fact, it's not even close!'

Owens and Trump have been verbally sparring since she ramped up her criticism of the Iran war

Owens is currently in an ongoing legal battle with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife after she falsely claimed the French First Lady was born a man

The Macrons in turn filed a 218-page lawsuit in Delaware against Owens on July 23, 2025, seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages

Owens previously claimed the president had called her personally to ask her to stop targeting Macron.

Owens said she based her allegations against the French First Lady on what she called a 'thorough investigation' by French blogger Natacha Rey who first raised the absurd allegations.

The Macrons filed a 218-page lawsuit in Delaware against Owens on July 23, 2025, seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.

The couple said in a statement at the time: 'Because Ms Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods in response to each of our attorneys' repeated requests for a retraction, we ultimately concluded that referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue for remedy.

'Ms Owens's campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety. We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused.

'It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.'

A statement shared with the Daily Mail said Owens had 'promoted a preposterous narrative about the Macrons, including incendiary and verifiably false accusations of identity theft, incest, violent crimes, and mind control.'

Owens doubled down in September last year to announce that the lawsuit would be escalated so that Macron undergoes a 'third-party examination.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Owens, the White House and the Macrons for comment.
The Florida Democrat who resigned from Congress this week over accusations she stole $5 million in COVID relief funds appears to be seeking reelection.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, quit while awaiting possible expulsion after Congress determined she had used taxpayer cash to fuel her political rise.

The lawmaker also faces criminal charges, with prosecutors accusing her of stealing federal disaster funds paid to her family's health care company, laundering the proceeds and using the money for her 2021 congressional campaign.

The indictment from Cherfilus-McCormick's case also said she purchased a 3.14-carat 'Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond' ring from a New York jeweler for $109,000, per CBS12.

She resigned just as the House Ethics Committee was preparing to recommend a punishment after it investigated 27 counts of 'violations' connected to the millions she is accused of funneling into her campaign and found 'substantial evidence' to support 'extensive misconduct.'

But it appears Cherfilus-McCormick won't be out of the spotlight for too long, as she has filed to run again in the 2028 election on the Democrat line, NOTUS reported.

Her seat remains empty while Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has yet to say how it will be filled, with Florida's GOP-controlled legislature eyeing plans to redistrict it.

Should she continue to run in the August 18 primary, Cherfilus-McCormick would face at least five other candidates to gain the Democrat nomination.

The Florida Democrat who resigned from office this week over accusations of stealing millions from taxpayers in COVID relief funds appears to be continuing her reelection campaign

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, quit while awaiting possible expulsion after being accused of using millions that her family's health care company received during the pandemic to fuel her political campaign

One anonymous political operative in the district, however, believes that despite the accusations, Cherfilus-McCormick is likely the favorite should she stay in the race.

'While we would have to check with the lawyers to see if Cherfilus-McCormick can run using Cell Block C as her residence, it isn't clear that there is anyone in that district who can beat her if she runs again,' they said.

Cherfilus-McCormick has great name recognition and a district that stretches across multiple media markets, making it difficult to push a new candidate through.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Cherfilus-McCormick for comment.

Aside from the House probe, she was separately indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami in November and is awaiting trial. The ex-congresswoman denies the charges against her and has pleaded not guilty.

Cherfilus-McCormick's resignation came as her own colleagues were plotting to expel her from Congress over the messy fiscal affair - in an extremely rare move.

The former congresswoman, along with a handful of co-conspirators, is accused of steering money that came into a family health-care company she ran with her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, into her campaign coffers through 'straw donations.'

Just last week, Cherfilus-McCormack filed to run again in the 2028 election on the Democrat line

Cherfilus-McCormick's departure follows a string of bombshell departures from the House of Representatives in recent weeks.

Two other lawmakers, Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell, resigned from Congress last week amid their own pending ethics investigations. The men were facing scathing allegations of sexual misconduct.

Unlike her two colleagues, Cherfilus-McCormick has most likely lost her eligibility to receive a congressional pension by resigning ahead of a likely expulsion vote.

Her service lasted from January 2022 to April 2026, less than the 5 years required to receive a congressional pension.

Representative Lauren Boebert and Senator Josh Hawley have separately announced plans to introduce legislation barring lawmakers who resign after sexual assault accusations from collecting their congressional pensions.

In a text to the Washington Examiner, Boebert said she is 'working on bipartisan legislation to state that Members who are convicted of any felony or crimes for an offense committed while in office are prohibited from receiving their pensions.'

Neither Swalwell nor Gonzales have been charged with any crimes. Swalwell has denied the allegations against him and Gonzales admitted he 'made a mistake' in sleeping with a staffer who later took his own life.

Ex-Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick posed with a large diamond ring on her hand in her official congressional portrait

The ring Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly bought with stolen FEMA funds

Boebert added that those who violate House Rule 18 - which prohibits members from engaging in sexual relationships with staff under their supervision - would also forfeit their pension rights.

In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Cherfilus-McCormick announced her immediate resignation on Tuesday.

'I hereby resign my office from the 119th Congress as Representative for Florida's 20th Congressional District, effective Tuesday April 21, 2026; 1.30pm,' she said.

'After careful reflection and prayer, I have concluded that it is in the best interest of my constituents and the institution that I step aside at this time.'

In a separate statement issued Tuesday, Cherfilus-McCormick claimed that the Ethics Committee did not follow a 'fair process.'

The panel stated that Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 ethics violations, noting at the time that it would recommend a punishment in the coming weeks.

She resigned immediately before the committee was set to release its recommendations for punishment.

Chairman Michael Guest said: 'In light of Ms. McCormick's resignation earlier today, the Committee on Ethics has now lost jurisdiction on this matter,' adding that 'there will not be a sanctions hearing.'

Cherfilus-McCormick's resignation letter, sent to Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday

Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted.

Between the rare public hearing, criminal allegations, and the control of Congress hanging in the balance, as the resignation of a Democrat has widened the narrow GOP majority.

This ethics battle is noteworthy but not unprecedented.

The last member to be expelled from the chamber was George Santos, who was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for misleading donors and fraudulently spending campaign money. The 2023 vote against Santos was 311-114.

The former congressman had his sentence commuted by Trump after serving around three months in prison.
Hundreds of rogue police officers face the sack after Scotland Yard used an artificial intelligence spy program to unearth misconduct, corruption and criminality.

In an unprecedented crackdown, Britain's biggest force secretly unleashed the AI tool to root out bad behaviour - letting it loose on internal systems which monitor sickness levels, overtime, expenses, entry to buildings and public complaints.

The controversial tool was supplied by the US tech company Palantir, which also works for the Israeli military and Donald Trump's ICE operation.

It discovered officers engaged in serious corruption and criminality, including the abuse of authority for sexual purposes, fraud and sexual assault.

Senior officers had been abusing Met systems for years, logging false claims for overtime, scamming systems to get extra days off, lying about working from home and hiding their membership of the Freemasons.

Now Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is considering whether similar AI programmes could be used in investigations to flag the most dangerous predators and crime hotspots. In a week-long AI pilot, which was run without staff and officers knowing, Palantir unearthed evidence of officers sexually harassing colleagues and abusing HR systems to earn extra pay.

As a result, 100 are being investigated for gross misconduct and 615 have received warning notices. Of those cases, 598 concern the abuse of the IT shift system for officers' personal or financial gain.

Around 42 senior officers from chief inspector to chief superintendent rank face losing their jobs after lying about being in the office when they were working from home in breach of Met guidelines, which state they must be in the office at least 80 per cent of their time.

In an unprecedented crackdown, Britain's biggest force secretly unleashed an AI tool to root out bad behaviour. Pictured: Metropolitan Police officers on duty (file photo)

There are also 12 officers facing gross misconduct proceedings for not declaring that they are Freemasons and a further 30 officers are still under suspicion. Three officers have been suspended and two arrested for abusing their role.

Red flags were raised about another 30 officers for 'suspicious behaviour', but the force say that is 'currently uncorroborated'.

The AI tool analysed internal data dating back years to discover the culprits.

Sir Mark commissioned the project in the wake of the Charing Cross scandal when BBC Panorama filmed racist and misogynistic officers.

Since he took on the UK's top policing job in 2022, 1,500 officers have been sacked but Sir Mark believed AI could unearth bad behaviour that had not hitherto been spotted.

'We've made all this effort on integrity, the biggest such initiative ever. 1,500 officers dismissed, but we've still got further to dig down for the people who are determined not to change', he told the Daily Mail. 'Those numbers [of officer wrongdoing discovered] are extraordinary.'

He said it was 'soul destroying' for 'front-line people who are working their hearts out' when there were 'colleagues who were scamming the duty system to get extra days off for extra payments - it's like  there's a person in the corner who's skiving.

'And likewise on the leadership front, the leaders who are giving everything to help make the Met better for the public and some of their colleagues are swinging the lead, it is not good enough.

Join the discussion How do you feel about AI secretly monitoring police to uncover misconduct and corruption?

Pictured: New Scotland Yard, the Met Police's headquarters. Hundreds of rogue police officers face the sack after the force used an artificial intelligence spy program to unearth misconduct, corruption and criminality

'This is the Met using technology, data and stronger legal powers to confront poor behaviour.

'The vast majority of our officers and staff serve London with dedication and integrity and rightly expect us to act firmly against those who abuse their position or undermine public trust.

'By bringing together the information we already lawfully hold, we can identify risk earlier, act faster and be fairer and more consistent.'

But the move has angered the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers. It called the approach 'automated suspicion', saying: 'Officers must not be subjected to opaque or untested tools that risk misinterpreting unsustainable workload pressures, sickness or overtime as indicators of wrongdoing.'

This week MPs called for the Government to review its Palantir contracts after the company published a manifesto on X extolling the benefits of US power, which some described as 'the ramblings of a super villain'.

The Met is now considering investing in AI programmes to analyse crime data.
Rogue scientists at three hospitals in China tried to sell the stolen medical data of half a million NHS patients, as concerns are raised over claims of Britain's weak security measures.

The confidential NHS medical details had been listed for sale on Alibaba, an ecommerce website sometimes called China's Amazon, due to the UK's allegedly 'lax' security measures.

The lack of sufficient regulations meant Chinese academics could be given access to the entire database of UK Biobank, a research hub that makes 'de-identified' data available to universities, institutes and private companies.

Three different listings were made from individuals from three separate Chinese research hospitals, having initially accessed the data legitimately.

UK Biobank, which is a registered charity, has refused to name the medical facilities, but said they have since been denied access to the data. The charity said it had been tipped off about the listings from an anonymous whistleblower.

A Whitehall source told a national newspaper that the charity had been 'very, very lax' over who could access the data and whether they could keep the data secure.

There were calls for an inquiry on Thursday after the news of the data leak, and subsequent sale of the medical details, was announced by technology minister Ian Murray. He described the leak as an 'unacceptable abuse'.

Last year, there was outrage when plans emerged to give Chinese researchers access to GP records of 503,000 volunteers who are part of the UK Biobank.

The confidential NHS medical details had been listed for sale on Alibaba, an ecommerce website sometimes called China's Amazon, due to the UK's allegedly 'lax' security measures

MPs, security experts and former spy chiefs warned against the decision, fearing the hostile state was being given a window into 'strategic aspects of the nation's life', which could be used to develop viruses and help China become a biotech superpower.

The UK Biobank has now paused global access to its data as it tackles to prevent further information from being downloaded and resold.

Although the posts were removed before any sales, experts believe the reason the information is being freely touted on the site is that Beijing has already capitalised on the information.

The stolen data did not include names, addresses, or contact details, but it did contain gender, age, month and year of birth as well as assessment centre data, attendance data, socioeconomic status and lifestyle habits.

The database can be accessed by researchers around the world, with a sign-up fee of 3,000 a year.

On Thursday, shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns said Labour had handed a 'gift to China', which could endanger lives. 'Half a million Britons trusted the system with their most intimate health data. That trust has been shattered.

'Labour must now answer three questions: which institutions had their access revoked, which had links to the Chinese state, and who signed off on overriding MI5's warnings last year.'

Last April, UK Biobank announced NHS England had audited its processes for sharing data internationally, including how it assesses applications from China. It passed the audit, meaning Chinese researchers could then apply for access.

The lack of sufficient regulations meant Chinese academics would be given free reign over the entire database of UK Biobank, a research hub that makes 'de-identified' data available to universities, institutes and private companies. Pictured: The UK Biobank research hub

Then, in February, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting allowed coded GP data of all volunteers to be shared with UK Biobank.

The decision shocked security experts, with former MI6 spy chief Sir Richard Dearlove comparing it to the aborted decision to let Chinese firm Huawei have a role in the UK's 5G network.

While Sir Ken McCallum, head of MI5, has spoken against Chinese interference on several occasions - and warned science and technology could be a potential target.

He has also encouraged the Government, universities and businesses to assess potential risks when forming potential partnerships.

Chinese businesses can be forced, under Chinese Communist Party's laws, to work with the authorities and share sensitive information and technology from western organisations.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'I will be calling for an inquiry into this scandal. We need to know who made this utterly stupid decision to hand China access to this medical data. It beggars belief when China is looking to develop bioweapons.'

Professor Luc Rocher from the Oxford Internet Institute said: 'This is the 198th known exposure of UK Biobank data since last summer.'

Professor Rocher added that not enough is being done to get stolen data removed from the web, saying: 'UK Biobank data is not just available for sale, it also remains available online for anyone to download today.'

Professor Sir Rory Collins, UK Biobank chief executive, said: 'We apologise to our participants for the concern this will cause.'
A young man has been arrested at Sydney's Martin Place after he allegedly heckled an Aboriginal leader as he performed the Acknowledgement of Country.

Pastor Uncle Ray Minniecon was interrupted by loud boos just seconds into his speech at the packed dawn service on Saturday morning.

NSW Police confirmed a 24-year-old man was arrested for 'an alleged act of nuisance' during the service while several other hecklers were moved on.

Despite the boos, Uncle Ray bravely continued with his address and was met with loud applause when he finished.

Uncle Ray, an Indigenous serviceman whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade, urged Aussies to show respect following the ceremony.

'We do have laws to try and deter people from this but it seems like these people still want to be lawless,' he told media at the event.

'They just need to realise their place in this country... and show their deepest respect.'

About 11,000 people attended the Martin Place service, up from last year's figure of 4,000. Up to 30,000 people attended a service at nearby North Bondi.

Uncle Ray Minniecon was heckled as he performed the Acknowledgement of Country at a dawn service at Sydney's Martin Place on Saturday morning

Despite the boos, Uncle Ray bravely continued with his address and was met with loud applause when he finished

More than 10,000 people attended the dawn service at Martin Place

Acting president of RSL NSW, Brigadier Vincent Williams, was disgusted by the booing, describing it as 'disrespectful'.

'Anzac Day is the most sacred date on our national calendar. It is a time for quiet reflection, unity and respect - to honour the service and sacrifice of all who have served our nation,' he told reporters.

'It is particularly disappointing because Uncle Ray, who delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, is himself a veteran who has served Australia with pride.

'There is no place for such disruption or disrespect on Anzac Day. Australians rightly expect to come together in the spirit of unity, to honour service with the respect it deserves.'

NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed his sentiments, saying he was disappointed by the actions of a 'small number of people' at Martin Place.

'Anzac Day should always be treated with the respect, solemnity and reverence it deserves,' he said in a statement.

'Whilst I've never before heard booing like that at a dawn service, I've also never heard a crowd spontaneously applaud as they did for Uncle Ray Minniecon.

'That act made it clear what the views of the vast majority attending were. This is a day to honour sacrifice.'

Uncle Mark Brown was also booed while conducting an Acknowledgement of Country during the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

More than 50,000 people attended the service in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance

There was also booing in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance for the second successive year during the Acknowledgement of Country.

More than 50,000 people were in attendance to pay tribute to the men and women who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Australia.

Indigenous leader Uncle Mark Brown delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, but was interrupted by boos from the crowd.

He said: 'Today, I'm here to welcome everyone to my father's country.'

But it was followed by boos for about 30 seconds before others cheered in support of Uncle Mark, who was also booed at last year's dawn service.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the booing, saying politicising Anzac Day was an act of 'bastardry'.

'To break the stillness of dawn service is not just ugly behaviour towards our Aboriginal servicemen and women who defended this country, it disrespects everyone who fought and died for our freedoms,' Allan said.

'Anzac Day is not a stage for division. It is about service, mateship, sacrifice and we will never let a hateful few take that away.'

People gather around the Eternal Flame during the Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

Graffiti at the Reservoir RSL in Melbourne 'kill the troops' and 'Gallipoli  do it again'

Just 24 hours earlier, Allan had told far-right extremists not to disturb Anzac Day commemorations and 'stay home'.

'If anyone is thinking of coming to an Anzac Day service with the intent to disrupt or disrespect the fallen and their families, then stay home. Don't come, because that's not the Australian way,' she said.

At a dawn service in Adelaide, a small section of the crowd started to boo but were quickly shut down.

RSL Victoria President Dr Mark Schroffel described the hecklers as 'weak-minded individuals', while RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley said the hecklers did 'not belong' at Anzac Day commemorations.

The Governor of Victoria, Margaret Gardner, acknowledged the traditional land owners of the land while giving the official Anzac Day address.

In Melbourne's north, locals shared photos of anti-veteran rhetoric sprayed in red paint near Reservoir Cenotaph.

The words 'kill the troops' and 'f*** Anzacs' were sprayed on the walls of the Reservoir RSL in the hours before the dawn service on Saturday morning.
OpenAI boss Sam Altman has apologized for not flagging a mass shooter's disturbing online behavior to the police before she carried out a massacre at a Canadian school.

The CEO wrote a letter admitting that his company failed to alert law enforcement to the concerning activities of Jesse Van Rootselaar despite banning her account.

Van Rootselaar, 18, fatally shot her mother, Jennifer Jacobs, 39, and stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, 11, in their northern British Columbia home, before heading to the nearby Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and opening fire.

Five children and an educator were killed before Van Rootselaar turned the gun on herself. Twenty-five people were also injured in the attack.

In the letter posted Friday, Altman expressed his deepest condolences to the entire community.

'I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June,' Altman said.

'While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered.'

The letter, dated Thursday, appeared on BC Premier David Eby's social media and also on the local news website Tumbler RidgeLines on Friday.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized for not reporting the online activities of a mass shooter to police

Jesse Van Rootselaar was known to OpenAI prior to the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia

OpenAI previously came forward to say that last June, the company identified Van Rootselaar's account using abuse detection efforts for 'furtherance of violent activities.'

The San Francisco technology company said it considered whether to refer the account to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but determined at the time that the account activity didn't meet a threshold for referral to law enforcement.

OpenAI banned the account in June for violating its usage policy.

At the time, Eby said it 'looks like' OpenAI had the opportunity to prevent the mass shooting.

In his letter, Altman said he had spoken with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and Eby and they 'conveyed the anger, sadness and concern' felt in the community.

They agreed a public apology was warranted but time was needed for the community to grieve.

'I want to express my deepest condolences to the entire community,' Altman said. 'No one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this.

'I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child. My heart remains with the victims.'

Five children and an educator were killed before Van Rootselaar turned the gun on herself

Dozens more people were injured after the shooter opened fire. Van Rootselaar also killed her mom and stepbrother before turning the gun on herself

Altman reaffirmed his commitment to find ways to prevent similar tragedies.

'Going forward, our focus will continue to be on working with all levels of government to help ensure something like this never happens again,' he said.

Eby, in a social media post, called the apology 'necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.'
Related Digital and Funds Affiliated with Blackstone Commit Equity to Fund Project; Fixed Rate, Long-Term Debt Financing Anchored by PIMCO-Managed Funds and Accounts

Campus Creates Thousands of Union Construction Jobs and Significant Community Investment

DALLAS, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Related Digital, a vertically integrated data center development and investment platform, and Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that financing has been secured for Related Digital's $16 billion data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan, purpose-built for Oracle. The financing includes equity from Related Digital and funds affiliated with Blackstone, and fixed-rate, long term debt financing anchored by PIMCO-managed funds and accounts. Bank of America served as structuring agent and financial advisor, with Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo also serving as advisors to Related Digital.

This project will deliver significant community benefits, including:

2,500+ union construction jobs, 450+ jobs onsite, and 1,500+ jobs county-wide

Millions in new, annual tax revenues to support the Township, Washtenaw County and Michigan schools

$14 million in direct benefits for the local fire department and community investment

Utilizing a closed-loop system that protects Michigan's water

Preservation of 750+acres of open space, farmland and wetlands

"The strength of this financing is a powerful validation of what we have built at Related Digital and of the critical role this project will play in America's digital future," said Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies and Chairman of Related Digital. "We are grateful for the confidence of Blackstone, PIMCO, and our world class banking partners, institutions who understand the scale, complexity, and long-term value of what we are delivering for our partners at Oracle and OpenAI. I also want to extend my thanks to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, whose commitment to ensuring Michigan competes in the innovation economy in a responsible and forward-thinking way has made this possible. Major construction is well underway in Saline Township, momentum is strong, and we are laser focused on executing with the same discipline that has defined Related for more than 50 years."

Nadeem Meghji, Global Head of Blackstone Real Estate, said: "Demand for digital infrastructure continues at a breathtaking pace, driven by AI and the broader digitalization of the economy. This investment is another way we are capitalizing on this generational opportunity and helping provide much needed compute capacity. We're excited to back the largest ever investment in the state of Michigan and we look forward to supporting Related Digital as it delivers this critical AI infrastructure."

"Strong investor demand for high-quality digital infrastructure continues to drive significant capital formation, particularly for projects of this scale and complexity," said Jim DeMare, Co-President, Bank of America. "Our deep relationships with sponsor clients and investors, together with our expertise in structuring infrastructure finance transactions, positioned us well to help structure these transactions efficiently. We are proud to support Related Digital, Blackstone and Oracle on this landmark project in Michigan."

DTE Energy is supplying 100% of the project's power using existing resources augmented by a new battery storage investment financed entirely by Oracle. As a result, this project is expected to create $300 million in savings for DTE's existing customers thanks to the project's contribution towards the fixed costs of grid maintenance and improvements.

"The rapid progress at our Saline Township data center underscores the urgency and scale of building America's next-generation AI infrastructure," said Mahesh Thiagarajan, Executive Vice President, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. "Together with our partners, we are not just building a data centerwe are creating high-quality jobs, investing in the communities in which we operate, and driving long-term economic growth. This project reflects our deep commitment to Michigan and to powering the future of AI in the United States."

The Saline Township campus  known as "The Barn" for the historic red barn preserved at the project's entrance along Michigan Avenue  comprises three single-story data center buildings with more than a gigawatt of capacity. The project is being developed for Oracle as part of its partnership with OpenAI to expand AI compute capacity across the country. The campus utilizes a closed-loop cooling system for cooling and will be LEED certified. Construction on the first data center buildings is underway and the project is on schedule for delivery to Oracle. The multi-billion-dollar investment positions Michigan as a cornerstone of America's AI infrastructure buildout.

The closing of the financing is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Construction images and renderings of the Saline Township site are available here.

About Related Digital

Founded by Related Companies, one of the most prominent privately-owned real estate development firms in the United States with more than $100B in assets owned or under development, Related Digital is a leading vertically integrated data center development and investment platform. Related Digital combines Related Companies' 50-year-plus history of executing complex real estate and infrastructure projects with its track record developing large-scale clean energy solutions. With a $45 billion development pipeline of more than five gigawatts of near-term power across the United States and Canada, Related Digital has the executive capabilities, depth of expertise, and national scale to bring differentiated solutions to global hyperscalers. Related Digital currently has data center projects underway in Ontario, Wyoming, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois and Texas.

About Blackstone

Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which the firm invests. Blackstone's over $1.3 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

About PIMCO

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients' capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, drawing upon our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the world's largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at .

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

SOURCE Related Digital
An 18-year-old man has been extradited from Dubai and charged with the murder of a Thai woman who was stabbed to death at her 4million Hyde Park home two years ago.

Enzo Bettamio, 18, was flown back to the UK on Friday following joint efforts by the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service to secure his return.

The charge relates to the killing of 27-year-old Kamonnan Thiamphanit, also known as Angela, who was found with multiple stab wounds at her home in Stanhope Place.

Police were called to the address at around 8.30am on Monday, April 8, 2024, where she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers launched a major investigation, carrying out extensive enquiries in the months that followed.

Bettamio, of no fixed address, was formally charged with murder on Saturday, a day after landing in the UK.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, April 25.

Ms Thiamphanit's family have been informed of the latest development and continue to be supported by specialist officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, said: 'I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Angela's family and friends for their patience and unwavering support to the investigation, throughout what has been an incredibly difficult and distressing time for them.'

Kamonnan Thiamphanit, also known as Angela, who was found with multiple stab wounds at her home in Stanhope Place

Police were called to the address at around 8.30am on Monday, April 8, 2024, where she was pronounced dead at the scene

Officers launched a major investigation, carrying out extensive enquiries in the months that followed

In May 2024, Angela's mother Fiona Fu revealed that her daughter met her alleged killer through Airbnb.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Ms Fu, 63 said: 'Angela was my only child, and we were very close.

'Her killing has crushed me, I'm totally devastated. She was very ambitious, all she ever wanted to do was take care of me and eventually own her own hotel.

'She invested a lot of time and money into this property and wanted to get a good financial return from it by renting it out on Airbnb and become a successful businesswoman. But tragically, she now won't be able to fulfil her dream.'

Ms Fu, who lives in Hong Kong, revealed that Angela was a dual Thai and Chinese-Hong Kong national who had been in London for the past ten years.

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.

She did not own the Hyde Park property but was renting it herself on a two-year lease and had been living in it since January.

Angela was born in the Thai city of Ratchaburi but then moved to Hong Kong aged one with her mother after her parents' marriage ended. She attended boarding school in Wales and then studied at the University of the Arts London.

She was working at an IT company before deciding to set up a small property management business, taking over the Hyde Park home.

After redecorating it, she advertised the home on Airbnb, charging 600 per night for a room because of its prime location and proximity to some of the capital's most famous tourist spots.

Angela was sharing the home with her boyfriend Chris Zeng, 27 and they were staying in the basement to ensure privacy for any renters.

He revealed that after leaving for Singapore, just days before Angela's body was discovered, she called him to tell him that a man had contacted her via Airbnb and was interested in renting the entire home for a month and was prepared to pay 30,000.
A young Aussie mum claims a misdiagnosis at a Queensland hospital led to a potentially fatal condition that resulted in the removal of her fallopian tube.

Jessica Powell, 26, said she went to Townsville University Hospital four times last September, worried about her pregnancy, and was told she was miscarrying.

On her fifth visit to hospital, doctors identified an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.

By this point, Ms Powell's fallopian tube had already begun to rupture, which caused potentially fatal internal bleeding that spread to nearby organs.

Surgeons had no choice but to remove her fallopian tube.

Ms Powell told 7News she was 'beside herself' when she heard the news.

'I just started crying, like, hysterically, and I was like, they could have prevented this if they just listened,' she told the publication.

Ms Powell, who has a history of miscarriages and endometriosis, said the pregnancy may have been her only feasible chance to have another child.

Jessica Powell says she went to Townsville University Hospital four times last September, but was sent home on each occasion before doctors discovered an ectopic pregnancy

Townsville University Hospital (pictured) has since claimed there was no initial clinical sign that Ms Powell's pregnancy was ectopic

Townsville University Hospital released a statement saying there was initially no clinical sign that Ms Powell's pregnancy was ectopic.

It described the loss of a fallopian tube was a common consequence in her case.

But Ms Powell claimed she would still have her fallopian tube if she had been taken more seriously by hospital staff during previous visits.

'There was no, like, "Oh, we're so sorry that you came here four times beforehand, and we're sorry we should have listened",' she told 7News.

Raquel Moon, Ms Powell's sister, said the young mum has been traumatised.

'We feel helpless that, you know, they're not caring for her like they should be,' she told the publication.

Ms Powell shared a message with the hospital following her ordeal: 'Take us seriously. Just listen, care. Don't turn us away, because it's too hard. That's all I'd say.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Townsville University Hospital for further comment.
The grieving family of a millionaire big-game hunter trampled to death by elephants in Africa has revealed the chaotic way they learned of how he died.

Ernie Dosio's ex-wife told the Daily Mail the family's lawyers were told about the death before relatives themselves.

Mr Dosio, 75, a wealthy California vineyard owner and veteran hunter, was killed on April 17 after being charged and crushed by a herd of elephants deep in Gabon's rainforest.

His passion for hunting has since come under intense scrutiny, with some critics rejoicing in his death.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, one of his sons Jeff Dosio said the story of his final moments has been 'twisted' - and suggested more information is set to emerge about what really happened.

Jeff said on Friday night: 'It hasn't been fun. It hasn't been fun at all. Whoever got all these pictures of our trophy room - I don't know how that came about at all.

'I want to set the record straight with my sincerity at the bottom of it and my statement.'

Rinda Butler Dosio, Ernie's ex-wife, described the confusion that gripped the family in the immediate hours after the fatal encounter and claimed another man had also been killed, although reports from the tour company state he was injured.

Californian vineyard owner Ernie Dosio, 75, was ambushed and killed by five elephants whilst hunting in Africa

His son Jeff Dosio, said the story surrounding the death of his father (pictured) had been 'twisted' and expressed frustration over how details and images were shared publicly

'There's so many different things that are going around. Everything gets kind of exaggerated,' she said.

'The day it happened we heard it was buffalos - and different crazy things. The lawyers got called before the family. There's just some things that just don't make sense.

'It's a huge shock. He was a big time hunter and it shouldn't have happened. He and another man was killed.'

According to officials and hunting company statements, Mr Dosio had been on a $40,000 guided expedition in the Lope-Okanda rainforest - tracking a rare yellow-backed duiker, a shy forest antelope.

He was accompanied by a professional hunter when the pair unexpectedly encountered a group of five female forest elephants with a calf.

Hidden by dense vegetation, the elephants appeared 'as if from nowhere,' according to a retired game hunter familiar with the incident. Feeling threatened, the herd charged immediately.

The professional hunter was struck first, seriously injured and separated from his rifle - and that left Mr Dosio, armed only with a shotgun intended for smaller game, exposed in the thick undergrowth.

Ernie Dosio's ex-wife Rinda Butler Dosio said the family initially received conflicting and inaccurate reports about how he died, describing the situation as a 'huge shock'

Mr Dosio was killed on April 17 while on a guided hunting trip in Gabon, Central Africa

He was knocked down and trampled underfoot.

'I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume it would have been quick,' the professional hunter said.

The safari company Collect Africa confirmed in a statement that a client had been killed during the encounter and that the professional hunter had been injured.

The setting of Mr Dosio's final hunt remains one of the most unforgiving environments on earth.

Known as 'Africa's last Eden', the country is covered by dense forest and is home to an estimated 60 per cent of the world's remaining forest elephants which are capable of charging at speeds of up to 25mph.

The US Embassy in Gabon is now overseeing the repatriation of Mr Dosio's body back to California.

Mr Dosio had spent decades hunting across Africa and the US, pursuing some of the world's most dangerous animals - including elephants, lions, rhinos, and buffalo.

Back home, his trophy rooms displayed dozens of mounted animals, from exotic African species to North American deer and wildfowl.

Ernie Dosio has hunted almost every species of wild deer and owns a vast collection of exotic animal heads in trophy rooms at home

He was a mainstay in the Sacramento Safari Club and a life member of hunting group California Wildfowl and on the board of the local Lodi Winegrape Commission

People close to him insisted his hunting was legal and tied to conservation efforts.

'All Ernie's hunts were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers,' said one retired hunter.

Yet the circumstances of his death have sparked fierce debate online.

Comedian Ricky Gervais posted a joke about his death on X: 'The best thing is, they'll never forget it.'

The remark was quickly condemned by critics, with one poster replying: 'You should delete this Ricky. It displays your abject ignorance at wildlife conservation and is frankly ghoulish ffs.'

Another wrote: 'The uninformed morons cheering on this conservationist's death are the same people who celebrate assassinations of people who have differing opinions than their own.

'Truly disgusting individuals. Educate yourselves on how big game hunting works. They're controlling populations.'

Mr Dosio was a father of two who built a successful agricultural empire as owner of Pacific AgriLands, managing a 12,000-acre vineyard operation in Modesto and supporting a region responsible for about 40 per cent of California's wine production.

Ricky Gervais sparked some backlash after posting on X about Ernie Dosios death by elephants tweeting: 'The best thing is, they'll never forget it'

His comment drew criticism online, with users calling it 'ghoulish' and accusing him of showing ignorance about big-game hunting and conservation

The US Embassy in Gabon is assisting with the repatriation of Ernie Dosio's body to California

His son Jeff now serves as president of the company, while his other son Blake is also involved in the business.

Mr Dosio was also deeply embedded in his local community. He served as a board member of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, a life member of California Wildfowl, and a prominent figure in the Sacramento Safari Club.

For decades, he held the title of Great Elk in the California Central District Elks, a nationwide charitable organization.

'It is with a most heavy heart and sadness that I am reporting the passing of Ernie Dosio,' Lodi Lodge secretary Tommy Whitman wrote in a Facebook tribute.

'May all of our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.'

Whitman later added: 'Ernie always had his hand in his pocket and would help out those who needed it. He would never want recognition but he was always there with a loving heart.'

Friends described him as 'larger than life,' yet grounded, a man who preferred farming and hunting to luxury, despite his wealth.

The Daily Mail has contacted the State Department for comment.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin was among the Washington elite who attended a pre-White House Correspondents' Dinner party hosted by gay hookup app Grindr.

The nonsexual event was part of the app's attempt to break into the Washington lobbying scene.

Grindr's CEO George Arison is a registered Republican but that did not prevent Martin from showing his face.

The DNC chair was spotted alongside multiple Grindr executives, including Arison and the app's new Head of Global Government Affairs Joe Hack at LXIV DC.

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins and former host Don Lemon were both spotted among the guests.

YouTuber Keith Edwards even suggested he had heard from multiple people that California Governor Gavin Newsom would make an appearance, though his presence has not been confirmed.

Republican Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer, for whom Hack used to serve as chief of staff, also made an appearance.

Lines to get into the party, which Hack said could fit 500 guests, were seen going down the street.

Democrat National Committee Chairman Ken Martin (pictured with CEO George Arison) was among the Washington elite who attended a pre-White House Correspondents' Dinner party hosted by gay hookup app Grindr

The event was part of the app's attempt to break into the Washington scenes of lobbying and influence

The DNC chair was spotted alongside multiple Grindr executives and members of the liberal media

Hack told TMZ on Thursday that he had even received feelers from Trump administration officials regarding the get-together, though he refused to name names.

'We're planting a flag. We've 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,' Hack said in a separate interview with Politico.

Their main fight has been to lobby for further prevention funding for HIV cases, as they work with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to distribute testing kits.

While Trump has largely positioned himself as a more friendly conservative toward the gay and lesbian community than his predecessors, he demanded Congress cut funding for the George W Bush launched HIV-AIDS program PEPFAR last year.

Hack said that they want to encourage the Trump administration to include Grindr on whatever the program will look like going forward.

'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.'

Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins was the beneficiary of a $25,000 fundraiser hosted by Hack last year, Vanity Fair reported.

Kaitlan Collins, CNN and Joe Hack, Head of Global Government Affairs attend Grindr White House Correspondents' Dinner Weekend Party

Collins and former host Don Lemon were both spotted among the guests

Hack expected around 500 guests to show for the party. Lines to get in stretched around the block

Democratic Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the Senate, is also going to receive a fundraiser.

Arison has faced backlash for supporting Trump and former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in the past.

'Grindr loves the First Amendment, because it's integral to protecting America. There is no company in the world better at making connections than Grindr, so hosting the party this weekend was a no-brainer,' Arison, who is endorsing a Democrat to replace Newsom as California governor, said in a statement.

Other issues include bills that would make it harder under the law for minors to download the app and legislation regarding IVF and surrogacy for same-sex couples which have support across the aisle.

'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.

The app has spent over $1.6 million on in-house and outside lobbying since it registered to do so last April, with over a half million spent in the first three months of this year alone, federal disclosures said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to both Grindr and the DNC for comment.
Aussies are divided after a couple's next-door neighbour complained their 'unbearable' young children were making her life a 'living hell'.

The couple, who live in Pimpama near the Gold Coast, were stunned by the typed note, which asked why their children 'scream so insanely every day'.

'Your wonderful children scream and squeal too loudly all the time,' it began.

'We wake up and fall asleep to their frantic screams, and it's becoming unbearable.

'Please! Could you teach the children to be a little bit quieter?'

The neighbour said two men who live in their house do shift work and needed some peace and quiet from the 'daily hell' they were currently experiencing.

The woman who received the note shared a photo of the note on Facebook.

'I just want to know everyone's view on this nasty letter I received at my door from a neighbour who has moved here less than three weeks ago surely this cannot be real,' she captioned the photo.

Pictured is the typed note received by a woman living on the Gold Coast

The post received more than 100 comments from divided Aussies.

'I wouldn't like it if my neighbours' kids or dogs were annoying but that's life. Kids play and dogs bark. So, get over it,' one person wrote.

'I would now be encouraging my kids to play outside along their fence line from 6am to 10pm, making as much noise as possible,' another said.

'I'd make my kids scream louder. The cheek. Turn yourself down, lady,' a third said.

But some people said the note-sender was perfectly reasonable.

'It doesn't come across as nasty to me. A polite note advising you that they are shift workers, and asking for a little consideration,' one person said.

'Maybe your kids are super loud and you just can't admit it,' another wrote.

'Screaming kids is the worst noise if you're working shift work, knackered and trying to sleep. Yeah, she could have written it more politely, but you don't need to be offended, just be conscious of how loud they are because obviously it's driving the neighbours crazy,' a third agreed.

The letter writer complained that the kids next door were screaming to the point they made their life a living hell

Queensland council noise rules generally prohibit unreasonable, excessive noise that disturbs neighbours, particularly during designated quiet hours of 10pm to 7am.

Unlike power tools or air conditioners, which have restricted hours, children's play is not regulated.

Councils may issue warnings or fines for consistent nuisance noise.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has hit back at reports that a cohort of ISIS brides and their families have launched a second attempt to return to Australia.

It's understood that four women, and nine children and grandchildren, left the Al-Roj detention camp in northeastern Syria on Friday to travel the 10-hour journey to Damascus.

Camp coordinators confirmed that 13 people departed with the support of the Syrian government.

'We can confirm that today the coordination was perfect,' Al-Roj camp director Hakmiyeh Ibrahim told the ABC.

'It was done between us and the Syrian government, to be able to fly back these families to their country.'

Marles was reluctant to comment on the reports when interviewed on Sky News about Anzac Day on Saturday.

'Look, I am loathed to go into that on this day, other than to simply say this: the Australian government is not repatriating those people from Syria,' he said.

'But as I say, today, given the significance of it, I'm loathed to go into it in any more detail.'

A spokesperson reiterated that the federal government 'is not and will not repatriate people from Syria'.

A cohort of ISIS brides and their families have left the Al Roj detention camp in Syria in a second attempt to be repatriated to Australia. Pictured are families at the Al Roj detention camp

'The Australian government is not repatriating those people from Syria,' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said

'The Australian government is not repatriating those people from Syria,' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said

'Our security agencies have been monitoring - and continue to monitor - the situation in Syria to ensure they are prepared for any Australians seeking to return to Australia,' they said.

Opposition Home Affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam called on the Albanese government to ensure the cohort does not return.

'These ISIS brides chose Syria over Australia. They made a choice to ditch Australian values for the values of a terrorist organisation,' he wrote online.

'And to hear this on Anzac Day - our most sacred of days. Our diggers fought for our rights and liberties against people who want to tear them down.'

It comes after a mission to repatriate 11 Australian women and their 23 children in February failed when they were turned around just 50km into their journey.

The unsuccessful bid triggered a political storm back home.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese swiftly ruled out government involvement, saying he had 'no sympathy' for women who travelled to ISIS territory during the height of the caliphate.

Western Sydney doctor Dr Jamal Rifi travelled to Syria earlier this year with passports in the hope of repatriating the cohort.

It comes after a mission to repatriate 11 Australian women and their 23 children who left the Al-Roj camp (pictured) failed when they were turned around just 50km into their journey

He indicated at the time of the failed mission that the push to return the families was far from over, despite the collapse of the initial mission and escalating conflict in the region.

He added that the families faced harsh conditions at the AlRoj camp.

'They are in a waiting game,' he said.

'We have a plan A with about a 90 per cent chance of success, and plans B and C, which are riskier and more difficult. But their safety - getting them home - is our priority.'
The Ministry of Defence has denied the Romanian military's claim that RAF jets on a NATO patrol shot down Russian drones over Ukrainian territory for the first time.

Two Royal Air Force Eurofighters were scrambled from Borcea Air Base in the early hours of Saturday 25 April, as Putin's forces attacked ports on the River Danube in Ukraine.

It is understood both aircraft returned to base and did not engage any Russian assets, nor did they enter Ukrainian airspace.

It comes after the Romanian Ministry of National Defence claimed crew engaged and downed the Russian drones.

The strike over Ukraine aimed at protecting NATO state Romania represents a new development in the four-year war, it claimed.

'On the morning of Saturday, April 25, Russian forces resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania, in Tulcea County,' said the Bucharest statement.

'MApN radars detected drones flying near Romanian airspace.

'Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Air Force from the Reinforced Air Police combat service took off at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetesti.

'The National Military Command Centre notified IGSU [General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations] regarding the establishment of measures to alert the population in the localities of Grindu and Isaccea, in Tulcea County, and at 02:14, a RO-ALERT message was transmitted.

'The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft had radar contact with a target located 1.5 km [1 mile] from Reni, above Ukrainian territory.

'The pilots had authorisation to engage the drones.'

At least 18 injured after all-night Russian drone assault on Dnipro destroyed part of an apartment block and sparked a fuel station fire

The statement said multiple explosions were reported in Reni, Ukraine. It did not explicitly say how many drones were downed by the RAF.

There were reports of falling debris from drones over Romanian territory.

'No casualties were reported.'

But the Ministry of Defence denies this was the case.

Romania went onto slam the Putin regime over its attacks on the Odesa region - with targets half a mile from NATO territory across the Danube.

'The Ministry of National Defence firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasises that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,' said the report.

Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.

'Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Alliance and will continue to work closely with partners and allies to monitor and defend national airspace.'

In Poland, French fighters with support from the Dutch armed forces operating as part of the NATO alliance were scrambled as Russia rained down missiles and drones on Ukraine.

'Poland raised military aircraft due to the activity of long-range Russian aviation, which carried out missile strikes on Ukraine,' said a statement from air force operational command.

Savage Russian strikes flattened a four-floor apartment building in Dnipro, killing at least two and injuring more than 20.

Join the discussion Is this necessary defence - or a dangerous step toward wider war?

A Ukrainian drone hit Russia's fourth-largest city Yekaterinburg, more than 1,100 miles from the front line

Five more people may be trapped under the rubble. The city was under siege for more than ten hours.

Strikes also hit the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Cherkasy regions.

In Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, there was a major fire and heavy smoke with residents advised to close windows.

In one of the heaviest overnight assaults of the war, Russia launched missile and drone strikes at Ukraine overnight.

This included 47 missiles of which 30 were downed.

A total of 580 out of 619 drones were shot down or suppressed.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones flew mammoth distances of more than 1,100 miles to attack major Russian cities in the Ural Mountains for the first time.

The Kremlin was stung by hits in its hinterland on Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk with long-range unmanned planes on the key hubs.

The Liutyi drones hit an elite high-rise tower in Yekaterinburg, likely after it was targeted by air defences.

Windows on the upper floors were broken, and smoke was visible.

More than 50 people were evacuated from the multi-story building, with multiple apartments damaged.

At least six were injured.

Reports say the Ukrainian long-range drones targeted the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigation in Chelyabinsk.

There were also unconfirmed reports of explosions near the key military supplier Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant.
Donald Trump has branded peace talks in Pakistan a 'waste of time' after calling off a planned visit by his envoys to Islamabad.

Iranian officials then left the Pakistani capital empty handed without meeting a US delegation after the president pulled the trip for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The breakdown comes as the US continues its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, keeping global energy markets on edge despite an indefinite ceasefire.

'I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going [to] Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians,' the president posted on Truth Social on Saturday afternoon.

'Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their "leadership."

'Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!'

Iranian officials had been in Pakistan for talks but ruled out what they described as 'maximalist demands', with no face-to-face meeting taking place.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday and held a series of meetings with Pakistani officials, including the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, today.

But Tehran signalled it would not accept US conditions, with negotiations stalling before any direct talks could begin.

Pakistan has been attempting to bring both sides back to the table after Trump agreed to extend the truce following Islamabad's request for more time for diplomacy.

Trump said on Friday that Iran was 'making an offer' but gave no details, while insisting any deal must include Tehran giving up enriched uranium and guaranteeing free passage of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
A severely decomposed body has been discovered near a walking track south of Adelaide, prompting a murder investigation.

A member of the public made the grim discovery down an embankment of the South Alma walking track at Inman Valley on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula on Friday night.

Major crime detectives and forensic officers spent the night at the scene and returned on Saturday to conduct further searches.

Initial investigations confirmed the body had been there for some time.

Mystery surrounds the identity of the deceased and how they died.

Homicide detectives are examining multiple lines of inquiry.

'The remains are very decomposed, they have likely been in this location for several years,' Detective Inspector Andrew Macrae told reporters.

'The circumstances in which we found it make us very confident that the person was unfortunately murdered.'

Police have launched a homicide investigation after decomposed humans remains were found on Friday night

A bushwalker made the grim discovery down an embankment of the South Alma walking track at Inman Valley

The body will undergo forensic testing and examination.

One line of inquiry is whether it has any links to the alleged drugrelated murders of Trevor King, Robert Atkins and Jeff Mundy in Adelaide's southern suburbs.

Mr Mundy was last seen in December 2020 at Seaford, 40km from where the decomposed body was found.

Police have long suspected that the single father was murdered and his body disposed of on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Police previously believed that Mr Mundy was held captive before his death and that multiple people were involved. His body has never been found.

The body of Mr King, 41, was found at West Lakes in January 2020.

The remains of Mr Atkins, 31, were found in 2023, in a well at an abandoned rural property in the SA's Mid North.

Police will examine whether the body is linked to Jeff Mundy, who was last seen in December 2020 at Seaford, 40km from where the decomposed body was found on Friday night

'Because of the geography, it is one of the considerations we will be looking at,' Detective Insp Macrae said.

'Any long-term missing person will be assessed against what we found today.'

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Javier Milei has declared that the Falklands 'will always be Argentine' after it emerged that the US was seeking to review its position on Britain's claim to the islands.

The move from the US appears to be part of Donald Trump's drive to punish Nato countries for failing to help with his war against Iran.

Argentinian president Milei is a close ally of Trump and has reiterated the country's claim to the islands, writing in an X post last night: 'THE MALVINAS WERE, ARE, AND ALWAYS WILL BE ARGENTINE.'

The Argentine leader's comments came as reports surfaced this week that the Pentagon would review the UK's claim to the territory again.

According to Reuters, an internal memo floated reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding European 'imperial possessions' such as the Falklands, as well as kicking Spain out of Nato for refusing to ramp up defence spending.

A Downing Street spokesman said the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands 'rests with the UK'.

Asked about the report, the spokesman said: 'The Falkland Islands have hugely voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and we've always stood behind the islanders' right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK.'

The spokesman continued: 'We've expressed this position previously clearly and consistently to successive US administrations, and nothing is going to change that.'

Javier Milei has declared that the Falklands 'will always be Argentine'

The Argentine president's tweet comes after it emerged that the US was seeking to review its position on Britain's claim to the islands

Royal Marine Peter Robinson carrying the Union Jack as he marched towards Stanley in the final hours of the Falklands War in June 1982

Meanwhile, Washington's threat drew outrage from across the UK political spectrum.

Downing Street insisted the status of the Falklands 'could not be clearer', while Kemi Badenoch branded the suggestion 'nonsense'.

The Lib Dems called for the monarch's trip to America next week to be called off.

The Falklands are a group of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 300 miles east of the Argentine mainland and roughly 13,000 km from Britain. They consist of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and 778 smaller islands.

The first recorded landing on the Falklands was made in 1690 by English naval captain John Strong.

Britain took formal possession of West Falkland in 1765, and while France and Spain each had settlements on the islands at different times, Britain reasserted control in 1833 and has administered the islands since.

The Falklands, whose population numbers about 3,660, have their own elected legislative assembly that manages domestic affairs.

Most residents are of British descent, though the population also includes people from Saint Helena, Chile and the Philippines.

The economy is based mainly on fishing licences, farming and tourism.

Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the islands, which it calls the Malvinas, arguing it inherited them from Spain after independence in 1816 and that Britain took control in 1833 through an illegal colonial act.

The Falklands are a group of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 300 miles east of the Argentine mainland and roughly 13,000 km from Britain. File photo: An aerial view of the Stanley - the capital of the Falkland Islands on the South Atlantic Ocean

Britain argues the islanders have a right to decide their own future. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands rested with Britain.

In April 1982, Argentina's military government, led by Leopoldo Galtieri, ordered the invasion of the islands, believing Britain would not respond with force.

Britain still claims sovereignty over the Falklands and maintains a military presence there, including an air base at Mount Pleasant.

Argentina, with the backing of China, continues to press its claim through diplomatic channels and international bodies such as the United Nations. The two countries restored diplomatic relations after the war, but talks on sovereignty remain stalled.

In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters backed remaining under British rule, on a turnout of about 92%. Britain cites the vote as evidence of the islanders' wishes and says it will not discuss sovereignty without their consent.

Argentina rejected the referendum, saying the population was implanted after Britain took control in 1833.
NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS) resulting from allegations that Barclays may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Barclays securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23523 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On February 27, 2026, Reuters published an article entitled "Wall Street hit by UK mortgage lender collapse, raising fears of more credit 'cockroaches.'" The article stated that lenders were "rocked by the implosion of little-known UK mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions Ltd ["MFS"], fuelling concerns about wider losses among banks and reviving warnings of more "cockroaches" in the booming private credit industry." It further stated that another publication "reported Barclays has a 600 million pound ($809.70 million) exposure to MFS."

On this news, Barclays American Depositary Shares ("ADS") fell 3.99% on February 27, 2026, and 2.3% on March 2, 2026.

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 litigate securities class actions. 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. At the time 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.

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The US forced Britain to allow the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Argentina, amid fears over the security of the Falkland Islands.

The Biden administration agreed the deal with Argentina in 2024 - before Labour got into power.

Britain imposed a ban on exporting arms to the South American country during the Falklands War in 1982.

However, Argentinian president Javier Milei said in December last year that talks had begun on changing these restrictions.

In the same month, just a few days later, Argentina took delivery of the $35million (25.9million) per unit fighter jets, which Mr Milei described as 'guardian angels'.

Despite the ban imposed by Britain more than 40 years ago, it is now understood the US forced the UK to allow the sale.

It has been reported that Foreign Office officials were told 'in no uncertain terms' not to oppose the deal.

One Argentine source said the US had made a 'strong' case for the sale in secret talks with Britain, while other sources said the UK had been pressured into allowing the US to sell the Mach 2.05 fighter jets.

The US forced Britain to allow the sale of F-16 fighter jets (pictured) to Argentina despite the UK's ban on arms exports to the country since 1982

A row of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets during the Royal International Air Tattoo on July 21, 2024 in Fairford, England

Argentinian president Javier Milei has again reiterated the country's claim to the islands

The revelations come as fears grow over the future of the Falkland Islands after President Trump this week hinted that he would help Argentina's claim over the archipelago.

The move appears to be part of his drive to punish Nato countries for not helping him wage war on Iran.

The islands, which have a population of around 3,500 people, have been under British rule since 1833.

However, they were invaded by military dictator Galtieri Castelli in April 1982 before then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher sanctioned British forces to reclaim the islands, defeating Argentina after two months of conflict in June the same year.

The war claimed the lives of 649 Argentinians, 255 Britons and three civilians killed by shelling.

In March 2013, the Falklands held a referendum over whether to retain their current political status as a British Overseas Territory, where 99.8 per cent of people voted 'Yes' to British rule.

However, Argentina has continued to lay claim to the islands since its defeat in 1982, including since the decisive referendum 13 years ago.

Mr Milei, a close ally of Mr Trump, has again reiterated the country's claim to the islands  but the threat has drawn outrage from across the UK's political spectrum.

Royal Marine Peter Robinson carrying the Union Flag as he marches towards Stanley in the final hours of the Falklands War in June 1982

Pictured: A Sidewinder missile on a British Sea Harrier aircraft landing on HMS Fearless L10 during the Falklands War 1982

President Trump's comments appear to be part of his drive to punish Nato countries for not helping him to wage war on Iran. He previously described Sir Keir Starmer as 'no Winston Churchill' over the Prime Minister's position on the Middle Eastern conflict

Downing Street insisted the status of the Falklands 'could not be clearer', while Kemi Badenoch branded the suggestion 'nonsense' and the Lib Dems called for King Charles's trip to the US next week to be called off.

Reports suggest the Pentagon will look again at Britain's claim to the territory.

According to Reuters, an internal memo floated reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding European 'imperial possessions' such as the Falklands, as well as kicking Spain out of Nato for refusing to ramp up defence spending.

British veterans of the 1982 conflict have criticised Mr Trump for his comments over the future of the South Atlantic archipelago, accusing him of being a 'bully'.

Welsh Guardsman Simon Weston, who suffered severe burn injuries after the Sir Galahad landing ship was set on fire by Argentinian fighter jets, said the US President was a 'schoolyard bully' and warned that Argentina could use the policy shift to justify another invasion.

Mr Trump's comments came after he previously described Sir Keir Starmer as 'no Winston Churchill', as Britain initially did not grant a request from the US to allow its aircraft to attack Iran from two British bases.

The UK later agreed to allow defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens, amid Iranian retaliation.

Mr Trump also insulted the Royal Navy, referring to its aircraft carriers as 'toys'.
An anti-rhino poaching conservationist who devoted his life to saving the endangered animal was horrifically gored to death by one whilst out on patrol.

Schoeman van Jaarsveld, 58, was on a morning patrol with his team at the Samara Karoo Reserve in South Africa when a 1,300kg double-horned rhino burst out of cover and impaled him.

By the time emergency services arrived at the scene, Mr van Jaarsveld had already died from his horrific injuries and was pronounced dead at around 10.30am on Thursday.

The rhino was screamed at by the rest of Mr van Jaarsveld's patrol and it backed off into the 68,000-acre reserve without any shots being fired.

Mr van Jaarsveld, who had run his own armed private security company protecting, was trying to track the black rhino through a GPS device strapped on its ankle.

He was on morning patrol with his team, in an attempt to keep the rare white and black rhinos safe from poaching gangs who killed 352 rhinos last year alone just for their horns.

The rhino's horns are hacked from their bodies with axes and smuggled and sold to the Far East to make herbal potions, and are more valuable per ounce than cocaine or gold.

The dedicated conservationist carried out day and night patrols not just at Samara but at a number of surrounding game reserves to protect their animals from poachers.

Schoeman van Jaarsveld, 58, was on a morning patrol with his team at the Samara Karoo Reserve in South Africa when a 1,300kg double-horned rhino burst out of cover and impaled him

Mr van Jaarsveld was on morning patrol with his team keeping the rare white and black rhinos safe from poaching gangs who killed 352 rhinos last year alone just for their horns (stock picture)

Pictured: Samara Karoo Reserve where anti-poaching champion Mr van Jaarsveld was killed while on patrol

Tributes were paid to Mr van Jaarsveld by friends and colleagues who described him as a 'very good man'.

Field ranger Arno Potgeiter, 27, who was trained by him, said: 'He was very good at his job and I was told he was out trying to track down a black rhino.

'Something went very wrong and they came face to face and my friend was badly gored.

His tragic death came the day after it was revealed millionaire US big game hunter Ernie Dosio, 75, was killed after being ambushed by five elephants in Central Africa.

The father-of-two from Lodi, California, had hunted all over Africa and the USA and had three rooms at his home full of trophies including rhino, lion, elephant and leopard.

Mr Dosio, 75, a wealthy vineyard owner, was killed on April 17 after being charged and crushed by a herd of elephants deep in Gabon's rainforest.

According to officials and hunting company statements, Mr Dosio had been on a $40,000 guided expedition in the Lope-Okanda rainforest - tracking a rare yellow-backed duiker, a shy forest antelope.

He was accompanied by a professional hunter when the pair unexpectedly encountered a group of five female forest elephants with a calf.

Hidden by dense vegetation, the elephants appeared 'as if from nowhere,' according to a retired game hunter familiar with the incident. Feeling threatened, the herd charged immediately.

The professional hunter was struck first, seriously injured and separated from his rifle - and that left Mr Dosio, armed only with a shotgun intended for smaller game, exposed in the thick undergrowth.

Californian vineyard owner Ernie Dosio, 75, was ambushed and killed by five elephants whilst hunting in Africa

Ernie Dosio has hunted almost every species of wild deer and owns a vast collection of exotic animal heads in trophy rooms at home

He was a mainstay in the Sacramento Safari Club and a life member of hunting group California Wildfowl and on the board of the local Lodi Winegrape Commission

Both tragedies follow that of South African Gary Freeman, 65, trampled to death by an elephant last week at the Klaserie Private Game Reserve which he was co-owner of.

Keen conservationist Mr Freeman, who was armed chose not to fire his weapon at the 6-ton beast, keeping to his mantra he would rather die by elephant than have to kill one.

He was leading a group of tourists on a guided hike when he brandished his revolver to try to scare off the animal but did not pull the trigger.

A source said the elephant was 'very quickly' on Mr Freeman, who was a co-owner of the 148,000-acre Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.

Klaserie is to the west of the Kruger National Park 800 miles north of Samara which is near Graaf-Reinet and home to the Big 5 of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant.

A Samara Karoo Reserve spokesman said: 'Schoeman was out on foot when a tragic incident occurred during his anti-poaching duties with his highly professional team.

'The incident happened at 10.30am when the rhino attacked. The emergency services were called but there was nothing that could be done and he was declared dead.

'Another member of the security team was slightly injured. No shots were fired and the black rhino was not hurt. A full investigation is underway into just what happened.

'Our thoughts are with Schoeman's family and friends and as a mark of respect we will be helping with the funeral following the tragic loss of a member of the Samara team.

'Schoeman was dedicated to conservation work and he and his team from Milk River Security are responsible for invaluable work protecting our wildlife and rhinos.

'They provide similar anti-poaching patrols and protection at other nearby reserves'. He will be sadly missed but his work to protect our rhinos and wildlife continues' she said.

A full investigation is being carried out into the rhino attack, but it is believed no action will be taken against the black rhino, which has displayed no danger signs before.

South Africa is home to most of the world's rhino population and has been battling a relentless poaching crisis for years with black rhinos being critically endangered.

Only 6487 remain in the wild according to the World Wildlife Fund of which 2006 are in South Africa all being protected on the front line from heavily armed poachers.

A close friend of Schoeman's said: 'He was a dedicated professional and was very tough and bush-wise and spent his life out in the wilds looking for the bad guys.

'His loss has been deeply felt among the anti-poaching community and it is even more tragic that his life was taken by the very animal he was trying to keep safe.

'The Samara rhinos are fitted with GPS tracking devices on their ankles and Schoeman and his team were tracking down one particular black rhino to check on its welfare.

'It simply seems as if they bumped into each other and the rhino fatally attacked him.

'The tragedy is a rhino cannot tell those who wear capes from those who don't. Rhinos are under constant threat and when faced with humans can react badly.

'The attack was just explosive and Schoeman took the rhino's horn. The injury was basically untreatable without immediate medical help which was not available.

'A number of us will be meeting to have a drink for our friend tonight' he said.

The black rhino can weigh up to 1.4 tons and is 1.6m high at the shoulder. The have poor eyesight beyond 30m but a powerful sense of smell to track down threats.

The black male rhino lives a solitary life and is extremely territorial. It is the second largest land mammal to the elephant but is unpredictable and highly dangerous.
This is the moment a cable snapped on a fairground ride, sending thrill-seekers crashing towards the ground in Spain.

Dramatic footage taken by onlookers on the ground shows the catapult bungee, which had passengers strapped into seats, being launched into the air.

Just as the passengers are being swung in a circle, the cable suddenly snaps, sending the seats crashing to the ground at high speed.

Onlookers could be heard screaming and shouting out: 'My God' as the incident unfolded on the slingshot ride called Steel Max.

Separate footage showed passengers lying on the ground by the ride as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

Four people, including two children, sustained minor injuries in the incident at Seville's famous annual fair on Friday evening.

Screen grab shows a catapult bungee being launched into the air

The cable suddenly snaps, sending the seats crashing to the ground at high speed

Four people were injured, including two children

According to local newspaper El Diario de Sevilla, two children were also left suspended in mid-air.

The Seville City Council said in a social media post last night that two of the victims were treated at the site of the fairground attraction, which was sealed off by firefighters.

The area has been cordoned off as local police launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

The incident in Seville comes as the Spanish city celebrates its 'Feria de Abril' spring fair, where locals celebrate Andalusian culture with music, dancing and traditional dress.

It also comes several months after a fairground worker died after suffering serious head injuries following an 'emergency incident' on a ride at a seaside funfair.

Police and paramedics rushed to the Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, last August, where the funfair worker - a man in his 20s - was injured.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff to save him, he succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead, Northumbria Police said.

Screen grab shows emergency workers at the site of the incident

A police spokesperson said the man's next of kin had been contacted and were being supported by specialist officers.

They added: 'Our thoughts are with the man's family at this extremely difficult time.'
Britain and France should lead a new 'European Nato' to take responsibility for Europe's defence without help from the United States, an ex-Nato chief has said.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the organisation's secretary-general from 2009 to 2014, said a new security architecture was needed after Donald Trump threatened to withdraw from Nato.

Mr Rasmussen has suggested expanding the Coalition of the Willing - an alliance of 35 countries set up to defend Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire - so it can take over Europe's conventional defence role.

He identified France and Britain as the leading members of an expanded alliance, citing their nuclear capabilities as a key factor.

At present, the coalition is headquartered in Paris, with plans to relocate to London after its first 12 months of operation.

Mr Rusmussen's comments come following President Trump's expression of 'doubts' about his commitment to Nato and Article 5 - the mutual defence clause stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all - the European pillar of Nato must be strengthened.

The coalition, including Kyiv, is currently preparing a post-war deployment intended to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

However, Mr Rasmussen argued that its scope should extend beyond Ukraine to address security across the wider continent. In his proposal, Ukraine would continue to be part of this expanded alliance.

Britain and France should lead a new 'European Nato' coalition to take responsibility for Europe's defence, Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said

He described Ukraine as an 'asset' within the coalition but said whatever the outcome of possible peace negotiations, the country will still need a 'bulwark' against Russian aggression.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: 'That's why I think we should include Ukraine in a new European security architecture, and by that, we can strengthen Nato.'

Mr Rasmussen said the Coalition of the Willing is now necessary as he does not 'want to include hesitant countries' that belong to other alliances, like the European Union (EU).

Several European Union member states, including Austria and Ireland, maintain military neutrality, while others are seen as more sympathetic to Moscow.

Nations such as Britain, Norway and Turkey are also not member of the alliance, however, are key Nato allies.

Mr Rasmussen's comments come amid renewed debate over Europe's future security architecture, following President Trump's criticism of European Nato allies for declining to support his war in Iran.

Mr Trump previously described the coalition as a 'paper tiger' and said withdrawing from it was 'beyond reconsideration'.

This raised doubts over whether the US president would authorise military support for European allies if Article 5 were invoked.

Mr Rasmussen has suggested expanding the Coalition of the Willing following President Trump's expression of 'doubts' about his commitment to Nato and Article 5. President Trump (right) pictured with NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte (left)

Mr Rasmussen (pictured) also argued Europe should not be reluctant to support Mr Trump's war in Iran, suggesting it could offer to help secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a reduction in US trade tariffs

EU member states have since been considering the strength and practicality of the bloc's mutual defence clause, Article 42.7, enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty.

Yet Mr Rasmussen described the idea as 'weaker' than Article 5.

He said: 'The European Union, as such, does not have the military capabilities needed to actually implement 42.7.'

Mr Rasmussen - who previously served as Denmark's prime minister - dismissed proposals by Andrius Kubilius, the EU's defence commissioner, for a European security council as 'fluffy'.

He said the 'hard defence of Europe' requires a group of nations in the continent that are 'capable and willing' to do what is needed.

Mr Rasmussen also argued that Europe should not be reluctant to support Mr Trump's war in Iran, suggesting it could offer to help secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a reduction in US trade tariffs.

He suggested a 'transactional' approach as appropriate as that is how 'allies work together'.

He proposed Europe's approach to Mr Trump should be to say: 'We're in this together. We are willing to help you, provided that you will stay engaged in Europe, including supporting Ukraine, and we don't understand why you are imposing tariffs on your allies.'

Mr Rasmussen said the 'hard defence of Europe' requires a group of nations in the continent that are 'capable and willing' to do what is needed

However, Mr Rasmussen emphasised that new defensive coalitions would not replace Nato  but rather work alongside it with the US assuming a leadership role within the alliance.

He said that as the Coalition of the Willing might take responsibility for the conventional defence of Europe, an overarching 'nuclear umbrella' will still be provided by the US.

He added that in this event, the coalition will require the 'Supreme Allied Commander' in Europe who must be an American.
Ford is in talks to bring a major Chinese carmaker's technology to the United States, and President Donald Trump could be open to the plan.

The discussions involve China's second-largest car manufacturer, Geely, and have been ongoing for more than a year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Chinese electric cars have become increasingly popular around the world thanks to their high tech and relatively low cost.

But US carmakers have said they are struggling to compete, noting how China's state subsidies back their foreign rivals.

Earlier this year, Trump appeared to indicate that he might be open to Chinese cars in the US as long as they were built in the country and by American workers.

'If they want to come in and build the plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that's great,' Trump told the Detroit Economic Club on January 13. 'I love that.'

He added: 'Let China come in, let Japan come in. They are and they'll be building plants, but they're using our labor.'

Trump, who was speaking about his tariffs, also said he was 'standing up for the American auto worker like no president has ever stood up before.'

In January, President Donald Trump seemed to indicate that he might be open to Chinese cars if they were built in the United States by American workers

Geely and Ford are reportedly in discussions to bring the Chinese carmaker's technology stateside. Picture of a Geely car

Ford said that their 'commitment to a level playing field and safeguarding our home market remains absolute'

In wake of the report, Ford told the Wall Street Journal that their 'commitment to a level playing field and safeguarding our home market remains absolute.'

A spokesperson for Geely said that the Chinese carmaker kept 'an open mind when it comes to exploring cooperative opportunities.'

'Engaging in constructive industry dialogue is part of how we operate, but we do not comment on rumors or speculations regarding potential partnerships,' Geely told the outlet.

Ford CEO Jim Farley sounded the alarms on the potential 'economic impact' of allowing Chinese carmakers into the US earlier this month.

'They have enough capacity in China to cover all of the manufacturing and all of the vehicle sales in the US,' Farley told Fox and Friends on April 13.

'Manufacturing is the heart and soul of our country, and for us to lose that to those exports would be devastating for our country,' he added.

Farley also voiced concerns about how China could 'collect a lot of data' and said 'there is no way this is a fair fight.'

Trump's US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, previously suggested that 'natural market forces' would prevent Chinese cars from entering the US market.

Greer pointed to how Joe Biden had effectively banned all Chinese vehicles from the US as one of his final acts in office.

The Biden administration also implemented a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles.

'Those rules are effective,' Greer said, according to the Detroit News.

Geely said it was keeping 'an open mind when it comes to exploring cooperative opportunities.' Picture of a Geely Galaxy Light 2nd Generation concept car

Ford CEO Jim Farley, pictured next to Trump, said earlier this month that China had enough capacity to 'cover all of the manufacturing and all of the vehicle sales' in the US

Geely, the second biggest carmaker in China, has reportedly been looking to expand into the American market for more than a year

Geely's global communications chief, Ash Sutcliffe, said in January that it was a question of 'when and where will we go to the [US],' according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, discussions have reportedly stalled recently with a greater focus on Europe before potential expansion into America.

The Chinese carmaker already has a presence in the US, as it is the majority owner of Swedish brands Volvo and Polestar, which sell cars stateside.

Volvo already has a factory about 35 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina, which the carmaker said currently produces about 150,000 cars per year.

Waymo, the Silicon Valley robotaxi company originally known as the Google self-driving car project, also has links to the Chinese brand.

In 2021, Waymo announced that its cars would be designed and developed by Geely's electric brand, Zeekr.

The vehicles would be built in Sweden, then delivered to the US by Waymo for the self-driving to be fully integrated, according to a press release at the time.

This January, Waymo announced that it would be rebranding the Chinese-branded robotaxi to instead be named Ojai - pronounced 'oh, hi.'

That move was made because Americans were not familiar with Zeekr, Waymo told TechCrunch.

Chuck Schumer, of New York, was one of three Democratic senators to write Trump a letter urging him to 'stop Chinese automakers from jeopardizing American workers'

Geely is the majority owner of Swedish brand Volvo, which has a factory (pictured) about 35 miles from Charleston, South Carolina

Earlier this month, three Democratic senators - Chuck Schumer of New York, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin - demanded that Trump 'stop Chinese automakers from jeopardizing American workers and risking our national security.'

The lawmakers specifically pointed to Trump's comment in January at the Detroit Economic Club when he said, 'Let China come in,' though they did not include the rest of his remarks.

Schumer, Slotkin and Baldwin added that allowing Chinese automakers into the US would 'only expedite Beijing's path to global auto industry dominance, while American manufacturing and our workers will pay the price.'

'While a new plant opened by a Chinese automaker in the United States may create some assembly and temporary construction jobs, that small number of jobs will not make up for the lasting job loss,' the letter read.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House, Ford and Geely for comment.
Former Downing Street grandee Baroness Camilla Cavendish says the Prime Minister has 'made a terrible mistake' and 'should reinstate' sacked Olly Robbins to the Foreign Office.

In damning comments today on Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, Baroness Cavendish, who was head of former Prime Minister David Cameron's Policy Unit at Number 10, said the PM was in 'a lot of trouble' and would 'find it hard to come back from his error'.

She also warned the Mandelson affair, which saw Foreign Office Head Robbins sacked over alleged vetting failures, 'had brought out Starmer's deep character flaws and lack of judgment' and slammed him for 'totally failing to deliver the manifesto the country had elected him on'.

The crossbench peer also sounded a note of serious concern about the UK's relationship with the US and said they 'no longer saw us as a serious player'.

Speaking to the BBC today following her comments in today's Financial Times where she said the 'power is draining away from Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street', the baroness, who is still involved in government as a non-executive director at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: 'Some people think this is a media storm but it actually isn't because in sacking Olly Robbins, and I do feel very strongly that he should be reinstated.

'I think what the country saw on Tuesday was the top official and the best of the civil service refusing to throw anyone else under the bus.

'He was asked "will you name the people in the private office?" and he said "I'm not going to scapegoat anyone else".

'I think that was the moment when the country thought that actually the Prime Minister has a serial record of blaming other people and scapegoating other people and in sacking Robbins, the Prime Minister jumped very quickly to a conclusion with the full information.

In damning comments today on Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, Baroness Camilla Cavendish (pictured) said the PM was in 'a lot of trouble' and would 'find it hard to come back from his error

Sir Keir Starmer has come under pressure to resign over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal (pictured together on February 27, 2025)

'That was a terrible mistake to be quite honest and he's going to find it hard to come back from.'

Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, she also compared Starmer to Boris Johnson and said there was a 'vacuum at the centre' of both men while denying suggestions the country was simply 'ungovernable' and it was not Starmer's fault.

She said: 'I don't think Britain is ungovernable at all. The peculiarity of our constitution is that the system looks upwards to the Prime Minister so it does depend enormously on the quality of the Prime Minister  with Boris Johnson there was a vacuum at centre and bizarrely there is with Keir Starmer.'

Warning there was a problem when 'the guy at the top doesn't make decisions', she said: 'With the North Sea, he is letting his Energy Secretary fight it out with the Treasury and on Housing he has got planning reforms through but he is not making all the other important changes that need to be made in the construction industry.

'Every single time on welfare reforms Downing Street's job is to get difficult things through Parliament and to make a case for them but he didn't do that. He is not fulfilling the job.

'The peculiar thing to me is that this is a man who drove through really important changes in the Labour Party before he came to power and crushed the Corbyn left - and he did a really good job of that - and so I think a lot of his colleagues are just completely stymied by the fact that he is quite disdainful of politics and he doesn't really want to get involved.'

Asked about the King's visit to America and the issues Donald Trump says he is looking forward to discussing with him, she said: 'Donald Trump ought to be discussing those with the British Prime Minister.

'I was in America a week ago and they are not interested in Britain any more. We are not seen as a serious player.

'Our chancellor was on her way to the IMF meeting in Washington when she decided to bash Donald Trump. These things are totally unserious.

'Keir Starmer wanted to be seen as a serious Prime Minister. He has got a lot of kudos over standing up to Trump over Iran not letting them use bases and then letting them use bases.

'I think we should all be asking ourselves what is actually in the national interest.'
Police have launched a desperate manhunt for a prisoner who fled while attending his brother's funeral in Melbourne.

Orijol Rukaj, 47, was supervised by corrections officers when he attended Keilor Cemetery in the city's north-west about 1.30pm on Saturday.

Police allege the inmate escaped during the service and left the cemetery undetected.

It's understood he was attending the funeral of his brother Sokol Rukaj, a well-known figure in Melbournes Albanian community and a stalwart of the North Sunshine Eagles FC, Outlaw Media reported.

Rukaj is described as Caucasian, 170cm tall with short shaved black hair and a solid build.

He was last seen wearing a white shirt, black suit and Asics runners.

He is known to frequent the Sunbury and St Albans areas.

An urgent manhunt is underway for escapee Orijol Rukaj

The innate escaped while attending a funeral at Keilor Cemetery in Melbourne's north-east

Rukaj is not believed to be violent but members of the public are urged to call triple-zero immediately if they see him.

Anyone with other information about his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha's husband Mark Adderley has been suspended from the Green Party over 'antisemitic rants' comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and blaming Mossad for carrying out terror attacks against Jews.

Adderley, who was standing as a Green candidate in Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood in the Croydon elections, regularly uploads content to his YouTube channel, flanked by his wife, in which he shares his views on Israel and its government.

Several refer to 'Israeli false flag' operations being behind the assassination of US political figure Charlie Kirk and a missile attack on a British base in Cyprus.

Following concerns raised by antisemitism advocacy groups and political figures, including MP Steve Reed, Communities Minister, the Green Party moved to suspend Adderley on Friday night.

The would-be candidate reacted strongly on social media, saying he was 'truly, deeply, viscerally disgusted' by the decision.

Adderley added that he had spent his 'entire life fighting racism in all its forms'.

He said: 'I have stood shoulder to shoulder with Jewish friends, comrades and communities against genuine hatred.'

Sawalha called her husband's suspension 'an utter disgrace'.

Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha's husband Mark Adderley has been suspended from the Green Party over 'antisemitic rants' uploaded in videos to his YouTube channel

One of his videos blamed Benjamin Netanyahu's actions for the Bondi Beach mass shooting and endangering Jewish people 'throughout the world'

Adderley said he was 'deeply disgusted' by the Green Party decision to suspend him

Sawalha directed followers in an Instagram post to a video discussing Adderley's sacking, which she described as being 'absolutely disgusting', but yet declared her continued support for the Green Party.

Alongside the post, Sawalha wrote: 'Link in bio or stories .. Ps being Anti Netanyahus genocide is NOT anti Semitic . Side note one of the things Mark has been suspended for is saying many members of the Labour cabinet are #f***wadsintes! lets get it trending folks !'

In the video published on YouTube, Sawalha said her husband is in the 'punishment phase' of 'bravely [speaking] up for the Palestinians in a way very few people' have 'the courage' to do.

She added 'even though Mark has been treated really, really badly by the Green Party', who she said did so in a 'really lazy way', she 'will not stop her membership of the Green Party'.

Sawalha said she 'will not stop canvassing for the Green Party' as she believes 'the Green Party is really the only party that isn't totally rotten to the core at the moment'.

She continued: 'I mean who knows maybe I'll be thrown out of the Green Party. I don't know but I think it would be silly because I'm here actually on your side in spite of everything.'

However Reed welcomed the move and 'congratulated' Green leader Zack Polanski on 'this first step in ridding his party of antisemitism'.

Adderley's suspension comes after a raft of videos were posted to his social media in recent months that prompted accusations against him of antisemitism.

In one video posted in March, Adderley said: 'There's a word which is Lebensraum, which is "living room", and that's exactly what [Adolf] Hitler wanted in all the countries around him.

'The weirdest thing about the maps of history, when you look at how Hitler expanded Germany, or sought to expand Germany, it's almost a complete identikit to what [Israeli prime minister, Binyamin] Netanyahu, is doing in the Middle East.'

He added: 'Israel is the biggest threat to the sovereignty of every nation on this planet because they are "the chosen people". Deluded. It's a cult, it's just a cult.'

In the same video, seen by The Times and which has since been deleted, he speculated on the killing of Kirk.

'I am telling you now, Charlie Kirk was not shot by this guy [the suspect Tyler Robinson]. He was taken out. It's the deep state, [Israel's] Mossad intelligence, CIA,' he said. 'It's the same f****** thing  CIA, Mossad, everything is hermetically sealed.'

Two days after the Bondi Beach attack in December, in which 15 people attending a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia, were shot dead, Adderley uploaded a video blaming Netanyahu - the 'only person who has made the lives of Jewish people infinitely more dangerous'.

Adderley added as a caption: 'Once again the Grim Reaper of Israel BLAMES everyone else for the awful violence on Bondi Beach but never ever entertains the thought that HE is single handedly [sic] responsible for endangering the lives of Jewish people and Muslims throughout the World.'

In another video, made in March after a kamikaze drone  believed to have been fired by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon  struck a British base in Cyprus, Adderley questioned whether it was an 'Israeli false flag?'

He said: 'The Western Zionist-supporting, Israeli-complicit media and governments are all going to say, "Well, it must have come from Hezbollah," he added.

Adderley also unleashed on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, calling her a 'puppet of the Zionist state' after she announced the Government would appeal a ruling that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.

He said: 'You're an absolutely f****** shameful politician,' Adderley said. 'You could seek to soften your right-wing, fascistic-sympathising, Zionist-f****** cosying up.'

Adderley maintained he should not have been suspended and blamed Labour for trying to 'recreate the Corbyn antisemitism psychodrama' of recent years.

He wrote on his social media: 'I genuinely thought The Green Party was supposed to be different, and was promising a beacon of hope in the dark, ugly world of British Party Politics.

'Instead, they have fallen at what feels like the first hurdle in Labours attempts to recreate the Corbyn antisemitism psychodrama of some years ago.

'If we are to change politics for the good, we must do things differently. We must be unafraid to say what establishment politics has disallowed: that Zionism is racism, that opposing a fascistic, apartheid state is not racism, it is not antisemitic, it is not conflating all Jewish People with the Netanyahu Regime  and that standing with the oppressed should NEVER be something to suspend someone for.'

The Green Party previously said the videos do not represent the views of the party.

The Daily Mail has received confirmation from the Green Party that Adderley has been suspended.
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Pope Leo XIV has taken another shot at Donald Trump by condemning the death penalty just hours after the president reintroduced execution by firing squad.

The pontiff declared the death penalty an attack on human dignity on Friday, hours after Trump's Justice Department announced that it would allow firing squads.

'The right to life is the very foundation of every other human right,' Pope Leo said Friday in a video message marking the 15th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in his home state of Illinois.

'In this regard, we affirm that the dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed.'

The Holy Father has publicly condemned capital punishment two days in a row as the Trump Administration moves to ramp up and expedite death penalty cases.

Trump and Pope Leo have been feuding for several weeks now, with the American pontiff also being critical of the president's Iran war.

Pope Leo last week appeared to ease tensions with the White House by clarifying that he opposed war in general, not only the conflict in Iran, and that his comments about a 'handful of tyrants' spending billions on war were not directed at Trump.

Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, thanked the pontiff for his comments and said the Trump administration would work to apply the moral principles of the Gospel in this 'messy world.'

Pope Leo XIV condemned the death penalty for the second day in a row on Friday, saying capital punishment was an attack on human dignity

His remarks came hours after the Justice Department reintroduced execution by firing squad. President Donald Trump, pictured Saturday, on his first day in office called for an expansion of the use of the death penalty 'for the vilest crimes'

On Friday, the Pope reminded the American people how the Catholic Church teaches that capital punishment is 'inadmissible' because it is an 'attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.'

'The Catholic Church has consistently taught that each human life, from the moment of conception until natural death, is sacred and deserves to be protected,' he said.

'Furthermore, effective systems of detention can be and have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption.'

The pontiff reiterated that Pope Francis and his other recent predecessors 'insisted that the common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment.'

His comments echoed remarks he issued Thursday as he urged the US and Iran to return to talks to end the war.

Pope Leo called for a new 'culture of peace' to replace the recourse to violence whenever conflicts arise.

'As a pastor I cannot be in favor of war,' he told reporters aboard his plane.

'I would like to encourage everyone to find responses that come from a culture of peace and not hatred and division.'

Vance, pictured Thursday, previously defended Trump in his feud with the pope. He said the pontiff should 'be careful when he talks about matters of theology'

Asked if he condemned Iran's recent executions, Leo said he condemned 'all actions that are unjust' and included capital punishment in the list.

'I condemn the taking of peoples lives. I condemn capital punishment. I believe human life is to be respected and that all people from conception to natural (death), their lives should be respected and protected.

'So when a regime, when a country takes decisions which take away the lives of other people unjustly, then obviously that is something that should be condemned,' he said.

Pope Francis changed the church's social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.

Trump's feud with the pontiff kicked off on April 7 when Pope Leo condemned his warning that 'a whole civilization will die tonight' if Iran failed to meet his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Pope Leo also said attacks on civilian infrastructure 'are against international law'. Trump had previously threatened to destroy bridges and power plants in Iran.

On April 12, Trump posted a lengthy statement to Truth Social accusing Pope Leo of being 'WEAK on crime' and 'terrible for Foreign Policy'.

'I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,' Trump wrote, adding, 'And I don't want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do.'

Vance said this image Trump posted of himself as a Jesus-like figure was 'a joke'

The next day, Trump followed this up by posting an AI-generated image of himself in red-and-white robes. He appeared to be healing the sick with his hands, something Jesus was said to have done in the Bible.

The commander in chief quickly deleted the post after it prompted strong backlash from Catholics and even religious MAGA supporters.

When asked about it, Trump said he thought the image 'was me as a doctor'.

The feud appeared to be simmering down last week after Pope Leo issued a clarifying message about his remarks and accused the media of sensationalizing the narrative.

Vance was pleased with this clarification, while acknowledging there are real differences of opinion between the administration and the pope.

'I am grateful to Pope Leo for saying this. While the media narrative constantly gins up conflictand yes, real disagreements have happened and will happenthe reality is often much more complicated,' Vance wrote on X.

'Pope Leo preaches the gospel, as he should, and that will inevitably mean he offers his opinions on the moral issues of the day. The President  and the entire administration  work to apply those moral principles in a messy world,' he added. 'He will be in our prayers, and I hope that we'll be in his.'

But it seems a war of words could erupt soon again after the Justice Department announced Friday that it is seeking to expand the use of the death penalty in federal capital cases and add the firing squad, electrocution and gas to lethal injection as methods of execution.

The Biden administration had removed the use of single-drug lethal injections with pentobarbital from the federal protocol over concerns about the potential for unnecessary pain and suffering.

Pope Leo XIV attends the Meeting of Catholic Religion Teachers promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) at Paolo VI hall, Vatican City on Saturday

The moves were announced as part of a broader push to step up federal executions after a moratorium under the Biden administration.

Only three defendants remain on federal death row after Democratic President Joe Biden converted 37 of their sentences to life in prison, though the Trump administration has so far authorized seeking death sentences against 44 defendants.

It is also reauthorizing the use of single-drug lethal injections with pentobarbital that were used to carry out 13 executions during the first Trump administration - more than under any president in modern history.

The Republican president ended a 17-year pause in federal executions in 2020, during his first term in office.

There were 13 executions by lethal injection during Trump's final six months in power, more than under any president in modern history.

Trump, on his first day in the White House for his second term, called for an expansion of the use of the death penalty 'for the vilest crimes.'

The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states, while three others, California, Oregon and Pennsylvania, have moratoriums in place.

The death penalty is normally carried out at the state level but the federal government can also seek execution for a limited set of crimes.
A French widow who was ripped from her bed by US immigration police and thrown into a federal detention center has broken her silence after being deported.

Marie-Therese Ross-Mahe, 85, was arrested at her Anniston, Alabama home on April 1, while she was wearing only her nightgown and robe.

She was taken to a detention center in Louisiana and was removed from the country on April 16 for overstaying her tourism visa, a Homeland Security spokesperson said.

Ross-Mahe, who has since returned to France, has now revealed details of her 'very humiliating' arrest and how she feared she would die while in ICE detention.

She was taken into custody after having woken up to federal agents pounding on the windows and doors of her late husband's house, she told The New York Times.

When she opened the door, agents reportedly pushed inside the residence, placed her in handcuffs, loaded her into an unmarked car and drove her to jail.

She was later shackled by her wrists and ankles, chained to other inmates and loaded on to a plane 'like a potato sack,' she said.

'They treat them like dogs, not in a human way,' she said of how ICE treats immigrants in federal custody. 'I thought that when we arrested them, we would treat them properly. It really shocked me.'

Marie-Therese Ross-Mahe, 85, has claimed that she and her fellow inmates were 'treated like dogs' in ICE custody

Ross-Mahe came to the US in June 2025 after marrying retired Army Captain William 'Bill' Ross, pictured together. The couple met in the 1950s, reconnected and got married last April

Ross-Mahe was first taken to a 'filthy' county jail in Alabama, before she was flown to Louisiana and transported to an ICE processing center.

She told the newspaper how she was made to wait on hard benches, dirty beds and in trucks for hours without any explanation from agents, whom she described as 'always yelling' at inmates.

The 85-year-old claimed the alleged poor conditions worsened her back pain and sciatica, which she said made it so hard to walk that other inmates had to help her move to the bathroom and shower.

'I was waiting to die, really,' she recalled. 'I knew I was not going to make it.'

Despite the alleged inhumane conditions, Ross-Mahe said she 'found God' in the detention center through her fellow inmates.

She claimed the inmates gave her hot chocolate and cookies, and brought her to tears by singing beautiful hymns.

The Daily Mail was not able to independently verify Ross-Mahe's report of the conditions inside the detention center. A Homeland Security spokesperson denied the allegations in a statement to the Daily Mail.

'All detainees are provided with proper meals, quality water, blankets, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers,' the spokesperson said.

'ICE has higher detention standards than most US prisons that hold actual US citizens. ICE is regularly audited and inspected by external agencies to ensure that all ICE facilities comply with performance-based national detention standards.'

The 85-year-old was ripped from her bed in her Anniston, Alabama home, pictured, by US immigration police on April 1 and arrested. She was wearing only her nightgown and robe

Ross-Mahe had been trying to obtain a green card when her husband, pictured, died of natural causes on January 24 this year

Ross-Mahe entered the US in June 2025 after marrying retired Army Captain William 'Bill' Ross at an Alabama courthouse in April that year.

The couple first dated in the 1950s while he was stationed in France and she was a bilingual secretary at a NATO base.

But their romance was short-lived because Ross ended up falling in love with her friend Michele Viaud, whom he moved back to Alabama and married.

Ross and Viaud shared two sons and were together until her death in 2018.

Before her death, Viaud and Ross managed to reconnect with Ross-Mahe and her then-husband Bernard Goix.

Goix died in 2022 after a battle with lung cancer. His widow said that Ross was a supportive friend during her husband's illness.

Ross-Mahe said that four months after Goix's death, Ross flew her to visit him in Alabama and their romance reignited.

They spent two years flying back-and-forth between France and Alabama, before deciding to tie the knot.

She had been trying to obtain a green card when her husband of just nine months died of natural causes on January 24 this year.

After Ross's death, his sons William 'Tony' Ross and Gary Ross launched a bid to take control of their late father's estate, according to court records obtained by the Daily Mail.

After Bill Ross's death, his son William 'Tony' Ross, pictured, used his position as a federal government employee to have ICE arrest his stepmother, a judge said

His son Gary Ross, pictured with Bill Ross, was also involved in the plot, court filings allege

The dispute became quickly heated and Tony had Ross-Mahe arrested by ICE, Calhoun County Probate Judge Shirley Millwood wrote in a court order.

Ross's estate consisted of his modest $172,000 home, roughly $1,500 in cash and about $10,000 in personal property, including his Mercedes-Benz C300 and a truck.

Ross-Mahe told Tony and Gary, a US Coast Guard veteran, that she did not want her late husband's assets, and only wanted enough money to return to France to be with her children, the judge wrote.

Tony and Gary took both of their father's vehicles from the property on the day after his death, the court filing showed.

Roughly a week later, the brothers tried to force their stepmother to turn Ross's phone over to them, Millwood wrote.

Tony and Gary then had the water, electricity and internet at the home turned off. They also had all of the mail rerouted from the residence, which included notices from immigration services that were sent to Ross-Mahe, the judge said.

The pair even offered to pay their stepmother $10,000 if she signed away her rights to the estate, the judge's order stated.

'After the brothers were unsuccessful in coercing Ms. Ross to accept their offer, this court believes William Anthony Ross used his position as a United States Federal Government employee for personal gain,' Millwood wrote.

Tony, a former state trooper and current federal government employee, is said to have contacted a colleague requesting that Ross-Mahe be detained by ICE.

Ross-Mahe, who has since returned to France, has now revealed details of her 'very humiliating' arrest and how she feared she would die while in ICE detention

He testified that he did not make a call or have a conversation requesting his stepmother's deportation, but the judge cited how Tony received a message from US Marshals the day before Ross-Mahe's arrest alerting him that she would be detained.

He also received a text message within an hour of her arrest confirming her detention, the order stated.

After receiving those communications, Tony alerted Gary who then went to the property with his wife and changed all the locks.

Millwood urged the federal government to investigate the circumstances surrounding Marie-Therese's arrest, but despite the judge's recommendation she was deported.
Roadshow highlights porcelain, cuisine and immersive cultural experiences as Macao expands its appeal to European travelers

MADRID, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Experience Macao" roadshow, curated by the Macao Government Tourism Office, was held from April 17 to 21 at Plaza Puente del Rey along the Manzanares River in Madrid. The five-day tourism showcase featured four main exhibition zones and 20 booths, offering visitors a glimpse of Macao through light installations, cultural performances and hands-on food experiences. Wynn Macau, a key player in Macao's hospitality and tourism industry, aligned with the roadshow's theme by bringing to life the city's long-standing blend of Chinese and Portuguese influencesdrawing on its art collections, intangible cultural heritage and signature cuisine.

One of the roadshow's centerpieces was a large-scale Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition originally presented at Wynn, adapted for the Madrid event to give the European audience a direct sense of the historical depth and craftsmanship of Chinese ceramics.

In 1603, "Kraak porcelain" left Macao on Portuguese merchant ships, serving as one of Europe's earliest cultural impressions of China. Centuries later, through this porcelain-themed immersive light-and-shadow exhibition, porcelain once again serves as a link between cultures, reconnecting past exchange with a contemporary audience.

Beyond the exhibition, Wynn has repeatedly used Macao as a platform to introduce Jiangxi's culture and products to international audiences. That has included spotlighting regional specialties such as Xiushui's fried tofu and Nancheng's sweet potato noodles, as well as working with Macao artists on porcelain-inspired cultural products.

"Macao is a vital window for cross-cultural exchange, and we aim to use it to introduce Chinese culture to international audiences," said Linda Chen, President of Wynn Macau. "We want visitors from around the globe to see the beauty of traditional Chinese culture through Macaoand to be inspired to visit both Macao and Jiangxi, creating a true 'one city, two destinations' travel concept."

The Madrid roadshow also included an on-site reception area and a range of interactive Macao tourism experiences. Visitors could try their hand at drumming in a Lion Dance experience zone, or dress in traditional Chinese wedding attire known as Qun Kwa for photos. A traditional Macao teahouse pop-up offered specialty dim sum and sugar painting demonstrations. Racing fans got a taste of the Guia Circuit through a simulation experience presented by the Macao Grand Prix Museum. Meanwhile, immersive virtual reality installations let visitors explore nine different Macao travel itineraries.

"We want to tap into Macao's unique Sino-Western heritageits historic architecture and intangible cultural traditionsto create stronger connections with visitors in Spain and across Europe," Chen said. "The goal is to build sustained interest in Macao as a cultural tourism destination, beyond individual campaigns or promotions."

Spain, known worldwide for its food culture, has a natural appreciation for flavor. The roadshow serves as a platform to showcase Macao's broader appeal as a travel destination, including luxury accommodations, Michelin-starred dining and diverse tourism offerings, helping international visitors connect directly with Macao's cultural tourism offerings.

"We will continue to take advantage of the Greater Bay Area's 'multi-destination itineraries' to deepen regional tourism ties," Chen said. "At the same time, we will strengthen strategic cooperation between Hengqin and Macao to encourage closer coordination across travel offerings, shared visitor touchpoints, and more integrated travel between destinations. As we keep enriching our cultural travel portfolio, we remain committed to presenting Chinese culture to international audiences in ways that are engaging, accessible, and relevant to global travelers."

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The heiress to the Budget Rent a Car fortune was attacked in her Hollywood Hills mansion on Thursday by a group of masked men, authorities said.

Margaux Mirkin, 68, was strangled and assaulted by at least two men who were seen entering her home on Lookout Mountain Avenue at around 8pm, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Officers responded to the home just before 8:30pm, NBC Los Angeles reported. Police said the victim was taken to the hospital for her injuries and was later released in stable condition.

Through property records, the Daily Mail identified Mirkin as the owner of the home, which has a brick facade, stained glass windows and at least three balconies. Mirkin did not return a request for comment.

Neighbors also confirmed to multiple outlets that she lives in the home. She was often seen out on walks and was described as someone who mostly keeps to herself but is friendly to others.

'She's one of our normal neighbors. A senior having her retired life,' neighbor Lee Bridges told KABC-TV. 'Normally the only crime issue we have in this neighborhood is people breaking into mailboxes or cars so this is absolutely new and I'm upset about this.'

Bridges said she would be checking up on Mirkin in the coming days to make sure she is okay.

Two men are seen entering the Hollywood Hills home of Margaux Mirkin, 68, on Thursday at around 8pm. Mirkin, the heiress to Budget Rent a Car, was attacked and strangled by the men, according to the Los Angeles Police Department

After allegedly stealing cash and jewelry from Mirkin, the suspects got away in this white Honda Accord

As of Saturday, the suspects who police say assaulted Mirkin are still on the run. They left her home in a white Honda Accord, police said.

The men took cash and jewelry, police said.

Neighbors told NBC Los Angeles that some of the jewelry stolen were pieces given to her by her late husband William De Rothschild, who died in a Laurel Canyon house fire in 2024.

De Rothschild shares no relation to the Rothschild family, a historic European banking dynasty.

Margaux Mirkin is the daughter of the late Morris Mirkin, who founded Budget Rent a Car in 1958.

Initially an airport-based rental car firm in Los Angeles, Budget Rent a Car grew from a paltry fleet of 10 cars into a national brand throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Margaux Mirkin was seemingly an active participant in the business, appearing in a feature on the company that was published in the travel section of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on March 2, 1982.

Mirkin, then 24, was running the Beverly Hills division of her father's company. She described herself as a 'fairy godmother' who was helping her customers 'escape from reality for a while and live the dream that is LA.'

Mirkin lives in this mansion on Lookout Mountain Avenue. She was taken to the hospital before being discharged in stable condition

Margaux Mirkin is the daughter of the late Morris Mirkin, who founded Budget Rent a Car in 1958. At age 24, she appeared in a feature on the company that was published in the travel section of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on March 2, 1982

Her division, dubbed Drive-a-Dream, had vintage Porsches, Jaguars and Rolls-Royces in its fleet. At the time, she was reportedly pursuing a new venture that offered armored cars to celebrities and wealthy clients.

Budget filed for bankruptcy in 2002 and after a series of mergers in 2006, the company became a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, which also owns Avis Car Rental.
Immigrants who express political opinions can now be denied a path to citizenship under new guidance from the Trump administration, a report claimed.

That includes immigrants who post criticism of Israel on social media, burn the American flag and participate in pro-Palestinian protests, according to The New York Times, citing internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) training materials.

The updated guidance reportedly discourages granting green cards to individuals who endorse, promote or support 'antiAmerican views.'

That could include someone 'holding a sign advocating overthrow of the US government,' the report claimed.

Burning the American flag will also be considered a negative factor by immigration authorities, following President Donald Trump's executive order last year directing the Department of Justice to prosecute individuals who burned the Stars and Stripes.

Those with a history of 'antisemitic terrorism, ideologies or groups' could also encounter greater obstacles on their path to American citizenship.

Immigration officers were told to focus on applicants who supposedly spread antisemitism 'through rhetorical or physical actions.'

In particular, they were told to hone in on 'aliens who engaged in oncampus antiAmerican and antisemitic activities' following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, the report added.

The Trump administration has reportedly issued new guidance that could result in immigrants who express political opinions being denied a path to citizenship

Immigration officers were told to focus on 'aliens who engaged in oncampus antiAmerican and antisemitic activities.' Picture of a pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University

Green card approvals have been slashed by about half over the last year as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration

The updated guidance was issued last month to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, which handles green card and visa applications.

USCIS, which was formed in March 2003, is an agency of the DHS.

'If you hate America, you have no business demanding to live in America,' a USCIS spokesman told The New York Times.

One example of behavior that could face increased scrutiny shown in the documents included a social media post depicting a map of Israel with the country's name crossed out and replaced with 'Palestine.'

Another instance of what would be considered antisemitic featured a post saying that Israelis should 'taste what people in Gaza are tasting,' according to the report.

When immigration officers spot cases that involve 'potential antiAmerican and/or antisemitic conduct or ideology,' those must be reported to their managers and the USCIS general counsel's office for review.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the outlet that the policies had 'nothing to do with free speech' and were to protect 'American institutions, the safety of citizens, national security and the freedoms of the United States.'

Joseph Edlow, the USCIS director, said in February that there was 'no room in America for aliens who espouse antiAmerican ideologies or support terrorist organizations'

The new USCIS guidance also reportedly urged immigration officers to negatively consider individuals who had burned or desecrated the American flag

USCIS announced in September that its law enforcement officers would be allowed to make arrests, carry firearms and execute search warrants

The USCIS director, Joseph Edlow, told House lawmakers in February that 'there is no room in America for aliens who espouse antiAmerican ideologies or support terrorist organizations.'

Edlow, who was nominated by Trump last March to serve in his current position, said that 'protecting Americans is at the heart of everything we do at USCIS.'

'We are committed to safeguarding public safety and national security by ensuring that every alien undergoes the most rigorous vetting and screening processes possible,' he added.

The Trump administration has cracked down on immigration since taking office.

Over the last year, green card approvals have been slashed by about half, according to the Cato Institute.

In September, USCIS announced that it would expand its law enforcement authorities and would now be allowed to make arrests, carry firearms and execute search warrants.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last March that at least 300 student visas of proPalestinian demonstrators had already been revoked, Politico reported.

'Every time I find one of these lunatics I take away their visa,' Rubio added. 'Might be more than 300 at this point. Might be more. We do it every day.'

Rubio said he thought it was 'stupid for any country in the world to welcome people into their country that are going to go to your universities as visitors and say, "I'm going to your universities to start a riot."'

Last January, Trump called for the Department of Justice to 'investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism in leftist, anti-American colleges and universities'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last March that at least 300 student visas, if not more, had already been revoked

This came after Trump signed an executive order last January intended to 'combat anti-semitism.'

Trump called for the Justice Department to 'protect law and order, quell pro-Hamas vandalism and intimidation, and investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism in leftist, anti-American colleges and universities.'

The announcement for Trump's executive order said 'pro-Hamas aliens and left-wing radicals began a campaign of intimidation, vandalism, and violence on the campuses and streets of America' following October 7, 2023.

'To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice,' Trump said then.

He added: 'I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.'

Currently, US law already forbids individuals from becoming US citizens if they are members of the Communist Party of the United States, the Communist Political Association and any other communist or totalitarian party.

Individuals who call for the 'overthrow by force, violence or other unconstitutional means' of the US government are also barred from naturalization.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the DHS for comment.
A picturesque mountain city has turned into a hotbed for crime and homelessness, severely unsettling locals and deterring tourists from visiting.

Asheville, North Carolina, has long been touted as a city with a homely feel on the Blue Ridge Mountains which embodies its motto of 'quality of service, quality of life.'

However, locals in the city of 95,000 residents have claimed that quality of life has turned dour as the city struggles to deal with rampant homelessness.

This has caused encampments and panhandling to become much more common around town.

'Homelessness, drug abuse and related crimes have increased relentlessly under the watch of local homelessness experts and a governing body that is dominated by liberal Democrats and those with an even more extreme view to the left,' Carl Mumpower, a lifelong Asheville resident, told Fox News Digital.

'The single most common phrase uttered by county and surrounding area residents is 'I don't go downtown anymore  it's nasty, crazy and scary,' Mumpower added.

Mumpower argued that Asheville has struggled to address homelessness since about three decades ago, slamming what he perceived to be a liberal bias among local leadership.

'That lack of balance - the last conservative on the council was in 2009 - has led to a myopic repeat of errors,' he told the outlet.

Republican US Senate nominee Michael Whatley criticized the state of Asheville, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene

Asheville has about 95,000 residents and is the most populous city in western North Carolina

At least 824 people experienced homelessness in Asheville last year, according to city data. That marked a nine percent uptick from 2025. A homeless person in the city is pictured

Mumpower said Asheville had a 'persisting history of pursuing fantasized interventions over more realistic, measurable and trackable solutions.'

At least 824 people experienced homelessness in Asheville last year, according to city data reported by Blue Ridge Public Radio.

That marked a nine percent uptick from last year, largely due to the continued effects of Hurricane Helene in 2024.

That marked a slight uptick from 739 in 2024, largely due to the effects of Hurricane Helene that September.

'Asheville began its efforts to address homelessness at least three decades ago,' he explained. 'This effort accelerated in the early part of this century with the first 'Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.'

Mumpower, who who was a City Council member from 2001 until 2009, called that plan was 'illadvised.' Mumpower told Fox News Digital.

'At the time, I suggested to the council that any plan that removed personal accountability from the helping equation was doomed to fail,' he said.

The disgruntled local said 'that plan and subsequent plans have failed with equal enthusiasm.'

Join the discussion How should Asheville balance compassion for the homeless with keeping its streets safe for everyone?

Lifelong Asheville resident Carl Mumpower said locals were now afraid to go to the 'nasty, crazy and scary' downtown area because of the rising crime and homelessness

Mumpower pointed to Asheville's 'political dismantling of the police department' as one of the roots of the issue.

The Asheville Police Department has recently operated at just 60 percent capacity, according to the Asheville Watchdog.

'Most 'smaller' crimes are no longer enforced or realistically tracked and return on investment costs have skyrocketed,' Mumpower said.

He added that 'enforcement is not possible without adequate, motivated personnel.'

Republican US Senate nominee Michael Whatley has also blasted the city's current state, specifically focusing on its response to Hurricane Helene.

'The biggest issue set that we've been dealing with, obviously, is the hurricane relief coming on the heels of Hurricane Helene and the fact that the Biden administration and Roy Cooper, when he was governor, failed miserably to help that situation in terms of following the hurricane,' Whatley told Fox News Digital.

Whatley praised Donald Trump's administration for approving North Carolina's $1.4 billion grant request for housing relief, which happened last April.

The homelessness problems in Asheville were exacerbated by Hurricane Helene in 2024. People walk past a homeless person on the street there

Asheville said it had launched a downtown plan this month which would 'essentially double police patrols' in that area of the city

'We're certainly not ready to hang up a mission accomplished sign by any stretch of the imagination,' Whatley said.

'But federal relief that has been put into Western North Carolina is substantially more than has ever been given into North Carolina as a result of any storm by the federal government.'

The City of Asheville told Fox News Digital that it had launched the Asheville Police Department's Downtown Plan this month, which would 'essentially double police patrols downtown.'

It also pointed to its resource and engagement support team as an 'operational response to mitigate the effects of homelessness.'

'It uses specially trained Asheville Fire Department staff to engage with concerned residents and people experiencing homelessness to problemsolve and connect them to resources,' the city said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Mumpower, Whatley and the City of Asheville for further comment.
Four Romanian men and teenagers along with one British boy have been charged in connection with the rape of a teenage girl in Kent.

Kent Police confirmed they received reports of a rape involving the girl on a private property on Salisbury Road in Gravesend between 25 March and 19 April.

Of those charged, four - including the two men - are Romanian nationals. One of the 16-year-old suspects is British.

Ionut Dobre, 33, of Cleanthus Road in Woolwich, was charged with rape on Friday 24 April.

Two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy, all from Gravesend, were also charged with rape.

Benone Inofte, 46, of Salisbury Road, has been charged with aiding and abettiing a rape.

On Friday, they appeared at Medway Magistrates Court. They will next appear at Woolwich Crown Court on 22 May.

A statement released by Kent Police said both men remain in custody at this time, and the two boys have been remanded into youth custody. The third boy is currently in the care of the local authority.
An illegal migrant who was left to roam free by the Biden administration after committing a violent assault has launched another horrific attack.

Atharva Vyas, 24, is accused of biting three-year-old Amelia Perez on the face at a public park in San Antonio, Texas on April 18.

The Indian national charged at Amelia and her mother Gabriella Perez as they were exiting the restroom at Espada Park, according to a preliminary police report.

He lunged at Perez, grabbed her hair and punched her in the jaw. The terrified mother pulled Amelia to the ground in an attempt to keep her out of harm's way but Vyas leapt on top of her.

'He tried poking at [her] eyes with his thumb,' Perez told KSAT. 'He hit me. He was a big man. I just remember laying there and looking for [Amelia] and I just see him on top trying to do the thumb.'

He then turned cannibalistic, biting Amelia's face and pulling out her two front teeth in a horrific attack that Perez said was like something out of a 'zombie movie.'

A group of bystanders rushed in to help and restrained Vyas, who was subsequently arrested by San Antonio police.

Vyas has been charged with injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury and illegal entry from a foreign nation, according to Bexar County court records.

Three-year-old Amelia Perez was assaulted by an illegal migrant in a public park in San Antonio, Texas on April 18. Her attacker bit her face and pulled out her two front teeth

Atharva Vyas, 24, was restrained by a group of Good Samaritans who rushed to help the little girl and then taken into the custody by San Antonio police

'The attacker targeted both of us, and my daughter suffered severe injuries to her face,' Perez said in a GoFundMe campaign.

She said that Amelia was hospitalized after the attack and, despite being released, has required 'constant care, comfort, and reassurance' ever since.

The little girl is too afraid to return to daycare or be left in the care of anyone besides her parents, her mother said.

Perez has taken an absence from work to care for Amelia.

'The emotional distress from this event has been overwhelming for both of us, and we are now focused on helping her heal physically and emotionally,' she said.

Vyas was arrested at the park and booked into the Bexar County Jail. His bond was set at $20,000.

The accused attacker is due in court for his arraignment on May 15.

San Antonio police have not released a motive for the attack, which remains under investigation.

Amelia was hospitalized after the attack and, despite being released, has required 'constant care, comfort, and reassurance' ever since, her mother said

Her mother Gabriella Perez, pictured with her partner Xavier Estrada and their children, was also attacked by Vyas

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer for Vyas in wake of the attack, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Daily Mail.

Vyas, originally from India, first entered the US on an F-1 student visa in August 2023.

He was arrested for felony assault at the University of Texas campus just three months later, authorities said.

But the Biden administration did not take any enforcement action against him after determining the 'crime was not "egregious" enough to warrant visa revocation,' according to DHS.

The Trump administration revoked Vyas's F-1 visa in April 2025 due to his arrest for the 2023 assault.

It is unclear how he continued to stay in the US for the past year as DHS did not address that question from our reporter.

'This criminal illegal alien brutally bit this child and caused her to lose two teeth. This barbaric assault against this woman and her three-year-old in a park was completely preventable,' Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis told Daily Mail.

'The Biden administration NEVER should have released this animal following his arrest for assault. We are working with our partners in Texas to ensure this criminal illegal alien never roams free in American communities again.'

Vyas has been charged with injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury and illegal entry from a foreign nation, according to Bexar County court records

Amelia is still too afraid to return to daycare or be left in the care of anyone besides her parents, her mother said

Perez has hailed the 'selfless' bystanders who jumped to her and Amelia's aid.

She recalled how the horrified witnesses pulled Vyas off of Amelia as she screamed for her partner Xavier Estrada.

Perez told the New York Post that two witnesses pulled out their guns while another called 911.

'I was screaming "Shoot him! Shoot him,"' she recalled.

No shots were fired, but the witnesses did beat Vyas until he collapsed on the ground, she told the newspaper.

'Even though you try to protect your children, this is a dangerous world with dangerous people,' she added.

The Daily Mail has approached the Perez family for comment.
The family of a 33-year-old woman who was found dead in a block of flats have paid tribute to her 'beautiful soul' after a man has been charged with murder.

Amber O'Brien's body was discovered in a building on Broadmoss Drive, Blackley, Greater Manchester, shortly before 6pm on April 19 following reports of a disturbance, police had said.

On Wednesday, Stephan Garner, 31, of Blackley, was charged with Ms O'Brien's murder and remanded into custody at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court.

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police on Saturday, Ms O'Brien's family said: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Amber.

'Her passing has left us devastated, and she will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

'Amber was known for her warm smile and her natural ability to lift others up.

'She had a truly kind heart and made everyone around her feel valued and appreciated.

'She was a devoted daughter and sister and a beautiful soul whose bright spirit brought joy, laughter, and comfort wherever she went.

The body of Amber O'Brien, 33, (pictured) was discovered in a block of flats in Blackley, Greater Manchester, shortly before 6pm on April 19 following reports of a disturbance

Pictured: Police at the scene of a cordon at Somerton Court tower block on Broadmoss Drive in Blackley on Sunday, April 19

'Our hearts are broken. Amber's memory will live on with us forever.'

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ms O'Brien's family in the aftermath of her death.

Chelby McKay, a close friend of Ms O'Brien who launched the fundraiser, wrote on the page: 'Amber had a heart of gold and she was known by many.

'Her laugh was infectious and she was truly one of the best. I am raising money for Amber's family at this heartbreaking time. My heart breaks for Amber and the family. Love you always Amber.'

Ms McKay told the Manchester Evening News on Friday: 'Any room she walked into, she would light it up. If you were having a really bad day, you would see Amber and it would turn around.

'She would do anything for anybody, she would always take the time to think of other people and she would put anyone else before herself.'
SWAT teams descended on the roommate of a doctoral student who had mysteriously disappeared and was then found dead in a shocking twist to a devastating story.

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested on Friday at a family home in Tampa in connection with the disappearance of two missing doctoral students at the University of South Florida, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, vanished on April 16. Authorities declared the students 'endangered' this past week.

Limon's body was discovered near the Howard Frankland Bridge on Friday. Law enforcement is still searching for Bristy, but has charged Abugharbieh with two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree using a deadly weapon.

A massive police presence apprehended Abugharbieh on Friday morning at 9.09am while responding to an unrelated domestic violence incident.

The suspect barricaded himself inside his residence. Officers demanded he comply with the arrest, and after Abugharbieh refused, specialized units, including Special Weapons and Tactics forces, were deployed.

Abugharbieh was taken into custody at 10.30am. Video footage of the arrest shows him stumbling out of the home in nothing but a blue towel around his waist with his hands up.

He was seen walking up to a group of officers surrounding a military tank, before turning around with his hands up.

Hisham Abugharbieh, pictured above, was arrested on Friday morning in a residential Tampa neighborhood outside of the University of South Florida

Abugharbieh has been accused of murdering his roommate and another graduate student. He's pictured above in a blue towel surrendering to authorities

After Abugharbieh refused to comply with officer's demands, SWAT teams descended on the home and he exited in a towel, pictured above

Abugharbieh, pictured above in a booking photo, has been charged with unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report a death to authorities, evidence tampering, false imprisonment and battery

Abugharbieh backed up with his hands in the air as at least nine officers in bulletproof vests and helmets handcuffed him.

He is now facing a slew of charges, including unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report a death to authorities, evidence tampering, false imprisonment and battery.

'This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,' Sheriff Chad Chronister said.

'While the discovery of Zamil Limon's remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.'

The university previously said that Abugharbieh was enrolled at USF from spring 2021 through spring 2023 and was not an active student.

Limon and Bristy both have family in Bangladesh. Their family members had previously told the media that it was unlike them to go off the grid and not respond to their messages.

Bristy's older brother, Zahaid Hasan Pranto, told NBC News that the pair had been in a romantic relationship but were not currently together when they disappeared.

Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy. He was last seen at his apartment, which he shared with Abugharbieh.

Zamil Limon, 27, pictured above, was found dead on Friday after he vanished on April 16, just a day after he was scheduled to present his thesis statement

Nahida Bristy, 27, pictured above, also vanished with Limon and authorities believe she has died. Her body has not been recovered

Bristy, pictured above in a social media photo, was described by her brother as a 'jolly person'

A significant police presence was spotted outside Abugharbieh's home on Friday. Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are pictured above

Authorities found Limon's body on Friday near the Howard Frankland Bridge. Deputies are pictured above in Tampa during the investigation

Bristy was a chemical engineering student and lived on campus. She was last seen in a USF science building. Her brother confirmed in a Facebook post on Friday that she was 'no longer with us.'

Both students had earned their bachelor's degrees in Bangladesh before moving to the US to pursue their postgraduate studies and were on student visas.

Limon's brother, Zubaer Ahmed, told the Tampa Bay Times that he was preparing to submit his thesis statement the day after he went missing, which initially raised alarm bells for his family.

Ahmed described Limon as 'very responsible and punctual.'

Pranto told the Times that his sister spoke with their parents the day she disappeared, discussing how busy her days were in the campus laboratory.

He said she loved performing and music, and that she was a 'very jolly person.' Pranto added that being in Bangladesh made the tragedy even harder to swallow.

'We can't just go there and be physically present there,' Pranto said. 'So we are helpless and relying on others to get the updates. My parents are devastated and we are going through a very difficult time.'

Court records indicate that Abugharbieh was previously arrested on domestic violence charges, although they were later dropped.
Labour is set to lose control of Birmingham in the local elections because of the popularity of pro-Palestine independent candidates.

It means Britain's second largest city is on course to become what some experts say would be a 'microcosm of what we could see in 2029' after a general election.

Former Labour MP for Dudley North Lord Austin said it was a 'disaster' that 'sectarian politics' had 'poisoned community relations in the city'.

Labour has dominated the city since 1984 but has also lost ground because of the antics of the Labour-run city council which has effectively bankrupted the city.

Its much publicised bin strike is now more than a year old with litter still piling up in the streets.

In 2022, Labour won 65 seats out of 101 on the city council but now about 40 pro-Palestinian independents are standing - with many on course to win, emboldened by the Green Party's win in Gorton and Denton in Manchester after campaigning on a pro-Gaza ticket.

Many of the traditionally Labour wards they are standing in have huge Muslim populations, like Small Heath which is 86 per cent Muslim and Alum Rock which is 84 per cent Muslim.

Villa Park constituency where a national extremism debate erupted after Jewish Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from attending a game last November at Villa Park Stadium is nearly three quarters Muslim.

Former Labour MP for Dudley North Lord Austin said it was a 'disaster' that 'sectarian politics' had 'poisoned community relations' in Birmingham

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, pictured at the National Farmers' Union conference in Birmingham in February 2023, is facing mounting pressure ahead of the May 7 local elections

Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob, co-founder of the pro Gaza Independent Candidates Alliance, said Labour had taken Muslim votes 'for granted for decades'.

He said the Muslim community in the city had voted en masse for Labour for years because their 'elders and members of their family told them to'.

He said: 'This is the first time ever in my lifetime I've seen Labour have an uphill battle in the inner-city areas. It was like it was their God-given right to get the votes. But not anymore.'

His co-founder property developer Shakeel Afsar led a campaign against a Birmingham primary school where pupils were given books featuring cross-dressing children and gay families.

Mr Afsar said local elections were about local issues but said he and others were just trying to 'defend their community' which was '99.9 per cent Muslim or ethnic minority'.

'These people are concerned about what the Labour Party is doing on an international level. So then we have to push that narrative,' he told the Telegraph.

He also warned Muslim voters would not vote for the Greens like they had in Manchester if they were honest that they believed a 'six-foot man with a penis and testicles is a woman' or that they backed the legalisation of drugs.

IT project manager Harris Khaliq, an independent candidate for Ward End, where three quarters are Muslim, claimed Palestine was not the 'sole purpose of his campaign'.

Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob (pictured in May 2024), co-founder of the pro Gaza Independent Candidates Alliance, said Labour had taken Muslim votes 'for granted for decades'

But speaking as he handed out 'stickers for Palestine' to young primary schoolchildren, he said: 'I speak about it, I pray for it, and I care about it very, very dearly.'

Defending handing out such propaganda to young children by saying they 'connected' to what had happened in Gaza, he said: 'There's people at such a delicate age growing up seeing a genocide and hearing about genocide.

'You've seen children as a young age of six or seven, how they are running towards stickers for Palestine, because that's how much they connect to it.

'It was a driving factor around Manchester, and it's a driving factor in Birmingham. The people care about Palestine, the people care about local issues. Both are significant.'

In 2023, the debt-ridden city council hit rock-bottom after a series of crises and government commissioners were sent in to manage its finances.

In a deeply unpopular move with locals, the city council had been authorised by the government to levy an extra ten per cent on council tax for two years to try and offset a staggering 760million, much of it caused by mismanagement.

The city's small Jewish community of about 2,000 has been left feeling increasingly alienated and under threat with security heightened since the pro Gaza movement escalated.

Jewish entrepreneur Simone Schehtman voiced fears that Gaza would dominate council meetings rather than important local issues if such independent councillors were in power which would be 'intimidating and threatening to Jewish communities'.

Labour has dominated England's second city Birmingham since 1984 - pictured is the council headquarters in the central Victoria Square

He said: 'This is not a place that you would now want to be building a family or coming in.

'It's not only nothing to do with Birmingham, it's pretty much got nothing to do with the UK.'

The vote in the city is also likely to see gains by Reform UK and the Conservatives in some areas.

Tony Travers, from the London School of Economics, says Birmingham could become 'a political patchwork quilt' to prove a 'microcosm' of how Britain would look in 2029.
An influencer from the Netherlands has died from a rare cancer after telling her followers 'I'm not ready to go'.

Jade Kops, 19, documented her journey to a global audience after sharing her cancer diagnosis at 14 years old.

The teenager wrote a heart wrenching post on Instagram on April 6, which was addressed: 'Dear annoying tumour.'

Alongside a photo of her cuddling a loved one, she begged the tumour in her throat to stop - as it 'pulls' her 'a day closer to death'.

She wrote: 'In November I could still make plans, do fun things and hope for more time. Now it feels like that grip is slowly slipping away from my hands.

'The ticking time bomb has exploded.'

Jade described being 'intensely tired' of the tumour, and continued: 'I don't want to leave just yet. I still want to be here. Stay for a while, feel for a while and be close to the people I love.

'So if you don't leave, but stay anyway, dear tumour...please slow down. Give me time. I'm still happy and nowhere near ready to go.'

Alongside a photo of her cuddling a loved one, Jade Kops begged the tumour in her throat to stop - as it 'pulls' her 'a day closer to death'

Her family announced Jade died on Friday morning. With an attached photo of Jade, the post read: 'Intensely sad and incredibly proud of our brave daughter and sister, we would like to let you know that Jade passed away this morning at 5:50 in front of us'

Her family announced Jade died on Friday morning. With an attached photo of Jade, the post read: 'Intensely sad and incredibly proud of our brave daughter and sister, we would like to let you know that Jade passed away this morning at 5:50 in front of us.'

Jade died after suffering from the effects of rhabdomyoscarma, which is a rare form of cancer that causes tumours to develop in the muscle tissue.

The teenager's journey was followed by 444,000 people after she was diagnosed in 2021.

In an Instagram post on March 24, Jade reflected on a sense of surrealism as she chose her own 'spot' in a cemetery - describing how she felt the world was one she was 'not part of today'.

She wrote: 'The idea that in a little while my name will be written here on a grave causes a lot of sadness on the way back. I'm even more grateful for every morning I wake up...'

Alongside her social media presence, Jade also authored her best selling autobiography last year titled Forever Young: My Life with Cancer.

Over the last five years, Jade raised 2million (1.7million) for the Princess Maxima Center in Ultrecht, Netherlands, which also researches caner in children.

Jade founded the 'Jade Uitwaaimomenten Foundation, alongside her parents, which organises trips for families impacted by childhood cancer.

The teenager's journey was followed by 444,000 people after she was diagnosed in 2021

Her advocacy work was recognised through receiving a royal distinction in 2024, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau - the youngest person to do so.

Doctors told Jade in September 2024 there was no further treatments they could offer.

Jade will be given a public farewell in Naaldwijk, South Holland, on Friday, May 1 through a guard of honour.
A social media influencer has died after allegedly being run over by a former X Factor finalist outside a nightclub in Soho.

Klaudia Zakrzewska, 32, from Essex, was struck by the car near the Inca venue on Argyll Street in central London in the early hours of Sunday, April 19.

She was taken to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead on Saturday.

Gabrielle Precious Carrington, 29, was charged with attempting to murder the Tiktok and Instagram personality, who was known online as Klaudiaglam.

The Metropolitan Police said on Saturday that charge had now been amended to murder following Ms Zakrzewska's death.

As a teenager, Carrington, also known as RIELLEUK, made it through to the live finals of The X Factor in 2013.

She was part of girl group Miss Dynamix after impressing Gary Barlow and the other judges.

More recently, she has become an influencer, with some 362,000 followers on Instagram.

Instagram and Tiktok star Klaudiaglam  whose real name is Klaudia Zakrzewska  and two other pedestrians were hit in the early hours of Sunday morning

Gabrielle Carrington, 29, known as RIELLEUK, has been charged with attempted murder

Det Chief Insp Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, said today: 'We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Klaudia's family and friends in light of this tragic update. Our thoughts are also with everyone impacted by this incident.

'We recognise that this case has generated significant interest and discussion on social media; however, we would urge the public to refrain from further speculation.

'We also ask that people do not share graphic footage out of respect for Klaudia's loved ones and for those who have been injured.

'The circulation of such material could also undermine our ongoing criminal investigation and potentially prejudice future court proceedings.'

Police were called to the scene in the heart of the capital at 4.30am on Sunday following reports the black Mercedes car had crashed into pedestrians.

A 58-year-old man also sustained life-changing injuries in the same crash and was taken to hospital. A third woman, aged in her 30s, was treated for minor injuries.

The Metropolitan Police has previously said the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Carrington, of Broadfield Road, Manchester, is also accused of dangerous driving, being nearly twice the drink-drive limit and causing injuries to two other people.

She appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court last Tuesday and was remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on May 19.

Polish-born model Ms Zakrzewska, 30, who has more than 250,000 followers on Instagram, had posted videos from the nightclub on Sunday.

When Ms Zakrzewska still remained alive in a critical condition last week, her mother posted on a GoFundMe page set up to help cover legal fees and medical costs.

She wrote: 'My daughter is currently in a coma and desperately fighting for her life. This is the most devastating time our family has ever faced.

'Anyone who knew my gorgeous daughter knows how truly wonderful she is.

'She has touched so many people with her pure heart and kindness.'

Her mother added: 'If at any time things take a turn for the worst, additional funds will go towards funeral costs and continuous support for the family.'

The fundraiser has now seen nearly 18,000 donated to support Ms Zakrzewska's grieving family.
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For days, wildfires have been scorching tens of thousands of acres of land in Florida and Georgia, with one of the blazes killing a volunteer firefighter.

On Thursday evening, James 'Kevin' Crews succumbed to an unspecified medical emergency while battling a brush fire in Hilliard, a Florida town near the Georgia border.

Crews, a member of the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department, received life-saving measures at the scene but later died at the hospital at 6.50pm, according to First Coast News.

'Kevin was the epitome of courage and dedication,' Hilliard Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry Johnson said in a statement. 'His sacrifice will never be forgotten.'

Across northern Florida and southeastern Georgia, there have been dozens of individual fires that have broken out over this past week. Experts say extremely dry weather and drought conditions have allowed the fires to flourish.

In Georgia, officials say more than 120 homes have been destroyed so far in two major blazes. No fire deaths or injuries have been reported in the state.

The Pineland Road fire in Clinch County, which first ignited last weekend, has now grown to more than 31,000 acres, according to public data. It is only 10 percent contained.

Smoke rising from the Pineland Road fire in Clinch County, Georgia, on Wednesday. This wildfire has grown to 31,000 acres and is only 10 percent contained

An aircraft drops a flame-retardant chemical mixture over the Pineland Road fire on Friday

Northeastern Florida has also seen a number of serious fires. James 'Kevin' Crews, a member of the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department, succumbed to an unspecified medical emergency on Thursday while battling a brush fire in Hilliard. He was 59

One mobile home community in a wooded area off Pineland Road was completely destroyed. Over 23 trailers burned to the ground, along with 12 ATVs, according to WALB-TV.

The Brantley County fire had scorched more than 9,500 acres of land as of Saturday. Firefighters are still trying to shrink the flames, though crews estimate it is still just 10 percent contained.

Michael Gibson lost his home in this fire. He lived there along with his fiancee and four children, he told the Associated Press.

He returned home from his job on Thursday to see firefighters on his property. After getting his family to safety, he tried to return to retrieve some of his belongings but was stopped by police.

'Weve lost everything, but Im one of the lucky ones,' Gibson said, explaining that he and his family are staying with a relative. 'Weve been prepared to leave. And Im truly blessed to have my family and to have somewhere to sleep. ... A lot of people in my county didnt make it out with the clothes on their backs.'

Governor Brian Kemp said during a press conference on Friday that officials suspect that the cause of the Brantley County fire was a foil party balloon that floated up and made contact with power lines. This, he said, caused an electrical arc that ignited the ground.

Kemp said federal authorities assessed these fires as being the 'two most dangerous, biggest, problematic fires anywhere' in the nation.

'We need a change in the weather, but until we get that, we're just going to stay after these fires and do everything we can to get them contained,' Kemp added.

Flames from the Brantley County fire burning in a wooded area on Wednesday

Many areas of southeastern Georgia have been reduced to rubble-filled fields

Michael Gibson, who lost his home in the Brantley County fire, looks on as his daughter jump ropes outside the trailer of a relative the family is staying with

Between Georgia and Florida, there are more than 150 wildfires still being fought by fire crews

According to the latest US Drought Monitor map, 98 percent of Georgia is facing 'exceptional', 'extreme' or 'severe' drought - the first, second and third most serious levels, respectively, of drought.

Nearly 93 percent of Florida is experiencing these same conditions. The largest ongoing fire in the northeastern part of the state is the Railroad/Crews Road fire, which has swelled to nearly 5,000 acres. It is roughly 70 percent contained.

The largest fire statewide this week ignited in northern Broward County. It burned nearly 10,000 acres before it was fully contained.

There are well over two dozen active wildfires in Florida with varying levels of containment, according to the state's forest service.

Between Georgia and Florida, there are more than 150 wildfires still being fought by fire crews.

These fires have produced smoke that is being carried far away from the flames, triggering air quality warnings for some cities, including Jacksonville, Savannah, Brunswick, Valdosta and Waycross.
Four Brits, including a single mother, who are alleged to have been in a 'murder squad' that carried out reconnaissance before a businessman was shot to death in his own five-star hotel bar in Albania have avoided extradition on a technicality.

Edmond Haxhia, 40, the British-Albanian accused of arranging the hit as part of a more than 25-year-long 'blood feud', has also avoided extradition after the Court of Appeal discharged each of their extradition requests.

The court heard that Haxhia is accused of hiring the four Brits to help plan the execution.

The feud, which allegedly stemmed back to another murder in 1997, has already led to seven killings and is alleged to have begun in a row over money.

Harriet Bridgeman, 30, Steven Hunt, 52, Thomas Mithan, 37, from Bristol, and convicted drug dealer Harry Simpson, 35, from Abbey Wood, south London, deny all of the allegations, as does Hoxhia.

The four Brits are said to have posed as tourists as they checked into a five-star hotel owned by their alleged target Ardian Nikulaj, 51.

The four are accused of monitoring his movements while accepting free meals from Mr Nikulaj, while chatting with his wife.

Another suspected member of the gang Ruben Saraiva was convicted of the murder in Albania last month.

He walked into the hotel restaurant and shot him six times at point blank range a few days after the four arrived in the country.

Edmond Haxhia was accused of being part of a surveillance team with other Britons, Harriet Bridgeman, 28, Thomas Mithan, 35, and Steven Hunt, 50, who are all from Bristol, and Harry Simpson, 33, from south London. Pictured: Bridgeman outside a court in London

Horrific CCTV footage of the April 2023 incident captured the moment Saraiva, dressed as a delivery driver, launched the attack with a Soviet-made automatic pistol before shooting him six times then fleeing

Saraiva, who was raised in Reading, Berkshire, from the age of four, was jailed for life without parole.

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.

Horrific CCTV footage of the April 2023 incident captured the moment Saraiva, dressed as a delivery driver, launched the attack with a Soviet-made automatic pistol before shooting before fleeing.

The Portuguese-born British resident was arrested in Morocco where he allegedly made it to after the attack before being extradited.

Bridgeman, Hunt, Mithan and Haxhia were arrested on international arrest warrants from Albania in the UK within days of the murder.

All five contested extradition at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

In August 2024, following the full extradition hearing, District Judge Daniel Sternberg said Bridgeman, Mithan, Simpson and Haxhia should be sent to Albania.

He sent the case to the then Home Secretary for a final decision, which also approved the extradition.

He said in his judgment: 'The Government of Albania's case is that Edmond Haxhia organised the shooting of Ardian Nikulaj by Reuben Saraiva on 19 April 2023 and that the other requested persons, Steven Hunt, Thomas Mithan, Harriet Bridgeman and Harry Simpson were involved in observations of the victim's movements in the days leading up to the shooting, and in Simpson's case on the day of the shooting itself, and that each of them played a part in the planning and execution of the murder.'

Pictured: Suspected member of the gang Ruben Saraiva who was convicted of the murder of Ardian Nikulaj in Albania last month

Yet, lawyers for the five mounted an appeal on grounds that the extradition request was changed during proceedings so the extradition order that the Home Secretary had originally certified before the hearing was no longer valid.

The extradition order stated that all the suspects had been charged in Albania with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and murder. However, in September 2023 the Albanian authorities dropped the firearms charges, replacing them with counts of 'premeditated murder'.

Judge Mr Justice Swift said in his judgement: 'It was not open to the district judge to send a case to the Secretary of State for extradition that was in no part the request certified by the Secretary of State under section 70 of the 2003 Act.'

A CPS spokesperson said: 'The Court allowed the appeals on the basis that the requests considered by the lower court were not valid and quashed the extradition orders.

'On behalf of the Republic of Albania, notice has been given of an intention to seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court under section 114 of the Extradition Act 2003.

'Any application for permission to appeal will be made in accordance with the statutory timetable.

'It would not be appropriate to comment further while proceedings are ongoing.'
More than half a million Scots have fallen victim to cyber criminals in the past year, The Mail on Sunday can disclose.

Many have been conned out of significant sums  in excess of 5,000.

Experts say that cyber-fraud, carried out through computers or emails, tablets or smart-phones, is one of the fastest-growing areas of criminal activity, with fraudsters constantly evolving new ways of exploiting everyday technology.

Unsuspecting Scots are being targeted by a bewildering array of scams involving false identities, hacked bank details, fake tickets and bogus investments.

And, in recent weeks, there has been a spike in cases of people being hit by a sophisticated con featuring the UKs most famous consumer adviser.

Deepfake technology is being used to impersonate Martin Lewis, with AI-generated videos appearing to show the founder of the Money Saving Expert website and host of ITVs Money Show.

One lifelike video sees an AI version of Mr Lewis telling people to invest immediately in a scheme he is supposedly backing  or risk losing out.

Jude McCorry, chief executive of Scotlands Cyber & Fraud Centre said: Online scams, especially ones using AI, voice cloning and deepfake video, can be extremely sophisticated and convincing.

Experts say that cyber-fraud, carried out through computers or emails, tablets or smart-phones, is one of the fastest-growing areas of criminal activity

Jude McCorry, chief executive of Scotlands Cyber & Fraud Centre has warned that scammers are quick to exploit every opportunity

Consumer guru Martin Lewis has urged fans not to be fooled by the AI scam video

In recent weeks, weve seen a huge surge in cases where people have been tricked into handing over money through online adverts that falsely show Martin Lewis.

People sign up and send money, often thinking theyre doing a really good thing for their familys finances or inheritance.

The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey for 2024/25 shows a record 11.5 per cent of adults  around 529,000 people  were victims of at least one online fraud during the year. Around 28,000 lost 1,000 or more  including just over 6,000 who each lost more than 5,000.

Ms McCorry added: Some of these scams are so sophisticated that even though I work in cyber I cant say that I would never be caught out.

In the past two years the Cyber & Fraud Centre has received reports of fraud worth 30 million, and has helped return 1.9 million to victims. But Ms McCorry warned that scammers are quick to exploit every opportunity.

She said: When there is a festival or a big concert like Taylor Swift or Oasis we know that scammers will try and cash in by selling bogus tickets.

And with the current fuel crisis we know there will be a spike in fake websites trying to get people to hand across their account details supposedly to apply for government support payments.

Mr Lewis himself has said: If its an ad with me in, its always a scam, as I dont do adverts.

Police Scotland said victims should always report cyber-fraud.Detective Superintendent Richy Taylor said: Organised crime groups use technology to target and exploit vulnerable individuals in their own homes. However by working with law enforcement partners across the UK, we aim to disrupt these activities.

In one of Scotlands most shocking cases of cyber-fraud, an 86-year-old woman lost more than 2million in a gold bullion scam.

The pensioner from Lanarkshire was contacted through WhatsApp by a man claiming to be carrying out an investigation for the Financial Conduct Authority.

Calling himself Garry Reid he warned that her savings were under threat. He told her to cash in her investments and buy gold bars.

These were delivered to her home before being collected by so-called couriers  never to be seen again. Although Garry Reid has never been traced, three members of a crime gang were jailed last year for a total of 11-and-a-half years.

Judge Lord Harrower said at the High Court in Glasgow: The loss of such an astonishingly large amount of money will be difficult for anyone, but given the age and vulnerability of the woman, the offence has been devastating.

The victim was only able to recover a tiny fraction of her lost savings.
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President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran made an offer to the US about 10 minutes after he canceled the trip his special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were set to make to Pakistan in an effort to continue peace negotiations.

He told reporters before boarding Air Force One in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday that Tehran 'offered a lot, but not enough.'

'They gave us a paper that should have been better,' Trump said. 'And interestingly, immediately when I canceled it, within ten minutes, we got a new paper that was much better.'

Trump also reiterated his claim that there is 'tremendous infighting' within Iran's government. He said Iranian officials are 'probably fighting for leadership,' adding that he will 'deal with whoever runs the show.'

Iran has not yet acknowledged or confirmed what Trump said about its supposed 'offer.' The country's remaining leaders often contradict the president's statements on the status of diplomacy between itself and the United States.

Trump's remarks came after it was revealed that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday without meeting the US delegation.

Iranian officials previously said it was not yet ready to hold a new round of face-to-face talks with American officials, citing Washington's refusal to abandon 'maximalist' demands on key issues.

Tehran also said it will not hand over its enriched uranium to the US, rejecting claims made by Trump.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran made an offer to the US. He did not elaborate much beyond that while speaking to reporters as he boarded Air Force One in Palm Beach, Florida

The offer allegedly came 10 minutes after Trump canceled the trip his special envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, were set to make to Pakistan for more peace talks

Iran has further asked asked how they can trust the US after talks last year and early this year over Tehran's nuclear program ended with it being attacked by the US and Israel.

Trump earlier posted on Truth Social: 'I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians.

'Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their leadership. Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!'

Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday and held a series of meetings with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday.

They discussed what Araghchi described as Iran's red lines for negotiations, and said Tehran would engage with Pakistan's mediation efforts 'until a result is achieved.'

An open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting in Iran, but the economic fallout grows with global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Islamabad had been in near-lockdown ahead of the expected talks. Pakistan has been trying to get the US and Iran back to the negotiation table since Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, honoring Islamabad's request for more diplomatic outreach.

The White House on Friday said Trump was sending Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad on Saturday to meet with Araghchi and 'hear the Iranians out'.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets with Pakistani Chief of General Staff Asim Munir, right, on Saturday amid efforts to revive stalled peace talks between the US and Iran

Trump made his latest statement on the status of peace talks in front of reporters at Palm Beach International Airport. He is headed back to Washington, D.C.

But Iran's foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and Pakistani officials would convey messages.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei previously said that Araghchi would only be meeting with 'Pakistani high-level officials' and that 'no meeting is planned' with the US.

Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round of talks with Tehran that collapsed, was not expected to attend the second round of negotiations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted on Friday that he had been placed on 'standby' to travel to Pakistan should peace talks become serious and said it was not a case of the VP being sidelined by Trump.

In a statement, Leavitt said Friday night: 'Steve and Jared will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow to hear the Iranians out.

'The president, the vice president, the secretary of state, will be waiting here in the United States for updates, and the vice president, I understand, is on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time.'

The first round of talks in Pakistan, led on the US by Vance, lasted over 20 hours and were face-to-face, the highest-level direct talks between the longtime adversaries since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Araghchi and Trump's envoys also held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on February 27 but walked away without a deal.

Israeli tanks and military vehicles driving along the road between destroyed houses in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on Saturday

The next day, Israel and the US started the war.

The latest effort to broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan has been trying to get US and Iranian officials back to the table after Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran, honoring Islamabads request for more time for diplomatic outreach.

Trump said on Friday that Iran was 'making an offer and we'll have to see', but did not state what the offer was.

Trump has also been adamant that any deal has to include Iran giving up its enriched uranium and the free traffic of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran attacked three ships this week, while the US maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to 'shoot and kill' small boats that could be placing mines.

Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and more than 2,490 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 US service members in the region and six members of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Smoke rises in Lebanon after an explosion, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel on Saturday

Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks.

Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
Tory peer Ruth Davidson has hit out at John Swinneys plan to work with Sinn Fein in his bid to break up the UK, describing it as beyond the pale.

The former Scottish Conservative leader said the SNPs pledge showed that it doesnt take long for the mask to slip.

Joining Tory leader Russell Findlay and local candidate Annie Wells in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, yesterday, Baroness Davidson said that she was disappointed to hear the First Minister say he would work with Sinn Fein.

She said: Ive known John Swinney for a long time and I never thought hed stoop so low.

He tries to portray himself as a sort of everyman-cum-bank manager but it doesnt take long for the mask to slip, does it?

To say that you would work with people like Sinn Fein to break up the United Kingdomobviously [Sinn Fein] are the political wing of the IRA which caused destruction, violence, all of that. Its just beyond the pale.

Earlier this week, Mr Swinney revealed plans to work with Sinn Fein, which has historic links to IRA terrorism, and Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru, to change the dynamics of the UK irreversibly.

Polls suggest that next months election will see separatist parties win in Scotland and Wales, with Sinn Fein already in power.

Ruth Davidson meets a furry friend while campaigning in Rutherglen alongside Russell Findlay

John Swinney would work with Sinn Fein to break up the United Kingdom

Following his comments, Michelle ONeill, the Sinn Fein First Minister of Northern Ireland, said: There is a crack in terms of the Union and the disunited kingdom is very much on show. We could, in the next number of weeks, have a very historic and seismic moment.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane also latched on to Mr Swinneys comments. Writing on social media, he said: Sinn Fein will work with all those parties who share the desire and pursuit of independence, including those in Scotland and Wales who want to break the shackles of Westminster rule.

However, Ms Davidson said that an SNP majority in the Holyrood elections isnt a certainty, despite several polls indicating that the Nationalists could end up with one. YouGov predicted earlier this month that the SNP could be on course for 67 MSPs, giving them a five seat majority, with Reform securing 20 MSPs, Labour getting 17 and the Tories just seven.

Another poll from Survation, published last week, predicted the SNP could fall short of a majority, securing 35 per cent of votes in the constituency and 29 per cent in the regional list. Most polls show both Labour and the Tories returning fewer MSPs than in 2021.

Ms Davidson said: Its really important for Mail on Sunday readers to know this isnt an inevitability. There is a way to stop him, and that is using your peach ballot to vote for the Scottish Conservatives, because John Swinney cant do anything without a majority.

The fact that he arrogantly thinks hes going to get one and that he can work with these people... lets not give him the satisfaction. Lets show that we can stop him.

Ms Davidson, who now hosts a podcast alongside her role in the House of Lords, said not only were the SNP a threat to the Union, but that Nigel Farages Reform UK couldnt be trusted either.

She added: The difficulty I have with what Reform have been saying [about the constitution] is they dont seem to be able to stick to a line on this one.

Theyre happy to field candidates that dont support the United Kingdom. Theyre happy to be equivocal about what sort of trade-offs theyd give to the SNP, and Im not sure the Scottish public are in a position where thats good enough.

When youve got John Swinney saying that hes going to work with Plaid Cymru, hes going to work with even Sinn Fein to try and break up the United Kingdomhell work with anyone.

It needs people that really believe in the United Kingdom and believe in the decision that the people of Scotland made in 2014.

This was our decision. We chose to stay. We have to honour that.
A man who was sexually abused by SNP predator Jordan Linden is set to sue the Scottish Youth Parliament over claims they failed to protect him and other young men.

The 30-year-old, who we have named David to protect his identity, has instructed lawyers to investigate his case and determine whether the organisation could be held liable for the abuse he suffered.

Former North Lanarkshire Council leader Linden, 30, was convicted last month of abusing eight young men and boys between 2011 and 2021. He is due to be sentenced next month.

Four of his victims were members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)  an organisation Linden chaired until he quit when allegations about his misconduct were made in 2016.

He was elected as an SNP councillor the following year and became council leader in 2022, before quitting within weeks when details of another sex attack were made public.

Speaking exclusively to the Scottish Mail on Sunday, David said he was reluctantly taking a legal route with the SYP due to a fundamental lack of responsibility from an organisation that is supposed to protect young people.

He said the move was not only about compensation, and said: It is about the next 14-year-old elected to the SYP who might find themselves in a bedroom with a 24-year-old, or the next person whose complaints fall on deaf ears.

These issues with Jordan were raised time and again from Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire. In my own case, even though I said I was uncomfortable, those in charge dismissed the behaviour.

Former SNP council leader Linden was convicted of sex crimes against boys and young men

'David' was sexually assaulted by Linden and is now pursuing legal action

Thats the issue at the core of this. I feel they have to come under similar scrutiny as Linden himself, which so far they have completely avoided.

David, 30, was bombarded with phone calls from Linden, often in the middle of the night, and said the predator would be heard panting down the phone.

He was sent lurid pictures of Lindens exposed genitals, and said: It was disgusting. I wasnt gay, I had a girlfriend, I didnt ask for any of it. He just targeted me.

When I had to meet him for SYP work, he was constantly pawing at me, touching me, cuddling me, kissing me.

This was in front of people who were there to make sure we were safe but they ignored his behaviour and said it was just Jordan.

Lawyers at Thompsons solicitors will now investigate whether the SYP can be sued directly, or whether the action may have to be taken against the charitys insurers, or potentially the Scottish parliament as the SYPs overall funders.

Stephanie Young, partner at the law firm, said: Solicitors in our Life Impact team are looking very carefully at this case and we will do all we can to make sure Lindens victims are properly compensated for the abuse they suffered at his hands.

A spokesperson for the Board of the Youth Parliament said: The SYP recognises the seriousness of this case and the concern it has caused.

Throughout this period, the SYP referred concerns to the appropriate authorities and co-operated fully with external investigations.
Having trashed Scotlands public services and squandered billions of pounds of taxpayers cash, no wonder John Swinney wants to talk about anything other than his pitiful record.

Which helps to explain why he wants to make the Scottish parliament election all about one thing  independence.

He admits that hes dreamed of breaking up the United Kingdom since he was a teenager, and joined the SNP in 1979.

Almost half a century later he remains spellbound by the ideology of nationalism in defiance of hard facts and simple logic.

Just like his ex-boss Nicola Sturgeon, he will stop at nothing to shatter the bonds of the UK.

He has recently issued ominous warnings about his secret plan to secure another divisive independence referendum.

But he refuses to tell the people of Scotland what exactly he intends to do if he secures a majority, as he boasts that he will.

Despite his peculiar lifelong obsession with making Scotland poorer and weaker, Swinneys latest gambit took my breath away.

He admitted that the SNP would team up with Sinn Fein.

Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay has slated John Swinney over the move

Swinney said that working alongside the Irish nationalists, and Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru, would change the UK irreversibly. The prospect of all three UK devolved administrations being controlled by nationalist parties is a nightmare scenario that should terrify all Unionists.

I will fight tooth and nail over the next ten days to stop Swinney and the SNP getting a majority.

And his willingness to join forces with Sinn Fein has made me more determined.

Behind Swinneys carefully curated image as a sensible and safe pair of hands is a calculating politician who oozes with cynical opportunism.

After all, this is the man who hatched the deal to welcome the dangerously extremist Greens into the SNP government.

It should therefore come as no surprise that Swinney should also seek to form an axis with Sinn Fein.

No party or individual is deemed too toxic in furtherance of the SNPs separatist agenda.

But openly courting the political wing of the IRA is surely beyond the pale for most decent Scots.

Like me, Swinney must vividly remember the bloodthirsty carnage inflicted by IRA terrorists over many dark decades.

The innocent civilians  men, women and children  slaughtered by cowards in balaclavas, detonating bombs from a safe distance.

Perhaps Swinney needs reminded about the three off-duty Scottish soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers who were shot dead by the IRA in 1971, when they had just been out enjoying a drink.

Only last year a relative of one of those soldiers spoke powerfully about how the scars will never heal and how his family are still seeking answers about what happened.

While Scotland escaped any direct IRA atrocities during the Troubles, unlike other cities such as Manchester and Omagh, we were not immune to the devastation they caused.

My colleague Jackson Carlaw spoke in the Scottish Daily Mail earlier this week of experiencing first-hand the terrorist activities of the IRA when he was at the Conservative Party conference in Brighton in 1984.

The IRA planted a bomb in an attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. And they came dangerously close to doing so. There were five victims who lost their lives that evening including the wife of Donald MacLean, who was the president of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Association.

Jackson spoke movingly in parliament in October 2024 to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the Grand Hotel and told how he will never forget having to help shell-shocked survivors staggering from the wreckage of the bombed hotel.

Those who remember the Troubles will be disgusted and terrified at the thought of John Swinney working in tandem with Sinn Fein to plot the break-up of the worlds most successful Union. It makes my blood run cold.

Thank goodness Northern Ireland has been largely peaceful and stable since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. But lets never forget that senior figures who deployed bombs and bullets used Sinn Fein as a political cover and have much blood on their hands.

Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf already laid the groundwork for a SNP-Sinn Fein alliance by inviting Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill to Bute House for discussions.

Now it seems Swinney wants to get even cosier with them. Hes pushing at an open door.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane confirmed his party will work with anyone who wants to break up the United Kingdom.

Northern Ireland doesnt have elections on May 7, but Scotland does, and pro-UK voters can send the strongest possible message to Swinney that they will reject his unholy alliance.

Swinney wants a referendum as soon as 2028. He wants the next Scottish parliament to be just like the last, by plunging it into yet more constitutional chaos.

And if hes willing to work with Sinn Fein, then he should come clean to Scots on whether he backs their plans to hold an Irish border poll by 2030.

That is all nationalists care about, no matter in which part of the UK they wield power.

It is what motivates them each day. They dont really care about helping people with the cost of living crisis.

They have no interest in growing our economy or fixing the permanent crisis in our NHS.

They only want to succeed in ripping up the bonds that have cemented us and served us for centuries.

We all have family and friends in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Some of us even go to work across the Scotland-England border each day.

But the nationalists are blinded by the notion that they are somehow better and by their belief that the United Kingdom isnt working for Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.

And whatever past sins you have committed, as long as you are unrepentant on wanting independence, then all is forgiven.

Even if those sins include the slaughter of innocents.

Some Unionists and apparent experts have been trying to pretend the Union isnt on the line at this Holyrood election.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The threat of an SNP majority is real.

And John Swinney would use a majority to immediately demand another independence referendum.

With the weakest Prime Minister in history residing at Number 10, do you trust Sir Keir Starmer to stand up to John Swinney?

I certainly dont. The Labour Party leader has spent his two years in office breaking his promises, dizzily conducting endless U-turns.

The Left-wing Islington lawyer is in office  but not in power.

And if John Swinney achieves his majority, as he is so arrogantly predicting, then he will seize on Starmers weakness.

And every step of the way he will be supported by his new friends in Sinn Fein.

But memories run deep of the closest of bonds between despicable IRA terrorists and their political wing, Sinn Fein.

I care deeply about protecting our United Kingdom and Im sickened at the thought of Swinney cosying up to Sinn Fein.

And if you are too then the best way of stopping that is to use your peach ballot paper to vote for the Scottish Conservatives on May 7 and stop nationalism in its tracks.
Migrants crossed the English Channel during a spell of warm weather on Saturday, marking the first small boat arrivals since the UK signed a new agreement with the French this week to curb crossings.

More than a dozen people thought to be migrants, including women and children, were pictured being brought into the Border Security Command compound in Dover after being collected in the Channel.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a three-year agreement with France on Thursday to pay 662million to support beach patrols as part of efforts to drive down the number of arrivals.

The Home Office said the arrangement would see officers 'targeting and detaining' migrants on the French coast with the aim of removing hundreds of small boat migrants from beaches every year to stop them entering the water.

It means the UK will hand over 501million to cover five police units and enforcement activity on French beaches  with an extra 160million only paid if new tactics to curb Channel crossings succeed.

If efforts fail, the additional funding will stop after a year, the Home Office said.

Ministers have, however, stopped short of setting specific targets to measure the success of the deal.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent, from a Border Security Command vessel on Saturday

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a three-year agreement with France on Thursday to pay 662million to support beach patrols as part of efforts to drive down the number of arrivals

The Home Office said the arrangement would see officers 'targeting and detaining' migrants on the French coast with the aim of removing hundreds of small boat migrants from beaches every year to stop them entering the water

So far this year, more than 6,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after making the journey, down 36 per cent on the number this time last year, Press Association analysis of Government figures shows.

With British taxpayers to hand the French up to 660million, the total paid since the start of the Channel crisis has been pushed 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.

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.
Good news for Hyacinth Bucket of BBC sitcom fame - social climbing makes you live longer.

The higher people rate their social standing, the lower the risk of premature mortality, says new research.

Those - like Patricia Routledges sharp-elbowed character in Keeping Up Appearances - who place themselves in the upper part of the social ladder, are 40 per cent less likely to die young, according to research in Health Psychology.

Status-related stress, and greater confidence, and increased optimism, may be implicated, say researchers.

Hyacinth once told viewers: If theres one thing I cant stand, its snobbery and one-upmanship. People trying to pretend theyre superior. Makes it so much harder for those of us who really are.

And Professor Alexi Gugushvili from the University of Oslo said: Our study provides new evidence that how people see their position within the social hierarchy was significantly associated with long-term mortality.

We found that individuals who rated themselves higher had a significantly lower hazard of death over the subsequent 12 years, even after accounting for education, income, occupation, and health.

Patricia Routledges (left) sharp-elbowed character in Keeping Up Appearances - who place themselves in the upper part of the social ladder, are 40 per cent less likely to die young, according to research in Health Psychology

Our findings show that public health efforts should address not only income but also status-related stress, and that those who feel respected may have better long-term health prospects.

Much research has looked at so-called objective socioeconomic status such as education, income and occupation and their effects on health and mortality.But in the new study, the authors looked at subjective social status - where you feel you rank in society in relation to respect, power, education and prospects.

The research involved around 12,000 men and women followed from early adulthood into midlife over about 12 years, and their subjective social status (SSS) was compared with the risk of mortality during that period.

SSS was measured by asking people where they thought they stood on a ten-step ladder. On the top rung were the people who had all, from good education to a top job, while at the bottom, were those who had the least. They were told: Choose the step where you think you stand at this time in your life, relative to other people.

Results show that each one-step increase on the 10-rung was associated with an 11 per cent lower risk of death after taking into account factors from health and education to age and marital status.

Those who placed themselves on the upper part of the ladder had an overall 40 per cent lower risk of mortality compared to those beneath them.

Just how self-ascribed social status, which goes beyond income alone, could have such effects is unclear, but the health benefits from self-esteem and costs from stress could be to blame.

And Professor Alexi Gugushvili from the University of Oslo (pictured) said: Our study provides new evidence that how people see their position within the social hierarchy was significantly associated with long-term mortality

Professor Gugushvili said: People with low perceived status are more likely to experience chronic stress, hopelessness, social exclusion, and low self-esteem.

`This can translate into physiological wear and tear, increasing vulnerability to cardiovascular disease, immune issues, and mental health problems.

Low SSS may also be associated with greater exposure to stress-inducing environments, and loss of control, both of which can undermine long-term survival.

In addition, low perceived status is often linked to riskier health behaviour and reduced engagement in preventive care, which over time, worsens disadvantage.

He added: Our findings suggest that health inequalities are shaped not only by the resources people have, but also by how they experience their place in society.

Two individuals may look similar on paper, yet if one feels persistently lower in status, less respected, or less secure about the future, that may carry long-term consequences for health.

This points to the importance of taking the lived experience of inequality seriously, not just its economic dimensions.
A woman and child have died after 'getting into difficulty' in the water at a west London park.

Police were called to Elthorne Park in Ealing just before 4.30pm on Saturday, where a woman and child were recovered from the water.

The pair, believed to be a mother and her son, both died at the scene.

London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade also attended.

In a statement, police said an investigation is underway, but their deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

Police are working to identify their next of kin. Their ages have not been revealed.

Detective Superintendent Pete Thackray, from the Metropolitan Police's West Area Command Unit, said: 'This is a tragic incident in which a woman and her young child have lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their loved ones.

A woman and child have died after 'getting into difficulty' in the water at Elthorne Park in Ealing

A police car parked near the corner of Elthorne Park in west London, where the mother and her young son died

'I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the first responders, and members of the public, who did their very best in an incredibly challenging situation.

'While an investigation into what took place is under way, all initial indications are that the circumstances are not suspicious.'

Elthorne Park is a popular area which is bordered by the River Brent.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has come under fire from motorists after she took away a lane on a notoriously busy road to make way for a bus lane.

Wilson proudly announced the Denny Way Bus Reliability Project at a press conference on Wednesday where she boasted that she has never owned a car and regularly took the bus.

'This is also personal for me as a transit rider. I am one of the 20 percent and growing proportion of Seattle households that do not own a car. I've never owned a car,' Wilson confessed to a resounding wave of applause.

'And the Route 8, as someone who lives on Capitol Hill, is one of my favorite buses, and one of my buses,' she continued.

'I've taken that bus with my daughter to explore the tide pools. I've taken that bus to Seattle Center to watch Shakespeare plays. I've taken that bus to take my daughter to daycare.'

Wilson called the bus a 'workhorse route' with one of the highest ridership counts, but it has long faced reliability issues.

The city said around 8,000 people ride the route every day, and it is a key east-west connection that links Downtown, South Lake Union and Capitol Hill.

The initiative has angered motorists who claim that eliminating a lane for drivers will worsen traffic and allege she's conveniently chosen the route she uses.

Mayor Katie Wilson, pictured above, announced a controversial transit imitative on Wednesday

The project will add additional bike lanes, causing concern among some motorists who worry it could increase traffic. Pictured is congestion on Denny Way, where the bus lanes are set to be installed

Wilson said at a press conference, pictured above, that she has never owned a car and frequently rides on Route 8 to Capitol Hill

Seattle's Department of Transportation saw a barrage of negative comments on its recent announcement, with one reading: 'Definitely dont ask for public opinion on these proposed changes.

'People are apparently getting really tired of SDOT intentionally making traffic worse everywhere they go.'

'No Kings or Queens. Mayor Wilson should not be unilaterally taking over public streets for those privileged enough to not have to own a car and who have an extra 2 hours a day to take a bus,' another comment added.

'She is penalizing people who need to drive by closing roads throughout the city, and limiting our driving routes, backing up traffic, with no backup plan,' wrote a third.

The city has maintained that the project will 'eliminate choke points' and provide faster and more reliable trips for transit riders.

The first phase of the project is set to kick off in May. Three blocks of lanes from Queen Anne Ave North down to Second Avenue, a two-mile stretch, are scheduled for installation.

An existing southbound lane on Queen Anne Ave to Denny Way is also set to be extended, and another bus queue is scheduled to be installed to help bus riders move ahead of traffic at a major intersection.

The second phase, scheduled for August, includes an extension of the eastbound bus lane, nine blocks of a new bus lane, and the reconfiguration of an intersection to enhance pedestrian safety, according to the city.

The first phase of the transit police will begin next month, while the second is scheduled for August. Pictured above are busses in Seattle

The project will install new bus lanes in an effort to speed up buses and make transit more reliable. Pictured above is a depiction of the project map

The Department of Transportation warned that intermittent lane closures and slower speeds may be expected during working hours. Noise, dust and vibrations may also occur when workers are on site from 8am to 7pm.

Seattle residents expressed mixed reactions to the proposal, telling local ABC affiliate, KOMO, that although Route 8 is consistently delayed, they are concerned about what could happen after losing a general-purpose lane.

Wilson has a background in transit policy, having previously served as the Transit Riders Union General Secretary before running for mayor.

Seattle elected Wilson as its first democratic socialist mayor in November, echoing the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral contest.

She has been referred to as 'the white Mamdani' and like her counterpart she ran on a campaign characterized by promises to increase affordability in the city. Another core part of her platform is addressing Seattle's homelessness crisis, which is one of the worst in the country.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Wilson's office and the Department of Transportation for comment on the backlash against the project.
A California father drowned in a lake while saving his 14-year-old autistic son, who had wandered into the body of water before he could be stopped.

On April 14, Juan Andrade, 55, was at Lincoln Park in Los Angeles with his son. The park is just a few minutes away from their home in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

Juan's wife, Michelle Andrade, told KTLA that while he was on an emergency phone call with a family member, their son made his way into the lake.

Michelle said her husband saw their son struggling in the water and went in after him right away.

Despite being able to reach his son, Juan himself got stuck near the fountain area of the lake and could not continue swimming.

At 6.30pm, Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene, where the teenager was pulled out of the lake relatively unharmed. Juan was submerged, according to authorities.

A half hour later, firefighters found him at the bottom of the lake. He was given CPR and transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Michelle is stunned at the loss of her husband, especially because she knew him to be a strong swimmer.

Juan Andrade drowned last week in a lake in a Los Angeles park while saving his autistic son (pictured with his father, mother and two sisters)

Juan, 55, was at Lincoln Park with his son when he got an emergency phone call from a relative He then noticed his son had waded out into the lake and was struggling in the water

Juan immediately dove in after his son and was able to save him

But for some reason, Juan was caught in an area near the fountains and could no longer swim. A half hour later, he was found at the bottom of the lake by Los Angeles Fire Department crews

'I was in shock because he knows how to swim very well,' she told KTLA. 'When he was younger, he saved his friend from drowning in the water.'

The incident remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, which has not released any other information.

Michelle described Juan as a hero, saying, 'not every dad would die for his kids'.

Michelle's niece started a GoFundMe, since Michelle now has to take care of three kids without her husband's support.

'Juans sudden passing from an accidental drowning has left his wife and family heartbroken and facing unexpected challenges. He was a beloved husband, family member, and friend whose kindness and generosity touched everyone who knew him. Juan was always there to lend a helping hand or share a warm smile, and his absence is deeply felt by all who loved him,' the GoFundMe said.

The fundraiser also explained that the family is being burdened with overwhelming costs of funeral arrangements and everyday expenses. It has raised nearly $14,000 toward a $20,000 goal.
Six people have been charged after pro-Palestinian protesters broke into an Israeli-owned drone factory in Leicestershire.

Police were called to reports of a van being driven into a gate at UAV Tactical Systems on Meridian Way in Braunstone at around 3.10am on Friday.

Members of a group known as People Against Genocide were said to have then scaled the building before vandalising it and attacking it with electric saws.

The organisation describes itself on its social media as 'a group taking direct action to stop the UK-Israel weapons trade'.

The business they targeted is a subsidiary of Israeli-owned weapons firm Elbit Systems, which makes drones for the British Army and international clients.

A group of four men and two women have since each been charged with burglary and causing criminal damage.

An investigation has since been launched by counter-terrorism officers at Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands, assisted by Leicestershire Police.

Peter Jones, 41, of Hoveton, Norwich, Michael Sackur, 28, of Reading, Berkshire, and Megan Kennard, 25, of Lancing, West Sussex, are among those charged.

Police were called to reports of a van being driven into a gate at UAV Tactical Systems on Meridian Way in Braunstone at around 3.10am on Friday. Pictured: Videos filmed by activists targeting the building

Members of a group known as People Against Genocide were said to have then scaled the building before vandalising it and attacking it with electric saws (pictured, in footage filmed by the campaigners)

A group of four men and two women have since each been charged with burglary and causing criminal damage. Pictured: A video filmed by a campaigner during the incident

An investigation has since been launched by counter-terrorism officers at Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands, assisted by Leicestershire Police. Pictured: Spray painting left by the activists at the factory

The defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. Pictured: Spray painting left on the factory by the activists

Internal pipework and equipment within the building was left sprayed with red paint

They were joined by Seirol Davies, 31, of Margate Kent, Rhae Rivers, 39, also of Margate, and Hal Hockney, 27, of Hackney, London.

The defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Videos posted by the activists show the group, clad in yellow jumpsuits, gloves and hard hats, cutting into the metal sheet roof as sparks fly.

The campaigners also spray-painted the words 'Intifada Revolution' on the building and put up a poster reading 'Free Palestine', alongside a Palestinian flag.

They also wrote the words 'Shut Elbit Down' alongside a red upside down triangle - a symbol widely used in Hamas propaganda videos to denote Israeli military targets.

One female activist can be heard saying the action coincided with the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising, by Irish nationalists against British rule.

She continues: 'We are f****** sick and tired of our government's collaboration in this genocide that Israel is committing against the Palestinian people.

'We are tired of them waiting to uphold international law.'

The campaigners can also be seen abseiling into the building and smashing equipment within the factory while hanging from the ropes.

The internal pipework and equipment had also been sprayed with red paint.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police previously said: 'A proactive policing response is in place and officers remain at the scene.

'We also continue to engage with those directly impacted by this report.

'Police continue to support the right to peacefully protest but we will also continue to take immediate action where reports of anyone seeking to commit crime or damage to property are made.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 65 of April 24.
Attorney General Lord Hermer has planning approval to build a luxury holiday home on 1.5million of land he was gifted in a deal that appears to have avoided hundreds of thousands of pounds in inheritance tax.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Lord Hermer, who was accused of pursuing a witch hunt against British troops, and his wife were given land and two large barns in an affluent corner of West Sussex in March 2019 by his wifes parents.

Under the so-called seven-year rule, the plot is now exempt from an inheritance tax bill of up to 470,000.

The rule allows gifts to be passed on free from inheritance tax if the person giving the gift lives for seven years after doing so.

The Hermers have already installed a stunning natural swimming pool and a landscaped seating area on the site. They also have approval to convert a large 18th-century barn into a luxurious home with four en-suite bedrooms, two lounges, a games room and boat storage area.

The second, smaller barn had already been converted into a home before it was transferred to the Hermers.

The revelation comes just days after claims that while in private practice Lord Hermer, one of Sir Keir Starmers closest allies, sought an hourly fee of 450 for pursuing claims of war crimes against British soldiers later found to be deliberate lies.

It is claimed that he acted as lead counsel in civil claims against the Ministry of Defence brought by Iraqis who alleged that British soldiers had tortured and murdered civilians during the Battle of Danny Boy in Southern Iraq in 2004.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Lord Hermer (pictured), who was accused of pursuing a witch hunt against British troops, and his wife were given land and two large barns in an affluent corner of West Sussex in March 2019 by his wifes parents

Lord Hermer, who is one of Sir Keir Starmer's closest allies, has faced claims that while in private practice he sought an hourly fee of 450 for pursuing claims of war crimes against British soldiers later found to be deliberate lies. Pictured: Sir Keir leaving No 10

Emails show that he was warned his clients could be on the make and that their allegations were nonsense, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The UKs most senior lawyer is now facing calls to resign over his role and has been reported to the barristers watchdog for alleged serious professional misconduct.

A spokesman for the Attorney General said that he had always acted with the highest professional standards and that any suggestion he knowingly acted on false claims is categorically untrue.

Lord Hermer and his wife were granted permission for the works on their Sussex land in 2023. Sources close to the couple say they have not proceeded with the plan.

The couple acquired the site in March 2019 when the parents of Lord Hermers wife, who live in a house they own nearby, transferred them five separate but adjoining title deeds.

Official documents show that, while the plots were valued at 1.5million together, no money was recorded as being paid, meaning they were given as a gift.

Lord Hermer and his wife also own a home in London, which was bought for 1.6million in 2005.

A spokesman for Lord Hermer said: The family transferred ownership of the property in an entirely legal and proper way, and there is no suggestion from The Mail on Sunday otherwise.
Angela Rayner has told Labour MPs the time to oust Keir Starmer from No 10 is now or never as the Prime Minister faces a critical week in his fight for political survival.

With the former Deputy Prime Minister now the frontrunner to succeed the embattled Sir Keir if he is toppled, backbenchers claimed that Ms Rayner and her allies were spending the weekend canvassing support among her colleagues.

One MP said: The line from Angela is that it needs to happen now otherwise this deadly stalemate will drag on forever. That its now or never.

Sir Keir could face a critical Commons vote on his future on Tuesday. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is considering whether to grant opposition parties a vote on whether to refer the PM to the privileges committee for a sleaze inquiry into claims he misled the House of Commons about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US.

If the vote goes ahead, Sir Keirs allies say it would be treated as an effective confidence measure in the Government. If he lost, he would be finished as Prime Minister.

Ms Rayner and her two main rivals for the leadership, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, are all now ready to launch campaigns if Sir Keir announces he is standing down as Labour leader on May 8, the day after the local and devolved government elections.

If he does so  either as a result of Cabinet pressure, from a stalking horse challenge by an MP such as Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, or of his own volition  they expect him to say that he would stay until the autumn, when a contest would produce a new leader in time for the partys annual conference.

Ms Rayner is the frontrunner because Mr Burnham  the most popular candidate both inside the party and among the country at large  is still trying to find a way back into the Commons to give him the platform for a leadership bid, while Mr Streeting is regarded as too Blairite by most voting party members.

Angela Rayner at No 10 when she was Deputy PM. She has reportedly told Labour MPs the time to oust Keir Starmer from No 10 is now or never

Sir Keir could face a critical Commons vote on his future on Tuesday. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is considering whether to grant opposition parties a vote on whether to refer the PM to the privileges committee for a sleaze inquiry

It had been thought that Ms Rayner would not launch a bid until her controversial tax affairs had been settled. But her allies think she will soon be either exonerated or found to have committed a minor technical breach for underpaying stamp duty on her seaside flat in Hove.

One said: Ideally she wanted to wait for the tax issue to be sorted. But she came to the view that if it all kicked off shed have to throw her hat in the ring. And its all kicking off.

Another source said that Ms Rayner was over the moon to be close to an agreement with HMRC.

A source close to Ms Rayner said that this is obviously untrue in relation to the now or never comment.

But a Labour MP said: Anges line is that Burnham has no quick way back in [to the Commons] so it has got to be her.

To mount a bid for the leadership, candidates need the backing of 81 MPs. Mr Burnhams allies say he is still considering routes back in to Parliament, but is conscious that it could all move very quickly.

He has been in discussions with Ms Rayner about a potential dream ticket, but his supporters say they remain unclear about the former Deputy PMs intentions.

Other potential leadership contenders include Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who is being touted by friends as a caretaker PM for a year.

Join the discussion What should matter more in choosing a leader: party loyalty, fresh ideas, or trust in tough times?

Ms Rayner and her two main rivals for the leadership, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (pictured) and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, are all now ready to launch campaigns if Sir Keir announces he is standing down as Labour leader on May 8

Other potential leadership contenders include Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (pictured) and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who is being touted by friends as a caretaker PM for a year

The proposed sleaze vote on Sir Keir comes after he claimed last week that No 10 had put no pressure whatsoever on the Foreign Office over Lord Mandelsons appointment.

His comments appear to contradict Sir Olly Robbins, the departments former permanent secretary, who told MPs that Downing Street had exerted constant pressure to install the Labour peer in Washington. The vote could be held on the same day Sir Philip Barton, Sir Ollys predecessor, gives what could be critical evidence to MPs on the scandal.

It was the privileges committee which ended Boris Johnsons political career after it found that he had lied about lockdown parties.

Ministers and backbench MPs have been discussing options to force out Sir Keir following the local elections, which polls suggest will lead to disastrous losses for Labour.

A poll of Labour members by Survation found that 46 per cent want a new leader, while 44 per cent think Starmer should remain in post.

Sir Keir summoned his remaining supporters to Chequers on Friday for a meeting which has been dubbed a survival summit aimed at fending off imminent leadership challenges.

The last-ditch fightback could include a Cabinet reshuffle in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves loses her job.

Be very afraid, Red Ed could take the keys to No 11

A graphic showing the Labour figures likely to land prominent positions in a Rayner-led government

Ed Miliband as Chancellor and Wes Streeting as Foreign Secretary are the likely choices in a future Angela Rayner Cabinet, allies told the Mail on Sunday.

In such a scenario, out would go current Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, the Science Secretary.

Allies of the former Deputy PM tipped Mr Miliband for Chancellor, not because he was Angies first choice but due to him being hugely popular and influential within the party.

Ms Rayners leadership rival and current Health Secretary Mr Streeting would be offered Foreign Secretary, if only to keep him away from domestic politics.

Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell to Health Secretary, ex-Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to Mr Milibands current Energy Security job, close Rayner ally Justin Madders to education and senior Labour MP Meg Hillier to the Cabinet Office are other suggestions.
Crippling shortages of fuel and medicines could hit households within weeks because No 10 is too distracted by Sir Keir Starmers leadership crisis to deal properly with the impact of the Iran conflict, senior Government sources have said.

With supply lines coming under increasing strain because of the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, senior civil servants have been urging No 10 to level with the public about the likely impacts if the war runs on into the summer.

One source involved in emergency contingency planning told The Mail on Sunday that airlines can only maintain their current level of consumption for another three weeks as their stockpiles dwindle. As a result the companies are not adding the extra UK flights which normally fill the schedules for the summer season.

The source said: Downing Street should be gripping this, levelling with the public about the sacrifices which might have to be made and raising the prospect of rationing without triggering panic. Instead it is fixated on whether Starmer can survive as PM.

The supply crisis has already led to a surge in the prices of key NHS medicines taken by millions of people, including cancer drugs, steroids and medicines taken for blood pressure.

Some pharmacies have seen prices rise by as much as 11-fold since February. Food prices are also likely to rise across the board.

Sir Keir, who will lead the Governments Middle East Response Committee on Tuesday, has tasked one of his few remaining allies, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, with co-ordinating cross-government planning to bring relevant departments together twice a week to scrutinise their plans and support our supply chains to remain resilient.

So far, the Governments response has been restricted to lowering the energy price cap, increasing CO2 production, improving the efficiency of expensive importer fertilisers and working with industry to monitor jet fuel stocks.

Senior Government sources have said shortages of fuel and medicines could hit households within weeks because No 10 is too distracted by Sir Keir Starmers leadership crisis to deal with the impact of the Iran conflict

One source involved in emergency contingency planning told The Mail on Sunday that airlines can only maintain their current level of consumption for another three weeks as their stockpiles dwindle (file photo)

Ministers have also supplied tools to help drivers to find the cheapest prices on the forecourt and assisting the poorest households with the cost of heating oil. Ministers stress shipments of jet fuel are continuing to arrive in the UK  although Whitehall sources claim supplies are being used up faster than they can be replaced.

Sources say they are also keen for people to carry on filling up and using their cars as normal to avoid triggering panic-buying.

Mr Jones said: This is not our war. The Government made the right call to stay out of the conflict and only take defensive action to protect Britains interests.

Were acting now to prepare for, and mitigate where possible, the impact on our economy and domestic security as a result of the conflict.

The Prime Minister wants to see a toll-free Strait of Hormuz reopened as soon as possible.

The UK is working tirelessly with our international partners to find a permanent solution to this crisis and minimise the knock-on impact to households.

We will always put the British peoples interests first and the Prime Minister will [be chairman of] a cross-government meeting next week to drive forward these preparations.
Ministers have been accused of downgrading air defences for the Falkland Islands  just as Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw his support for Britains sovereignty and Argentina is expanding its air force.

Critics warn the islands will be without air-to-air refuelling capacity for the first time since the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher sent the Task Force to defeat Argentina.

Saturday marked the 44th anniversary of British forces recapturing South Georgia, which Mrs Thatcher greeted by declaring outside No 10: Just rejoice at that news.

RAF sources confirmed the sole Voyager refuelling aircraft based on the islands had been redeployed amid the Iran crisis. It potentially means RAF Typhoons could not do around-the-clock air patrols for the 1,600 mile round trip to South Georgia.

It comes after an internal Pentagon email suggested the US was considering options to punish Nato allies it believed had failed to support its war on Iran  including reviewing its backing for British sovereignty over the Falklands.

No 10 responded by saying: The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and weve always stood behind the islanders right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK.

The cut in RAF refuelling capability comes as Buenos Aires is spending more than 220million on 24 refurbished F-16s fighter jets from the Danish air force, and seeking to procure two KC-135R Stratotankers from the US for air-to-air refuelling.

President Javier Milei has pledged to strengthen the nations military forces and, as part of his election campaign, stated his desire for Argentina to regain sovereignty of the Falklands.

Pictured: The Royal Air Force's Airbus Voyager. RAF sources confirmed the sole Voyager refuelling aircraft based on the islands had been redeployed amid the Iran crisis

A Typhoon jet landing in the Falklands. The lack of the Voyager potentially means RAF Typhoons could not do around-the-clock air patrols for the 1,600 mile round trip to South Georgia

A senior RAF source said: If the Argentines decide they want to test our defences we would be hard pressed to mount a constant combat air patrol with no ability to mount air-to-air refuelling. We need more aircraft and more pilots.

An RAF source told Defence Eye: This is not a permanent posture for Mount Pleasant and reflects the current demands from other activity, including around the Middle East. There is an intent to have Voyager support to the Falklands when appropriate.

But Tory Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: Withdrawing this tanker aircraft sends all the wrong signals, particularly in light of President Trumps recent comments.

The Ministry of Defence responded last night by saying: The UKs commitment to the defence of the Falklands is unwavering  and our ability to defend the islands remains strong with fast jets and sophisticated air defences.

Any redeployment of assets is routine and to support operational priorities, and we are constantly assessing our asset deployment.
The Army's 6.3billion Ajax armoured vehicle could be poisoning troops with toxic carbon monoxide fumes, a damning safety report has revealed.

The official report, obtained exclusively by the Mail on Sunday, has sent shockwaves through the Ministry of Defence, with fears the beleaguered vehicle requires millions of pounds more of public funding to solve a litany of problems.

The MoS can reveal that a team of army safety inspectors have concluded there is no single cause for a crisis sparked last year when more than 30 soldiers operating the fighting vehicle fell ill during a military exercise on Salisbury Plain

Instead, Ajax is beset by a 'mutli-factor combination' of problems, including 'faulty headsets', mechanical defects and possible missing air filters and leaks that could be resulting in the accumulation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide fumes inside the vehicle.

The Army is due to receive 589 Ajax vehicles, which are to form the backbone of its armoured strike brigades for the next 30 years. The first 40-ton vehicles should have entered service in 2017 but they have been plagued by problems, prompting former defence secretary Ben Wallace to call it 'a ridiculous project'.

Early trials were suspended after troops suffered hearing damage, with 310 soldiers needing to have assessments after riding in the vehicles. The programme was plunged further into crisis last November when 33 soldiers operating 23 different vehicles began suffering symptoms including nausea, vomiting, numbness, hearing loss, muscle pain and pins and needles during an exercise called Titan Storm.

Now leaked details from the Army's official safety investigation into the incident reveals an alarming array of issues, including the possible exposure of soldiers to toxic gases.

Inspectors identified problems with the vehicles' tracks, loose or missing 'engine deck bolts' and unreliable power units, which are meant to provide electrical power when the main engine is off. 'Their combined effect is assessed as capable of increasing exposure to noise, vibration, heat, fumes and workload,' they said.

They also discovered that 'faulty communication headsets and configuration errors' were 'likely contributors to noise injury symptoms'.

Ajax is beset by a 'mutli-factor combination' of problems, including 'faulty headsets', mechanical defects and possible missing air filters and leaks that could be resulting in the accumulation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide fumes inside the vehicle

Meanwhile, 'possible missing filters, leaks and incorrect hatch states' may have caused conditions in which soldiers could be exposed to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide fumes. The soldiers' symptoms were 'consistent' with such exposure.

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former tank regiment commander, said: 'If they have identified that filters are faulty or missing, that is a serious problem. But actually it's a very easy problem to fix - you just put new filters in them.'

The inspectors found that when maintained and operated properly, Ajax is not unsafe but they also warned 'the interaction of multiple factors may create conditions in which personnel experience symptoms of ill health.'

Their damning report added: 'The evidence to date indicates no single causal mechanism. Instead, it points to a multi-factor combination involving platform condition, environmental stressors, system reliability, user behaviour under operational pressure, training and experience variability, cold exposure, and possible fume or CO/CO2 [carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide] exposure.'

The MoD was due to update MPs on the project last Thursday - but the announcement was delayed until early this week. Sources do not expect Ajax to be completely axed but the safety report raises the prospect of the cash-strapped MoD having to find millions more funding to fix it.

Col de Bretton-Gordon added: 'The safety report has identified a whole host of issues. These issues are all fixable - and the MoD can only go forward with this if it funds them.'

The MOD said: 'The safety of our people is non-negotiable. An extensive safety investigation into Exercise Titan Storm has now concluded, with an update to Parliament expected in the coming days.'
Russia launched a major drone attack on Ukraine over the weekend, killing 10 people and injuring more than 30, as RAF Typhoon fighter jets were deployed over Romania.

Ukraine's air force said Russian forces fired 619 drones and 47 missiles, adding that it downed 580 drones and 30 missiles. Dnipro was hit in three separate waves.

Regional Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said eight people were killed and 49 injured in the city, which has been repeatedly targeted during the four years of conflict.

In the initial overnight strike, a large section of an apartment block collapsed after being hit, with four bodies recovered, Hanzha said.

The site was struck again during the day while rescuers were working, killing one person and injuring seven.

Eight more were injured in a subsequent attack on Saturday evening. All were being treated in hospital, Hanzha said.

'For more than 20 frightening hours, the Russians attacked Dnipro in waves,' Hanzha wrote on Telegram. 'They hit with missiles and drones. They hit deliberately. They hit residential areas.'

Moscow has been launching smaller barrages of dozens of drones nightly at Ukraine, interspersing them with occasional large-scale attacks.

An apartment building remains destroyed after a Russian missile and drone attack on April 25, 2026 in Dnipro, Ukraine

Destroyed cars stand on a street after a Russian missile and drone attack on April 25, 2026 in Dnipro, Ukraine

Thick columns of black smoke streamed into the sky on Saturday morning, as local media warned of poor air quality.

A Russian drone was reportedly spotted being destroyed in the sky over the ruined apartment block as rescuers worked in the rubble.

Russia's Defence Ministry said it had hit military-industrial and energy targets overnight. It did not comment on the apartment block strike in Dnipro.

'Russia is deliberately prolonging its terror against our people, continuing to target critical infrastructure and residential buildings,' Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.

At the destroyed apartment block in Dnipro, residents were stricken with grief and rage.

'May their children sleep in their warm beds in Russia, and may everything be all right for them. Let them watch as Russia 'liberates' us of our apartments and houses,' said 37-year-old Aliona Katrushova, who lives in the building opposite.

She looked on in her dressing gown as survivors were hauled out from the rubble. Saturday is her husband Oleh's birthday.

'It's like being given a second life,' he said after surviving the attack, although the couple's apartment was damaged.

In the northern region of Chernihiv, missile and drone attacks killed two and wounded seven, the governor there said.

'Every strike like this must remind our partners that the situation needs immediate and firm action, rapid strengthening of our air defences,' President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Drone fragments damaged an electricity pole and household annex in NATO member Romania, which borders Ukraine, authorities there said. There were no casualties.

Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian territory. Officials in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg said a Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building, causing minor injuries.

The Russia-appointed governor in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Luhansk said a Ukrainian drone attack had killed three residents of a village.

Meanwhile, two British fighter jets were also scrambled from a base in Romania overnight after radar systems tracked drones near their airspace, according to the Romanian defence ministry.

'Two British Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft conducting Enhanced Air Policing mission scrambled at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetesti [Borcea Air Base]... The pilots were authorized to engage the drones,' it said in a statement.

The Ukrainian leader was visiting Azerbaijan on Saturday to sign agreements on defence and energy co-operation. Kyiv is seeking to strengthen its diplomatic and security alliances by leveraging experience in countering aerial attacks.

Zelenskiy posted a picture of his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and said he also met a Ukrainian military team.

Azerbaijan has a long border with Iran, with which it has tense relations. Azerbaijan has also fought multiple wars with its other neighbour Armenia since 1991.

Since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February, triggering a war in the Middle East, Kyiv has worked to build security co-operation with Middle Eastern nations concerned about Iranian drone and missile bombardment.
Donald Trump dramatically cancelled the latest round of Middle East peace negotiations after Iran appeared to snub his top envoys.

The White House had previously said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would fly to Pakistan for facetoface talks amid hope that 'positive developments will come from this meeting'.

But on a day of confusion which underlined just how far apart the two sides remain, Tehran insisted no meeting was confirmed.

Instead, its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi  who arrived in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on Friday, and was met by the country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif  shared his country's 'views and considerations' on ending the war with Pakistani officials on Saturday.

The Iranian delegation then left Pakistan just as Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner were preparing to leave Washington, prompting President Trump to haul the two men back at the last minute.

Mr Trump told Fox News: 'I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us any time they want, but you're not making any more 18hour flights to sit around talking about nothing'.'

He later posted on Truth Social: 'I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going [to] Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians.

'Too much time wasted on travelling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership'.

Jared Kushner, left, and Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for Peace Missions in Islamabad earlier this month. Donald Trump dramatically cancelled the latest round of Middle East peace negotiations after Iran appeared to snub his top envoys

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) greeting Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (right). The Iranian delegation left Pakistan just as Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner were preparing to leave Washington

'Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!'

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier said the US had 'certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the past couple of days', though she declined to provide further details.

She added that Vice President JD Vance, who was the lead US negotiator in the first round of talks, would not be travelling to Pakistan for the time being but will remain on 'standby' in case of a breakthrough, saying Mr Vance would 'be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time'.

In a post on X, Mr Araghchi described his visit to Pakistan as 'very fruitful' and said he 'shared Iran's position concerning a workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran'. But he noted that he had 'yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy'.

Iran has threatened to hit back over the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. It said if the 'siege, banditry and piracy at sea' continues in the region, the US will 'face a response' from the Iranian armed forces. Mr Trump last week extended a ceasefire with Iran for an unspecified period. But US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the US was 'locked and loaded' on Iranian infrastructure.

Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian has called on his people to 'control consumption' of electricity.

'The enemies are destroying our infrastructure,' he said.

'Instead of ten lights, two lights should be turned on at home  what is wrong with that?'

Meanwhile, at least four people were killed in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh district as Israel continued to defy a threeweek extension of a ceasefire.

The Israel Defence Forces insisted all four were members of Hezbollah 'who were driving in a vehicle loaded with weapons', adding that they 'posed a threat to the IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon'.
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The return of the Princess of Wales' favourite fashion brands is proving that the 'Kate effect' is stronger than ever - and there's never been a better time to invest in her signature style.

Following news that Susie Cave is launching a new label after the closure of The Vampire's Wife - a brand the Princess famously championed - royal style watchers are seeing a fresh wave of interest in labels she has worn and loved over the years.

From polished tailoring to effortless spring staples, many of Kate's go-to brands are not only back in the spotlight, but offering pieces you can shop right now.

Reiss continues to deliver sleek blazers that echo her refined daywear, while is a Karen Millen is a go-to for elevated everyday pieces with a wearable feel.

When it comes to warm-weather accessories, few pieces are as enduring as Kate's Castaner espadrille wedges - a seasonal staple that returns year after year.

The result? A wardrobe built on timeless, rewearable pieces that continue to come back into fashion - making it easier than ever to channel Kate's polished style with items that feel both current and classic.

Karen Millen

Karen Millen's iconic Forever pleated midi dress, famously worn in yellow by Kate during a 2022 visit to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, has returned in an array of spring-ready hues.

Crafted from structured crepe, the frock features a flattering V-neckline, short sleeves and an elegant pleated skirt that falls to the shin - a timeless silhouette for both office and evening.

Brora

Kate's Brora gingham blouse, notably worn while baking cookies with her children, is a perfect example of a reissued hero piece that returns every spring due to demand.

Crafted from lightweight, breathable seersucker, the blouse features a charming Chelsea collar and short puff sleeves - all in a peony pink hue that's ideal for warmer days.

Castaner

Debuted by Kate in May 2019, the Castaner Carina wedge espadrilles have become a go-to for countless royal engagements.

The flattering design is a warm-weather essential that sells out every summer - and it has just returned to stock at John Lewis.

Ghost

Kate has long been a fan of Ghost's signature floral dresses. In 2020, she notably wore a blue version for the nationwide Clap for Carers initiative, which sold out in just 30 minutes - a testament to the power of the 'Kate effect'.

Last autumn, the brand underwent a fresh transformation. With a more contemporary and relevant look, Ghost now showcases a modern visual identity throughout its new spring/summer collection.

Aspinal of London

Aspinal of London has secured a special place as one of Kate's favourite accessory brands.

Her most-loved design, the Midi Mayfair, exemplifies the British label's exceptional craftsmanship and timeless vintage elegance.

For spring, the collection introduces an updated pastel blue iteration, complete with the signature shield lock, a removable chain shoulder strap and a bamboo top handle - bringing a fresh feel to a house classic.

Reiss

Kate's affinity for Reiss dates back to her engagement days, when she wore the Nanette dress in her official portrait with Prince William.

In recent years, she has gravitated towards the brand's impeccably tailored blazers - and the new Maxwell design would seamlessly slot into her rotation.

Veja

Kate is a dedicated fan of Veja's gold Esplar trainers, wearing them at least ten times in public - from the Big Coronation Lunch to a family video marking the end of her chemotherapy treatment.

The style is a brand staple, delivering a clean, versatile aesthetic that pairs with everything from smart tailoring to casual weekend looks.

Topshop

Topshop has returned to the high street, launching across the John Lewis website and in 32 stores nationwide, marking its biggest bricks-and-mortar presence since its collapse in 2021.

As the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate wore several pieces from the label, including a polka dot dress during her pregnancy with Prince George. The brand has since seen a quiet resurgence, with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Princess Beatrice among those showing support.

With its relaunch at one of Britain's best-loved department stores, its comeback now feels firmly re-established.

Finlay

Finlay sunglasses first appeared on the Princess of Wales in 2022, when she chose the Henrietta tortoiseshell design during a royal tour of the Caribbean with Prince William.

Since then, Kate has re-worn different styles, helping cement the brand's 'royal favourite' status. She was also once spotted shopping in the brand's Notting Hill store.

Handmade from luxury Mazzucchelli acetate, her preferred cat-eye silhouette has become an evergreen design for the label - and it's certain to elevate any spring look.
We may be more used to seeing them exchange gentle touches of affection or soft pecks, but according to a lip-reader, the Prince and Princess of Wales packed on quite the flirty chat during their royal tour of the Caribbean in 2022.

Speaking on Channel 5's Lip-Reading the Royals: What Are They Really Saying?, Nicola Hickling said that the couple turned up the PDA while visiting Jamaica four years ago.

During an inaugural Commissioning Parade for service personnel from across the Caribbean, in Kingston, William and Kate could be seen smiling as they enjoyed a private conversation.

And according to Nicola, the subject matter appeared particularly X-rated with Catherine asking her husband if he 'walked in on them'  to which he reportedly replied, 'I did, yeah'.

The future King then allegedly said: 'I know I think everyone here is wanting to laugh.'

However, it appears the conversation turned more sultry as Kate then remarked on William's 'smart' ensemble  his military regalia.

'You do know how it makes me feel,' she continued, according to the lip-reader. 'I have some sweets, we can have them when we get home.'

William reportedly then said: 'I would love something sweet.'

During an inaugural Commissioning Parade for service personnel from across the Caribbean, in Kingston, William and Kate could be seen smiling as they enjoyed a private conversation

And royal commentators couldn't get enough of the 'cheeky' chat, stating that they're 'not talking about sweets there'.

'That's their love language,' analyst Cristo Foufas shared, whereas former royal butler Grant Harrold remarked: 'She's paying him a wonderful compliment and saying how it makes her feel.

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's getting very heated if I can say that! Which is great, the two of them are in love  why would you not say stuff to your partner?'

And elsewhere, actress Nina Wadia found the flirty exchange a refreshing look into the Firm's human side.

'I love it, flirting between the royals!' she told the programme. 'And we finally get to see it, and it's normal and fun.'

While ardently public displays of affection from the couple are still rare, William and Kate have certainly become more flirty over the years.

From meeting as students at St Andrews University in 2001 to becoming proud parents to three children, royal fans have delighted in the Prince and Princess of Wales's 'fairytale' love story.

That said, in the early years of their marriage, the couple seemed to model themselves on the Queen and Prince Philip, who were always formal in public and were rarely seen holding hands or displaying affection.

Fast forward to the present day, however, and the couple are much more relaxed about public displays of affection (PDA).

Last year, royal fans were left swooning when the couple publicly marked Valentine's Day for the first time by taking to X and Instagram to post an adorable picture of the couple in the grounds of the Sandringham Estate in the summer of 2024.

Speaking on Channel 5's Lip-Reading the Royals: What Are They Really Saying?, Nicola Hickling said that the couple turned up the PDA while visiting Jamaica in 2022

Showcasing the pair's enduring love, the photo was set against a stunning woodland backdrop and was a still taken from Kate's deeply emotive video in which she announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment that September.

Elsewhere, the pair travelled north of the Border in January for a two-day engagement  and snuck in numerous subtle romantic moments, from gentle touches to loving looks.

In once instance, William  ever the gentleman  helped his wife come onto the ice at the National Curling Academy in Stirling while they tried their hand at the sport, carefully guiding her and making sure she was safe.

Though they're known for their competitive streaks, both were pictured smiling profusely at the other's efforts as they took part.

William started confidently, with the Princess uttering words of support, saying: 'You're doing very well.'

Elsewhere, while Kate was undertaking a lesson in weaving tartan, her husband dutifully held her custom coat  designed by famed Savile Row tailor Chris Kerr  in the background, letting the Princess take centre stage.

And while chatting with well-wishers on a walkabout, the loved-up pair couldn't keep their hands off one another, with William putting his arm around Kate to pose for a photo with a fan.

In October, the besotted couple also delighted royal fans as they beamed at one another during a trip to Northern Ireland.

In a particularly tender scene during the day, Kate was photographed affectionately placing her hand on William's back before the royal couple rode in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills.

Then, in November, William left royal fans swooning when he was captured delicately kissing his wife's hand when they attended the Royal Variety Performance in London.

Yet even earlier that year, the pair looked more loved up than ever when they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at the VE Day celebrations in London  placing their hands on one another's backs in a supportive gesture.

Meanwhile, just a month prior, the couple were captured looking lovingly at one another when they celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during a very special visit to Scotland's Isle of Mull.

In a mark of the momentous occasion, Kate and William also posted an incredibly romantic picture to their official Kensington Royal social media accounts which showcased the pair lovingly holding each other as they enjoyed a quiet moment at dusk in Tobermory.

And when the Prince and Princess made their first joint engagement in Wales for more than a year in February 2025, they were seen holding hands as they walked through Cardiff Central station.

Indeed, while glimpses of their affectionate relationship were rare in the years that preceded Kate's cancer diagnosis, they were certainly monumental in their impact.

From the first time they were publicly spotted hugging during a ski trip in 2007, to a celebratory hug spotted during a triumphant sporting moment at the London 2012 Olympic Games, royal fans delighted in seeing William and Kate's tactile side.

A decade later, the royal couple shared a particularly affectionate moment after William won a trophy at the Royal Charity Polo Cup.

At the end of the day, the pair were also seen walking with their arms affectionately wrapped around each other's waists.

Elsewhere, in 2023, one particular moment sent royal fans wild, as Kate appeared to give her husband a gentle tap on the behind while walking the Bafta red carpet.
There's all sorts of presents that a girl of seven might want to put on her Christmas wishlist.

There'll be toys, games and perhaps books, but it is a fair bet that the list won't feature a gravy boat made of the finest china.

But that is just what the then Prince Charles gave his goddaughter India Hicks at Christmas when she was seven.

In fact, every year another piece of crockery would arrive until  by the time she was in her 20s  Ms Hicks had a full dinner service.

The designer and former model, who is now 58, said it was 'very confusing' to get a piece of crockery every year as a child, but now views the idea as a 'a useful, brilliant present'.

Ms Hicks, who is the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten of Burma and was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Charles and Princess Diana, says she now has a complete collection of royal crockery thanks to the future king 'thinking ahead'.

She told the Rosebud podcast: 'Every year, a cardboard box would arrive from the royal maker, Goode, wasn't it? And in it would be a saucer or a gravy dish or a cup.'

She said that it was 'very confusing to have a gravy dish for Christmas' as a seven-year-old but it was 'extraordinary as a 27-year-old or a 37-year-old to have a complete dining set'.

India Hicks said she was given a china gravy boat by then-Prince Charles, her godfather, when she was just seven

The designer and former model pictured with the then-Prince of Wales when she was a child

King Charles gave his goddaughter a china gravy boat when she was seven, just one in a series of 'confusing' gifts to Ms Hicks

Join the discussion Should children receive practical gifts that last a lifetime or fun presents theyll enjoy right away?

Ms Hicks continued: 'What a useful, brilliant present. Instead of some plastic toy that you were given at seven that you've no idea where it's gone.

'And I am a godparent to many godchildren can I live up to that brilliant thinking ahead of what someone would like later in life?'

Thomas Goode is a tableware firm established in 1827, based in Mayfair and famous for sourcing and selling the finest china, silverware, and glass from top manufacturers such as Spode and Wedgwood.
The Princess Royal has laid a wreath in memory of the fallen during a dawn Anzac Day service in London.

Princess Anne, 74, arrived for the Saturday service shortly before it commenced at 5am, laying a wreath of red poppies at the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner.

The service - organised by the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions -included a reading of poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae and concluded with the national anthems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

Princess Anne was dressed in a emerald green tailored coat, complemented by a structured hat and black gloves for the event.

A red poppy adorned her lapel, serving as a tribute to the servicemen and women who lost their lives.

Anzac Day is observed annually on 25 April and commemorates the 1915 landing of troops in the First World War to the beaches of Gallipoli in northwest Turkey.

Additional services were held in Australia, New Zealand and Gallipoli to commemorate the occasion on Saturday morning.

The day was also marked in in Villers-Bretonneux, a village in the Somme region of France, which Australian units helped defend during the war.

Princess Anne (pictured) laid a wreath in memory of the fallen during a dawn Anzac Day service in London

The Princess Royal arrived for the Saturday service shortly before it commenced at 5am

Anzac Day is observed annually on 25 April and commemorates the 1915 landing of troops in the First World War to the beaches of Gallipoli in northwest Turkey

She was dressed in a emerald green tailored coat, complemented by a structured hat and black gloves, while a red poppy adorned her lapel

A post to the Royal Family X account on the event read: 'Today is #ANZACDay  which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.'

The post included a picture of troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) going to Gallipoli with the caption 'Lest we forget'.

Princess Anne's appearances comes as the Princess of Wales is due to attend an Anzac Day wreath-laying and parade service at the Cenotaph.

The Princess, 44, will attend at a service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

She will represent her father-in-law King Charles III at the event, which marks her official return to duty after an Easter break.

In 2019, Kate attended a previous Anzac Day commemoration alongside Prince Harry at Westminster Abbey, and in 2022, the Princess appeared at a service alongside her husband, the Prince of Wales.
King Charles will meet New York City's mayor Zohran Mamdani at a wreath laying ceremony for 9/11 victims during his state visit to America next week.

The 77-year-old monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, will pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who died, at the striking memorial in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday.

He is also expected to meet with families of the victims in honour of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other local officials attending.

But there will be no private audience between Mamdani and the King, during a tour that coincides with 250 years since America's independence from Britain, insiders have revealed.

Mamdani is New York's first modern mayor identifying with democratic socialism and has been described as being 'woke' for his left-leaning views.

His academic father, Mahmood Mamdani, largely focused his work on anti-colonialism and decolonisation.

And last month, during St Patrick's Day celebrations, Mr Mamdani praised Ireland's 'resistance' to British rule.

'As we know, it was on Irish soil that the British Empire developed their colonial project,' the mayor said. 'And yet when I think of the Irish, I do not think first of oppression; I think of resistance.'

King Charles will meet New York City's mayor Zohran Mamdani at a wreath laying ceremony for 9/11 victims during his state visit to America next week

Mamdani identifies with democratic socialism and praised Ireland for its 'resistance' to Britain

On the upcoming visit, Mamdani spokesperson Joe Calvello told Politico: 'The mayor will not meet privately with King Charles.

'He was invited to join a number of New York elected officials next week at a wreath laying at the 9/11 memorial with members of the British royal family.'

Details of the King's visit have surfaced as political rumblings emerged over the Falklands.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to touch down in Washington DC on Monday ahead of a banquet dinner at the White House the following day.

There have been calls from the Left for the trip to be cancelled after US President Donald Trump repeatedly mocked and humiliated Sir Keir Starmer for not supporting his military campaign in the Middle East.

And there was further concern last night after the US threatened to back Argentina's claim to the South Atlantic islands.

Trump is considering withdrawing support for UK sovereignty over the British territory, a leaked Pentagon email revealed.

It is one of a raft of controversial measures drawn up to 'punish' Western allies who he deems did too little to support his war with Iran.

The email provoked outrage from British veterans, politicians, and Falklanders, where 99.8 per cent of the population have voted to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.

Keir Starmer on Friday vowed that British sovereignty 'isn't going to change', while SAS hero Robin Horsfall said ministers should treat President Trump 'with the contempt and disdain he deserves'.

But Downing Street was unable to say whether the UK was still capable of defending the archipelago given the parlous state of the Navy.

Asked twice, Sir Keir's spokesman called it a 'hypothetical' issue.

There are concerns Argentina's hardRight leader, and Trump ally, Javier Milei could be emboldened by a change in US policy. Just this week, he said he was doing 'everything humanly possible' to claim the islands.

And Argentina's foreign minister Pablo Quirno said the country wanted to 'resume bilateral negotiations with the UK' to 'bring an end to the special and particular colonial situation in which they are immersed'.

As Charles prepares for his trip, a leaked memo suggested the US had threatened to back Argentina's claim to the Falklands. Pictured: The King with President Trump last September

British troops in the Falklands in 1982 during the war with Argentina. Downing Street was unable to say whether the UK was still capable of defending the archipelago given the parlous state of the Navy. Asked twice, Sir Keir's spokesman called it a 'hypothetical' issue

He added: 'By history, by right, and by conviction: the Malvinas [Falkland Islands] are Argentine.'

There are currently just four Typhoon fighter jets on the islands along with HMS Medway  a Batch 2 Riverclass offshore patrol vessel  and 1,200 to 1,500 military and civilian personnel at RAF Mount Pleasant.

In 1982, it took a force of 26,000 men, two aircraft carriers, assault ships, destroyers, frigates, submarines, dozens of fighter jets and bombers to liberate the islands after Buenos Aires invaded.
The Princess of Wales was smiling and radiant as she attended the annual Anzac Day parade today to commemorate Australian and New Zealand servicemen.

Anzac Day is held on April 25 every year after it was first established to mark the anniversary of the landing of Allied Forces at dawn on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915.

The day commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who have died in conflict.

Princess Kate attended the wreath-laying and parade at the Cenotaph in Westminster this morning alongside the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Hamish Cooper.

The Duchess then visited Westminster Abbey, where a service attended by veterans, Royals and politicians including Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel was held.

In a touching moment after the service, Kate greeted two young boys and their serving mother, shaking their hands and chatting to them.

The service in London this year was also attended by Princess Anne, who laid a wreath at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, at 5am on Saturday morning.

The event also heard a reading of John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields and performances by members of the Ngati Ranana Maori Club London.

Kate was spotted speaking to two boys after she left the service of commemoration at Westminster Abbey

Princess Kate looked radiant as she led the congregation at Westminster Abbey this afternoon

The Princess knelt and shook the smiling little boy's hand

Princess Kate attended the wreath laying and parade service at the Cenotaph as part of Anzac Day commemorations on Saturday

The Princess of Wales wore a tailored navy and white collared dress paired with sapphire jewellery

Kate laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate Australian and New Zealand servicemen

The wreath laid by Kate had a personal inscription from the Princess, reading: 'In memory of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom'

Kate smiled as she arrived at Westminster this afternoon for the annual service

Pictured: Turkish Ambassador to the UK Koray Ertas leading service members during wreath laying and parade service

Crowds gathered to pay their respects in central London on Saturday morning

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Priti Patel attended the service at Westminster Abbey

Pictured: High Commissioner for Australia, Jay Weatherill, lay a wreath during the service on Saturday afternoon

Kate paid her respects alongside the High Commissioner for New Zealand Hamish Cooper (pictured left)

Kate pictured at the Westminster Abbey Service

The Royal Family posted on X: 'Today is #ANZACDay - which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.'

Anzac Day has been observed in London since King George V attended the first service at Westminster Abbey in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.

Anzac Day ceremonies were held in cities across Australia, the nation which Harry and Meghan visited on a whistlestop tour this month.

The pair's four-day trip, beginning on April 14 and ending on Wednesday, included an appearance by Meghan on Australia's Masterchef programme and a 1,700-per-person VIP 'meet and greet' in Sydney.

Meghan spent approximately two hours with women as part of a 'Her Best Life Retreat', which cost some $3,200 a ticket.

The Duchess of Sussex promoted her outfits worn during the trip on the platform OneOff, a company she also invests in.

She put the details of her wardrobe online following a deal with the AI-powered fashion website.

On the first day of the trip, during a visit to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, Meghan wore a $1,250 (922) 'Priscilla' dress from local designer Karen Gee, with $780 (575) 'Puffy Hearts' stud earrings by Real Fine Studio and $120 (88) 'Iridescent' Christian Dior leather pumps. All three were promoted on OneOff with links.

Prince Harry laid a wreath while attending the Australian War Memorial on April 15 during a four-day tour to the country with Meghan

Meghan visited a children's hospital and made a guest appearance on an episode of Australia's Masterchef

Harry and Meghan's trip to Australia was met with criticism by some over its purpose and costs

Prince Harry meanwhile visited Canberra during the trip to attend the Australian War Memorial, where he met Indigenous veterans, went to an Invictus Australia reception and participated in the daily Last Post Ceremony.

The Last Post Ceremony is held daily at 4.30pm at the War Memorial to remember those on the Honour Roll.

It includes the national anthem, a piper's lament, a soldier's story, and the Last Post bugle call.

Prince Harry attended the ceremony and then toured some exhibitions inside, which detail Australia's war history and those who sacrificed for their country.

The prince, who served in the British Army for ten years and completed two tours in Afghanistan, wore his service medals during the visit.
Americans are waiting with bated breath for the official announcement of President Donald Trump's UFO disclosure, which an insider believes will reveal 'reality-bending secrets.'

Trump made the order in February, directing the Pentagon to release all government files on UFOs and extraterrestrials in a move that could finally pull back the curtain on decades of closely guarded mysteries.

Joshua Golembeske, a field investigator for one of the world's oldest civilian UFO research organizations, the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), told the Daily Mail: 'This is significant. A sitting US president publicly calling for the release of UAP-related information is unprecedented.

'So the question is: what, if anything, is being withheld from the public and why? What reality-bending secrets or world-changing technologies could be sitting inside these programs?

Golembeske suggested the release could include confirmation of certain events, such as the infamous Roswell crash, the 'Tic Tac' incident in 2004, as well as lesser-known cases like the 1978 Fort Dix encounter.

He also said the path to full disclosure would unfold in four stages, beginning with official acknowledgment that humans are not alone, followed by efforts to define exactly what the mysterious phenomena are.

That would then be followed by revelations about the nature of the beings involved, whether extraterrestrial, interdimensional or something else entirely, before addressing the technology and long-standing questions tied to the encounters.

'First comes acknowledgment that we are not alone and then it gets weird,' Golembeske said, describing what he believes will be a slow and carefully managed rollout of information.

The UFO expert said Americans could learn the truth about the famous 2004 Tic-Tac incident. A screenshot from the video of a Navy pilot tracking the spacecraft over the Pacific. US military personnel in California believe they saw UFOs off the coast on November 14, 2004

Trump's order covers records on 'alien and extraterrestrial life,' UFOs and 'any and all other information connected' to these subjects.

'Trump now has a group of lawmakers backing him, demanding answers and openly challenging what's often referred to as the 'legacy program,'' said Golembeske, who is also the host of Cosmic Disclosure on Gaia.com.

'That term describes a decades-long effort with three potential areas: crash retrieval of unknown technology, reverse engineering through private aerospace, and a coordinated disinformation layer.'

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was tasked with leading the effort to produce these files, with some proponents suggesting this could force the acknowledgment of evidence.

Less than a month later, on March 18, the White House registered the domain 'aliens.gov,' and weeks later, the website showed a sign of activity.

The federal domain aliens.gov, which previously appeared inactive, is now returning an SSL error, a technical signal that the address may be connected to a live server but is not yet fully configured for public access.

An SSL error typically occurs when a server is set up, but the digital certificate required to establish a secure connection has not been obtained.

This usually means the domain is no longer dormant and may be undergoing development, even if no visible content has been published.

Another famous UFO case that could be solved is the 1947 Rosewell incident. Pictured is a military official holding what was initially believed to be an alien craft

The US Army initially reported as a 'flying disc' before quickly retracting the statement to nothing but a weather balloon.

'We're already in disclosure, and something significant has already been found,' Golembeske said. 'The evidence is overwhelming that we are being visited, and the government knows it.

'Too many military and public officials have come forward, too many large-scale studies, too many consistent sightings over decades, too many multi-radar, multi-witness events.'

He added that when it comes to well-known military cases, the public should not expect full disclosures, but may see confirmation that certain events were genuine encounters.

Those include the 1974 Roswell incident in New Mexico, where a rancher found unusual debris, which the US Army initially reported as a 'flying disc' before quickly retracting the statement to nothing but a weather balloon.

Golembeske also suggested Americans could finally get the truth about the oblong 'Tic-Tac' object spotted going at incredible speeds by \Navy pilots off the California coast, which was also picked up on sonar underwater.

On November 14 2004, Top Gun fighter pilot David Fravor was flying a training exercise off the coast of San Diego when he was rerouted to investigate a strange object spotted on radar by warships protecting his aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz.

The Phoenix Lights were a series of sightings on March 13, 1997, when thousands of people across Phoenix and surrounding areas reported seeing a massive V-shaped formation of lights moving silently across the night sky

He said he saw a roughly 40-foot white object with no windows or wings, shaped like a Tic-Tac, flitting about above the sea that was roiling below it, disturbed by something large submerged beneath the surface.

Fravor told Congress in 2023 that as he circled the object, it turned to mirror his movements, then shot off past him at thousands of miles per hour, somehow stopping a second later at a secret pre-designated rendezvous point 60 miles away, which only he and a handful of Navy staff on his ship were given ahead of their training exercise.

Disclosure about the 1978 Fort Dix encounter may also be released, according to Golembeske, which refers to reports that soldiers at the New Jersey base claimed to have seen a glowing unidentified object moving low over the base during a nighttime training exercise.

According to accounts circulated by UFO researchers, multiple personnel allegedly witnessed the object before it quickly disappeared from view.

The incident remains controversial because there are no widely released official military records confirming it, and most details come from later retellings rather than contemporaneous reports.

The UFO expert said he would be interested to see files on the 1980s Hudson Valley UFO sightings

The Hudson Valley UFO sightings refer to hundreds of reports between 1982 and 1986 of large, slow-moving triangular objects seen across parts of the Hudson Valley

'Personally, I'd be most interested in deeper insight into major UFO waves over the past 50 years, events like the Phoenix Lights and the Hudson Valley sightings, which involved large numbers of witnesses and still lack clear explanations,' Golembeske said.

The Phoenix Lights were a series of sightings on March 13, 1997, when thousands of people across Phoenix and surrounding areas reported seeing a massive V-shaped formation of lights moving silently across the night sky.

Witnesses described the lights as part of a huge craft that appeared to hover before slowly drifting out of view. Military officials later said some of the lights were flares dropped during training exercises, but many witnesses have disputed that explanation.

The Hudson Valley UFO sightings refer to hundreds of reports between 1982 and 1986 of large, slow-moving triangular objects seen across parts of the Hudson Valley.

Witnesses, including police officers and residents, described formations of bright lights that moved silently at low altitude over highways and towns.

Investigators later suggested some sightings may have been caused by groups of private pilots flying in formation, though many observers believed the objects remained unexplained.

Golembeske said the release of these records and others would likely unfold in stages, beginning with limited confirmations before expanding into deeper revelations about what the government believes it has encountered.

The first step, acknowledgement, would be followed by defining what the various phenomena actually are.

President Donald Trump announced the disclosure order in February, directing the Pentagon to release records on 'alien and extraterrestrial life,' UFOs and 'any and all other information connected' to these subjects

Golembeske was skeptical about whether Americans would be told the sightings are coming from spacefaring extraterrestrials from our galaxy, time-traveling humans or interdimensional entities outside our known reality.

He highlighted how Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna said she had seen evidence of 'interdimensional beings.'

In the next stage of release, he said he expects officials would reveal the technology that has been recovered.

This phase would focus on what governments may have learned from alleged recovered materials, including whether any advanced technologies were reverse-engineered.

The final step would involve answering broader questions about why these encounters are happening, why many reported beings appear humanoid and whether there are historical or religious connections tied to the phenomenon.

'Once that's established, the real questions begin, the ones that could change everything,' he said.
President Trump's deadline for answers to the deaths and disappearances of American scientists and nuclear officials is reportedly approaching, but a concerning update may leave many seeking answers disturbed.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett told the Daily Mail that if a conspiracy against the US scientific community was unfolding, he was concerned that the source may actually originate on US soil, not in a foreign country.

He suspected that a plot similar to the actions of the infamous Cold War-era CIA program MKUltra, which allegedly kidnapped and drugged scientists, may be taking place in present-day America.

Burchett said: 'I just go back to the whole concept of MKUltra. They kidnap people, [and] they loaded them up with acid or other mind-altering drugs. They tried to erase their memories.'

'And then they were sued in court. And then they claimed that it didn't exist. Then in 1975, they ordered a bunch of the records disposed of or destroyed. And then they come out later and said, "well, that it did exist, but it doesn't exist anymore." You know, which lies are we supposed to believe?'

A federal investigation has reportedly been opened into the collection of NASA-linked scientists, nuclear lab workers and a retired Air Force general who have either died or mysteriously vanished since 2022.

President Trump said on April 16: 'I hope it is random, but we are going to know in the next week and a half.'

Burchett, who has previously slammed the intelligence community for not responding to his attempts to get answers on the case, claimed that federal agents may end up withholding what they learn from the president as well.

Your browser does not support iframes.

'I'm in a meeting with some little punk bureaucrat with a man bun telling me that "the president's on a need-to-know basis." That, to me, sends a very chilling message for what's really going on out there,' Burchett said.

While discussing the investigation, Trump previously said: 'I just left a meeting on that subject, so pretty serious stuff. Hopefully, coincidence... but some of them were very important people, and we are going to look at it.'

However, the congressman revealed that it will likely be Washington intelligence officers briefing Trump on the deaths and disappearances, adding that 'they're not in the business of telling anybody the truth, or doing what's right.'

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told the Daily Mail: 'The White House continues to coordinate across the interagency in order to investigate these events and provide transparency to the American people.'

'We will not get ahead of the investigation,' Kelly added. The Trump Administration did not mention Burchett's comments in their statement.

The Tennessee lawmaker and other members of Congress have publicly expressed their concern over the alleged pattern of alarming incidents involving Americans who reportedly had access to classified information and national security secrets.

Chief among those individuals has been General William Neil McCasland, the former head of the Air Force Research Lab, who reportedly oversaw both nuclear and UFO-related programs.

'He's the guy that had a lot of nuclear secrets. I've been told by several sources that he was the gatekeeper for the UFO stuff,' Burchett told WABC radio in New York in March.

Congressman Tim Burchett (Pictured) feared that a plot similar to the Cold War-era CIA operation known as MKUltra was unfolding on US soil

Prior to the retired general's disappearance on February 27 from his New Mexico home, local authorities across the US had been investigating four other missing person cases and a number of deaths involving high-profile scientists working on key breakthroughs.

Daily Mail has reached out to the families of several individuals who have been named in the ongoing probe, all of whom have said they did not believe their missing or dead loved ones were tied to a conspiracy being carried out against US citizens.

However, Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri has noted that there is concern the pattern could be tied to the actions of a foreign government.

On April 19, Burlison wrote on X: 'We are in competition with China, Russia, and Iran on nuclear technology, advanced weapons, and space. Meanwhile, our top scientists keep vanishing.'

'This has all the hallmarks of a foreign operation. I am working with Democrats and Republicans to get the FBI fully engaged. This is not partisan.'

Burchett acknowledged the current national security theory, but revealed his own theory to the Daily Mail, suggesting that the string of disappearances may have been meant to 'send a message' to someone in the US considering leaking information to another world power.

Burchett began his analogy by saying: 'You and your family are mobbed up. And you own a very nice restaurant, a fancy restaurant that has a worldwide clientele, and you suspect your chef might be selling some of the recipes, or leaking them some to the competition.'

'You can't take him out, but you want to send him a message. The obvious way to do that, to me, would be to rough up a few busboys, and send that message up the chain,' the congressman continued.

'Granted, these 11 or 12 people that have disappeared or died mysteriously are not necessarily busboys, but there's somebody that's ahead of them in the food chain. There's somebody that knows more than most.'

Burchett added that individuals in private industry allegedly have access to materials 'that could be extraterrestrial.'

Working off of his unproven theory that an operation was unfolding to intimidate individuals feared to leak US secrets, the congressman said: 'It would probably serve them well to keep their mouths shut, especially right now.'
Anne Hathaway has addressed the 'young diva' rumors that plagued her early career, and admitted she's not a perfect person.

The actress, 43, explained that when she was starting out in Hollywood, she had to be 'armored' in order to protect herself.

In an interview with Vogue Australia to promote The Devil Wears Prada 2, she admitted that she was frightened to be her true 'sweet' self.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Speaking out: Anne Hathaway addressed the 'young diva' rumors that plagued her early career

Vulnerable: She told Vogue Australia she was frightened to be her true 'sweet' self

She said: 'And the truth is - the genuine truth is - Im not a perfect person by any stretch of the imagination.

'But one thing, Im a sweet person, and I think for many, many years it really frightened me to be a young, sweet woman, so I think I armored and hardened to try to protect myself.

'Various things have happened to me in my life, challenges Ive met that Im proud of.'

She went on to explain that she no longer feels the need for this armor to protect herself.

For her interview with Vogue, Anne looked incredible as she slipped into a figure-hugging red dress layered over a pair of red tights.

In another glamorous snap, the brunette beauty can be seen wrapped in a large red fur shawl as she poses in a black dress.

She said: 'And the truth isthe genuine truth isIm not a perfect person by any stretch of the imagination'

Anne suffered many claims of 'Diva' behavior when she first started out, as she once sent her breakfast of eggs and an English muffin back four times because it wasn't exactly how she wanted it.

The incident happened on the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood back in 2015, according to TMZ reports at the time.

When her breakfast arrived, Anne decided that the egg was too runny and sent it back. When it arrived a second time, the muffin was cold. The third time, the muffin was warm, but the egg was cold.

The catering staff finally got it just right, and the fourth time the poached egg, muffin and slices of avocado were spot on. But by this time the actress had changed her mind and wanted a fried egg, not a poached one.

Meanwhile, in 2008, while promoting the film Rachel Getting Married In Toronto, OK! magazine claimed the star delayed press interviews until she got the right kind of breakfast.

'Anne requested lattes but only ones with soy milk so she made a guy go out and bring back five soy lattes for her and her crew,' a source told the magazine.

'Then she requested scrambled eggs since she didnt like the breakfast available,' the source added.

'The same guy had to go to a restaurant next door and ask for the eggs. It took 45 minutes, and then she barely even touched them!'

In October 2013, reps for the actress were forced to deny published reports that she had demanded no-one 'talk to her' while hosting a charity fundraiser.

A source told In Touch Weekly that her team had a long list of demands about how she should be treated at the Pink Party Gala, including that everyone should 'respect her space.'

But the stars publicist Stephen Huvane told the Daily Mail at the time that the claims were '100 per cent false.'

We never made any such requests, and Anne happily interacted with the organisers and guests at the event,' Stephen stated.

Anne has officially returned as Andy Sachs in the highly anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, which is set to premiere in theatres on May 1.

She has recently attended various world premieres of the film, including events in New York City and London.

Nearly 20 years after the original, the story follows Andy as she returns to Runway magazine as a features editor.

She reunites with Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), who is nearing retirement and facing off against her former assistant-turned-rival, Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt).
President Donald Trump has escalated his feud with Candace Owens, delivering some of his most explosive insults yet.

The president took to Truth Social on Friday to blast the right-wing commentator, who he branded an 'extremely low IQ individual.'

He shared an image of a mocked-up Time magazine cover bearing an unflattering image of Owens with the title: 'Vile Person of the Year.'

President Donald Trump jumped on Truth Social to slam Candace Owens, 36, amid her ongoing legal feud with French First Lady Brigitte Macron after she claimed Macron was born male

The mocked up Time cover contained other fake headlines claiming Owens 'lies,' and 'uses rich white men.'

The image claimed that Owens 'protects sex offenders' and has a '0 per cent fact check ratio on all credible fact checking sites.'

Trump slammed Owens amid her ongoing legal feud with French First Lady Brigitte Macron after she repeatedly claimed Mme Macron was born male.

'Candace Owens' stock, which was never very high, has fallen a long way,' Trump wrote in a caption alongside the magazine cover.

'Her attack on the First Lady of France is despicable. I believe, in this case, without verification, she is an extremely low IQ individual!'

Owens is currently involved in an ongoing legal battle over her claims about French President Emmanuel Macron's wife.

She was previously a staunch and vocal supporter of the president, but their relationship has soured over the last year following her criticism of Trump's handling of the situation with Iran.

Attack: The President made his comments along with a mock up of a Time magazine cover featuring Owens

The tensions spilled over into a full-blown feud after Owens said she was 'embarrassed' to support the president.

Her criticism only mounted following the outbreak of the conflict with Iran and the two have been trading jabs ever since.

Just days ago, Owens questioned if Trump was 'gay' during a monologue on her show, suggesting the president had sex with the French First Lady 'when he was a man,' Mediaite reported.

Her comment came after the president dismissed her as 'crazy.'

He wrote online: '"Crazy" Candace Owens, who accuses the Highly Respected First Lady of France of being a man, when she is not, and will hopefully win lots of money in the ongoing lawsuit.

'Actually, to me, the First Lady of France is a far more beautiful woman than Candace, in fact, it's not even close!'

Clashes: Owens and Trump have been verbally sparring since she ramped up her criticism of the Iran war

Claims: Owens is currently in an ongoing legal battle with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife after she falsely claimed the French First Lady was born a man

Case: The Macrons in turn filed a 218-page lawsuit in Delaware against Owens on July 23, 2025, seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages

Owens previously claimed the president had called her personally to ask her to stop targeting Macron.

Owens said she based her allegations against the French First Lady on what she called a 'thorough investigation' by French blogger Natacha Rey who first raised the absurd allegations.

The Macrons filed a 218-page lawsuit in Delaware against Owens on July 23, 2025, seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.

The couple said in a statement at the time: 'Because Ms Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods in response to each of our attorneys' repeated requests for a retraction, we ultimately concluded that referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue for remedy.

'Ms Owens's campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety. We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused.

'It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.'

A statement shared with the Daily Mail said Owens had 'promoted a preposterous narrative about the Macrons, including incendiary and verifiably false accusations of identity theft, incest, violent crimes, and mind control.'

Owens doubled down in September last year to announce that the lawsuit would be escalated so that Macron undergoes a 'third-party examination.'
UN mission chief urges conditions for credible ceasefire monitoring in eastern DR Congo

Xinhua) 10:47, April 25, 2026

James Swan (R), head of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as MONUSCO, arrives in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), April 24, 2026. James Swan on Friday called for effective ceasefire monitoring. (Str/Xinhua)

GOMA, DR Congo, April 24 (Xinhua) -- James Swan, head of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as MONUSCO, on Friday called for effective ceasefire monitoring.

Swan, who also serves as special representative of the UN secretary-general for the DRC, made the remarks upon his arrival in Goma, a strategic eastern city currently held by the rebel Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).

He said Goma, a major regional urban hub, remains central to efforts to de-escalate the conflict, protect civilians, and advance the ongoing peace process.

Speaking at the Goma international airport, which remains closed, severely hampering humanitarian access, Swan said he would engage with the "de facto authorities" while assessing the conditions under which MONUSCO can continue implementing its mandate in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

The visit marks Swan's first trip to Goma since taking office on April 7. The North Kivu provincial capital, once home to about two million people, has been under AFC/M23 control since January 2025.

His arrival came a week after talks in Montreux, Switzerland, between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23, where both sides reported progress on the peace process, including humanitarian access, judicial protection, the operationalization of a ceasefire monitoring mechanism, and the release of detainees.

Swan welcomed progress toward the signing of a protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection, urging both parties to uphold their commitments to swiftly concluding an agreement and ending the suffering of civilians affected by the conflict.

He stressed that effective ceasefire monitoring would require several essential conditions, including a secure operating environment for the monitoring mechanism. These efforts, he said, include an end to the use of offensive drones, as well as the cessation of GPS signal jamming and spoofing.

Before arriving in Goma, Swan also visited Beni and Bunia, two areas affected by persistent insecurity, particularly attacks by the Islamic State-related Allied Democratic Forces.

Despite commitments made under the peace processes, the situation on the ground remains fragile. Fighting between the government military and AFC/M23 rebels continues to be reported along several front lines, particularly in South Kivu Province, with both sides accusing each other of repeated ceasefire violations.

James Swan (C), head of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as MONUSCO, delivers a remark at the airport in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), April 24, 2026. James Swan on Friday called for effective ceasefire monitoring. (Str/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Zhong Wenxing)
April 23, 2026: A new Chinese warship has been spotted by satellite photos under construction in a shipyard. The ship has two large square spaces visible that reveal the position and size of the main VLS/Vertical Launch System. Large warships are often measured in terms of the number of VLS cells they have. Estimates imply that the Chinese super battleship will have over 200 VLS cells, far more than earlier designs. It is believed that these cells will likely carry new quantum hyper-sonic weapons. Quantum hypersonic weapons combine quantum technology with hypersonic speeds, exceeding Mach 5.They travel faster than traditional missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.

Quantum technology applies principles of quantum mechanics for improved targeting and guidance systems. This enables missiles to evade radar and other detection systems through advanced materials and appearances. These missiles could be used for strategic military strikes, defense systems, and avoidance capabilities.

The main gun battery is reportedly to contain at least three rail guns. This is a technology which China has been testing for years. High-powered lasers, strong enough to threaten low-earth-orbit satellites, will provide anti-missile and air defense.

The central citadel, referred to as Xi Tower in Chinese language sources, has 12 decks and offers commanding sea views from the upper stories. The navigation bridge, where the Captain sits, is topped by the flag bridge for Admirals. And above that is the viewing bridge for political Commissars, demonstrating the status of Chinese military hierarchies. The uppermost floor is divided into four apartments. The private club and other hosting facilities are expected to outshine those of the proposed American ship design, an advantage when you want to intimidate potential adversaries or allies.

As the major nations move to the Floating Fortress stage of international competition, naval might is being measured in volume. The sheer scale of this vessel suggests a shift in naval doctrine: from outmaneuvering the enemy to simply obstructing their freedom of navigation.

Now China is building a vessel with the land area of a mid-sized suburb. It has stopped being a naval arms race and has become a hostile real estate takeover of the Pacific.

In comparison, the last American conventional battleships armed with 16/406mm guns were the four 60,000 Iowa class. Four of these ships were built between 1940 and 1944. Each cost $1.6 billion in 2026 dollars. These vessels were 270 meters long, with a top speed of 61 kilometers an hour and a range of 27,000 kilometers at 28 kilometers an hour cruising speed. The ship carried a crew of 2,700 and was armed with nine 406mm cannon, twenty 5/127mm guns, 80 40mm and 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns. The large guns had a range of 43 kilometers. Electronics include air and surface search radars as well as a fire control radar. Belt armor for the four Iowas were 307mm to 368mm depending on the ship. Turrets, conning tower and decks were also armored. Aircraft consisted of three float planes.

The four Iowas were decommissioned after World War II and then brought back several times. USS Iowa was decommissioned in 1949, brought back 1951-88 and finally in 1984-90. For New Jersey it was 1948, 1950-57, 1968-69 and 1982-91. For Missouri it was 1955, and 1986-92. For Wisconsin it was 1948, 1951-58, and 1988-91. When returned to service after World War II, the Iowas received upgrades consisting of missile launchers, improved electronics and helicopters/drones instead of floatplanes.

Another aspect of all this is how, since World War II, the descriptions given to warships have evolved. Warships called destroyers appeared a century ago and by the end of World War I they were ships of about 1,000 tons armed with a few guns and some torpedoes and depth charges. By World War II, destroyers had grown to about 3,000 tons. There were also cruisers, weighing in at between 6,000 and 12,000 tons, and battleships, which were 30-60,000 tons. Half a century later, all that's left for surface warfare are destroyers and frigates. For whatever reason, the modern frigates perform the same mission and are about the same size as the World War II destroyers.

Meanwhile modern destroyers have grown to the size of World War II cruisers. Actually, some of the larger destroyers are called cruisers, even though they are only 10-20 percent heavier than the largest destroyers. The latest ships in the U.S. Navy's Burke class destroyers weigh 9,200 tons, cost $1.5 billion to build, have a crew of about 330 sailors, and carry 96 anti-aircraft and cruise missiles. There's only one 5 inch gun, but two helicopters. These modern destroyers could take on any World War II cruiser and win, mainly because the cruise missiles have a range of 1,500 kilometers. A Burke class ship could probably defeat a World War II battleship, although we'll never know for sure since one of those heavily armored ships never got hit by a modern cruise missile. In effect, the U.S. Navy has settled on just four major combat ship types; aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and nuclear submarines.
Joaquin Phoenix excels in this rambling satire of extremism

Year: 2025

Certificate: 15

Watch now on NOW

Watch now on Sky

This weird modern Western is trying to say a lot of things, and spends two-and-a-half hours saying them - a fact that may appeal or repel. It is set in Eddington, a small town in New Mexico, during the fake news-stoked craziness of the 2020 Covid pandemic.

Here, mask-refusing Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix, rarely better than he is here) stands off against the local mayor (Pedro Pascal), sparking a tinderbox of violence fanned by young Black Lives Matter protesters. Meanwhile, Sheriff Joe is also under siege from his mentally ill wife (an under-used Emma Stone) and her conspiracy-obsessed mother (Deirdre O'Connell). Later on, Austin Butler wafts in and out as a radical cult leader.

Positioning itself in the crosshairs of the culture wars and, for once, slicing into both sides, Eddington is an urgent satire on the madness and mass delusion that infects the US today - or would be if it didn't unravel into indulgent incoherence.

Director Ari Aster made his name with two terrific modern horror classics, Hereditary and Midsommar. This isn't the equal of either of those but, for completists and Phoenix fans, it may be worth a whirl. (149 minutes)
Mark Holden has issued a sobering warning to his former co-star Kyle Sandilands as the shock jock's legal battle with ARN rages on.

Holden, 71, was a foundational judge on Australian Idol and shared the panel with Sandilands for three seasons from 2005 to 2007.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Holden said he was concerned that the pressure the court battle was placing on Sandilands, 54, was not good for his health.

Following his axing from Idol in 2008, Holden transitioned into law, working as a barrister from 2010 to 2023 and knows only too well the toll such high-profile cases can take.

'He's unfortunately boxed himself into a corner,' Holden said.

'Having spent the last 13 years in and out of courts, the very, very last place I ever want to be again is in a court.'

Mark Holden has issued a sobering warning to his former co-star Kyle Sandilands as the shock jock's legal battle with ARN rages on

Holden, 71, was a foundational judge on Australian Idol and shared the panel with Sandilands for three seasons from 2005 to 2007. (Pictured: host Osher Gunsberg, Kyle Sandilands and Mark Holden)

While Holden was quick to admit that he could see why Sandilands was challenging his termination, he pleaded for him to pay attention to his health.

'There's no denying that radio is Kyle's life  he lives for it,' Holden said.

'But my advice to him would be: "Get your health correct, because you don't look healthy."'

Holden also pleaded for Sandilands to consider the toll the drama was taking on his wife, Tegan Kynaston, 40 and their three-year-old son, Otto.

'And the pressure that you must be under, and your heart and all of that  you don't need to make any more money, mate. Look after your health,' he said.

'You've got a son and a wife. Look after your health. His money is making him money.'

Sandilands' health has come to the fore over the last 12 months, with the shock jock revealing, in February last year, that he required immediate surgery after doctors detected an aneurysm on his brain and a second one in his chest.

While Sandilands is certainly no stranger to starting 'beefs' with co-stars and rivals, Holden said that he never saw any such behaviour on the Australian Idol set.

'I have a great deal of affection for Kyle, I really do. I know that he is the most hardworking person,' he said.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Holden said he was concerned that the pressure the court battle was placing on Sandilands, 54, was not good for his health

'There's no denying that radio is Kyle's life, he lives for it,' Holden said. 'But my advice to him would be: "Get your health correct, because you don't look healthy."'

'So I just can't imagine the pain that both he and Jackie are going through at the moment having to go through a court case.'

Holden's comments come as it was revealed that Sandilands and Henderson will never present breakfast radio on KIIS again, as the radio giant revealed relationships have 'completely broken down' and prospects are 'hopeless'.

The revelations were made in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday amid civil cases brought by both stars against former employer ARN, owner of KIIS 106.5, over the termination of their combined $200million contracts.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show came to an end on February 20 following an on-air fight when Sandilands slammed Henderson for her 'fixation' on astrology, and then mocked her for crying.

Sandilands is claiming he shouldn't have been sacked, while Henderson is claiming ARN failed to protect her from Sandilands' alleged bullying and breached the Fair Work Act.

Confronted with a media pack outside court, Sandilands hopped out of a black Rolls-Royce and made it clear the radio stars are currently not communicating, saying: 'I haven't spoken to Jackie.'

Sandilands also made a series of veiled comments about his ARN bosses and former co-host Henderson, talking about 'truth' and 'media dynamics', and demanded that ARN 'put me back on radio'.

However, a lawyer representing ARN told the court 'trust and confidence has utterly broken down between the parties... it's a hopeless situation'.

Continuing, Holden also pleaded for Sandilands to consider the toll the drama was taking on his wife Tegan Kynaston and their three-year-old son, Otto

'And the pressure that you must be under, and your heart and all of that  you don't need to make any more money, mate. Look after your health,' he said. 'You've got a son and a wife. Look after your health. His money is making him money'

'The idea that they might get a [court] order for the parties to get together and cooperate for the next nine years is hopeless,' he said.

Henderson and Sandilands had nine years left on their contracts by the time they were terminated.

Sandilands' lawyer Scott Robertson SC told the court there was no dispute over what his client said to Henderson because the KIIS 106.5 studio was like reality show Big Brother  everything was recorded, whether or not it went to air.

Mr Robertson also referred to ARN's defence as 'the kitchen sink defence'.

Referring to Sandilands' conduct during broadcasts, Mr Robertson said: 'If you buy Kyle, you get Kyle.'

'The conduct Mr Sandilands engaged in was contractually desired  that was a word used in the contract  and it was monetised,' he said.

He opposed the idea that Sandilands' case could be heard simultaneously with Henderson's own case against the radio giant, saying Henderson's case may take longer to prepare, which would create an 'unnecessary' delay.

Any delay could potentially result in further costs for Sandilands, he said.

Holden's comments come as it was revealed that Sandilands and Henderson will never present breakfast radio on KIIS again, as the radio giant reveals relationships have 'completely broken down' and prospects are 'hopeless'

Henderson did not appear in court, but her lawyer said there was no dispute from ARN that Sandilands allegedly bullied her client.

Her main claim, the lawyer said, was whether ARN was responsible for Henderson's wellbeing at work.

She opposed the idea that both matters could be heard at the same time because, while Henderson is suing ARN rather than Sandilands, her claim includes allegations that Sandilands 'caused her significant psychological harm'.

Joining the matters would place Henderson at the centre of a much larger case that goes beyond the scope of her Fair Work claim, her lawyer said.

Henderson's matter will include evidence about her mental health, and the impact the situation has had on her wellbeing.

ARN lawyers argued the matters should be heard together because there was a large amount of overlapping evidence.

'It was all recorded, we don't expect there will be a dispute about what has occurred - Ms Henderson said these incidents amounted to workplace bullying... and we agree that is a correct characterisation of that conduct,' he said.

'We don't expect Mr Sandilands to agree this amounted to serious misconduct, but the court is going to look at that conduct, characterise it, reaching conclusions about both and find facts about that conduct.'

The revelations were made in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday amid civil cases brought by both stars against former employer ARN, owner of KIIS 106.5, over the termination of their combined $200million contracts

He said those conclusions may end up being very different if the cases were heard separately.

Justice Stewart tentatively set hearing dates for October 12, but did not make a decision over whether the matters should merge.

Outside court, Sandilands said: 'I can talk to anyone  it's the media business.

'One day you hate someone, the next day you're best friends... There's strategy and then there's truth, and once we get inside, you'll get all the answers out and the truth will raise its head.'

He also said the dispute had become 'pretty ugly', adding that his message to ARN was to put him back on the radio.
Christina Applegate's sudden health scare sparked an outpouring of love from across Hollywood as friends and former co-stars rushed to reach her, fearing they might not get another chance.

As the Emmy-winning actress, 54, battled a severe flare-up of her multiple sclerosis late last month, messages, flowers and visits poured in from every chapter of her career - from recent colleagues to those who knew her decades ago.

For some, it was about more than support - it was about making sure 'nothing was left unsaid.'

The Daily Mail has learned that among the celebs to privately reach out were her Anchorman costar Will Ferrell, Linda Cardellini who she starred with in the 2019 comedy Dead to Me and Jean Smart who played her mother in Samantha Who? back in 2007.

Ed O'Neill and Katey Sagal, who played Applegate's parents on the long-running 90s sitcom Married... with Children, also reached out to her, the Daily Mail can reveal.

'They don't think this is it for her, she's not dying right now. But they wanted to make sure that nothing was left unsaid,' a source who worked on the show and is still close with Applegate told the Daily Mail. 'They told each other that they love each other.'

Applegate has remained close with her TV family. Sagal was present in 2022 when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and O'Neill has been a guest on Applegate's podcast, MeSsy.

'I don't want to say that Ed is a father figure to her, but they have kept in touch since their Married with Children days and they are very, very close,' a source  who is a fellow actor and is close to O'Neill  told the Daily Mail.

Applegate starred on Married With Children from 1987 to 1997, catapulting her to fame and igniting a long TV and movie career

Applegate described her five-year battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) as 'a living hell'

'They always have been. They text, they see each other, they call on the phone,' the source added.

'He heard the news that she was hospitalized and he immediately texted her and asked if he could help, told her he loved her, that he was here for her in any way that she needs.'

Watching his TV daughter deteriorate has been hard on O'Neill, the insider told the Daily Mail.

'He is anguished,' they continued. 'Just so worried about her, he loves her very much. Obviously it's not like she's on her deathbed, I don't think, but she's not doing well and anything can happen.

'He hates to see her suffering, that really gets to him. So he's offered whatever he can do to help. He's family to her.'

It is understood that Applegate has been hospitalized for the best part of a month - the latest chapter in her five-year battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The disease causes numbness, weakness, trouble walking and vision changes which get worse with age and become debilitating during flare-ups.

For the past two years she has been largely bed-bound. But the attack last month was the most severe yet, friends told the Daily Mail.

Sagal has been in constant communication with Applegate in order to get regular updates on her condition. 'She is worried,' a source close to Sagal said.

Applegate, who now walks with a cane, was surrounded by her Married with Children mom and brother while receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022

TV dad Ed O'Neill 'raised me,' Applegate said on her podcast last year

'Christina is in and out of the hospital, but this time felt different because it's been so long  and also she didn't tell anyone she was going in.

'So to her friends, it feels sudden and serious. But she's not telling anyone really what it is, just that she's going to get back on her feet.'

Applegate took to Instagram on Monday to reassure her followers she was getting 'stronger and better every day.'

She posted a photo of her memoir, You With The Sad Eyes, and a mug in front of a fruiting tree, sharing that she would be 'taking a moment to focus on [her] health.'

Her caption read: 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and well wishes. Health issues are a constant for me, but I'm a strong chick and I'm getting stronger and better every day. I'm taking a moment to focus on my health, but I'll be back with more to say soon enough.'

Applegate's representative told the Daily Mail that they 'have no comment on whether she is in the hospital or what her medical treatments are. She's had a long history of complicated medical conditions that she has been refreshingly open about, as evidenced in her memoir and on her podcast.'

But the source who knew Applegate from her time on Married... With Kids, told the Daily Mail those close to her were quietly optimistic.

'She is getting stronger, like she said. Less dizziness, less nausea. This was a bad one but she's optimistic,' the source said.

Her MS diagnosis in 2021 was not the start of her health issues.

Applegate was diagnosed with an early-stage, BRCA1-positive cancer in 2008 at age 36. She underwent a double mastectomy and later reconstructive surgery.

Applegate has appeared in at least 35 movies, including 2004's blockbuster Anchorman

Applegate won an Emmy award for her guest apperance as Jennifer Aniston's sister on Friends

The Dead To Me actress subsequently became an advocate for genetic testing and early screening through her foundation, Right Action for Women

Applegate reflected on her health battles in her memoir.

'One of the worst side-effects of [MS] is the exhaustion,' she wrote. 'It feels as though I've been on a threeday sleepless bender  and that's how I feel after a good night's sleep. Hence all the time I spend on and in bed, snuggled up against my heating pad.

'On the back of that diagnosis and the symptoms I face, I no longer care what I say or how I come across or how it makes anyone feel.

'I don't have patience for bulls*** any more, for things that are meaningless or merely "extra."'

For her friends and colleagues, Applegate's condition has been a sobering reminder that life and good health can be fleeting.

'She has always been so vibrant and full of life, despite her health issues,' said the O'Neill insider.

'So to see her like this is devastating, and it really is tough for the people who love her. Of course they hope she lives to be 90, but they treat each time they see her as if it'll be the last.'
Magda Szubanski has issued a warning to fans, after she was targeted in another online hoax.

The Kath & Kim star, 65, took to Instagram on Friday to expose a 'bulls***' health scam which used both her name and celebrity GP, Dr Ginni Mansberg, to lure unsuspecting people into buying products.

'Hi peeps, its bulls*** scam alert time again,' she said in the clip.

'I have never met Dr Ginni Mansberg, let alone had a conversation in public or in private with her about how, when, where, why, how often I wee.'

She continued: 'Theres something going around on the internet. Its just a scam trying to flog some product called Vital Hemp. Its all bulls***.'

Magda then urged her followers not to believe everything they see online.

Magda Szubanski has issued a warning to fans, after she was targeted in another online hoax

'The rule of thumb, I would say, is if you want to know if something is true or whether Ive said it, come to my Instagram page and thats where I put my posts,' she said.

'This is very annoying and I really hope you havent wasted your money. Happy Friday, love you all.'

She was also quick to clarify, in the post's caption, that Dr Mansberg was also a victim of the scam.

'Dr Ginni is NOT the perpetrator!! Shes being used just like me,' she wrote.

It's now the third time this year that Magda has been the subject of online hoaxes.

Back in January, Magda issued an urgent warning to fans after her likeness was used in a cruel scam.

Sharing an AI-generated image of a woman resembling her lying in a hospital bed, the Kath & Kim star made it clear the image was fake and was being used to swindle well-meaning supporters out of money.

'Ok. Dear peeps. This lovely lady  whoever she is  is not me. I hope she's doing well,' Magda wrote.

The Kath & Kim star, 65, took to Instagram on Friday to expose a 'bulls***' health scam which used both her name and celebrity GP, Dr Ginny Mansberg, to lure unsuspecting people into buying products

'Hi peeps, its bulls*** scam alert time again,' she said in the clip. 'I have never met Dr Ginni Mansberg let alone had a conversation in public or in private with her about how, when, where, why, how often I wee'

She warned the image was being circulated online to raise funds supposedly for her cancer treatment, stressing she had absolutely no involvement in the appeal, and urged fans not to donate.

'Please don't think it's me and DEFINITELY DO NOT DONATE MONEY TO ANY MEDICAL FUNDRAISER THAT PURPORTS TO BE ME!! If you want the real me you can always find me here. Otherwise  it's a scam,' she cautioned.

Then, in February, Magda was the victim of another cruel hoax that claimed she had died.

A recent photo of Magda was shared to social media and captioned with some heartbreaking  and false  words.

'Thank you and goodbye Magda Szubanski. 1961  2026,' the fake tribute began.

'Grab your tissues! At 4 a.m. today, the family of beloved entertainer Magda Szubanski released a heartbreaking announcement: "She can finally rest in peace...".'

However, followers quickly noticed it was a cruel hoax as Magda was still alive, and took to the comments section to voice their dissatisfaction.

'If Magda had passed, it would be all over the news,' one person wrote.

Pleading for fans not to believe everything they see online, Madga was quick to clarify that Dr Mansberg (pictured) was also a victim of the hoax

It's now the third time this year that Magda has been the subject of online hoaxes

'I wonder what the celebrities think when they see themselves pass away,' another person quipped.

'It would be on the news before anywhere else. Not true,' a third chimed in.

Magda, who announced that she was battling a rare form of cancer known as Mantle Cell Lymphoma in May last year, revealed in February that she was in remission after completing chemotherapy.

'It's not a cure, but if Ive got a good remission, hopefully that will mean Ill be able to keep the cancer at bay for a good long time,' she said.




Rebel Wilson has been accused of masterminding a cyber attack on a young actress which led to her nude photo being leaked.

The Australian actress, 46, is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes, 27, the star of Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb.

In a bombshell affidavit, filed in the Federal Court on Friday, MacInnes alleged that Wilson arranged for her social media account to be hacked and a nude photo shared to MacInnes' entire contact list.

MacInnes alleges that her Snapchat account was breached, and there was an attempt to hack her Facebook account days after she filed legal proceedings against Wilson in September 2025.

'I believe that this was orchestrated by Rebel,' MacInnes wrote in her statement.

'It was completely terrifying and caused me a new kind of anxiety.'

Rebel Wilson has been accused of masterminding a cyber attack on a young actress which led to her nude photo being leaked

There has been no evidence tendered to support her claim, and Wilson, who was also present at court on Friday, has not yet been questioned about the hack.

MacInnes, who said that she once 'looked up' to Wilson, also alleged that she was left feeling powerless after Wilson shared posts with her 11 million Instagram followers accusing the actress of dishonestly retracting a sexual harassment complaint.

'I felt as though she was ripping me apart and showing it off to the world,' MacInnes wrote in her affidavit.

'I was angry that Rebel claims to be someone who stands up for women... but then was so maliciously and unfairly persisting with a narrative that painted me as a liar, prostitute, sell-out, and whore.'

MacInnes also claimed she made the decision not to attend the premiere of The Deb  her first feature film  because she didn't feel safe around Wilson.

'I continue to feel unsafe in the industry I had once dreamed of, as Rebel is so well known and I do not yet feel I have enough of a voice to fight back,' she alleged.

The case revolves around a bath that MacInnes shared with The Deb co-producer Amanda Ghost at Bondi Beach in September 2023, after Ghost allegedly suffered a medical episode following a sunset swim.

Wilson claims MacInnes had confided that she had felt uncomfortable after Ghost requested they shower and bathe together, but MacInnes has denied ever making a complaint.

The Australian actress, 46, is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes, 27, the star of Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb

In a bombshell affidavit, filed in the Federal Court on Friday, MacInnes alleged that Wilson arranged for her social media account to be hacked and a nude photo shared to MacInnes' entire contact list

MacInnes alleges that her Snapchat account was breached and there was an attempt to hack her Facebook account days after she filed legal proceedings against Wilson in September 2025

Ghost told the Federal Court on Friday she was shocked when Wilson said MacInnes reported feeling uncomfortable and asked her to clarify whether a complaint was being made.

'Charlotte says all good,' Wilson informed her after speaking to MacInnes.

'She just meant "it was a bizarre situation", not that she personally felt uncomfortable.'

When Ghost expressed her relief, the first-time director explained MacInnes instantly said there were "zero issues".

But the producer agreed she had doubts about MacInnes' honesty after discussing the complaint further with Wilson.

'I was annoyed after Rebel presented a case about her to me,' she said.

Ghost said she was so concerned she decided to avoid MacInnes, instigate a third-party investigation into the complaint, and evict the young actor from the apartment.

However, she came to believe MacInnes was telling the truth after meeting with her in person, she told the court.

MacInnes also claimed that an Instagram post, shared by Wilson's wife Ramona Agruma on Friday morning, 'mocked' evidence she gave in court on Thursday

MacInnes also claimed that an Instagram post, shared by Wilson's wife Ramona Agruma on Friday morning, 'mocked' evidence she gave in court on Thursday.

Agruma shared an image of the Finding Nemo character Dory on her Instagram Story, with a caption that read: 'I suffer from short-term memory loss... or do I? I can't remember.'

'I felt as though she was mocking the evidence I gave,' MacInnes told the court.

Meanwhile, Wilson will take the stand when court resumes on Tuesday.
After having kept her troubling secret for some two decades, Katie Knowles suddenly went public: she had been repeatedly raped by her own father over years of her childhood, she revealed.

The business owner and influencer, 35, who married veteran TV presenter Nick last year, astonished friends and followers by opening up about the sustained sexual abuse she had suffered.

It's understood even members of her inner family had no idea that she was planning to out her own father as her rapist.

In a video posted to Instagram last Saturday, she said: 'I have never spoken about this publicly, other than to friends, family and even then not everyone. I was raped by my dad for years, years and years.'

The decision to make this most personal of information public marked an extraordinary step for the mother-of-two who had previously only ever alluded to having a 'very difficult' relationship with her father, who died in 2008 when she was just 18.

Now the Daily Mail can reveal that Katie's bold decision to go public appears to have been the culmination of a prolonged period of reflection during which she sought to find out about the man who stole her childhood.

Katie spent weeks combing through and inquiring about old pictures of her father earlier this year prior to her decision to go public as she uncovered how he had had an apparently traumatic childhood.

So who was her rapist father?

After having kept her troubling secret for some two decades, Katie Knowles suddenly went public: she had been repeatedly raped by her own father (pictured) over years of her childhood, she revealed

The business owner and influencer, 35, who married veteran TV presenter Nick last year, astonished friends and followers by opening up about the sustained sexual abuse she had suffered. Pictured: Her father, centre, as a child

It's understood even members of her inner family had no idea that she was planning to out her own father (right, as a child) as her rapist

In a video (pictured) posted to Instagram last Saturday, she said: 'I have never spoken about this publicly, other than to friends, family and even then not everyone. I was raped by my dad for years, years and years'

David Eugene Dadzie was a mixed race boy, born in Islington, north London, in May 1949 to a Yorkshire-born British mother and a father who had come to Britain from Lagos in Nigeria.

The family lived in Erith, south-east London but he would soon be sent to a strict boarding school miles from home.

When Dadzie was still a young child he won a place at a Catholic boys school which had a history of taking in less well off children from London - and he attended Salesian College, in the Temple Cowley area of Oxford, as a boarder.

Katie shared pictures of her father as a schoolboy in uniform just last month, asking members of a Facebook group for alumni of the school for information about him.

Other snaps show Dadzie, who is understood to have been a boarder, alongside two other pupils, all wearing choir boy cassocks and surplices, with their hands held in prayer.

But life at the school does not appear to have been easy, with Katie writing alongside her post that her father has previously told her himself his time there was 'horrible'.

'Priests beat you, they were called n*gs because of their vestments and I think there was a priest called Flash  maybe because of how quickly he slapped you around the head,' she said.

Users in the comments section confirmed this brutal impression of life at the college.

Calling the institution 'nasty' and 'violent', they claimed boys were beaten with a cane, slipper or a priest's bare hands, often without warning  and on one occasion, in the face until they bled.

Katie's posts about her monster father also show her reflecting on the discrimination he is likely to have faced as a half-Nigerian boy in 1950s Britain.

Katie shared an old newspaper cutting of him from when he was a child with her some 100,000 Instagram followers - and her thoughts about it.

The clipping  which described Dadzie, in outdated language, as one of a pair of 'coloured children'  pictured him as a five-year-old, eating ice cream with a friend, at a park in Erith.

In reference to his mixed-race heritage, the caption attempted a clumsy allusion to the slang of the US Deep South followed by a glaring example of what would now be called 'othering'. It reads: 'This sho' is goodAnd just like any other children, they just loved their ice cream.'

Katie wrote of the cutting: 'I found this photo of my dad in an old newspaper last night. His name printed there. His little face eating an ice cream. A moment from his childhood, frozen in time.

'And yet the words around it are unbelievably racist. Reading them in black and white was shocking, upsetting, and strangely moving all at once.'

And then she gave her followers a clue to the more complex feelings she had for her father.

She continued: 'My dad died when I was 18, and we had a really difficult relationship. There are things that could never be resolved.

'So seeing him like this  as a five-year-old boy, just another child eating ice cream  made me feel sad & proud.'

Now the Daily Mail can reveal that Katie's bold decision to go public appears to have been the culmination of a prolonged period of reflection. Katie spent weeks combing through and inquiring about old pictures of her father (right, as a child) earlier this year

Katie recently shared an old newspaper cutting of him from when he was a child with her some 100,000 Instagram followers - and her thoughts (pictured) about it

David Eugene Dadzie (left, as a child) was a mixed race boy, born in Islington, north London, in May 1949 to a Yorkshire-born British mother and a father who had come to Britain from Lagos in Nigeria

Katie also shared pictures of her father as a schoolboy in uniform just last month, asking members of a Facebook group (pictured) for alumni of the school for information about him

It feels curious that she would allude to being proud of her father just a short time before letting the world know about how monstrous he eventually became - but it shows perhaps her processing complex feelings about him before doing so.

She went on: '1950 wasn't that long ago. It's within living memory. And while I've been fortunate not to experience racism like that myself, I have no doubt that he did. That he carried things I never fully understood when I was younger.

'Looking at this now, in a world where politics, resentment, and division seem to be escalating again, it makes me feel uneasy. Worried, even.

'For my children. For anyone who looks different. For the kind of world we're creating together.

'But it also reminds me how far we've come  and how important it is that we keep moving forward, with empathy, curiosity, and kindness.'

Soon after this spell of reflection on how to reconcile the cruelty her father experienced as a child with his subsequent terrible actions he inflicted on her, her thinking appears to have reached a kind of boiling point. She would make her extraordinary revelation about Dadzie just weeks later.

In her powerful Instagram video, she said: 'There are times when it comes up but I have had a lot of therapy to get to be being as balanced as I can be about it now, and "can be" is the important bit. It's not all men, but it is. It is men. It is men who commit the majority of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

'In my case it was a man. It's almost always in sexual abuse like that, someone that you know or a family member or a partner, or an ex-partner. Almost always.'

She also posted a second video in which she reflected on her feelings about being subject to the male gaze in contexts like trips to the gym - and the wider implications of toxic masculinity.

Katie then shared another video the following day thanking her followers for their sympathetic responses to her intimate revelations.

'The amount of women saying "me too" and sharing their stories was sad, but of those women, the amount that said how much they appreciated me speaking about my experiences was the silver lining,' she said.

As Katie's experience shows, abuse can occur in the most seemingly secure of settings  in apparently ordinary family homes.

Dadzie was already a divorcee when he met her mother, Elizabeth, in the 1980s, after a spell working in London computing firm Sperry Univac. He was almost twice her age - he was 40, she was 21 - when they married in Berkshire in 1989.

Katie was born the following year, in Slough, as was her brother Anthony a year later, in 1991  but their parents later split.

She has not revealed when the abuse began or how it was conducted but it's understood the rest of her family were completely unaware it was taking place and only found out years after Dadzie's death in 2008.

In the absence of a father, Katie's 18-year-old half-brother Freddie joined her full brother Anthony in walking her down the aisle for her lavish wedding to Nick last year.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: 'The best day of my entire life and my favourite song!! And to do it with my brothers by my side.'

Dadzie was already a divorcee when he met her mother, Elizabeth (right, with Katie, left), in the 1980s, after a spell working for London computing firm Sperry Univac

In the absence of a father, Katie's 18-year-old half-brother Freddie (left) joined her full brother Anthony (right) in walking her down the aisle for her lavish wedding to Nick last year

Katie appears particularly close with her mother and maternal grandmother, Doreen Richards, who she has previously said on social media are 'my world'.

In stark contrast she appears to have little ongoing connection to her father's side of her family, Her paternal grandmother, Barbara Chase, passed away three years before Katie was even born  and her grandfather, Anthony Dadzie, whose name her brother shares, died when she was around 11.

Katie now lives in a detached four-bedroom house in Windsor with Nick and her daughters, 11, and eight, from her first marriage.

Her loved ones are all also in Berkshire, with several, including her grandmother, living just streets away, while Anthony, her mother and Freddie are not much further, in Ascot.

She was previously married to a local cafe owner, who, in somewhat of an echo of her parents' 19-year age gap, is 33 years her senior  while Nick is 28 years older than her.

Katie runs a small web design firm called WebKatie, which she started in October last year after teaching herself to code.

And over the years, she appears to have worked hard in her other business endeavours to nurture, in both other women and herself, an empowering relationship with sexuality.

The entrepreneur founded a gorgeous lingerie brand in 2022 called Boa Boa, which is sold in clothing store Next and has previously been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine.

Katie (left) previously shared she first got to know Nick (right) after her two children befriended his son

She often models for the photo shoots herself and emphasises the small firm's values of self-love on its social media pages, which have around 5,000 followers across all platforms.

'Lingerie that feels like self-care. You deserve it all  the fit, the comfort, the confidence,' one caption reads.

Nick, 63, best known for presenting BBC renovation programme DIY SOS, has four children from three relationships.

He shares his daughter and son with his ex-wife Gillian Brown, another son with dancer Paula Beckett, and a third son, who was born in 2014, with his ex-wife Jessica Rose Moor.

Katie previously shared she first got to know Nick after her two children befriended his son.

Katie has also previously -published a romance novel called The Edge Of Desire  and has a new book, in the 'romantasy', or romance and fantasy genre, set for release this year.

Her existing X-rated book is about a woman in a 'toxic' love triangle with a 'dominant magnetic billionaire' and a 'steady, kind, warm' man, who could help her 'finally stop running'.

And, in wording which appears differently in light of her what we now know, the novel's listing says it is aimed at those who want to read about 'possessive, morally grey men'.

For anyone affected by the issues in this story, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247 and their live chat is online 10am-10pm Monday-Friday.
She has been at the centre of one of Hollywood's most acrimonious and toxic divorce battles.

Featuring restraining orders, accusations of financial ruin and abuse along with bitter public social media outbursts, the breakdown in the once-happy marriage between Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd reads like the script of a long-running soap opera.

While the dispute rumbles on in the US courts, Alice has revealed how she has endured further torment - through the loss of two of the most important figures in her life.

Following the death of her brother Tony, aged just 55, last August, Alice has been left reeling after her father Professor David Evans, who was a distinguished academic and mathematician, passed away in March.

This week the Vampire Diaries actress claimed how, in a further blow, she was unable to say a final farewell to her father after insisting she had not been invited to his funeral.

Now the Daily Mail can reveal that a second extraordinary family feud led to Alice remaining behind in Los Angeles to grieve alone while her father was laid to rest more than 5,000 miles away.

In her own words Alice, 57, has claimed that she and her late brother had been 'banished' from their father's life by his second wife - art historian Dr Catherine Hunt.

Alice was certainly conspicuous by her absence as family and leading academics gathered to say their goodbyes to Professor Evans at his funeral service held last Friday at the 14th century All Saints Church in the picturesque Somerset village of Publow.

Alice Evans has been left reeling after her father Professor David Evans, who was a distinguished academic and mathematician, passed away in March. Pictured: An old photograph of the pair together which she shared on social media after his death

This week the actress, whose brother Tony died aged 55 last August, claimed, in a post (pictured) on the first anniversary of his death, she had received a further blow after she was unable to say a final farewell to her father, insisting she had not been invited to his funeral

In her own words Alice, 57, has claimed she and her late brother had been 'banished' from their father's life by his second wife - art historian Dr Catherine Hunt (pictured)

Alice was certainly conspicuous by her absence as family and leading academics gathered to say their goodbyes to Professor Evans (pictured)

His funeral service was held last Friday at the 14th century All Saints Church (pictured, file photo) in the picturesque Somerset village of Publow

Professor Evans, who died aged 85 on March 13, has been described by colleagues as 'a quietly proud Welshman' who was 'deeply rooted in his working-class background' after being born the son of a steel worker.

After studying mathematics at Manchester University he went on to complete a PhD before moving to the US in 1967 to take up research positions.

It was at university that he met his first wife Janet Dowell, who went on to have a career as a schoolteacher.

Alice was their first child who was born in August 1968 while her father was carrying out research at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

After moving on to the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the family returned to the UK in 1969 where Professor Evans took up a position as a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Bristol.

Shortly afterwards, Tony was born followed by the couple's third child Philip, now 54.

Professor Evans spent the rest of his career in Bristol where he carried out pioneering work into ocean waves and their interaction with the marine environment - designing devices that harvest their power into a renewable energy source.

During his distinguished career, he went on to become head of department, Dean of Science and a vice chancellor at the university before retiring in 2006.

Tragically, Alice's mother died in 1999 aged just 59 after suffering a massive heart attack while walking the family dog.

It happened the day before Alice had her final screen test for the 2000 film 102 Dalmatians - where she fatefully met Gruffudd, 52.

Four years later, Professor Evans married Dr Hunt - a fellow lecturer at the University of Bristol who specialises in northern Renaissance and seventeenth-century Dutch art.

The couple lived quietly in the Somerset village of Pensford and it is understood that Alice became more distant from her father following his marriage to Dr Hunt who at 52 is five years younger than her.

It was on Tuesday - the day that Tony would have celebrated his 56th birthday - that Alice shocked fans when she revealed to her 100,000 followers on Instagram that she had not been welcome at her father's funeral.

Professor Evans (pictured), who died aged 85 on March 13, has been described by colleagues as 'a quietly proud Welshman'

It was at university that the academic (pictured) met his first wife Janet Dowell, who went on to have a career as a schoolteacher

Alice was their first child who was born in August 1968 while her father (pictured) was carrying out research at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey

Following the death of Professor Evans she posted (pictured, her caption) a gallery of images of them together, along with her mother, during their younger years

Alice (pictured) revealed last month how she had been left 'in a dark hole' following the death of her father and brother and revealed the key roles they had played in shaping her life

Describing April 21 as his 'heavenly birthday' Alice said: 'Bro - our Dad was cremated on Friday. None of his children were invited. Speeches were made by extended family and friends.

'I'm SO GLAD you didn't have to know that. So so glad. You are the most empathetic person I have ever met and that would have finished you. I will love you for ever and ever and ever. Sis.'

Alice described herself as being 'a mess' and 'quite isolated' from her family.

Following a wave of supportive messages, she responded to one saying: 'Our youngest brother Phil was not banished by my dad's wife like Tone and I were but he is going through his own awful problems at the moment and I am so worried for him, and love him so much.'

Former mobile phone salesman Philip was also unable to attend the funeral due to health issues.

It meant that Dr Hunt and her close family were the principal mourners at the church service and cremation that followed at Haycombe Crematorium in Bath.

An official who took part in the services, however, described how the ceremonies were 'packed' with mourners, including many of Professor Evans's university colleagues.

Dr Hunt insisted she knew nothing of Alice's online outburst when the Daily Mail spoke to her this week.

But she nodded vigorously when it was put to her that funerals are public events and invitations are not usually sent out.

She declined to comment further and it is clear the family has closed ranks leaving Alice to grieve alone after losing her father and brother in the space of seven months.

Alice revealed last month how she had been left 'in a dark hole' following the death of her father and brother and revealed the key roles they had played in shaping her life.

Following the death of Professor Evans she posted a gallery of images of them together, along with her mother, during their younger years.

In her tribute, she wrote: 'Dear Dad, You left us on Friday. Only six months after the death of your beloved son Tony.

'Now all three of you are gone - you, Mum, Tony and it's just me and Phil from the OG family.

'I hope the three of you are together. I hope there is a place where we get to see the people we've lost and that the three of you are having a blast, free from pain and the worry and anxiety and sometimes pure hell of life on earth.

'I hope you know how much wisdom you passed on to me that I am now passing on to my girls.

'Your crazy maths problems, brain teasers, your brilliant anecdotes, encompassing both the respect you had for the incredibly high position you reached in the world of academia, and at times the absurdity of the whole system.

'You taught me to laugh. You taught me that there is humour in almost anything. You taught me to play the piano.

'You taught me not to care what people thought because "if you do A, they'll say you should have done B.

'And if you do B they'll say you should have done A". That stayed with me forever.

'Godspeed, Dad. Give Mum and Tone the biggest hug from me.'

She had previously paid tribute to Tony who she called her 'best friend' and a 'beloved uncle' to her two daughters - Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12 - and outlined how he had helped her through the 'many trials and tribulations' she had been enduring.

Her father's death came as Alice had suffered her latest blow in her five-year battle with Gruffudd after a judge in Los Angeles ruled that a domestic violence restraining order against her will be renewed for five years.

During the trial, Fantastic Four star Gruffudd recounted the lengthy campaign of online harassment and abuse targeting him and his new wife, Australian actress Bianca Wallace, 33, which led them to seek and win a three-year restraining order against Alice in 2022.

As the warring former couple came face to face in the courtroom, Alice told how she was 'ashamed and regretful' about the torment she had inflicted on the couple.

Her father's death came as Alice suffered her latest blow in her five-year legal battle with ex-husband and fellow actor Ioan Gruffudd after a judge in Los Angeles ruled that a domestic violence restraining order against her will be renewed for five years

Gruffudd and Alice (pictured together in 2016) split in early 2021 and went through a messy divorce that was finalised in 2023

During the trial, Fantastic Four star Gruffudd recounted the lengthy campaign of online harassment and abuse targeting him and his new wife, Australian actress Bianca Wallace, 33. Pictured: The couple together

Judge Michael Convey said the 'threats of force and intimidation caused Ioan to fear for his and Bianca's physical safety'.

He said Alice's 'pattern of abuse' isolated him from his children while her vow to 'dedicate her life to fighting him' and ruin his career threatened his ability to provide for his children.

Gruffudd and Alice split in early 2021 and went through a messy divorce that was finalised in 2023.

Since then, they have been in a bitter fight over money and their daughters.

In April last year, Gruffudd married Bianca, who gave birth to their daughter, Mila, in November.
After a relationship lasting nearly four decades, Ted Lasso star Anthony Head was left devastated when his partner Sarah Fisher died suddenly just days before Christmas.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the couple's two daughters - Daisy and Emily - told how their mother's death at the age of 61 had been 'immensely shocking to all of us, and came with very little warning'.

In a moving tribute to their 'extraordinary, kind and talented mother', the sisters, both acclaimed actresses, said of Sarah: 'We know how profoundly she has impacted the lives of so many, and we couldn't be more proud of the legacy she is leaving behind.'

They were, in many ways, referring to the work of their mother - who the Daily Mail revealed this month had died from a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer - as an animal welfare campaigner.

While supporting her husband on his journey from a TV ad heartthrob to international star, Sarah dedicated her life to running a sanctuary for rescued horses, ponies and donkeys and her work as a specialist dog behaviourist.

Now the Daily Mail can reveal for the first time the extraordinary backstory of the heartbreaking double tragedy that set Sarah on her chosen path.

And it was a different kind of legacy, we can reveal, that enabled her to launch her lifetime mission.

Anthony, 72, and Sarah set up their 90-acre sanctuary in memory of their late 'dear friend' Cynthia Lund and her daughter Erin who tragically died aged just three after losing her own agonising fight with cancer.

Ted Lasso star Anthony Head was left devastated when his partner Sarah Fisher died suddenly just days before Christmas. She had spent her life running an animal sanctuary which the couple set up in memory of their late 'dear friend' Cynthia Lund and her daughter Erin (pictured)

Little Erin (pictured) tragically died aged just three after losing her own agonising fight with cancer. Cynthia is said to have never recovered from the death of her daughter in 1994 - and was tragically killed in a horse riding accident four years later

Anthony and Sarah (pictured together in 2005) supported Cynthia throughout the traumatic ordeal and when Erin briefly went into remission, the families moved from London to Somerset - sharing precious time together in what would become their countryside home

Cynthia is said to have never recovered from the death of her daughter in 1994 and after moving to France in a bid to escape her past she was tragically killed in a horse riding accident four years later.

The families had grown increasingly close during Erin's illness as the toddler underwent treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Anthony and Sarah supported Cynthia throughout the traumatic ordeal and when Erin briefly went into remission, the families moved from London to Somerset - sharing precious time together in what would become their countryside home.

Probate documents uncovered by the Daily Mail reveal it was during that period that Cynthia changed her will - leaving everything she owned to Sarah.

Listing her address as Anthony and Sarah's family home near Bath, in Somerset, she formally revoked all previous 'testamentary dispositions' she had made to draw up her 'last will'.

In the document, signed and witnessed on June 1, 1996, Cynthia bequeathed her entire estate 'both real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever' to Sarah.

Probate was formally granted in November 1998 - five months after Cynthia's death in Brittany on June 23.

And in accordance with her wishes, Sarah ensured that their shared dream would be fulfilled when she and her husband purchased a nearby agricultural property called Tilley Farm for 425,000 in 2001.

They then set about transforming the land - now estimated to be worth millions - into their equine sanctuary and 'a haven for wildlife'.

As Sarah developed her knowledge and skills over the years, she went on to set up her Animal Centred Education (ACE) programme providing courses and workshops that offer 'an integrated approach to animal wellbeing and education'.

Alongside this, she was a long-term ambassador and fosterer for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and a patron of several animal charities.

The couple chronicled their remarkable journey in a detailed account on their website of how they came to be 'the custodians' of the 'incredible land'.

They wrote: 'It is thanks to both Cynthia and Erin that Tilley Farm is the peaceful sanctuary for animals and the tranquil learning environment for people it is today.

'Erin was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour when she was eighteen months old. The year that followed shaped our lives.

'We purchased a period property in Somerset due to some of the extraordinary connections formed as Erin underwent treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

'When Erin went into remission we made the move from London and Cynthia and Erin spent many happy days together in our home.'

Accounts from the time revealed how Erin courageously endured round after round of debilitating treatments after the tumour was diagnosed in March 1992.

After a seven-hour operation at Great Ormond Street to remove part of the tumour, doctors put her on a pioneering form of chemotherapy, which at first seemed to shrink the cancer.

But nine months later, a scan revealed it was growing rapidly. The prospect of radiotherapy, which could have left Erin brain-damaged and blind, is said to have appalled Cynthia.

Instead, she turned to a clinic in Houston, Texas, which used an alternative treatment involving protein peptides.

But the treatment failed and for the last two months of her life, Erin had shown barely a flicker of life after slipping into unconsciousness.

With morphine pushing out the pain, other children would come into her room every day, talking to her and holding her hand, even though there was no response.

With all hope gone, Cynthia took the agonising decision to end her daughter's hospital treatment to enable Erin to die at their then home in Whitton, south west London.

Probate documents uncovered by the Daily Mail reveal it was during that period that Cynthia changed her will - leaving everything she owned to Sarah (pictured, with Anthony in 2013, at a gala in aid of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home)

While Cynthia was separated from her husband, the couple reunited in the last few weeks of Erin's life and they were both said to have held her when she died.

Cynthia said following Erin's death: 'I know she's better off now. She lived every moment of her life and got the best she could out of it. That's all anyone could ask for.

'Erin was in a lot of pain at the end and very frightened. But she wanted to be with us right up until the very last moment. Now we have to be as brave as she was.'

Overwhelmed by grief, Cynthia moved to northern France in an attempt to rebuild her life - living first on a boat then renting a small property in a rural village.

It was there that animals - particularly horses - gave her a renewed purpose and were said to have helped her survive the loss of her only child.

Cynthia - who had ridden many years earlier as a child - purchased four horses which had given her 'a reason to get up in the morning and helped her find a way forward through the crashing waves of grief'.

As Cynthia struggled with one of her horses called Fleur, who she is said to have rescued from 'a limited life in a riding school', she returned to the UK to learn behaviour techniques Sarah was developing at Tilley Farm.

After her first session she spent the night with the couple at their home before travelling back to France the following morning.

It was the last time Anthony and Sarah would ever see her.

The couple explained: 'A few weeks later Cynthia fell from the back of a horse belonging to an older gentleman who ran the local shop in the village where she lived.

'She sustained a catastrophic injury and passed a few days later. It was then we learned we had been left everything in her will.'

The couple continued: 'It was important we created something positive from all the loss.

'The money we inherited enabled us to purchase Tilley Farm.

'We don't believe we "own" this land, more that we are guardians for now, and if indeed it did belong to anyone it would belong to us all.'

They added: 'Countless lives have been enhanced, and saved, thanks to this peaceful place; so many modifications to the way we connect with animals started here.

'We could not do all that we do without our family, friends and outstanding team, both two legged and four, and we will ensure this story never has an end.

'Some say it takes a village. We know it takes a farm.'

Following Cynthia's death, Fleur and another of her horses called Equinox were transported from France to be cared for in the UK by Sarah and Anthony - the first of many that would be provided a safe home by the couple.

For many years, Sarah went on to devote her life to her work on Tilley farm and continued to do so while battling cancer.

Friends told how she had undergone surgery and that she had been responding well to treatment before her health unexpectedly deteriorated.

A source at the animal rescue centre who worked closely with her said: She was winning the battle with cancer for the last two years but suddenly succumbed to complications with the disease.'

Before she died, Sarah - who has penned a number of books and guides focusing on the training and well-being of dogs, horses and donkeys - had planned to write one about Cynthia and Erin's story and their legacy.

Sarah was working as an administrative assistant at London's National Theatre when she met Anthony - who was then an up-and-coming actor and was appearing in a play at the theatre - in the 1980's.

It was a few years later that he became a household name after featuring alongside Sharon Maughan as the Gold Blend couple in a Nescafe TV advertising campaign spanning six years.

The fictional couple were neighbours whose slow-burning romance, which blossomed over cups of coffee, captivated millions of viewers.

Anthony and Sarah became parents for the first time when Emily - who is now 37 and went on to star as Carli D'Amato in the classic coming-of-age sitcom The Inbetweeners - was born in 1988.

Anthony and Sarah became parents themselves for the first time when their daughter Emily (pictured, with her father), now 37, was born in 1988

She went on to star as Carli D'Amato in the classic coming-of-age sitcom The Inbetweeners

Anthony (pictured, with Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy) would find global fame after starring in US cult supernatural horror series Buffy the Vampire Slayer - playing the role of Rupert Giles for seven seasons

Landing the breakthrough role meant Anthony (pictured, as the Prime Minister in TV series Little Britain) had to relocate to Los Angeles for five years while his family stayed behind in the UK

Daisy, 34, who appeared in US drama Guilt, was born three years later.

Anthony would find global fame after starring in US cult supernatural horror series Buffy the Vampire Slayer - playing the role of Rupert Giles for seven seasons.

Landing the breakthrough role meant Anthony had to relocate to Los Angeles for five years while his family stayed behind in the UK.

He has told how he would return home between breaks in filming and has spoken of how Sarah had been a major source of support despite the distance between them.

He once said: 'There's no secret to a long-lasting relationship, although Sarah has said it's that we spend an enormous amount of time apart.

'A sense of humour is of huge importance. It's about tolerance, and liking the person you're with. I adore Sarah.'

Anthony also explained why the couple never officially married describing their relationship as 'unwedded bliss'.

Explaining how Sarah playfully refused to tie the knot he said: 'She just isn't interested. She says "f**k off" and then runs off to throw up.

'I just can't imagine my life without Sarah. And I definitely wouldn't want to'.

In recent times, the actor found new global fame thanks to hit Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso, in which he played ruthless club owner Rupert Mannion, as well as BBC favourite Motherland.

In a cruel parallel, Anthony portrayed the husband of Meg, played by Tanya Moodie, whose Motherland character was diagnosed with cancer.

After Sarah's death, Daisy and Emily said that their mother did not want a funeral, instead inviting people to pay tribute to her online, and vowed that ACE would continue in her memory.

Among those to pay tribute was dog trainer and TV personality Victoria Stilwell who described Sarah as her 'dear and treasured friend'.

Victoria, 56, said: 'Sarah was a fiercely loving mother, the ultimate advocate for animals' wellbeing, and a truly irreplaceable light in our world - both within and well beyond the realm of dog training and behaviour.

'Sarah was that rarest of breeds: one of those very special few who leaves behind a legacy destined to impact exponentially vast numbers of living beings - far more than the lucky few who were blessed to know her, watch her genius work with animals, and share space with a powerful woman whose brilliance was matched only by her beautiful grace.

'I was blessed to have met Sarah many years ago, and she has remained a steadfast friend beyond just her professional work.'

Victoria told how she had 'the privilege of sharing some precious time' with Sarah in the months before she died 'exchanging ideas over lunch' and going for walks through Tilley Farm's 'lovely grounds'.

She said: 'That piece of land has a special history, having found its way into Sarah's orbit years ago via remarkable circumstances.

'It exudes a special energy - when you're there, you cannot help but feel Sarah's reassuring presence all around you, including her deep connection to the animals under her care there.'

After Sarah's death, Emily (right) and the couple's other daughter Daisy said their mother (left, with Anthony, centre) did not want a funeral, instead inviting people to pay tribute to her online

The probate documents do not outline precisely how much Sarah was bequeathed by Cynthia following her death - merely stating that the gross value of the estate in the United Kingdom did not exceed 200,000 while its net value could have been less than 10,000.

But Sarah and Anthony were in little doubt about its true worth.

They said: 'As sad as Cynthia and Erin's story may be, it has evolved to become one of joy and hope.

'It has changed us, shaped us, and many others too.'
Anne Hathaway has offered clarity on the 'young diva' rumours that plagued her in her early career, confessing she is not a perfect person.

The Devil Wears Prada actress, 43, admitted that when she was starting out in Hollywood, she had to be 'armoured' in order to protect herself.

In an interview with Vogue Australia to promote her latest release, The Devil Wears Prada 2, she admitted that she was frightened to be her true 'sweet' self.

She said: 'And the truth isthe genuine truth isIm not a perfect person by any stretch of the imagination.

'But one thing, Im a sweet person, and I think for many, many years it really frightened me to be a young, sweet woman, so I think I armoured and hardened to try to protect myself.

'Various things have happened to me in my life, challenges Ive met that Im proud of.'

Anne Hathaway, 43, has offered clarity on her 'young diva' rumours as she confessed she is not a perfect person and had to be 'armoured' to protect herself when she was a 22-year-old

In an interview with Vogue Australia to promote her latest release, The Devil Wears Prada 2, she admitted that she was frightened to be her true 'sweet' self

She went on to explain that she no longer feels the need for this armour to protect herself.

For her interview with Vogue, Anne looked incredible as she slipped into a figure-hugging red dress layered over a pair of red tights.

In another glamorous snap, the brunette beauty can be seen wrapped in a large red fur shawl as she poses in a black dress.

Anne suffered many claims of 'Diva' behaviour when she first started out, as she once sent her breakfast of eggs and an English muffin back four times because it wasn't exactly how she wanted it.

The Les Miserables Oscar winner ordered a poached egg with an English muffin and avocado while on the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood back in 2015, according to TMZ reports at the time.

However, when her breakfast arrived, Anne decided that the egg was too runny and sent it back.

When it arrived a second time, the muffin was cold. The third time, the muffin was warm, but the egg was cold.

The catering staff finally got it just right, and the fourth time the poached egg, muffin and slices of avocado were spot on.

She said: 'And the truth isthe genuine truth isIm not a perfect person by any stretch of the imagination'

However, by this time the actress had changed her mind and wanted a fried egg, not a poached one.

Meanwhile, in 2008, while promoting the film Rachel Getting Married in Toronto, OK! magazine claimed the star delayed press interviews until she got the right kind of breakfast.

'Anne requested lattes but only ones with soy milk so she made a guy go out and bring back five soy lattes for her and her crew,' a source told the magazine.

'Then she requested scrambled eggs since she didnt like the breakfast available,' the source added.

'The same guy had to go to a restaurant next door and ask for the eggs. It took 45 minutes, and then she barely even touched them!'

In October 2013, reps for the actress were forced to deny published reports that she had demanded no-one 'talk to her' while hosting a charity fundraiser.

A source told In Touch Weekly that her team had a long list of demands about how she should be treated at the Pink Party Gala, including that everyone should 'respect her space.'

But the stars publicist Stephen Huvane told the Daily Mail at the time that the claims were '100 per cent false.'

We never made any such requests, and Anne happily interacted with the organisers and guests at the event,' Stephen stated.

Anne has officially returned as Andy Sachs in the highly anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, which is set to premiere in theatres on 1 May 2026.

She has recently attended various world premieres of the film, including events in New York City and London.

Nearly 20 years after the original, the story follows Andy as she returns to Runway magazine as a features editor.

She reunites with Miranda Priestly, who is nearing retirement and facing off against her former assistant-turned-rival, Emily Charlton.
Victoria Beckham celebrated the launch of her collaboration with Gap at the brand's New York City store on Friday.

The fashion designer, 52, wore a pale pink, fitted, long sleeved top and a quirky, leather midi skirt while posing for photos at the event.

Victoria, who recently dyed her hair blonde, completed her stylish ensemble with a pair of peep toe heels.

Her 38-piece collection with Gap includes everything from tops, denim, sweaters and outerwear.

The collection has been inspired by the brand's classic 80s and 90s items such as logo hoodies and T-shirts, but with a Victoria Beckham twist.

Speaking about her memories of the brand during that time, Victoria said: 'It felt distinctly American, fresh, and unlike anything else available at the time. That impression has stayed with me.'

Victoria Beckham celebrated the launch of her collaboration with Gap at the brand's New York City store on Friday

The fashion designer, 52, wore a pale pink, fitted, long sleeved top and a quirky midi skirt while posing for photos at the event

She added to Vogue: 'We explored more sculptural shapes, pieces that felt both modern and timeless.

'Gaps values closely mirror my own and are grounded in timeless pieces and an intuitive understanding of how women dress in real life.'

Elsewhere, her husband David, 50, posed for a photo as he launched his partnership with Bowers & Wilkins and modelled the latest colourway of their headphones.

The couple have been in the city to attend this year's TIME100 Gala on Thursday evening.

Victoria made Time's Most Influential People of 2026 list this year and showed how she pulled out all the stops with her outfit.

She appeared on stage for the TIME100 summit on Tuesday and spoke about how she deals with the scrutiny of living life in the limelight.

Victoria said: 'This has been happening since I was 20, so it's been going on a long time. I have an incredible husband who supports me enormously.

'We're always there for each other. And I learned a long time ago to really not listen to the noise. Someone's always going to have something to say. I focus and I just don't pay attention to it.'

Join the discussion Should celebrity parents go public about family feuds or keep private conflicts out of the spotlight?

Victoria, who recently dyed her hair blonde, completed her stylish ensemble with a pair of peep toe heels

Her 38-piece collection with Gap includes everything from tops, denim, sweaters and outerwear

The collection has been inspired by the brand's classic 80s and 90s items such as logo hoodies and T-shirts, but with a Victoria Beckham twist

Speaking about her memories of the brand during that time, Victoria said: 'It felt distinctly American, fresh, and unlike anything else available at the time'

She added to Vogue : 'We explored more sculptural shapes, pieces that felt both modern and timeless'

Elsewhere, her husband David, 50, posed for a photo as he launched his partnership with Bowers & Wilkins and modelled the latest colourway of their headphones

Victoria addressed her 'challenging' past year amid her feud with son Brooklyn in a rare TV interview this week.

When asked on the Today show by hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones about the tumultuous recent time for the family Victoria didn't specifically reference her son, 27, but said she will 'always protect' her kids.

Jenna directly asked her in the interview: 'You have had a pretty public challenging year - we have talked about it on this show. How do you get through the tough times?'

She replied: 'You know, myself and David, we're so close and we have incredible people around us.

'We're close to my parents and David's parents. We support each other through everything that we do.

'We love our children so much and have always really focused on protecting our children. But we laugh a lot. David Beckham is really, super funny.'

Brooklyn cut ties with his family in a scathing social media statement in January, declaring he has no plans to reconcile with his famous parents and accusing them of 'controlling him for most of his life'.

David and Victoria have not been seen with their son since.
April 25, 2026: After 37 years on, there are no signs of leakage from plutonium warheads. Two recent studies of seabed sediments near the sunken nuclear submarine Komsomolets/K-278 in the Norwegian Sea revealed that no plutonium contamination beyond natural background levels. Given Russian submarines, this is welcome news. One Russian sub was nick-named Hiroshima by its nervous crew.

The submarine included one nuclear reactor and two plutonium warheads. The vessel sat on the seafloor approximately 250 kilometers southwest of Bear Island. Since its sinking in early 1989, there have been fears that radioactive leakage could affect the marine environment.

The Norwegian and Barents Seas are among the worlds most productive marine ecosystems and support some of the largest fish stocks on the planet. Nevertheless, two recent studies by Russia and Norway found no evidence of weapons-grade plutonium in residues or seawater near the wreck.

The Russian study, conducted by scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, is based on samples collected during the 68th expedition of the research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The vessel visited the wreck site numerous times since the early 1990s.

The activity of plutonium isotopes in bottom sediments at the site corresponds to background levels for the Arctic. This indicates that the submarines hull is currently effectively containing hazardous materials. The findings were published recently in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Previous joint Norwegian Russian studies have detected releases of radionuclides from the reactor via a ventilation pipe, but the two plutonium warheads are believed to remain intact. This is despite significant damage to the submarines forward section, including both the outer hull and the inner pressure hull, particularly around the torpedo compartment. The warheads are mounted on torpedoes.

A recent Norwegian study, published based on earlier expeditions to the Komsomolets, reached a similar conclusion: No evidence was found of plutonium in the surrounding environment near the damaged forward section of the submarine originating from the nuclear warheads.

Leakage of caesium-137 and strontium-90 from the nuclear reactor has been confirmed, but there is no evidence that these isotopes are accumulating in the marine environment.

The highest levels recorded were around 800 becquerels per liter of seawater inside the wrecks pipe systems. By comparison, typical levels in the Norwegian Sea today are around 0.001 becquerels per liter indicating that measured samples were approximately 800,000 times higher than normal.

Despite more than 30 years of releases from the reactor, there is little evidence of any build-up of radionuclides in the surrounding environment, as they appear to be rapidly diluted in seawater. These findings have previously been reported by the Barents Observer.

The Komsomolets was on a training mission to the waters where the shallow Barents Sea meets the deeper Norwegian Sea when it sank after a fire on April 7, 1989. The submarine had Zapadnaya Litsa on the Kola Peninsula as home port.

The Russian expedition to the wreck site formed part of an extensive study of plutonium contamination on the Arctic seabed. In total, sediment samples from 22 sites across the Norwegian and Barents Seas were collected and analyzed.

The highest plutonium levels were found north of Novaya Zemlya in the Russian Arctic, originating from global fallout from nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s.

The highest 239+240Pu activity concentrations were identified north of Novaya Zemlya archipelago and reached 2314  178 mBqkg1. Although three to four times higher than normal background, the results pose no risk to marine life or humans.

Novaya Zemlya served as the Soviet Unions primary testing ground for thermonuclear weapons. Between 1954 and 1990, a total of 224 tests were carried out across the archipelago, 88 of which were detonated in the atmosphere. The most powerful of these was the so-called Tsar Bomba, detonated on 30 October 1961, with a yield of 58 megatons which was about 4,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The Barents Observer has previously reported that radioactive material from this testing program is now leaking into the marine environment. As the Arctic warms, glaciers on the northern island of Novaya Zemlya are melting, releasing fallout that had long been trapped in the ice.

Another potential source of plutonium in sediments north of Novaya Zemlya is the release from the Mayak plant, located north of Chelyabinsk in the southern Urals.

Significant discharges of radionuclides occurred between 1949 and 1951, when cooling water from the Soviet Unions first plutonium production reactor was released into the Techa River. From there, it flowed into the Irtysh River and continued northwards via the Ob River, eventually reaching the Kara and Barents Seas.

Soviet scientists detected plutonium in sediments in the Ob Bay, east of the Yamal Peninsula, as early as 1951.
Nicole Kidman had to be rushed to hospital while filming her latest TV series, her co-star has revealed.

The Australian actress, 58, stars in the new Apple+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles, alongside Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman.

In the series, Kidman plays a pro wrestler named Lace opposite Offermans wrestling persona, Jinx  with the pair facing off in the ring at a wrestling convention.

Speaking to People, Offerman revealed that on the day the duo were set to film their big scene, Kidman, who is also an executive producer on the show, almost didn't make it to set.

'The word comes in that Nicole has the flu, and we might not get Nicole today, and were like: "Oh no, thats such a bummer, because we only have the one day that weve built this whole circus for,"' he told the publication.

He added that three hours after receiving the news, cast and crew were informed that Kidman was keen to push through her illness to film the scene.

Nicole Kidman had to be rushed to hospital while filming her latest TV series, her co-star has revealed

The Australian actress, 58, stars in the new Apple+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles, alongside Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman. In the series, Kidman plays a pro wrestler named Lace opposite Offermans wrestling persona, Jinx  with the pair facing off in the ring at a wrestling convention

'She was so pale, shaken,' Offerman added. 'She just had the flu really so bad.'

Ever the consummate professional, Nicole arrived on set like a 'superhero' and filmed the scene.

'She showed up and made sure that we got every shot of her, total superhero style, did everything we needed to so that we did not lose one scrap of what we needed for her character,' Offerman said.

However, Nicole's flu finally got the better of her, with Offerman adding that after filming, she was promptly rushed to hospital.

'She was literally taken to hospital for an IV,' he said.

At the series' New York premiere, Kidman told People that she was initially scared about getting injured, until she first stepped into the ring.

'Obviously, it's so hard, and I was so scared about getting injured, but then when I got in the ring, I just went, "Okay, let's go,"' she said.

'Because whenever I do something, I go: "Okay, I've got to be really careful," and then I just forget about any sort of protection in my body and I go crazy.'

'The word comes in that Nicole has the flu, and we might not get Nicole today, and were like: "Oh no, thats such a bummer, because we only have the one day that weve built this whole circus for,"' Offerman told People

He added that three hours after receiving the news, cast and crew were informed that Kidman was keen to push through her illness to film the scene. Pictured: Nick Offerman, Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning

Meanwhile, Nicole put on quite the flirty display when she arrived at the New York premiere of Margo's Got Money Troubles earlier this month.

She wowed onlookers in a frilly black dress with a see-through skirt that showed off her toned legs and pert backside.

The sexy Schiaparelli frock had white ruffled details down the front and sheer black long sleeves.

Kidman chatted to fans who were waiting outside the premiere, leaning in to take a selfie with one person who had queued to meet her.

On the red carpet, Kidman twirled for the cameras to showcase her sexy look from all angles as she posed up a storm.

Fans swooned over Kidman's look on social media, insisting she appeared more confident, polished, and unbothered since her divorce from Keith Urban.

'Divorce suits her!' one online fan wrote of her post-split glow-up.

'It appears she is happy without Keith,' another commented, as someone else added: 'Good on her, she needs to get on with her life.'

'She was so pale, shaken. She just had the flu really so bad,' Offerman said, adding that she did eventually push through her illness to film the scene

However, Nicole's flu finally got the better of her, with Offerman adding that after filming, she was promptly rushed to hospital. 'She was literally taken to hospital for an IV,' he said

Yet another fan remarked: 'Best Ive seen Nicole look in years,' as someone else agreed: 'The best she has ever looked!'

The former couple, who were married for nearly 20 years, share two daughters: Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15.

Since splitting from Keith, Nicole has faced wild rumours that she is dating her longtime friend and Scarpetta co-star Simon Baker, 56.

The pair sparked romance speculation at the New York premiere of Scarpetta last month, where they were seen holding hands and beaming together.

At the event, Nicole admitted that their chemistry 'just vibrates', while Simon cheekily added: 'I don't kiss and tell.'
Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick claimed that Summer House's West Wilson used to slide into her DMs in the past.

The 39-year-old TV personality, who is preparing for the ninth and final season of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, opened up about the topic during a TikTok interview with Adam Glyn.

Her revelation comes amid Wilson's controversial romance with his castmate Amanda Batula. Wilson had previously dated Summer House co-star Ciara Miller, who was also Batula's former best friend.

'He used to slide into my DMs,' Pivarnick said after Glyn brought up Wilson and Batula's relationship.

'I don't know if he was with Ciara at the time, because the time frame's a little off, but I know a f***boy when I see one, so, Ciara's better off.'

The reality star then clarified if she ever met up with Wilson after he reached out to her.

Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick, 39, claimed that Summer House's West Wilson used to slide into her DMs in the past; seen earlier this month in NYC

'I don't know if he was with Ciara at the time, because the time frame's a little off, but I know a f***boy when I see one, so, Ciara's better off,' Pivarnick said; Wilson seen in January in NYC

'No. I never hung out with him. Didn't flirt back with him. He's like, "Let me know if you're in the city."'

Pivarnick continued, 'It didn't happen, though.'

The media personality explained that she had been 'with somebody else' at the time and 'just knew to stay away.'

'Not to be rude, but you just know a f***boy when you see one. You just feel the vibe,' she further expressed.

Daily Mail has reached out to Wilson for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Late last month, Batula and Wilson confirmed their relationship on social media following romance speculation.

The two stars shared a joint statement onto their Instagram stories which read: 'We've seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity.

The pair added that they never planned 'to purposely hide anything.'

'No. I never hung out with him. Didn't flirt back with him. He's like, "Let me know if you're in the city."' Pivarnick continued, 'It didn't happen, though'; seen earlier this month in NYC

Late last month, Batula and Wilson confirmed their relationship on social media following romance speculation; Wilson, Batula and Miller seen above

The two stars shared a joint statement onto their Instagram stories which read: 'We've seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity'

'Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.'

Batula and Wilson expressed that they have 'shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what's developed recently was the last thing either of us expected.'

Their romantic connection also grew 'out of a genuine, long-standing friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.'

In conclusion, the stars added, 'We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless.

'We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.'

The confirmation of their relationship came shortly after Batula and Wilson were caught kissing, per gossip site DeuxMoi.

Wilson was previously in a short-lived relationship with Ciara Miller which began in summer 2023. However, the pair split later that same year.

Miller had also been best friends with Batula.

Their romantic connection also grew 'out of a genuine, long-standing friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care'; Batula seen in January in NYC

Miller recently broke her silence on her ex's new romance with Batula during an interview with Glamour.

'At the end of the day, a guy's a guy. Whether or not West and I are working on a relationship, you just can't put anything past a man.'

She added, 'But I just never would think that it would come from someone like Amanda, who has been what has felt like in my circle and in my corner for so long. I think that's the craziest part.

'It's one thing to experience hurt behind closed doors,' Miller further expressed to the outlet.

'To experience it so publicly is like another layer, and then to have to see what you thought was your life still play out in season 10. It's a major mindf***.'

Batula was previously married to Kyle Cooke, with the pair announcing their separation back in Janaury.

Cooke also recently shared to Adam Glyn that he has been in communication with Miller.

Miller recently broke her silence on her ex's new romance with Batula during an interview with Glamour; Batula and Miller seen in 2022

Batula was previously married to Kyle Cooke, with the pair announcing their separation back in Janaury; former couple seen in February

'I think she had more evidence at her disposal than I did,' he said. 'She was trying to let me come to terms at my own speed. It's just a lot to process.'

Batula and Miller had a heated confrontation in leaked audio from the upcoming Summer House reunion set to air next month in May.

'There are a million other f****** guys in New York City and you chose the one guy,' Miller angrily said in the audio obtained by the Daily Mail.

'And you know how much that f***** me up. And you chose the one guy.'

Miller continued, 'And you did it on purpose, 'cause youre a f****** snake, Amanda. You're a snake in the f****** grass is what you are.'

Miller also stated that she had reached out to Batula over the romance rumors. 'And you were like, "Duh, we're just friends."'

Batula and Miller had a heated confrontation in leaked audio from the upcoming Summer House reunion set to air next month in May; Miller seen in March in NYC

Batula explained, 'Because it was all so new and I was figuring it out. There were so many layers and complications to this. The fact that he was seeing other people. The fact that I was still technically married.'

She also added that, 'You can't help who you like and are attracted to.'

Bravo issued a statement to the Daily Mail in regards to the leaked audio, calling it 'a serious breach of trust and a clear lack of respect for the cast, crew, and the integrity of the production process.

'We take this matter very seriously and have launched a full investigation. Appropriate action will be taken based on our findings.'
Mel Schilling's widower Gareth Brisbane has shared insight into the family's private funeral as they laid to rest the star following her tragic death.

The Australian psychologist-turned-dating expert died last month at the age of 54 following a battle with cancer, leaving behind her British husband of eight-years and their beloved daughter Maddie, ten.

Taking to Instagram Gareth gushed over Maddie saying how proud her mother would be after she gave a 'beautiful' speech at the funeral, which was live streamed for Mel's family back in Oz.

They then followed the late star's wishes of scattering her ashes in Gareth's hometown of Whitehead, Northern Ireland, ahead of him and their daughter starting a new life in Bali.

Alongside snaps of Mel and picturesque Whitehead, he penned: 'Hey everyone. Thanks so much for all the messages of support over the past month since our girls passing, Maddie and I have drawn enormous strength from how so very loved she was and is'.

'We laid Mel to rest on the 9th April. It was a lovely private ceremony for family and close friends which we streamed to Mels family in Oz. Maddie announced on the morning of the funeral that she had written a little speech which she delivered beautifully. Every inch her mothers daughter and I couldnt be prouder'.

Mel Schilling's widower Gareth Brisbane has shared insight into the family's private funeral as they laid to rest the star following her tragic death

Gareth gushed over Maddie saying how proud her mother would be after she gave a 'beautiful' speech at the funeral, which was live streamed for Mel's family back in Oz.

He continued: 'Last weekend we scattered some of Mel's ashes at the lighthouse in my hometown of Whitehead, Northern Ireland as was her wish'.

'Its a special place that really resonated with her, a place where strangers say hello as you pass, and a place we can now come back to to reflect on our incredible 15 years together'.

Gareth went on: 'In a few short weeks Maddie and I will be welcomed back into the arms of mother Bali where we will begin our next chapter. No better place to heal, a place that we all loved and where we still have some of our dearest friends who had the most wonderful blessing ceremony for Mel at our new villa last weekend'.

Before adding: 'The photo of Mel in white is what we chose as her funeral photo. Equal parts glam, warmth and vulnerability which was her all over. Love and light to you all'.

Mel tragically died aged 54 just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain.

The Australian psychologist-turned-dating expert was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 and she and her family had been living in London, where she was being treated.

The dating expert died last month at the age of 54 following a battle with cancer , leaving behind her British husband of eight-years and their beloved daughter Maddie, ten

They then followed the late star's wishes of scattering her ashes in Gareth's hometown of Whitehead, Northern Ireland , ahead of him and his daughter staring a new life in Bali

Gareth also showed off one beaming snap of Mel which he said the family had chosen to use at her funeral

he penned 'Hey everyone. Thanks so much for all the messages of support over the past month since our girls passing, Maddie and I have drawn enormous strengthit'

She announced that 'after a tumour the size of a lemon' was successfully removed she had been given the all-clear.

But in a lengthy Instagram post she revealed that she found out her cancer had metastasised to her lungs in February 2024, and over Christmas 2025 it was discovered it had spread to her brain.

Mel's Northern Irish husband Gareth Brisbane confirmed the news of her death in a beautiful statement in which he spoke about her love for him and their daughter Madison, 10.

He wrote: 'Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.

'In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life.

'It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.

'This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42  and nailed both.'

'This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.

'To most of you, she was Mel Schilling  matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.'

'On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.'
Mrs HInch has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her father on the second anniversary of his death as she recalled the moment she learned of his passing.

The cleaning influencer, 36, took to social media on Saturday to mark the day with a tribute to her late dad Alan.

He died suddenly in his sleep on April 25, 2024, a month after he was hospitalised with respiratory issues.

Penning her tribute, Mrs Hinch - whose real name is Sophie Hinchliffe - wrote: '2 years ago today, THAT day.

'What was an ordinary morning became the moment my life split into before and after. And I have never been the same person since.

'I remember the day like it was yesterday. What I was wearing. The weather. What was on the TV. Exactly where my phone was when mum called me I answered. No words, just a sound.

Mrs HInch has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her father on the second anniversary of his death as she recalled the moment she learned of his passing

He died suddenly in his sleep on April 25, 2024, a month after he was hospitalised with respiratory issues

'A sound that still lives inside me I remember the exact moment it hit me "Please Dad! please just wake up. we need you, we haven't finished yet, Dad."

'And when you didn't open your eyes, I knew. Because there was nothing you wouldn't have done for me. And that feeling, that knowing, will never leave my body.

'I miss you more with time, not less. I need you in ways words will never be able to explain. I carry you in every part of me. And I hope we're making you proud. My Dad Always yours Bubber.'

Previously speaking about her father, Sophie said that when he retired, she made him a workshop in her 1million 'forever home' farmhouse.

She said she had filled the workshop with wood and tools so he 'could live this dream that he's had since he was a little boy.'

At the start of the year, Mrs Hinch revealed thieves broke into her mother's home and stole her late father Alan's jewellery.

She took to her Instagram story to call out the 'cowardly' individuals.

The influencer said: 'I can't believe I'm writing this. To the vile individuals who broke into my parents' home in Maldon today, 27th January, between 10am and 6pm,' she wrote.

'You broke into a grieving woman's home and stole her jewellery! Items that belonged to my late dad. Sentimental, irreplaceable pieces that you had NO right to touch.

'Let me be very clear!!! This WILL NOT be dropped. That jewellery may be worthless to you, but it's priceless to my mum. She has already lost her husband and is trying to piece her life together, and you chose to violate her home and rip away what little she had left of him.

'You knew exactly what you were doing. This is beyond theft!! It is cruel, disgusting, and cowardly.'

Sophie said her mother feels like she's 'taken a step back' and has been left 'shaken' by the whole ordeal.

Previously speaking about her father, Sophie said that when he retired, she made him a workshop in her 1million 'forever home' farmhouse

Speaking about her mother to The Sun, she said: 'Shes understandably shaken. We all are. Shes being incredibly strong.

'The jewellery holds deep sentimental value to her, particularly as a connection to my dad, and thats what hurts most right now.

'More than anything, I just want to be able to get the jewellery back for my mum.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Sophie revealed that she has asked her mother to move in with her temporarily.

However, her mother values her independence and enjoys being in her own home, which Sophie understands and respects, so the family are allowing her to 'lead the way' with any decisions.
Amanda Holden shared how her Britain's Got Talent co-host Alesha Dixon has helped her through difficult times after opening up about the tragic stillbirth of her son Theo.

The presenter's son Theo was tragically stillborn at seven months in 2011 and she shed light on her grief earlier this year.

Amanda also shares her daughters Alexa, 20, and Hollie, 13, with her husband Chris Hughes - who she married in 2008.

Now Amanda, 54, has shared how she leaned on her friendship with her fellow BGT judge Alesha, 47, during some of darkest moments.

'I lost a baby during the show [Britain's Got Talent, where both Alesha and Amanda are judges], I was hospitalised, there's been those moments where you need a female next to you,' she told The Mirror.

'Because with the best will in the world, you've got the likes of Simon, a wonderful man and sympathetic, but you just want that girl next to you who knows and understands why you might need a chocolate bar, an aspirin or a trip to the toilet.'

Amanda Holden shared how her Britain's Got Talent co-host Alesha Dixon has helped her through difficult times (Pictured together in April)

Earlier this year, Amanda fought back tears as she reflected on the devastating loss during a candid conversation with pal Alan Carr in an episode of BBC series, Amanda & Alan's Greek Job

Amanda is an original Britain's Got Talent having been with the show since its launch back in 2007, while Alesha joined the panel in 2012.

And Amanda said their friendship has blossomed over the years, with the pair especially bonding over being mothers.

'She is the sort of person I could ring if I had a problem going on or an emergency and I know she'd be there for me,' Amanda added.

Earlier this year, Amanda fought back tears as she reflected on the devastating loss during a candid conversation with pal Alan Carr in an episode of BBC series, Amanda & Alan's Greek Job.

Speaking to Alan, she said: 'When we lost Theo, there wasn't one moment where I thought why has this happened to me?

'But there also wasn't a moment where I sort of blamed God or anything. And I just, the way I accepted it was to say that he chose me, just for those few months to see what it was like to live and develop and be in the universe, and then the universe took him back.

'Now I don't think that's religious, but I let him go back, and that was my belief rather than like he went back to heaven as such.

'I felt like he went back into the universe and he's out there, and he's still part of our family. Only way I could make sense of it.

'I was like, gosh, I was so lucky to have him for all that time. And even though he was born sleeping, he was perfect. And I always, always say I'm a mother of three, always, because I am.'

Amanda, 54, has shared how she leaned on her friendship with her fellow BGT judge Alesha, 47, during some of darkest moments (Pictured together in 2025)

Amanda said their friendship has blossomed over the years, with the pair especially bonding over being mothers

Amanda has previously spoken out about her experience in a bid to help other parents who may be struggling.

Back in 2011, Amanda was seven months pregnant with Theo when a routine scan revealed his heart had stopped.

The TV star and her husband, Chris Hughes, then made the devastating decision to have a caesarean following Theo's passing.

In 2024, Amanda shared a touching tribute to Theo penning: 'You would have become a teenager today... #Theo'

In September 2022, Amanda revealed she was made to feel like a 'game show contestant' when a doctor told her she was 'going home empty handed' after her stillbirth.

The presenter worked with the baby loss charity Aching Arms and raised money for them as part of fundraising for her 3 Peaks Challenge.

Speaking with Ross Sullivan - a user of Aching Arms - on her Heart Breakfast show, Amanda spoke of her 'awful' experience and told of her hopes that the charity will help people to 'avoid' the kind of language that was used with her.

She said: 'I will never forget when I went through something, that I would imagine is very similar to your [experience].

Amanda married her husband Chris Hughes in 2008, and they are also parents to daughters Alexa, 20, and Hollie, 13 (pictured)

'We lost our baby Theo at 28 weeks, and they very sensitively moved me into another room so I could deliver him without having to hear the lovely babies screaming on a normal ward.

'Often that's not thought about, it's little things like that. I remember the lady afterwards as well when we went for a chat also said 'I know you're going home empty handed' is what she said to me.

'So I felt like some sort of game show contestant, so it's all of that language that I know this charity will be helping people to avoid and educate them on how best to deal with something so awful. It's just awful.'

Amanda also previously discussed Theo's loss on her radio show while marking Nurses Day, saying: 'I personally would love to thank the nurses.

'I know I talk about this a lot. And I never know whether I talk too much about it. But obviously, when we lost our son Theo to a still birth the hospital where I was looked after was unbelievable.

'Jacki Nash got me through so much, Pippa Nightingale and Natalie Carter.'
Ben Affleck has become a meme once again with a bizarre public act during his outing in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 53-year-old actor was seen enjoying a healthy apple without the use of his hands as he jumped into a parked car amid an errand run.

The Oscar-winning star kept it casual wearing a striped button up as well as a tan jacket and stylish shades for the daytime excursion.

He is known for his animated expressions, including the 'sad Affleck' meme and whipped out another meme-worthy face earlier this year following the Golden Globes.

Just one day earlier, Affleck stepped out by himself after 'surrendering his share' of the $61 million marital mansion he shared with his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez.

On Friday evening, he was seen arriving at a parking lot and heading into a Los Angeles venue to attend a play presumably starring one of his kids.

Ben Affleck, 53, has become a meme once again with a bizarre public act during his outing in Los Angeles on Saturday

Just one day earlier, Affleck stepped out by himself after 'surrendering his share' of the $61 million marital mansion he shared with his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez

He shares three children, Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14, with his first wife Jennifer Garner, who recently celebrated her 54th birthday with their kids.

Affleck put on a casual display and bundled up in layers for his solo outing after the sun went down.

He wore a navy blue bomber jacket layered over a matching quarter-zip and a white T-shirt for the casual occasion.

He sported straight-leg jeans, sneakers and was seen toting a backpack as he made a low-key entrance.

His outing comes shortly after it was revealed that he gave Lopez his share of their multimillion dollar mansion two years after their separation.

They finalized their divorce in January 2025, just under 20 weeks after she filed for divorce in the summer of 2024, citing irreconcilable differences.

The couple have been trying to sell the sprawling estate in Beverly Hills since July 2024, but now Affleck has decided to hand over his entire interest in the property to his ex-wife.

According to legal documents obtained by the Daily Mail, the former couple quietly amended their property settlement, which had been filed in January 2025 when their divorce was finalized.

He bundled up in layers for his solo outing, pairing a navy blue bomber jacket with a matching quarter-zip and jeans

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Affleck 'surrendered his share' of the $61 million marital mansion he shared with his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez; pictured in October 2025

They tied the knot in July 2022 but called it quits in April 2024, according to the date of separation Lopez listed in her divorce filing; pictured in February 2023

On April 9, they added a 'stipulation and order' to modify specific terms of their estate.

Although many of the terms remain the same, the updated terms state that Lopez 'shall be solely responsible for all expenses [associated] with any future sale of her interest in the Wallingford Residence, including but not limited to broker's commissions, applicable taxes, closing costs, etc.'

In addition, they note that there will be a 'transfer of property' at some point, but it is unclear when they plan on relisting their former marital home.

Lopez signed the agreement on March 31, while Affleck signed it on April 1, a move that appears to hint that he has relinquished his stake in the property.

Sources told TMZ the actor effectively 'gave up' his share of the compound 'for free,' leaving Lopez in line to take any profits from the sale.

Notably, the sprawling 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom Beverly Crest estate was taken off the market on January 26.

At the time, photographs obtained by the Daily Mail showed four large moving trucks parked in the driveway, though it is unclear what was taking place at the property.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Affleck and Lopez for comment.

The property was first listed for a hefty $68 million  around $8 million more than the couple originally paid.

An insider exclusively told the Daily Mail: 'Ben and JLo slashed the price on their Beverly Hills mansion for $8 million less than they paid for it, but this is nothing to Ben.'

SInce their separation, they have been trying to sell their shared property; however, the former couple quietly amended their property settlement recently; pictured in February 2024

He effectively 'gave up' his share of the compound 'for free,' leaving Lopez in line to take any profits from the sale; pictured in January 2024

'He really just wants this to be sold so that he can cut the final cord that keeps him and Jennifer intertwined,' the source added.

Despite struggling to sell their former marital home, both stars have since moved on with new property purchases following their split.

Affleck bought a $20 million bachelor pad in the Pacific Palisades in August 2024, just a short distance from Garner.

Lopez, meanwhile, snapped up a $21 million home in Calabasas in February after finalizing the divorce.

However, the On The Floor hitmaker has reportedly continued living at the Beverly Hills mansion while renovations were carried out on her new property.
Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron is used to scaling the heights to showcase her considerable talents but she took method acting to the extreme to promote her new survival film Apex.

Swapping the Australian outback, where she filmed the new cliff-edge psychological thriller, for New York, the fearless South African star scaled a specially constructed climbing wall set into a giant billboard in Times Square.

And the 50-year-old Monster star coolly completed the task several hundred feet above the ground.

Charlize co-stars with Kingsman star Taron Egerton, who portrays a serial killer hunting her down as she undertakes a solo expedition in memory of her husband.

She reportedly had to overcome a fear of heights to do her own stunts.

But dressed in a white cotton vest, baggy white trousers and climbing shoes and wearing a climbing harness, she showed no sign of nerves as she made the sheer climb.

Charlize Theron scaled a climbing wall in Times Square to promote her new Netflix film Apex

The South African actress reportedly overcame a fear of heights to accomplish the feat

Filming took its toll - she revealed that she needed two surgeries on her arm, injured her ribs and fractured her toe.

It comes as Charlize revealed plans to move permanently to Australia, after falling in love with the country while shooting the film.

She filmed in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and told Australia's 10News that a move Down Under was inevitable.

'Mark my words  I will live in Australia one day,' she said. 'It truly is, for me, an incredible place.'

Charlize added that her two daughters, Jackson, 14, and August, 11, also fell in love with the country while visiting her on set.

'My children came out to visit me and they fell in love with it, and they just never pay attention to where we are on location,' she said.

'My oldest was like: "Can we live here, Mum," and I was like: "I know, right? It's incredible."'

Aside from Australia's abundant natural beauty, Charlize added that she also fell in love with the people.

'I love the people,' she said. 'I love how feisty they are, and the tenacity, and I just think the place is absolutely gorgeous.'

Charlize then doubled down on her promise to move Down Under, with: 'So, yeah, I think this is my future. So whether you like it or not, Im coming.'
Malia Obama is known for her effortlessly bohemian and defiant fashion choices, and she carried on that trend as she headed to the nail salon on Friday.

The 27-year-old daughter of Michelle and Barack Obama flaunted tradition by going bra-free in a black tank top matched with a pair of baggy pants and flip flops.

She can often be seen in outfits cut from the same cloth as what the guys are wearing these days, and she makes it her own.

Malia tends to wear chunky boots and oversized coats, layering them with eclectic and vintage-inspired pieces.

Nevertheless, the Gen Z style icon was clearly in the mood for some pampering as she builds a career in Hollywood as a writer and director.

The former First Daughter has already established quite the reputation, including being accused of plagiarism by an independent filmmaker who said Malia's Nike ad is 'shockingly similar' to her work.

Malia Obama is known for her effortlessly bohemian and defiant fashion choices, and she carried on that trend as she headed to the nail salon on Friday

The 27-year-old daughter of Michelle and Barack Obama flaunted tradition by going bra-free in a black tank top matched with a pair of baggy pants and flip flops

She was previously employed by Donald Glover as a staff writer on his Amazon series Swarm.

Her directorial debut The Heart premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024 where some critics called it 'touching' and 'interesting and visuals lovely.' Others, however, dismissed the 15-minute short as the work of a 'Nepo baby,' per The Independent.

She went on to direct a NIke commericial featuring A'ja Wilson.

The Harvard graduate now goes by the stage name Malia Ann, a move that both her parents supported with a chuckle or two.

'I was all like, "You do know theyll know who you are,"' Barack, 64, said on the Pivot Podcast. 'And she was like, "You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association."'

Speaking on Kate and Oliver Hudson's Sibling Revelry podcast, Michelle, 62, said, 'Malia, who started in film, and it being her first project, she took off her last name, and we were like, "Theyre still going to know it's you, Malia." But we respected the fact that she's trying to make her way.'

According to the Becoming author, both Malia and her younger sister Sasha, 24, are practicing the 'push away' when it comes to their famous family.

'They're young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away. They're still doing that,' the former First Lady went on.

The Gen Z style icon was clearly in the mood for some pampering as she builds a career in Hollywood as a writer and director

Malia's directorial debut The Heart premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024 where some critics called the 15-minute short film 'touching' and others dismissed it as the work of a 'Nepo baby'

Both Malia and her younger sister Sasha, 24, are practicing the 'push away' when it comes to their famous family, according to their mother Michelle Obama

The former First Lady supported Malia's decision to drop her last name and use the stage name Malia Ann, even though she told her daughter, 'They're still going to know it's you, Malia'; pictured on Jimmy Kimmel LIve! in December 2025

'You're trying to distinguish yourself. It is very important for my kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world, and they don't want people to assume that they don't work hard, that they're just naturally handed things,' she said, adding, 'Theyre very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.'

As far as Malia's romantic life goes, she appears to be single as she's spotted on lunch outings with friends rather than a particular partner.

In 2022, Malia was linked to Ethiopian record producer Dawit Eklund after being seen together in New York and Los Angeles, but they appeared to be broken up by 2025.

Between the years 2017 and 2021, she dated Rory Farquharson, a British student she met at Harvard and who quarantined with her family during the pandemic. Her father Barack said that Farquharson was 'a good kid' on the Bill Simmons Podcast.
Idris Elbas character DCI John Luther might be best known for his shadowy dealings on the gritty streets of inner-city London.

But the second feature-length film starring the brooding detective will see him fighting crime in the unlikely setting of Southwold  an upmarket Edwardian resort on the Suffolk coast.

The town  famed for its quaint charm and colourful beach huts might seem an unlikely backdrop to Luthers psychologically charged storylines.

And locals were shocked to see Elba, 53, filming scenes for the upcoming Netflix movie on Southwolds 623ft-long pier this week.

The film features the disgraced detective being secretly called back into service to investigate a wave of brutal, seemingly random murders in London.

Netflix has not revealed how the action shifts from London to Southwold, which might be a more suitable backdrop for an Agatha Christie whodunnit.

The production is a follow-up to 2023s Luther: The Fallen Sun, which saw Elbas character fired from the police and jailed before breaking out to catch wealthy serial killer David Robey, played by Andy Serkis.

Pictured: Idris Elba s character DCI John Luther filming for the second feature-length Luther which will see him fighting crime in the unlikely setting of Southwold  an upmarket Edwardian resort on the Suffolk coast

The production is a follow-up to 2023s Luther: The Fallen Sun, which saw Elbas character fired from the police and jailed before breaking out to catch wealthy serial killer David Robey, played by Andy Serkis

Pictured: A new character in Luther played by Anya Chalotra

The 30-year-old Ms Chalotra shot to fame as sorceress Yennefer in Neflix fantasy series The Witcher

The sequel will see Ruth Wilson, 44, reprise her role as psychopathic killer Alice Morgan, who is also a love interest for Luther.

Her character had been seemingly killed off in the finale of the fifth series of the BBC show when she fell from scaffolding during a confrontation with the detective.

However, her body was never found  leaving an opening for a potential return. The upcoming film will also see Dermot Crowley star as shrewd detective superintendent Martin Schenk.

The 79-year-old appeared in all five series of the show as well as the first Netflix film.

Luther appeared to be in conversation with two new characters, played by Stephen Dillane and Anya Chalotra, while filming in Southwold.

Dillane, 69, is best known for starring as Stannis

Baratheon in Game of Thrones, while 30-year-old Ms Chalotra shot to fame as sorceress Yennefer in Neflix fantasy series The Witcher.

Elba swapped Luthers trademark tweed overcoat and tie for a casual green parka and dark sweatshirt as he filmed on the pier.

At one stage the actor, who was knighted in the New Year Honours list, was seen comforting Ms Chalotras character, who was wearing a bright orange coat and jeans.

Filming for the movie, which has not yet been given a title, began in London earlier this year.

It is expected to stream on Netflix in early 2027.
Just behind a gated fence, painfully out of reach of customers, is one of the world's most unique McDonald's restaurants.

It doesn't have exclusive menu items - or any menu items at all.

This City of Industry McDonalds' restaurant is reserved specifically for filming commercials and movies, meaning there are no cooks behind the fryers and no Big Macs for lunch.

The official production center was built in 1978, chosen for its close proximity to downtown Los Angeles, roughly a 30 minute drive away.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the ceilings at this location are higher than a typical McDonald's, so lighting can be installed or changed.

There are other aspects that tailor the space for filming, like dressing rooms downstairs and a menu without prices. Outside, the trees are stuffed in 'special planters' so they can be easily rolled around - the sign can even be rotated to face any direction needed.

As of 1988, over 1,000 commercials were filmed at this location - and it continues to be used today. According to Sega Bits, both the 1993 and 2022 Sonic the Hedgehog McDonalds commercials were filmed at the same location.

Fast-food adjacent scenes were shot here, like the dance sequence from 1988's sci-fi film Mac and Me.

The McDonald's City of Industry location is kept behind a gate, so customers will not assume it's operational

The 1988 film Mac and Me is about an extraterrestrial stranded on Earth who finds friendship with a boy in a wheelchair

Confused McDonald's customers drive by the location every day - some shared their thoughts on the gated storefront.

'I've seen the place before and thought why is it fenced off,' wrote one Reddit user. 'Not a chain link fence but a nice black iron fence. Now I know why.'

'I waited in the drive thru for hours, they never took my order,' one Facebook user said, while another piled on with another joke, saying, 'I bet the ice cream machine is always broken.'

The location is also a five-minute drive from Puente Hills Mall, also known as Twin Pines Mall, where Doc Brown was shot in Back to the Future.

At the time, rival chain Burger King said it has no plans to build its own production studio. That remains true today, with the fast food chain shutting down different locations depending on their filming needs.

'We want variety in our ads,' Burger King said. 'We wouldnt want to go back to the same place over and over.'

But McDonald's wouldn't be the only chain with a 'fake' store. A non-functioning Best Buy, known as a 'full store lab,' is located in the basement of the company's Richfield, Minnesota, headquarters for product testing and filming.

Meanwhile the oldest operating McDonald's is in Downey, California, which opened in August 1953.

The oldest McDonald's location, originally opened in 1953, is also located in California

It's still a fully functional restaurant decades later, although it's more of a walk-up and drive-thru location rather than a sit-down restaurant.

Now, McDonald's remains one of the world's largest franchises, recently dethroned by Chinese cafe chain Mixue Ice Cream & Tea in terms of store count.

They recently added their biggest ever burger, the Big Arch, to US locations, announcing their updates to the 'value' menu months later.

Morning options include the $1.50 Sausage McMuffin. For lunch and dinner, the Under $3 Menu offers a McChicken, McDouble, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small drink.

The chain is also debuting a $4 Breakfast Meal Deal, which includes either a Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit, hash browns and coffee.
April 25, 2026: Desert Storm made the modern Chinese military. What is the Iran War doing to it? In January 1991, Chinese military officers watched CNN recordings of the United States dismantling the Iraqi Army and experienced what one Chinese military analyst later called a disturbing nuclear attack. Desert Storm displayed every capability the Chinese military lacked, and China had no choice but to begin remaking its military from the ground up.

Two years later, Chinas Central Military Commission codified these lessons in the Military Strategic Guidelines centered on Local Wars Under High Technology Conditions and acknowledged the Chinese military had been preparing for the wrong war. The Gulf War didnt just scare China; it gave it direction.

Thirty-five years later, the classroom has reopened. The United States and Israel are engaged in a military campaign against Iran, and the Persian Gulf is once again the center of a maritime crisis. The Strait of Hormuz is temporarily closed. Not by minefields or naval blockade, but by the withdrawal of maritime insurance and the cascading commercial decisions that followed.

Tanker traffic dropped first by approximately 70 percent with almost 150 vessels loitering outside the Strait. Transit has since collapsed to nearly zero within the first week, disrupting roughly 20 percent of the worlds daily oil supply and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas. Roughly 750 vessels were stranded inside the Persian Gulf, and the Chinese military paid very close attention.

Immediate intuition is to assume that China is enjoying the turmoil: a distracted America, its military tied down in the Middle East, and precision munitions being expended far from the Pacific. That instinct is wrong.

What the Chinese military's most attentive analysts are likely doing is war-gaming a Taiwan scenario in real-time using the Hormuz crisis as a live stress test for assumptions they have been modeling for decades. Some of what they are finding is profoundly uncomfortable. The tactical lessons are significant but broadly familiar. However, the deeper strategic lessons, the ones that will reshape Chinese planning for the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, are maritime.

In 1991, Chinas Desert Storm lesson was almost entirely about its capability gap. The maritime domain barely registered because the Gulf War was largely a land-air campaign. The 2026 crisis is fundamentally a maritime crisis, and China is learning a new lesson: chokepoints do not just threaten an enemy, they threaten anyone who depends on them.

Approximately 84 percent of the oil transiting through the Strait of Hormuz flows to Asian markets. China alone imported roughly five million barrels per day through the Strait, representing approximately 40 to 45 percent of its total crude imports. The Hormuz closure does not primarily threaten Houston or Rotterdam. It throttles the Chinese ports of Tianjin, Qingdao, and Zhoushan.

Prolific naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan understood this. He spent much of his groundbreaking work, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, explaining not just how navies project power but how dependence on sea lines of communication creates strategic vulnerabilities. A nation that does not control its own supply lines does not truly control its own strategic fate.

The Chinese military absorbed this lesson from Mahan and filtered it through the lens of Desert Storms demonstration of American power projection. In response, China has been building a blue-water navy and acquiring global port access in response.

However, the Hormuz crisis is forcing China to confront a gap that was not illuminated by Desert Storm nor discussed in any specificity by Mahan: China remains critically dependent on chokepoints it cannot protect and does not control. The Strait of Hormuz is the immediate problem, but the Strait of Malacca, through which 80 percent of Chinas oil imports transit, is the permanent one.

Chinas Foreign Ministry has been reduced to urging all parties to keep the shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz safe, and reports that China has opened direct talks with Iran to negotiate safe passage for energy shipments underscores that vulnerability. A nation that must ask permission to use a chokepoint does not command it. For Chinese military planners war-gaming a Taiwan contingency, the lesson is immediate: any conflict that triggers a disruption at the Malacca Strait could strangle Chinas economy before a single shot is fired. In that regard, Indonesia and the United States have recently made an agreement for their military forces to be interoperable, which has been critical for NATOs military efficiency. The Indonesian Navy also sinks intruding Chinese fishing vessels outright rather than taking them into port. Indonesia controls the entire eastern coast of the Malacca Strait.

If the choke point lesson is uncomfortable, the insurance lesson may be worse. Within 72 hours of the start of Operation Epic Fury, multiple members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs, which collectively insure roughly 90 percent of the worlds ocean-going tonnage, issued formal cancellation notices for war-risk coverage in the Gulf. Major container lines suspended operations. Lloyds Market Association confirmed that roughly 1,000 vessels with a hull value of over $25 billion sat anchored in the area. The choke point was not closed by missiles. It was closed by spreadsheets.

The Chinese military is likely studying this closely because it maps directly onto a Taiwan scenario. Beijing has long assumed that the critical question in a cross-strait contingency would be whether the Chinese navy could establish sea control. The Hormuz crisis suggests a different question entirely: would commercial shipping continue to flow through the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea once insurers withdraw coverage and container lines suspend service?

The same insurance mechanism that shut Hormuz in 72 hours could shut the commercial sea lanes on which Chinas economy depends. Unlike a naval blockade, an insurance withdrawal cannot be stopped by force. No navy can compel an underwriter to write a policy.

China has been building state-backed maritime insurance mechanisms and positioning its commercial fleet to operate under sovereign-risk coverage precisely to insulate itself from the kind of Western-backed market dependency that has strangled Gulf shipping. The Hormuz crisis validates that investment.

On the other hand, it also reveals how far Beijing needs to go. Chinas maritime insurance ecosystem does not yet have enough depth or international credibility to underwrite the scale of coverage that a Taiwan-related disruption would demand. A harder problem still is even if China can ensure its own flag vessels, it cannot compel foreign-flagged ships to continue sailing into a warzone.

The roughly 750 vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf were a preview of what the South China Sea could look like 48 hours into the Taiwan crisis. Commercial shipping was frozen, supply chains severed, and the Chinese navy unable to restart them regardless of how many ships it deploys.

The Hormuz crisis is also teaching China a lesson about commercial shipping as a military instrument. When the United States declared a maritime warning zone in the Persian Gulf, it came with an unusual public admission: it could not guarantee the safety of merchant shipping. The major container lines made their own risk calculations and suspended operations. The financial architecture of global trade enforced a blockade more completely than any naval minefield.

Sinokor, a South Korean shipping conglomerate, began asking the equivalent of roughly $20 per barrel to transport oil to China. This was an extraordinary premium compared to the nominal $2.50 per barrel, and this illustrates how quickly commercial sealift becomes a strategic weapon when maritime risk spikes.

China has been preparing for exactly this scenario. Over the past two decades, Beijing has expanded its merchant fleet to over 4,000 internationally trading ships, captured over 46 percent of global commercial shipbuilding, and invested in the mariner training pipeline to crew those vessels. Critically, the Chinese military has also been integrating commercial shipping into military logistics planning. Chinas national defense mobilization laws allow the requisitioning of civilian vessels, and its merchant fleet has been designed with dual-use capability in mind.

The Hormuz crisis is validating Chinas investment in a state-linked merchant marine fleet while simultaneously demonstrating the cost of Americas failure to maintain one. However, it is also exposing a gap in Chinas own planning: a fleet that can be mobilized for war is also a fleet that can be commercially paralyzed by insurance withdrawal, sanctioned by coalition financial instruments, or stranded at foreign ports. In a Taiwan contingency, the Chinese militarys ability to move troops across the Strait may matter less than whether Chinas commercial fleet can continue to feed, fuel, and supply the mainland economy under wartime conditions. The Hormuz crisis is the first live demonstration of how quick commercial architecture can collapse.

Desert Storm inspired China to spend 35 years building the military it now has. Operation Epic Fury will not trigger the same kind of wholesale structural overhaul  the Chinese military has already done that work. What the 2026 crisis is doing is stress-testing Chinas maritime strategy against live data and finding specific, uncomfortable gaps: chokepoint dependency that blue-water naval investment has not yet solved, an insurance architecture that can impose a blockade no navy can break, and a commercial fleet that can be mobilized for war but paralyzed by the financial instruments.

Each lesson applies directly to the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Chinese military planners are not watching the Hormuz crisis as a distant curiosity. They are watching it as a dress rehearsal, and they are taking notes on themselves as much as on the United States.

Mahan argued that sea power rests on two pillars: naval force and commercial maritime enterprise. China has been absorbing both halves of that doctrine. The Strait of Hormuz crisis is revealing that even both halves may not be enough. The question is whether the United States, which builds less than one percent of the worlds commercial ships, fields fewer than 80 vessels in international trade, cannot crew the sealift fleet it already has, and had no war risk insurance mechanism ready when the crisis broke, is learning it too.
For most shoppers, a Costco membership is all about bulk groceries, giant packs of paper towels and the occasional $1.50 hot dog.

Memberships currently start at around $60 a year for a basic plan, or $120 for an Executive tier, which offers additional perks like 2 percent cashback on eligible purchases.

Signing up is straightforward: customers can join online or in stores, and memberships typically cover a household, allowing two people to use the account.

But behind the store's oversized aisles lies a surprising range of lesser-known perks, some of which could save members hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year.

From discounted vacations to cut-price prescriptions - even caskets - here are some of the most unexpected benefits hiding in plain sight.

Cheap eye exams and surprisingly affordable glasses

One of the most overlooked perks is Costco's optical service.

Eye exams typically cost between $70 and $100 without insurance - often far cheaper than traditional optometrists.

But the real savings come with glasses. Frames and lenses are usually priced well below competitors, making it a go-to for budget-conscious shoppers.

Eye exams at Costco typically cost between $70 and $100 without insurance - often far cheaper than traditional optometrists

Even better, Costco will adjust your glasses for free - even if you didn't buy them there - which is a rare (and very handy) service.

Prescription savings - even without insurance

Healthcare costs can add up quickly, but Costco's Member Prescription Program offers major discounts - sometimes up to 80 percent off medications.

What's more surprising is that even customers with good insurance occasionally find Costco's cash price beats their copay.

It's a little-known option that can make a big difference for anyone managing ongoing prescriptions, as well as generic medications, common vaccines, booster shots, numerous pet medications, and medical supplies.

Gas prices that can pay for your membership

Fuel is another area where Costco quietly delivers consistent savings.

Members get access to Costco gas stations, which are often 10 to 30 cents per gallon cheaper than nearby competitors.

That might not sound like much, but it can translate to around $3 to $7 per tank for larger vehicles - and even more over time.

Members get access to Costco gas stations, which are often 10 to 30 cents per gallon cheaper than nearby competitors

For drivers who fill up regularly, those savings can quickly add up, in some cases covering the cost of the annual membership fee alone.

Most Costco warehouses have an accompanying gas station, with more than 600 nationwide.

Discounted vacations with unexpected extras

Costco Travel is one of the retailer's best-kept secrets.

Members can book discounted vacation packages, hotels, cruises and rental cars - often bundled with perks that aren't available elsewhere.

These can include resort credits worth $50 to $200, complimentary meals, room upgrades and even waived resort fees, which can save $30 to $50 per night.

For frequent travelers, those extras can turn into serious savings.

Insurance for almost everything

Costco doesnt just help you save on groceries - it also offers a wide range of insurance products at discounted rates, with savings of up to 10 percent.

Members can access home, auto, renters, life, pet and even business insurance, all in one place, making it a convenient one-stop shop.

Costco doesnt just help you save on groceries - it also offers a wide range of insurance products at discounted rates, with savings of up to 10 percent

Life insurance policies can go as high as $5 million in coverage, often with lower premiums in the early years.

Its life insurance offering, called Member Advantage Life, includes policies ranging from $100,000 to $5 million in coverage, with 10, 20 or 30-year terms.

Premiums are lower for the first five years before adjusting - a structure that can help keep early costs down.

Meanwhile, Costcos travel insurance packages are also competitively priced, typically costing around 5 percent to 6.5 percent of the total trip cost - often significantly cheaper than competitors like Allianz, which can charge closer to 13 percent.

Big discounts on everyday services

Beyond the big-ticket items, Costco members can unlock savings on smaller - but still useful - services.

These include around 25 percent off Budget truck rentals, which can easily offset the membership fee during a single move.

There are also major discounts on photo services, including up to 51 percent off Shutterfly products like holiday cards, prints and photo books - a perk many members use year after year.

Yes even caskets

Starting at around $1,300 with shipping included, Costco's caskets are often far cheaper than those sold by funeral homes

Perhaps the most unexpected perk of all: Costco sells caskets.

Starting at around $1,300 with shipping included, they are often far cheaper than those sold by funeral homes.

And thanks to regulations from the Federal Trade Commission, funeral homes are legally required to accept caskets purchased elsewhere - without charging extra fees.

Some of the current caskets on offer include the 'mother's casket' in a rose hue, the 'President casket' in dark wood and the 'prime rose' casket complete with floral detailing.

It's an unusual offering, but one that underscores just how far Costco's value proposition goes.
Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $27.6667.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Highwoods Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating and set a $27.00 price objective on shares of Highwoods Properties in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Highwoods Properties in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Highwoods Properties from $30.00 to $24.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Highwoods Properties from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their target price for the company from $24.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Highwoods Properties

Highwoods Properties Stock Up 0.9%

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Inspire Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 32.7% in the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 24,046 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $515,000 after buying an additional 5,924 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in Highwoods Properties during the first quarter valued at approximately $235,000. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 36.8% during the first quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,060 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $258,000 after buying an additional 3,246 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new position in Highwoods Properties in the first quarter worth approximately $1,045,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in Highwoods Properties by 269.1% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 20,437 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $438,000 after acquiring an additional 14,900 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.31% of the companys stock.

HIW stock opened at $23.88 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.35 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 1.41. Highwoods Properties has a 1-year low of $20.45 and a 1-year high of $32.76. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $22.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.56.

Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.84 by ($0.58). Highwoods Properties had a net margin of 20.10% and a return on equity of 6.86%. The business had revenue of $203.36 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $208.08 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.85 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down .9% on a year-over-year basis. Highwoods Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.400-3.680 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Highwoods Properties will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Highwoods Properties Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 9th. Investors of record on Monday, May 18th will be issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 18th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.4%. Highwoods Propertiess payout ratio is presently 136.99%.

Highwoods Properties declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, April 22nd that permits the company to repurchase $250.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the real estate investment trust to repurchase up to 9.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Highwoods Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Highwoods Properties, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, leases and manages office properties. The companys portfolio is primarily focused on Class A office space, with an emphasis on high-quality buildings in key urban and suburban submarkets. Highwoods seeks to generate long-term, recurring revenues through a mix of in-place lease renewals, strategic dispositions and build-to-suit developments. Its asset management platform drives operational efficiencies and tenant service initiatives across its holdings.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, Highwoods Properties has expanded its presence to eight major metropolitan regions across the Southeastern United States and Texas.

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Fundamental Research set a C$0.95 price target on Global Education Communities (TSE:GEC  Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Global Education Communities Trading Down 3.2%

Global Education Communities stock opened at C$0.30 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of C$20.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$0.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.36. Global Education Communities has a 12 month low of C$0.16 and a 12 month high of C$0.48.

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Global Education Communities Company Profile

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Global Education Communities is a Canada-based company focused on acquiring, developing and managing purpose-built student housing assets across key markets in Europe. The company seeks high-quality properties positioned near major universities, offering accommodation solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of domestic and international students.

The companys primary business activities include sourcing and underwriting off-market and on-market transactions, undertaking selective development and renovation projects, and overseeing day-to-day property management.

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IBC Advanced Alloys (OTCMKTS:IAALF  Get Free Report) and Lynas Rare Earths (OTCMKTS:LYSDY  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares IBC Advanced Alloys and Lynas Rare Earths net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets IBC Advanced Alloys -10.84% -76.63% -6.70% Lynas Rare Earths N/A N/A N/A

Risk & Volatility

IBC Advanced Alloys has a beta of 1.22, meaning that its stock price is 22% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lynas Rare Earths has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score IBC Advanced Alloys 0 0 0 0 0.00 Lynas Rare Earths 0 2 0 3 3.20

Valuation & Earnings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for IBC Advanced Alloys and Lynas Rare Earths, as reported by MarketBeat.

This table compares IBC Advanced Alloys and Lynas Rare Earthss revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio IBC Advanced Alloys $17.76 million 1.09 -$3.41 million ($0.02) -8.38 Lynas Rare Earths $356.61 million 36.86 $5.17 million N/A N/A

Lynas Rare Earths has higher revenue and earnings than IBC Advanced Alloys.

Summary

Lynas Rare Earths beats IBC Advanced Alloys on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About IBC Advanced Alloys

(Get Free Report)

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. develops, produces, and sells specialty alloy products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Copper Alloys and Engineered Materials segments. It offers various copper alloys as castings and forgings, such as beryllium copper, chrome copper, oxygen-free high conductivity copper, and aluminum bronze in the form of plates, blocks, rounds, discs, bars, rings, tubes, rods, and other custom forgings, as well as specialty copper alloy forgings for plastic mold tooling and resistance welding applications. The company also provides beryllium-aluminum castings, beryllium-aluminum alloys, beryllium-copper alloys, high-strength beryllium-copper casting alloys, high-conductivity beryllium-copper casting alloys, and beryllium-nickel casting alloys. In addition, it manufactures Thermal-Mold Super, a beryllium-free mold alloy of copper-nickel-silicon-chrome, as well as provides tolling services and consulting. It serves automotive, defense, resistance welding, electronics, industrial equipment, injection molding, foundry, aerospace, and oil and gas industries. The company was formerly known as International Beryllium Corporation and changed its name to IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. in March 2009. IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. is headquartered in Franklin, Indiana.

About Lynas Rare Earths

(Get Free Report)

Lynas Rare Earths Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, mining, extraction, and processing of rare earth minerals in Australia and Malaysia. The company holds interests in the Mount Weld and Kalgoorlie projects in Western Australia. Its products include lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium. The company also develops and operates advanced material processing and concentration plants, as well as offers corporate services. The company was formerly known as Lynas Corporation Limited and changed its name to Lynas Corporation Limited in November 2020. Lynas Rare Earths Limited was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Perth, Australia.

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Sun Communities (NYSE:SUI  Get Free Report) will likely be issuing its Q1 2026 results after the market closes on Monday, April 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.2730 per share and revenue of $473.30 million for the quarter. Sun Communities has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.030 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.240-1.320 EPS. Parties may visit the the companys upcoming Q1 2026 earning results page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET.

Sun Communities (NYSE:SUI  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $515.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $509.40 million. Sun Communities had a net margin of 61.86% and a negative return on equity of 0.04%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.41 EPS. On average, analysts expect Sun Communities to post $7 EPS for the current fiscal year and $7 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Sun Communities Stock Performance

Shares of Sun Communities stock opened at $129.84 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $131.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $127.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.09, a PEG ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 0.90. Sun Communities has a 52 week low of $115.53 and a 52 week high of $137.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 4.43 and a current ratio of 4.43.

Sun Communities Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st were given a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. This is an increase from Sun Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Sun Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 41.71%.

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Sun Communities in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. They issued an outperform rating and a $143.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Sun Communities from $136.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Sun Communities from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Sun Communities from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Sun Communities from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sun Communities presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $139.73.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Sun Communities

Insider Transactions at Sun Communities

In other Sun Communities news, Director Clunet R. Lewis sold 3,800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $136.01, for a total transaction of $516,838.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 16,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,287,280.17. This represents a 18.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.58% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sun Communities

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,003 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $127,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 9,335 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,181,000 after buying an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 718 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 26.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 673 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,884 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $491,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.59% of the companys stock.

Sun Communities Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sun Communities, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, ownership and operation of manufactured housing communities, recreational vehicle (RV) resorts and marinas. The companys portfolio spans more than 500 manufactured housing communities and over 160 RV resorts, offering affordable, long-term housing as well as short-stay recreational lodging. Through professional on-site management and amenity-rich community designs, Sun Communities serves a diverse customer base that includes retirees, workforce families and vacationers.

Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Sun Communities has grown organically and through strategic acquisitions to become one of the largest operators in its sector.

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Suzuki Motor (OTCMKTS:SZKMY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,859 shares, a decline of 91.0% from the March 31st total of 31,782 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 678,295 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Dbs Bank upgraded Suzuki Motor to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Zacks Research upgraded Suzuki Motor from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Suzuki Motor Stock Performance

Suzuki Motor stock traded down $0.51 during trading on Friday, hitting $44.55. The stock had a trading volume of 60,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 212,779. Suzuki Motor has a 1 year low of $41.10 and a 1 year high of $64.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The stocks 50 day moving average is $50.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.29. The stock has a market cap of $21.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.83 and a beta of 0.54.

Suzuki Motor (OTCMKTS:SZKMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter. Suzuki Motor had a return on equity of 10.69% and a net margin of 6.78%.The business had revenue of $10.73 billion for the quarter. Suzuki Motor has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.249-5.249 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Suzuki Motor will post 5.35 EPS for the current year.

Suzuki Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suzuki Motor Corporation traces its roots to 1909 when Michio Suzuki founded Suzuki Loom Works; the company later entered motor vehicle production and was reorganized as an independent motor company in the mid-20th century. Headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, Suzuki has grown into a multinational manufacturer known for producing compact, fuel-efficient vehicles and a broad range of two- and four-wheeled products. The company has a long history in small-car and motorcycle design and has adapted its product portfolio over decades to serve both personal and light commercial transport markets.

Suzukis primary business activities include the design, manufacture and sale of automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and outboard motors, along with related parts and accessories.

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Shares of Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the fourteen ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $117.3077.

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of Ameren in a report on Tuesday. Argus raised their price target on Ameren from $108.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Barclays boosted their price target on Ameren from $104.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. BTIG Research began coverage on Ameren in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. They set a buy rating and a $131.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Ameren in a research note on Monday, December 29th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Trading of Ameren

In other Ameren news, insider Michael L. Moehn sold 6,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.60, for a total value of $673,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 193,076 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,002,673.60. The trade was a 3.26% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Ameren by 22.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 8,077 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $811,000 after purchasing an additional 1,503 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in Ameren by 19.8% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,255 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $628,000 after purchasing an additional 1,034 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP increased its position in Ameren by 42.2% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 22,802 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,289,000 after purchasing an additional 6,772 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Ameren by 48.1% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,555 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $149,000 after buying an additional 505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ameren by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 4,688 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $450,000 after buying an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.09% of the companys stock.

Ameren Price Performance

AEE stock opened at $111.14 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The company has a market capitalization of $30.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.77, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $110.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $105.56. Ameren has a twelve month low of $93.27 and a twelve month high of $115.53.

Ameren (NYSE:AEE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The utilities provider reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.69 billion. Ameren had a net margin of 16.55% and a return on equity of 10.69%. Amerens revenue for the quarter was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Ameren will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Ameren Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 10th were issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. This is a boost from Amerens previous quarterly dividend of $0.71. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 10th. Amerens dividend payout ratio is 56.07%.

Ameren Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) is an integrated energy company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that provides electric and natural gas delivery and related services in portions of Missouri and Illinois. The company operates regulated utility businesses that serve a broad mix of residential, commercial and industrial customers, and it participates in wholesale energy markets and transmission operations that support reliable service across its service territories.

Amerens core activities include generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, distribution of natural gas, and the provision of customer energy solutions such as demand-side management and energy efficiency programs.

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UL Solutions (NYSE:ULS  Get Free Report) and Black Diamond Group (OTCMKTS:BDIMF  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Dividends

UL Solutions pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Black Diamond Group pays an annual dividend of $0.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. UL Solutions pays out 36.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Black Diamond Group pays out 34.2% 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. Black Diamond Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Volatility and Risk

UL Solutions has a beta of 0.77, suggesting that its share price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Black Diamond Group has a beta of 0.67, suggesting that its share price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio UL Solutions $3.05 billion 5.94 $325.00 million $1.59 56.76 Black Diamond Group $326.99 million 2.76 $24.93 million $0.38 34.29

This table compares UL Solutions and Black Diamond Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

UL Solutions has higher revenue and earnings than Black Diamond Group. Black Diamond Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than UL Solutions, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for UL Solutions and Black Diamond Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score UL Solutions 0 6 4 1 2.55 Black Diamond Group 0 0 1 0 3.00

UL Solutions currently has a consensus price target of $88.42, suggesting a potential downside of 2.03%. Given UL Solutions higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe UL Solutions is more favorable than Black Diamond Group.

Profitability

This table compares UL Solutions and Black Diamond Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets UL Solutions 10.61% 31.62% 12.55% Black Diamond Group 7.65% 9.79% 4.21%

Summary

UL Solutions beats Black Diamond Group on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About UL Solutions

(Get Free Report)

UL Solutions Inc. provides safety science services worldwide. It operates through three segments: Industrial, Consumer, and Software and Advisory. The Industrial segment provides testing, inspection, and certification services across various end markets, including energy, industrial automation, engineered materials, and built environment, as well as stakeholders, such as manufacturers, building owners, end users, and regulators. The Consumer segment offers safety certification testing, ongoing certification, global market access, testing for connectivity, performance and quality, and critical systems advisory and training services, as well as product market acceptance and risk mitigation services for customers in the consumer products end markets comprising consumer electronics, medical devices, information technologies, appliances, HVAC, lighting, and retail, as well as consumer applications, such as new mobility, smart products, and 5G. The Software and Advisory segment provide software and technical advisory services that enable customers to manage regulatory requirements, deliver supply chain transparency, and operationalize sustainability for regulated industries, including life sciences, supply chain regulations, transparency needs, and new ESG and sustainability requirements. It offers ULTRUS software brand to help customers improve speed to market, sustainability and safety. UL Solutions Inc. was formerly known as UL Inc. and changed its name to UL Solutions Inc. in June 2022. The company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois with additional offices in North America, Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East. UL Solutions Inc. operates as a subsidiary of ULSE Inc.

About Black Diamond Group

(Get Free Report)

Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, education, manufacturing, health care, financial, government, and defense industries in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, high security modular buildings, custom manufactured modular facilities, blast resistant structures, SmartSpace interchangeable paneled units, and storage containers. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary rental items, products, and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management logistics services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, dismantlement, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. It also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. The company markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. Black Diamond Group Limited was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (OTCMKTS:AYASF  Get Free Report) shares were down 2.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $16.56 and last traded at $17.23. Approximately 163,693 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 45% from the average daily volume of 294,984 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.6865.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AYASF shares. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Aya Gold & Silver in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Aya Gold & Silver in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Aya Gold & Silver in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Aya Gold & Silver in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on AYASF

Aya Gold & Silver Trading Down 0.5%

Aya Gold & Silver Company Profile

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $16.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.84.

(Get Free Report)

Aya Gold & Silver Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, evaluation, and development of precious metals projects in Morocco. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. Its flagship project is the Zgounder property located approximately 265 kms east of Agadir in the Proterozoic Siroua Massif of the Anti-Atlas Range, Morocco. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Montreal, Canada.

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Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich lessened its holdings in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 11.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 770,797 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 101,822 shares during the quarter. Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munichs holdings in Bank of America were worth $42,610,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BAC. Permanent Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Bank of America in the third quarter worth about $649,000. Meridian Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 54.6% in the third quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 58,308 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,008,000 after purchasing an additional 20,591 shares during the last quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. raised its position in Bank of America by 15.9% during the third quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. now owns 629,610 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,482,000 after acquiring an additional 86,290 shares in the last quarter. World Equity Group Inc. raised its position in Bank of America by 21.8% during the third quarter. World Equity Group Inc. now owns 73,188 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,779,000 after acquiring an additional 13,119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the third quarter valued at approximately $482,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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More Bank of America News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Autonomous Res reduced their price target on Bank of America from $62.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Bank of America from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Bank of America from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price objective on Bank of America from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Twenty-two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five 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 $60.90.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on BAC

Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $52.04 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $50.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $371.87 billion, a PE ratio of 12.88, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.23. Bank of America Corporation has a 1 year low of $38.81 and a 1 year high of $57.55.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $30.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $29.72 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.49% and a net margin of 16.78%.The businesss revenue was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.90 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Bank of America Corporation will post 4.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 5th will be paid a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 27.72%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Bank of America news, insider James P. Demare sold 83,832 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $4,191,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 307,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,362,000. The trade was a 21.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Thomas M. Scrivener sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.82, for a total value of $2,491,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 227,973 shares in the company, valued at $11,357,614.86. This trade represents a 17.99% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 227,832 shares of company stock valued at $11,094,960. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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CS empowers Collectors to curbarbitrary fee hike in private schools





Staff Reporter :

RAIPUR :

THE State Government has moved to tighten oversight on private school fee structures, with Chief Secretary Vikash Sheel authorising district collectors to ensure strict enforcement of fee regulation provisions across State. In a communication issued to collectors, the Chief Secretary has directed that the Chhattisgarh Self-Financed Schools Fee Regulation Act, 2020 be implemented in letter and spirit. The directive follows reports that certain private institutions are charging fees beyond permissible limits, placing financial strain on parents. Under the provisions of the

Act, which came into force on August 26, 2020, each private school is required to constitute a School Fee Committee. The committee is empowered to approve annual fee revisions, but such increases must remain within a maximum ceiling of 8 per cent over the previous academic year. In cases where fee revision exceeds the prescribed limit, prior approval from the District Fee Regulatory Committee is mandatory. Authorities have been instructed to ensure that no school implements such hikes without due authorisation.

The Chief Secretary has emphasised the need to operationalise fee regulation committees in all institutions and strengthen monitoring through designated nodal principals. These nodal principals, who are also members of the School Fee Committee, are expected to coordinate with district authorities to ensure compliance. District Education Officers (DEOs), functioning as member Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Apr 24 THE State Government has moved to tighten oversight on private school fee structures, with Chief Secretary Vikash Sheel authorising district collectors to ensure strict enforcement of fee regulation provisions across State.

In a communication issued to collectors, the Chief Secretary has directed that the Chhattisgarh Self-Financed Schools Fee Regulation Act, 2020 be implemented in letter and spirit. The directive follows reports that certain private institutions are charging fees beyond permissible limits, placing financial strain on parents. Under the provisions of the Act, which came into force on August 26, 2020, each private school is required to constitute a School Fee Committee. The committee is empowered to approve annual fee revisions, but such increases must remain within a maximum ceiling of 8 per cent over the previous academic year.

In cases where fee revision exceeds the prescribed limit, prior approval from the District Fee Regulatory Committee is mandatory. Authorities have been instructed to ensure that no school implements such hikes without due authorisation. The Chief Secretary has emphasised the need to operationalise fee regulation committees in all institutions and strengthen monitoring through designated nodal principals. These nodal principals, who are also members of the School Fee Committee, are expected to coordinate with district authorities to ensure compliance. District Education Officers (DEOs), functioning as member
Black Iron Inc. (TSE:BKI  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 11.1% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as C$0.10 and last traded at C$0.10. 116,987 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 44% from the average session volume of 209,393 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.09.

Black Iron Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$29.09 million, a P/E ratio of -10.50 and a beta of 1.87. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$0.11 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -13.81, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 2.76.

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Black Iron (TSE:BKI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 17th. The company reported C$0.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Black Iron Inc. will post -0.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Black Iron Company Profile

Black Iron Inc is a Canadian iron ore exploration and development company. The principal activity of the company is the exploration and development of ferrous metals in Ukraine namely the Shymanivske iron ore project located in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. The company operates through the development of its Ukrainian mining and exploration permits segment. It is located approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Kiev in central Ukraine.

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Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc. (TSE:BRE  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$13.62 and traded as high as C$14.32. Bridgemarq Real Estate Services shares last traded at C$14.08, with a volume of 15,479 shares traded.

Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of C$133.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.95 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -202.21, a quick ratio of 3.06 and a current ratio of 0.16. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$13.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$13.62.

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Bridgemarq Real Estate Services (TSE:BRE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, March 13th. The company reported C$0.04 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$98.49 million during the quarter. Bridgemarq Real Estate Services had a net margin of 1.78% and a negative return on equity of 8.54%.

Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Announces Dividend

Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $0.1125 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 30th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.6%. Bridgemarq Real Estate Servicess dividend payout ratio is currently 306.82%.

(Get Free Report)

Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc is a Canada-based real estate services company. Its segment includes providing information and services to real estate agents and brokers in Canada through a portfolio of real estate services brands. It supplies realtors with information, tools, and services to assist them in providing and delivery of real estate sales services. The companys brands include Royal LePage and Via Capitale and Johnston and Daniel.

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Stifel Nicolaus reiterated their buy rating on shares of BTG (LON:BTG  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning,Digital Look reports.

Separately, Shore Capital Group restated a house stock rating on shares of BTG in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 160.

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Read Our Latest Report on BTG

BTG Price Performance

BTG Company Profile

LON BTG opened at GBX 119 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 117.94. BTG has a 52 week low of GBX 110 and a 52 week high of GBX 123.66. The firm has a market cap of 191.61 million and a PE ratio of 19.83.

(Get Free Report)

BTG is a leading financial and real estate advisory group. We use our expertise to enhance, protect, and realise the value of our clients businesses, assets, and investments. Turning complexity into clarity, we support clients in funding and delivering their projects and navigating periods of challenge and change.

We operate across eight seamless service lines, each combining to support our clients throughout every stage of their businesss lifecycle.

 Restructuring  Restructuring and recovery services supporting businesses through challenges, opportunities, realising value, and regaining control

 Financial Advisory  Expert advice for success: developing strategy, evolving leadership, optimising profitability, and maximising capital

 Deal Advisory  End-to-end deal expertise de-risking and improving deals for strategic growth or exit through M&As

 Funding and Insurance  Tailored finance and insurance solutions driving sustainable success and protecting your business

 Agency and Auctions  Expert agency and auction services quickly unlocking property, business, and asset value

 Projects and Developments  Planning and delivering bespoke building solutions that help you achieve your property goals

 Property Management and Insurance  Insuring and ensuring property portfolio performance through expert management services

 Valuations and Asset Advisory  RICS-certified valuations and asset advisory delivering confidence in value across lease and asset strategy

With over 1,400 experts working across 50+ UK locations as well as 5 offshore offices, we connect our clients to a national network of expertise.

Further Reading

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Coquina Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 4,540 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $651,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Maseco LLP acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new position in Procter & Gamble in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Corundum Trust Company INC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the third quarter worth $34,000. 65.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Procter & Gamble Price Performance

NYSE:PG opened at $148.11 on Friday. Procter & Gamble Company has a 52-week low of $137.62 and a 52-week high of $170.99. The company has a market cap of $344.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.94, a P/E/G ratio of 5.62 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.72. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $150.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $148.70.

Procter & Gamble Increases Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 24th. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $21.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.52 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.21% and a net margin of 19.30%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.54 earnings per share. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.090 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, April 24th will be issued a dividend of $1.0885 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 24th. This is a positive change from Procter & Gambles previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. This represents a $4.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 64.44%.

Procter & Gamble News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q3 earnings and core metrics beat expectations  adjusted EPS topped consensus and net sales/organic sales rose yearoveryear, showing volume-led growth that suggests improving consumer demand. Business Wire: Q3 Results

Q3 earnings and core metrics beat expectations  adjusted EPS topped consensus and net sales/organic sales rose yearoveryear, showing volume-led growth that suggests improving consumer demand. Positive Sentiment: Beauty and premium brands outperformed (e.g., SKII growth), supporting higher-margin mix and contributing to marketshare gains cited by management. Reuters: Beauty Demand Strength

Beauty and premium brands outperformed (e.g., SKII growth), supporting higher-margin mix and contributing to marketshare gains cited by management. Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option buying and positive analyst notes pre/postrelease amplified buying momentum, signaling increased bullish positioning from traders and some brokers. (Options volume spike reported in market coverage.)

Unusually heavy call-option buying and positive analyst notes pre/postrelease amplified buying momentum, signaling increased bullish positioning from traders and some brokers. (Options volume spike reported in market coverage.) Neutral Sentiment: Management reiterated fiscal2026 guidance (EPS range ~6.837.09) and maintained its outlook  that gives reassurance on the plan but leaves upside capped until guidance is raised. P&G Press Release / Slides

Management reiterated fiscal2026 guidance (EPS range ~6.837.09) and maintained its outlook  that gives reassurance on the plan but leaves upside capped until guidance is raised. Negative Sentiment: P&G disclosed a roughly $150 million hit to annual profits from Middle East disruptions (higher energy/logistics/input costs), a tangible nearterm headwind that pressure margins and could constrain FY earnings. Benzinga: $150M Hit

P&G disclosed a roughly $150 million hit to annual profits from Middle East disruptions (higher energy/logistics/input costs), a tangible nearterm headwind that pressure margins and could constrain FY earnings. Negative Sentiment: Some sellside desks trimmed price targets and highlighted input-cost risks (resin, energy), which tempers upside and keeps valuation scrutiny on the stock. MarketScreener: PT Adjustments

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $171.00 to $167.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Dbs Bank upgraded Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $150.00 to $142.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $175.00 to $166.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn boosted their target price on Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $160.24.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PG

Insider Activity

In other Procter & Gamble news, Chairman Jon R. Moeller sold 162,232 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.45, for a total transaction of $26,354,588.40. Following the sale, the chairman directly owned 319,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,884,093.25. This represents a 33.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 1,809 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.46, for a total transaction of $288,463.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 30,215 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,818,083.90. This trade represents a 5.65% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 252,715 shares of company stock valued at $40,966,904. 0.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide.

P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report).

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Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) had its price target lifted by BNP Paribas Exane from $196.00 to $224.00 in a research report report published on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

DLR has been the topic of a number of other reports. TD Cowen upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $185.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Barclays upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $182.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $189.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $180.00 to $217.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America reissued a neutral rating and issued a $170.00 price objective (down from $210.00) on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Digital Realty Trust has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $210.50.

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Read Our Latest Report on DLR

Digital Realty Trust Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of Digital Realty Trust stock opened at $199.96 on Friday. Digital Realty Trust has a one year low of $146.23 and a one year high of $208.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The stocks 50-day moving average is $183.22 and its 200 day moving average is $170.22. The firm has a market cap of $69.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.76, a PEG ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 1.07.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.46. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.08% and a net margin of 21.73%.The business had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.63 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.77 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.2% on a year-over-year basis. Digital Realty Trust has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.950-8.050 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust will post 7.94 EPS for the current year.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th were given a dividend of $1.22 per share. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 13th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 135.56%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Digital Realty Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new position in Digital Realty Trust during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in Digital Realty Trust during the third quarter valued at $28,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 347.2% during the third quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 56.9% during the first quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 171 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Corp bought a new position in shares of Digital Realty Trust in the third quarter worth $31,000. 99.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Digital Realty Trust News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Digital Realty Trust this week:

About Digital Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: DLR) is a real estate investment trust that owns, acquires and operates carrier-neutral data centers and provides related colocation and interconnection solutions. The company focuses on large-scale, mission-critical facilities that support the physical infrastructure needs of cloud providers, enterprises, network operators and content companies. Digital Realtys offerings are designed to enable secure, reliable and highly available IT infrastructure with an emphasis on power density, cooling, and physical security.

Digital Realtys product set spans wholesale data center space, turnkey build-to-suit facilities, and retail colocation suites, complemented by interconnection services that allow customers to establish private and public connections to networks, cloud on-ramps and other ecosystem partners.

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Enova International (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The credit services provider reported $3.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.66 by $0.21, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $875.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $854.52 million. Enova International had a net margin of 9.95% and a return on equity of 26.49%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.98 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Enova Internationals conference call:

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Company reported strong top-line growth with originations up 33% YoY to nearly $2.3B , total receivables up 28% YoY to ~$5.3B, record revenue of $875M , and adjusted EPS +30% YoY .

Company reported strong top-line growth with , total receivables up 28% YoY to ~$5.3B, record revenue of , and . Credit metrics improved or stabilized: consolidated net charge-off ratio fell to 7.6% (lowest since Q2 2023), consumer NCOs down to 14.3% , and SMB NCOs remained steady at 4.6% .

Credit metrics improved or stabilized: consolidated net charge-off ratio fell to (lowest since Q2 2023), consumer NCOs down to , and SMB NCOs remained steady at . Management increased marketing to 22% of revenue (~$189M) to capture demand, driving originations but raising operating expenses to 36% of revenue; they expect marketing ~20% and O&T ~88.5% of revenue next quarter.

Management increased marketing to 22% of revenue (~$189M) to capture demand, driving originations but raising operating expenses to 36% of revenue; they expect marketing ~20% and O&T ~88.5% of revenue next quarter. Enova is progressing through regulatory review on the Grasshopper Bank acquisition (expected close in H2 2026) and projects >25% adjusted EPS accretion from net synergies within two years and lower funding costs from deposits.

Enova is progressing through regulatory review on the Grasshopper Bank acquisition (expected close in H2 2026) and projects >25% adjusted EPS accretion from net synergies within two years and lower funding costs from deposits. Company raised its outlook: Q2 revenue expected to be 1520% YoY higher, full-year originations growth ~20%, and full-year adjusted EPS growth of at least 25% (not including Grasshopper).

Enova International Trading Down 1.7%

NYSE ENVA opened at $166.49 on Friday. Enova International has a 12 month low of $89.00 and a 12 month high of $176.68. The company has a 50-day moving average of $143.94 and a 200-day moving average of $142.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37, a current ratio of 9.48 and a quick ratio of 9.48. The company has a market cap of $4.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.48 and a beta of 1.20.

Key Headlines Impacting Enova International

Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat expectations  adjusted EPS $3.87 vs. $3.66 consensus and revenue of $875.1M (up ~17% YoY); management highlighted originations growth and margin expansion. Enova Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

Q1 results beat expectations  adjusted EPS $3.87 vs. $3.66 consensus and revenue of $875.1M (up ~17% YoY); management highlighted originations growth and margin expansion. Positive Sentiment: Credit performance and liquidity look solid  lower net charge-off ratio (~7.6%), stable 30+ day delinquency, and liquidity of ~$1.1B at quarter-end, supporting growth capacity. Enova Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

Credit performance and liquidity look solid  lower net charge-off ratio (~7.6%), stable 30+ day delinquency, and liquidity of ~$1.1B at quarter-end, supporting growth capacity. Positive Sentiment: Analyst optimism increased  Citizens JMP raised its price target to $195 (market outperform) and BTIG reaffirmed a buy with a $199 target, signaling continued bullish analyst sentiment. Analyst Notes: Citizens JMP, BTIG

Analyst optimism increased  Citizens JMP raised its price target to $195 (market outperform) and BTIG reaffirmed a buy with a $199 target, signaling continued bullish analyst sentiment. Neutral Sentiment: Company provided full earnings materials  earnings call transcript and slide deck are available for deeper review of guidance, segment trends and the underwriting outlook. Earnings Call Transcript

Company provided full earnings materials  earnings call transcript and slide deck are available for deeper review of guidance, segment trends and the underwriting outlook. Negative Sentiment: Rising expenses and higher debt partly offset results  commentary and coverage highlighted year-over-year expense growth and increased leverage, which may limit near-term margin improvement and make investors cautious. Zacks: Expenses Rise Y/Y

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Here are the key news stories impacting Enova International this week:

ENVA has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Enova International from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $199.00 target price on shares of Enova International in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Enova International from $165.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Enova International in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Maxim Group set a $191.00 price objective on shares of Enova International in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and six have issued a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $197.00.

Get Our Latest Report on ENVA

Insider Activity at Enova International

In other news, Chairman David Fisher sold 37,989 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.31, for a total transaction of $6,279,961.59. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman owned 348,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,564,744.13. This represents a 9.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, General Counsel Sean Rahilly sold 12,879 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.28, for a total transaction of $2,115,762.12. Following the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 100,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,572,073.56. This represents a 11.32% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 119,019 shares of company stock worth $19,748,101. Corporate insiders own 8.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Enova International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Informed Momentum Co LLC acquired a new stake in Enova International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,243,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its position in Enova International by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 33,894 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $5,328,000 after purchasing an additional 2,532 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in Enova International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,412,000. California State Teachers Retirement System increased its position in Enova International by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 24,268 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,706,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Horizon Investments LLC increased its position in Enova International by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 14,054 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,617,000 after purchasing an additional 789 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.43% of the companys stock.

About Enova International

(Get Free Report)

Enova International, Inc (NYSE: ENVA) is a Chicago-based financial services company specializing in online lending solutions. Since its founding in 2004, Enova has leveraged proprietary data analytics and technology platforms to underwrite and deliver short-term consumer loans, lines of credit and installment loans. Through its flagship consumer brand NetCredit, Enova provides flexible credit options designed to serve a wide range of borrowers, including those with limited or non-traditional credit histories.

In addition to its U.S.

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European Opportunities Trust (LON:EOT  Get Free Report) shares fell 0.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 882.20 and last traded at GBX 886.67. 71,336 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 41% from the average session volume of 120,229 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 894.

European Opportunities Trust Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of 410.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.50 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 851.42 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 886.75.

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European Opportunities Trust (LON:EOT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported GBX 1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. European Opportunities Trust had a return on equity of 5.01% and a net margin of 73.73%.

European Opportunities Trust Company Profile

Objective of the Company

The objective of the Company is to invest in securities of European companies and in sectors or geographical areas which are considered by the Investment Adviser to offer good prospects for capital growth, taking into account economic trends and business development.

Investment Policy

The Company will, at all times, invest and manage its assets, with the objective of spreading risk and in accordance with the following policies:

Investment Restrictions

Notwithstanding the broad powers of investment available to the Company as a closed-ended fund, the Board has adopted the following investment restrictions:

no single holding shall constitute more than 10% of the Companys total assets (calculated at the time of investment);

the Company will not invest in unlisted securities;

the Company will not invest in derivative instruments, whether for efficient portfolio management, gearing or investment purposes;

the Company will not invest in other listed closed-ended investment funds.

the Company shall not take legal or management control over any investments in its portfolio; and

not more than 50% of the Companys investments may be in securities which are not qualifying securities or government securities for the purposes of the UK ISA Regulations.

Borrowing limits

The Directors consider that long-term capital growth can be enhanced by the use of gearing through bank borrowings.

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SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:CWYUF  Get Free Report) and Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability and risk.

Profitability

This table compares SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerichs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust 38.27% 5.01% 2.62% Macerich -19.44% -7.32% -2.25%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

87.4% of Macerich shares are owned by institutional investors. 20.9% of SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Macerich shares are owned by insiders. 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

Analyst Recommendations

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Macerich has a beta of 2.2, indicating that its share price is 120% more volatile than the S&P 500.

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerich, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust 0 2 1 0 2.33 Macerich 3 3 7 0 2.31

Macerich has a consensus price target of $20.77, indicating a potential downside of 1.94%. Given Macerichs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Macerich is more favorable than SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust.

Dividends

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.33 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.4%. Macerich pays an annual dividend of $0.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust pays out 108.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Macerich pays out -88.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerichs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust $654.07 million 5.68 $180.22 million $1.23 16.93 Macerich $1.01 billion 5.43 -$197.15 million ($0.77) -27.51

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Macerich. Macerich is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust beats Macerich on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

(Get Free Report)

SmartCentres is one of Canadas largest fully integrated REITs, with a best-in-class and growing mixed-use portfolio featuring 191 strategically located properties in communities across the country. SmartCentres has approximately $12.0 billion in assets and owns 35.0 million square feet of income producing value-oriented retail and first-class office properties with 98.5% in place and committed occupancy, on 3,500 acres of owned land across Canada.

About Macerich

(Get Free Report)

Macerich is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). As a leading owner, operator and developer of high-quality retail real estate in densely populated and attractive U.S. markets, Macerichs portfolio is concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and the Metro New York to Washington, D.C. corridor. Developing and managing properties that serve as community cornerstones, Macerich currently owns 47 million square feet of real estate consisting primarily of interests in 44 regional town centers. Macerich is firmly dedicated to advancing environmental goals, social good and sound corporate governance. A recognized leader in sustainability, Macerich has achieved a #1 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) ranking for the North American retail sector for nine consecutive years (2015-2023).

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Hypertension Diagnostics (OTCMKTS:HDII  Get Free Report) and IQVIA (NYSE:IQV  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability and institutional ownership.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Hypertension Diagnostics and IQVIAs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hypertension Diagnostics N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A IQVIA $16.31 billion 1.69 $1.36 billion $7.86 20.67

Profitability

IQVIA has higher revenue and earnings than Hypertension Diagnostics.

This table compares Hypertension Diagnostics and IQVIAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hypertension Diagnostics N/A N/A N/A IQVIA 8.34% 30.50% 6.57%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Hypertension Diagnostics and IQVIA, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hypertension Diagnostics 0 0 0 0 0.00 IQVIA 0 2 13 2 3.00

IQVIA has a consensus target price of $226.63, indicating a potential upside of 39.48%. Given IQVIAs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe IQVIA is more favorable than Hypertension Diagnostics.

Risk and Volatility

Hypertension Diagnostics has a beta of -0.38, meaning that its share price is 138% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, IQVIA has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its share price is 39% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

89.6% of IQVIA shares are owned by institutional investors. 40.0% of Hypertension Diagnostics shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of IQVIA shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

IQVIA beats Hypertension Diagnostics on 10 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Hypertension Diagnostics

(Get Free Report)

Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary noninvasive medical devices that detect subtle changes in the elasticity of arteries in the United States and internationally. It offers CVProfilor, which allows a physician to non-invasively assess the elasticity of small and large arteries, of which small artery elasticity is the earliest and sensitive marker of cardiovascular disease. The company offers CVProfilor DO-2020, which provides a patient's arterial elasticity indices used in the assessment for underlying vascular disease; CVProfilor MD-3000 that offers a sensitive and specific guide to the presence of blood vessel disease; and HD/PulseWave CR-2000 research cardiovascular profiling system, which provides researchers and scientists with a non-invasive means to assess arterial elasticity in support of human research in various areas. Its products collect 30 seconds of blood pressure waveform data, perform an analysis of the digitized blood pressure waveforms, and generate a CVProfile report that contains information on blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure, body surface area, body mass index, and C1-large and C2-small artery elasticity indices. The company sells its products to primary care physicians, cardiologists, health care professionals, trained medical personnel, research investigators at academic medical research centers, government institutes, cardiovascular specialists, and pharmaceutical firms. It markets its products through a representative organization in the United States. Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in Richmond Hill, Canada.

About IQVIA

(Get Free Report)

IQVIA Holdings Inc. engages in the provision of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services to the life sciences industry in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Technology & Analytics Solutions, Research & Development Solutions, and Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. The Technology & Analytics Solutions segment offers a range of cloud-based applications and related implementation services; real world solutions that enable life sciences and provider customers to generate and disseminate evidence, which informs health care decision making and improves patients outcomes; and strategic and implementation consulting services, such as advanced analytics and commercial processes outsourcing services. This segment also provides country level performance metrics related to sales of pharmaceutical products, prescribing trends, medical treatment, and promotional activity across various channels, including retail, hospital, and mail order; and measurement of sales or prescribing activity at the regional, zip code, and individual prescriber level. The Research & Development Solutions segment offers project management and clinical monitoring; clinical trial support; strategic planning and design services; and patient and site centric solutions, as well as central laboratory, genomic, bioanalytical, ADME, discovery, and vaccine and biomarker laboratory services. The Contract Sales & Medical Solutions segment provides health care provider and patient engagement services, and scientific strategy and medical affairs services. It serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, device and diagnostic, and consumer health companies. The company has a collaboration with argenx SE. The company was formerly known as Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to IQVIA Holdings Inc. in November 2017. The company is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

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Shares of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the seventeen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have given a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $13.6643.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on F shares. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Ford Motor from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Ford Motor in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Ford Motor from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Ford Motor from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $15.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 14th.

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View Our Latest Research Report on Ford Motor

Ford Motor Stock Performance

NYSE:F opened at $12.39 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $12.48 and a 200-day moving average of $12.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.01, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95. Ford Motor has a twelve month low of $9.86 and a twelve month high of $14.80.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $45.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $41.78 billion. Ford Motor had a negative net margin of 4.37% and a positive return on equity of 10.16%. Ford Motors revenue for the quarter was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.39 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Ford Motor will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

Ford Motor Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. Ford Motors dividend payout ratio is currently -29.13%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ford Motor

In related news, insider William Clay Ford, Jr. purchased 140,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 19th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $13.82 per share, for a total transaction of $1,934,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 3,912,600 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,072,132. This represents a 3.71% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ford Motor

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. increased its position in shares of Ford Motor by 41.4% in the first quarter. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. now owns 19,233 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $222,000 after purchasing an additional 5,633 shares during the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the first quarter worth approximately $137,000. Essex Financial Services Inc. increased its position in shares of Ford Motor by 11.8% in the first quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 38,571 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $445,000 after purchasing an additional 4,078 shares during the last quarter. Semus Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the first quarter worth approximately $127,000. Finally, USS Investment Management Ltd increased its position in shares of Ford Motor by 8.2% in the first quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd now owns 408,172 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $4,700,000 after purchasing an additional 30,825 shares during the last quarter. 58.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ford Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company became an early pioneer of mass-production techniques with the Model T and the adoption of the moving assembly line. Today, Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad range of vehicles and mobility solutions under the Ford and Lincoln brands, spanning passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.

Fords business activities extend beyond vehicle production to include parts and aftermarket services, fleet and commercial sales, and automotive financing through Ford Motor Credit Company.

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Deadlock in Dabhaura: Repeated delay in admission order leaves 135 students stranded





Staff Reporter :

Despite the Madhya Pradesh Governments high-decibel School Chale Hum campaign, the educational future of 135 students in Rewas Dabhaura region remains shrouded in uncertainty. As the month of April draws to a close, these students, who cleared Class 8 from approximately 10 local private middle schools, find themselves stranded in despair, waiting for a formal order to grant them admission into the towns only Government higher secondary institution, now a designated CM Rise School. The situation has reached a critical bottleneck at the Directorate of Public

Instruction (DPI). Director Pramod Kumar Singh has reportedly indicated that the necessary order would be issued by the coming Monday repeatedly. However, despite these recurring assurances, no official directive has reached the ground. This administrative delay has left students and their families in a state of constant anxiety, watching the first full month of the academic session pass by without a single day of classroom learning. The crisis stems from the transition of Dabhauras local Government high school into a CM Rise institution.

The school administration had previously cited priority norms for Government-school students as a reason to deny entry to those coming from private middle schools. In a region that lacks a single private high school, this policy has effectively shut the door on 135 children, leaving them with no alternative for their Class 9 and 10 education. In his latest communication, DPI Director Pramod Kumar Singh confirmed that the department has received the necessary approvals from the ministry to amend the restrictive admission guidelines. He stated that the formal order is expected to be finalised and issued by this coming Monday or Tuesday. While the department maintains that the resolution is underway, the repeated extensions have tested the patience of the local community.
Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF (NYSEARCA:FLEU  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,940 shares, a growth of 387.4% from the March 31st total of 398 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,382 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the companys shares are sold short.

Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF Price Performance

Shares of FLEU opened at $34.38 on Friday. Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF has a 1-year low of $28.47 and a 1-year high of $35.96. The company has a 50-day moving average of $33.66 and a 200 day moving average of $33.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.43 and a beta of 0.70.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF by 8.6% during the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 34,836 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,158,000 after purchasing an additional 2,755 shares in the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC bought a new stake in Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $227,000. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF by 20.5% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $575,000 after purchasing an additional 2,944 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $81,000.

Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF Franklin FTSE Europe Hedged Fund (FLEU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Developed Eurozone index. The fund tracks a market cap weighted index of large- and mid-cap companies in the developed Eurozone. The currency exposure is not hedged FLEU was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is issued by Franklin Templeton.

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Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLTW  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 724,966 shares, a growth of 245.2% from the March 31st total of 209,987 shares. Approximately 2.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 294,657 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FLTW. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 119.4% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 16,339 shares of the companys stock valued at $707,000 after buying an additional 8,891 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 788.1% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 159,012 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,874,000 after buying an additional 141,107 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 101.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 69,467 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,626,000 after buying an additional 34,905 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotia increased its holdings in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 35.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 34,030 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,776,000 after buying an additional 8,940 shares during the period. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its holdings 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 buying an additional 132,829 shares during the period.

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Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF Price Performance

Shares of FLTW traded up $3.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $84.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 182,552 shares, compared to its average volume of 353,113. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.84 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $71.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.58. Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF has a fifty-two week low of $41.72 and a fifty-two week high of $84.57.

About Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF

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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Genpact (NYSE:G  Get Free Report) and Dynatrace (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and profitability.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

96.0% of Genpact shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.3% of Dynatrace shares are held by institutional investors. 1.6% of Genpact shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Dynatrace shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Risk and Volatility

Genpact has a beta of 0.74, suggesting that its stock price is 26% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Dynatrace has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Genpact 0 6 1 1 2.38 Dynatrace 1 5 19 0 2.72

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Genpact and Dynatrace, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Genpact presently has a consensus price target of $47.29, suggesting a potential upside of 37.72%. Dynatrace has a consensus price target of $51.64, suggesting a potential upside of 46.55%. Given Dynatraces stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Dynatrace is more favorable than Genpact.

Profitability

This table compares Genpact and Dynatraces net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Genpact 10.88% 22.02% 10.42% Dynatrace 9.55% 9.75% 6.45%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Genpact and Dynatraces top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Genpact $5.08 billion 1.15 $552.49 million $3.13 10.97 Dynatrace $1.70 billion 6.19 $483.68 million $0.61 57.76

Genpact has higher revenue and earnings than Dynatrace. Genpact is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Dynatrace, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Genpact beats Dynatrace on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Genpact

(Get Free Report)

Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The Financial Services segment offers retail customer onboarding, customer service, collections, card servicing operations, loan and payment operations, commercial loan, equipment and auto loan, mortgage origination, compliance services, reporting and monitoring, and wealth management operations support; financial crime and risk management services; and underwriting support, new business processing, policy administration, claims management, catastrophe modeling and actuarial services, as well as property and casualty claims. The Consumer and Healthcare segment provides demand generation, sensing and planning, supply chain planning and management, pricing and trade promotion management, deduction recovery management, order management, and digital commerce; and end-to-end claim lifecycle management, from claims processing and adjudication to claims recovery and payment integrity, revenue cycle management, health equity analytics, and care services. The High Tech and Manufacturing segment offers industry-specific solutions for trust and safety, advertising sales support, customer and user experience, and customer care support; and direct and indirect procurement, logistics, field, aftermarket support, and engineering services. It also provides digital operation services; data-tech-Al services; finance and accounting services, such as accounts payable, invoice-to-cash, record to report, financial planning and analysis, and enterprise risk and compliance; CFO advisory services; supply chain, and sourcing and procurement services; sales and commercial, and marketing and experience services; and environmental, social and governance services. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Dynatrace

(Get Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc. provides a security platform for multicloud environments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation. Its platform allows its customers to modernize and automate IT operations, delivers software, and enhance user experiences. In addition, the company offers implementation, consulting, and training services. It markets its products through a combination of direct sales team and a network of partners, including resellers, system integrators, and managed service providers. It serves customers in various industries comprising banking, financial services, government, insurance, retail and wholesale, transportation, and software. Dynatrace, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

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Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:HCMLY  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 132,744 shares, an increase of 206.8% from the March 31st total of 43,272 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 301,571 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold.

Holcim Trading Up 2.7%

Shares of Holcim stock traded up $0.49 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $18.58. The company had a trading volume of 64,245 shares, compared to its average volume of 144,915. The companys 50-day moving average is $17.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.24. Holcim has a twelve month low of $15.14 and a twelve month high of $30.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on HCMLY shares. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of Holcim from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Citigroup raised shares of Holcim from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of Holcim in a report on Monday, January 12th. DZ Bank cut shares of Holcim from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Holcim from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Holcim has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $16.80.

Holcim Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Holcim is a global building materials and solutions company headquartered in Switzerland that produces and supplies cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, asphalt and a range of prefabricated and construction-related products and services. Its offerings are aimed at construction and infrastructure markets, serving contractors, developers, municipalities and industrial customers with materials for residential, commercial and civil engineering projects.

The company traces its modern form to the 2015 combination of Swiss cement maker Holcim and Frances Lafarge, which created one of the worlds largest building-materials groups; the combined enterprise later simplified its name to Holcim.

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Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 9.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 22,946 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,975 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF makes up about 10.0% of Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $15,717,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 33,427,901 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,373,294,000 after purchasing an additional 939,429 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,570,831 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,122,455,000 after purchasing an additional 201,983 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 28.5% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 27,524,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,422,024,000 after purchasing an additional 6,101,936 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 22,735,267 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,216,714,000 after purchasing an additional 505,293 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 17,201,745 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,437,403,000 after purchasing an additional 601,254 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.12% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

Shares of IVV opened at $717.28 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $679.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $682.49. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 52-week low of $544.10 and a 52-week high of $717.77. The company has a market cap of $787.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00.

Key Headlines Impacting iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company Profile

Here are the key news stories impacting iShares Core S&P 500 ETF this week:

(Free Report)

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report).

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Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 1.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 698,967 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 9,264 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing comprises approximately 2.5% of Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $200,424,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TSM. Childress Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 145.3% during the 3rd quarter. Childress Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,192 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $891,000 after buying an additional 1,891 shares in the last quarter. Shannon River Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the third quarter worth approximately $2,430,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 9.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 101,876 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $28,470,000 after acquiring an additional 8,738 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 28.6% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 37,216 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $10,394,000 after acquiring an additional 8,284 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 125.3% in the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 5,216 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,457,000 after acquiring an additional 2,901 shares in the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Key Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing News

Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week:

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

TSM stock opened at $402.16 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.32, a current ratio of 2.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The company has a market capitalization of $2.08 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.35. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 12 month low of $160.50 and a 12 month high of $409.49. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $356.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $324.83.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $3.11 earnings per share for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 46.97% and a return on equity of 38.17%. The business had revenue of $30.65 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 15.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 11th will be paid a $0.9503 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 11th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is presently 24.71%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

In other news, VP Bor-Zen Tien acquired 1,000 shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock in a transaction dated Sunday, March 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $55.93 per share, for a total transaction of $55,930.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the vice president owned 9,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at $506,222.43. This represents a 12.42% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.11% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on TSM shares. DA Davidson reissued a buy rating and issued a $450.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Argus raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, March 22nd. Finally, Dbs Bank raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $404.29.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(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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Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich boosted its stake in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Free Report) by 4,893.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 77,643 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 76,088 shares during the period. Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munichs holdings in Prologis were worth $10,017,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PLD. Amundi raised its holdings in Prologis by 22.0% in the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 5,651,563 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $661,968,000 after buying an additional 1,020,819 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in Prologis by 30.3% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 4,256,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $487,424,000 after buying an additional 988,986 shares during the period. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD purchased a new stake in Prologis in the 3rd quarter valued at about $112,141,000. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in Prologis by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 7,247,383 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $829,970,000 after buying an additional 946,847 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in Prologis by 11,585.8% during the second quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 882,398 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $92,758,000 after purchasing an additional 874,847 shares during the period. 93.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $143.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $153.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $146.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $148.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $147.29.

Prologis News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Prologis this week:

Prologis Stock Performance

Shares of PLD opened at $142.15 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $136.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $130.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The company has a market capitalization of $132.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 1.40. Prologis, Inc. has a 52-week low of $100.22 and a 52-week high of $145.44.

Prologis (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $2.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.12 billion. Prologis had a return on equity of 6.46% and a net margin of 41.54%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.43 earnings per share. Prologis has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.070-6.230 EPS. Research analysts predict that Prologis, Inc. will post 6.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prologis Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th were issued a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 17th. This is an increase from Prologiss previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio is currently 107.81%.

About Prologis

(Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in logistics and distribution facilities. The company focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality industrial real estate assets that support supply chain infrastructure for third-party logistics providers, e-commerce businesses, retailers and manufacturers. Its portfolio primarily consists of warehouse and distribution centers designed to optimize goods movement and storage near key transportation hubs.

With a global presence, Prologis serves customers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

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Nomura (NYSE:NMR  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The financial services provider reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.05), Zacks reports. Nomura had a net margin of 7.81% and a return on equity of 9.88%. The company had revenue of $3.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.43 billion.

Here are the key takeaways from Nomuras conference call:

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Full-year results were strong with group net revenue up 15% to JPY 2,167.7 billion , income before income taxes up 14% to JPY 539.8 billion and a record-high net income and ROE of 10.1% .

, income before income taxes up 14% to and a record-high net income and ROE of . Wealth Management and Investment Management were key driversWealth Management income before taxes rose ~23% with recurring revenue and net inflows remaining high, while Investment Management AUM climbed to a record JPY 136.9 trillion and business revenue hit an all-time high.

and business revenue hit an all-time high. Q4 was softer: group income before taxes fell 20% quarter-on-quarter and net income fell 19% (Q4 income JPY 107.7 billion) amid a Wholesale profit drop, an impairment in Investment Management and a quarter-on-quarter expense increase of ~13% to JPY 469.5 billion.

Capital and risk postureCET1 ratio was 12.9% (down 0.1 point); management says balance-sheet growth will be largely self-funded and CET1 should not decline materially, while private credit exposure is modest and diversified at about $2.4 billion .

. Shareholder returns remain supportive with an ordinary Q4 dividend of JPY 24 (annual JPY 51, payout ~41%) and management noting a fullyear total payout including RSUs around 58% and an earlier JPY 60 billion buyback program.

Nomura Stock Down 4.8%

Shares of NMR traded down $0.40 on Friday, reaching $7.87. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,020,697 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,922,353. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.54. Nomura has a twelve month low of $5.45 and a twelve month high of $9.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.09 billion, a PE ratio of 9.96, a PEG ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.75. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $8.27 and a 200-day moving average of $8.11.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nomura

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Nomura by 1,019.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 6,434 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 5,859 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nomura in the 4th quarter worth about $76,000. Sei Investments Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Nomura in the 2nd quarter worth about $67,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nomura in the 2nd quarter worth about $72,000. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Nomura in the 4th quarter worth about $92,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 15.14% of the companys stock.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NMR. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Nomura in a report on Friday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Nomura from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Nomura has an average rating of Buy.

View Our Latest Report on NMR

About Nomura

(Get Free Report)

Nomura Holdings, Inc is a global financial services group headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with origins dating back to 1925 when Tokushichi Nomura II established the firm as a securities business. Over the decades Nomura has grown from a domestic securities house into a multinational financial services firm by expanding its product offerings and international footprint. The company is publicly listed and operates through a network of subsidiaries and branches to serve a broad client base.

Nomuras principal businesses encompass retail brokerage, wholesale (investment banking and global markets), and asset management.

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Northland Power, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NPIFF  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $16.07, but opened at $17.06. Northland Power shares last traded at $17.06, with a volume of 230 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce restated an outperform rating on shares of Northland Power in a report on Friday, March 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Northland Power has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Northland Power Stock Performance

The firms 50 day moving average price is $16.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.07. The firm has a market cap of $4.52 billion and a PE ratio of -35.31.

Northland Power (OTCMKTS:NPIFF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.20. Northland Power had a negative net margin of 7.04% and a positive return on equity of 9.75%. The business had revenue of $525.98 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $484.58 million.

Northland Power Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Northland Power Inc is a Canadian developer, owner and operator of power generation facilities, with a focus on clean and green energy. The companys portfolio encompasses natural gasfired, wind, solar and thermal projects, and its operations span from onshore and nearshore facilities in Canada to offshore wind farms in Europe. Northland Power is structured to manage all stages of a projects lifecycle, from early-stage development and financing through construction and long-term operation.

In Canada, Northland Power operates a mix of combined-cycle gas turbines and peaking plants, as well as solar installations, serving industrial and municipal customers under long-term contracts.

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Obermeyer Wealth Partners grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 409.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 49,290 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 39,613 shares during the quarter. Obermeyer Wealth Partners holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $18,894,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MSI. Ninety One UK Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 74.3% in the 4th quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 1,338,589 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $513,108,000 after purchasing an additional 570,712 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,386,519 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $4,292,310,000 after purchasing an additional 490,354 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 56.6% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,203,661 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $550,422,000 after purchasing an additional 435,178 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 35.2% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,355,159 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $568,930,000 after purchasing an additional 353,113 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3,126.7% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 297,925 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $114,201,000 after purchasing an additional 288,692 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock.

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Motorola Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of MSI opened at $438.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.47, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.04. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $359.36 and a twelve month high of $492.22. The firms 50 day moving average price is $454.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $418.34. The firm has a market cap of $72.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.37, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.99.

Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement

Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The communications equipment provider reported $4.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.35 by $0.24. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 110.75%. The firm had revenue of $3.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.34 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.04 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 15.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 20th were paid a $1.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 20th. This represents a $4.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is presently 37.93%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MSI has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, April 18th. Argus upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $499.00 price objective (up from $443.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Truist Financial initiated coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. They set a buy rating and a $540.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $502.50.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions

In other news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $468.09, for a total value of $23,404,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 47,167 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,078,401.03. The trade was a 51.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Cynthia Yazdi sold 7,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $471.01, for a total transaction of $3,297,070.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 9,529 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,488,254.29. This represents a 42.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 129,069 shares of company stock valued at $60,779,964. 1.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Motorola Solutions

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc is a provider of mission-critical communications and analytics solutions for public safety and commercial customers. The company designs, manufactures and supports a range of communications equipment and software aimed at enabling first responders, government agencies and enterprises to coordinate and operate reliably in high-pressure environments. Its offerings emphasize secure, resilient connectivity and situational awareness for organizations that require dependable voice, data and video communications.

Product lines include land mobile radio (LMR) systems and handheld and vehicle-mounted radios used by police, fire and emergency medical services; broadband push-to-talk and LTE-based solutions; command-and-control center software for incident management and records; and video security and analytics systems.

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GSTAT Raipur Bench beginsoperations in Chhattisgarh





Staff Reporter :

RAIPUR :

THE Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), Raipur Bench, has formally commenced its functioning, marking a key development in the States indirect tax adjudication framework. The commencement has been notified through Public Notice No. 01/2026 dated April 23, 2026, issued by Assistant Registrar Almon Jiwan Kongari. The Raipur Bench is presently operating from the VAT Tribunal premises located at North B-Block, Sector-19, Vanijyik Kar-GST Bhavan, Nava Raipur, Atal Nagar.

The Bench will exercise jurisdiction over appeals arising under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and the Chhattisgarh State Goods and Services Tax Act, covering all GST-related disputes within the State. Officials indicated that the establishment of the Bench provides a dedicated appellate mechanism for taxpayers, trade and industry, reducing reliance on High Court intervention in matters involving factual disputes and tax quantification. All appeals and applications before the Tribunal are to be filed in accordance with the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2025, particularly provisions under Chapter III governing institution of appeals.

The e-filing facility has been made operational through the designated portal, with support mechanisms including a toll-free helpline and online grievance redressal system for technical issues. The GST Appellate Tribunal Bar Association, Chhattisgarh has extended support to practitioners and taxpayers, offering assistance in filing procedures and representation before the Tribunal. Reacting to the development,

CA Sameer Kumar Singh, President of the Association, stated that the commencement of the Bench would facilitate resolution of a large number of pending disputes by providing an accessible and specialised forum within the State. The Association has also urged Chartered Accountants, Advocates and tax practitioners to familiarise themselves with the procedural framework to ensure smooth functioning of appellate processes.
Peregrine Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC  Free Report) by 63.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 236,348 shares of the companys stock after selling 406,040 shares during the period. Peregrine Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.58% of Wabash National worth $2,044,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WNC. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Wabash National by 305.8% during the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 640,850 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,325,000 after buying an additional 482,942 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Wabash National by 864.3% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 459,547 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,078,000 after buying an additional 411,889 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Wabash National by 204.3% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 463,191 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,118,000 after buying an additional 310,998 shares during the last quarter. EVR Research LP purchased a new position in Wabash National in the third quarter worth about $1,974,000. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its position in Wabash National by 48.9% in the third quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 461,499 shares of the companys stock worth $4,555,000 after purchasing an additional 151,547 shares during the last quarter. 97.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wabash National Trading Up 2.5%

Shares of NYSE:WNC opened at $9.12 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $370.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $9.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.28. Wabash National Corporation has a 52-week low of $6.78 and a 52-week high of $12.94.

Wabash National Announces Dividend

Wabash National ( NYSE:WNC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported ($0.93) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.77) by ($0.16). Wabash National had a negative return on equity of 22.79% and a net margin of 13.71%.The company had revenue of $321.45 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $318.32 million. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.02) EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 22.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Wabash National Corporation will post -1.28 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 2nd were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Wabash Nationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on WNC. Weiss Ratings cut Wabash National from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d) rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Zacks Research raised Wabash National from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Wall Street Zen cut Wabash National from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st. Finally, DA Davidson reissued a neutral rating and issued a $11.00 target price on shares of Wabash National in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $10.00.

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Wabash National Profile

(Free Report)

Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is a leading designer and manufacturer of transportation equipment and supply chain solutions. The companys product portfolio includes dry freight van trailers, refrigerated vans, tank trailers, platform trailers, flatbeds and composite bodies. Wabash National also offers railcar products and modular building solutions, serving customers in a wide range of end markets such as food and beverage, chemicals, agriculture, waste management and construction.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National has built a reputation for innovation in lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing processes and telematics integration.

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Shares of Persimmon Plc (OTCMKTS:PSMMY  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the five ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company.

PSMMY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th.

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Persimmon Stock Performance

Persimmon Company Profile

Shares of PSMMY opened at $30.17 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $33.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.66. Persimmon has a 12-month low of $27.82 and a 12-month high of $41.84.

(Get Free Report)

Persimmon plc (OTCMKTS:PSMMY) is a leading United Kingdombased residential property developer primarily engaged in the design, construction and sale of new homes. The companys product range spans starter homes for first-time buyers, family houses and executive properties, addressing a broad spectrum of customer needs. Persimmon also offers warranty and after-sales services through its in-house customer care teams, ensuring ongoing support for homeowners.

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in York, North Yorkshire, Persimmon has grown from a regional builder into one of the UKs most prolific housebuilders.

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ProVise Management Group LLC increased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 3.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 152,863 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,327 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International comprises about 1.7% of ProVise Management Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. ProVise Management Group LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $24,519,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 143,468,448 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,270,582,000 after buying an additional 611,393 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.2% in the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 128,776,327 shares of the companys stock worth $20,887,743,000 after acquiring an additional 2,714,674 shares during the period. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.0% during the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 89,150,871 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,461,220,000 after purchasing an additional 882,885 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 7.2% in the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 43,546,533 shares of the companys stock worth $7,063,263,000 after purchasing an additional 2,911,835 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its position in Philip Morris International by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 14,701,879 shares of the companys stock worth $2,384,645,000 after purchasing an additional 401,381 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on PM. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of 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. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $181.50 to $168.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $205.00 to $190.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two 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 a consensus price target of $192.56.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

NYSE:PM opened at $164.18 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $142.11 and a fifty-two week high of $191.30. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $169.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $163.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $255.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.09, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.43.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $10.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.95 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 13.42% and a negative return on equity of 142.02%. The firms revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.69 EPS. 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. Research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 8.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 19th were given a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 19th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 80.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Jacek Olczak sold 80,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 632,344 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $115,200,429.92. This represents a 11.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Emmanuel Babeau sold 33,800 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.61, for a total value of $6,138,418.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 164,463 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,868,125.43. This trade represents a 17.05% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International 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.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued their hold rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Free Report) in a research note published on Wednesday morning,Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 6,900 price objective on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Berenberg Bank cut their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,700 to GBX 6,600 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 7,030 to GBX 7,200 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 7,000 to GBX 7,200 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a GBX 6,400 price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 6,860.

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Rio Tinto Group

LON:RIO opened at GBX 7,381 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 7,023.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 6,247.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.51, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The firm has a market cap of 120.03 billion, a PE ratio of 12.13, a P/E/G ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.64. Rio Tinto Group has a 1-year low of GBX 4,110 and a 1-year high of GBX 7,575.

In other news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 6 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 7,311, for a total value of 438.66. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Our portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. We continuously search for new projects that can support the energy transition, currently exploring for 7 commodities in 17 countries.

We have more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding our work.

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Sava Infond d.o.o. lessened its position in Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV  Free Report) by 14.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 12,005 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,000 shares during the period. Sava Infond d.o.o.s holdings in Elevance Health were worth $4,208,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 331.6% in the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 82 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC lifted its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 110.0% in the 3rd quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 84 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 85 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Motco lifted its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 334.8% in the 3rd quarter. Motco now owns 100 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ORG Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 120.4% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 108 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.24% of the companys stock.

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Elevance Health Trading Down 0.5%

NYSE ELV opened at $344.64 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.48. The company has a market capitalization of $74.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.49. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $308.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $331.62. Elevance Health, Inc. has a one year low of $273.71 and a one year high of $427.54.

Elevance Health Announces Dividend

Elevance Health ( NYSE:ELV Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The company reported $12.58 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.74 by $1.84. The business had revenue of $49.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.21 billion. Elevance Health had a net margin of 2.62% and a return on equity of 15.58%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $11.97 EPS. Elevance Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.850- EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 26.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 10th will be given a dividend of $1.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 10th. This represents a $6.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ELV has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Elevance Health from $350.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $413.00 to $350.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Elevance Health from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $358.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $395.00 to $391.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $396.00 to $399.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $380.42.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Elevance Health

Key Headlines Impacting Elevance Health

Here are the key news stories impacting Elevance Health this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and upgraded outlook  ELV reported strong Q1 results (EPS $12.58 vs. estimates) and raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to at least $26.75 while targeting ~12% EPS growth in 2027, which supports earnings upside and margin improvement. Elevance raises 2026 outlook

Q1 beat and upgraded outlook  ELV reported strong Q1 results (EPS $12.58 vs. estimates) and raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to at least $26.75 while targeting ~12% EPS growth in 2027, which supports earnings upside and margin improvement. Positive Sentiment: Large analyst upgrade  Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target to $424 and kept an outperform rating, implying ~23% upside; a high-conviction bullish call that can attract demand. Bernstein raises PT to $424

Large analyst upgrade  Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target to $424 and kept an outperform rating, implying ~23% upside; a high-conviction bullish call that can attract demand. Positive Sentiment: Barclays reiteration of Buy  Barclays stuck with a Buy rating, signaling institutional confidence that can provide support for the shares. Barclays sticks to Buy

Barclays reiteration of Buy  Barclays stuck with a Buy rating, signaling institutional confidence that can provide support for the shares. Positive Sentiment: Operational tailwinds noted  Management highlighted medical cost controls and AI-driven margin expansion, and major outlets reported the company raised its annual profit forecast on those controls, reinforcing the positive earnings message. Profit forecast raised on cost controls

Operational tailwinds noted  Management highlighted medical cost controls and AI-driven margin expansion, and major outlets reported the company raised its annual profit forecast on those controls, reinforcing the positive earnings message. Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst PT lifts with conservative ratings  Several firms nudged up targets but kept neutral/hold stances (Goldman to $370 neutral; Deutsche Bank to $363 hold; Evercore to $360 in-line). These raise reference prices but signal measured optimism. Goldman raises PT to $370

Mixed analyst PT lifts with conservative ratings  Several firms nudged up targets but kept neutral/hold stances (Goldman to $370 neutral; Deutsche Bank to $363 hold; Evercore to $360 in-line). These raise reference prices but signal measured optimism. Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies update  Jefferies revised its forecasts after a deeper look at exchange-segment dynamics and trimmed its PT slightly; this is an analyst reshuffle rather than a directional shock. Jefferies updates forecasts

Jefferies update  Jefferies revised its forecasts after a deeper look at exchange-segment dynamics and trimmed its PT slightly; this is an analyst reshuffle rather than a directional shock. Negative Sentiment: Investor litigation probe  Law firm Kirby McInerney has opened an investigation into potential securities claims involving Elevance and/or its senior management; legal scrutiny can pressure the stock and raise uncertainty. Kirby McInerney investor alert

Investor litigation probe  Law firm Kirby McInerney has opened an investigation into potential securities claims involving Elevance and/or its senior management; legal scrutiny can pressure the stock and raise uncertainty. Negative Sentiment: Some broker nuance implies limited near-term upside  Robert W. Bairds update leaves a neutral stance with a lower relative target vs. some peers, noting limited immediate upside which can cap buying interest. Baird adjusts PT

About Elevance Health

(Free Report)

Elevance Health, Inc (NYSE: ELV) is a large U.S.-based health benefits company that provides a broad range of health insurance products and related services. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the company rebranded from Anthem, Inc to Elevance Health in 2022 while continuing to operate consumer-facing health plans under established state and national brands. Gail Boudreaux serves as chief executive officer and president, leading the companys strategic focus on integrated health care and benefit delivery.

Elevances core activities include offering medical and specialty health plans for individuals, employers and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid managed-care products.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ELV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV  Free Report).

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Global X Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:RSSL  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 20,023 shares, a growth of 948.9% from the March 31st total of 1,909 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,819 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Global X Russell 2000 ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RSSL. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Global X Russell 2000 ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $773,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in shares of Global X Russell 2000 ETF by 84.7% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 9,637 shares of the companys stock worth $931,000 after purchasing an additional 4,418 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Global X Russell 2000 ETF by 243.7% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 39,184 shares of the companys stock worth $3,785,000 after purchasing an additional 27,784 shares during the period.

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Global X Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA RSSL opened at $108.35 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.41 billion, a PE ratio of 16.96 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $101.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $99.51. Global X Russell 2000 ETF has a 1-year low of $75.55 and a 1-year high of $109.25.

About Global X Russell 2000 ETF

The Global X Russell 2000 ETF (RSSL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell 2000 RIC Capped index. The fund tracks an index comprised of small-cap U.S. equities with quarterly capping, ensuring compliance with RIC concentration requirements RSSL was launched on Jun 4, 2024 and is issued by Global X.

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Invesco Building & Construction ETF (NYSEARCA:PKB  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 25,991 shares, a growth of 670.8% from the March 31st total of 3,372 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 16,295 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.6 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Peterson Wealth Services raised its stake in shares of Invesco Building & Construction ETF by 6,575.0% during the 3rd quarter. Peterson Wealth Services now owns 267 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 263 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Advocates LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Building & Construction ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. one8zero8 LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Building & Construction ETF during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Copia Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Building & Construction ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Building & Construction ETF during the 4th quarter worth $46,000.

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Invesco Building & Construction ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA PKB opened at $107.50 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $448.28 million, a P/E ratio of 21.37 and a beta of 1.32. Invesco Building & Construction ETF has a one year low of $68.20 and a one year high of $111.24. The companys fifty day moving average is $102.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $98.92.

About Invesco Building & Construction ETF

PowerShares Dynamic Building & Construction Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the Dynamic Building & Construction Intellidex Index (the Index). The Index evaluates companies based on a variety of investment merit criteria, including fundamental growth, stock valuation, investment timeliness and risk factors. The Index consists of stocks of 30 United States building and construction companies. These are companies that are primarily engaged in providing construction and related engineering services for building and remodeling residential properties, commercial or industrial buildings, or working on large-scale infrastructure projects, such as highways, tunnels, bridges, dams, power lines and airports.

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iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (NYSEARCA:HEZU  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 66,364 shares, a growth of 378.5% from the March 31st total of 13,870 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 108,803 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kelleher Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF by 198.1% during the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,416 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 941 shares during the period. Finally, Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $102,000.

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iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF Price Performance

Shares of HEZU stock opened at $45.98 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $586.25 million, a PE ratio of 16.09 and a beta of 0.68. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF has a 1-year low of $37.92 and a 1-year high of $48.54. The business has a 50-day moving average of $45.06 and a 200 day moving average of $44.34.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF Company Profile

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap securities from the eurozone, while hedging out its exposure to the euro currency relative to the US dollar. HEZU was launched on Jul 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe (NYSEARCA:EPV  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 29,866 shares, a drop of 71.8% from the March 31st total of 105,749 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 65,666 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Currently, 4.1% of the shares of the company are short sold.

ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe Trading Down 1.2%

EPV stock traded down $0.23 on Friday, hitting $19.74. The company had a trading volume of 14,003 shares, compared to its average volume of 45,133. ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe has a 12-month low of $18.52 and a 12-month high of $31.13. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $20.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.92.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Verity Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe by 17.8% during the 4th quarter. Verity Asset Management Inc. now owns 21,833 shares of the companys stock valued at $477,000 after buying an additional 3,302 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe in the 4th quarter valued at $394,000. Ferguson Shapiro LLC bought a new stake in ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe in the 1st quarter valued at $378,000. Finally, Two Sigma Securities LLC bought a new stake in ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe in the 2nd quarter valued at $297,000.

About ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe

The ProShares UltraShort FTSE Europe (EPV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE All Cap Developed Europe index. The fund provides a daily leveraged inverse (-2x) exposure to a market-cap-weighted index of European developed markets equities. EPV was launched on Jun 18, 2009 and is managed by ProShares.

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Strategic Oil & Gas Ltd (CVE:SOG  Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$0.02 and traded as low as C$0.02. Strategic Oil & Gas shares last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 3,800 shares.

Strategic Oil & Gas Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of C$36.34 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 903.61. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$0.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.02.

Strategic Oil & Gas Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Strategic Oil & Gas Ltd. engages in the exploration and development of petroleum and natural gas reserves in Western Canada and the Western United States. The company holds interests in various oil and natural gas properties located in Amber, Bistcho/Larne, Conrad, Marlowe, and Taber areas in Alberta; Cameron Hills, Northwest Territories; and Maxhamish, Northeast British Columbia. It also has interest in certain lands located in the Greater Green River Basin in southwest Wyoming, the United States.

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HCs relief to Haldiram in solar power billing case; orders refund if overcharged





Staff Reporter :

In a relief for industries using solar power, the Nagpur Bombay High Court has clarified that companies cannot be denied electricity benefits without proper rules. The court said that if extra money is taken by the power company, it must be returned. This decision came in a case filed by Haldiram Foods International Private Limited over a dispute about night-time electricity rebate. The petition was filed by the company through its Managing Director Sushilkumar Shivkisan Agrawal against Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

The company had challenged a communication issued on April 25, 2014, by MSEDCL, which denied it the benefit of night rebate on electricity consumption. Haldiram argued that it runs a large manufacturing unit in Nagpur and consumes huge electricity. To reduce dependency, the company had invested around Rs 15 crore in setting up a 1.5 MW solar power project for its own use. It claimed that as per tariff orders of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), it was entitled to a lower rate for electricity used during night hours (10 pm to 6 am).

According to the company, it could sell the solar power it generates at Rs 7.95 per unit, while it had to buy electricity from MSEDCL at Rs 7.01 per unit. However, if the night rebate was applied, the cost would come down to about Rs 4.51 per unit, which would benefit the company. The company claimed that despite this, MSEDCL did not give the rebate and instead charged higher rates between

April and December 2014. On the other hand, MSEDCL argued that giving such a rebate could impact other consumers and said there were no clear rules to allow this benefit in such situations. After hearing both sides, the bench of Justices Urmila Joshi Phalke and Nivedita P Mehta referred to an earlier MERC order which stated that reduction of night rebate due to solar generation should not be done until proper rules are framed. The court observed that if any excess amount was charged from the company, it must be refunded. At the same time, if any amount is still due, the power company can recover it after proper calculation. The court directed MSEDCL officials to verify all payments made by Haldiram, adjust the night rebate properly, and either recover pending dues or refund excess money as per law. Advocate Tushar D Mandlekar appeared for Haldiram, while Advocate A D Mohgaonkar represented MSEDCL.
Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in shares of Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 20.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 492,579 shares of the credit-card processors stock after acquiring an additional 83,717 shares during the quarter. Visa makes up 0.6% of Teacher Retirement System of Texas investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in Visa were worth $172,752,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clayton Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Visa by 446.2% during the 4th quarter. Clayton Financial Group LLC now owns 71 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Parvin Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Visa by 200.0% during the 3rd quarter. Parvin Asset Management LLC now owns 75 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. PayPay Securities Corp grew its stake in shares of Visa by 102.7% during the 4th quarter. PayPay Securities Corp now owns 75 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. Dorato Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Visa during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Visa during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Institutional investors own 82.15% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

V has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded Visa from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $395.00 target price on shares of Visa in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Loop Capital initiated coverage on Visa in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $387.00 target price for the company. UBS Group cut their target price on Visa from $425.00 to $390.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Visa to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $387.79.

Visa Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE V opened at $309.66 on Friday. Visa Inc. has a 52 week low of $293.89 and a 52 week high of $375.51. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $309.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $328.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The company has a market cap of $562.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.80.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The credit-card processor reported $3.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.03. Visa had a return on equity of 61.74% and a net margin of 50.23%.The business had revenue of $10.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.75 EPS. The firms revenue was up 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Visa Inc. will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Visa Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 10th. Visas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.14%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Lloyd Carney sold 650 shares of Visa stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.62, for a total transaction of $201,253.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 2,679 shares in the company, valued at approximately $829,471.98. This trade represents a 19.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

About Visa

(Free Report)

Visa Inc is a global payments technology company that facilitates electronic funds transfers and digital commerce by connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions and governments. The firm operates one of the worlds largest payment networks, providing processing, authorization, clearing and settlement services for credit, debit and prepaid card transactions. Visas network-based model enables partner banks and other issuers to offer branded payment products while Visa focuses on the infrastructure, standards and technologies that move money securely and efficiently around the world.

Visas product and service portfolio includes card-based payment products for consumers and businesses, real-time push-payment capabilities, tokenization and authentication services, fraud and risk-management tools, data analytics and APIs for fintech and merchant integration.

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Solidarity Wealth LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ  Free Report) by 89.7% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 18,848 shares of the cell phone carriers stock after selling 163,422 shares during the period. Solidarity Wealth LLCs holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $768,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 61.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 43,986 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $1,759,000 after acquiring an additional 16,704 shares in the last quarter. United Bank grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. United Bank now owns 7,843 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $339,000 after acquiring an additional 806 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 312.0% during the 2nd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 23,639 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $1,023,000 after acquiring an additional 17,901 shares in the last quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 41,121 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $1,779,000 after acquiring an additional 6,034 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vivaldi Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 8,993 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $389,000 after acquiring an additional 443 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.06% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Verizon Communications news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total transaction of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 145,069 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,196,873.09. The trade was a 57.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total transaction of $429,905.52. Following the transaction, 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 position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 218,148 shares of company stock valued at $10,780,356 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VZ has been the topic of several research analyst reports. William Blair upgraded shares of Verizon Communications to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings raised Verizon Communications from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Verizon Communications in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $49.00 price target for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Verizon Communications currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $50.56.

View Our Latest Report on Verizon Communications

Key Stories Impacting Verizon Communications

Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:

Verizon Communications Stock Down 1.6%

VZ opened at $46.46 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $49.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $43.82. Verizon Communications Inc. has a twelve month low of $38.39 and a twelve month high of $51.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market cap of $194.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.29.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $36.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.10 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.9 EPS for the current year.

Verizon Communications Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be given a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 10th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.1%. This is a positive change from Verizon Communicationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. Verizon Communicationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.88%.

About Verizon Communications

(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.

Further Reading

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Warpaint London PLC (LON:W7L  Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 2.3% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 210 and last traded at GBX 215. Approximately 158,961 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 63% from the average daily volume of 434,745 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 220.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Berenberg Bank reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 510 price objective on shares of Warpaint London in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 475.

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Warpaint London Price Performance

About Warpaint London

The company has a current ratio of 3.53, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.19. The firm has a market cap of 165.61 million, a PE ratio of 10.39 and a beta of 0.18. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 216.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 208.56.

(Get Free Report)

Warpaint London PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides color cosmetics. It operates through two segments, Branded and Close-Out. The company offers its cosmetic skincare products under the W7, Technic, Man'stuff, Body Collection, Very Vegan, and Chit Chat brand names. It also provides supply chain management services. Warpaint London PLC sells its products to retailers, distributors, supermarkets, and retail chains, as well as through online. The company operates in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Spain, Denmark, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and internationally.

Further Reading

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Windar Photonics PLC (LON:WPHO  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 33.42 and traded as low as GBX 30. Windar Photonics shares last traded at GBX 30.68, with a volume of 148,620 shares trading hands.

Windar Photonics Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.57, a current ratio of 5.65 and a quick ratio of 0.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 33.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 43.61. The firm has a market capitalization of 29.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -20.67 and a beta of 2.09.

About Windar Photonics

(Get Free Report)

Windar Photonics PLC, through its subsidiaries, develops and sells light detection and ranging sensors, and associated products for use on electricity generating wind turbines in Europe, China, and rest of Asia. It offers WindEYE and WindVISION sensors, which measure wind speed by scanning a laser beam ahead of the wind turbines. The company also provides WindTIMIZER that works as a mediator between the WindEYE and the wind turbine controller; and retrofit control system. Windar Photonics PLC was incorporated in 2014 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lowered its holdings in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) by 81.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 77,338 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 343,703 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Unum Group were worth $5,994,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,484 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 36.2% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 587 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 49,017 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,813,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,709 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,066,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 46,619 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,626,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.57% of the companys stock.

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Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UNM opened at $77.40 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $12.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Unum Group has a 1-year low of $68.28 and a 1-year high of $83.13. The stocks 50-day moving average is $74.44 and its 200 day moving average is $75.69.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.11 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.29 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 5.65% and a return on equity of 12.62%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.03 earnings per share. Unum Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.900 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 8.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, April 24th will be given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 24th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Timothy F. Keaney sold 4,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.58, for a total transaction of $326,610.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 38,592 shares in the company, valued at $2,801,007.36. This trade represents a 10.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Christopher W. Pyne sold 4,852 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.47, for a total value of $351,624.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 52,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,787,861.96. The trade was a 8.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 21,852 shares of company stock valued at $1,590,734 in the last 90 days. 0.92% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on UNM shares. Wall Street Zen raised Unum Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued a moderate buy rating and set a $95.00 price objective on shares of Unum Group in a report on Thursday, March 26th. UBS Group raised their price objective on Unum Group from $81.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Unum Group from $83.00 to $77.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Unum Group from $92.00 to $90.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $92.91.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on UNM

About Unum Group

(Free Report)

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) is a leading provider of employee benefits in the United States and selected international markets, specializing in disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through both fully insured and self-funded arrangements, the company offers group coverage designed to protect income and mitigate financial hardship for employees and their families. Its portfolio includes short-term and long-term disability plans, group life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) policies, as well as critical illness and hospital indemnity products.

In addition to its core product lines, Unum Group markets voluntary benefits under its Colonial Life brand, allowing employees to purchase supplemental insurance such as accident, cancer, and dental coverage directly through payroll deductions.

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Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its stake in Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Free Report) by 13.6% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 136,278 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 16,326 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Banco Santander Chile were worth $4,240,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allianz Asset Management GmbH purchased a new stake in Banco Santander Chile in the 3rd quarter valued at about $597,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its position in Banco Santander Chile by 200.9% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 832,647 shares of the banks stock valued at $22,065,000 after buying an additional 555,919 shares during the period. INCA Investments LLC boosted its position in Banco Santander Chile by 36.4% in the 3rd quarter. INCA Investments LLC now owns 715,192 shares of the banks stock valued at $18,953,000 after buying an additional 191,014 shares during the period. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. purchased a new stake in Banco Santander Chile in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,369,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Banco Santander Chile by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,113,470 shares of the banks stock valued at $82,507,000 after buying an additional 17,119 shares during the period. 6.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BSAC has been the subject of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco Santander Chile in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Banco Santander Chile from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $40.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, March 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $38.00 price objective on shares of Banco Santander Chile in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Bank of America raised shares of Banco Santander Chile from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $35.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Banco Santander Chile from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.50.

Banco Santander Chile Price Performance

Shares of BSAC opened at $33.88 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $33.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.95. Banco Santander Chile has a fifty-two week low of $22.77 and a fifty-two week high of $37.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.96 billion, a PE ratio of 14.73, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.77.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 13th. The bank reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter. Banco Santander Chile had a net margin of 24.57% and a return on equity of 21.51%. The firm had revenue of $787.51 million during the quarter. Equities analysts predict that Banco Santander Chile will post 2.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Banco Santander Chile Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC) is one of the leading financial institutions in Chile and a key component of the global Santander Group. The bank offers a comprehensive range of banking and financial services, including retail and commercial lending, deposit accounts, credit cards, wealth management, insurance products and corporate banking solutions. Headquartered in Santiago, it operates an extensive network of branches, ATMs and digital platforms to serve individual customers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations across the country.

Originally founded as Banco de Santiago in the late 1970s, the institution became part of the Santander Group following the privatization wave in Chile during the late 1980s.

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no-respite-from-heat-as-mercury-soars-to-420c-





Staff Reporter :

Jabalpur is reeling under intense heat as temperature continues to rise sharply, causing discomfort for residents. On Friday, the maximum temperature touched 42 degrees Celsius, with harsh sunlight and heatwave like conditions prevailing through the day. According to the weather department, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 42C, while the minimum stood at 23.2C. Clear skies led to strong sun rays, making the heat more severe and noticeable. Spokesman of weather department said there is no immediate relief in sight.

The temperature is likely to remain above 42C on Saturday, while it may hover around 43C on Sunday, further intensifying the heat conditions. A slight dip in temperature is expected from Tuesday, with the mercury likely to settle between 38C and 40C. However, increased humidity during this period may lead to continued discomfort for residents. Spokesman further informed that temperatures in Jabalpur have remained above normal throughout April. For several consecutive days, the mercury has stayed above 40C, with a steady rise of about one degree Celsius observed daily. In view of the rising heat, residents have been advised to take all necessary precautions. People have been advised to avoid stepping out between 12 noon and 4 pm. They have been suggested to stay hydrated and ensure special care for children and the elderly to prevent heat related illnesses such as heatstroke.
Yeah, sure, the Trump administration wants to punish Labours Britain for their cowardice during the Iran war by changing their stance on the Falkland Islands, but heres the thing the dumbfucks in the Trump admin. need to understand. Labour would welcome the giving away of the Falklands as much as they welcomed the stupid deal giving away the Chagos Islands. This all comes from a leaked Pentagon email that suggests a shift in American policy regarding the islands sovereignty could form part of punishments for NATO nations after the Iran war.

The idiots in America dont realise that the UK has been taken over by communists who hate Britain, hate their own flag and hate their own history. They are conducting a thing called decolonisation and actively destroying the nations legacy and historical conquest from within.

You dumbfucks in the Pentagon better get a way of hurting the Labour Party and not fuck with Britain, because Britain is being attacked from within by Labour anyway. Just look at the economy and mass unfettered immigration as proof.
Two students held with LSD in MIDC area; one accused on the run





Staff Reporter :

In a late-night combing operation, the Crime Branch arrested two young men and seized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) drugs and other valuables worth over Rs 4.37 lakh. The operation was carried out in the early hours of Friday in Jaitala area. The raid was conducted around 3.30 am in front of a house in Badge Layout, near Gandhi Clinic, within the jurisdiction of MIDC Police Station. The arrested accused have been identified as Kunal Giri Suresh Giridhanarthi (22) and Dipesh Devidas Bohre (22), both from Gondia district. They are currently living in rented accommodation in the MIDC and Pratap Nagar areas and are studying at Raisoni College.

Police said the team from the Crime Branch was conducting routine combing and patrolling when they noticed the duo behaving suspiciously near a motorcycle. On searching them, officers recovered 17 LSD dot stickers (blotters) weighing 0.170 grams. The estimated value of the seized LSD is Rs 1.70 lakh. Apart from the drugs, police also seized two mobile phones, one moped, and a Pulsar motorcycle. During the investigation, the names of another accused, Anubhav (22), a resident of Vaishali Nagar in the MIDC area, surfaced. He is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace him. According to police, the case has been registered under Sections 8(c), 22(b), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Under the guidance of DCP Detection Rahul Maknikar, and ACP Abhijeet Patil the action was made by Crime Branch Unit No. 6, along with the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) and women personnel from the Bharosa Cell.
Bender Robert & Associates cut its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 67.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,642 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 89,298 shares during the period. Chipotle Mexican Grill comprises about 0.3% of Bender Robert & Associates holdings, making the stock its 26th largest position. Bender Robert & Associates holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $1,578,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,703 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $224,000 after buying an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Centurion Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Centurion Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,713 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. now owns 14,632 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $573,000 after buying an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. Finally, City State Bank boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. City State Bank now owns 2,330 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $86,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More Chipotle Mexican Grill News

Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week:

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

CMG opened at $34.21 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $29.75 and a fifty-two week high of $58.42. The business has a 50-day moving average of $34.72 and a 200-day moving average of $36.18. The company has a market capitalization of $44.56 billion, a PE ratio of 30.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.06.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 47.99% and a net margin of 12.88%.The company had revenue of $2.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.96 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.25 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on CMG shares. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating and set a $44.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $50.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Gordon Haskett lowered Chipotle Mexican Grill from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $35.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $46.47.

View Our Latest Research Report on CMG

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners.

The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado.

Featured Stories

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Tejon Ranch Co (NYSE:TRC  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $16.95 and traded as high as $19.80. Tejon Ranch shares last traded at $19.7250, with a volume of 55,409 shares.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Tejon Ranch from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d) rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Tejon Ranch from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, March 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, Tejon Ranch has an average rating of Sell.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Tejon Ranch

Tejon Ranch Trading Up 0.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 3.78 and a current ratio of 4.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $532.58 million, a P/E ratio of 1,974.47 and a beta of 0.60. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $18.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.95.

Tejon Ranch (NYSE:TRC  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 19th. The real estate development and agribusiness company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.01. Tejon Ranch had a net margin of 0.15% and a return on equity of 0.02%. The firm had revenue of $21.11 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.94 million. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Tejon Ranch Co will post 0.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tejon Ranch

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Tejon Ranch by 0.7% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,138,314 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock worth $34,170,000 after buying an additional 14,767 shares during the period. Nitor Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Tejon Ranch in the 4th quarter valued at $21,227,000. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its stake in shares of Tejon Ranch by 8.4% in the 4th quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 732,826 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock valued at $11,557,000 after acquiring an additional 56,800 shares in the last quarter. Foundation Resource Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Tejon Ranch by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Foundation Resource Management Inc. now owns 494,801 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock valued at $7,803,000 after acquiring an additional 9,721 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Tejon Ranch by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 446,595 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock valued at $7,043,000 after acquiring an additional 1,155 shares in the last quarter. 60.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Tejon Ranch Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Tejon Ranch Corporation (NYSE: TRC) is one of Californias largest private landowners, with a diversified portfolio spanning agriculture, real estate development and natural resource operations. Headquartered in Lebec, California, the companys holdings encompass approximately 270,000 acres in Kern and Los Angeles counties. Established in 1937 on the historic Rancho Tejon land grant, Tejon Ranch has leveraged its strategic location along Interstate 5 to build a multifaceted enterprise serving both local and regional markets.

In agriculture, Tejon Ranch grows a variety of row crops and permanent plantings, including almonds, pistachios, table grapes and citrus.

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Why be a young Catholic in 2026? Taking Inspiration from Sr Clares Story is the compelling title of an event organised by a new group in the city and diocese.

Columban Young Adults was formed following the recent An Lasair Chroi - The Light of Christ conference in Derry.

The groups inaugural event, a talk aimed at young adults, will be given by a member of the Servant Sisters of Home of the Mother, the order to which Sr Clare Crockett belonged.

It will take place at 7.30pm, on Thursday, April 30, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown and will be followed by Benediction, and light refreshments.

Speaking to The Derry News, co-organiser James Tourish said Columban Young Adults grew out of a feeling among many young adults in their late teens and early twenties there needed to be a forum for people who had Catholic faith and wanted to be among like-minded people.

The group is open to anyone who wants to come along and talk about the issues relevant to them, added James.

Talk aimed at young adults, will be given by a member of the Servant Sisters of Home of the Mother, the order to which Sr Clare Crockett belonged.

It is for young people who want to practice their faith together and build a community so they can feel there is a sense of belonging in the city, there is something here which caters for their pastoral needs.

We are kick-starting Columban Young Adults with Why be a young Catholic in 2026?. We recognise not everyone with an interest in their faith might belong to a group or practice their faith with other people.Maybe they go to Mass or maybe they have their own quiet faith in prayer but we wanted to provide a space and a community for those people to come together and to talk about things that matter to them.

We want to create a space where young adults will have a sense of belonging to a community, where what they feel and what they believe is recognised in a way that is legitimate and really that is constructive, said James.

The Queens University, Belfast, student described Columban Young Adults as a place where discussions could take place about why people should care about faith and religion in the Twenty First Century.

Why should we care about the deep questions? said James. It really is an open conversation in many regards.

Broadly, our talk on Thursday evening (April 30) will focus on the life of Sr Clare, while in a more general sense asking, Why actually practice the faith? he added.

Our hope is really that we attract people who might not even go to Mass, people who dont necessarily have a strong belief but there is something there within them.

Maybe they are asking themselves or thinking about lifes deeper questions, now they have got to that time in their lives. Maybe there are things which are becoming more pertinent to them as they grow up and develop as people.

Maybe they are pondering whether there might be something more to all of this we all have going on around us?

Columban Young Adults is the group in which to bring that to the forefront. To really say. This is a space for young adults in Derry, indeed across the board to come and to join in with other people of a like-minded age and like-minded character and to engage with something that is really quite important, said James.

James hope for Columban Young Adults is that it provide young people with a sense of belonging, a sense of community, and a sense of purpose

We live in a world where there are many people without a sense of purpose. They dont really know why they are here. And that is so unfortunate, he added.

Many young people are asking themselves, Why am I here? What is the bigger purpose in all of this?

Myself and others believe there is something more to life than just what we can see and what we feel. There is something, a greater purpose and a way of life that orientates us towards something much higher than ourselves.

I think that is the greatest way of living - where we are not at the centre but something else is, something much greater than ourselves. Fundamentally, how we live that life is by helping others and loving others.

I think the story of Sr Clare illustrates this completely. She was a woman of service, someone who dedicated her life to serving the poor, serving the disadvantaged. She died in Ecuador helping young kids being educated in a school. That is really what the Christian life is about. It is about helping others. It is fundamentally about love. And if we can spread that message, especially to young people who are now developing and finding their feet in this world, thats something we want to be a part of, smiled James.

Extending a warm invitation to all young people, James said: If someone hasnt stepped into a church in five years, or hasnt gone to Mass in a very long time, maybe they havent ever been in a Church in their lives at all, they are totally welcome on Thursday night.

We are not looking for saints and we are not looking for super duper Catholics to come along. What we are looking for are people who are open to asking bigger questions and to people who do feel there is more to life than what they have already experienced before.

We really want to do that in a way that is fluid, thats organic, in a way we can fundamentally do it together, as a group, as young adults who have likeminded ideas and such and probably the same experiences.

For more information on Columban Young Adults, Contact: columbanyoungadults@gmail.com
A Louth TD has called for urgency amid the countys potential to play a key role in the production of offshore wind energy.

Fianna Fails Erin McGreehan was reflecting on the most recent meeting of the European Council.

Speaking in the Dail, she emphasised the importance of building up Irelands renewable energy production, in light of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Deputy McGreehan went on to highlight the role that her own native county of Louth could play in this process.

She stated: I see these opportunities in County Louth every single day. We have wind and water resources as well as the geographic position. We have a skills base.

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The Minister of State knows the county very well. Crucially, we have the infrastructural potential, particularly in places like Greenore Port.

Greenore Port, as the Minister of State knows, has the potential to become the key operations and maintenance port for offshore wind in the Irish Sea.

That is not pie in the sky; it is a practicable and deliverable project. It has planning permission.

It would support offshore wind deployment, create jobs and anchor long-term economic activity in the region.

However, she emphasised the need for the Government to move quickly on the issue, amid the risk of further changes to oil prices.

If we talk about creating the resilience to move to stability, we know that oil and gas markets are hugely volatile and that geopolitical shocks can trigger sudden price hikes.

We also know there will be another oil crisis. It is not a question of if but, rather, whether we will be ready for it and whether we are preparing right now because we are too exposed.

This is why we need to move faster. Other speakers have spoken in this regard. We need to ensure we are moving on this.

Deputy McGreehan concluded by noting the fact that Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year.

She added that this gives the country the perfect opportunity to lead in the area of renewable energy production.
Dundalk Institute of Technology recently welcomed H.E. Ms. Celine Place, the French Ambassador to Ireland to the DkIT campus. The visit coincided with both the U.N. French Language Day and the International Francephonie Day. The Ambassador was welcomed by representatives from the Registrars office, the School of Business and Humanities, International Office and DkITs Library service.



Following a special lunch, prepared by DkITs Culinary Arts students, the Ambassador was given a presentation about the DkIT Erasmus Programme and International recruitment in the college. Members of the DkIT team also shared updates on the Institutes strategic partnership with Queens University Belfast and the research activity taking place on campus.



During her visit, the Ambassador also met with the Louth French Club organisation.This non-profit organisation is part of the FLAM associations (Francais Langue Maternelle). The parent-led initiative offers extracurricular French language and cultural activities for francophone/French-speaking children living abroad who attend local, non-French schools. It is supported by the French government through the embassy.



FLAM associations are established in 35 countries and form a network of more than 150 associations worldwide, with 7 in the Republic of Ireland and 1 in Northern Ireland. Every two weeks in Dundalk, around 30 children (aged 0-18) attend the club to partake in extracurricular activities through the French language. The club has also been accommodated by the School of Business and Humanities at DkIT to host these activities for many years.

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Dr. Sheila Flanagan, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar at DkIT said: It was fantastic to welcome H.E. Ms. Celine Place and representatives of the French Embassy to DkIT. The Ambassadors visit provided a fitting opportunity for us at DkIT to recognise the strong cultural ties between Ireland and France. We were delighted to share details of our Erasmus programme which is a core part of many of our courses where students can experience different cultures and approaches to their areas of study. It was also wonderful to welcome the Louth French Club organisation to share information about their activities in the area.
Tanaiste Simon Harris visited Louth yesterday turning the sod on a housing development in Drogheda, taking part in a Dail-style Leaders' Questions session with 200 students, and meeting with Fine Gael local representatives.

The Tanaiste was joined by Deputy Paula Butterly TD throughout the visit, with Minister of State John Cummins TD attending the housing site visit in Drogheda.

The visit began with an informal meeting with Fine Gael Councillors Rachel Kerley, John Reilly, Robert Nash, Ejiro O'Hare Stratton and Anne-Marie Ford at Enzio's Cafe in Dunleer, where the Tanaiste heard directly about local priorities including housing, healthcare and town centre regeneration.

Speaking after the meeting, the Tanaiste said:

"Louth has a fantastic team of Fine Gael councillors and representatives who are doing incredible work on the ground every single day. I was glad to hear from them about the issues that matter most to their communities and how we can continue working together to deliver for this part of the country."

The Tanaiste then took part in the "I am the Future" Louth Youth Forum at Lann Leire Pavilion in Dunleer, a Dail-style Leaders' Questions session organised by Deputy Butterly with over 200 student council members from 14 secondary schools across the county.

Students put questions to the Tanaiste on topics including housing, mental health services, education reform, the Irish language, vaping regulation and youth participation in politics.

Speaking after the event, the Tanaiste said:

"That was one of the most impressive events I have taken part in. These young people were sharp, passionate, well-informed and unafraid to challenge. They asked me about everything from housing and mental health to the Mercosur trade deal and Leaving Cert reform.

"This is exactly the kind of engagement we need more of. I want to commend Deputy Butterly for organising this forum and every single student who stood up and had their say today. We need to listen to young people; they are the future and every thought they have is extremely valuable to us in Government."

The Tanaiste then visited the Avourwen housing development on the Platin Road in Drogheda, where a total of 663 new homes are being delivered by Manley Homes, funded through Home Building Finance Ireland.

To date, 425 homes have been completed and a further 76 are under construction, including 30 apartments recently handed over to Meath County Council and 50 apartments being developed for Oaklee Housing. The Tanaiste and Minister Cummins formally turned the sod on the next phase of the development.

The Tanaiste said:

"This is housing delivery in action. A family-run business from Duleek, with 32 staff, has delivered 425 homes on this site and is still going. That is exactly the kind of builder we set up HBFI to support, small and medium developers who are building homes in towns right across the country.

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"Since 2019, HBFI has approved over 3.3 billion in funding, supporting nearly 17,000 homes across 25 counties. 82% of those loans are for 20 million or less."

The Tanaiste recently signed orders formally designating both Drogheda and Dundalk under the Living City Initiative, enabling property owners to apply for tax relief to refurbish, convert and bring vacant buildings back into use including the new 'Living Over the Shop' measure introduced in Budget 2026.
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has launched four new Postnatal Hubs for women attending the Coombe, National Maternity Hospital, Rotunda, and Our Lady of Lourdes, Louth.

The Dublin and Drogheda services have been established following the successful pilot of Postnatal Hubs in maternity units in Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Portiuncula, and Sligo.

Postnatal Hubs are designed to provide accessible, multidisciplinary care to women, infants and families in community-based locations. This includes services such as physiotherapy, health and wellness checks, feeding support, and birth reflections. Each Hub represents a first-year investment of 0.5 million. Further Hubs will be rolled out at four more locations later this year as part of Phase 3 of the project.

The Minister also launched an independent external evaluation report, into the first pilot hubs. The evaluation, commissioned by the Health Service Executives National Womens and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), found that Postnatal Hubs are functioning as a one-stop-shop, offering genuine wrap around support for women in the postnatal period. The evaluation also describes the pilot hubs as a model for best practice in postnatal care, achieving impressive satisfaction ratings from women.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said:

The expansion of our network of Postnatal Hubs demonstrates our continued commitment to listening to women and embedding womens voices in policy.

The first Postnatal Hubs were established as a direct response to the feedback from women in the first National Maternity Experience Survey. Women said that postnatal supports need to be strengthened, and we listened.

A great amount of work was undertaken by the first five pilot Postnatal Hubs to create a new type of service that responds to this need, and Im very encouraged by the independent evaluation which highlights the success and impact of the existing hubs. They are clearly bridging a critical gap in postnatal care.

I am so grateful to the four hospitals for their collaborative spirit in setting up these new hubs, building on a strong foundation of community midwifery.

An additional four hubs will open later this year, expanding access to these vital services to more women around the country and ensuring a more positive and healthier postnatal experience for both mum and baby.

National Lead Midwife, NWIHP, Ms Angela Dunne said:

We are delighted to mark the launch of the Phase 2 postnatal hubs, a significant and welcome development for women, babies, and families. The importance of enhanced postnatal care is well recognised, and these community-based hubs provide accessible, multidisciplinary support close to home at a time when many women benefit most from reassurance, connection, and practical support.

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Offering services such as feeding support, birth debriefs, mother and baby checks, physiotherapy, and both one-to-one and group supports, the hubs deliver flexible care that often extends beyond a single postnatal visit. Feedback from women has been overwhelmingly positive, as highlighted in the evaluation report by Deirdre Daly, which found strong satisfaction with the service and a clear call for more hubs and extended access to supports.

This launch strengthens the growing national network of hubs and reflects a shared commitment to improving postnatal care and outcomes for families across the country. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Department of Health and colleagues across acute and community services to maintain this momentum and build on the strong foundations now in place.
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.

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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.
The West Cork islands are unique environments, where most traditional farming methods were carried out right up until the 1980s.

Animal life was intrinsically linked to human life, and a donkey and horse were as necessary as a car is today.

Creative Places West Cork Islands and the Museum of Birds and Beasts have completed a book of short stories told in the islanders own voices, recording a way of life shaped by necessity and the enduring relationship between people, animals, the land and the sea.

It is called The Museum Of Birds And Beasts: Stories From The Islands Of West Cork, and its stories relate to the animals, birds, fishing and folklore of the West Cork islands, gathered from the inhabitants themselves.

The authors are artists Tess Leak and Sharon Whooley, and during 2024 and 2025, they visited the people of Bere Island, Oilean Chleire, Dursey Island, Heir Island, Long Island, Sherkin Island, and Whiddy Island, along with former residents of the now uninhabited Middle Calf Island and Horse Island, to hear about the land animals and sea mammals that shared the journey.

Memories from the East and West Skeam Islands are also included in this collection.

Theres Lizzies marvellous collie dog on Heir Island who swam the cows over to Cunnamore Pier, Flame the lion cub, rescued from a bombed-out theatre in London, that visited the schoolchildren on Sherkin Island in the 1940s, and Blackie the cat who arrived at the door of Catherine Crowley on Middle Calf island on the morning of January 18, 1909, after being washed ashore from the shipwreck of the Savonia from Nova Scotia.

Here are a few extracts of stories from the book.

Extract of a story from Anne OSullivan, Long Island

My father and mother, Den and Vera OSullivan, were both born on Long Island. Fishing was in my fathers blood. He loved it.

He knew every cuis (inlet) and could read the sky, the moon, the tides, and predict the weather.

My father skippered boats for local man, Jimmy OReilly, and went on to buy the lobster boat Sile A Do when the OReilly family were selling her. My brother then fished with dad and my mother joined them.

My mother knitted these beautiful Aran jumpers with no pattern, just out of her head, she never had to look down. She would be knitting while they steamed to the fishing ground and when it came to hauling, shed wind up her knitting and help haul the lobster pots.

Extract of a story from Cyril Murphy, Bere Island

When I came back to Bere island from the orthopaedic hospital after two years recovering from TB, I still had a big iron calliper.

I couldnt walk right but I walked away to school and the teacher, fair dues to him, said to me, Havent you donkeys west? Why dont you hop on one of the donkeys backs and come to school in the morning, and tie it to the railings there? He will be alright there for a few hours.

So I rode Billy the donkey to school for a year until I was back walking properly again.

Extract of a story from Rose OSullivan, Whiddy Island

The first Friday of May was a big one; most people would have six or seven yearlings for the May Fair.

The cattle would be swam out from Whiddy to the mart from the narrowest point, that spit of gravel across from the airstrip, called Cois Roe. You would have to watch the tides of course.

You would bring two cows out at a time but you would only swim one horse over.

It used to be quite the performance when you would be gathering the cattle to take them out, the whole island could be involved because theyd invariably hop a ditch and youd be calling out, Block a gap, block the road! at the dawn of day or the evening before.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Tess Leak is an artist who has worked with the Arts for Health Programme, West Cork, and in community contexts since 2010.

Sharon Whooley is a film-maker with Harvest Films, working as writer, producer and director.

They have founded a number of museum-form projects such as The Museum of Miniature, the Peoples Museum of Skibbereen, the Museum of Making and Mending and the Museum of Song Postal Project.

Museums Of Birds And Beasts: Stories From The Islands Of West Cork. BELOW: A view of Bere Island in August, 1971

The first iteration of the Museum of Birds and Beasts took place in community hospitals in West Cork in 2022 and resulted in an exhibition of the collection and book.

The artists collaborated with master basket maker Joe Hogan, the Museum of Country Life, and the National Folklore Collection, utilising the folklore and evocative artefacts from these remarkable national collections to draw on participants experiences of working and living in connection with the natural world.

The Museum Of Birds And Beasts - Stories From the West Cork Islands had its first launch in Whiddy Island Community Hall last week, and there is another launch at Sherkin Island Community Hall on Sunday, May 3 at 2.30pm

These readings are free, no booking is required, and everyone is welcome.

There will be further events celebrating the book across the islands in 2026.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the book launch, saying: This collection of stories from the West Cork Islands is a remarkable celebration of our shared heritage.

The voices of islanders, past and present, bring together the stories of nature, folklore, and community that defines this part of the county.

Creative Places West Cork Islands is led by Cork County Council and includes a consortium of local arts and development agencies such as Bere Island Projects Group, Sherkin Island Development Society, Comharchumann Chleire and Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre.
For 22 years, a dedicated group of people in mid-Cork have made it their mission to research, restore, and preserve the rich heritage on their doorstep.

The Coppeen Archaeological Historical and Cultural Society (CAHCS) also aims to inform and educate people about the past.

At the helm of the group is Colum Cronin. Along with president Mary Cross, Anne Harte, treasurer, secretary Rose Cronin, and the rest of the group, they have created a heritage trial and walk, providing a fascinating glimpse into the past for all to enjoy.

Colum, who is involved with 16 societies across West Cork, says that with each passing year and with each passing generation, more stories and knowledge is lost, and their group want to keep our history alive for future generations to appreciate.

In all circles of society, people are losing touch with the history around them, he says.

Lifestyle changes and the fast pace of life make it harder for the younger generation to get involved in societies like ours.

But when they visit these sites, they learn so much abut their culture and what is around them in hidden locations.

We have a wealth of history in every townland and most of it goes unnoticed or undiscovered.

Colum adds: By highlighting these sites, you give people a sense of place, and the value of their heritage and the value of what we have.

Over the years the CAHCS has written five journals, called Coppeen, A Glimpse Of The Past, as they gather research before it is lost to time. These can be accessed through your local library.

Help has been provided by The Heritage Council and Cork County Council, particularly Conor Nelligan, to keep the research on track.

The best-known historical sites in the region relate to the War of Independence.

The ambush site at Beal na Blath, where General Michael Collins was shot, and the townland of Kilmichael, which is 3km from the War of Independence ambush site, are known to most, and the talks given on these sites get great attendance.

But Colum says the lesser-known ring fort in Coppeen, burial boulder and famine sites are where new interest is being born.

These locations are fascinating and the archaeology is uncovering so much information.

At the famine site, the houses that were there were knocked on top of the bodies of the dead and simply left like that. A fact that is hard to fathom now. The monument is a beautiful testament to those awful times.

The burial site is on a farm and inaccessible, but the stories that Colum relates from that time are harrowing and bring to life the dark days of An Gorta Mor, first reported in Kilmichael in September 14, 1845.

The report on the neighbouring area of Gurranreigh by the chairman of Kilmichael Relief Committee John E Barrett was printed in the Cork Examiner: As you pass along the road, you see none of the indications of industry that formally might be seen on every side. You see no fields ploughed or dug up - no labourers working near the roadside - no cottages spring up - all seems uncultivated and desolate.

Nothing meets the eye but untilled fields and tenantless hovels, almost crumbling into ruins, and haggard skeletons, the very shadows of what had once been strong and cheerful peasants.

The burial boulder has ancient marking on it and a quartz stone underneath it - something that would never be noticed with a quick glance of the passer-by.

Again, Colums knowledge transports the listener to a long-forgotten time in our collective history.

The ring fort is by far the most popular attraction, and the work will continue there for many years to come.

The Kinneigh Round Tower dates from around 1000 AD. It is highly unusual, having a hexagonal base, and this is West Corks last remaining such tower.

The original monastery was founded in 619 a short distance away, and destroyed by the Danes in 916.

The surviving community re-established the monastery here, forming a diocese with a cathedral church. Theres an ancient graveyard around it. There have been three churches on the site, the present one is Church of Ireland.

There are around 1,400 graves on the site, most of them historic, and the work to document these is ongoing.

Colum says some are inscribed stones, but most are just markers.

Over the last 20 years, the group have been documenting and gathering graveyard data. With the help of UCC, they have been able to decipher, record, tag and number each grave for posterity.

Cahervagliar Ringfort, with its unique stone archway entrance, is a sight to behold. It is claimed by some historians that Brian Boru was held hostage here between the ages of 11 and 16.

Visible in the distance from this 1000AD landmark are the Sheehy Mountains and Nowen Hill.

The village of Coppeen offers a wealth of fascinating history and a glimpse into our collective past that must be recorded, recalled and appreciated. The tireless work of CASCS is keeping it alive for future generations.

The society can be contacted via email and they are happy to take people on tours of the area, or you can use the map that is on the side of the pub wall in the village to head out on your day of discovery.

If youd like to get involved with the group, they would love to hear from you!

Colum Cronin can be reached on info@coppeenheritage.com

See: www.coppeenheritage.com
A woman whose house was searched on foot of a search warrant handed over cannabis and cocaine to detectives which she said was for her own personal use, a recent sitting of Clonakilty District Court has heard.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told a sitting of Clonakilty District Court that a search warrant was obtained to search the home of 42-year-old Michelle Lunnon of Beechwood, Shannonvale, Co Cork.

The search was carried out on January 4, 2024.

The court heard that Lunnon was present during the search and co-operated with gardai, handing over small quantities of cannabis and cocaine.

The cannabis was valued at 10, and the cocaine was valued at 100.

The court was told that Lunnon had 31 previous convictions, 28 of which resulted from a prosecution for social welfare fraud in 2014 while the others were related to driving offences.

Lunnon did not have any previous convictions for drug offences.

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said that Lunnons life had changed significantly since the search. He said she was on multiple medications for pain relief, anxiety, and depression and also cared for a 15-year-old child with significant needs.

He said Lunnon was fully co-operative and had tried to deal with the matter as quickly as possible.

He added that at the time of the search she was hanging around with the wrong people, but the incident had given her such a fright that she had not touched drugs since.

Judge Joanne Carroll said that it was apparent from a medical report that Lunnon was dealing with a multiplicity of quite significant issues.

She applied the Probation Act on both counts of possession of illegal drugs.
A Cork mum whose daughter spent her first month in an intensive care unit (ICU) is among the artists taking part in this years Incognito secret art sale for the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation.

An original work of art will cost 75. The funds raised are life-changing for the 496 families currently receiving care from the charity.

Hannah McGrenera, from Bishopstown, mum to five-year old Mila Beukers, is one of the artists taking part in Incognito 2026.

Mila has been receiving in-home nursing care and respite support from the childrens foundation over the past four years.

Ms McGrenera said: It was October 2020 and Mila was rushed to Cork University Hospital after her first night at home, as she wasnt feeding and an alarm bell went off in my head.

Mila spent her first month in ICU, battling seizures. What struck me was the quietness in ICU  full of babies and yet no crying. After months of tests, doctors diagnosed Mila with KCNQ2 encephalopathy, a rare genetic condition causing severe epilepsy and developmental delays.

After a year, Mila was discharged, the hospital having exhausted its options. I remember thinking, how was I going to manage things by myself when there was a whole nursing team in the hospital.

I was scared, defeated, and totally hopeless. It was the darkest time of my life. Thats when Jack and Jill stepped in. While everything around me was uncertain, they were my rock.

With the foundations support, Ms McGrenera slowly began to find herself again: I could escape to my art, even for a short time, without constant fear. I am more than just Milas carer.

I am an artist. Knowing Mila is in safe hands gave me the confidence to embrace my creative side again and I am thrilled to be part of Incognito, because I know the true value of turning art into care.

She said that for Hannah, the foundation didnt just provide care: They helped piece my family back together  and gave me the strength to hope again.

To mark a milestone year, the show is celebrating a decade of hidden treasures in 2026, with 1,926 original artworks in a newly-enlarged 6x8-inch postcard size. Each artwork costs 75.

The much-loved annual online art sale will take place on Wednesday, May 20, and can be viewed on incognito.ie.
Dual-venue expansion unveiled: Beijing Auto Show gathers global automotive innovations

13:11, April 25, 2026 By Sun Wanqiu, Wu Di, International Financial News ( People's Daily Online

On April 24, the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026) officially opened. This year's event debuts an innovative dual-venue model, operating simultaneously at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Hall) and the Capital International Exhibition Center of China (New CIEC Phase II). The total exhibition area reaches 380,000 square meters, representing a significant expansion compared with 2024.

With its massive exhibition scale, Auto China 2026 surpasses traditional top-tier international auto shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, and Detroit, making it the largest automotive event in the world.

As a key barometer for global transformation and technological innovation in the automotive industry, Auto China 2026 features 1,451 vehicles, including 181 global premieres and 71 concept cars. The pace of new model iteration continues to accelerate, with cutting-edge concepts and innovative technologies on full display, fully unleashing the vigorous innovative vitality of the automotive industry.

Leveraging this important global platform for exchange and cooperation in the automotive industry, Chinese and international automakers have gathered in force, as the industry landscape undergoes a profound transformation and Chinese automotive brands gain strong momentum in their rise. Domestic brands are moving beyond competition based on single models, participating in global competition with comprehensive industrial chain layouts and systematic overall strength, while continuously enhancing their independent R&D strength and product innovation.

BYD has adopted a full-hall exhibition model, integrating its complete brand matrix, including Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, Yangwang, and Fangchengbao. Multiple new models are making global debuts, alongside proprietary core technologies such as advanced intelligent driving systems, next-generation Blade Battery, and high-power FLASH charging, demonstrating its technological accumulation and overall strength across the entire industrial chain.

Chery has assembled a multi-brand lineup, with six brands showcased together. The company is presenting over 50 vehicle models and more than 30 cutting-edge technologies, covering a full range of mobility scenarios while continuing to advance its global strategic deployment.

Changan Automobile unveiled its full brand matrix and officially launched its new proprietary HEV hybrid technology. Featuring an innovative architecture without planetary gears, the technology breaks through traditional hybrid technology barriers and delivers outstanding energy efficiency, with fuel consumption as low as 2.98 liters per 100 kilometers under urban driving conditions, ushering household hybrid vehicles into a new era of ultra-low energy consumption.

Geely globally debuted China's first purpose-built L4 Robotaxi prototype, accelerating the commercialization of advanced intelligent driving. The model is scheduled for mass production in 2027 and will operate on a regular basis through CaoCao Mobility.

Leading new energy vehicle startups such as NIO, XPENG, Li Auto, and Leapmotor are continuously upgrading their exhibition presence. Beyond iterating hit products, they are focusing on core areas such as advanced intelligent driving, vehicle platforms, and smart cockpits, further strengthening their competitiveness in frontier technologies.

Meanwhile, international automakers are accelerating adjustments to their development strategies, gradually shifting from market-driven approaches to deep localization. Major multinational brands from Germany and Japan are all participating, tailoring exclusive products to meet Chinese market demands. Models such as BMW's Neue Klasse, Mercedes-Benz's all-electric GLC, and Audi's C9-generation A6L are all global debuts designed specifically for the Chinese market. These vehicles also proactively integrate Chinese intelligent driving solutions from companies like Huawei and Momenta, embedding more deeply into China's automotive ecosystem and promoting open collaboration and mutually beneficial development between Chinese and international automotive industries.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chengliang)
Cork University Business School (CUBS) at University College Cork secured triple international accreditation status, joining the top 1% of business schools globally.

Held by fewer than 150 business schools worldwide, triple accreditation recognises excellence across teaching, research, industry engagement and global impact.

Dean of Cork University Business School professor Anthony McDonnell said securing triple crown accreditation is a landmark moment.

This milestone reflects the ambition and excellence of our world class research and educational offering, along with the dedication of our entire community, our staff, students, alumni as well as partners.

As we look to the future we explore how we can enable the innovation required for a better world, a world that better protects our environment and responsibly uses technological advances such as AI.

Our goal is a world that delivers profitable, sustainable business which provide decent work and a high quality of life for our communities.
By Claudia Savage, Press Association

Tributes have been paid to powerhouse journalist Jim McDowell, who has died aged 76.

McDowell was northern editor of the Sunday World for 25 years, and worked in journalism in Northern Ireland for nearly half a century.

He was a lead campaigner for justice in the case of Martin OHagan, a Sunday World reporter who was shot dead by loyalists in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in September 2001; and McDowell himself also received death threats from loyalist paramilitaries.

His funeral notice read: Until the end, you were the bravest of the brave. Legend.

Sunday World northern editor Jim McDowell (Paul Faith/PA)

Patrick Corrigan, head of nations & regions at AmnestyUK, shared a picture of McDowell taken in the Duke of York pub in Belfast, a bar known for its link to journalists.

(McDowell) shared the traumatic night of the murder of his friend and Sunday World colleague Martin OHagan, and the many times they were attacked and threatened, Corrigan wrote on X.

BBC community correspondent Mark Simpson said on social media: I looked up to Jim McDowell. In every way. Brave. Brilliant. Best of Belfast. He loved the city.

First met him at CIYMS rugby club (he used to say CIYMS stood for Come In Your Mas Shouting). Learned from him at City Hall (Dome of Delight) Belfast has lost a giant of journalism.

BBC radio presenter Stephen Nolan described McDowell as a powerhouse of personality and integrity.

I am so sad to hear we have lost one of Northern Irelands best, and most colourful journalists, he posted on X.

McDowell was northern editor of the Sunday World for 25 years (Paul Faith/PA)

BBC producer and journalist Karen English wrote: Jim was a unique one of a kind journalism powerhouse. A towering personality, his impact and influence resonated far and wide.

Thinking of his wife Lindy, daughter Faye and sons Jamie and Micah.

McDowells funeral service will be held on May 2nd at St Georges Church in Belfast.
By Claudia Savage, Press Association

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has called on the Government to introduce an emergency mini-budget to deal with the cost of living.

Doherty told his partys Ard Fheis in Belfast that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael need to stop talking down to people, stop ignoring them and start acting.

The Government has previously announced measures worth more than 750 million in response to the fuel crisis arising out of the war in Iran, largely aimed at the transport and agriculture sectors.

The overall package also contains cuts in excise on petrol and diesel, and extensions of the fuel allowance.

Earlier this week, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said budget 2026 didnt give workers a break and that would have to be a priority in the context of budget 2027.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Public Service Reform Jack Chambers said budget 2026 didnt give workers a break (Brian Lawless/PA)

Doherty, Sinn Feins finance spokesman, said people cannot wait for the next budget and the measures already announced represented a failure of leadership.

Over the past number of weeks, we have seen that reality spill onto the streets, he said.

Workers. Families. Farmers. Small businesses. Not because they want to protest but because they are not being heard and instead of listening  what did Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do?

They talked down to people, they belittled them and then they threatened them.

That tells you everything.

Because they do not understand what it means to choose between heating and eating.

They do not understand the pressure on ordinary people.

He added: Fianna Fail and Fine Gael must introduce a mini-budget immediately.

Not in October, but now, because this crisis is happening right now.

An emergency budget that cuts the cost of electricity by delivering energy credits to families, that reduces the tax on fuel, bringing it to affordable levels.

A social welfare package that supports people who are struggling  carers, older people and disabled people, and a tax cut that will put money back into workers pockets.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis at International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)

Doherty further said the Government parties need to stop delaying, stop dithering, stop siding with landlords, developers and the wealthy while workers are pushed to the brink, stop talking down to people, stop ignoring them and start acting.

Act now, he said.

Bring forward an emergency budget and give people the relief they desperately need.

And to the hard-working people who are struggling to get by tonight I say, your anger is justified, your frustration is justified and your voice matters.
Claire Henry

A father who was a cog in the machine for obtaining a fake passport for his on-the-run son has been jailed for two years, while his daughter-in-law was spared a custodial sentence.

Andrew Cash Senior (58) of Whitechurch Heights, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, and Mary Cash (35), formerly of Harpurs Lane, Portlaoise, Co Laois, both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to providing the Irish Passport Services with information or documents that were known to be false or misleading on June 12th, 2019, at the Balbriggan Passport Services office.

Detective Sergeant Padraig Jennings told Shaun Smyth, prosecuting, that red flags were raised within the passport office when an application for a passport in the name of Martin Connors was requested.

Personnel in the office were unsure whether the submitted pictures matched the applicant.

The court heard that the passport office used software to check the passport images and found that they belonged to Andrew Cash Junior, the son of Cash Snr and husband of Mary Cash. The matter was then referred to the gardai, and an investigation took place.

During the investigation, gardai noted that the passport pictures and application form had been stamped by a senior member of the gardai, who then became the focal point of the investigation.

Det Sgt Jennings told the court that a relationship between this member of the gardai and Cash Snr was discovered, and devices seized showed communication between the two, including communication on the morning that the passport pictures and application were stamped.

The senior garda, who cannot be named as he is before the courts, had also accessed the Garda Pulse database in relation to the Cash family.

The court heard that the senior garda had also interceded on behalf of Cash Jnr, who had a number of outstanding bench warrants at the time, and they were executed in a benign manner.

Andrew Cash Jnr is also wanted by the gardai, and a warrant is out for his arrest as he has fled the jurisdiction.

Cash Snr was arrested, detained, interviewed and entered a guilty plea in advance of his trial date.

The court heard that Mary Cash travelled to Sligo and used a false name, 'Mary Connor', and an address to obtain the birth certificate of Martin Connors.

The garda investigation could place Cash in Sligo on the day that the birth certificate was obtained, and gardai also found a text message from Cash to her husband saying, Got it. She was arrested, detained and interviewed in November 2019.

Cash Snr has 31 prior convictions, including six from the Circuit Court. Mary Cash has 10 previous convictions, three of which are from the Circuit Court for money laundering. The maximum sentence available to the court is 10 years.

Timothy OLeary, defending Cash Snr, said his client has amassed no convictions since 2020. He said he has been married for over 40 years and has seven children. He said Cash Snr is a settled Traveller who grew up in a physically abusive home and suffers from PTSD.

Counsel said Cash Snr was a cog in the wheel but does not want to make any excuses for his actions. He asked the court to be as lenient as possible.

Coleman Fitzgerald, defending Mary Cash, said she married into the Cash family but is now separated from her husband since 2024.

He said that due to tragic circumstances, she cares for her deceased sister's three children, along with her own three children.

Counsel said that her role was small within a larger criminal enterprise and that she was doing what her husband had asked her to do. He said she takes full responsibility for her actions.

A letter of apology from Mary Cash was handed in to the court, and she asked the court to allow her to continue her role in caring for the children, citing that she has considerable responsibilities.

Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Roderick Maguire said Cash Senior was a cog in the machine of this offence. He noted that Cash had 31 previous convictions but that he had not come to any garda attention since 2019.

The judge set a headline sentence of four and a half years, which he reduced after considering mitigating factors including his guilty plea, his difficult life, and the self-improvement efforts he has made. He reduced the sentences to one of three years and suspended the final 12 months for 12 months post-release.

Regarding Mary Cash, the judge said she had a more minor role in the offence and that she felt obliged to do what her husband had asked of her.

Judge Maguire set a headline sentence of three years and said he had taken into consideration all the documents handed into court on Ms Cashs behalf and her guilty plea. He sentenced her to two and a half years in prison, which he suspended in full for two and a half years.

Judge Maguire noted that Ms Cash was an exceptional mother and aunt.
Fiona Ferguson

A man who stabbed an English tourist during a violent incident in Dublins Temple Bar has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

Jordan Carroll (26) was one of three people involved in an attack on a tourist who had travelled to Dublin to celebrate a friends birthday. The other two attackers were not apprehended.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the victim was outside a Centra store when a verbal dispute developed with Carrolls group, and they then punched the victim before Carroll stabbed him.

Carroll of Lealand Meadows, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possession of a steak knife, assault causing harm and violent disorder at Temple Bar Square on September 20th, 2025. He has 123 previous convictions, including offences for assault and possession of knives.

Garda Anthony Cunningham told John Moher, prosecuting, that the tourists were approached by three males, who engaged in a verbal altercation. The three males started to punch the victim, and Carroll retrieved a knife before making lunging motions towards the victim.

The victim's phone fell while he was trying to defend himself, and one of the other men took it.

Garda observed the altercation, and Carroll was caught nearby, while his accomplices fled.

A bloodstained knife was recovered, and the victim was taken for medical treatment.

Carroll told gardai he had been defending himself, that he was hit and hit back, and did not stab anyone. CCTV of the incident was played to the court.

A victim impact statement outlined that the injured party suffered a stab wound requiring stitches, along with ongoing physical and psychological effects.

He reported financial losses for damaged clothing and his phone, as well as increased anxiety, reduced fitness, and a negative impact on his social life and family.

Defence counsel told the court Carroll had a highly traumatic upbringing marked by violence and exposure to criminal behaviour from a young age.

Counsel said Carroll fully accepts the wrong committed and is ashamed, embarrassed and deeply sorry for his reprehensible decision to act in this way. He instructs he was intoxicated at the time.

Judge Martin Nolan said it was a serious offence and highlighted the dangers associated with the use of knives in assaults, noting that there can be circumstances where people die.

He said thankfully that did not occur in this case, but when a knife is used in this way bad results sometimes occur.

The judge set a headline sentence of six years imprisonment but reduced it to three years and nine months by reason of mitigation.
(Photo: REUTERS / Khaled al-Hariri)A view shows a prayer of thanks after the release of nuns at the Holy Cross Church in Damascus March 10, 2014.About a dozen nuns held by rebels in Syria for more than three months were released and arrived back in Syria after traveling through Lebanon, officials and witnesses said. Witnesses at the Syrian border with Lebanon said the nuns arrived at the crossing early and headed toward Damascus in a minibus.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay is deeply aggrieved by the desecration of a statue of Jesus on the cross by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, depicted in a widely-circulated image.

"We join Christians in the region and around the world in their outrage and denunciation of this affront to the dignity and feelings of Christians everywhere, and in calling for accountability for those involved in perpetrating this act," he said in an April 22 statement.

"We are very grateful for the expressions of solidarity and support received from many Jewish counterparts and the subsequent effort to restore the statue."

Two Israeli soldiers were removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in jail after one used a sledgehammer to smash a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, while the other filmed him, the Israel Defense Forces said, the Guardian newspaper reported..

Pillay noted that, sadly, it is not an isolated incident but reflective of a wider and growing trend.

"Church leaders of the region confirm this troubling and destabilizing reality, as well as persistent and increasing constraints on freedom of worship," he said.

"Moreover, this incident took place in the context of Israeli military incursions in southern Lebanon which have not only led to this desecration of religious symbols but to the displacement and traumatization of entire communities, many of them Christian."

Pillay called for an end to the Israeli military action in Lebanon and the swift withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.

- DISPLACED COMMUNITIES

That would enable displaced communities to return to their homes and places of worship, and sustained and be an effective action to turn the toxic tide of anti-Christian animosity in Israel.

Arabs account for 95 per cent of Lebanon's population, while Armenians make up 4 per cent, who live in an area of 10,400 sq km, an area smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The current population of Lebanon is almost 5.9 million, based on Worldometer's elaboration of the latest United Nations data

Of them, Muslims make up 59.7 per cent and Christians 39 per cent.

Meanwhile, the WCC expressed solidarity with those praying for the return of Archbishops Boulos (Yazigi), from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, and Mor Youhanna Gregorios (Ibrahim) from the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.

The archbishops were abducted on April 22, 2013, and many around the world marked the 13th anniversary of the tragic event with prayers.

"The long and continued absence of the two bishops is representative of all the many losses suffered by the Syrian people through so many years of brutal conflict," said Peter Prove, director of the WCC Churches on International Affairs section.

"Even after so many years, for the churches of Syria it remains a painful wound in the body of Christ."
The defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha has reined in the union governments design to significantly alter the electoral make-up of the country. Perhaps anticipating such a denouement as the numbers in Parliament were stacked against it, the government had tied this bill with the reservation for women in the legislature. The cynical calculation seems to have been that the opposition, or at least certain parties, would find it difficult to oppose the bill and the opposition to the bill could be nationally addressed as an opposition to womens reservation. The opposition seems to have driven home the point that the womens reservation bill was unanimously passed in 2023 itself, and in fact, the government had refused the suggestion that it should not be tied to delimitation. The pathway to implementing womens reservation remains open by simply reserving the one-third seats of the current strength of the house on a rotational basis and introducing the quota within the quota for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Class women. Unless it is the belief that the absolute number of male members of Parliament cannot be reduced under any circumstances, the implementation of the womens reservation does not necessitate an increase in the strength of the house. That womens reservation was only a cloak and the real agenda was to redraw the electoral map and potentially alter the federal balance was grasped by the united opposition.

By defeating the Constitution Amendment Bill and forcing the consequent withdrawal of the delimitation bill, the opposition has also asserted the collective power of the legislature over the executive. Such an assertion is indeed a function of the increased strength of the opposition and the ruling party having lost the majority of its own after the general elections in 2024. In its almost 12 years of rule, this is perhaps the most significant legislative defeat faced by the government, especially on the floor of the house. As has been the case with single-party majority governments with diminished opposition, the current ruling regime has had a record of riding roughshod over Parliament, with the executive effectively arrogating the legislative powers to itself. Even the manner in which these bills were introduced without adequate notice, the way the session was called in the midst of assembly elections, and the usual lack of a deliberative/consultative process pointed towards this heavy-handed style. The fact of reduced numbers has thus punctured this habitual hubris of the ruling party, but going by its nationally addressed sentiment, it does not seem to have learnt the democratic virtue of humility. Such humility in initiating a consultative process across party lines is essential to build trust, which is a sine qua non to address the knotty issues such as delimitation and apportionment of seats. The requirement of the two-thirds majority for constitutional amendment is a mechanism to push the governments to build trust and consensus. In the absence of trust, in fact with the deep-seated mistrust stemming from the governments conduct, the precedents of delimitation in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir in the last five years, and the content of the bills itself, the opposition could unite, rising above its internal differences.

The delimitation package proposed by the government would have increased the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 and the apportionment of seats would have been based on the 2011 Census. In fact, in another instance of strengthening the executives sway and diluting the constitutional checks, the decision as to which census shall serve as the basis was to be decided by a simple majority in Parliament. The status quowhich stands maintainedconstitutionally mandates the 1971 Census as the basis for apportionment of seats and 2001 Census for the delimitation of constituencies. Removing the freeze on the apportionment of seats and using the 2011 Census as the basis would have led to a decrease in the proportion of seats from southern states and a decline in their relative parliamentary heft with the increase in the proportion of seats from northern and eastern states. Verbal assurances that the current proportions would not be disturbed lacked credibility, as the provisions of the bill were evidently contrary. Moreover, even the across-the-board increase of seats by 50% would still have entailed an increase in the absolute difference between the parliamentary strength of the southern states and the bigger states from the north.

The concerns over the composition of the Delimitation Commission and the fear of an in-built bias towards the ruling party were intensified by the experience of two delimitation exercises carried out in the recent pastin Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. As has been elaborately demonstrated in our pages, these exercises have raised grave concerns over the fairness of the process and the possibility of gerrymandering, allegedly favouring the ruling party (Delimitation of J&K: Regional Disparity and Disproportionate Representation, EPW, 9 July 2022; The Politics of Delimitation in Assam, EPW, 23 September 2023). The exercises seem to have been aimed at diminishing the electoral influence of certain communities and also reducing the possibility of equitable and adequate representation for all communities. Such instances, adding to the generalised distrust, with the intentions of the government, raise a doubt over delimitation even without the reapportionment of seats.

As we have argued before in these pages, the absolute freeze on apportionment and delimitation is not desirable, as it is ultimately inimical to the representative character of the democracy (Delimitation and Deepening Federalism, EPW, 24 May 2025). Nor can the issue be framed merely in terms of the northsouth divide in a facile manner. However, we had also argued that such an exercise can be fruitfully undertaken only if it is carried out with a committed federal thrust. Democracy can be genuinely representative in a diverse society and polity like India only if it is increasingly federal. The argument to extend the freeze is undoubtedly status quoist. However, with the centralising and unilateralist approach of the ruling dispensation, the maintenance of the status quo becomes partially and relatively desirable. Nevertheless, the efforts to preserve the federal democratic character of the republic cannot remain confined to status quoism and must present an alternative agenda of democratic renewal. The opposition in general and regional and left parties in particular must come up with an alternative scheme of politically just delimitation-apportionment, coupled with wide-ranging federalising reforms to the electoral and political system. Our proposals (Delimitation and Deepening Federalism, EPW, 24 May 2025) regarding the introduction of an element of proportional representation and rethinking the upper house on the lines of the American Senate could be a possible starting point for such an endeavour.
Tontine Cafe to Reintroduce Community Currency Model as Core of Non-Profit Venture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tontine Cafe to Reintroduce Community Currency Model as Core of Non-Profit Venture

Greensboro, NC  May 1, 2023  A new initiative is underway to launch the Tontine Cafe, a proposed 501(c)(3) non-profit that will use community currencynot coffee salesas its central business model to teach entrepreneurship and fund climate-related solutions.

The project reimagines the traditional cafe as a training and financial innovation hub, where participants learn how to launch small businesses while engaging in a localized economic system designed to reward participation, contribution, and long-term commitment.

"The real business is not coffeeit's community currency," said Mitchell Davis, founder of the project. "Coffee is simply the platform. The goal is to create a self-reinforcing economic ecosystem that funds entrepreneurship and climate solutions"

Reviving a Historic Model for Modern Impact

The concept draws inspiration from the historic Tontine Coffee House, where early American financiers gathered and where the Buttonwood Agreement was signedlaying the groundwork for what became the New York Stock Exchange.

The original tontine model pooled investor resources, with ownership shares increasing for remaining participants over time. The Tontine Cafe adapts this idea into a modern, non-profit framework focused on education, sustainability, and shared economic incentives.

Community Currency at the Center

A key feature of the model is the planned reintroduction of a localized, community-based currency system, inspired by the original Tontine Coffee House, which issued 12-cent notes redeemable for goods or gold.

In the modern version, this currency could:

Reward participation in training and operations

Incentivize community engagement and volunteerism

Circulate within the cafe ecosystem and partner ventures

Support funding for climate-related projects

Key Elements of the Plan

Entrepreneurship Training



Participants will learn how to start and operate coffee shops and related small businesses, with a focus on practical, replicable models.

Climate Action Funding



Revenue and participation incentives will help fund projects such as:

Solar-powered water wells

Public hydration stations

Mobile coffee and water units

Climate-resilient retail operations

501(c)(3) Non-Membership Structure



The organization will operate without formal membership, directing donations and resources into equipment, training, and deploymentsimilar to models used by Heifer International and Save the Children.

A New Kind of Cafe

Unlike traditional cafes that rely solely on product sales, the Tontine Cafe is designed as a hybrid of classroom, incubator, and micro-economy, where value is created through participation and shared purpose.

"This is about teaching people how to build businesses while simultaneously building a new kind of local economy," Davis said. "It's entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and monetary innovation combined"

Next Steps

Organizers are finalizing the operational blueprint, with plans to launch a pilot Tontine Cafe location in Greensboro as both a training center and community currency testbed.

Media Contact:



Mitchell Davis



Broadcast Interview Source, Inc.



202) 333-5000

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Wales next government is facing mounting pressure to overhaul its approach to bovine TB, as farmers warn the disease is threatening the future of the industry.

NFU Cymru has called for drastic changes to current policy ahead of the Senedd elections, arguing that without decisive action, the next generation of farmers will be left without hope of operating free from the disease.

Bovine TB remains one of the most contentious issues in Welsh agriculture, with political debate continuing over how best to balance cattle controls, wildlife measures and long-term eradication.

The Welsh governments current strategy centres on strict cattle testing and movement restrictions, alongside wildlife interventions such as vaccination. However, farming groups have long argued that this approach does not go far enough to tackle the disease at its source.

The union has stepped up its campaign in the run-up to the vote, releasing a series of videos featuring members to highlight key concerns within Welsh agriculture. The initiative is aimed at pushing political parties to commit to stronger action on issues affecting rural communities.

In the latest video, NFU Cymru Bovine TB Focus Group chair Roger Lewis sets out the scale of the crisis, pointing to the number of cattle lost and the toll on farming families.

Over 11,000 cattle were slaughtered over the last calendar year due to bovine TB - a truly shocking statistic, he said.

He added that behind these figures lies the anguish experienced by farming families across Wales, underlining the emotional and financial strain the disease continues to place on the sector.

While recent figures suggest some progress in tackling bovine TB across Great Britain, the continued loss of more than 11,000 cattle highlights the persistent scale of the problem and its ongoing impact on farm businesses.

The disease can also bring prolonged movement restrictions, lost income and increased costs, creating significant uncertainty for affected farms and limiting their ability to plan ahead.

Mr Lewis warned that current measures are not going far enough, particularly in tackling the role of wildlife in the spread of infection. We cannot continue slaughtering thousands of cattle each year, whilst leaving the disease in wildlife unaddressed, he said, citing clear evidence of a link between bovine TB in wildlife and cattle.

NFU Cymru is urging ministers to adopt a more targeted, evidence-led strategy, combining interventions such as vaccination and culling where appropriate and guided by local disease conditions. Mr Lewis said the next Welsh government should adopt a targeted approach that addresses the disease wherever it exists.

Alongside wider policy reform, he stressed the continued importance of on-farm measures, noting that good on farm biosecurity remains crucial to protect herds, while cattle testing and controls remain a key line of defence.

Industry leaders warn that ongoing uncertainty around bovine TB is also discouraging investment and making it harder for younger farmers to plan for the future.

But the unions warning is clear: without a comprehensive eradication plan, the long-term outlook for Welsh farming remains uncertain.

If the next generation are to have any hope of farming in Wales without TB, then something needs to change, Mr Lewis said, urging the government to implement a strategy that actively tackles the disease in all its vectors.

The Welsh government has previously said its approach is guided by scientific evidence and aims to balance disease control with wider animal welfare considerations.
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It is not every day that a global music act crosses paths with one of Indian cinemas most revered stars. But that is exactly what happened when American EDM duo The Chainsmokers met Mohanlal ahead of their live performance in Dallas. What might have been a casual backstage interaction quickly turned into a viral moment, thanks to a single photo that travelled far beyond the concert venue.The duo shared the image on their official Instagram page with a simple caption: Made a new friend before our show in Dallas, @mohanlal. The understated tone of the post only added to the surprise. For fans across both worlds, it was a rare intersection of global pop culture and Indian cinema, one that felt spontaneous rather than staged.In the photo, Mohanlal appeared effortlessly stylish, dressed in a printed short-sleeve shirt that stood out for its distinct design. The upper half featured a sky-blue base with large bird motifs in gold and brown, while the lower half transitioned into a darker navy tone. Paired with denim jeans and a white inner layer, the look struck a balance between relaxed and sharply put together, reflecting the actors ability to carry both simplicity and presence with ease.As expected, the internet did not take long to respond. The comment section quickly filled with reactions that ranged from disbelief to admiration. For many, it was not just about the photo, but what it represented. A meeting like this bridged two very different audiences, bringing together fans of electronic music and followers of Malayalam cinema.One user wrote, Dope!!! @thechainsmokers You guys met a true legend @mohanlal, while another simply reacted with, Wait! What??? A third comment summed up the sentiment more directly: That friend turns out to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema and the one and only Lalettan.The enthusiasm highlighted something larger. Mohanlals reach is not confined to regional cinema. Over decades, he has built a reputation that resonates across languages and geographies, making moments like these feel both surprising and inevitable at the same time.For Mohanlal, this unexpected crossover comes at a time when his career continues to evolve. Widely regarded as one of Indian cinemas most influential actors, he has consistently balanced commercial appeal with critically acclaimed performances. A recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and multiple National Film Awards, his body of work reflects both range and longevity.On the professional front, the actor has a busy slate ahead. He will next be seen in the espionage action film Patriot, directed by Mahesh Narayanan. The project brings together a formidable ensemble that includes Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Revathy, and Rajeev Menon, among others. The film, which was initially slated for an earlier release, is now set to arrive in theatres on May 1, 2026.There is also considerable anticipation surrounding Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph. The continuation of the widely celebrated franchise is expected to draw significant attention, given the impact of its predecessors.While the Dallas meeting may have been brief, its resonance points to something more interesting. The lines between industries and audiences are becoming increasingly fluid. A global music act acknowledging an Indian cinema legend in such an organic way reflects how cultural boundaries continue to shift.For fans, it is moments like these that create a sense of shared space, where different worlds overlap, even if just for a photograph. And sometimes, that is enough to start a conversation that travels far beyond where it began.
Today, Masan Group Corporation (HOSE: MSN, "Masan" or the "Company") and two of its key publicly listed subsidiaries (Masan Consumer (HOSE: MCH) and Masan MEATLife (HNX-UPCoM: MML) jointly held their 2026 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") in Ho Chi Minh City under a shared theme: "The Great Connectivity ?i K?t N?i".

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260424187872/en/

The Annual General Meeting of Masan Group Masan Consumer Masan MEATLife, held on April 24, attracted thousands of shareholders and partners.

The Vision: Building Vietnam's Consumer Operating System ("cOS")

This year's AGM theme, "The Great Connectivity ?i K?t N?i", marks a strategic milestone in a multi-year transformation journey. For years, Vietnam's consumer and retail landscape has been defined by fragmentation, where the engines of retail, brand, and digital stood apart, creating massive inefficiencies and resulting in consumers overpaying by 15% to 20% for daily essential products. Masan's answer is the Consumer Operating System ("cOS")-an integrated platform that unites these engines to address these inefficiencies, to deliver a seamless consumer journey and to capture a greater share of Vietnam's Gross Merchandise Value ("GMV") of the total retail market and a majority of the end-to-end consumer profit pool.

The Retail Engine: Profitable Hardware at Scale

The turnaround for WinCommerce ("WCM") is officially closed, having improved store unit economic margins and reduced capex and opex per store by 30% since 2020. This operational excellence has shifted WCM from a loss of ~VND3,700 billion in 2019 to a targeted profit of VND1,000 billion in 2026.

WCM is hyper-scaling its physical infrastructure to reach ~6,100 stores by the end of 2026, with a primary focus on the rural market, where 70% of new stores are being opened. As of 2026, modern trade ("MT") penetration in Vietnam remains at only 14%, and WCM's presence reaches only half of the country (1,300 wards out of 3,250). By focusing 70% of our new store openings in these areas, WCM is achieving a payback period of less than 3 years and an IRR of 40%, proving that modern retail can thrive in every corner of Vietnam. With the expected MT penetration of 20%+ in Vietnam by 2030, Masan plans to open at least 1,500 new stores profitably each year to reach a network of 13,000 stores by 2030.

Retail Supreme: Modernizing General Trade

Connectivity means more than just the Company's own stores. It means empowering the one million "mom-and-pop" retailers across the country and connecting them into our Retail Engine. Through the Retail Supreme platform, Masan has moved from a traditional wholesale-driven model to a digital, direct-coverage, territory ownership model.

Starting with a successful pilot in Ca Mau in 2024, this model now allows MCH's sales representatives to "own" their territory and ensure Masan brands are in almost every store. The results have been measurable with active selling outlets ("ASO") directly covered by Masan growing to 500,000 locations (up 2.3x vs. before Retail Supreme), with each outlet now purchasing on average 5.5 SKUs per order (up 17.0% vs. before Retail Supreme), and 50,000 stores implementing our "perfect" in-store execution standards to improve brand visibility and drive better offtake (up 78.6% vs. before Retail Supreme).

By end of 2026, Masan targets reaching 1 million ASOs, including on-premise locations, and 7.0 SKUs per order. This shift is highly value-accretive: every 1 SKU/order increase brings VND 370 billion in revenue per month. Masan is scaling WIN+, a converged GT-MT retailing model that aims to empower 70,000 General Trade ("GT") partners with modern trade experiences and capabilities, enabling the network to reach ~90% weighted market distribution.

The Brand Engine: From Local Champion to Global Mega Brands

While the Retail Engine provides the "push," Masan believes in developing a compelling "pull factor" by building brands consumers love. Masan aims to expands its loved brands portfolio, targeting 16 MCH's Mega Brands, 3 MML's Mega Brands, and 25-50 WCM's Mega House Brands (own brand), and, collectively aimed at capturing 30% of the total spending of Vietnamese consumers on daily necessities.

With its Retail and Brand Engines combined, Masan believes the success story of fish sauce (unbranded to branded) can be replicated across many categories. Today, MML's branded meat represents only ~2% of the total meat market. By leveraging one unified distribution platform spanning ~13,000 WCM stores and 70,000+ WIN+ outlets, MML can potentially scale brands faster and more efficiently than traditional models. Supported by continued investment in brand building, R&D, and technology, MML is expanding from fresh meat into marinated and processed offerings to serve all nutrition needs and consumption occasions, with the ambition to make branded protein a daily part of Vietnamese consumers' lives-reaching every household and every meal occasion.

The Digital Engine: Intelligence to Empower the cOS

The scalability of Masan's cOS is driven by its Digital Engine, anchored by WinX as the core connector linking brands, retailers and consumers. WinX has reached 15 million members with a target of 50 million, capturing millions of transactions across every store, every member and every interaction. These transactions continuously feed Masan's intelligence layer, making the cOS smarter with every purchase and every engagement.

At the heart of this intelligence is Masan's "Digital 4P"-the consumer operating system that connects Brand Retailer Customer through technology and data. Rather than managing products or stores in isolation, the Digital 4P transforms data into real-time, decision-grade intelligence across four critical questions:

Place where to open stores: using location scoring to prioritize the most profitable sites guide the selection of WIN+ partners.

where to open stores: using location scoring to prioritize the most profitable sites guide the selection of WIN+ partners. Product what brands SKUs to sell: using SKU scoring to tailor assortments by neighborhood and segment.

what brands SKUs to sell: using SKU scoring to tailor assortments by neighborhood and segment. Price what price to offer: leveraging consumer Intelligence for hyper-personalized pricing and rewards.

what price to offer: leveraging consumer Intelligence for hyper-personalized pricing and rewards. Promotion how to engage and communicate: direct channel to engage and communicate with consumers, optimizing its marketing investment

Supporting the Digital 4P Platform is Supra, Masan's logistics "muscle," which powers the physical flow of goods. Supra operates as a tech-enabled, unified platform with end-to-end visibility, ML-driven forecasting, and automated replenishment.

Delivering Shared Value

Successfully executing on the cOS is expected to enable Masan to deliver a superior financial result and ultimately value creation. For 2026, Masan targets the following results:

MSN : 20% revenue growth, 1.2x NPAT Pre-MI.

: 20% revenue growth, 1.2x NPAT Pre-MI. WCM : 21% revenue growth and 2.0x NPAT Pre-MI.

: 21% revenue growth and 2.0x NPAT Pre-MI. MCH : 15% revenue growth and 22% NPAT margin.

: 15% revenue growth and 22% NPAT margin. MML : 20% revenue growth and 1.3x EBIT.

: 20% revenue growth and 1.3x EBIT. PLH: 32% revenue growth and 1.3x NPAT Pre-MI.

Through the One Masan Operating Platform, Masan expects to generate $500 million in cash in 2026, reaching $1 billion by 2030. This is driven by the synergy of the Retail Engine (90% weighted distribution), the Brand Engine (Mega Brands millions of transactions), and the Digital Engine (Scoring Platform). Every 10% of GMV captured by the platform unlocks $1 billion in operating cash flow.

Already in 2026, the Company has demonstrated momentum to deliver on its financial targets. In 1Q2026, MSN's revenue and NPAT Pre-MI grew 27.1% YoY and 2.0x YoY, respectively. This growth was on the back of 3.5x, 11.5%, 66.3%, and 80.8% NPAT growth of WCM, MCH, MML, PLH, respectively, further supported by a significant improvement of its non-core Masan High-Tech Materials business.

In conclusion, "The Great Connectivity is not just a business strategy; it is a commitment to Vietnam. When we connect our brands, our retail network, and our digital intelligence, consumers win, employees win, and shareholders win." said Danny Le, CEO of Masan Group.

MASAN GROUP CORPORATION

Masan Group Corporation ("Masan" or the "Company") believes in doing well by doing good. The Company's mission is to provide better products and services to the 100 million people of Vietnam and global consumers, so that they can pay less for their daily essentials. Masan aims to achieve this by driving productivity with technological innovations, trusted brands, and focusing on fewer but bigger opportunities that impact the most lives.

Masan Group's member companies and associates are industry leaders in branded fast moving consumer goods, branded meat, modern retail, F&B retail, financial services, telecommunications, and value-add chemical processing, altogether representing segments of Vietnam's economy that are experiencing the most transformational growth.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Masan's expectations, intentions or strategies that may involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements, including Masan's expectations, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond Masan's control, which may cause Masan's actual results of operations, financial condition, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions, future events or promises of future performance.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260424187872/en/

Contacts:

Investors/Analysts

Thai Son Trinh

T: +84 28 6256 3862

E: ir@msn.masangroup.com

Media

Van Pham

T: +84 28 6256 3862

E: pr@msn.masangroup.com
BEIJING, April 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the world grapples with achieving sustainable economic growth, China is successfully using technology to boost people's livelihoods while also preserving the environment.

In this episode of the Art of Governance, CGTN's Liu Xin is joined by Shanghai Daily's Andy Boreham on a visit to the world's largest solar plant in China's Qinghai Province. Here, they discover how this unique project is not only putting money in local people's pockets but also contributing to the area's sustainable development.

Located in the windswept plains of the Talatan Gobi Desert, columns of solar panels stretch as far as the eye can see. But, look a little closer, and you will see thousands of sheep roaming and grazing freely amongst the metallic pillars and photovoltaic panels.

As with all great ideas, this one was born out of necessity. Desertification was threatening the livelihoods of local herdsmen as they were continuously forced to supplement their livestock's feed amid declining fertile pastures. Cao Jun, an engineer at the Hainan Branch of Huanghe Corporation, explains that local herdsmen are granted free access to the site, with their sheep able to graze on the fresh grass sprouting up beneath the solar columns.

This vast solar jungle boasts a power generation capacity of 8,430 megawatts. Meanwhile, the water runoff from cleaning the panels creates fertile land for grass to grow and the sheep to graze naturally once again. This project ensures regular income for the herders and an abundance of food for their flock, all the while delivering clean energy to the nation's energy grid.

Dimitri De Boer, Chief Representative for China at ClientEarth, believes this system is "perfect" as it sustains local livelihoods while also improving the area's land quality. "There is no trade-off. It's win-win for everybody," he said.

Though the solar plant in Qinghai is monumental in scale, it is just one small example of the many innovative ways China is utilizing technology to advance economic development while protecting and caring for the environment.

"In China, you're seeing how high-quality economic growth is firmly intertwined with sustainability," De Boer added. "It's tremendous to see how technological innovation and economic growth, and also sustainability, can really go hand in hand."

Green development is a key part of the Chinese path to modernization. According to the 15th Five-Year Plan, China will advance the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality by coordinating actions to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green capacity and promote growth.

China's green development has not only helped to expand the greening of areas of its own land but also benefited the world at large. China supplies about 70% of the world's wind power equipment and 80% of photovoltaic components, helping drive down the global cost of wind and solar power generation by more than 60% and 80% respectively.

As the 15th Five-Year Plan period begins, China will continue to pursue green development, work with all countries to preserve what gives our planet life, jointly address global climate challenges, protect the green Earth, and secure a cleaner and more beautiful world.





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ecc2381-a090-4523-9cfd-6ea31fa01f65

Contact: CGTN Digital, cgtn@cgtn.com
GUANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As global demand grows for efficient and adaptable solutions, exhibitors from the Hardware category at the 139th Canton Fair are presenting new technologies that reimagine how traditional tools and machinery operate in real-world environments.

One of the most notable trends is the rapid rise of intelligent outdoor maintenance equipment. Responding to increasing labor costs and safety risks, new remote-controlled mowing robots are transforming landscape management. Their tracked designs can navigate slopes of up to 30 degrees, allowing operators to remain at a safe distance from hazardous terrain such as embankments and uneven ground. With daily work efficiency exceeding manual labor by more than 500%, these machines offer a safer and significantly faster solution for agricultural and municipal applications.

In the power tools segment, versatility and system integration are becoming defining features. A newly introduced 20V Max brushless wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner reflects this direction, offering strong suction performance and an 8-liter capacity suitable for wood chips, dust, and liquid cleanup on construction sites. Its IPX4 water resistance and wireless remote control improve usability in complex environments, while compatibility with modular stackable tool-storage systems supports streamlined transport and organization for professionals in woodworking, renovation, and flooring installation.

Manufacturing processes themselves are also under the spotlight. Fully automated coil-nail production systems on display use AI-enabled visual inspection and roller-conveyance mechanisms to reduce jamming and improve consistency. With daily output reaching 100 tons and labor productivity increasing by 50%, these systems demonstrate how smart manufacturing can enhance stability, quality control, and resource efficiency across the supply chain.

Practical hardware innovations are further improving logistics and safety. A new foldable ratchet fastening device features a handle that folds from 0 to 180 degrees, significantly reducing storage space while maintaining high-strength locking performance. Lightweight magnetic drill presses also support flexible, precise drilling across a range of industrial settings.

Taken together, the innovations presented in the Hardware category reflect a continued effort to address real-world challenges through practical engineering and digital integration. By focusing on safety, efficiency, and smarter workflows, exhibitors at the 139th Canton Fair are contributing to the ongoing evolution of global hardware and tool solutions for modern industrial needs.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2965077/1____7.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hardware--tools-category-at-139th-canton-fair-powers-a-shift-toward-smarter-safer-and-more-efficient-solutions-302753462.html
GUANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has opened recently and will conclude on May 5 across three phases. From the moment they arrived, buyers were greeted with an atmosphere more dynamic than ever.

A Saudi buyer lit up after trying the Fair's unmanned delivery service for the first time, while an Egyptian buyer made a beeline for the CF Award display area to preview the latest, top-tier innovations. In the exhibition halls, an Arabic-language livestream guided Middle Eastern buyers through an immersive virtual tour. Whether onsite or online, buyers could clearly feel the strong momentum of supply and demand. To support this heightened activity, the Fair has introduced an enhanced, more systematic suite of buyer services designed to meet the evolving needs of specialized buyers seeking efficiency, reliability, and long-term continuity.

A key upgrade is the launch of dedicated one-stop buyer service centers. Seven centers cover all four Areas, bring the entire attendance journey and full-chain trade support under a unified service framework. For overseas buyers navigating one of the world's largest trade fairs, this centralized model streamlines the entire experience, from pre-registration, arrival and badge collection to business matching, negotiations, and post-fair services. Outside of the Canton Fair Complex, the Canton Fair has also set up 70 off-site service points and 628 service counters across airports, hotels and other locations. Overseas buyers can simply scan their passports and obtain their badges in about 30 seconds, ensuring a smooth and efficient attendance experience.

The Fair has also introduced a new "Veteran Buyer Tag," an exclusive identifier for regular buyers. Once the system recognizes a buyer as a loyal attendee, it automatically provides tailored benefits, including special vouchers and personalized product recommendations. The initiative highlights the continuity of the Canton Fair experience, acknowledging long-term engagement and fostering deeper relationships with the Fair.

Digital tools also play a central role in enhancing sourcing efficiency. One of the latest initiatives is the debut of a dedicated Canton Fair Newsletter for buyers, which has reached more than 810,000 buyers with targeted distribution, strengthening targeted communication.

At the same time, the upgraded Canton Fair APP provides comprehensive support throughout the sourcing journey, enabling smoother transitions from discovery to negotiation and long-term cooperation.

At its core, the Canton Fair has long served as a bridge connecting global demand with China's manufacturing strength and innovation capacity. At the 139th session, this role is further strengthened through a series of upgraded initiatives that enhance professionalism and digital capability, aligning the platform with evolving global business models and supporting long-term, stable trade partnerships.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2964868/photo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/upgraded-buyer-services-at-139th-canton-fair-boost-efficiency-and-support-longterm-global-partnerships-302753465.html
Auckland, New Zealand--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2026) - The Domain Name Company Limited (domain.co.nz), a cornerstone of digital infrastructure since 1996, today announced the global launch of its "Ventures" program. This initiative marks a strategic addition to domain name registration and hosting, adding a "Technical Partnership" model, designed to empower founders who aim to change the world by providing them with an enterprise-grade solution out-of-the-box.

Solving the "Technical Gap" for Global Founders

In an industry where most registrars treat a startup as a one-off transaction, The Domain Name Company is prioritizing longevity. Many founders fail not due to a lack of vision, but due to "technical friction"-the complex hurdle of configuring websites, promotion, security, services and email alone.

"Since we began in 1996, we've seen thousands of businesses stall because they lacked technical expertise" says Josh Evans, Head of Ventures. "Our Ventures program acts as the technical co-founder these startups need, providing the same high-tier infrastructure that powers our Enterprise clients".

The "Ventures" Ecosystem: Partnership Over Pricing

The Ventures program is a global initiative open to founders regardless of their location who have a mission to change the world. It replaces "teaser rates" with a free comprehensive startup stack:

Zero-Cost Launch: High-performance web hosting, professional email, domain services and promotion provided at no cost during the critical first phase.

High-performance web hosting, professional email, domain services and promotion provided at no cost during the critical first phase. Technical Bench: Hands-on setup and ongoing configuration. The Ventures team manages the "plumbing"-DNS, SSL encryption, consulting and infrastructure scaling.

Hands-on setup and ongoing configuration. The Ventures team manages the "plumbing"-DNS, SSL encryption, consulting and infrastructure scaling. Global Domain Authority: As a fully authorized registrar, the company provides direct access to over 300 TLDs (including .nz, .com, .uk, and .au) and specialized Droplist services to help founders secure high-value expired domains.

As a fully authorized registrar, the company provides direct access to over 300 TLDs (including .nz, .com, .uk, and .au) and specialized Droplist services to help founders secure high-value expired domains. Direct Investment: High-potential startups within the program are also eligible for direct cash investment.

Enterprise Stability for Modern Innovation

While many international "low cost" registrars operate on "fly-by-night" models, The Domain Name Company offers 30 unbroken years of stability.

How to Apply

The Ventures program is now accepting applications from founders globally. Requirements include an active roadmap, a clear vision for scalability, and a commitment to building a sustainable digital brand.

Apply for the Ventures Program Today: https://www.domain.co.nz/ventures

About The Domain Name Company Limited

Founded in 1996, The Domain Name Company Limited (domain.co.nz) is a global pioneer in digital identity and a fully authorized registrar in multiple international markets. The company offers low cost domain name registration, providing direct access to more than 540 different top-level domains, combined with a Lowest Price Guarantee, on the average of registration and renewal price.

The company has developed the latest customized, fully multi-lingual AI tooling to facilitate a seamless DNS partnership between customers and technology. From single email addresses and SSL certificates to Droplist bidding and managed corporate solutions, The Domain Name Company provides the technical backbone for the digital economy. With an established pedigree, they provide the high-performance, AI-driven scaffolding that turns a single domain into a global empire.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294084

Source: Plentisoft
HANNOVER, Germany, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hannover Messe 2026, the world's premier industrial trade fair, officially concluded in Germany yesterday. Marking its first major European showcase, PL-Universe Robotics presented industrial-grade embodied AI robotic solutions, highlighting cutting-edge smart manufacturing innovations from China for European industry professionals.

Throughout the exhibition, PL-Universe's booth drew strong interest from European industry visitors. The team delivered live on-site demonstrations of flexible manufacturing workflows, showcasing how its solutions-equipped with autonomous perception, real-time decision-making and high-precision operation-address key industrial challenges such as inflexible traditional manufacturing models.

To meet the demands of the European industrial market, these solutions have demonstrated remarkable application effects: they achieve an absolute positioning accuracy of 0.05mm, ensuring high-precision industrial manufacturing; meanwhile, they enable line changes in seconds, reducing production changeover and commissioning time by 90%, cutting line change costs by 80%, and boosting the yield rate to over 99%. These advantages significantly improve production efficiency and product consistency, fully meeting modern manufacturing's core needs for flexibility and intelligence.

Ge Jin, President of PL-Universe Robotics, attended the "Invest in China" forum during the event. She noted that ProWhite, the company's industrial embodied AI robot, is engineered for real-world industrial deployment, enabling cost-effective flexible production and accelerating digital transformation for manufacturers.

This successful debut at Hannover Messe establishes a solid foundation for the brand's European expansion. Moving forward, PL-Universe Robotics will strengthen local partnerships and deliver robust, factory-grade intelligent manufacturing solutions for enterprises across Europe.

PL-Universe Robotics, founded in January 2025 and headquartered in Suzhou, China, is a pioneering provider of embodied AI solutions across multiple scenarios, specializing in the development and practical applications of embodied AI robots. It has already mass-produced and delivered its first self-developed industrial-grade universal embodied robot - PL-Universe ProWhite. Leveraging the pioneering SDPAA architecture, which breaks through scenario adaptation barriers, it collaborates with leading clients in industrial sectors such as 3C electronics and automotive manufacturing. In November 2025, PL-Universe Robotics entered an exclusive global online sales partnership with JD.com, planning to collaborate on product distribution, overseas market development, and service system integration.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2965693/20260425152757_437_314.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pl-universe-makes-european-debut-at-hannover-messe-2026-with-advanced-embodied-ai-robotics-302753559.html
BEIJING, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 19th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026), GAC Commercial Vehicles officially launched MONTX, a new all-domain brand defined as "a boundary-defying new breed". Under the brand proposition "New Breed. No Boundaries.", MONTX premiered two pioneering concept vehicles: MONTX P10 and MONTX V10. The brand also launched Project Unbound, a global user co-creation program to shape the future of mobile living. Alongside the vehicles, MONTX introduced "Project Unbound," a radical user co-creation initiative partnered with renowned travel vlogger FREEROAD, inviting the global community to design the future of mobile living.

MONTX is a forward-thinking mobility brand dedicated to breaking traditional vehicle boundaries and creating multi-scenario, all-domain mobility experiences. It upholds the values of versatile utility, intelligent innovation, and user-centric design, catering to global pioneers who pursue seamless work-life integration and boundary-free exploration. Positioned to break the boundaries between commercial utility and passenger lifestyle, MONTX delivers one-vehicle, all-scenario mobility solutions for global pioneer users.

The MONTX P10 is a Multi-Dimensional Mobility Platform that integrates earth-sky synergy, vehicle-drone symbiosis, and rugged tactical aesthetics. Finished in fighter jet grey with armored-inspired contours, it is equipped with long-travel suspension, four-wheel distributed drive, and torque vectoring control to conquer mud, gravel, and extreme terrain. Its intelligent system provides real-time 3D terrain modeling, automatic suspension adjustment, making it the most capable and eye-catching all-terrain concept at this year's auto show. The MONTX V10 acts as an Adaptive Mobile Hub. It features a bold, minimalist boxy silhouette, four-way tailgate, steer-by-wire sliding steering wheel, and three-zone modular layout. The interior seamlessly transforms between mobile office, social lounge, and sleeping cabin, supported by an off-grid self-sustaining system that manages water, power, and climate automatically for long-distance adventure and wild living.

Rooted in China and built for the world, MONTX will initially focus on four key overseas markets: Australia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Chile. Moving forward, MONTX will continue to advance its all-domain product portfolio powered by modular architecture, proactive intelligence and new energy technologies. The launch of MONTX represents a profound shift in mobility. Through the P10, the V10, and a radical commitment to user co-creation, MONTX is tearing down the walls of traditional automotive design. MONTX invites the world to redefine the journey and co-create a future without limits. By creating competitive advantages in the global new energy mobility segment, MONTX strives to become a trusted global brand and elevate the influence of Chinese intelligent manufacturing worldwide.

Website:https://www.montxtech.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2965711/image1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/montx-makes-global-debut-with-two-visionary-concepts-at-the-auto-china-2026-302753564.html
New data demonstrate that transgenic American chestnuts produce significantly smaller blight cankers than their wild-type counterparts

MCGRAW, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2026 / Today, SilvaBio, in collaboration with academic partners, reports findings from four independent experiments demonstrating that transgenic American chestnut trees consistently tolerate blight, the fungal disease that rendered the species functionally extinct in the early 19th century. This expanding body of evidence-spanning studies conducted by Purdue University, the University of New England (UNE) and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)-provides validation of the single-transgene approach and reinforces its application for restoration of this keystone species across its native range.

American chestnut trees (Castanea dentata) carrying the oxalate oxidase (OxO) transgene consistently develop smaller blight cankers than their wild-type counterparts after deliberate exposure to chestnut blight fungus, when measured under comparable conditions at each site. Across six separate comparisons-conducted by multiple research groups using varied experimental designs, inoculation protocols, and pathogen strains-the transgenic trees produced cankers 30% to 81% smaller, providing robust evidence that validates blight tolerance.

In addition, at three sites, Chinese chestnuts were tested alongside transgenic American chestnuts under identical inoculation conditions. While Chinese chestnut trees are considered to provide the "gold-standard" comparison for blight tolerance, transgenic trees performed comparably to their Chinese counterparts.

Collectively, these results provide the most comprehensive evidence to date that the OxO transgene confers reproducible, meaningfully enhanced blight resistance under controlled conditions.

According to Dr. Andrew Newhouse, Ph.D., director of the chestnut research program at ESF, "These results confirm that Darling American chestnuts can tolerate blight infections in multiple outdoor environments. We are proud to work with this team of partners and collaborators, and look forward to continued progress on this critical conservation project."

"At the University of New England, we have arrived at a body of evidence indicating that the American chestnuts carrying the OxO gene are better able to tolerate the fungal blight compared to their full sibling counterparts without the gene," said Dr. Thomas Klak, Ph.D., professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs. "We see no negative impacts on maturation from carrying the OxO gene and good field performance by the OxO trees when inoculated with a virulent strain of the blight."

"For over a century, the American chestnut has been absent from our forests. These four independent studies offer the strongest evidence to date that we are on the right path to restore it," said Michael Bloom, SilvaBio CEO.

John Dougherty, American Chestnut Restoration Vice President for Science, "These studies confirm that the ESF lab and green house screens successfully predicted that Darling has sustainable blight tolerance performance in field trials that is equal to or better than Chinese standard."

Results by Site

Across multiple independent field and experimental trials, transgenic American chestnut trees consistently developed substantially smaller blight cankers than non-transgenic controls.

University of New England (UNE): Transgenic trees showed ~30-36% reductions in canker length across two years of trials.

Purdue University: Across large, multi-year field trials, transgenic trees exhibited ~46-50% reductions in canker area.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF): In young seedlings, transgenic trees had up to 81% smaller cankers than wild-type trees. In older field-grown trees, reductions remained substantial at ~62%.



Background

Once a cornerstone of eastern forests, the American chestnut made up as much as a quarter of the canopy across its 25-state native range. In the early 1900s, a fungal blight killed an estimated 4 billion trees, rendering the species functionally extinct within decades and leaving a lasting ecological and economic void. After years of research, scientists at SUNY ESF developed the first blight-tolerant, fully American chestnut, known as "Darling 54," marking a major breakthrough built on ongoing collaboration among American Chestnut Restoration Inc., SilvaBio, and other partners.

Building on this work, SilvaBio is advancing restoration by moving the Darling line from the lab to scalable, real-world deployment. Using genomic prediction, accelerated breeding, and advanced micropropagation, the company is developing and producing a robust, genetically-diverse range of resilient seedlings for forest-scale reintroduction. These capabilities enable earlier selection of disease-tolerant trees, compress breeding timelines, and support large-scale production needed for meaningful restoration, pending deregulation.

Together, these findings support the effectiveness of the OxO-based transgenic approach as a viable path to restoring the American chestnut and provide the scientific foundation for extending this platform to other at-risk species, including ash, oak, and elm.

To learn more about the Darling 54 American chestnut restoration project, please visit https://www.restorechestnut.org/.

To learn more about SilvaBio, please visit https://www.silvabio.com/.

###

About SilvaBio

SilvaBio is a biotechnology company addressing hardwood tree disease, beginning with the restoration of the American chestnut and expanding to other threatened species such as ash and elm. U.S. forests contribute over $350 billion annually and absorb nearly 15% of national carbon emissions, yet invasive diseases are outpacing traditional restoration. SilvaBio combines advanced genomics, accelerated breeding ("Lightspeed"), and proprietary micropropagation to develop resilient, regionally adapted trees and scale their deployment-enabling restoration at the scale our forests require. To learn more, please visit https://www.silvabio.com/.

About SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the mo world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.esf.edu/chestnut/.

About The University of New England

The University of New England is Maine's largest independent university, with campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine, a campus in Tangier, Morocco, and a robust array of online programs. UNE combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on, purpose-driven learning in health, science, marine and environmental studies, and the liberal arts. As Maine's leading provider of health professionals, UNE prepares students to address the interconnected challenges of human and planetary health in a rapidly changing world. To learn more, please visit https://www.une.edu/.

Media Contact:

Sheila Smith,

Communications Director, SilvaBio

sheila@silvabio.com

203.917.8644

Data Sources

Klak, T., Travis, S., May, V. G., Tan, E. H., Chatfield, M. W. H., & Wheeler, M. (2025). Two-year field trial of genetically engineered American chestnut reveals greater fungal blight tolerance compared to wild-type full-sibling trees. bioRxiv.

Kell, C. (2025). Two-year field screening of Darling 54 transgenic American chestnut progeny in the Central Hardwood region. Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Purdue University. Public comment in support of Darling 54 deregulation, APHIS Docket No. APHIS-2020-0030-19913.

ESF Darling Science Update (2023). Available at: https://www.esf.edu/chestnut/science-update/index.php.

SOURCE: SilvaBio

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/biotechnology/four-independent-studies-validate-the-blight-tolerance-of-darling-american-chestnut-t-1161220
MMJ International Holdings, an FDA IND-stage pharmaceutical cannabinoid developer, is a plaintiff in landmark litigation before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging CMS's Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive - a program that, for the first time, introduces non-FDA-approved cannabinoid products into the Medicare delivery system without notice, public comment, or safety review.

WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2026 / The case, Smart Approaches to Marijuana et al. v. Kennedy, Civil Action No. 26-1081 (TNM), is pending before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Plaintiffs filed a reply brief on April 24, 2026, responding to the government's motion to dismiss and opposition to preliminary injunctive relief. The reply brief, authored by constitutional litigator Ilya Shapiro of Burke Law Group, PLLC, lays out what plaintiffs describe as a straightforward case: CMS adopted an unprecedented product distribution program for Medicare seniors without following the legal procedures Congress required.

Why this matters to investors

For investors tracking the regulated pharmaceutical cannabinoid sector, the outcome of this litigation carries direct market implications. The BEI creates, for the first time, a federally supported pathway for non-FDA-approved cannabinoid products to reach Medicare beneficiaries - the same patient population that companies like MMJ International Holdings have spent years and tens of millions of dollars developing FDA compliant therapeutics to serve.

MMJ has invested over $10 million across eight years building a fully integrated pharmaceutical cannabinoid development platform: active IND applications with FDA, Orphan Drug Designation for Huntington's disease, a DEA Schedule I analytical laboratory registration, GMP-grade soft-gel capsule formulation developed with a Pharmaceutical Solutions company, and a pending DEA bulk manufacturing registration. That investment was made in direct reliance on the established federal framework: cannabinoid therapeutics require FDA approval before Medicare reimbursement eligibility. The BEI circumvents that framework without explanation.

$10M+ invested by MMJ in FDA-compliant cannabinoid development

8 years of regulatory compliance through FDA and DEA pathways

3 mg THC per serving permitted under BEI vs. 0.4 mg federal limit effective Nov. 2026

0 public comments solicited before BEI launch on April 1, 2026

The legal landscape heading into the hearing

Plaintiffs' reply brief makes five independent arguments for why the court should grant preliminary injunctive relief and deny the government's motion to dismiss. First, MMJ satisfies competitor standing as a direct participant in the cannabinoid therapeutics market under Sherley v. Sebelius, 610 F.3d 69 (D.C. Cir. 2010) - which recognized standing for researchers with active regulatory investments even without an FDA approved product. Second, the BEI is a legislative rule requiring notice-and-comment under the Administrative Procedure Act, regardless of its voluntary structure. Third, CMS's own Contract Year 2027 final rule - published just weeks before the hearing with 42,632 public comments - acknowledged that CMS "does not regulate cannabis and hemp-derived cannabis products" and committed to notice-and-comment for future changes. Fourth, the BEI authorizes up to 3 mg of THC per serving, directly conflicting with the 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act's 0.4 mg per container limit effective November 2026. Fifth, Charlotte's Web and other companies- a hemp company that appears to have received advance notice in shaping the BEI.

"CMS established a THC eligibility threshold but built no verification framework to ensure products actually stay within that threshold through the full supply chain.

The competitive asymmetry argument

Central to MMJ's investor narrative is what the reply brief describes as a two-track regulatory system. Companies following the FDA botanical drug pathway - submitting INDs, completing CMC validation, undergoing DEA registration, conducting clinical trials - face the full weight of federal pharmaceutical regulation. The BEI creates a parallel pathway in which hemp distributors can reach the same Medicare patient populations without any of those requirements. The reply brief argues this regulatory asymmetry constitutes concrete competitive injury, not speculative harm: "The BEI creates a federally supported pathway for non-FDA-approved cannabinoid products to reach the same Medicare patient populations that MMJ Plaintiffs' therapies are designed to serve. Before the BEI, no such pathway existed."

The government's response - that no Medicare beneficiary with Huntington's disease would choose a CBD gummy over an approved pharmaceutical - was directly addressed in the reply brief. Plaintiffs note that the BEI contains no limitations preventing physicians from recommending cannabinoid products for any disease, including those MMJ's pipeline targets. The competitive harm is structural, not transactional.

What a favorable ruling means

A preliminary injunction halting the BEI pending full judicial review would restore the regulatory status quo that existed before April 1, 2026 - one in which FDA approval remained the required gateway to Medicare reimbursement for cannabinoid therapeutics. For MMJ and similarly positioned pharmaceutical developers, that outcome would preserve the investment thesis that has underpinned years of capital deployment: that rigorous federal compliance ultimately yields differentiated market access.

Even a denial of the preliminary injunction but denial of the motion to dismiss - allowing the case to proceed on the merits - would signal that courts are willing to scrutinize CMS's procedural conduct and the inter-agency conflict between CMS's BEI authority and FDA's statutory jurisdiction over drug-class compounds.

About MMJ International Holdings

MMJ International Holdings, Inc. (MMJIH) life sciences company developing pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid therapeutics for serious neurological diseases, including Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis, through the FDA's Botanical Drug Development framework. MMJIH holds active IND applications, Orphan Drug Designation, a DEA Schedule I analytical laboratory registration, and has contracted with Pharma Solutions company and completed manufacturing of a GMP soft-gel capsule formulation.

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/federal-judge-to-decide-whether-medicare-can-distribute-hemp-marijuan-1161218
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.
Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Wed Wednesday

66 /44

Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 40s.
Russo-Ukraine War - 24 April 2026 - Day 1521

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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, 204 combat encounters have taken place since the beginning of this day.

The Russian opponent made 50 aviacijnih strikes - dropped 166 controlled air bombs. In addition, Russian forces acted to impress 3649 kamikaze drones and carried out 1,776 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the North Slobozhansky and Kursk directions today, the Russian enemy launched one aviation strike with the use of three KABs, carried out 97 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, 16 of them from the RSV. Have carried out six assault actions.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy attacked five times the positions of Ukrainian units in the Starytsia district and towards Zibiny, Izbytsky.

In the kupans komu direction, Russian troops attacked eight times, in the area of novoosinovogo, kindrashivka and in the direction of radkivka, glushkivki, novoplatonivka. One of the assault actions is still ongoing.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 13 Russian assaults, towards the settlements of Grekivka, Novoyegorivka, Novosergiyivka, Green Grove, Stavki, Drobisheve, Dibrova and Lyman.

In the Slovak direction, the Russian opponent did not carry out any active offensive actions.

In the kramators komu direction, the Russian occupiers nine times attacked in the direction of minkivka, nikiforivka, bondarny, fedorivka and markovoye. One of the attacks is underway.

In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 23 times in the areas of the settlements of Konstyantinivka, Pleshiyivka, Ivanopilla, Illinivka, Rusin Yar, Rajskie, Novopavlivka, Toretske and Stepanivka. Four attacks are underway.

Russian forces committed 54 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The occupiers tried to advance towards the settlements of Bilitske, Dorozhne, Rodinske, Mirnograd, Novooleksandrivka, Grishine, Vasilivka, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udaachne, Novomikolaivka, Muravka, Novopavlivka, Novopidgorodne and Molodetske.

According to preliminary calculations, today 59 Russian occupants were eliminated in this direction and 28 wounded, destroying one unit of the Russian enemy's vehicle equipment. Also damaged the control point of bpla enemy, 92 cover, eight units of automobile equipment. Destroyed or suppressed 118 BPLA of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian occupiers attacked four times in the areas of settlements of Oleksandrograd and in the direction of Kalinovsky, Sosnivka.

11 Russian attacks in the areas of Dobropillya, Tsvitkove, Pryluki, Olenokostyantinivka, Gulyajpilske, Zelene, Svyatopetrivka were recorded in the direction of Gulyaipilsky. One attack is underway.

In the Orihivs komu direction, the Russian enemy twice attacked in the side of Primors kogo and in the area of Stepovoye.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Russian enemy carried out three assault actions in the areas of Antonivsky Bridge and the island of White Chest.

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that from 18 to 24 April 2026, in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities in the Russian Federation, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out six group strikes with long-range air-, sea-, ground-based high-precision weapons and drones, as a result of which enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, fuel-power, transport, and port infrastructure facilities, used for the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military airfields, assembly and storage areas of attack unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries.

During the week, as a result of the resolute actions of the units of the Sever Group of Forces, established control over the settlement of Veterinarnoye in Kharkov region.

Three mechanised brigades, one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, five territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade were hit.

In total, the enemy lost more than 1,300 troops, eight armoured fighting vehicles, 96 motor vehicles, eight field artillery guns, 13 electronic and counter-fire radars, and 71 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots in the Sever Group's area of responsibility.

The Zapad Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one security brigade of the General Staff of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade.

The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,410 troops, 18 armoured fighting vehicles, 111 motor vehicles, 20 field artillery guns, four electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and 17 ammunition depots.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. During the week, Russian units engaged formations of five mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade.

Over the past week, the AFU lost more than 1,290 troops, two tanks, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, 92 motor vehicles, and 18 field artillery guns in the Yuzhnaya Group's area of responsibility. Thirteen electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, 55 ammunition, POL, materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic.

The Group's units inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, one jaerger brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, two marine brigades, four national guard brigades, and the Azov Special Operations Brigade.

In total, the enemy lost more than 2,295 troops, 29 armoured fighting vehicles, and 39 motor vehicles. Thirteen field artillery guns were neutralised.

Over the past week, the Vostok Group of Forces advanced to the depths of the enemy's defence. Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, two assault brigades, five assault regiments of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade.

The AFU losses in the Vostok Group's area of responsibility of the amounted to more than 1,605 troops, 12 armoured fighting vehicles, 37 motor vehicles, and three artillery guns. Eight materiel depots were destroyed.

Over the past week, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops delivered strikes at formations of two mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade.

In total, up to 325 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 119 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns have been neutralised. Sixteen electronic warfare and counter-fire stations and ten ammunition and materiel depots have been eliminated.

Over the past week, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have destroyed two U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS, five Uragan MLRS, and one Grad MLRS launchers, one Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 MLRS, as well as three transport-loading vehicles.

Air defence systems shot down 50 guided aerial bombs, eight U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, one Neptune long-range missile, and 2,464 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 137,226 unmanned aerial vehicles, 656 anti-aircraft missile systems, 29,035 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,709 MLRS combat vehicles, 34,594 field artillery guns and mortars, and 60,079 units of support military vehicles.

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Wheelies, Brakes, Italy, and a New Era of Hyper

Photos by Ducati.

Sylvia's ideal motorcycle would be comfortable, have the sound of a twin-cylinder engine, use phenomenal brakes, and wheelie for days. Standing in the paddock at Autodromo di Modena in Italy, moments before riding Ducati's new Hypermotard V2 SP, it felt like that wish list had somehow been handed directly to the engineers in Borgo Panigale.





2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 SP

A lightweight supermoto-inspired bike built around the new V2 platform that combines agility with advanced electronics and premium components for maximum fun.

Highs

Sweet Swedish suspension

Confidence-inspiriing braking performance

Dank whooooolies

Sighs

Overly sensitive quickshifter

Foot pegs will scrape before your knee does on track

That I don't have money for one

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Some motorcycles are built to be practical. Some are built to be fast. A few are built purely to make people smile inside their helmets. The Hypermotard has always lived in that third category. Twenty years after the original concept stunned crowds at EICMA in 2005, Ducati has rewritten the formula with an all-new machine. Lighter, sharper, more sophisticated, and more powerful than ever, the new V2 SP is not just another Hypermotard. It feels like Ducati has sharpened the Hyper into a more educated kind of troublemaker.

Flying into Bologna, then making our way to Modena's compact but technical test circuit, the setting was optimal. Italy just understands motorcycles. This area is known as Motor Valley because Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. are all fairly close to each other. The University of Bologna produces a fair amount of engineering graduates that will work at those companies. And on a 1.28-mile circuit like Autodromo di Modena, where quick transitions, heavy braking zones, and punchy corner exits matter more than top speed, the Hypermotard V2 SP has the perfect place to show what it can do.

A Completely New Hypermotard

I have ridden the original Hypermotard 1100, so getting to ride the newest generation of Hyper was sure to be a treat. This is the fourth-generation Hypermotard, and Ducati went beyond just updating bodywork. The previous 950 platform is gone, replaced by a new technical base centered around Ducati's 890cc V-Twin engine and a new monocoque chassis. This is the fifth Ducati model to use the new V2 platform sampled by Motorcycle.com - and soon enough, we'll test the sixth in the DesertX.

The engine is one of the stars of the show. Ducati says it is the lightest Twin-cylinder engine the company has ever produced, weighing just 119.9 lbs. It makes 120 horsepower at 10,750 rpm and 94 Nm of torque at 8,250 rpm (both figures at the crankshaft), with more than 70 percent of that torque available at only 3,000 rpm. Peak numbers rarely tell the full story on a bike like this. What makes the Hypermotard exciting is how quickly it responds when you crack the throttle open mid-corner or pick it up onto the rear wheel exiting a turn.

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This new V2 also uses Ducati's intake variable timing (IVT) system, which continuously adjusts intake timing to improve low-end torque, broaden the mid-range, and still allow strong top-end power. The result is an engine that feels flexible and eager instead of peaky. It pulls cleanly down low, strong through the middle, and still wants to rev.

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See those numbers on the cover? Those are the GPS coordinates for Borgo Panigale."

It is also worth noting that this is a non-desmodromic engine and uses traditional valve springs, marking another step in Ducati's evolving engineering philosophy - and a massive step in service intervals, but more on that in a bit. Traditionalists may raise an eyebrow, but on track the only thing you notice is how smooth and usable the power delivery is.

Lighter Means Better Everywhere

The previous Hypermotard was already entertaining, but this new bike drops significant weight. Ducati claims the V2 SP is 30.8 lbs. lighter than the outgoing 950 SP, with a claimed weight, excluding fuel, of 390.2 lb. That reduction shows up everywhere.

The bike changes direction with rowdy enthusiasm. Wide handlebars give immediate leverage, and the supermoto-style stance means you sit high, see everything, and can throw your body weight around easily.

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A major part of the V2 SP's transformation comes from its all-new chassis. Ducati uses a monocoque frame which is unique in the segment and in this case, developed specifically for the Hypermotard, which integrates the engine as a stressed structural member while also serving as the airbox. That dual-purpose design helps maximize lightness and compact packaging. Out back, a steel trellis subframe pays tribute to the original Hypermotard, while the aluminum double-sided swingarm, inspired by the Hollow Symmetrical Swingarm from the Ducati Panigale V4, adds rigidity along with a sharp, purposeful look.

On a technical circuit like Modena, that agility matters. Quick left-right transitions feel light and direct, while mid-corner corrections require very little effort. Ducati specifically aimed to make the new chassis more neutral and intuitive than the outgoing bike, and that goal is obvious after a few laps.

Ducati also gave the Hypermotard V2 SP a welcome dose of adjustability and everyday usability. Standard seat height is 34.6 inches, delivering the tall, commanding supermoto stance riders expect. With my 28-inch inseam, I was barely tiptoeing. A low accessory seat reduces that to 34.1 inches. Pair the low seat with the optional lowered suspension and seat height drops further to 33.5 inches, making the bike more accessible for a wider range of riders. Fuel capacity is 3.3 gallons, which helps keep the chassis slim and compact while still offering enough range for spirited road rides between fuel stops.

Ohlins, Forged Wheels, and SP Treatment

The standard Hypermotard V2 gets quality components, but the SP is where Ducati turns the volume all the way up.

The V2 SP comes fitted with fully adjustable Ohlins NIX30 48mm forks and an Ohlins STX46 shock. Suspension quality is one of those things riders sense before they necessarily identify it. The SP rides with control and composure over imperfections, while still providing the support needed for aggressive braking and hard corner exits.

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The forged aluminum wheels save 3.4 lbs. compared with the cast wheels fitted to the standard model, and Ducati says rotational inertia is reduced by 27 percent at the front and 21 percent at the rear. Numbers like that translate directly into real handling benefits, with quicker turn-in, lighter transitions, and a chassis eager to tighten its line the moment you ask it to.

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Beyond performance, the V2 SP also stands apart visually with dedicated anniversary styling. White forged wheels paired with red graphics create one of the most striking details on the motorcycle, sharply contrasting the Racing Red and White SP livery. Ducati says the design celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original Hypermotard prototype, giving the new model a subtle nod to the machine that started it all. Wrapped around those wheels are Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tires, a fitting choice for a machine that lives halfway between street bike and track toy.

On Track

Immediately upon walking into the garage filled with a slew of sumptuous V2 SPs, I stopped for a moment to inspect the bikes before our first session. As I adjusted the controls, I noticed the brake and clutch lever reach lacked enough range for my small hands. I also saw that the foot pegs on my assigned bike were heavily ground down underneath. Curious, I checked the other bikes in the garage and found similar wear marks on nearly all of them. Later in the day, I quickly learned why. While cornering on track, the foot pegs were touching the pavement before my knees were, suggesting ground clearance may come earlier than aggressive riders expect.

Riding down the front straight, the front brakes surprised me with how strong they were. The SP gets Brembo M50 monobloc calipers clamping dual 320mm front discs, operated by a PR16/21 radial master cylinder. It is a serious setup, and it feels like one.

Initial bite is strong without being abrupt. Lever feel is excellent, and there is enough power on tap to make late braking almost casual. More importantly, the braking package works in harmony with the chassis. The bike stays settled entering corners, allowing you to trail brake confidently and release pressure smoothly at lean. The confidence the brakes inspire allowed me to back it in slightly without even trying. For a motorcycle with a mischievous personality, it is reassuring to have race-level stopping power available at all times.

Slide-by-Brake: Ducati Lets You Be a Supermoto Hero

One of the most interesting electronic additions is Ducati's Slide-by-Brake function, available within ABS Level 2. It allows a controlled rear-wheel slide under braking, helping riders back the bike into corners in a more supermoto-style fashion.

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I did not personally use it during my sessions. Trusting advanced electronics on a motorcycle I had only just met, while learning a new track, seemed like a bold first date decision. But I watched plenty of other riders use it, and it looked wildly entertaining.

The system is supposed to let riders enter corners with rear-end movement while maintaining control and composure. It looks fun, fast, and exactly in line with what a Hypermotard should encourage. If I get another opportunity on the V2 SP, Slide-by-Brake is first on the list to try.

Electronics Without Killing the Fun

The electronics suite is extensive, but Ducati does well not to sterilize the experience. Everything is managed through a six-axis IMU and includes Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control, Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, Ducati Power Launch, and Pit Limiter. There are four riding modes: Race, Sport, Road, and Wet.

Race mode gives full power with minimal intervention and is the obvious choice on circuit. Wet mode reduces output to 95 horsepower and increases electronic support. Riders can also customize settings individually. I personally like to have all electronics on the lowest settings, or off completely.

The five-inch TFT display is crisp and modern, with Road, Road Pro, and Track layouts. In Track mode, it displays key information and selected electronic intervention levels. Ducati's new petal-style joystick on the left switchgear makes navigating menus easier than many systems currently on the market. Importantly, even with all this technology, the Hypermotard retains its playful character. It has not become overly serious or over-managed.

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However, not everything was perfect. As my sessions went on, after some upshifts and downshifts (using the Ducati up/down quickshifter), I would select the next gear, then immediately experience a noticeable power interruption right after the shift. This occurred even with traction control turned off, so we can't blame TC.

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Other riders reported similar behavior, so it wasn't an isolated issue. We tried to narrow down the cause throughout the day, but couldn't find a definitive answer. Ducati staff adjusted the shifter height, suggesting the issue was simply poor foot placement causing an overly-sensitive quickshift sensor at the lever to cut power. While this improved the situation, the cuts still occurred for me. Shifting issues with the new V2 engine seem to be common with the various V2 models we've tested at MO, and it seems like the new Hyper suffers even more than the others.

The good news is that this appears to be a calibration rather than mechanical concern. With modern motorcycles so deeply integrated with electronics, quickshifter behavior, ignition cuts, throttle management, and sensor inputs can often be refined through software updates. My expectation is that Ducati will have this sorted before public deliveries. And, when the rest of the package is this strong, it feels more like a temporary blemish than a red flag.

Sound, Character, and Wheelie Potential

A Hypermotard without personality would miss the point entirely. Thankfully, the V2 SP has plenty of it. The V-Twin soundtrack carries that unmistakable pulse and urgency Ducati Twins are loved for. It sounds mechanical, alive, and eager. Crack the throttle and it responds with energy rather than hesitation. Naturally, I tested its willingness to wheelie. With the old 1100 Hypermotard, wheelies are a little intimidating because the way the power is delivered is a bit abrupt and there are no carefully-tailored rider aids to save you from yourself. The new V2 engine makes wheelies a breeze and the Ducati Wheelie Control also allows less experienced riders the thrill of an effortless wheelie with a safety net. Between the broad torque curve, upright ergonomics, and short-geared punch, the front wheel never feels overly committed to staying on the ground.

As entertaining as the standard V2 SP already is, Ducati knows many Hypermotard owners never leave things stock. For riders looking to personalize the Ducati Hypermotard V2 SP further, Ducati has developed a full range of factory accessories through Ducati Performance, highlighted by exhaust systems created in collaboration with Termignoni. A homologated double silencer with titanium sleeves and carbon end caps adds a more aggressive visual touch while maintaining road legality in applicable markets. For track-focused owners, Ducati also offers a full racing exhaust system (pictured below) that increases output by 3.6 horsepower, trims 8.8 lbs. of weight, and gives the V2 SP an even sharper, more intoxicating soundtrack.

An Incredible Italian Warranty

Another area where the Hypermotard V2 SP has potential to impress is ownership confidence. Ducati backs the bike with a 24-month unlimited-mileage warranty, adding peace of mind for riders who plan to rack up serious seat time. Service intervals are equally appealing, with annual maintenance scheduled every 12 months, oil service required every 9,000 miles (15,000 km) or 24 months, and valve clearance inspections stretched all the way to 28,000 miles (45,000 km). You can thank the switch to normal valve springs for that. For a high-performance Italian motorcycle, those intervals are notably rider-friendly and show how far Ducati has come in combining excitement with real-world practicality.

Is It Worth It?

The Ducati Hypermotard V2 SP is more than an update; it is a complete rethinking of what the Hypermotard can be. It is lighter, sharper, and more technologically advanced than the outgoing 950 SP. The new 890cc V2 engine is stronger and more usable. The chassis is agile and confidence-inspiring. The Ohlins suspension and forged wheels elevate the riding experience. The brakes are genuinely excellent, and Ducati has managed to add sophisticated electronics without draining the bike of its supermoto-bred soul. Coming to American dealerships in May 2026, the $20,995 price tag is nothing to scoff at, but we'll leave your wallet to decide.

As the riding wrapped up, I filmed pieces to camera while beautiful cars rolled onto the track behind us. The soundtrack of engines echoing through the Modena air was distracting in the best way. It was the most Italian ending possible to a day centered around speed, sound, and machines built for passion.

If your dream motorcycle includes comfort, Twin-cylinder character, huge braking power, and a willingness to lift the front wheel with enthusiasm, the new Hypermotard V2 SP may be dangerously close to perfect.

Scorecard

Engine 18/20 Suspension 15/15 Transmission 9/10 Brakes 10/10 Instruments 4.5/5 Ergonomics 9.5/10 Appearance 10/10 Desirability 10/10 Value 8.5/10

In Gear

Specifications 2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 S MSRP Starting at $16,995 Starting at $20,995 Engine Type Ducati V2 engine: 90 V2, 4 valves per cylinder, intake variable valves timing system, liquid cooled Displacement 890 cc Bore x Stroke 96 x 61.5 mm Compression Ratio 13.1:1 Horsepower 120.4 hp @ 10,750 rpm Torque 69.0 lb-ft @ 8,250 rpm Fueling Electronic fuel injection system. One injector per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire. Exhaust 2-1-2 system Transmission 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0 Primary Drive Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.84:1 Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.84:1 Final Drive Chain 520; front sprocket 15; rear sprocket 42 Chain 520; front sprocket 15; rear sprocket 42 Clutch Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch. Self bleeding master cylinder Final Drive Chain 520; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 42 Frame Monocoque Aluminium Front Suspension Fully adjustable  46 mm Kayaba front fork 48 fully adjustable Ohlins fork Rear Suspension Adjustable Kayaba rear shock (pre-load and rebound). Aluminum double-sided swingarm" Fully adjustable Ohlins shock absorber, Aluminum double-sided swingarm Front Brake 2 x  320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M4.32 4-piston callipers, radial master cylinder. Cornering ABS. 2 x  320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M50 4-piston callipers, radial master cylinder. Cornering ABS. Rear Brake 245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper. Cornering ABS Front Wheel Casted light alloy, 3.50" x 17" Forged aluminum alloy 3.50" x 17" Rear Wheel Casted light alloy 5.5" x 17" Forged aluminum alloy 5.5" x 17" Front Tire Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa 120/70 ZR17 Rear Tire Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa 190/55 ZR17 Instrumentation Digital dashboard with 5'' full-color TFT display, 800 x 480 px resolution; 16:9 ratio Wet Weight (No Fuel) 397 pounds (claimed) 390 pounds (claimed) Seat Height 34.6 inches Wheelbase 59.6 inches Rake/Trail 26.0 / 4.3 inches Fuel Tank Capacity 3.3 gallons Safety Equipment Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Bosch Cornering ABS Standard Equipment Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0, Quick adjustment buttons, Coming Home, TFT color display, Full LED lighting system, Daytime Running Light (DRL)*, Sachs steering damper, Self cancelling turn indicators, Lap Timer Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0, Ohlins suspension, Lithium-ion battery, Quick adjustment buttons, Sachs steering damper, Forged aluminum wheels, Coming Home, Ducati Power Launch (DPL), TFT color display, Full LED lighting system, Daytime Running Light (DRL)*, Self cancelling turn indicators, Lap Timer, Pit Limiter, Carbon fiber front mudguard Ready For Anti-Theft, Cruise control, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Lap Timer Pro, Heated grips, Turn-by-Turn navigation system, USB port, Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Pit Limiter Anti-Theft, Cruise control, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Lap Timer Pro, Heated grips, Turn-by-Turn navigation system, USB port Warranty 24 months unlimited mileage Maintenance Service Intervals 12 months Valve Clearance Adjustment 28,000 miles

2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 SP Review Gallery

View Gallery 64 photos

Credit: Photos by Ducati.

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US to allow firing squads, gas, and electrocution for federal executions

Previous article: US to allow firing squads, gas, and electrocution for federal executions

Featured

Who is making decisions in Iran?

BBC International News Apr - 25 - 2026 , 09:37 5 minutes read

The question hanging over Tehran since the opening strikes of Iran's current war with the US and Israel is simple: Who is in charge?

Formally, the answer is clear. Mojtaba Khamenei has assumed the role of supreme leader following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war on 28 February. In the Islamic Republic's system, that position is meant to be decisive. The leader has the final word on almost anything important: war, peace, and the state's strategic direction.

But in practice, the picture is far murkier.

Donald Trump has described Iran's leadership as "fractured" and suggested the US is waiting for Tehran to produce a "unified proposal".

Unity was certainly on the minds of Iran's leaders when they distributed a message to Iranians on their mobile phones on Thursday night saying there was "no such thing as a hardliner or moderate in Iran - there was just one nation, one course".

Invisible leader

Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking power. Beyond a handful of written statements, including one insisting the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, there is little direct evidence of his day-to-day control.

Iranian officials have acknowledged that he was injured in the initial strikes but have offered few details. The New York Times, citing Iranian sources, reported this week that he may have suffered several injuries, including to his face that have made it difficult for him to speak.

That absence matters. In Iran's political system, authority is not just institutional - it is also performative. Khamenei's late father signalled intent through speeches, calibrated appearances, and visible arbitration between factions. That signalling function is now largely missing.

The result is a vacuum of interpretation. Some argue that Mojtaba Khamenei's wartime elevation has simply not allowed him to establish authority on his own terms. Others point to reports about his injuries and question whether he is able to actively manage the system at all.

Either way, decision-making appears less centralised than before the war.

Diplomatic channels open but only just

On paper, diplomacy sits with the government. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continues to represent Tehran in talks with the US, under Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

But neither appears to be setting strategy and their authority is further put into question by the fact that Iran's delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.

Araghchi's role looks operational rather than directive. His brief reversal over whether Hormuz was open or closed - first suggesting traffic had resumed and then quickly retracting that - offered a rare glimpse of how little control the diplomatic track has over military decisions.

Pezeshkian, meanwhile, has aligned himself with the broader direction of the regime without visibly shaping it. Considered a relatively moderate figure, he has so far avoided pushing an independent line.

The stalled second round of talks with the US in Islamabad reinforces the point. Even when diplomatic channels are open, the system appears unable or unwilling to commit.

A military expanding remit

Control over the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's most immediate source of leverage. But decisions over its closure sit with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), led by Ahmad Vahidi, rather than the diplomatic team.

That places real power in the hands of actors who operate behind closed doors. Unlike previous crises, there is no single, identifiable figure clearly owning the strategy. Instead, a pattern emerges: actions first, messaging later, and not always consistent.

In practice, it is the IRGC's actions, whether in enforcing the closure of Hormuz or in striking targets across the Gulf, that appear to be setting the pace of the crisis. Political and diplomatic responses often follow rather than lead.

This does not necessarily signal a breakdown of the administrative branches. But it does suggest that operational autonomy of the IRGC has widened, at least temporarily, in the absence of clear political arbitration.

Ghalibaf steps forward

Into this ambiguity steps Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.

A former Revolutionary Guard commander now serving as speaker of parliament, Ghalibaf has emerged as one of the most visible figures in the current moment. He has inserted himself into negotiations, addressed the public, and at times framed the war in pragmatic rather than ideological terms.

Within parliament and across conservative networks, resistance to negotiations remains strong.

Hardline messaging has intensified, with state media and public campaigns increasingly framing negotiations as a sign of weakness in the face of the country's enemies.

Ghalibaf's position is therefore precarious - active but not clearly authorised. He insists his actions align with Mojtaba Khamenei's wishes, yet there is little visible evidence of direct co-ordination.

In a system that depends on signals from the top, that ambiguity is telling.

The Iranian speaker of parliament has emerged as a central negotiator - seen here hosting Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir last week

Claimed or exercised coherence

Taken together, these dynamics point to a system that is functioning, but not coherently directed.

The supreme leader's authority exists but is not visibly exercised. The presidency is aligned but not leading. Diplomacy is active, but not decisive. The military holds key levers, but without a clear public architect. Political figures are stepping forward, but without uncontested legitimacy.

This is not collapse. The Islamic Republic remains intact. But it does suggest something more subtle - a system struggling to convert the leverage it has - for instance the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz - into clear strategy at a moment of acute pressure. It can still act across multiple fronts, but it struggles to signal clear direction to its own centres of power.

And in Iran's political model, signalling is how coherence is maintained.

For now, the system is holding the line, maintaining control and avoiding any visible breakdown despite mounting pressure. But increasingly, it raises the question of whether coherence is being exercised or simply claimed.
Not every door is an open one

Next article: Not every door is an open one

Featured

3 Men remanded for alleged theft of company vehicles in Tarkwa

Gloria Apprey Life Apr - 25 - 2026 , 14:28 4 minutes read

Three men have been remanded into police custody by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for the alleged theft of five vehicles belonging to different companies.

The accused persons are a 35-year-old driver, Kojo Amponsah, also known as Kamakazi who is a resident of Hwereso, Ejisu, Ashanti Region, a 35-year-old plumber, Emmanuel Appiah, also known as Taller, who is a resident of Danyema-Santanse, Kumasi, a and 33-year-old miner, Tanko Bashiru, also known as TK, resident of Atonsu-Ahensan, Kumasi.

They were before the court presided over by Mrs Bernice Mensimah Ackon on April 16, 2026.

They pleaded not guilty to a total of 14 counts, including unlawful entry, conspiracy to steal and stealing. They are to reappear on May 7, 2026 for case management conference.

According to the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Ahiabor, a fourth suspect, Eric Duku, who is the alleged leader of the group, is deceased.

Brief background

The prosecutor said the suspects allegedly carried out a series of planned thefts between September 2025 and January 2026, targeting Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles and Hilux pickups parked at the homes of workers and company staff.

The prosecution said the first incident happened on September 12, 2025, at Bankyim, near Tarkwa, in the Western Region.

The Police said a complainant , a driver with Drill Masters Africa in Tarkwa, Great Dzomeku, reported that a white Toyota Land Cruiser pickup with registration number GE 4447-24, valued at USD88,000, equivalent to GH968,000, had been stolen.

The complainant told the police he parked the vehicle at his residence at Jerusalem, Tarkwa, on the night of September 11, 2025, but woke up the next morning to discover it had vanished.

The prosecutor added that a second complaint was made on October 5, 2025, by a worker of Drill Masters Africa Limited, Benjamin Asare.

He reported that a white Toyota Land Cruiser pickup with registration number GT 373-25, valued at USD100,000, equivalent to GH1.1 million, had been stolen after it was parked outside his residence at Akyempim, Tarkwa.

The prosecutor said that on November 8, 2025, a miner, Isaac Bachulichaga Apuri, reported the theft of a white Toyota Land Cruiser pickup with registration number GT 2036-25.

The vehicle, said to belong to his company, AECI Explosives Company Tarkwa, was valued at USD55,000, equivalent to GH600,205.65.

ASP Ahiabor said that the complainant had parked the vehicle outside his house at New Atuabo, Tarkwa, before retiring to bed, only to discover the next morning that it had been stolen.

In a similar way, a business man with Rana Motors, Tarkwa Branch, Vikas Ameta, reported the theft of a white Toyota pickup with registration number GX 566-25 on December 26, 2025.

The prosecution said the vehicle, valued at USD55,000 dollars, equivalent to GH600,205.45, had been parked at a company residence at Akyempim, Tarkwa, after work the previous night.

The final theft listed on the charge sheet involved an unregistered Toyota Hilux pickup valued at GH500,000.

The prosecutor said the vehicle had been parked in front of the residence of Akati Alphones, an Auto Electrician at Booboobo, Tarkwa, on January 8, 2026, but was missing in the morning.

He added that following the series of complaints, police said alerts were circulated nationwide to stations, barriers, and snap check points to watch out for the stolen vehicles. Investigators also activated intelligence sources to help trace the suspects.

According to the prosecutor, between February 22 and February 26, 2026, police intelligence operations led to the arrest of the accused persons at various hideouts in Kumasi in connection with a similar offence.

The suspects were later transferred to the Western Central Regional Police Command in Tarkwa to assist investigations.

Police said during interrogation, the accused persons allegedly admitted involvement in the Tarkwa thefts in the presence of independent witnesses.

The prosecutor said that the suspects led police to a number of crime scenes and demonstrated the various roles they played during the theft, adding that the group led police to Samahu, near Tarkwa, where they allegedly showed officers how tracking devices were removed from stolen vehicles before the vehicles were transported to Kumasi.

Court documents alleged that Duku, deceased, often arrived in Tarkwa two to three days before each operation to study the area, identify vehicles and map escape routes. Duku also allegedly always drove the group in his unregistered Toyota Corolla saloon car.

The prosecutor said that Duku used a gas cylinder and cutter, crawled under the targeted vehicles, cut metal parts underneath them and forced them open before moving them from the scenes.

Police said the other accused persons would later join him in Tarkwa to carry out the thefts.

Further investigations revealed that after stealing the vehicles, Duku transported them to Techiman, Bono Region, to an unidentified buyer known only as Alhaji, who then moved them to Burkina Faso.

Duku was said to have previously carried out similar successful vehicle thefts in Tarkwa with other suspects.

According to the prosecutor, the accused persons admitted that proceeds from each operation were shared among members of the group.

ASP Ahiabor added that the accused persons admitted the offences in their caution statements and were subsequently charged and arraigned before the court. Efforts are being made to trace and recover the stolen vehicles.
Next article: 3 Men remanded for alleged theft of company vehicles in Tarkwa

Featured

Eggs go waste at Kantamanto as demand drops

Lydia Ezit Life Apr - 25 - 2026 , 14:41 3 minutes read

For the past few months, egg sellers at Kantamanto in Accras Central Business District have been grappling with an unusual challenge as crates of unsold eggs pile up and go bad due to low demand.

Wholesalers and retailers, many of whom have been in the business for over four decades, say the situation is unprecedented, as eggs once considered a fast-moving and affordable source of protein are now going to waste.

This came to light during interactions between The Mirror and egg traders at the market last Monday.

The causes

An executive member of the Egg Wholesalers Association, Maame Serwaa, attributed the situation to an oversupply of eggs on the market.

According to her, a reduction in bulk purchases, particularly by senior high schools, had contributed to the glut.

The system is choked. We dont even know how to sell the eggs, she said.

She explained that eggs supplied weekly by poultry farmers often went unsold, leaving traders with no option but to dispose of spoiled stock.

When we receive eggs and are unable to sell within a week, we have to dispose of them because they get spoilt. Sometimes even the ones distributed to retailers go bad, and you cannot retrieve your money, she added.

The situation, she noted, had forced some retailers to abandon the sale of eggs and venture into other businesses, including the sale of second-hand clothing.

Survival strategies

In an attempt to minimise losses, some wholesalers, she said, had resorted to boiling eggs and selling them at reduced prices, "sometimes as low as one for GH2 or three for GH5".

Kosua ne mako

This coping strategy has, however, sparked tension within the market, particularly among kosua ne mako vendors, who boil the eggs for sale with spicy pepper sauce and the wholesalers.

A Kosua ne mako vendor, Abigail Nkansa, said the price cuts were affecting their business.

When wholesalers sell three eggs for GH5, customers expect the same from us. When we say no, they refuse to buy, she said.

She added that while wholesalers remained their main suppliers, their new pricing approach was undermining small-scale vendors.

They are the ones we buy from, and they are the same people killing our business, she lamented.

Ms Nkansa said she sold her eggs at GH3 for one or two for GH5, with the pepper.

Although the prices of eggs have reduced from between GH 70 and GH 80 per crate of eggs to GH45, she said sales remained low and there was an abundance of eggs on the market.

There is abundance of eggs, but what is more in the system now are the small sizes, she noted.

Despite the current challenges, she described kosua ne mako as a lucrative business under normal circumstances, indicating that she could sell up to four crates daily, making between GH25 and GH30 profit per crate.

She also highlighted the love of Ghanaians for the delicacy.

Once a customer tastes your pepper and likes it, they can buy more than four eggs. Many people like plenty pepper, she said.

Thin profit margins

Another vendor, Maame Yaa, said fluctuating prices and customer expectations were eroding their already thin profit margins.

We buy the small size eggs at GH35 per crate and sell at GH40, or buy at GH40 and sell at GH45. It is just GH5 profit, but customers still want it cheaper because they believe it is in abundance, she explained.

She said she woke up early to sell kosua ne mako before returning later in the day to sell crates of eggs to supplement her income.

Wholesalers

A wholesaler, Auntie Ama Asiedu, explained that wholesalers who had ventured into selling boiled eggs did so to reduce losses from excess stock.

It is because of the abundance. Instead of letting them spoil, we boil some and sell, she said.

She observed that food vendors, particularly Waakye sellers, were benefiting from the situation by buying eggs at reduced prices and reselling them for high profit.
Featured

Must a lawyer prepare a contract?

The Mirror Lawyer Life Apr - 25 - 2026 , 12:55 3 minutes read

Dear Mirror Lawyer, will a contract only be valid if it is prepared and supervised by a lawyer?

Frank Adams.

Cape Coast.

Dear Frank, under Ghanaian law, for any contract to be valid, it must have the following requirements:

a) Offer and acceptance: In determining whether a contract has been made, the courts usually begin by looking out for a promise by one party, which usually takes the form of an offer and a corresponding acceptance of the offer by the other party.

The exchange of promise for promise or promise for an act is what constitutes the bargain or agreement. Acceptance may be by words, conduct or in writing.

b) Intention to create legal relations: This element requires that the parties must have clearly shown an intention that their agreement or exchange of promises was intended to have legal consequences or to be legally enforceable.

In everyday life, many consensual agreements and arrangements are not intended to create any legal relations between the parties, so it is important to make this distinction.

c) Capacity to contract: It is important to establish that the parties have capacity or power in law to create contractual relations between them. Issues of capacity arise when the ability of one or both parties to assume contractual obligations is limited by law to protect them for policy reasons.

The categories of persons whose capacity to contract is limited by statute or under the common law include infants, mentally incompetent persons and drunkards.

The Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) defines an infant to mean a natural person under the age of eighteen years or any other age that is declared by an enactment to be of full age for legal purposes.

d) Consideration: This is a very crucial element in determining whether a valid contract has been made. The courts will enforce a promise made in favour of a party only if such a party can show that he/she has given something of value in exchange for the promise made to him/her, which is consideration.

Consideration may be in the form of a return promise or the actual performance of a stipulated act.

Once these elements are present, the courts will enforce any contract, whether or not it was drafted, supervised or initiated by a lawyer. It is prudent, however, to have a lawyer look over a contract to ensure that your interests are well-protected.

A lawyers oversight over a contract is not what makes it valid. The lawyer's professional expertise is recommended to ensure that you comply with the requirements of the law.

It is always a risky exercise to fail to consult professionals in a particular field if you are ignorant of the subject matter.
Featured

Dont call African languages vernacular: It's derogatory  UG Vice-Chancellor

Daniel Kenu Apr - 25 - 2026 , 12:45 4 minutes read

The Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, says it is derogatory remarks and an affront to African culture to label African languages or local dialects as vernacular.

She said the term was not only discouraging but actively tarnishing local dialects as recognisable means of communication and recognition.

The first female Vice-Chancellor of the university said the situation was made worse through an enforced declaration to discipline both language and identity, especially in schools where such languages were not permissible.

Prof. Appiah Amfo was delivering her inaugural lecture as a newly elected and inducted member of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in Accra last Thursday before one of the largest audiences the academy has ever witnessed.

Indeed, it was an assembly of people from all walks of life, including academia and students, with the distinguished presence of some past presidents of the academy.

They included political and social giants such as the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrissu; former V-C of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Ayeetey; renowned lawyer and Paramount Chief of Asokore Mampong, Prof. S. K. B Asante; a former Attorney-General and President John Dramani Mahama's personal Legal Advisor, Marrietta Agyeiwaa Brew; academic, author and human rights activist, Esi Sutherland-Addy; Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Ahmed Jinapor; acting Director of Legal Education at the Ghana School of Law, Prof. Raymond A. Atuguba; acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority and a former lecturer at the University of Ghanas Political Science Department, Prof. Ransford Gyampo.

Marginalisation

Speaking on the topic: "Reclaiming voice in the global order: Language, gender and the African academy," the professor of Linguistics said knowledge creation tended to be viewed through an Eurocentric lens in which Africa's ways of knowing were either marginalised or rendered "indiscipline".

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (middle), Vice-Chancellor, UG, with some SHS students.

She said the act reflected a deeper structure of authority in which knowledge produced by an external observer was accorded pure legitimacy, while subsequent work by indigenous scholars often struggled for recognition.

She, however, posited that authority was not only about knowledge, but rather about who produced that knowledge.

Regrettably, the V-C said, research that aligned with the established Western paradigm was more readily accepted, while works branded in African realities often faced barriers.

"This dynamic is not only structural but deeply embedded in the everyday practice of academic knowledge production," she stressed.

Prof. Amfo said reflection on the politics of publishing suggested that what counted as legitimate knowledge was often determined not only by what was said, but by who said it, where it was published and whose work was cited.

In the frank presentation that drew applause repeatedly, the accomplished scholar of international repute said Africa could not afford to remain primarily a subject of other people's theories.

Highlighting the dynamics of the use of language, Prof. Amfo said the meaning of language did not reside in words alone but was constructed in context, shaped by relationships, assumptions and intentions.

She said what mattered was not what was said but who said it, to whom, and from what conditions.

"Language is rarely transparent. In Ghana, when a senior public figure says we are looking into the matter, this may signal reassurance or deflection, delay or be seen as a closure.

"This appears straightforward, but their meaning is negotiated within a shared understanding of political communication," she said.

Prof. Amfo said that while political communication, for instance, had become such a contested space, it had given thriving jobs to party communicators.

The V-C said statements that appeared clear on the surface were often followed with layers of explanation, re-interpretation and reframing.

"Sometimes to clarify, sometimes to recalibrate the meaning, and sometimes to shift public understanding altogether," she explained.

Prof. Amfo, who was inducted into the academy in 2021 but had to wait to deliver her inaugural lecture this year, said at times, the distance between what was said and what was communicated could be remarkably wide even in everyday discourse.

Gender

On the issue of gender, the V-C spoke passionately, alluding to the fact that to step into a male-coded space was to invite failure, embarrassment or even sanction.

She said a woman who rose beyond an expected limit invited a smaller reward, and sometimes with boundaries of possibilities.

"The ambition of a woman is seen as a transgression, equality as risk, and aspiration as something to be disciplined.

"These patterns are not relics of a distant past.

They persist, sometimes covertly, she added.

The V-C said in the Ghanaian public and media space, some commentaries questioned the legitimacy of accomplished women or reduced them in ways that would not be applied to their male counterparts.

"We see how women in public life are evaluated. Women are not assessed with competence alone, but on appearances or perceived propriety.

"Confident women may be described as too known or difficult," she asserted.
Featured

Justice, human dignity principles will guide anti-gay bill consideration - Constitutional & Legal Affairs Cttee chair assures public

Nana Konadu Agyeman Apr - 25 - 2026 , 12:57 4 minutes read

The Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Parliament, Mahama Shaibu, has assured Ghanaians and the international community that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2026, will be considered on the floor of Parliament with the principles of justice, fairness and human dignity.

And so nobody, no individual or their rights will be affected, he said.

Expeditious consideration

In his closing remarks after a two-day consideration of the anti-gay bill in Accra yesterday, Mr Shaibu said Parliament was very mindful of Ghanas obligations to international communities and treaties.

But that is subject to the Constitution, and so we are mindful of all these as we consider the bill.

We hope that the next stage of this bill will be carried out expeditiously, he said.

The consideration of the bill brought together representatives of non-profit organisations, think tanks, and traditional and religious leaders to make inputs into the clause-by-clause considerations of the new bill.

The committee will now have a closed-door meeting with the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to consider some of the clauses the committee had flagged, after which it will submit its report to the plenary.

President will assent bill

The Chairman of the committee assured the public that when the current bill is eventually transmitted to the President, it would not be returned to Parliament unconstitutionally as was previously done.

He, however, said much as the people wanted to push the bill through all the necessary processes on time, there were equally important bills.

We do not rank bills in order of importance at the Chamber, and so as we process the bills, be rest assured that this bill will be considered when we resume.

As to whether it will go under a certificate of urgency or not, the important thing is not having a President who will refuse to assent to the bill.

We have a President who will assent to it, and that is what is important.

It does not matter what time it gets there, Mr Shaibu said.

The Chairman asserted that all members of the committee from both sides of the House had agreed that we are good to go on this.

He thanked the Speaker of Parliament for the effort he had put in to get the bill considered on time.

Give thought to funding

The Director of Human Rights at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mary Adjeley Nartey, said as a national human rights institution, most of the commissions funders were international partners who might be concerned about the bill.

She, therefore, urged the committee, in considering various memos, to consider how best they could put up a clause to cater for the funding needs of the commission, the Ghana Aids Commission and the Ghana Health Service.

Certificate of urgency

The Ranking Member on the committee, Alhassan Tampuli, urged the committee to be mindful that they were making laws for the people of Ghana.

We are making laws for the people of Ghana based on their history, conventions, lifestyle and their current situation and their future aspirations.

Whatever it is that we are doing today is just a reflection of what our people want. If our people do not want this bill to pass, we will not be sitting here, he said.

The MP for Gushegu said when Parliament resumed in May, the committee should ensure that the bill was passed under a certificate of urgency, saying as a committee, we can make that determination.

He said the House had passed so many laws under a certificate of urgency, and the current one was fit to be passed under a certificate of urgency to bring finality to the anti-gay issue.

That, he said, would enable the President to also assent to the bill in good time.

Enforcement of bill

A sponsor of the bill, John Ntim Fordjour, urged the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to take steps to introduce regulations for its enforcement within 12 months of Parliament passing the bill.

That would make the bill fully operational once it receives Presidential assent, the Assin South MP said.

So within one year, we should have the full bill with the necessary implementation strategies to be able to see it running, he said.
Featured

President unveils $270m National AI Strategy - $250m computing centre, $20m implementation fund earmarked to create Africa's AI Hub

Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 25 - 2026 , 12:50 4 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, a bold $270-million investment, to transform the country into West Africas leading hub for AI innovation.

The strategy is aimed at using AI to drive national progress and sustainable growth in all sectors.

Launching the strategy in Accra yesterday, the President declared it a defining milestone in the countrys march towards a digitally driven economy, stressing that the nation must move beyond merely consuming foreign technologies to actively shaping their development.

This is a significant milestone in our national journey towards a digitally empowered, innovation-driven and globally competitive Ghana, President Mahama said.

It is also a statement of intent that Ghana will not be just a passive consumer of technologies shaping the future but that we are going to be an active participant in designing, governing and deploying them for our national transformation, he added.

$250m for computing centre

At the heart of the strategy is the establishment of a $250-million AI computing centre, a national facility the President described as the foundation for research, innovation and enterprise development.

Additionally, the country has earmarked $20 million for short-to-medium-term implementation of the strategy.

Infrastructure is the foundation upon which innovation rests, President Mahama said, adding, These investments are bold but necessary.

The President said ministers and senior officials had undergone a national AI boot camp, with AI focal persons designated within ministries to drive adoption across public administration.

Glimpse into the future

The atmosphere at the Labadi Beach Hotel, where the event was held, was electric, a blend of solemn statecraft and futuristic wonder.

A section of participants in the launch

Seated in the front row, just a few paces from President Mahama, a sleek white AI-driven robot clad in kente fabric waited patiently for its cue.

When the moment came, it glided forward with quiet precision to deliver the first copy of the freshly unveiled strategy document, clutched in its mechanical grip, directly to the President.

The room erupted in applause and appreciative laughter, a spontaneous recognition that Ghana is on its way to achieving a major technological milestone.

New institutions

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, in an interactive presentation, introduced the gathering to

Aku, an interactive AI assistant built to demonstrate how machine intelligence could be deployed across health care, agriculture, education and finance.

When asked questions, Aku answered in various languages, ranging from English, Ga, Twi, Dagbani, Ewe and Gonja, and walked the audience through real-time diagnostic support for a rural clinic, the financial system, and then switched seamlessly to touch on how farmers and fishermen could be supported for increased productivity.

The occasion drew a cross-section of national life that underscored the all-of-society approach the strategy demands.

Among the dignitaries were the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; Senior Presidential Advisor on Governance, Dr Valarie Sawyer; ministers of state, and members of the private sector, who followed every presentation with keen interest.

Also present were members of the Nungua Traditional Council, their presence a powerful signal that Ghanas AI journey will not be the preserve of tech hubs in Accra alone, but will also seek the partnership of traditional authority and the very fabric of Ghanaian society.

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations underscored the need for collaboration across government, academia, industry and civil society groups.

Mr George stated that AI was already transforming health care, agriculture, education and finance.

I trust that the judiciary will guide our ethical and legal application of artificial intelligence.

Ghana stands capable and ready of leading and becoming Africas AI hub, he said.

Mr George, however, stressed that the countrys determination to use the technology must be responsible  within ethics.

The Head of Grants and Research at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, who was part of the strategys development, disclosed that an independent Responsible AI Authority would be established within the first year, along with a national AI Office under the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.

A National AI Fund is also proposed to sustain long-term financing for research and innovation.

Caution

For his part, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who chaired the occasion, cautioned that poorly governed AI could deepen inequality, weaken social trust and marginalise the vulnerable.

If left unchecked or poorly governed, it can deepen inequality, weaken social trust, threaten privacy, and marginalise the most vulnerable among us, Mr Bagbin said.

The Speaker stressed that the strategy must serve as a social contract, aligning technological progress with human development.
This Galaxy S26 series feature is coming to some older Samsung smartphones

Samsung introduced a feature with the Galaxy S26 series, which is coming to some older Galaxy smartphones eligible for One UI 8.5. We are talking about the improved document scanning feature, called Document Scan.

Previously, when you clicked multiple pictures of documents, they weren't saved as a single PDF document. Samsung made it possible with Document Scan, which is available to Samsung Galaxy S26 users.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Additionally, Samsung also made it easier to access Document Scan by allowing users to add its shortcut to their phone's homescreen. Just open the phone's default Camera app, go to Camera settings > Scan > Document Scan, and turn on the toggle next to the "Add Document Scan to Apps screen" option.

The Document Scan feature is coming to the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Edge, Galaxy Z Fold7, and Galaxy Z Flip7 with One UI 8.5, so when Samsung releases the stable One UI 8.5 for these devices, all owners of these devices will be able to use it.

Of course, there are more Samsung devices eligible for One UI 8.5, but whether they will get Document Scan remains to be seen.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7

Source (in Dutch)
Former Tamuning mayor Louis Herrero died Monday at age 97.

Herrero was mayor from 1997 to 2001, according to Mayors' Council of Guam archives.

Mayor Herrero served with a deep sense of duty to his island home and the people he loved. He did so skillfully and with a kind heart. He was of a generation of leaders who knew the Guam of the past and had a vision for its future, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a statement.

The governor said Herreo was adept at navigating the diverse mix of people and businesses that make up the tri-village municipality of Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon, the islands economic center.

"I never knew him to be dismissive of any person or the concerns they brought to him. He listened and understood peoples problems," she said.

Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, in a statement, said Mayor Herrero had a significant influence on him as a younger man.

"He was an older, wiser friend who always had time for a chat. I come from a family of teachers, and I could easily identify and relate to him as someone with the heart of a teacher," he said.

Tenorio said Herrero served during a time when mayors and other leaders knew their villages like the back of their hands, and Herrero knew how to advocate on every constituents behalf.

"He was humble, and he knew what it takes to reach across the political aisle and work with others, Tenorio said.

The governor has ordered flags lowered to half-staff until May 6. A state funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on May 5 in the Guam Congress Building.

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of former Mayor Luis S.N. Herrero, a dedicated public servant whose leadership and commitment to the people of Tamuning left a lasting mark on our island," Speaker Frank Blas Jr. said in a statement.

Blas said Mayor Herrero served his community with integrity, humility, and a genuine passion for improving the lives of those around him.

"His years of service were defined by a steadfast dedication to public service and a strong connection to the residents he represented. He understood the importance of community, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that Tamuning remained a vibrant and thriving municipality," Blas said.

Beyond his role in government, Herrero was a respected leader, mentor, and friend to many, the speaker said.

"His contributions will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of public servants," Blas said.
The Port Authority of Guam opened its gate Saturday, outside of its regular schedule, to accelerate the movement of cargo out of the terminal and into the community.

The Port opened the gate at 8 a.m. and it remained open until 5 p.m.

Both the truckers complex gate and the breakbulk gate were open during this time, with no Special Service Request necessary.

This initiative is being implemented to support the trucking community and facilitate the timely delivery of goods as recovery operations continue, the Port said.

Trucking companies, agents, and port users have been notified and have indicated they will take full advantage of the extended access.

This is about keeping cargo moving and getting goods into the community as quickly as possible, said General Manager Rory J. Respicio in a statement. We are creating every opportunity for our partners to move cargo to support commerce and recovery for the people of Guam.

Cargo discharge operations remain ongoing at the Port.

Respicio said from noon April 16 through 2 p.m. April 24, the Port released 716 full containers into the community.

In addition, 376 breakbulk units have been released, including 253 new and used vehicles, 9 pieces of heavy equipment, and 114 units of general cargo, all supporting ongoing recovery across the island, he said.

Out of 2,028 containers currently in the yard, 1,157 are empty units awaiting outbound loading, Respicio said.

Of the 871 active cargo containers, 597 are imports being issued into the community, 58 are exports scheduled for outbound vessels, and 216 are transshipment units.

Of those transshipment containers, 31 are bound for Saipan and Tinian, 153 are headed to the other islands including Ebeye, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kwajalein, and Majuro, and 32 are destined for the U.S. mainland, Respicio said.

To accelerate recovery, the Port deferred loading empty containers during initial vessel calls, maximizing inbound discharge and enabling continuous vessel operations since reopening following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

This approach allowed the Port to receive vessel after vessel while prioritizing the delivery of essential goods into Guam and positioning for regional support as operations normalize, the Port said.

Meanwhile, vessel operations continue.

The cargo vessel Kota Raja arrived dockside at 7:02 a.m. Thursday.

Operations on the vessel are expected to conclude early Saturday morning. The Papa Mau arrived at 9:55 a.m. Thursday on its regular scheduled service. Operations on the vessel were expected to conclude Friday evening.

Additional vessels are scheduled to arrive in the coming days, including the MSA Galaide on April 25 at 6:30 a.m., the Islander barge on April 25 at 11 a.m., and the APL Islander on April 26 at 7 a.m., ensuring continued cargo flow to support Guam and the region.

This has been an incredible effort by our Port Strong team, Respicio said. Since reopening on the afternoon of the 16th, our employees have pushed through more than a thousand gatehouse transactions while safely handling multiple vessels back-to-back.

From the Oceania to the Lurline, Daniel K. Inouye, Galaide, Islander, Kota Raja, and Papa Mau, this level of performance does not happen without commitment, grit, and teamwork, he said.

I could not be more proud of our employees and the work they are doing for Guam and the region, Respicio said.

The Port Authority of Guam encourages all port users to take advantage of the open gate and continue working together to move cargo efficiently and support the islands recovery.
Residents were able to get health services and free food at the Department of Public Health and Social Services outreach event at Micronesia Mall on Friday.

The event offered free immunizations to children (ages 4-18), clinical services from doctors and staff from the Northern Region Community Health Center, and food distribution from Public Healths Division of Homelessness and Poverty Prevention.

Santa Rita-Sumai resident Leia Castro, 24, and her husband stumbled upon event

They wanted to make sure they got their sons physical completed but had to wait until near the end of the event due to a long line of people.

She said the outreach was convenient as they hadnt scheduled an appointment for their son to get his physical.

Other residents were eager to use the opportunity as well. Dozens stood outside the mall lining up for the event long before the doors even opened at 10 a.m., causing long wait times for some residents.

However, Castro appreciated the presence of Public Health and hopes to continue seeing more outreaches.

There are not many outreaches I know of, besides health on wheels and stuff at the cathedral. Its nice to see a place to come and have resources in common areas, [especially] post-typhoon when a lot of people are still trying to get back on their feet with no power or water, Castro said.

According to Anna Lizama, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coordinator for Public Health, staff received about 57 children for immunizations by 1 p.m., with a few more still waiting.

Lizama said Public Health was emphasizing the vaccination for pertussis, or whooping cough, for infants, toddlers, and school-age children due to the current outbreak, with 11 confirmed cases so far.

With those cases, we are working with our management for future pertussis management and scheduling [more] outreach, but the director emphasizes the importance for vaccination, Lizama said.

DPHSS Director Theresa Arriola said the agency is planning more outreach clinics, especially in southern villages and at the Southern Region Community Health Center.

Arriola added that parents and community members have to do their part as well.

A lot of illnesses like the flu and pertussis are preventable. Parents need to bring their kids and themselves in and get vaccinated and prevent the spread. We are waiting for a vaccine shipment and will have more future southern events, but its really up to the people of Guam, she said.

Arriola also said the island was placed in a public health emergency by the Secretary of Health, allowing clinical health providers from the north and south to offer services and charge Medicaid at the outreach event.

During a non-emergency, providers have to stay in their facilities, she added.

Were offering immunizations, food, and clinical services...doing what we can to reach people where theyre at, but we have the opportunity to touch more lives, Arriola said.

The director said there have been no disruptions of shipments for vaccines or other materials caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, and there is no concern for future disruptions with the Port Authority of Guam fully operational again.

Because Public Health has been pushing for vaccinations, it is losing its vaccine supply, Arriola added, so the agency is waiting for its next shipment before locking in a date for its next outreach event.

Arriola said the shipment should arrive within the next week, and plans for the next clinic will be announced after the supplies are in-hand.

Great for the public

Virgil Guerrero, 32, from Yigo, said he didnt know about the pertussis outbreak but still knew the outreach event was important for the community and for the health of his infant son.

This is great for the public, especially people not insured, to come and see our taxpayers money being put to good use and seek medical advice, help, and get medications they need. I try not to worry too much because I cant control everything, but if it affects my family, I will combat whatever foreign and domestic foe comes my way, whether its a person or bacteria, Guerrero said.

DHAPP Director Rob San Agustin said his staff distributed over 800 bags of nonperishable food about three hours into the event.

The staff distributed at least another 150 by the end of the event, and then DHAPP moved distribution to the NRCHC.

Public Health Deputy Director Amanda Shelton said DHAPP was actively bagging more food while distributing and had more than 500 bags ready and more in progress for Fridays second distribution event.

Shelton said DPHSS does not have a cutoff date for food distribution and will continue efforts for as long as necessary.

Its next distribution event is Saturday at the Southern Region Community Health Center in Inalahan in partnership with the Inalahan Mayors Office.

Were in a state of emergency, so well try to provide and see if it is still needed as time moves on, Shelton said.
Microsoft wants to reduce the number of employees in the USA by up to seven percent with a voluntary severance program, which would be almost 9,000 jobs. The HR manager stated that severance offers would go to almost all employees whose age plus their years at Microsoft reaches or exceeds the sum of 70, reports the New York Times, among others. We hope that the program will open up the opportunity for those eligible to take this next step in their own way and with generous support from the company, the newspaper quotes from the circular. The planned job cuts come at a time of rising costs for the development and expansion of computing capacity for AI technology.

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Ever new waves of layoffs

For Microsoft, the severance program is not the first measure to reduce personnel costs, but for those affected, it is likely to be noticeably more pleasant than the previous job cuts. In several waves, the corporation alone cut thousands of jobs in 2025, impacting all company divisions. Most recently, according to CNBC, the corporation had about 228,000 employees worldwide, 125,000 of them in the USA. Only the latter are now being offered the option, with the exception, according to reports, of certain management positions and employees with employment contracts that include bonuses for achieved revenue. It is still unclear how many of the approximately 8,750 eligible individuals will accept the severance offer given the difficult job market.

Approximately at the same time as Microsoft, Meta has even announced that it wants to lay off about ten percent of its employees. This impacts almost 8,000 people at the Facebook and Instagram corporation. In addition, 6,000 job postings are to be withdrawn. The layoffs will explicitly impact employees who have made valuable contributions, the head of HR stated in an internal circular. The step was justified by the high investment costs in AI infrastructure, the same reason that is likely behind Microsoft's severance program. The large tech corporations continue to invest billions in the construction of data centers, and the investment sum is expected to increase further.

(mho)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
On Wednesday of this week, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) updated and reaffirmed their warning from February about phishing attacks on the Signal messenger targeting high-ranking individuals such as politicians, military personnel, and diplomats, as well as investigative journalists. According to a media report, the second highest-ranking woman in the state, Bundestag President Julia Klockner, has become the victim of such an espionage attack.

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According to Spiegel, several sources have confirmed this. The renewed warning from the security authorities is apparently also due to this. Klockner not only holds the second highest office in Germany but is also part of the CDU presidium, which also uses Signal chat groups, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also a participant. According to the report, Merz was personally informed of the incident by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. However, unlike Klockner's, the investigation of the Chancellor's mobile phone revealed no anomalies.

In total, at least 300 affected individuals are now known in Germany. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution had warned the parliamentary group leaders of the parties in the Bundestag and the party headquarters about the ongoing messenger phishing campaign in a 20-page letter on Tuesday, prior to the publicly updated warning.

Phishing scam Signal Support

The phishing campaign's scam is based on attackers posing as Signal support, for example, to potential victims and demanding the entry of login credentials. With these, they can take over the accounts  either by adding further devices and secretly reading conversations or by completely hijacking the account and locking out the owners. In the latter case, malicious actors may be able to find further victims or impersonate the victim and communicate with their contacts. The attackers' location points towards Russia; they are presumably Russian state actors.

BfV and BSI have jointly published a guide intended to help potential victims quickly determine if they have been successfully attacked. In it, the authorities also provide recommendations for action. The guide appears to have been hastily put together and contains illogical tips for one case. If the account has been taken over and owners locked out, they are advised to update the PIN for access, but this cannot work. Contacting the real Signal support is the correct reaction, which is also mentioned as a further step.

(dmk)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said no meeting with US officials was scheduled.

The White House said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were travelling to Pakistan for talks, while Vice-President JD Vance remained on standby if progress was made.

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad as Pakistan tried to revive efforts to end the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran, but Tehran denied that direct talks with US envoys were planned.

Witkowski and Kushner, who have no diplomatic or political background, have been rejected by Iran as negotiators as in the last round of talks, while they signalled to Iran that there is progress, encouraged Trump to attack Iran.

He said Irans position would be passed to Pakistan, which would then relay it to the US side.

Pakistan has placed parts of Islamabad under tight security. Roads near the Red Zone were closed, public transport was disrupted and police guarded areas around the Serena Hotel.

Araghchi met Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir after arriving late on Friday, according to images released by Pakistan and Irans foreign ministries. Al Jazeera reported that Pakistani mediators were cautiously optimistic after the visit began.

The talks follow weeks of stalled diplomacy. US and Iranian officials held a first round of talks in Pakistan on 11 April, which lasted more than 21 hours but ended without agreement.

US President Donald Trump told Reuters that Iran was making an offer and well have to see. He said he did not yet know the details.

Tehran has framed the visit as part of a regional tour. Araghchi said he would also travel to Oman and Russia to discuss bilateral issues and regional developments.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of Irans national security committee, said Araghchi had no assignment related to nuclear talks in Pakistan, according to the BBC. He said nuclear activity remained one of Irans firm red lines.

The main dispute remains the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has restricted passage through the waterway, while the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and vessels. Tehran has called the blockade piracy and says it must end before direct talks advance.

Iranian media reported that Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport resumed some international flights on Saturday, with departures to Muscat, Istanbul and Medina.

The regional conflict also continued in Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire despite a ceasefire extension announced earlier this week. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli forces in response to Israeli violations.

Israel also renewed warnings to Lebanese residents not to return to dozens of villages in the south. The Israeli military said it continues to illegally occupy areas during the ceasefire.

In Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinians voted in municipal elections, the first since the Gaza war began in October 2023. The Central Elections Commission said about 70,000 people were eligible to vote in Deir el-Balah, the only Gaza city included in the poll.

Israeli attacks in Gaza also continued. Middle East Eye reported that at least 11 Palestinians were killed on Saturday, while Al Jazeera reported 12 deaths in recent strikes, including police officers.

HT
Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend features 40 stops

Eleven venues will host more than 40 events during the annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Thursday, April 30, through Sunday, May 3.

Related Stories

The weekend includes pairing dinners, barrel tastings, new releases, barbecue dinners, estate tours, live music and a wine and cider brunch.

New this year is A Taste of Hendersonville wine dinner on opening night April 30. Hosted by Our State magazine at Horse Shoe Farm, the dinner features local cuisine paired with wines from Henderson Countys Crest of the Blue Ridge wine region.

We like to think of Cider, Wine and Dine Weekend as a great kickoff to North Carolina Wine Month each May, said Michelle Owens, Visit Hendersonvilles executive director. More than a day trip, its an extended weekend for exploring some of the states best vineyards and cideries.

Highlights include:

Friday, May 1: Live music and release of Sipping Sunset, the best-selling wine at Sawyer Springs Vineyard; a spring wine dinner with a James Beard-nominated chef at Marked Tree Vineyard; and the Cider, Wine & Dine Dance Party with Sound Invasion at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards.

Saturday, May 2: Guided farm and orchard hike at Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery; unveiling of tasting flights at Souther Williams Vineyard; and music in the vines by Grammy-winning flat-picker Trey Hensley at Marked Tree Vineyard.

Sunday, May 3: Wine and cider brunch at Seasons at Highland Lake Inn; a surprise wine release at Stone Ashe Vineyards; and the WNC Cheese Trails spring pop-up market at Marked Tree Vineyard.

Daily events Friday through Sunday include Bluegrass & BBQ at Point Lookout Vineyards, the Barrel Room Food & Wine Experience at Marked Tree Vineyard, chocolate and wine pairings at Stone Ashe Vineyards and private table tastings at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. For a complete list of free and ticketed events, along with lodging options and packages, visit visithendersonvillenc.org/cider-wine-dine-weekend.